V4D

THE LONG MARCH TO CONTINUE!

2009-04-17T19:28:00.001Z

Dear friends,

10th Anniversary - an invitation to stand with us again

Ten years ago on the 24th June 1999 the Long March set out from the Guildhall in Londonderry to campaign for the Restoration of our Civil Liberties and to tell the story of the Real Victims along with highlighting other issues of injustice.

Recently the rapidly deteriorating security situation in our country has proved that having unrepentant terrorists in government does not bode well for a peaceful and stable society, as the Irish Republican terror pogrom continues against the unionist community.

In response to this deteriorating situation the Long March Committee intends to implement a programme of events, aimed at highlighting the plight of the real victims of the past and now again of the present, all of whom have been so shamefully treated and the disgracefully betrayed.

The recent atrocity at Massereene Barracks Antrim reopened old wounds again for many who have suffered in the past and so, as a first step, it has been decided that in order to show our solidarity with the families of those two young soldiers as well as the civilians who were badly injured we should hold a short procession to the entrance of the camp where an Act of Remembrance will be held.

We would cordially invite you to take part in this procession, which will take place on Wednesday.13th May forming up at Fountain Hill, Antrim at 7.45pm and making its way to the Royal Ulster Constabulary Memorial and then on to the entrance of Massereene Barracks where the Act of Remembrance will take place.

We feel it is important that we all recognize, publicly, the sacrifice still being made by our armed forces in the defence of our freedoms and British way of life and that we send a clear message to our enemies that we too still haven’t gone away.

Please encourage family and friends to attend this vital demonstration of our resolve.

The Long March Committee

Traitors exposed in Scarva.

2008-07-15T16:27:00.002Z

The Traditional Black parade in Scarva saw Unionists vent their anger at those members of the Loyal Orders and the DUP who have betrayed the Unionist community.

Daryl Hewitt (Portadown Orange District Master, who earlier this year met Gerry Adams) was heckled as he paraded through Scarva. He was asked where Gerry was and one angry member of the crowd demanded he remove his collerette as he was a disgrace.

David Simpson (DUP MP) was also heckled as he paraded to the demonstration field. However Simpson refused to parade back from the field. Imagine a DUP MP afraid of the Unionist electorate!

Meanwhile the TUV made the most of the day to give out leaflets which gained a positive response. The TUV also had a BBQ where they sold burgers to raise funds for the European Election. Members of the party claimed that they had a very successful day and had many encouraging comments from customers who pledged to vote for the TUV.

Dickinson blasts Compromise

2008-07-15T15:57:00.003Z

The Rev. Stephen Dickinson was the guest speaker at the glorious 12th in Ballyclare this year. The Minister stated that Orangemen were living in days of great compromise both religiously and politically. The Rev. Dickinson stated that the order should promote the Protestant faith above all else and made a call for Orangemen to put 'Protestantism back into Orangeism'. He said that the promotion of pagan cultures through Chinese Lion dances was contray to scripture and should never be repeated by the Orange Order. The Rev. Dickinson made it clear that the reformed faith should never be compromised by the Orange Order.
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Turning his attention to political compromise the Rev. Dickinson blasted the DUP. The Rev. Dickinson stated that the DUP had released a leaflet to send to Orangemen. The leaflet was designed to convey what the DUP had achieved for the Orange Order. The Rev. Dickinson pointed out that all achievements listed involved securing funding. The Rev stated that the Order was not about money and culture tourism but rather it was about Protestantism!
The Rev. Dickinson went on to say that without the DUP the IRA who had murdered Orangemen and focused on destroying the Order would not be in government. The Minister went on to pay tribute to members of the Order, the B Specials, the RUC and the UDR who had unlike the DUP refused to compromise to the IRA.
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The sermon focused on the need for members to seek salvation through Jesus Christ. The Rev. Dickinson made it clear that religion and the Orange was not the way to heaven but rather through Jesus.
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The platform proceedings attracted an extremely large crowd. Many present remarked on the numbers who had gathered to listen to the Rev. Dickinson.
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Hundreds attend Ladyhill Bonfire

2008-07-13T15:59:00.005Z

Hundreds enjoyed the 11th night celebrations at Ladyhill bonfire. The fire attracted a record crowd as hundreds turned out to hear speeches by Jim Allister MEP and the Rev. Stephen Dickinson review the past year.

Mr Allister slammed the DUP and claimed that in the year since he last addressed the bonfire many more people had come to the realisation of the DUP betrayal. Mr Allister stated that his TUV party had gained great support in the Dromore election. Mr Allister stated that with grassroot support the TUV could act to reverse the appeasement of terrorists and prevent the IRA rewritting history.

The Rev. Dickinson spoke of the leaflet released by the DUP to be distributed to Orangemen. He stated that the leaflet made claims of what the DUP had achieved for the Loyal Orders. The Rev. Dickinson stated that their list of achievements focused on gaining money. However the DUP were presiding over the destruction of Orangeism as its Protestant ideals were being softened in return for the funding the DUP claimed to have secured (part of which is from the Republic of Ireland).

Jim Allister MEP presents one of the prizes on the night

The Traditional Bonfire at Ladyhill

Happy 12th of July

2008-07-11T15:58:00.003Z

V4D would like to wish everyone a happy 12th of July.

Remember when your out and about at the various 12th demonstrations and Scarva to let our politicans know your views!

Who turned off the lights?

2008-07-10T15:56:00.003Z

(Wee Willy who suffers from stomach sickness - This year it is the thought of sharing power with Unionists that makes him sick)

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Last year Magherafelt Arch Committee removed pictures of William McCrea and Ian Paisley from the arch in the town in opposition to power-sharing with the IRA. The Arch had for some years used electric from a Bible shop in the town which has a close association with William McCrea. This year the shop refused to permit the Arch Committee use of their electric. It would appear that Mr McCrea had exerted his influence to leave the Arch Committee in the dark. When contacted by local papers Mr McCrea refused to make any statement regarding his decision to reject power-sharing with Unionists. The Arch Committee has successfully located an alternative supply of electric to ensure that a Unionist presence remains visable in Magherafelt.

Allister to Address Bonfire

2008-07-09T21:51:00.002Z

Last year Ladyhill bonfire made the front page of the Newsletter on the 12th of July after Jim Allister addressed the large crowd. Mr Allister had indicated his intentions to form a movement against power-sharing with the IRA to rapturous appaulse. This year Mr Allister will once again address the crowd at the annual bonfire.

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It is also expected that Orange Order Grand Master Robert Saulters and Grand Chaplin the Rev. Stephen Dickinson will address the crowd concerning the Orange Order.

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Ladyhill bonfire is a traditional bonfire which has won the seal of approval from the Sixmilewater Cultural Society (organisers of the 12th demonstration in Ballyclare). The fire attracts a large crowd each year and encourages families. Bouncy Castles, live music, tug-of-war and stock showing all add to the fantastic atmosphere. The fun will commence from 9:30, with the fire being lighted at 11pm.

History being re-written

2008-07-09T16:56:00.002Z

Writting in the Newsletter N R Greer asks 'whether black can be declared white in accordance with the whims of the peace processing elite.'

The article refers to the so-called "legacy inquest" into the death of Dermot McShane. N R Greer states 'in a riot in Londonderry 12 years ago. McShane, a one-time member of the criminal and terrorist gang the INLA, chose to insert himself into the midst of the riot during which some 1,200 petrol bombs, each capable of killing or maiming, were hurtled at the police and Army.McShane was hiding behind a hoarding when he was run over by an Army vehicle. In a rational world, it would be obvious that he chose to put himself in harm's way in the midst of a confusing and dangerous situation, that was misadventure and that no one else could be held accountable for his death, except perhaps the republican ringmasters who organised the riot. The jury in Londonderry decided it was all the Brits' fault for not following proper procedures.'

The full article can be read on the Newsletters website.

Portadown-Adams meeting - disasterous consequences

2008-07-09T16:44:00.005Z

V4D has learnt that a number of members of the Orange Institution have tendered their resignations as a result of Portadown District meeting Gerry Adams.

It is believed that more resignations are pending the September Grand Lodge meeting were a decision will be made about whether Portadown District officers will face disipline for failing to adhere to Grand Lodge policy.

Meeting the man responsible for the IRA campaign that claimed the lives of many Orangemen has caused great distress for many of the most active members.

Remember this 12th of July: “Hundreds of Orangemen won’t be talking to Gerry Adams this twelfth, his comrades in SF/IRA seen to that, they murdered them!”

Larne Orange District vs Larne Council

2008-07-09T16:38:00.003Z

Larne District Orange Lodge have been campaigning in recent weeks against the Council's decision not to fund red, white and blue bunting in the town for the 12th celebrations.

Larne Councillors claimed they were unable to support the bunting under equality legislation. However the Council previously provided bunting until this year. Therefore many of the Orangemen have seen the decision as the outworkings of the St. Andrews agreement.

Outraged Orangemen protested against the council's decision on Monday night. The district have now provided and erected bunting for the town.

Why the UUP rejected co-option

2008-07-09T16:16:00.000Z

We don't speak for the UUP, but we could offer one reason why they decided to call an election in Fermanagh here it is:
Thomas Hogg. Mr Hogg was the DUP's choice for co-option to the council. Mr Hogg resides in Belfast and represents Belfast DPP. We don't know how he intends to co-ordinate his work in such contrasting constituencies.
We can't think of any better reason to reject a co-option.
NB: This post raises the reason that the UUP rejected the co-option in Fermanagh. They stated that inexperience coupled with the fact that Mr Hogg doesn't reside in Fermanagh made the DUP choice impossible to accept.
Disclaimer V4D has raised the issue of local government not being local for debate not personal attack.

Battle of the Diamond 2008!

2008-07-07T14:33:00.003Z

Sunday night witnessed the latest battle at the diamond. Ian Paisley traditionally speaks at the Diamond every July, however this year he faced opposition that ensured his speech could not be heard.

Mr Paisley arrived at the service surrounded by personal security and PSNI but did not leave his car until the service had commenced clearly hoping to avoid any protestors before the service. (Mrs Delila) Paisley remained in the car throughout the whole event. Thee woman who convinced him to enter government with the IRA was unwilling to face the public!

As Ian Paisley approached the mircophone a banner was unveiled in the middle of the 150 crowd. (The numbers had dramatically reduced since previous years, evidence of reducing support for the DUP. The crowd was largely made up of DUP political identities including David Samson former strong man of Portadown, James Tinsley, Edwin Poots, Willy Irwin, Stephen Moutray and other councillors) The banner read 'No Terrrorists in Government'. Immediately those protesting and holding the banner were attacked by members of the crowd. Six young men pulled at the banner and kicked those protesting in a vile attempt to remove the banner and the voice of victims of the IRA.

Police arrived on the scene and managed to stand between the two factions but the small hardcore of Paisley supporters continued shouting and when possible pushing at protestors. While those protesting did shout over Paisley they did not begin or maintain the physical pushing and kicking of which the Paisley supporters commenced.

While the Paisley hardcore claim that the service was to preach the gospel and that no protest should have occured the protestors can point to the physical assaults of the Paisley hardcore who attempted to derail a peaceful protest.

Those who once claimed to be the moral voice of Ulster have been exposed as they adopted the bully boy tactics of their comrades in the IRA to silence opposition.

One protestor stated: 'I went to participate in a peaceful protest. In the past I followed Dr. Paisley everywhere and was a staunch supporter. I feel betrayed and wanted him to see my hurt. Unfortunately his new supporters turned the protest into a brawl, their behaviour was disguisting. Nevertheless I am proud to have been their to stand against the lies of that man. He should not be preaching the gospel he has done more harm to it than any other man in Ulster!'

As Paisley left the stage the PSNI attempted to hold the crowd back from his car but protestors managed to get over a grass verge to the car where they continued to tackle Paisley, asking why he had betrayed them. Mrs (Delia) Paisley crudely gestured to the protestors as the car sped off.

Ian Paisley will next wonder into the public sphere on the 12th of July at the Independant Orange Platform. Those who invited him should be ashamed. Nevertheless it will permit the ordinary Independant Orangemen an opportunity to demonstrate against the great betrayer once again!

Platform piece

2008-06-23T22:19:00.001Z

The futility and offensiveness of having terrorists defining what terrorism is, and indeed, defining what a victim is. This is what is happening at Stormont. One of the lies that terrorists have succeeded in getting people to believe is that they had a very good reason why they resorted to terrorist violence to get where they are today, a lie that was refuted powerfully.The issue surrounding 'one man's terrorist being another man's freedom fighter' was also aired and demolished with great precision, and those who hold to such a viewpoint were shown to be very foolish.The conference heard that the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland can be encapsulated in one word: terrorism. It is this (terrorism) that must be destroyed rather than accommodated by our institutions. If democracy does not destroy terrorism, terrorism will destroy democracy.Rather than human rights being there to protect democracy, it is being used to undermine it, and to protect terrorists and their activities. The use of politically correct language is an attempt to sanitise the language we use to describe what has been visited upon us during the past four decades. Practically everyone speaks about the 'conflict' and the 'Troubles,' while a few still describe it as it really was - an evil terrorist campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing against the decent people in Northern Ireland. Unless and until there is accuracy in language and definition, there will be no possibility to deal with the continuing terrorist threat and activity. If you do not know precisely what you are talking about, you cannot deal with it. The message is very clear: democracy and terrorism are incompatible and mutually exclusive. This message was reinforced by the acceptance of the Belfast Declaration at the end of the conference, and the setting up of a European-wide network of victims of terrorism groups. The innocent victims' groups have made it abundantly clear that they will not compromise the memory of their murdered relatives with political compromisers who now have no difficulty in getting 'under the duvet' with the very people who murdered and maimed our people, despite their protestations to the contrary. Victims are not stupid - they can discern who the genuine people are, and who those are who are playing games with them. Politicians who are 'joined at the hip' in government with PIRA/SF terrorists are in no position to help victims or to represent them in any capacity. Indeed, victims are very deeply hurt and feel insulted when such politicians pretend that they are committed to addressing victims' issues, when in fact they have betrayed them. We have not been fooled by their honeyed words and their fine talk. Nor are we impressed by their secret deals done in the name of helping victims, but are more calculated to promoting their own careers and raising their profile. Victims will not be used as political pawns, or as instruments to give legitimacy to institutions at Stormont where terrorists are accepted as bona fide democrats, which very thing they are not! Victims will reinforce their total opposition to terrorists in government, and will teach those who are now 'in bed' with them a lesson that they will not forget quickly. We have said consistently that if victims' issues are not dealt with in a way that gives victims proper recognition and that supports them in opposition to those who made them victims, Northern Ireland's future will be bleak. The fact is that this is still not being done, despite fine sounding words; indeed, victims are now being insulted and humiliated when they are advised to go to the terrorists for the help they need. Those who expect victims to do such a thing simply do not know how victims think and feel.

J. E. Hazlett Lynch (Dr)Magherafelt

2008-06-08T12:35:00.000Z

Straight questions demand straight answers Allister tells Weir

I note that Peter Weir has issued what he describes as a response to “scare-mongering”. In fact, Peter does not challenge my assertion that one of the ideas being discussed again is an Irish Language Act to be put through Westminster which the DUP would publicly make a song and dance about opposing but in practice it could form an integral part of a deal to allow terrorist inclusive government to stay on the rails. Is this on the agenda or not? And please don’t tell us again about “over our dead body” – we heard that before on 12th July 2006!
The inescapable truth is that the DUP has been manoeuvred into fresh negotiations on issues they assured Unionists had been safely seen off. Doubtless something to IRA/Sinn Fein’s advantage will emerge.
And on the issue of policing and justice – allow me to repeat a question I posed to him in the past: Just what is Mr Weir’s position on McGuinness gaining key powers over judicial appointments? I have consistently opposed any role for Marty the terrorist in the appointment of senior judges, at any time now or in the future. This would be an inevitable byproduct of the devolution of such powers. Mr Weir is strangely silent on this. Why?
These are not mere “sneering swipes” but key matters of concern for the Unionist community.

