Well, of you don't wish to engage in discussion, or cannot articulate your assertions, it might be best to say nothing.Originally Posted by gastric
I'm sure the OWC moderating team would be quite flattered to learn than their website is fundamental in forming Nationalist opinion.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
I'm not convinced. Whether OWCers are extreme or not wouldn't have any bearing on the general cultural relevance of the NI team to the nationalist community. If anything, surely it is the intrinsic British/unionist nature of the NI team that confirms to nationalists that NI is not for them.
Again. You are wrong. You need to educate yourself about the nationalist communities attitude to northern ireland, and how its status reflects upon their own identity (hint - it doesn't).
I'll let others comment on whether the IFA are political;they strike as more incompetent than anything else. Though as we all know that's hardly a unique attribute for a national FA...
As for their fans, as alluded to above, most I've encountered have been far more militant on this 'player issue' and to that extent NB is a bit of a 'voice in the wilderness...'.
It doesn't make them 'extreme' by the standards of the North though, far from it...
What are the main political aspirations of a 'nationalist'?
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
The opposite to those of a 'unionist'.
Granted. But it can certainly galvanise their opinion and does not in any way ingratiate the NI team to Nationalists and that is the point I am making.
In reality high employment, a successful economy and first class health care/education. At an abstract level probably equality and self-determination through purely democratic means. By that definition therefore nationalists do not want to see the end to the northern ireland state, unless there comes a time whereby the state, by its own accord, ceases to exist.
And if you want to revert to insults, I know what I will be doing next month, watching my team in a major competition. Maybe you should use your energies to help the IFA find some relevancy as the future looks particularly ordinary.
Do you have any suggestions as to what the IFA should do to 'ingratiate' the Northern Ireland team to Nationalists?
Do you believe there are many Nationalists bursting at the seams to support Northern Ireland, if only the IFA ingratiated them?
Whatever changes were made, do you think many Nationalists/Republicans would have more of an affinity to the Northern Ireland team than to the Republic Of Ireland team?
I'm with DI on this - I genuinely believe that even if the Anthem and Flag were changed (something I would support!) for Northern Ireland games, that it would make little or no difference to the numbers of Nationalists/Republicans supporting Northern Ireland.
Why? - because they are Nationalists/Republicans.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
I was actully responding to your comments about the OWC. It seems we are back to moving goalposts which is why it is often hard to engage in meaningful debate with you.
You should set up a new Nationalist political party.
I had a quick glance at the website of the main Nationalist political party - the SDLP.
Under it's 'ideas', number 1 is a United Ireland. No problems with that at all, but don't insult our intelligence by saying that Nationalists, by definition, don't seek a United Ireland.
We all want high employment, quality healthcare etc - when it comes to supporting a national football team, I would respectfully suggest that cultural identity comes to the fore.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
My questions to you still stand.
You are quick to identify the problems, but what are your solutions for the IFA to ingratiate the Nationalist community in their support of the Northern Ireland team?
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Idealism and realism are two different things. And in the real world give a guess which one wins. Maybe this is different in Unionist circles.
Perhaps, like Giggs did with England.
But my point is more around the checking of said nationality, all these players can have whatever nationality, identity they want. I wouldn't believe they actually do check up until a certain level, not senior. Predators point proves this also.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
And that is really the issue. Decades of close affiliation with Unionist politics has not helped the IFA. In terms of solution I have been criticised on here for my views which would involve a seismic change involving leadership, transparency, responsibility and God help, us a plan for the future which presently does not seem to exist.
Actually the SDLP manifesto proposes a referendum on unity, with the northern Ireland assembly and executive continuing as a regional parliament, much as it operates today. As such if the state, by it's own accord, leaves the union, it's political system will largely remain intact.
Ouch.
Funnily enough, I'll be in the Ukraine on the last weekend of June - watching a Northern Ireland International team competing against the cream of Europe.
The Head of the IFA's Community Relations Department, a good friend of mine, will be there too - in fact, he's playing.
I'm sure we'll chew the fat over a few refreshments about our ordinary future, and what can be done to make it brighter.
Any suggestions?
PS. I hope your favourites do well next month - I have a small financial interest in them doing well.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Fine, support perhaps not, but it would at least make those republicans and nationalists playing for NI a lot more comfortable.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Not at all - day to day issues are more concerning to me that the Constitutional status of Northern Ireland on a day to day basis.
It was you that said you don't have much in common with me - I have more in common with Nationalists/Republicans than what divides us.
What is this close affiliation with Unionist politics you speak of?
Have you any specifics about what you propose to enact the seismic changes you speak of?
As a Republic Of Ireland fan, why does this exercise you so much?
So, in short, the SDLP would rather there was a United 32 County Irish State, and actively try to convince voters of the merits of that. Unionist friendly Unity is the expression a friend, Secretary of the local SDLP Branch, uses.
PS. Adam will be happy.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Posting Permissions
Quote
Bookmarks