tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965333981619997978.post4123738760018665747..comments2023-11-03T08:40:03.424+00:00Comments on Jude Collins: Talking with the 'dissidents'Jude Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02255073034338282041noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965333981619997978.post-57231307500967521262012-02-25T09:52:06.037+00:002012-02-25T09:52:06.037+00:00Barney, but that is where the argument was always ...Barney, but that is where the argument was always lost - in futile armed campaigns. The Provos got very little in return for their often brave and selfless actions. You thinking there should be room for a second opinion in that community is an acknowledgement that room is denied. It always has been. The Provo leadership cannot abide dissent. Armed dissent suits the Provos better as it is easier to dismiss than non violent critiques. Richard O'Rawe was not promoting violence. Even before his tale became stronger than SF's they hated him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965333981619997978.post-36572063051439501082012-02-22T17:04:36.070+00:002012-02-22T17:04:36.070+00:00I said recently that there has to be room in the r...I said recently that there has to be room in the republican community for a second voice and another opinion. There is nothing wrong with dissent if that's what it is - a different opinion. Where the argument is lost is in a resort to armed activity and actions that will achieve nothing and change nothing. That is the futility of the campaign, and, I agree, where the focus needs to be. The discussion is for the republican community and all its strands.barney rowannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965333981619997978.post-64609158485834967732012-02-22T15:54:17.693+00:002012-02-22T15:54:17.693+00:00Barney,
long before Hume started talking to Adams...Barney,<br /><br />long before Hume started talking to Adams the Provos were on the current course. It was clear there would be a unionist SF deal and that SF would bend considerably to accomodate that deal. If you go into talks with dissidents using that logic they are unlikely to talk much. What would be in it for them other than the defeat they are so opposed to? You need to talk to them in such a way that the logic drops on them about the futility of the campaign. Let them figure out that they can remain oppositional without either being violent or rolling over like the Provos did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965333981619997978.post-31063168955566763042012-02-21T18:42:46.297+00:002012-02-21T18:42:46.297+00:00Just a few thoughts and questions. What was the ex...Just a few thoughts and questions. What was the expectation when John Hume began talking to Gerry Adams, and what was achieved? A decade ago could we have imagined a political arrangement at Stormont involving Sinn Fein and the DUP? If you can create momentum within talks then people can be moved.There are those in that dissident or alternative republican world who have been around this conflict long enough to know that armed actions are not going to drive the 'Brits' out or force a re-write of the political agreement. So there needs to be a focus on those armed actions and a constant questioning about their motivation and purpose. Talking may change nothing, but who knows until someone makes the effort. This is a big discussion for the republican community and all its strands - the challenge is to talk to and with each other, not at each other.barney rowannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965333981619997978.post-2105595169592154712012-02-21T12:40:47.917+00:002012-02-21T12:40:47.917+00:00Dissidents are merely following in the footsetps o...Dissidents are merely following in the footsetps of Martin McGuinness and people like him. Jude's point is right about not expecting too much from discussion. Although sometimes the people making the argument for violence really need to hear themselves in conversation with others to see how implausible their position is. For that reason Barney is to be commended.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965333981619997978.post-8374808662792716572012-02-20T14:55:01.218+00:002012-02-20T14:55:01.218+00:00Jude - thanks for your kind words. I agree entirel...Jude - thanks for your kind words. I agree entirely that there are no guarantees that talking will change anything, but we won't know until someone makes the effort to create a forum in which all voices can be heard. I think those who continue to engage in armed actions need to explain what they think they can achieve or will change. I spoke to Ciaran Cunningham about this during the panel discussion at the Waterfront and in a report I did for UTV Live Tonight mid January.You should still be able to get it on the UTV Player. Again, thanks for your kind words and for the issues raised in the Blog. Barneybarney rowannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965333981619997978.post-52315489867456693882012-02-19T18:46:17.633+00:002012-02-19T18:46:17.633+00:00Stephen Nolan Show - I think it was Friday lastStephen Nolan Show - I think it was Friday lastJude Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02255073034338282041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965333981619997978.post-40988740878527991912012-02-19T15:38:57.876+00:002012-02-19T15:38:57.876+00:00What was the B B C programme on which you and Ciar...What was the B B C programme on which you and Ciaran Cunningham discussed these issues?It would be interesting to access it on I player.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com