2008-06-08T12:33:00.001Z

Allister challenges Robinson over McGuinness' past

On the afternoon Peter Robinson MP took office with Martin McGuinness as Joint First Minister, Jim Allister MEP, pointedly reminded him of what he had previously alleged against McGuinness in the NI Assembly on 8 May 2001, when opposing him as Education Minister. Then Mr Robinson catalogued crimes of which he accused McGuinness as an IRA Commander and referred to his involvement in government as "immoral".
Among the first letters on Mr Robinson's desk as First Minister was this salvo from the TUV Leader:-
"Dear First Minister,As you take up office as Joint First Minister, it seems appropriate to remind you of what you famously said in the Assembly on 8 May 2001 about your infamous partner. Were you wrong in what you said about McGuinness? Has he been made amenable for any of the multiple offences you alleged against him? Has he - whom it is now claimed supports the police and rule of law - co-operated in solving the horrendous crimes which you mentioned? Or is he still the same unrepentant terrorist you then painted him to be? If so, what are you doing being politically joined at the hip with him? As you so cogently put it yourself on 8 May 2001, when objecting to such a person being Minister of Education, "Are we going to continue with this unseemly and immoral sham?" Are you?
Yours sincerely,

JAMES H ALLISTER QC MEP"

Unionism Decayed!

2008-05-29T14:39:00.001Z

As those who attended the last V4D meeting will be aware we spoke at some length about the recent launch of the book ‘Unionist Decayed’ written by David Vance.

It was the recommendation from the meeting that as many members of the Voice for Democracy Umbrella Group should acquire a copy of this excellent publication and gain a deeper insight into the treachery and betrayal which has been foisted upon the of the unionist people of Northern Ireland particularly during the past decade (1997 – 2007). Regarding the book David recently stated: -

‘I am getting very positive responses from all around the province indicating that we may not be as isolated as the media and politicians would have us believe. The likes of Waterstones have expressed a desire to stock, it’s now in the Bookshop at Queen’s, it’s in the Newsletter and on-line at Amazon and Waterstones. '

2008-05-21T14:40:00.000Z

Allister slams Absentee MPs in Abortion votes

21 May 2008

Statement by Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister:
"I am appalled that despite the protestations earlier in the week that the DUP as a "pro-life" party would vote to reduce the abortion threshold, one third of its MPs failed to vote to reduce the limit from 24 weeks. The absence of Ian Paisley, Peter Robinson and Jeffrey Donaldson, coming on top of absences on Monday's votes on key embryology issues, exposes yet again how dual mandates are robbing Northern Ireland of full and effective representation. The electors of North Antrim, East Belfast and Lagan Valley deserve better than to be left voiceless on such a fundamental moral and political issue.
There is no substance in public statements of opposition to the present abortion regime if when the opportunity to do something about it in the House of Commons is ignored. Just what was more important to these absentee MPs?"

2008-05-21T14:39:00.000Z

Allister pummels de Brun in Strasbourg

19 May 2008

Tonight, in a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on EU PEACE funding in Northern Ireland, Traditional Unionist MEP, Jim Allister, did not spare the report’s author, Barbara de Brun. Describing the report as one “of verbiage, not substance”, he drew attention to the irony of an IRA/Sinn Fein MEP being a rapporteur on peace, considering the victims needlessly made such by the IRA. He continued to note her failure to even refer to the unacceptable disadvantage suffered by the Unionist community in the distribution of PEACE funding and paid tribute to the security forces, not the EU, as the deliverers of peace.
In the course of his remarks Mr Allister said:-
“This is a report of verbiage, not substance, just as much PEACE Funding was wasted on froth.
The irony of an IRA/Sinn Fein MEP being rapporteur on a report on PEACE funding will not be lost on thousands in Northern Ireland whom her wicked organisation made victims, through its pernicious terrorist campaign. Its no surprise she can produce a report talking about a peace process without a single blushing reference, or scintilla of regret, as to how we came to need peace – because of her IRA’s decades of terror!
Nor, am I surprised she makes no mention of one of the gross failures of the PEACE Programme, namely the inequality in distribution between the two communities in Northern Ireland, with the Protestant/Unionist community not having had its fair share – not something, of course, likely to concern Ms de Brun.
Finally, let me place on record that the relative peace which we enjoy in Northern Ireland today, is primarily due, not to any EU PEACE Programme, but to the remarkable tenacity, courage and sacrifice of our marvellous security forces, who faced down the IRA terror which robbed us of peace for so long.”

SPECIAL INVITATION

2008-05-21T14:33:00.001Z

The next monthly meeting of

The Voice for Democracy Umbrella Group
will DV be held in
Burnside Orange Hall, Antrim

on Tuesday, 27th May at 7.45 pm.

Special Speaker

Mr William Ross (ex- MP for South Londonderry)

also

‘Key role of The Voice for Democracy Umbrella Group in 2008’

Some people dream of making a difference – Others stay awake and do it…

RSVP to Robert Campbell at address/phone as above or robertcampbell@talktalk.net

2008-05-21T14:28:00.000Z

DUP's cosy relationship with Sinn Fein/IRA put before Victims' needs

15 May 2008

“Time and again when the new victims’ commission was being debated the DUP voted with Sinn Fein/IRA and against all the other parties in the Assembly."
"Specifically, the DUP joined Sinn Fein in voting against amendments which would have:
· Restricted the number of commission members to four in the future;
· Made one of the commissioners a chief commissioner;
· Allowed the commission to operate where there is agreement by two thirds of members
· Prevented the First and deputy First Minister from appointing anyone as a commissioner who has a “conflicted related” (i.e. terrorist) conviction and excluded terrorists from being employed by the commission.
"As a result of the final amendment, Jeffery Donaldson moved a counter-amendment which means that the Commission can only employ someone guilty of a “conflicted-related” offence if they have the prior agreement of the First and deputy First Minister."
"A chief commissioner may only be appointed if the deputy First Minister agrees. This is a shameful betrayal of the interests of real victims. In effect, the DUP have betrayed those groups which are currently fighting the appointment of the commission in the courts, and have given their Provo chums an absolute veto over any changes."
"Of course, the real issue is OFMDFM’s flawed definition of the term “victim” which puts the IRA terrorist injured by his own bomb on the same level as the innocent victim. Shamefully no one even saw fit to seek an amendment of this."
"Given a choice between having a proper definition of “victim” and maintaining a cosy relationship with Sinn Fein/IRA, the DUP have chosen the latter.”

2008-05-16T17:02:00.001Z

Upper Bann TUV will be holding our next meeting on Monday 19th May at 8pm in Brownlow House, Lurgan. Our guest speaker will be former Member of Parliament for East Londonderry Mr. William Ross. We hope that you will be able to attend this special meeting and encourage others to come along as well (the meeting will be open to the public).

Then on Friday 30th May 2008 Upper Bann TUV will be hosting a fundraising Treasure Hunt and BBQ evening. Again the venue will be Brownlow House and the Treasure Hunt will begin at approximately 7:45pm. The Treasure Hunt will be by car and the price will be £5 per person (price includes BBQ).

We trust that you will plan to be with us for these two important events.

The UK needs a leader like this!

2008-04-28T20:30:00.000Z

Prime Minister John Howard - Australia Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks. Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying aboutWhether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.' 'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom' 'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!' 'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.' 'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.' 'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.' 'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.' Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, U.K. Citizens and Leaders will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths. If you agree ... Please SEND THIS ON.

No justice in SF/DUP run Ulster

2008-04-28T20:29:00.000Z

Speaking at the formation of a new branch of Traditional Unionist Voice in Enniskillen MEP Jim Allister hit out at the perversion of justice in Northern Ireland.
“Tuesday night’s documentary on the Enniskillen bomb reminded us just how unfit Martin McGuinness is to hold the position of joint First Minister. If, as some Unionists foolishly claim, Republicans now support the police why is McGuinness not cooperating with the PSNI to obtain justice for those who were killed and injured in the bombing?
By allowing unrepentant terrorists into government and claiming that they support the rule of law, while giving a by ball on information on past crimes in this county and throughout our Province, they have granted terrorists a de facto amnesty, both judicial and political.
The utter madness of current DUP policy was recently illustrated when local DUP councillor Bert Johnston welcomed the appointment of convicted terrorist Sean Lynch to Fermanagh DPP as someone who could bring “individual experience” to the role of overseeing the work of the police!
“Do not forget that Lynch did not even pay the price for his crimes. Because of the prisoner releases under the terms of the iniquitous Belfast Agreement – an Agreement now enthusiastically embraced by the DUP – Lynch did not serve his full sentence for attempting to launch a landmine attack on an Army patrol in 1986.
But one does not have to go back to the 1980s to find evidence of Republican blood lust. Next week the Independent Monitoring Commission will publish a report which will cover the brutal IRA murder of Paul Quinn. The IMC are already on record as saying that there was IRA involvement in the killing. Should they repeat this next week the moment of truth will have arrived for the DUP. Will the DUP Chairman, Lord Morrow, follow through on his Assembly speech agreeing the IRA murdered Quinn? Or, will he join Jeffrey Donaldson in running round looking for the Army Council minute book to find a let-out clause for the Provos?
Sadly, the DUP has already presided over the corruption of government and justice by elevating terrorists to the highest positions in the land and welcoming them onto DPPs. Will they also turn a blind eye to this vicious murder by the military wing of their partner in government? I confidently predict, self interest, will ensure they will twist, turn and prevaricate enough to literally let the Provos off with murder.”

BBC reveal McGuinness knowledge of Enniskillen bombing

2008-04-23T17:42:00.000Z

COMMENT BY TRADITIONAL UNIONIST MEP JIM ALLISTER ON PETER TAYLOR'S PROGRAMME ON ENNISKILLEN BOMBING:
"The further revelations about McGuinness by Peter Taylor raise both policing and political issues and require action on both fronts.
The Enniskillen massacre was one of the most genocidal and cruel attacks of the IRA. The revelation of McGuinness' knowledge and approval means he should be questioned forthwith by the PSNI about conspiracy to murder.
This further expose of the real McGuinness confirms to many that he may be more deserving of gaol than government. Those who put him, and sustain him, in the position of Joint First Minister should bury their heads in shame and should never again have the audacity to parade as champions of victims."

fundraiser proves cold house for Protestants

2008-04-19T08:49:00.000Z

Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has launched a scathing attack on the SDLP and Fianna Fail, after it was revealed that profits from a joint fundraiser will go to five Newry and Mourne SDLP Councillors, who in 2007, were found guilty by the Local Government Auditor of wilful misconduct. A fine of £10,000 was imposed on 12 Sinn Fein and 5 SDLP Councillors for denying the FAIR Victims group the use of a hall in Newtownhamilton, despite Newry and Mourne District Council receiving legal advice to the contrary.
The MEP said,“Today’s revelations that profits from an all-Ireland business breakfast organised by the SDLP and Fianna Fail are to go to 5 SDLP Councillors found guilty of discriminating against a Protestant Victims group, not only makes a mockery of a legal ruling, but appears to excuse discrimination against Protestant victims. Obviously, this is both indefensible and unacceptable.”
“I think Unionists will draw their own conclusions as to the use of an ‘All-Ireland’ event, organised by pan-Nationalism, by which to ‘lance the Protestant boil’ in John Hume’s words. The rights of Protestant/Unionist people have been seriously eroded as a legacy of the Belfast Agreement, while this is merely the latest manifestation of a cold house for Unionists in Nationalism’s all-Ireland agenda.”

