en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1129804 Comments by Filibuster http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/elliott-right-over-sf-corner-boys-15153726.html#IDComment150941227 As a 'hardline' unionist i was left wondering where were Tom Elliotts thoughts about victims in 1998 when his party agreed the release of over 300 convicted, guilty terrorists from our prisons? Where was this hardline attitude he exhibits after mere heckles, when the spy ring was discovered at Stormont?; or when terrorism was glorified to school kids with tales of being on the run? Sinn Fein is not the party it was prior to 2005. It now supports the police courts and rule of law. The ira disarmed and stood down. Sinn Fein supporters now vote for a party committed to peace. His comments may have had some justification, in my eyes, were they made before these changes, but are just plain rude, abusive and incorrect today. Wed, 11 May 2011 09:42:47 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/elliott-right-over-sf-corner-boys-15153726.html#IDComment150941227 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109604513 what planet do you live on. you still have not addressed the main issue of Jim Allisters 2004 manifesto. He deceived me and thousands others. Abandoned his promises and pledges. Left the DUP for doing what he had wanted in his 2004 manifesto. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 18:27:22 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109604513 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109600338 What has this got to do with anything. The DUP never promised to oppose Irish funding projects here!! What is wrong with two sovereign countries working together for the betterment of their citizens in health, roads, electricity supply etc. It happens everyday between portugal and spain, germany and france. Why not here. I want the ROI and NI to have closer links...in fact i believe in a united ireland. The south should never have left the UK. It is time it admits it cannot survive on its own and applies to rejoin the union! Sat, 13 Nov 2010 18:03:30 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109600338 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109599480 As for Ian Paisley he said in 1993 that he would not be part of the talks process unless all others involved were committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means. He kept that promise and left in 1997 when sinn fein were prematurely admitted. He opposed the GFA because the shinners were part of it before committing to exclusively peaceful and democratic means. In 2003 and 2004 He and the DUP set out the way forward after becoming the biggest party in unionism. I have posted extracts. He said mandatory coalition was an option....one of three. Sorry how is he a traitor. It was the DUPn policy since 1993 at least. He kept his pledge to me and the others who voted DUP on the basis of its manifestoes and went into govt when SInn Fein changed and became soley a democratic political movement. As promised in Jim Allisters manifesto. Jim is the traitor. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 17:59:08 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109599480 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109598468 Incase you didn't notice Sinn Fein in 2005 supported the police. They took an oath of office to support the police courts and rule of law in 2007. Since 2007 they have repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to peace and democracy....Martin called republicans murderers traitors. and condemned the murder of policeman and the two soldiers. so yes big changes. As in the 1990's when sinn fein started on the political path they lost some hardline republicans. The same in 2005. The south armagh brigade of the IRA defected to the real ira years ago. Paul Quinns murder was not sought or sanction by the IRA. You know that as much as Jim Allister does. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 17:54:08 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109598468 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109591925 "there are three potential forms of administration which could be formed: - a Voluntary Coalition which can command cross community support, - a mandatory coalition involving all the major parties, or - a corporate assembly in which the Assembly as a whole would take executive decisions. A mandatory coalition to include Sinn Fein is only possible when they are demonstrably committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means." That was Jim Allisters manifesto in 2004. Now mandatory coalition is a benign form of despotism. No twisting there. That is the simple facts. He changed....Not Ian Paisley. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 17:24:19 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109591925 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109590280 that was never never never to dublin rule...as i assume you well know. Jim Allister today called the mandatory coalition system a benign form of despotism. His manifesto said it was one of three acceptable forms of govt. which is the truth. If he says two opposing things which is the truth? A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 17:16:22 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109590280 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109584146 Why was my original post removed? who moderates this? censorship will not work! Jim Allisters 2004 manifesto said "there are three potential forms of administration which could be formed: - a Voluntary Coalition which can command cross community support, - a mandatory coalition involving all the major parties, or - a corporate assembly in which the Assembly as a whole would take executive decisions. A mandatory coalition to include Sinn Fein is only possible when they are demonstrably committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means." He now attacks the DUP position. He left the DUP in 2007 when they formed a mandatory coalition as per HIS manifesto. HE left the DUP and his electors without representation at Europe. Fool me once Jim shame on you. You'll not get my vote again. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:47:00 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-angry-at-powersharing-deal-says-tuv-15003307.html#IDComment109584146 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-robinson-defies-critics-over-joint-award-with-sinn-fein-15002147.html#IDComment109579787 You might wish to live in a country where MLA's staff are gathering information like national insurance numbers, adresses, schools children attend, number plates of cars driven etc etc. Ask the police, army, prison officers, etc if its a good idea. Paisley stood up for everyones freedom. Its not in anyones interest to allow that kind of shenanigans Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:09:40 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-robinson-defies-critics-over-joint-award-with-sinn-fein-15002147.html#IDComment109579787 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-robinson-defies-critics-over-joint-award-with-sinn-fein-15002147.html#IDComment109579755 Hold on that is nonsense. Paisley as a leader of the opposition in the then stormont could no more control the aritsocracy and their jobs for the boys than a man on the street. The unionists themselves got rid of ONeill because he couldn't be trusted. He didn't even tell his own cabinet that Lemass was invited to Stormont. Trimble was brought down rightly becuse he lied ot the people. Either he meant "no guns on the table under the table or outside the door" or he didnt. He then said no guns no govt...then let the shinners in again and again and then a third time. Stormont spy ring, castlereagh, gun running from florida and russia, FARC rebel information swaps etc etc....is that how you want your country to be run. No. It had to stop. Sinn Fein knew they could roll trimble over. Not so with ian. The shinners supported the police at the 2005 ard fheis. who'd have thoght it! All because someone had the back bone to say enough...no more. He didn't generate hatred. He gave the ordinary working class people a voice. . Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:09:28 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-robinson-defies-critics-over-joint-award-with-sinn-fein-15002147.html#IDComment109579755 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-robinson-defies-critics-over-joint-award-with-sinn-fein-15002147.html#IDComment109542184 Paisley is not and was not a hate monger. Asking for all politicians involved in Northern Irelands government to be committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means is not hate mongering. It is plain simple democracy. From 1993 onwards, when I started following politics here, Paisley has seemed nothing but sensible. Trimle tried to work with sinn fein before they were committed to peace and got slapped in the face time and again. Those things did not happen Paisley. Either Trimble had rose tinted glasses...or he was incompetent. I go for the latter. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:44:46 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-robinson-defies-critics-over-joint-award-with-sinn-fein-15002147.html#IDComment109542184 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/sharon-owens/sharon-owens-why-irsquove-made-my-choice-and-abandoned-the-catholic-faith-14949715.html#IDComment104304426 I think it is excellent that you have abandoned your catholic faith. I would recommend faith in Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Bible. Authorised King James version preferably. It tells us that a evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit, and that by their fruits ye shall know them. Any organised religion or faith that cannot pass this test should be cast aside. If it claims to be Christian religion and doesn't follow the teaching of the Lord, or show the fruits of the spirit it is not of God. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. The wages of sin is death. The gift of God is eternal life. Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:31:04 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/sharon-owens/sharon-owens-why-irsquove-made-my-choice-and-abandoned-the-catholic-faith-14949715.html#IDComment104304426 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/peter-robinson-calls-for-end-to-school-segregation-14978235.html#IDComment104302906 What drivel! Under Ian Paisley northern ireland had 6 professing Christians out of twelve on the executive. thats not secular. The DUP and Ian said in the talks process that they would not work with sinn fein until they committed to peaceful democratic means. In 2003 they set out the terms for this in 'devolution now'. Its still on the DUP webiste and formed the main plank of Jim Allisters 2004 euro manifesto. There is amazing duplicity and hypocrisy.....but it comes from Jim Allister! Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:13:21 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/peter-robinson-calls-for-end-to-school-segregation-14978235.html#IDComment104302906 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/academic-selection-is-immoral-and-unjust-14975096.html#IDComment104301037 So to stream children based on their ability into education best suited to them is immoral. But to stream children into educational facilities based on where they live is not immoral?!? I think a needs and ability based approach is not only moral but a common sense approach. Sat, 16 Oct 2010 11:58:38 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/academic-selection-is-immoral-and-unjust-14975096.html#IDComment104301037 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/most-mlas-are-surplus-to-requirement-14977374.html#IDComment104299940 At last? I recall Peter Robinson saying this in 1998! Sat, 16 Oct 2010 11:44:57 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/most-mlas-are-surplus-to-requirement-14977374.html#IDComment104299940