Do Unionists Really Accept Nationalists as Equals   Michéal MháDúnnaín • 24 May 2007 The members of the assembly have had barely time to warm their behinds on their seats at Stormont and already the upcoming debates are being discussed in the media. These debates, or non debates, always seem to have as their general theme, "a step toward in building trust or reconciliation", however in reality it is merely unionist attempting to regain the ascendancy. Since the opening of the assembly, the First Minister in particular has been noted as making several sectarian and racist comments with no censure from the media nor his fellow MLAs; rather his statements are treated as jocular behavior. Such comments as 'the deputy can have the crumbs when other guests are finished eating', while on another occasion the First [Minister] just keeps referring to Martin McGuinness as 'the deputy', are racist and sectarian, implying that Catholics are non citizens and second class citizens at best. The First Minister has also made referrals to the how he rejoices that the Queen is still the Head of State and his loyalty to the Crown as a motion was put forward to join the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, again a further example of unionist triumphalism. This latter motion has been coupled with demands that the Free State rejoin the Nations of the Commonwealth as a goodwill gesture to the unionist population. Perhaps the real motion that should be on the table is that, wouldn't [it] be best for the north to enter into a Commonwealth of Ireland to improve the social and economic condition of its people. Sinn Fein have been lambasted for following an all Ireland farming policy by the DUP MEP. However as everyone knows, even the unionist farmers know, that if the north's farming community is linked to the south they will get more funding than if they were linked to England; its a matter of practicality. If there was to be a Commonwealth of Ireland, this would be a seen a good will gesture by everyone to benefit the island of Ireland. In an Irish Commonwealth the state would be governed for the common good as opposed to an authoritarian state governed for the benefit of a given section of the population. Each of the states would be a self-governing, autonomous political unit voluntarily associated with state. However, the unionists have shown little or regard to the common wealth of it citizens as they prepare to veto an Irish language motion in favor of more funds for the promotion of what can be best described as English dialect which somehow unionist have transformed into a language. They have also vetoed anti discrimination legislation aimed at promoting equality. They are also ready to dilute the north/south bodies in their attempt to rebuild 'Fortress Niron'.                                                                                                           Index: Current Articles + Latest News and Views + Book Reviews + Letters + Archives

There is no such thing as a dirty word. Nor is there a word so powerful, that it's going to send the listener to the lake of fire upon hearing it. - Frank Zappa Printer Friendly Index: Current Articles Help support The Blanket 18 June 2007 Other Articles From This Issue: Belly Up Anthony McIntyre Reality Hits Home John Kennedy It's Luta Continua for Sinn Fein in the South of Ireland Mick Hall The Scream Brian Mór Government Woes Mick Hall And Now a Word From Our Minister, Martin Brian Mór Ruled By Zealots Michael Gillespie Introducing, Big Ian & the Gerryaires Brian Mór Another Gigantic Step Anthony McIntyre A New Dawn John Kennedy The Colonisation of Sinn Fein/IRA Paddy Hackett Address to éirígí’s James Connolly Commemoration Daithí Mac An Mhaistír Preparing an Irish Democracy 32 County Sovereignty Movement The Irish Left Mick Hall Nightsticks Fred A. Wilcox Crocodile Tears John Kennedy Tensions Haven't Gone Away Dan Collins 2025: Dawn of the New Troubles? Dr John Coulter Do Unionists Really Accept Nationalists as Equals Michéal MháDúnnaín Somethings Never Change John Kennedy Dawson's Legacy Dr John Coulter Don't Take Me Now, Lord Brian Mór 40 Years of Occupation and 60 Years of Wars: Enough Mazin Qumsiyeh Basque Americans for a Special Envoy Mark J. Guerry Religion Has Everything to do With Terrorism Maryam Namazie • 6 May 2007 • Colluding in Silence Mick Hall Censorship Complementing Cover Up Anthony McIntyre Pricks John Kennedy Bi-Nationalism Antaine Uas O'Labhradha Protestantism and the Republic Roy Johnston UVF Statement: Unionists Welcome in Nine-County Ulster Parliament Ruairí Ó Brádaigh Hidden Hand John Kennedy Selection at Eleven Michael Gillespie Stormont Christian Coalition? Dr John Coulter Ken Bruen's 'The Priest': Galway's Heart of Moral Darkness Seaghán Ó Murchú Scottish Left Must Reunite in New Socialist Party! Mick Hall Return of the Wild Geese Dr John Coulter Calling All de Gaulles! Eoghan O'Suilleabhain Blair's Irish Decade Dr John Coulter

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