Ten years of the Belfast Agreement

2008-04-13T20:14:00.000Z

FOREWARD BY JIM ALLISTER MEP:
10 years ago on 10 April 1998 the iniquitous Belfast Agreement was concluded. Thereafter it languished in the face of Unionist rejection but sadly today it is being implemented in all its glory, because those who were instrumental in seeing it almost done to death have themselves breathed new life into it. Without the DUP volte face the Belfast Agreement was dead.
There is lots of furious re-branding and repackaging going on, but the fundamentals of the Belfast Agreement survive. St Andrews did not alter its basic architecture. Yes, it had additional and evil transient elements, like outrageous prisoner releases, the destruction of the RUC and failure to deal with decommissioning, but it was much more flawed than that. The wicked legacy of its transient parts lives on, but its basic structures are themselves still very much with us.
The basic structures of the Belfast Agreement were, and are, these:-
• government by mandatory coalition, so that a party can never be voted out of office and Opposition is denied. The purpose, of course, is to guarantee IRA/Sinn Fein a permanent place in the government of the state they are dedicated to destroy.• the dysfunctional office of Joint First Ministers, OFMDFM, whereby equality is guaranteed for republicanism and the right of veto is enshrined by reason of the First Minister being unable to do anything - even sign a letter - without Sinn Fein's agreement.• entrenched north/south executive bodies to advance harmonisation on an all-Ireland basis.
The intended trajectory of the Belfast Agreement was, and is, eventual Irish unification. Hence the continuing pledge of the British Government to legislate for Irish unity, as and when the people agree - with the only proposal on the constitution which can ever be put in referendum being one for unification. The essence of the referendum provision is to permit the people to be asked, after sufficient all-island harmonisation, "Are you yet ready to join the Republic of Ireland?" This is the indisputable scheme and objective of the Belfast Agreement.
The Belfast Agreement was wrong and flawed in 1998. It is still equally so. Everything that was said about it in 1998 can still be said in 2008. Hence, within this document are timely reminders of what its prime detractors said about it in 1998. The fact that they are now its prime implementers is a sad commentary on their departure from traditional unionist principles.
Then“Martin McGuinness described the Mitchell Agreement as the completion of a phase in the Republican struggle for full independence and a bridge to the future. Again significantly he summed up the Agreement as “a transitional process towards a sovereign and independent Ireland”.(Peter Robinson, speech near Ballymoney Tuesday 14th April 1998)
Now"Since 28 July 2005 IRA volunteers are playing a positive role in the new phase of our struggle.”(2008 IRA Easter Message)
"This is a defensive statement from the IRA and is an indication unionists should be optimistic about the current situation, rather than pessimistic."(Sammy Wilson responding to the 2008 IRA Easter Message)
Then“Mr Trimble has not only provided cabinet positions for Adams and McGuinness but he has accepted All-Ireland bodies…. He has conceded to Nationalists not just a power-sharing Assembly but a direct tangible legislative link with the Republic through All-Ireland bodies. The distinction between Northern Ireland and the Republic has been torn away, under this deal North and South come closer together and Northern Ireland ever more distant from Great Britain”.(Peter Robinson, speech near Ballymoney Tuesday 14th April 1998)
NowThe DUP have made Martin McGuinness joint First Minister and the first DUP/Sinn Fein budget resulted in more money going to cross-border bodies than ever before.
ThenOn 10 April 1998 the DUP issued a press release headed "10 Ways in which the Union is Fundamentally Weakened". Among these were:
• The creation of an all Ireland Ministerial Council with the full Framework Document powers of consultation, harmonisation and executive decision taking over a wide range of subjects. This is a beefed up Maryfield style secretariat.
NowDUP ministers regularly accompany their Sinn Fein/IRA colleagues to meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council, where Unionism is in a permanent minority.
ThenIt was dismissive of changes to the Irish Constitution:
• The Government of Ireland Act 1920 establishing the supreme authority of the British Parliament over Northern Ireland is abolished. In return for the total abolition of this legal claim, Dublin’s illegal claim is merely amended to include an all Ireland consent clause.
NowDublin’s illegal claim remains – “It is the firm will of the Irish Nation, in harmony and friendship, to unite all the people who share the territory of the island of Ireland” – while the Government of Ireland Act 1920 has disappeared. However, the DUP is now silent on these issues.
ThenOn 1st May 1998 Nigel Dodds published, "A Plain Guide to the Agreement – What Every Unionist Should Know". In it he stated that the Agreement fundamentally undermined Northern Ireland’s constitutional position:
“The original objective of “balanced constitutional change has not been fulfilled. The Government of Ireland Act 1920 which forms part of the title deeds of the United Kingdom’s sovereignty over Northern Ireland is to be abolished immediately. In contrast the illegal claims contained in Articles 2 and 3 of the Irish Constitution are merely amended…. Other parts of the Irish Constitution which form the basis of Dublin’s illegal claim remain intact. Having achieved the objective of Articles 2 and 3 there is no need for the Articles in their original form….
“As far as the so-called principle of consent is concerned it is provided that it is “for the people of the island of Ireland alone … to exercise their right of self-determination” [Par 1(ii) + (iv)]. The right of self-determination should be a matter for the people of Northern Ireland alone”.
NowMr Dodds and his DUP colleagues are content and we've seen more north/southery in the last 10 months than in the previous 10 years.
Then“Only one thing has changed – Mr Taylor and the Trimbleites. They opposed the weaker Anglo Irish Agreement and now embrace this full-blooded Dublin interference.
“With Adams hailing the deal as “a step towards the goal of a united Ireland” Mr Taylor and Mr Trimble sound increasingly ridiculous claiming it strengthens the Union. Trimble and Taylor’s comical assertion that the Union is stronger may be entertaining but it is not credible set against the presence of Adams and McGuinness in government by the summer; a nationalist veto in the Assembly; an all-Ireland Executive structures and murderers walking out of jail. Come off it! The deal is the launch pad to a united Ireland.”(Peter Robinson, undated press release issued in the run up to the 1998 referendum).
NowSt Andrews did nothing to change the basic architecture of the Belfast Agreement. Its key structures of mandatory coalition, joint OFMDFM and multiple north-south bodies all remain.
In fact only one thing has changed – Peter Robinson and the DUP!
Then“The extent of David Trimble’s desperation can be seen by his erroneous suggestion on LWT that Ian Paisley and Jim Molyneaux had previously proposed proportional government involving IRA/Sinn Fein. This unmitigated lie cannot stand the light of day. The DUP proposal was for Northern Ireland to be run by a committee-style system without any cabinet. Without a cabinet there would be no seat in government for IRA/Sinn Fein to have. Moreover in the 1992 Talks the DUP specifically stated (in writing) that terrorists must be excluded from holding any office in the new Northern Ireland Assembly.”(Peter Robinson press release 19th April 1998)
“The hapless fools who ask what our alternative is to such a process are implicitly suggesting there is no alternative to a united Ireland process. They are not entitled to make that claim as there are many alternatives to Dublin Rule. Complete and total integration within the United Kingdom is one such alternative and the fashion of devolution given recently to Scotland within the United Kingdom is another. However, these pint-sized political thinkers are not really asking “have you got an alternative?” They are implicitly asking “what alternative have you that the IRA will accept?”(25th April 1998 Peter Robinson speech in Tandragee)
NowAs Peter Robinson once admitted, there are numerous alternatives to terrorist inclusive government. Yet now he has joined the ranks of the “pint-sized political thinkers” who claim there is no alternative to the Belfast Agreement.
Then“This agreement signals a seamless and progressive process leading to a united Ireland. with McGuinness and Adams joining Trimble and Taylor in executive government and with a unionist minority in powerful and developing all-Ireland bodies, unionists are entitled to ask why the Official Unionist Party ever opposed Sunningdale, the Anglo-Irish Agreement and the Framework Document when they accept this republican-green arrangement which is many times worse. Messrs Trimble, Irvine and McMichael would seek to con the Ulster people into believing that the Union is now safe. Ulster people are not fools. They will know, with murderers being released from prison and elevated to ministerial posts, that the Union is far from secure.
“Did thousands of our fellow citizens die and tens of thousands become maimed in order to secure cabinet positions for Adams and McGuinness and set up a united Ireland process? Unionists from every party and none must band together to stop this drive towards a united Ireland. This agreement is a turbo-charged model of Sunningdale – the Anglo-Irish Agreement with a vengeance – a fully armed version of the Framework document”.(Peter Robinson press release 10th April 1998)
NowNow that Robinson and the DUP are enthusiastically working the Belfast Agreement Unionists are entitled to ask why they ever opposed Sunningdale, the Anglo-Irish Agreement, the Framework Document and the Belfast Agreement? Why did the unacceptable suddenly become acceptable once they became the largest party?
ThenNow that IRA/Sinn Fein has officially joined the “Yes” campaign any room for doubt as to the real nature, purpose and intent of the Stormont Deal is gone. IRA/Sinn Fein has embraced the Stormont Agreement because they recognise it for what it is, a vehicle to trundle us into a united Ireland. Hence, the republican vision of a transitional arrangement, which Adams and McGuinness will use as a fresh phase in their relentless pursuit of Irish Unity.
The question for every unionist in Ulster is whether they will assist the Provos by endorsing the Sinn Fein deal. Unionists must now decide if they are prepared to join the IRA godfathers in an unholy alliance by voting “Yes”. Sadly, some Unionists politicians, in pursuit of political office, are willing to do so, but the grassroots of Unionism will recoil from fulfilling the IRA/Sinn Fein strategy.
The unholy alliance is now exposed – Trimble, Ahern, Hume and Adams – partners in the campaign seeking support for the all-Ireland deal. Perhaps now that Sinn Fein are in harness with the Glengall Street leadership we will see the “odd couple” – Adams and Trimble campaigning together.(Undated press release from Peter Robinson issued in the run up to the 1998 referendum)
NowWe regularly see the unholy trinity of DUP, Sinn Fein and Dublin ministers together.
ThenOn the 14th May 1998 Peter Robinson issued the following press release:
THE BIG LIE
The Big Lie of the Unionist Yes Men is that the agreement strengthens the Union.
Consider the facts:
1. The Agreement anticipates only one form of future constitutional change, namely Irish unification and in a separate and binding Agreement solemnly commits the British Government to legislate for it (pages 2 & 28).2. The Agreement embraces the pan-Nationalist contention that it is “the Island of Ireland” which alone is endowed with the right to self-determination (page 27).3. The enabling legislation will not only repeal the Government of Ireland Act but take precedence over the Act of Union (page 3).4. The only proposal for constitutional change which can be put by referendum is one for Irish unity. The wider powers of the 1973 Constitution Act allowing other alternatives, are abrogated. Thus, never again could the Union be bolstered by calling a 1973 type poll, as a poll is only permitted when a nationalist outcome is anticipated (page 3).5. The Agreement provides as-of-right Cabinet seats for IRA/Sinn Fein, but bans from Government Unionists who refuse to operate the cross-border executive bodies. Does anyone in their right mind think Adams and McGuinness in Government will strengthen the Union?6. The free-standing All-Ireland executive bodies with their all-island implementation structures, must likewise weaken the Union and advance all-Ireland integration.7. The replacement of Maryfield with not one but two Secretariats further entrenches Dublin involvement in our internal affairs.8. IRA/Sinn Fein, which is dedicated by whatever means to destruction of the Union, endorse the Agreement because they recognise it as “a staging post” to Irish unity and as explicitly weakening the British link.
The Union binds Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom. This Agreement deliberately prises it away and enforces a rolling scheme of all-Ireland harmonisation and integration with only one ultimate goal in view, Irish unification. No other outcome is anticipated. The structures in the Agreement are not an end in themselves but are delivered only as a transitional arrangement. Hence the Review in four short years.
If Unionists don’t face up to the unpalatable realities of this Agreement then it will be too late.
NowPeter Robinson has become one of the most enthusiastic peddlers of what he once called “The Big Lie of the Unionist Yes Men”:
“The DUP has settled the constitutional question – Northern Ireland’s position within the United Kingdom is secure - even the Dublin Foreign Minister acknowledged as much on “Hearts and Minds” last night when he said that from an Irish Government perspective the constitutional question had now been “parked”. Sinn Fein are bound into British institutions at Stormont, they are legally obligated to support the police and the courts and the recent IMC report showed that they were committed to peaceful and democratic means.”(Peter Robinson speech to Fermanagh DUP 22nd September 2007).
ThenIn, "A Plain Guide to the Agreement – What Every Unionist Should Know" Nigel Dodds said:
“The Assembly created by this Agreement is undemocratic and gives nationalist parties an absolute veto on any key decision”.
NowIn spite of DUP claims to have established a democratic Assembly this remains the case. The present mutual veto is as exercisable by Sinn Fein as by the DUP. Hence, for example, the inability of the DUP to deliver an acceptable definition of "victim", which distinguishes the innocent from the perpetrator of terror, unless Sinn Fein agrees.
Then A Plain Guide to the Agreement – What Every Unionist Should Know attacked the joint office of First and deputy First Minister:
“Throughout the document the First Minister is given no role independent of his deputy. They act together at all times as joint leaders.”
NowNow, as Nigel Dodds pointed out in 1998, the First Minister can not have any role independent of the deputy First Minister meaning that a DUP First Minister can do nothing without Martin McGuinness.
ThenMr Dodds went on to blast a system which guaranteed Sinn Fein/IRA Ministerial posts as of right:
“The bigger parties in the Assembly, including Sinn Fein, have an automatic guaranteed right to a place in the Executive as Ministers”.
NowThe DUP have accepted the iniquitous D’Hondt system which guarantees Sinn Fein/IRA positions in the government of Northern Ireland for as long as the state exists, because they have a veto on the removal of D'Hondt.
In 2004 Jeffrey Donaldson said of the UUP:“Time and time again, they have been exposed as the tellers of half truths. No self respecting unionist believes a single word they say”
What goes around comes around!

Allister on Powells Peace Process

2008-04-13T20:12:00.001Z

An inescapable conclusion from Jonathan Powell’s book on “the Peace Process” is the wholesale lack of morality which characterised government dealings with the terrorist IRA. With barely a passing thought of how heinous were the crimes committed by the IRA, Powell’s dedication was to do whatever it took to keep them on board. Even when IRA/Sinn Fein reverted to fresh episodes of terror, it barely caused a flicker in the full thrust engagement with physical force republicanism. It is also striking just how much Powell and company were at the beck and call of Adams and McGuinness. Scores of meetings took place, as and when sought; such was the dedication to keeping Sinn Fein sweet.
A peace process built on such desperate pandering to terrorists in time created a climate where even those most hostile to republican terrorism, themselves embraced positions which at the outset they had eschewed, not least on moral and principled grounds. By the end of it all, even for them, that which was morally wrong was politically right. Never having been bothered by such a restraint, Powell himself was always ahead of the game. As an intriguing insight into how government diplomacy works, how ambiguity and double speak is the order of the day, this book is a most informative read.
I certainly learned a great deal more from the book about what the DUP was doing in the negotiations than I ever knew as a DUP Party Officer. I expect most DUP Executive Members will be as surprised as I was to discover from Powell that before the Party Executive’s key meeting on 24 March 2007, the two Paisleys, Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds had agreed with the Government that the DUP would meet face-to-face with Sinn Fein later that day. Certainly such a plan was carefully concealed from the Party Executive as was a back channel with Sinn Fein, which Powell claims existed from 2004, even though publicly the Party was threatening expulsion of any member who talked to Sinn Fein. Powell refuses to name those involved with the back channel but claims it produced such “results” as the DUP amending the policing motion which went before Sinn Fein’s Ard Chomhairle and reassuring Sinn Fein that the DUP’s real stance was softer than proclaimed!
The book contains many tantalising insights into the Government’s all-seeing control. None more so than the account of Ian Paisley reacting badly to Sinn Fein’s Ard Fheis, where they talked about “putting manners on the police”. Powell says they “heard” Paisley was preparing to put out a negative statement calling the whole thing a “confidence trick” (the closest he’d come to the mark in a long time). Tony phoned to try and stop him, but Paisley said he had already put out the statement. Powell writes, “Fortunately, since we knew the statement had not, in fact, gone out we managed to put some spokes in the wheels to stop it damaging what was otherwise a momentous day.” How did the Government know such a statement was intended but hadn’t in fact already gone out? Was it the ability to monitor outgoing DUP emails or co-operation from someone within the DUP which stood them in good stead? Just which channel was in play? As to the spokes which Powell managed to put in the wheels, we are left to speculate.
This blip from Paisley was the only time he gave Tony’s crew any trouble. The overwhelming message from Powell is that the Leader was by far the most eager in the DUP camp for power sharing with IRA/Sinn Fein. He regretted the opportunity lost by the Northern Bank robbery, at St Andrews he was ready for a January election, he was willing to use a government form of words to amount to designation as First Minister on 24th November 2006 and he was up for government by 26th March, when others sought delay. The picture which emerges of Ian Paisley as a negotiator is unflattering, with references to him being flattered by the PM’s attention and phone calls from Bush. Likewise, at private meetings Powell claims more flexibility from Paisley than he ventured in front of colleagues. I have long held the view that Ulster was ill-served by the series of one-to-one meetings between Blair and the DUP leader. What I hadn’t heard till now is the allegation by Powell that it was Robinson and Dodds who actually suggested this stratagem. Odd, considering that I often heard them complain about such meetings.
A distinct pattern emerges in the Government approach. Hot house negotiations are preferred to put on the pressure; suggested texts are withheld till the last minute; confidential comfort letters are despatched to each side to smooth difficult issues – like the last minute, still unpublished, letter from Blair to Sinn Fein on the Irish Language Act on the morning Paisley first met Adams; agreement kept to ambiguous texts capable of differing interpretations and, if necessary, resort to what Powell calls political blackmail by orchestrating such events as water charges, RPA reform and educational changes. Such is the grubby politics that brought us what Powell sees as the triumph of unrepentant terrorists at the heart of government.

Allister condemns Republicanisation of Police

2008-04-09T18:03:00.001Z

Traditional Unionist Jim Allister has condemned the placing of a PSNI recruitment advert in a Donegal newspaper which carried the strap line, “It’s your community. This is your chance to help make it safer”. Commenting the MEP said:
“I am appalled that the Police Service of Northern Ireland are advertising in newspapers in the Republic. The advert even expressed the salary of police offices in Euros.
“I have written to the Chief Constable asking how widespread the practice of advertising for recruits in the Republic’s press is and what the response has been to this campaign. I have also highlighted the fact that it is inaccurate to claim that citizens of the Republic will be serving “their community” if they join the PSNI. Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom.
“However, this is yet another telling example of how our constitutional position is threatened by the all-Ireland harmonisation process of the Belfast/St Andrews Agreement”.

Allister slams Bill of Rights Report

2008-04-03T10:23:00.001Z

Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has slammed the report published by the Bill of Rights Forum.
Commenting the QC said:
“Back in February I met with Chief NI Human Rights Commissioner, Monica McWilliams to express my opposition at the direction in which the proposed Bill of Rights appeared to be headed. Today’s report has confirmed my worst fears.
“The suggestion that the age of criminal responsibility be raised to 18 is outrageous. This will mean that a young adult who is considered old enough to pay taxes, drive a car and join the armed services will not be held liable for breaking the law.
“I am gravely concerned by the suggestion that women be given “reproductive rights”. This has the potential to threaten the most vulnerable of our citizens, unborn children whose right to the most basic and fundamental human right – the right to life – is threatened by what sounds dangerously like doublespeak for abortion.
“It is also distressing to see that the Human Rights Forum is following the lead of the Office of the First and deputy First Minister in failing to draw a distinction between innocent victims of the Troubles and those responsible for atrocities.
“It is my firm belief that Northern Ireland does not need a separate Bill of Rights, distinct from the Constitutional safeguards already in existence in the rest of the United Kingdom.”

AHERN TO GO

2008-04-03T00:29:00.000Z

Commenting on the intended resignation of Bertie Ahern, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister said:-

“With Blair, Hain, Paisley and Ahern gone, or going, within the year, the revived Belfast Agreement has not for them proved very propitious. Their shared legacy of unrepentant terrorists at the heart of a rigged form of government is not something in which any of them should take pride.”

Allister challenges DUP to publish details of deals with Sinn Fein on RPA

2008-04-01T10:25:00.000Z

29 March 2008

Speaking at a TUV meeting in Portrush Town Hall, Jim Allister attacked Sinn Fein as still evincing the same old hatreds and bile towards all things British, as characterised the terrorist phase of their unending push for Irish unification.

In the course of his remarks the Traditional Unionist MEP said:-

“Though the ballot is today achieving more for them than the bullet, it is not their only weapon – the murder of Paul Quinn is striking enough evidence of that, but in addition they are waging a cultural war, motivated by the same obsession of eradicating every last vestige of Britishness from Ulster. Hence the concerted campaign in local councils, from Banbridge to Limavady. Now, to be followed by the same insatiable republican agenda in Stormont. At the same time they republicanise our public roads and spaces with odious monuments to butchering terrorists. And all this from those some foolishly acclaim as having “bought into the British state”. Knaves and fools are always a dangerous combination. But when they are joined in government it brings the sort of spectacle we’ve had for the past year.

Now, I fear, we are poised to see the same visited on local government. The DUP promised 15 councils, but, post Dromore, in order to avoid elections in 2009, they hurriedly struck a deal with IRA/Sinn Fein for 11, but the full price extracted by the Shinners has not yet been revealed. It is concealed by the wrapping that is called “equality measures”. You will note Minister Foster has been deliberately vague on what conceding this Sinn Fein demand entails. I call on her to be upfront and clear on exactly what has been agreed. My suspicion is that we are going to see the institutionalising of mandatory coalition under de Hondt throughout local government, so that republicans are guaranteed places of importance in every council, even the most unionist. At the same time I suspect punitive measures will be put in place to deal with unionists who reject such rigged arrangements, all in the name of Sinn Fein inspired “equality measures”.

If mandatory coalition is indeed institutionalised in local government it gives the lie to the pretence that in time it will be phased out at Stormont. How could the DUP hope to deliver voluntary coalition at Stormont if DUP Minister Foster imposes mandatory coalition in local government? Such a diet of false promise is for the fairies.”

Allister demands Union Flag parity with GB

2008-04-01T10:24:00.001Z

27 March 2008

Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has called for a change being introduced in GB, which will permit the Union Flag to be flown the year round on any government building, to be extended to Northern Ireland.

The move follows the publication of the White Paper, The Governance of Britain: Constitutional Renewal (CM 7342-1), and the Consultation Analyses Document (CM 7342-3) on 25 March 2008. For confirmation see http://www.culture.gov.uk/flagflying/

Currently the rules restrict the flying of the flag to just 18 designated days - with a similar provision in Northern Ireland. The change will restore the option of the Union Flag flying 365 days per year, but only in GB. The move is part of attempts to boost the sense of Britishness in the UK.

Commenting Jim Allister said:-

"This sensible and desirable provision should extend throughout the whole of the UK. We followed GB into the foolish restriction to 17 days per annum in Northern Ireland, now that the year round option is being restored, why is Northern Ireland being excluded? If GB precedent was good enough to restrict the flying of the flag, it certainly is equally a good enough basis upon which to restore it.

It is both political and appalling that Northern Ireland is now to be treated differently. I see it as part of the process of marginalising Northern Ireland within the Union and preparing it, under the Belfast Agreement, for ever closer affinity with the Republic of Ireland.

I am today writing to the Secretary of State demanding that parallel reform is introduced for Northern Ireland. We require and must have parity with the rest of the Kingdom. If we had an Assembly and Government worthy of the name, they would be leading on this issue, particularly since some would have us believe the Union is stronger than ever. Well, let's see some evidence of it by being able to fly the flag on government buildings on a par with what is being introduced in GB."

Peter Robinson and pint-sized political thinking

2008-03-25T20:03:00.000Z

21 March 2008

Addressing the inaugural meeting of a new branch of TUV in West Tyrone tonight, Jim Allister highlighted the fact that tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement. In the course of his remarks Mr Allister said:

“Ten years ago the DUP hierarchy quite rightly rubbished those who claimed there was “no alternative” to the Belfast Agreement.

In a press release issued in May 1998 our soon to be joint First Minister Mr Robinson stated: “The Yes Brigade, unable to argue on the content of the Agreement, resort to the pathetic sound bite that there is no alternative. Such nonsense!” and went on to outline some alternatives:

• The alternative to putting terrorist godfathers in government is to keep the out
• The alternative to a rigged Assembly is a democratic one
• The alternative to forced integration through all-Ireland executive bodies is non-political co-operation.

Well said Peter! How right he was then and how hopelessly wrong he is now!
Trimble-like Mr Robinson now likes to ask, “what is the alternative?” In April 1998 he answered his own question in a speech in Tandragee in which he said:

“The hapless fools who ask what our alternative is to such a process are implicitly suggesting there is no alternative to a united Ireland process. They are not entitled to make that claim as there are many alternatives to Dublin Rule. Complete and total integration within the United Kingdom is one such alternative and the fashion of devolution given recently to Scotland within the United Kingdom is another. However, these pint-sized political thinkers are not really asking “have you got an alternative?” They are implicitly asking “what alternative have you that the IRA will accept?”

Now, of course, Peter is the “pint-sized political thinker” reduced to recycling UUP speeches from 1998 and claming that there is “no alternative” to Marty the Terrorist.”

Protest unsettles DUP

2008-03-18T12:31:00.002Z

A protest on Friday night against the DUP in South Antrim has unsettled the DUP.
DUP MLA for the area, Trevor Clarke drove his car at protesters in a rage as the stood outside the Templeton hotel where the DUP were holding a dinner.

A statement from the protest spokesman read: "Tonight we protested to demonstrate our disgust with the Democratic Unionist Party for entering government with IRA/Sinn Fein. Following the Dromore By-election we have witnessed a lot of empty rhetoric from the DUP and the end of their chuckling leader. However, the problem is the IRA in the heart of government not merely the chuckling of the members of the DUP. We call upon all other concerned unionists to protest against the DUP leadership not only on the streets but also at the ballot box. We were encouraged by the support we received from Antrim TUV councillor Mel Lucas and Ballymena TUV councillors Roy Gillespie and Robin Stirling."

Ian Paisley: The downfall

2008-03-06T16:34:00.000Z

Last night Ian Paisley cut a lonely and tragic figure as he attempted to justify his decision to step down both as the leader of the party which he created, the DUP, and from the post which he had always coveted, that of First Minister of Northern Ireland. Ian Paisley is stepping down in much the same way as Jonah went ‘down’, having been made to walk the plank. Ian Paisley will tread water till mid-May when, we are told, the colossus will finally sink beneath the surface.

A party which has become expert in finessing, sequencing, spin and choreography managed to do most of the backstabbing behind closed curtains. Although there are stage whispers to the effect that at a recent meeting of the DUP Executive Sammy Wilson and Baroness Paisley apparently had a ‘vicious row’ in which Sammy was chastised for his ‘disloyalty’ and reminded of how the Paisley family had stood by him when a series of compromising photographs could have put paid to his career. Yesterday’s resignation took the drama of political assassination into the final act. If the DUP’s MLAs wore white togas instead of suits we would all see the bloodstains from their daggers.

The media though, have sharpened up their skills as theatre critics and many reports chorused, like the audience at a pantomime, ‘’e was pushed!”

As I consider these events, I think of how two very different men responded to these sensational developments. Both had been the closest of friends with Paisley for over forty years: they had all been comrades in arms. In the declining hours of his political career they came to him separately, pleading, cajoling and challenging Ian Paisley not to turn his back on all he had been presumed to stand for. One was the Free Presbyterian Minister, Rev. Ivan Foster, and the other was the renowned barrister and QC, Desmond Boal. Their counsel was rejected: Ian Paisley would enter into a power-sharing government with his arch-enemies in Sinn Fein.

For both men’s relationship with Paisley, this was a parting of the ways. Ivan Foster has described himself as being broken-hearted. Boal vehemently denounced the path that a re-routed DUP was willing to parade down. Paisley’s two lifetime friends are far from alone.

On Tuesday evening last week, my wife Anne and I were guests at a small gathering in a restaurant. Probably uniquely, there were three Professors of Politics at the table. The conversation was largely taken up with the DUP and the downfall of Ian Paisley, which was thought to be imminent.

As I had interpreted the infighting in the DUP as a dynastic clash between the ascendant Robinson clan and the weakening Paisley clan, I was required to justify my analysis. However, what fascinated me was the acknowledgment that I had been correct in a singularly important aspect of recent politics. I had maintained that thousands upon thousands of DUP voters had been totally misled by the DUP at the Assembly elections. These voters did not read the runes correctly; it never entered their heads that the DUP would invite Sinn Fein into government.

My perspective was not shared by the media or informed opinion which believed, wrongly, that the bulk of DUP voters understood that their party was intent on sharing power with ‘unrepentant terrorists’. The Dromore by-election convinced the political scientists that my reading of the situation was correct. Many DUP voters did not suspect that Paisley would ever say ‘Yes!’

This is the single most important feature of contemporary unionist politics: for thousands of DUP supporters, the DUP is no longer the party it once was. To use these voters’ own language, ‘the DUP has let us down’. Moreover, such voters tell me that they will never trust the DUP again – or vote again.

Ian Paisley appeared last night as a tragic figure, sustained only by the dwindling reserves of his super-ego and the affection of his family. As the spotlight fades he leaves the stage, not only because his creature, the DUP, has cynically ditched him, but because the embattled colossus has trampled his own grass-roots into the ground and there are no working-class, flag-waving loyalists to stand to his aid. The ‘Big Man’ is on his own.

For a generation Dr. Paisley bestrode the Province and the world as a Protestant protagonist without equal. A gifted revivalist preacher, Paisley found that the call to the wooden pulpit and the tin tabernacle receded as his political career burgeoned. Paisley’s rise was as aggressive as it was meteoric: Stormont, Westminster, Strasbourg – from the Bannside to Brussels. There was no one like Ian Paisley, displaying charisma by the kilo.

On the 19th of April, 1970, a nineteen year old Anne Adam stood at the back of the Martyrs’ Memorial while the Reverend Paisley preached on that most electrifying of Old Testament figures, Elijah. And as that message of amazing grace rang out, Anne asked Jesus Christ into her heart and she became a Christian. When Anne and I decided to get married we asked Ian Paisley to officiate and chose the Martyrs’ Memorial for the wedding service – and the date? Well that was the 19th of April, 1973. Yet within another three years I had been expelled from the DUP and we had left the ‘Free Church’. A long process of re-evaluation began., which left us both feeling increasingly estranged from this deeply enigmatic figure. Now I wonder whether Ian Paisley’s career was always about a grab for power at whatever the cost: fellowship, loyalty, political principle and, perhaps some years from now, the Union itself.

There was always another possibility, a road less travelled, that of the prophetic voice to a ‘broken nation’ gripped by binge drinking, nihilistic violence and sleazy politicians who are economical with the truth; but Ian Paisley chose to bite his own rasping tongue. After all, politics is about compromise.

Ian Paisley had the capacity for turning everything upside down. Where the founding fathers of Ulster Unionism proclaimed the necessity for unity above all else, Paisley roared out faction and division. Finally, as his career ended, he gave the British and Irish governments what they wanted, while he clambered over the wreckage of unionism to the pinnacle of political advancement: the status of First Minister of Northern Ireland.

In his apologia last night Dr. Paisley emphasised his achievements: no more bombing and killings, political stability, a workable Executive, brighter economic prospects, our destiny in our own hands and a peaceful future for our children. But Ian Paisley seems a shadow of his former self, and I could not resist the unworthy thought, ‘Those words were scripted for you’. That, though, is also a part of Ian Paisley’s legacy: a thoroughly post-modern DUP, in which reality is concealed behind convent-like walls and everything is image and presentation. They deploy ‘optics’ – while the truth tiptoes quietly away.

Having early predicted that Ian Paisley Jnr. would be his father’s undoing, I am often asked about the future of the DUP. This is what I say. ‘Ian Paisley is like a great oak tree which has dominated the political landscape for years. In the tree’s shade many saplings have grown up. When the great oak falls, we will discover that the saplings remain saplings because for years they were starved of air and sunlight. The great oak tree will fall but it will never be replaced.’

Clifford Smyth
5 March 2008

Allister derides SF 'Paisley must stay campagin'

2008-03-06T16:33:00.000Z

04 March 2008
Speaking at a public meeting organised by Mid Ulster TUV in Cookstown Orange Hall, Jim Allister MEP said the Chuckle Coalition is feeling the heat of grass roots Unionist rejection.
In the course of his remarks Mr Allister said:-
“Since Dromore the DUP has rediscovered the existence of the iniquitous Army Council and decided it has to go – funny how till now it didn’t bother them. Indeed we were constantly assured Sinn Fein had fully signed up to support the rule of law, now this past weekend Ian Paisley in his confusion was demanding full support for the rule of law from Sinn Fein. If he is now accepting the elementary precept that support for the rule of law and retention of an Army Council are mutually exclusive, good, but what then is he doing in government with IRA/Sinn Fein?
We say not only does the wicked Army Council have to go but those who are its puppets, the SinnFein ministers, have to go from our government.
Then, this weekend the other half of the double act, Sinn Fein, launched a “Paisley Must Stay” campaign. What a commentary on the departure of Ian Paisley from the core values of traditional unionism that his chief cheer leaders come not from within his own strangely silent party, but from IRA/Sinn Fein. I don’t hear Peter Robinson, or Nigel Dodds or the new mino-minister, Jeffrey Donaldson, say “Paisley Must Stay”, but I hear Dublin, London and now Marty & Gerry all rooting for Ian. Why? Because, they’ve never had it so easy! Hence, for them, his work is not done, they’ve yet more to gain by Ian Paisley further bedding in the all-Ireland agenda of the Belfast Agreement.
How Ian Paisley mocked Trimble over the “Well Done David” approbation from Adams, now it is he who is their pin up. How have the mighty fallen!”

DUP A Listening Party?

2008-02-28T23:46:00.003Z

Another Wednesday and time to read some perils of wisdom from Mrs Robinson's article in the
Newsletter. This Wednesday (26th Feb) Iris stuck to the DUP party line in stating that following the Dromore by-election the DUP was a listening Party!

Another Thursday and time to watch Hearts and Minds. This week it was an opportunity for Jeffery 'Done-My-Sums' to espouse the party line in claiming the DUP was a listening Party.

Both Iris and Jeffery used their respective platforms to claim the DUP were listening to the concerns of the Unionist electorate. Both also claimed to understand what the problem was. Jeffery claimed, 'some Unionists are concerned with the visual imagery at stormont'. In other words some of the electorate do not like Marty and Ian Laughing together. Jeffery went on to insist that this was not the political reality but that the media had some how spun the political reality!

Iris and Jeffery may wish to listen to the suggestion that many Unionists are sickened by TERRORISTS in government. Neither the Chuckle brothers or the more somber Jeffery will make it right for terrorists to rule over Northern Ireland.

Unionists will not be DUPED by spin 27 February 2008

2008-02-28T19:09:00.001Z

Statement by Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister:

"The results of the Dromore by-election – particularly the spectacular performance of the TUV’s Keith Harbinson – continue to have an impact upon the political process at the highest level. Ian Paisley Jur and the smiles of DUP representatives while in the company of Sinn Fein/IRA have disappeared.

Within a few days of the result Jeffery Donaldson was saying that his party would have to look at the “presentation” of devolution. And following the Lagan Valley MP’s appointment as a Junior Minister one can see that the spin has already commenced. Last night on Evening Extra he talked repeatedly about looking forward to working “in the First Minister’s office”. As Jeffery very well knows, no such office exists. The office of the First and deputy First Minister is a joint one. Thus when you work for Ian you also work for Martin.

One must also say that his comments about working for innocents victims have little creditability given that OFMDFM will be fighting 15 victims’ groups in the courts in order to defend the DUP/SF Victims’ Commission.

Then we have today’s article from Iris Robinson in the News Letter claiming that it would have been “easier” for the DUP not to get involved with Republicans, that they “cannot allow our repugnance at republican atrocities to cloud our strategic political judgment” and that “untold damage” would have been done to the Union had the DUP not placed gunmen and their apologists at the heart of government. Once again she is trotting out the old nonsense that her party was somehow blackmailed into doing the deal and acted in defence of the Union.

As Dromore showed, people no longer believe the Plan B fairytale. The Unionist electorate are well aware that the personal and political advancement of the DUP was infinitely more important than any supposed concern for the Union.

Her claim that my position is that “power-sharing is inevitable and ultimately the right course of action” because I supposedly only object to St Andrews because of the “present generation of Sinn Fein” is unfit for office is a distortion. People such as Martin McGuinness and Gerry Kelly are indeed particularly objectionable as government ministers but as Traditional Unionists have repeatedly made clear we believe that as British subjects we are entitled to the same form of devolution as Scotland and Wales where voluntary – not mandatory - coalition is the route to shared government. Power sharing as established under the terms of the Belfast / St Andrews Agreement will always be objectionable to democrats.

The DUP will no doubt seek to change the way devolution is “presented” and try to DUPE the electorate into thinking that they can somehow oppose Sinn Fein/IRA while being joined at the hip to that party but I believe the Unionist electorate will not be conned. Indeed ever growing numbers of people are beginning to recognise the magnitude of their betrayal."

"Dromore has given hope by many dispirited by betrayal" - Allister

2008-02-26T01:00:00.001Z

23 February 2008

Speaking to a gathering of 200 at a dinner organised by Ballymoney Branch of TUV, in the Causeway Hotel, Jim Allister MEP reflected on the dramatic events of recent days and on the future.

Mr Allister said:-

“When a young man of 24, Keith Harbinson, can so humble the biggest Party in the country as to take 40% of their vote in a by-election in a DUP heartland – a by-election into which the DUP threw everything – and claim the scalp of the ‘Young Pretender’, then, something very significant is happening in Unionism.

It confirms my conviction that there are tens of thousands of Unionists across the Province who refuse to accept the validity of being governed by unrepentant terrorists and who never again will vote for those who put them there.

Far from splitting and diminishing the Unionist vote, we are in fact maximising it, by giving disaffected Unionists someone and something to vote for. With the other two unionist parties now fanatically implementing the Belfast Agreement, with little to choose between them, we now present a viable alternative.

And as our voters in Dromore demonstrated they know how to use their preferences to make their point with most effect.

Dromore has provided hope to many dispirited by betrayal. We will build upon this foundation to give a Province-wide voice to unionists who know its right to hold to traditional unionist values and know its wrong to be governed by those who murdered so many of our kith and kin, and who still retain a military wing and a wicked Army Council.

Whatever the venomous attacks of those smarting from defeat, I do not intend to be distracted from the task in hand.

The swiftness with which Ian Junior was dispatched - soon to be followed by his father, because he has served his purpose, for power-hungry DUP MLAs, of delivering Sinn Fein/DUP government - demonstrates the power of the unionist electorate. If this is what 800 voters in Dromore can do, think what Traditional Unionists mobilised across the Province can achieve. Our mission is to get IRA/Sinn Fein out of government and abolish the rigged system that ever let them in.

As we set about the great task ahead I am greatly encouraged by the growth of TUV; even since Dromore we’d had a flood of membership enquiries. We are already organised in much of the Province and with further new branches to follow shortly, we have got the momentum to carry us forward. In North Antrim it is particularly encouraging to see two large branches already at work, recruiting and fundraising for the battles ahead.

The European Election in June 09 is likely to be the first Province-wide test, but whether it comes there or in further by-elections, or even in a General Election, we’ll be ready for the challenge. I see Ian Paisley Senior is predicting my demise. We’ll see. That’s for the voters not him to decide. Of course when he issued that rash prediction, cosily seated between Marty and Bertie, he probably wasn’t expecting that someone much closer to home would get his come-uppance much quicker. Maybe, indeed, Ian Junior, with time on his hands, would like to take on the challenge of unseating me! Interesting that already in the EU election the DUP is more interested in defeating me than their Sinn Fein partner.

As for the jibe of being “our” chief opponent, I wear that as a badge of honour, happy to be identified as the principal enemy by the Chuckle Coalition. Of course, what that really means is that every traditional unionist in Northern Ireland – “the north” to some - is now the enemy. They always were as far as Marty was concerned, sad that Ian Paisley ends his career by now seeing them in the same light.”

My experience of Martin McGuinness

2008-02-21T19:19:00.001Z

Voice for Democracy Umbrella Group

Northern Ireland

February 19, 2008

Dear Sirs:

Let me explain my experience of Martin McGuiness during the ‘troubles’

I had been going in to the old abattoir in Derry at the top of William Street from 1966, we did business with Charles Hegarty, I did not know Martin McGuinness at that time. When the troubles started I would drive into the abattoir yard and Billy Boyle, the yard supervisor waited until I got out of our van (which had our name on the side of it) he would then call to Martin McGuinness “that the Donegal Protestant is here again, go and get your gun”. This was a weekly occurrence until 1972 when the business was failing due to Union involvement and the troubles.

Comments I overheard outside our premises in Letterkenny were “we cannot go in there that is the Protestant who sacked the Catholics”. My Manager refused to believe this until he heard the same thing himself, there was no doubt that the accents were from Derry. This was further confirmed by a butcher from the Bogside and also a Garda Sergeant in Letterkenny told me that Martin McGuinness was the only person who would have the authority to call the boycott.

Sincerely,

Joe Patterson

Canada

Allister reveals more on Ian Junior's shopping list

2008-02-20T08:55:00.000Z

19 February 2008

Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has today released further documentation, obtained on FOI, suggesting HMG was persuaded that satisfying Ian Junior's shopping list at St Andrews was crucial to bringing the DUP on board for devolution. After he obtained disclosure of the St Andrews' shopping list, last month, Mr Allister launched a fresh round of FOI applications designed to unearth the follow-up by both Ian Junior and the Government. These are now coming to fruition and today Mr Allister is releasing information obtained through a FOI application to DRD.

In a statement Mr Allister says:-

"While the general public of Northern Ireland were kept in the dark about Ian Paisley Jnr’s lobbying at St Andrews it is clear from further information I have obtained though a Freedom of Information request to DRD, that government departments were very aware of his activities. It is also evident that the government believed the resolution of the issues on Ian Paisley Jnr’s shopping list would play an important part in shaping the DUP attitude towards the restoration of devolution.

On 9th November a memo was sent from OFMDFM to the Permanent Secretaries of DSD, DETI, DOE, DRD and DCAL saying that they would be “aware of the representations made by Ian Paisley Jnr” and informing them that David Hanson wished to provide the DUP MLA with a response which should be “as positive as possible”.

Interestingly it stated that “In the case of the Giant’s Causeway issue, it would be appreciated if DETI and DOE could agree a single composite response”.

A copy of Ian Jur’s infamous St Andrews shopping list was included with this email.

But most significantly, departments were informed that Mr Hanson “wishes to write well in advance of 24 November and to meet this deadline, I would be grateful if your response could be forwarded to me … by close of play on 15th November”.

Do not forget that November 24th was the original deadline by which devolution was to have been restored, with the DUP required to give a response before then.
.
It would appear to me, therefore, that instead of the DUP being focused on securing the best possible deal for the people of Northern Ireland and addressing the many shortcomings of the St Andrews Agreement surrounding the removal of terrorist structures, the absurdity of mandatory coalition, the joint office of First and deputy First Minister, the IRA’s ill-gotten gains, etc. the government believed they were more interested in securing progress on Ian Jnr’s wish list.

Why else would Mr Hanson have been so keen to write “well in advance of 24 November”?

This confirms to me that the DUP took its eye off the ball and wasted valuable negotiating leverage on Junior's pet projects. As Leader of the Party, Ian Paisley Senior has to carry responsibility for this squandering of the opportunities at St Andrews. He has never acknowledged what he knew of Junior's activities at St Andrews, but I'd find it very hard to believe that he did not know. Certainly, from today's disclosure, it is clear HMG took satisfying Junior as satisfying the DUP!"

Allister's eve of poll message

2008-02-13T17:16:00.000Z

In an eve of poll message Traditional Unionist MEP, Jim Allister reflected on how the prospect of an election in Dromore had caused Ian Paisley to rediscover the existence of IRA/Sinn Fein and its illegal Army Council.

“Last week he slipped into republican-speak about “the north” and “great days for Ireland”, but this week he’s in the familiar election-speak of IRA/Sinn Fein. Of course, the fact that the DUP has happily chuckled its way through 9 months of government with IRA/Sinn Fein rather undermines their rediscovered antipathy to the Army Council. If IRA/Sinn Fein, with its illegal Army Council, is unfit for exercising policing and justice powers – and they are – then, equally, they are unfit to hold any government office.

In this by-election a cross section of Unionism from a DUP heartland will give its verdict on the Chuckle Coalition. I’ve been encouraged greatly by the response on the doors and the public identification with our cause of many former DUP workers. Though we start from nothing, I believe tomorrow the Traditional Unionist vote will surprise and discomfort many. That truly would be “a great day for Ulster”.

In Keith Harbinson we offer an excellent candidate of real calibre and ability. I urge the voters of Dromore to give him their support.”

Paisley rediscovers IRA/Sinn Fein Army Council

2008-02-12T17:46:00.001Z

11 February 2008

Commenting on Ian Paisley’s Radio Ulster interview on policing and justice, Traditional Unionist MEP, Jim Allister said:-

“I see Ian Paisley has re-discovered something called “IRA/Sinn Fein”, which still has an illegal Army Council. What he didn’t explain, of course, is how it is only wrong to share power with IRA/Sinn Fein in policing & justice, but right to have them as your equal in every other facet of government! How long the Army Council, which once was an obstacle to any IRA/Sinn Fein presence in government, will in fact remain an obstacle to devolving policing and justice, is a matter of speculation. This time last year political lifetimes were the measuring rod, now all that has been quietly forgotten.

What should be one of the biggest obstacles to devolving policing & justice, namely that it gives IRA commander McGuinnes an equal say in recommending who should serve as Lord Chief Justice and as Lord Justices of Appeal, and a role in removing judges, doesn’t seem to bother the First Minister in the slightest.

As for the supposed insistence on more finance from GB as a prerequisite for devolving policing and justice, the public will recall a mega financial package from the Treasury was, in the word of the last DUP manifesto, “a precondition for establishing devolution.” That soon fell by the wayside so little faith will be placed in this latest pre-condition

2008-01-31T18:44:00.001Z

First Minister promotes IRA members as 'Military Volunters'

2008-01-30T18:00:00.000Z

The Home page on the website of the First Minister published a statement on behalf of the new victims commission. The statement claimed that an 'IRA volunteer was killed on active service'.

The statement permits the legitimisation of IRA terrorism and is an insult to those murdered by IRA terrorists.

Following the release of the information by the local Press the OFMDFM have had the statement removed from their website.

MEP Speaks Further on FOI Material

2008-01-26T13:47:00.001Z

24 January 2008

STATEMENT BY TRADITIONAL UNIONIST MEP JIM ALLISTER

"In pursuit of my FOI requests with the NIO, arising from the St Andrews negotiations, I had asked for all documentation which issued to Sinn Fein and the DUP at or following the St Andrews Conference. Whereas some documents have been furnished to me I am concerned that an unspecified number of communications have been withheld on the politically significant grounds that their disclosure would cause "prejudice to the effective conduct of the Northern Ireland Executive".

It has been specified to me by the NIO that the withheld information is contained in letters between Ministers and the leaders of Sinn Fein and the DUP, which were issued "at or following the St Andrews summit".

So, there are secret letters which passed from Ministers to the Sinn Fein and DUP leaders which have not been made public and the reason is that their publication might cause "prejudice to the effective conduct of the NI Executive". This causes me to believe that there may be letters unique and specific to the DUP and Sinn Fein, raising the public interest question of whether what has been said to each party by HMG is compatible or consistent. Might this be the "threat" to the effective conduct of the Executive, namely that if each knew what the other had been told or promised, it could undermine the working of the Executive? For example, if Sinn Fein had secret promises on an amnesty, or dismantling operations against criminality in South Armagh, or on the Irish Language, it could indeed destabilise the Executive.

It seems to me that the public interest of straightforward dealing and open government has been swamped by political considerations. Surely, the public are rightly entitled to know what HMG said or promised to each of the key parties in these secret letters which flowed at or from St Andrews.

I know, from what the NIO has written to me, that some of the documentation pertains to "issues that are still subject to discussion with the NI parties". Thus I expect policing and justice is included, but has HMG told the two parties the same thing or are they telling each what they want to hear. If they are, then that certainly could destabilise Stormont.

Not being satisfied that the public interest is being served by the withholding of this documentation I have lodged a formal request for a review and, ultimately, I will take this matter to the Information Commissioner."

Unholy Alliance

2008-01-22T00:06:00.000Z

Unholy Alliance

January 2008

They were the brave of yesteryear,

Me Great Grandparents included,

Who signed, in blood, a Covenant,

That home-rule be excluded.

They had the great Lord Carson,

And James Craig to the fore,

But alas in our wee Ulster,

Such leaders are no more.

For the greedy snouts are in the trough,

And the salaries roll in,

Bereft of any principles,

They’ve let the killers in.

At every turn, republicans,

From north and south alike,

Are sitting in the quangos,

Our sovereignty to spike.

For they’re sure they almost have us,

All it takes is one last shove,

Let’s show them we’re true Ulstermen,

For them we’ve no lost love.

So come all you loyal Ulster boys,

Reject Sinn-Fein/DUP,

And vote for the Traditional Unionist Voice,

And never bend the knee.

Jeff Lamont

UKIP warns Ulster over pro-EU moves

2008-01-22T00:03:00.000Z

A UK Independence Party councillor in Northern Ireland says most Ulster people must be astonished and bewildered at the conversion of First Minister Dr Ian Paisley to the so-called benefits of the European Union. During his 25 years an MEP Dr Paisley opposed the EU as the resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire.

Councillor Henry Reilly of Newry and Mourne says it appears that the DUP and indeed the UUP have become pro-EU political parties on the back of promises of EU cash and the possibility of Stormont ministries being able to bypass Whitehall and deal directly with Brussels.

“This type of action dilutes UK sovereignty and moves Northern Ireland from being an integral part of the United Kingdom to a mere province of the European Superstate,” says Mr Reilly.

During the past 25 years, Northern Ireland has received just £1.47 billion as a region of Europe, and much of that sum has been soaked up by bureaucracy, according to Mr Reilly. Another £0.5 billion is promised over the next five years.

“The people of Northern Ireland should be aware of the simple fact that if the United Kingdom became a self-governing country again and spent its yearly EU contribution in the UK, under the present Barnett formula Northern Ireland would receive an additional £1.1 billion a year,” he said.

“Just imagine what our local councils, health trusts and business development agencies could do with that amount of money year on year – and without the burden of having the EU strings attached.”

Mr Reilly points out that Northern Ireland was the only part of the UK that actually had the sense to vote “no” to Europe during the 1975 referendum and he warns the DUP and Sinn Fein that Ulster people will not sell their British citizenship for thirty silver euros.

THE KINGSMILLS MASSACRE: A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY?

2008-01-18T16:11:00.001Z

On 5 January 1976, ten Protestant workers from a textile factory in Glenanne (County Armagh) were machine-gunned by a group calling itself the south Armagh Republican Action Force. On their way back home from the factory their bus was stopped. The IRA terrorists asked each worker his religion. One of them identified himself as Roman Catholic and the ten others as Protestants. The Catholic workman was told “to get out of the way” and to “run up the road”.

The Protestant workers were lined up and summarily executed by the terrorists with automatic weapons. The scene on the road where nine men lay dead was one of “indescribable carnage” according to a police officer. Only one of them survived, although he was hit 18 times. Ten years later, he described to the Belfast Newsletter what happened that day: “The talk on the minibus that night was no different than normal. There had been talk earlier in the factory that day about the killing of the young Reavey brothers from Whitecross. It horrified us all. We passed through Whitecross village shortly after 5.30 p.m. and when our minibus was stopped, a short distance up the road past Kingsmills crossroads, we thought it was the army. A group of about 12 armed men, unmasked but with their faces blackened and wearing combat jackets, surrounded the vehicle and ordered us all out on to the road. Even then few of us thought there was anything amiss. One man, with a pronounced English accent, did all the talking and proceeded to ask each of us our religion. Our Roman Catholic work colleague was ordered to clear off and the shooting started. It was all over within a minute and after the initial screams there was silence. I was semi-conscious and passed out several times with the deadly pain and the cold. A man appeared on the scene. He was in a terrible state and was praying loudly as he passed along the rows of bodies. He must have heard my groans and came across to comfort me. I must have been lying at the roadside waiting on the ambulance for up to 30 minutes. It was like an eternity and I can remember someone moving my body from one side to the other to help ease the pain”. He also stated “I remained in the Bessbrook area for a time, but as I left my young daughter to school every morning I was confronted by the orphans of men murdered in the massacre. It brought it all back on a daily basis and I decided to move to Scotland. Two years in Scotland helped me to adjust but I knew I had to return home to Bessbrook. Even now when I hear of an innocent person being killed the horror of the massacre all comes back and I can feel every bullet hitting me. Bessbrook lost its heart through that massacre. It was once a vibrant happy community full of life and enjoyment. What was done that night was a sheer waste, a futile exercise that advanced no cause.”

This odious massacre raises the issue as to whether it should be classified as a crime against humanity carried out by IRA terrorists. The offense of crime against humanity was first mentioned in 1915 by the Allied Powers to charge the Ottoman Government for committing the Armenian genocide. Since that time the requirements for establishing a crime against humanity have evolved in customary international law.

Case-law from the Nuremberg Tribunal and the Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia have both contributed to the definition of what a crime against humanity is. The Rome Statute, which provides for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to have jurisdiction over crimes against humanity as well as genocide and war crimes, has probably given the most advanced definition of what a crime against humanity is.

Article 7 of the Statute gives a list of eleven acts that are crimes against humanity when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, including: murder; imprisonment; torture; persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender … or other grounds that are universally recognized as impermissible under international law, in connection with any act referred to in the same paragraph; enforced disappearance of persons, other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental and physical health. In the case of the Kingsmills massacre, the act of murder can also be described as one of persecution against civilians because of their Protestant religion.

The Commentary on the Rome Statute indicates two other elements that are required for a crime against humanity to be established: first, the act must be part of a widespread or systematic practice; and second, that practice must be tolerated or condoned by a government or a de facto authority.

As regards the act being part of a widespread and systematic practice, it can hardly be denied that the Kingsmills massacre was part of a widespread campaign of terrorism waged by the IRA and started in 1969. This campaign resorted to extreme violence that was carried out in most areas of Northern Ireland but particularly in the border regions with the Irish Republic. The wide practice of atrocities involved murders, tortures, abductions and enforced disappearances of people, intimidations, threats mainly against Protestant people and all those who were opposed to IRA violence and/or their political aims. The Kingsmills massacre, which was a most barbaric atrocity, was part of the widespread IRA terrorist campaign and was not an isolated or sporadic act.

The last element required for a crime against humanity to be established is that the practice or policy must be tolerated or condoned by a government or a de facto authority. Initially, the practice or policy had to be that of a State, as was the case in relation to Nazi Germany. However, since the Nuremberg Tribunal, customary international law has developed to take into account forces which, although not those of the legitimate government, have de facto control over a defined territory. The authority could be an entity exercising de facto control over a particular territory without the formal status of being the government of a de jure State, or it could be a terrorist organisation[1]. The issue that needs to be considered is whether or not the IRA had control over part or the whole of the territory of Northern Ireland. To answer that question one must examine the political aims and practice of the IRA. This terrorist organisation has always stated that they were opposed to the legal and legitimate authorities of the United Kingdom, which they wanted to eliminate. The IRA instituted itself as an authority controlling extended areas, as they demonstrated by taking control of the Bogside quarter of Londonderry in 1969. Since the beginning of the terrorist campaign, the IRA has developed as a de facto authority in Northern Ireland, ruling by fear and violence in pursuance of their political aim to destroy the recognised British authorities and eventually exercise control in their place. By means of terrorist activity, the IRA has indeed succeeded in accessing the government of Northern Ireland while maintaining the Army Council so as to retain their ability to return to widespread violence if necessary. Behind the appearance of a legitimate government, even today the IRA is exercising a de facto control over the territory of Northern Ireland.

If we apply the criteria of the developed customary international law with a clear understanding of the political objectives pursued and achieved by the IRA, the Kingsmills massacre can be described as a crime against humanity for which those responsible should be prosecuted.

[1] Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Judgment 7 May 1997, paragraph 654.

An Ireland of Equals.

2008-01-18T15:58:00.000Z

SF Councillors in Limavady have certainly provided the Unionist people of Northern Ireland with an insight into what we can expect in the future from SF as they gain more control over the government of Northern Ireland.

SF Councillors unveiled their plans for a 'Limavady of equals' by demanding the removal of all historic symbols that reflect Unionism.

The plans involve the removal of a statue of Massey Ferguson. Massey Ferguson left Limavady to become Prime Minister of New Zealand. SF want his memory removed because he was an Orangeman!!

Amazingly having entered government with SF the DUP's George Robinson MLA and Gregory Campbell have shouted about the latest sectarian move by SF.

The move is a huge wake up call for Unionists in Northern Ireland and particularly in Gregory Campbell's constituency. SF/IRA have not changed and detest Unionism and Protestants. If SF are permitted to remove Massey Ferguson's statue then Unionists should remove Gregory Campbell as MP in the next election!

Edwin goes 'GA GA'

2008-01-17T14:13:00.000Z

Last night the DUP's Edwin Poots attended a GAA match. The Minister for sport said that he recognised the significance of his decision to attend. Furthermore the Minister claimed that the GAA had made progress by permitting members of the armed services and the police to participate in GAA games and hoped that the organisation would actively encourage the participation of Protestants.

Your Comments Please!

Paisley Defends self Interest

2008-01-16T17:08:00.000Z

Revealed: Paisley takes personal shopping list to St Andrews negotiations!

Ian Paisley Jnr working towards 'a fair deal' for Ian Paisley Jnr.

Self before Union!

Is this what YOU voted for?

Allister hits out at Budget and Programme for Government

2008-01-16T17:05:00.000Z

In a hard-hitting 22 page response to the consultation on the draft Programme for Government and the draft Budget, Traditional Unionist MEP, Jim Allister, has not spared the Executive.

Describing them as essentially “non-documents”, because of their paucity of content, he highlights the fact that after 30 years of what has been called neglect under Direct Rule, a Programme for Government is produced running to just 17 pages – which cannot even manage a page per department.

“When one wonders why the PFG is so scant, DCAL provides a ready answer”, says Mr Allister. “When asked to outline his legislative plans for the next year Minister Poots replied:

“The implementation of the Libraries Bill to establish a new Library Authority for Northern Ireland is the only planned legislation for the next year.”

If, as the parties repeatedly claim, Northern Ireland has been missing out due to inaction by Direct Rule Ministers over the past 30 years, how is it that the DCAL Minister cannot think of anything to do?”

In his response Mr Allister makes a number of trenchant criticisms. By way of background he highlights the lamentable failure to deliver on the promise that devolution would be accompanied by huge financial package from Westminster. Having quoted the DUP Manifesto commitment that such a package was a “pre-condition” to devolution, the MEP says, “What are the reasons for the Executive’s failure to secure a financial package? Both Messrs Blair and Brown knew that Northern Ireland’s politicians were bursting to obtain high office. Why, therefore, would they believe all the hot air about an enormous cash injection for Northern Ireland being a ‘precondition’ for the return of devolution? Patently they did not, and called the parties’ bluff.”

Dealing with historic under-investment Mr Allister condemns the Executive for having nothing to say about it being republican, and “loyalist”, terrorism which diverted money away from frontline services. He comments, “It would seem that the Executive would like to blame all of Northern Ireland’s economic ills on the “Brits”, while ignoring the primary cause of historic under investment in Northern Ireland – the terrorist campaign in which at least two members of the Executive played an active part.”

Given the Executive is so strapped for cash, the Traditional Unionist MEP slams the increases in expenditure on north/southery. Going through each of the north/south

‘Paisley the Ecumenist’ – where does the Free Presbyterian Church now stand?

2008-01-11T14:19:00.001Z

As further evidence of Dr Paisley’s ‘conversion’ to ecumenism becomes more and more apparent every day that passes the silence from the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster becomes louder and louder with reference to this critical spiritual matter.

Access the interview on BBC Northern Ireland ‘Talk Back’ programme via http://www.ivanfoster.org/article.asp?date=9/26/2007&seq=1048 and hear the interview with the Ballymena Jesuit priest who participated in the ecumenical service with Dr Paisley and gauge for yourself how this once ‘contender for the faith’ has changed since the now ‘infamous’ Presbytery meeting in the Martyrs Memorial Church in September 2007 (see also article ‘Is Church Unity the new goal (and god) of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster?’ on http://www.voice4democracyni.blogspot.com)

No doubt the Lord, and not us, will judge Dr Paisley’s actions in due course but surely the Free Presbyterian Church must now make it abundantly clear, by both word and action, that they can not, under any circumstances, countenance this slide towards ecumenism if they are to survive as a Church recognised as true to Christ and the principles of the Reformation.

On the 14^th October 1996 the Rev John Gray, then minister of Ballymagerny Free Presbyterian Church, called for the immediate resignation of the Rev. Martin Smyth MP. Grand Master of the Orange Order in Ireland for participation in a Prayer Breakfast with members of the Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. Gray stated in his letter that “….The Rev. Martin Smyth is obligated to strenuously oppose the fatal errors and doctrines of the Church of Rome and avoid countenancing, by his presence or otherwise, any act or ceremony of popish worship . He went on to say “…by being found in fellowship and praying with them…Martin Smyth has recognised them as being born-again believers who have been regenerated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, thereby acknowledging their baptisms, confessions, Masses, rosaries and penances as grace-imparting and legitimate expressions of a living, real faith in Christ. He has”, the Rev John Gray concluded, “in short, countenanced all of these acts of popish worship by accepting them as true. Therefore, the only honourable thing for Martin Smyth is to resign his position as leader of the Orange Order. Any honest thinking person must surely equate the recent actions of Dr Paisley with the accusations made above.

Surely, if the Free Presbyterian Church (its Ministers and its Elders) is to avoid censure for being completely hypocritical and rather instead to be validated as being true to Christ and the principles of the Reformation then it must take immediate action to disassociate itself from the ecumenical actions of its present Moderator and ensure that no decision in the future, in the interest of church unity or for any other spurious reason, brings judgement instead of blessing on that Church.

TELL EAMES/BRADLEY CONSULTATIVE GROUP WHAT YOU THINK

2008-01-11T14:18:00.000Z

Many are rightly outraged by reports that the Eames/Bradley Consultative Group are considering recommending an amnesty for terrorist murderers.

You can make your views clear directly to Lord Eames by posting your observation on the group’s website at http://www.cgpni.org/your-views/?action=form You are encouraged to do so.

Jim Allister MEP has posted the following comment:-

“If the consultative group is considering the appalling suggestions reported in the media - and there has been no denial - then you are so out of touch with the real needs and interests of innocent victims that immediate resignation would be a fitting contribution.

How anyone who cares for innocent victims could ever contemplate an amnesty for those who want only made them victims, is beyond comprehension. To compound the insult by legitimising the murderers as soldiers involved in a "war", is disgusting. If this is your view Lord Eames, you and your colleagues should hang your heads in shame.

Then, to contemplate that terrorists should be employed to "help" a revamped HET, beggars belief.

It is said the victorious get to write history, well the revisionism that underlies these proposals must be as great a fillip to the IRA as it is a slap in the face to its thousands of victims.”

Is Church Unity the new goal (and god) of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster?

2008-01-03T19:17:00.000Z

As the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, at its Presbytery meeting in Lisburn on Friday 4^th January 2008, considers the merits or otherwise of honouring the contribution made by the outgoing Moderator, Dr IRK Paisley, perhaps they should examine the many statements made by him over the years and compare these with his present ‘stand for the truth once delivered to the Saints’ One past such example should suffice.

Paisley attacks Ecumenics’ talks initiative with the IRA

Speaking in his capacity as Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church, Dr Paisley said,

‘Every time it seems that definite headway is made against the IRA immediately there is launched an initiative to save them and breathe fresh oxygen into their campaign of murder and mayhem.

The most recent resuscitation initiative is now being taken by ecumenical ex-Moderators of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Irrespective of the bloody butchery of the IRA these men are prepared to insult the precious memory of the IRA victims, to ride roughshod over the anguished hearts of sorrowing bereaved ones and to endeavour to elevate the IRA to a place at some conference table one way or the other.

The IRA has made it clear that its end is the use of violence to achieve a united Ireland and that it will pursue this end restlessly. These ecumenics only delude themselves if they think that by talking they can change the blood-thirsty gangsterism of these IRA thugs. Their initiative is on a par with someone holding talks with Hitler while he was incinerating Jews in the gas chambers. The Saviour described them well – they be ‘blind leaders of the blind”

Source: Dr Paisley

‘The New Protestant Telegraph – March 1992 – ‘The truth shall set you free’

In addition to the above as each presbyter (Minister and Elder alike) considers how ‘honouring’ Dr Paisley (by re-electing him again as Moderator or conferring on him the title, for life, of Moderator Meritorious) might convey to the general public that there is a (spurious) unity within the (Free Presbyterian) Church’ they should also be aware that the same public will be aware that since September 2007 Dr Paisley:

Has continued to be 'unequally yoked' with terrorist related politicians in the governance of N. Ireland contrary to the position the FP Church took against the Belfast Agreement in 1998
Has conveyed congratulations to Bishop Brady on being made a Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church - the church which has been identified so often by Dr Paisley and the FP Church as Anti-Christ
Has enthusiastically recommended that all should read and learn from the 'faith demonstrated by Dana' at the publishing of her recent book when within the pages of that book she extols the benefits of praying to the pope, Mary and 'Mother Theresa of Calcutta'
Has accepted the 'golden cow' statuettes with his 'chuckle brother Maginness' whilst in America
Has apologised to the Rev Armstrong for his (Dr Paisley’s) and his Church’s opposition to the ecumenical activities of that minister whilst he (the Rev Armstrong) was fraternising with the Roman Catholic Church in Limavady
Has attended and hence supported the ‘multi-faith’ service at Westminster Abbey early in December 2007

(Please note, Presbyters: To quote a phrase often used by Dr Paisley himself ‘you can fool some of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time’ – that latter time may just have come)

Presbyters must agree that if any other 'ordinary' member of the Free Presbyterian Church had engaged in or advocated any of the above would they not, without doubt, have been immediately brought before the FP Church authorities and severely dealt with and certainly striped of any official position they may have held within the Church? - why then, it must be answered, has the same process not been applied to Dr Paisley up to the moment and surely, if all are equal before the Church as they claim, no ‘false honours’ should now be conferred on him at Presbytery on Friday night in the interest of the false god of unity within the Church alone?

Friday night will demonstrate the real position of the Free Presbyterian Church to all

- true to its principles or hypocritical to its roots -

Ulster Politics is changing!

2007-12-27T12:21:00.000Z

Republicans set to attack more Orange Halls

2007-12-23T23:39:00.000Z

A leading newspaper has claimed it received warnings of further attacks on Orange Halls this weekend.

The newspaper revealed that a Republican grouping has claimed that attacks on orange Halls are legitimate and that they fully intend to carry out more attacks to further their Republican agenda.

The news will come as no surprise to Orangemen, who have seen sectarian arson attacks increase upon their halls in recent weeks.

MAGHERAFELT’s BROADMINDED PARENTS ANGERED BY MCGUINNESS VISIT TO OPEN INTEGRATED SCHOOL

2007-12-23T23:35:00.001Z

Great hurt and anger have been caused in the Magherafelt community with the presence of Martin McGuinness as chief guest at the opening of the Integrated College in the town last Friday.

Victims’ campaigner, Hazlett Lynch, from Magherafelt, is “enraged that the school governors and staff paid no regard whatever to the feelings of the victims of PIRA commander, McGuinness, in this area. By having McGuinness to open the school,” he contended, “party politics of the most heinous kind was introduced into a school system that ‘claims’ to be inclusive of all viewpoints.”

Dr Lynch said, “Perhaps the mask has slipped at last on the ‘integrated’ philosophy, and we are starting to see it for what it really is – the educational wing of our undemocratic assembly, and the approved wing which promotes political ecumenism..”

Parents and governors have contacted Dr Lynch, stating that they did not even know that McGuinness was to be there, and were deeply offended at his presence. Their understanding was that a non-political person would do the honours. Some of these parents were at the forefront of the fight against republican terrorism, and can scarcely believe that their school would stoop to such a level.

“The offence caused by this irresponsible act has raised several issues, among which are the following,” Dr Lynch stated. “First, it has sent out a very clear message that terrorism is a legitimate means to forward political goals, and that terrorism really does pay and is rewarded. For any school to promote the virtues of terrorism either wittingly or unwittingly is unforgivable, and parents and decent society demand an apology from the school, and the immediate removal from the school of anything that suggests that terrorism is a legitimate way forward for any society. The last thing we want to do is to encourage pupils down the road of terrorism, and this, I fear, is what the integrated school is in danger of doing.

“Secondly, parents sending their children to such schools imagined that they were protecting their children from the sectarianism of the past and present, and were building a line of defense for the future by sending their children to such schools; but alas, this is not the case. Serious re-thinking will now have to be done by parents who have children at the school about their continuance there, or who may be planning to send their children to that school.

“Thirdly, absolutely no cognisance was taken of those families whose children have family members who were ravaged by PIRA death squads in Mid-Ulster. Indeed, McGuinness, who as a member of the PIRA Council, would have authorised the murder of my policeman brother in June 1977 in this area, and countless others, is a living example of all that was unacceptable about Northern Ireland society.

“Fourthly, McGuinness and his PIRA terrorist murderers have been responsible for 40% of all Catholic deaths by terrorism, and for most of the Protestant deaths by the same means, therefore, profound offence was caused to the entire school community, including the wider community by having him occupy this official role in the opening of the school. Remember, McGuinness said on the BBC quite recently that he is “proud of his past.” Therefore, as Lynch argues, “he (McGuinness) is proud of his role in murdering people in Northern Ireland and in Mid-Ulster in particular, proud of the murders he either carried out or authorised.”

This further concession to PIRA terrorism is yet another example of airbrushing their victims from the picture, and is an attempt to re-write the history of our turbulent past.

“Fifthly, parents, staff, visitors and pupils will have to look at an indescribably offensive plaque bearing the name of the PIRA commander, McGuinness, for generations to come, unless they demand that this is taken down immediately. The name, Martin McGuinness, is synonymous with terrorism in the minds of all decent people, so the immediate removal of the plague is the minimum that will satisfy decent society. If the school does not remove it, the conclusion will be drawn, rightly, that it accepts not only McGuinness’s current role, but also of the means by which he has got to where he is today. The removal of this offensive ‘symbol of terrorism’ from school premises is the very least the school can do if it is genuinely interested in promoting peace and reconciliation in our land.”

This in-your-face display of self-aggrandising ambition is intolerable, added Dr Lynch. Indeed, it has the potential of setting back community relations for years, something the Magherafelt community neither needs nor wants. This appears to be a trend amongst the so-called ‘pillars of society’ and one that decent people will have thrust in their faces for years to come..

It is so disappointing that the school principal and governors refused to take the bigger picture into account, and focused entirely on promoting their own self-interests, to the detriment of its school population and the community from which that population comes.

2007-12-23T23:30:00.001Z

Dr Paisley apologises for Free Presbyterian protest


Rev David Armstrong and Dr Paisley

Here is the text of the article in the "Daily Mirror" of December 15th 2007.

Paisley’s church split over his apology to a minister hounded out by bigots

IAN Paisley has sparked a storm in his church over an apology to a clergyman driven out of Ulster by bigots 22 years ago.

Rev David Armstrong and his family were hounded out of Co Derry by Free Presbyterian extremists after he criticised an attack on a neighbouring Catholic church.
But last month Dr Paisley took the sensational step of apologising to the Church of Ireland minister - with Martin McGuinness as a witness.
A source revealed: “It was about four to six weeks ago when Dr Paisley met with Rev Armstrong at Stormont. “He said he wanted to apologise for the actions of his church and the DUP towards Rev Armstrong and his family.
“What made it all the more unbelievable was that Martin McGuinness was asked to witness the whole thing. It was an unbelievable scene.”
But last night members of Dr Paisley's church said he was not right to make peace with Rev Armstrong.
Free Presbyterian spokesman David McIlveen said: “The real issue about Mr Armstrong remains. He tried to push ecumenism in Limavady and we were opposed to that. Our church is entirely against ecumenism.”
Rev Armstrong, his wife June and their four children were subjected to a terrifying campaign of harassment in their former hometown of Limavady.
On Christmas morning in 1983, Mr Armstrong and his Catholic counterpart Fr Kevin Mullan swapped messages of goodwill. Their lives were threatened after Mr Armstrong invited Fr Mullan to speak at his church on Christmas Day after the Catholic church was bombed.
Mr Armstrong again invited Fr Mullan to a Christmas service in 1984. But Paisleyites turned up to heckle and abuse him. The minister, who now lives near Cork, told the Daily Mirror he thought Dr Paisley was a “very changed man”.
He added: “It would not be fair to repeat what was said but people should know that I finished that day a much happier man.”

Omagh Victim: Adams and McGuninness could help

2007-12-20T18:44:00.000Z

Today the only man to be charged with the Omagh Bombing walked free. Sean Hoey an electrician from South Armagh walked free as Justice Weir slammed the police investigation into the bombing.

Victor Barker lost his son in the Omagh Bombing. Today in an interview with ITN he stated that he had previously spoken to Gerry Adams and Martin McGuninness and believed that they could assist with the case. However Mr Barker claimed that neither the deputy Minister or the SF President would help because of a code of conduct between Republicans. Mr Barker further stated his belief that they are not worthy to sit in government while victims still have no justice.

Orange Leadership 'St Andrews is not delivering'

2007-12-18T22:47:00.000Z

Orange Order Grand Master Robert Saulters claimed at a protest on Monday 15th of December that many Orangemen were questioning the benefits of the St Andrews agreement as attacks on Orange Halls continue to increase.

The Grand Master made reference to having met with Ian Paisley to discuss the destruction of Orange Halls. The reference was met with jeers by the crowd who shouted that 'Paisley was a traitor'.

Jeffery Donaldson, David Simpson and Edwin Poots eventually arrived at the scene of the protest after much of the speech had been read.

The DUP trio were asked a number of stinging questions by the crowd in relation to the DUP having entered government with IRA/SF.

Jeffery Donaldson defended his attendance at the protest as an Orangeman who was concerned about the growing attacks upon Orange Halls. Donaldson arrogantly demanded that those posing the questions threat him with respect as he was the local MP elected by thousands of people.

Deal or no Deal?

2007-12-11T23:21:00.001Z

It has emerged that the DUP's Peter Robinson and Sammy Wilson met with Catrina Ruane prior to her controversial announcement that she intended to scrap the 11+ and replace it with ..... nothing!? (NB: the DUP told the electorate that they had secured academic selection at St Andrews!)

A number of questions have been raised surrounding the meeting between Ruane and the DUP. Basil McCrea of the UUP who raised the issue has asked if a deal has been undertook between the DUP and SF regarding academic selection.

Other questions may include why the DUP needed to meet with Ruane when they have already secured academic selection at St Andrews..... did they not??

Or perhaps someone might ask why the Sammy Wilson spontaneously combusted on hearing the Ministers announcement if he was already privy to the information..... was this just a naked case of playing to his audience?

The truth is that side deals are the order of the day. The unholy alliance operates whereby the DUP and SF make deals between themselves to ensure each others existence.

Whatever became of the 'battle a day'?

PLATFORM PIECE: J. E. Hazlett Lynch

2007-12-11T23:20:00.000Z

Congratulations on the launch of Traditional Unionist Voice.

Stephen Dickinson et al have spoken over recent months, as I had at the beginning, about the DUP’s political U-turn. Upon reflection, I am not so sure that this is the situation at all. I can understand why people have said this, given the clear public stand he and his party have taken over many years. But there is much more to this than mere public utterances.

Let me explain why.

When Ian Paisley made his first foray into politics, it was on a clear negative ticket - the removal of Capt. Terence O'Neill as MP for Bannside.

In time, he gained more support for his views, accumulated politicians at local and national levels, making significant gains right across the Province. He appeared set to lead our people away from everything that undermined democracy, and firmed up the Union.

But what obviously lay at the bottom of his political philosophy? The complete domination of Northern Ireland politics, with him as leader. He understood well the old adage, “Divide and rule.”

He was well focussed and determined to allow nothing to stop him in his tracks, not even the presence of PIRA/SF with its not inconsiderable mandate, nor the continuation intact of PIRA’s army council, nor the ongoing murder and other terrorist forms, etc. He maintained his public disavowal of Sinn Fein, and its unfitness for government, up until as recently as 12^th July 2006 at Portrush. He lashed out at David (now Lord) Trimble and the UUP, at the SDLP and at Alliance, thus exhibiting a clear “ourselves alone” attitude. His public utterances were consistent, but here’s where the fly spoiled the ointment.

Public utterances are one thing, and it is these that people hear, and on the basis of which they give their support. What they are not privy to are the private plans and schemes that were operating in parallel with the public utterances. Mr Paisley’s oft-repeated phrase, ‘forked tongue,’ comes to mind. These private plans were first identified when the Belfast Agreement 1998 was signed, when the DUP took their seats in the Stormont Executive. In this, they were in government with PIRA/SF, only the latter were not at the very heart of government in Northern Ireland as they now are under the DUP’s watch. The DUP was enthusiastic about having Ministers in the old executive, and are more so now that they have four Ministers, plus a junior and a First Minister in our government.

This took some time in coming, but the clear signs were always there. When you castigate someone for doing wrong at a political level, you are saying that when you get into political prominence, you will not do the same! You will not make the same mistakes! So what do you do? You do whatever it takes to rivet your position, while having the luxury of blaming your predecessors for what you have inherited.

However, all the time, you will do the same yourself and be prepared to go even further, if necessary.

Mr Paisley has got what he had set his heart and mind on achieving – the leadership of unionism and, what was not perhaps envisaged, being joint leader of the country with self-confessed PIRA killer, Martin McGuinness. But, as things have turned out, these two joint leaders, the two First Ministers, are really great friends. They go on their jollies together, and even when they are not together, each is represented by the other’s presence; they receive the same gifts – the golden calves presented to them and received by them in Washington last week.

The irony here is that Mr Paisley ought to have known that the symbol of Canaanite worship in OT times was the golden calf. Perhaps he has made another mistake in that rather than positioning himself with Moses (as in the recent Revivalist magazine), he ought to have positioned himself with Aaron, who initiated golden calf idolatry.

Ian Paisley was, in his own mind, destined to become the leader of unionism; this he has now achieved. But at what cost – to himself, his party, his church, his country?

To me, the big puzzle is, why has it taken so long for the electorate to see through Mr Paisley and his party? Was the existence of the DUP really an exercise in political education for ‘slow learners’? Why has it taken so long for the scales to drop from the eyes of this man’s loyal supporters? The situation becomes even more inexplicable when you consider that there are some intelligent people in the party (the others get party spin doctors to write their press letters for them), and they supported the party since its inception. They supported, that is, the party in its public utterances; had they known the party’s real long-term thinking, would they still have supported it? I think so, for they would never have believed that they would have betrayed the electorate in the way they did.

Hence, the delight with which Traditional Unionist Voice has been welcomed by disenfranchised unionists throughout the province. Well done, and may I wish you every success in future campaigns.

‘PAISLEY PRESENTED WITH THE GOLDEN CALVES’

2007-12-08T21:28:00.000Z

‘PAISLEY PRESENTED WITH THE GOLDEN CALVES’

“For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree ….”

Since the 7^th of September, 2007 when the Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster exonerated their Moderator Dr. Paisley of any wrong doing, there has been an acceleration by this same person down the road of ecumenical apostasy.

First was the congratulation sent by the First Minister and Moderator to Sean Brady on the appointment of becoming Cardinal in the Rome Catholic Church. Dr. Paisley was officially represented at Dr. Daly’s installation by chuckle brother Martin McGuinness. In essence Ian Paisley attended this Roman Catholic service, for the two men, Dr. Paisley and Martin McGuinness serve as one official office. The Protestant Reformers described that Church in the language of infallible scripture as “MYSTERY, BABLOYN THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATION OF THE EARTH.”, REV. 17 v5, and “the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Rev.18 v2.

Second ecumenical affair was Dr. Paisley’s lauding of the renowned Dana, European Song Contest winner and holder of the Mother Theresa Award, as a woman who has “great faith”. Dana is held up by the Rome Catholic Church as the epitome of all that a true Rome Catholic should be: servant to the church (Dana sung on at least three occasions in the presence of the Pope, lauding him), and she announced that she had begun praying to Mother Theresa. This Dana (assisted by Dr. Paisley and Baroness Paisley), launched her autobiography at Stormont Castle and Dr Paisley highly recommended that we should all read her book. Such a book can only be saturated with Dana’s unswerving allegiance to Rome. If Ian Paisley was being as faithful to the God he professes, he would not be taking this position alongside Dana today. Christ said of the Centurion, “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Mat. 8 v10. Those followers of the Lamb in Revelation 17 v14 are described as being “called, and chosen, and faithful”

Third significant sign was Ian Paisley, during his much vaunted visit to the USA, being awarding a “golden calf”, with one similar being made to his chuckle brother – Martin McGuinness. On the hoarding in the background of the picture display were the words “International Fund Ireland”. Dr. Paisley and Martin McGuinness spent five days in the United States drumming up support for financial investment in Northern Ireland. Chapters 17 and 18 of the book of Revelation reveal that the last great apostasy of man against the God of heaven is the unifying of nations by trade under the Antichrist. The MOTHER OF HARLOTS uses the influence of trade over the nations to bring them into her power, though they naturally do not want to, 17 v16 “And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore …, but v17 reads “For God hath put in their heart to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.” Chapter 18 highlights the accumulation and enumeration of riches which this apostasy brought, v12 begins with “The merchants of gold, and silver” and this list ends v13 “and the souls of men”. For the promise of riches, men sold their principles and with it their souls. But all this worlds wealth ends in the judgment of God v8 “for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.”

What surprises, indeed amazes, the Media ,Christians and non professing Christians alike is Ian Paisley’s turn-about to embrace mandatory power sharing with the IRA and the speed with which it was accomplished. When Israel was established as the Church of God on earth, Moses was in the Mountain receiving the commands God while below Aaron told the Israelites to brake of their golden earrings in order that he would make a golden calf, Exodus 32 vs3, 4, “… he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of Israel.”

No sooner had Solomon died but Israel again quickly apostasies from God under Jeroboam, I Kings 12 v28 “Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” V30 “And this thing became a sin: …”

Now that Ian Paisley and Martin Maginess are presented with two ‘golden calves’ (see attached) on their trade mission to the United States, no Christian could fail to seen the significance of such a gesture. A script writer could hardly dream it up how far and how fast Ian Paisley has fallen from earnestly contending for the faith which was once delivered unto saints.

The true saints have this command, Rev 18 v 4 “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

STATEMENT BY JIM ALLISTER MEP ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF NEW POLITICAL MOVEMENT

2007-12-07T22:40:00.001Z

“With both Unionist parties now enthusiastically working and implementing the Belfast Agreement, Unionists who reject it are disenfranchised. This is not in the interests of Unionism, because it will encourage a diminishing unionist vote, as many feel they now have no one to vote for. Thus, with others, I have been persuaded of the necessity of providing an organisation to mobilise and give voice to such legitimate opinion.

Today, therefore, I am pleased to announce the launch of “TRADITIONAL UNIONIST VOICE”. This launch is the product of work behind the scenes in recent months within the unionist community. In consequence branches already exist in 12 of the 18 constituencies, with work continuing to complete and expand the network right across the Province.

Traditional Unionist Voice has four founding principles which encapsulate where Traditional Unionists stand. We are

wholly committed to the Union;
desirous of devolution compatible with democratic principles and precedents prevailing elsewhere in the UK, thus causing us to reject the present undemocratic mandatory coalition model which puts Sinn Fein in government;
adamant that the rule of law must prevail in every part of Northern Ireland and be administered without fear or favour;
supportive of traditional family values.

Thus, TUV will occupy the traditional unionist ground so wantonly abandoned by others for the sake of office. A publication being distributed with the Belfast Telegraph on Friday 7 December and with the News Letter on Saturday 8 December will deal in greater detail with the key political issues.

Tens of thousands of unionists feel sickened and deflated by the spectacle of IRA/Sinn Fein at the heart of our government, having been put there by those they trusted in the past. To them I say, you are not alone, ours is an honourable and legitimate view and together we can make it count.”

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FROM COUNCILLORS ACROSS THE PROVINCE

“We greatly welcome the formation of Traditional Unionist Voice. At grassroots level we are very aware that thousands of Unionists feel betrayed and disenfranchised by the DUP’s rush into government with IRA/Sinn Fein.

We look forward to working with like-minded Unionists to establish and grow a vibrant voice within local government opposing Sinn Fein and fighting for the traditional unionist values upon which we were elected.”

Cllr Frazer Agnew (Newtownabbey)

Ald James Alexander (Ballymena)

Ald Cecil Calvert (Lisburn)

Cllr Leslie Cubitt (Limavady)

Cllr Boyd Douglas (Limavady)

Ald Roy Gillespie (Ballmena)

Cllr Sam Gaston (Ballymena)

Cllr Stephen Herron (Banbridge)

Cllr Mel Lucas (Antrim)

Ald Jack McKee (Larne)

Cllr Audrey Patterson (Ballymoney)

Cllr Mark Russell (Craigavon)

Cllr Robin Sterling (Ballymena)

Cllr Charlie Tosh (Castlereagh)

Cllr David Tweed (Ballymena)

Cllr William Wilkinson (Ballymena)

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT BY FORMER MP FOR EAST LONDONDERRY, WILLIAM ROSS

“When the Rev Ian Paisley and his party did their about turn and embraced joint rule of Northern Ireland with those whose policy was the destruction of the Union, the Unionist people were stunned into silence and bewilderment.

It was, however, clear to me that basic Unionist principles had not gone away and that the deep, bitter anger so evident and so widespread in the Unionist community would eventually find a means of expressing itself.

I therefore very much welcome the launch of Traditional Unionist Voice as the first public manifestation of the fight back against the betrayal of our inheritance, and of integrity and common decency in politics.

This movement is a platform for all whose political involvement and activity is driven by policy and not by egotistical personality and personal ambition. I would urge all who value the Union to give it their moral and practical support.”

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT BY THE GRAND CHAPLAIN OF THE ORANGE ORDER, REV STEPHEN DICKINSON

“Many within the Christian community and the Orange family have been disgusted with the delivery of IRA/Sinn Fein into Government. Many feel totally betrayed by the DUP’s u-turn on fundamental issues and the ease with which they can work so happily together with self confessed IRA men and convicted terrorists. The price to achieve this charade has been the innocent blood of many members of the B Specials, RUC, RUCR, UDR, RIR, the British Army, the Loyal Orders as well as other innocent members of the Protestant and Roman Catholic communities.

The DUP and other pro-agreement unionists have miserably failed the people of Ulster and so many will welcome the establishment of a movement based on Traditional Unionist values that will give a clear, strong, principled and positive voice back to the Unionist community again. It is time in the day of evil to take a stand, and having done all, to stand!”

2007-12-07T16:38:00.001Z

STATEMENT BY JIM ALLISTER MEP ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF NEW POLITICAL MOVEMENT

Traditional Unionist Voice has four founding principles which encapsulate where Traditional Unionists stand. We are

wholly committed to the Union;
desirous of devolution compatible with democratic principles and precedents prevailing elsewhere in the UK, thus causing us to reject the present undemocratic mandatory coalition model which puts Sinn Fein in government;
adamant that the rule of law must prevail in every part of Northern Ireland and be administered without fear or favour;
supportive of traditional family values.

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FROM COUNCILLORS ACROSS THE PROVINCE

Cllr Frazer Agnew (Newtownabbey)

Ald James Alexander (Ballymena)

Ald Cecil Calvert (Lisburn)

Cllr Leslie Cubitt (Limavady)

Cllr Boyd Douglas (Limavady)

Ald Roy Gillespie (Ballmena)

Cllr Sam Gaston (Ballymena)

Cllr Stephen Herron (Banbridge)

Cllr Mel Lucas (Antrim)

Ald Jack McKee (Larne)

Cllr Audrey Patterson (Ballymoney)

Cllr Mark Russell (Craigavon)

Cllr Robin Sterling (Ballymena)

Cllr Charlie Tosh (Castlereagh)

Cllr David Tweed (Ballymena)

Cllr William Wilkinson (Ballymena)

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT BY FORMER MP FOR EAST LONDONDERRY, WILLIAM ROSS

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT BY THE GRAND CHAPLAIN OF THE ORANGE ORDER, REV STEPHEN DICKINSON

AGAIN SF SNUB PSNI

2007-12-06T16:33:00.000Z

Support for the PSNI from SF/IRA was once again under scrutiny yesterday when a number of their Councillors in Strabane refused to join the policing board.

Jim Allister has questioned the sincerity of SF/IRA to support police. Mr Allister stated, 'Actions do speak louder than words so these actions point to a deficit in terms of their supposed commitment to law and order.'

Allister responds to Simpsons claims against Molloy

2007-12-04T16:25:00.000Z

Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
"In welcoming David Simpson's recent exposé in
the Commons, I draw attention to the fact that
the man named is the one whom the DUP has
agreed, in a deal with Sinn Fein, to support as
Speaker in the next Assembly. This is the basis on
which William Hay was agreed as Speaker for this
Assembly, with Molloy as his deputy.
So one of the key questions and challenges is
what will the DUP do now on foot of the Upper
Bann MP's move. I expect the DUP will continue as
if David Simpson had not lifted this embarrassing
lid. After all, if cozying up to IRA Commander,
McGuinness, doesn't even cause a blush,
inconvenient focus on yet another terrorist
pedigree will hardly bother a party head over
heels in power with IRA/Sinn Fein."

(this statement was taken from the 'Brussels briefing'.

PLATFORM PIECE:

2007-12-04T16:23:00.000Z

POLITICIANS PROMOTE FALSE RECONCILIATION

Much is being made today by our politicians of the great change that has taken place in Northern Ireland of late, and, in the view of some, since the signing of the St Andrews Agreement. They boast about the profound manner in which PIRA/SF has changed, how they now support the police, etc. Indeed they boast about the way that Ulster’s terrorist enemies have now become democrats, and speak about the reconciliation that has taken place between opposing parties, in our case, between terrorists and democrats. This, they tell us, is progress.

But a few very important things seem to have escaped them. First, there has been no acknowledgement whatever of the hurt caused to so many people as a direct result of terrorist activity. Terrorists have not admitted either to themselves or to their victims that they were wrong in doing what they did. They have not come to a common understanding with their victims of the wrongness of their actions, nor made any admission that there was any justification for the evil they inflicted on them. Without acknowledgement, there is no reconciliation. There has been no acknowledgement, therefore there is no reconciliation.

Second, there has not been a word of apology from the provos for the ruthless murders of the many good men and women who served on Her Majesty’s security forces. Yes, they did offer an apology for the killing of innocent civilians a few years ago, but their language deliberately excluded the murders of security force personnel and the injury of many more besides. Apology is one way of the wrongdoer distancing himself from his wrong, and of agreeing with the offended person that what he did was totally wrong, unacceptable, without justification, and ought never have been done. Without a sincere apology, there can be no reconciliation. There was no apology, therefore there is no reconciliation.

Third, given that many of the proponents of reconciliation lite profess to be Christians, the demand for repentance has not been required, especially in view of the call by Dr Paisley some time ago for such a condition to be met. Even the thankfully reduced level of overt terrorist activity does not meet the criteria for genuine repentance, because true repentance requires sorrow for wrongs done. Yet what do we get? One of the First Ministers, Martin McGuinness, talking so confidently on BBC Radio Ulster of how proud he was of his past. McGuinness is proud of the allegedly 87 people whose death he was either directly involved in, or indirectly authorised, as a senior officer in the PIRA’s Army Council; proud that he was responsible ultimately for the murder of more Roman Catholics than the police, army and loyalist terrorists put together; proud that he either authorised or was involved in the murders of five children, four of whom were Roman Catholics; proud that he still protects the PIRA by his republican oath; proud that he deceived his own community, and sadly, many within the unionist community, into thinking that he has had a Damascus Road conversion experience, and was now a democrat. But not even a smell of remorse or sorrow for what he has done. You cannot be proud of your past, and show genuine remorse at the same time. Where there is no repentance for evils committed, there can be no reconciliation. There was no repentance, therefore there is no reconciliation.

Fourthly, no attempt has been made by the terrorists to make restitution to those they damaged irreparably by their violent activities. Instead, they have masqueraded as victims, and have drained the victims’ pot of the money that was given to help victims recover from their indescribable ordeal at the hands of terrorists. They are standing, Oliver-like, with their hands held out asking for more. And what of their victims whose lives have been ruined by their actions? They are given what’s left after they get their share. But restitution? Not a bit of it. And where there is no restitution, there can be no reconciliation. There has been no restitution, therefore there is no reconciliation.

If this is a true account of reconciliation, where does the current situation leave us? Precisely here: in a situation in which false reconciliation has been substituted for true reconciliation; and false reconciliation is worse than no reconciliation at all.

I am reminded of the words of Paul in 1 Thes.5:3, and interestingly quoted by a converted Palestinian terrorist last Sunday on Sunday Sequence, where those who say “peace and safety” will find “sudden destruction” coming upon them. It is doing no service to people to give them a false hope that is based on an empty hyped-up confidence – not a few have lost their lives when they were too confident. We need to be real, earthed and practical.

As a victim and a worker for reconciliation within the victims’ sector, I am appalled at the way reconciliation has been diluted in a bid to forward some political agenda. The “emperor’s new clothes syndrome” strikes me as relevant here. Everyone is parading and applauding the great advances that have been made in reconciliation activity; but it simply does not exist! And as long as our ambition-driven politicians take us along this road, the future can be nothing but bleak!

South Antrim reject McCrea.

2007-11-28T11:27:00.000Z

The singing preacher has come under more pressure this week as Traditional Unionists held a dinner in his constituency of South Antrim.

The dinner was organised by a significant grouping within his Westminster heartland and it proved to be a great success.

Jim Allister spoke to those in attendance and called upon them to stand united against the Unionist sell-out being undertook by the DUP.

The singing preacher in the wake of st. Andrews claimed that he was sick to the stomach at the prospect of sharing power with SF/IRA. Nevertheless he managed to overcome his sickness when he and his son were elected.

As a result of his betrayal he split his church and his picture was removed from an arch in Magherafelt such was the repulsion of local people.

It is now clear that his constituency of South Antrim have rejected him. One source from South Antrim stated, "Willy will be singing 'I'm marching home' at the next election, when the South Antrim electorate reject him and his betrayal'."

Mrs Robinson suspended!

2007-11-19T14:25:00.000Z

Mrs Iris Robinson has been suspended from the assembly after failing to withdraw her comments about the Minister for Health. Mrs Robinson had previously accused the Health Minister of 'misleading' the chamber over his non-acceptance of the budget.

Mrs Robinson was asked to withdraw her comments and after refusing to do so was formally suspended. She claimed that the house had been 'mislead' and therefore she was right to inform the house of such.

Maybe Mrs Robinson will now choose to 'inform' DUP voters that were 'mislead' in the last election?

The cardinal maker

2007-11-16T01:04:00.000Z

When David Trimble was elected leader of the Unionist Party, Ian Paisley proudly boasted that he was the 'king maker': alluding to the fact that his walking hand-in-hand with David Trimble at Portadown over the Drumcree controversy aided Trimble’s election to becoming Party leader. Now the noble Doctor can proudly add that he is the 'cardinal maker' under the same terms as being the 'king maker'. Archbishop Brady has directly linked his elevation to cardinal from the political peace process. He said: "I hope that those who have worked so hard to establish peace in recent years will see in this honour a further expression of Pope Benedict's confidence in what has been achieved in Northern Ireland.”

He revealed he had had expressions of support and messages of goodwill from across

Ireland - including from the office of First Minster, Ian Paisley, and Deputy First

Minister, Martin McGuinness, in Belfast.

Ian Paisley’s readiness to share power with what he described in the past as that “murder man Gerry Adams” has attributed to Ireland’s latest cardinal appointment.

Ironically this month nineteen years ago Ian Paisley stood up in the European Parliament holding up the placard “POPE JOHN PAUL II ANTICHRIST”. Now, should Cardinal elect Brady become a Pope in the future, the Rev. Dr. Paisley could claim some of the inglorious fame of being the only Protestant in history of calling the Pope Antichrist to his face and having a hand in setting up a successor.

In one of Dr. Paisley’s sermons warning of Popery and published by him in “The Revivalist” a heading entitled “TIMES HAVE CHANGED” followed by another heading “WHY THIS CHANGE” he states, “What has brought about the absolute change in the atmosphere? What has got into the Protestant Churches and the Protestant preachers? Why have Protestant clergy become the front-line men for the Roman Catholic Church? The Cardinal elect, this week, must have sat back and chuckled; the priests must have sat back and chuckled when they saw a Chaplin of the Orange Institution bringing up this matter in the Assembly to take out of the Assembly’s Westminster Confession of Faith the term ‘the Antichrist’ in reference to the Pope”. Here lies a possible reason for having the two “chuckle brothers” of Paisley and McGuinness.

Laughter is infectious. Dr. Paisley’s visit to meet Archbishop Daly seems to have rubbed off on Dr. Paisley and he can chuckle along with the new Cardinal and the rest of the priests of Rome.

Too true, we live in “changed times”. What has got into Protestant preachers when choicest is able to sit back and chuckle with their greatest enemies?

Why I will not sit down with unrepenting terrorists and help them destroy my country.

2007-11-14T16:47:00.000Z

Taken from a sermon preached in Martyrs Memorial by Dr Ian Paisley 21 sept 1997

"Today there is a siren cry from the ecumenists in the pulpits of our land. They are crying for the political leaders to sit down with those who have been responsible for some of the vilest and most bloody deeds in all the history of this unhappy island ... Anyone one who has any morality knows that this is wrong.

Someone asked me this week why was I not at the talks my reply was:

FIRSTLY: because the Bible tells me it is wrong
SECONDLY: because my conscience testifies in my soul that it is wrong
THIRDLY: because those who advocate it are on the side of defiance of God's laws
FOURTHLY: because those who issue the invitations are busy covering over further lawlessness for the participants.
FIFTHLY: I will not be at those talks because those who murder and lie cannot be trusted.
SIXTHLY: I will not be at these talks because those who demand our presence are holding onto weapons to continue their campaigns of murder.
SEVENTHLY: I will not be at these talks because under the rules no confrontation is permitted only negotiations.
EIGHTLY: I will not be at those talks because I refuse to act dishonestly with my constituents.

When my constituents voted for me they voted for a covenant that we made as a party with our people that we will not sit down today or tomorrow or at any time with SF/IRA, full stop. I am not a liar. I am an honest man."

Platform piece: Dr. Hazlett Lynch

2007-11-05T21:21:00.001Z

It is very instructive, is it not, that SF terrorists are lining up to help their victims. Gerry Adams has met with Colin Parry at Canary Warfe in London, and repeated his verbal apology - the Spanish have a saying "words don't cost money," or, as we would put it, "words are cheap."

Pat Doherty is very keen to help a Protestant band get funding to buy new instruments and uniforms.

Martin McGuinness wants to meet victims' group leaders.

How true these provos are to their Marxist philosophy. Cultivating friendship with their enemies, woo them into their bosom, and then implant a dagger in their back, a real pleasure indeed, says Stalin.

Their offers of help do not mean they have abandoned their original goal of subjugating the unionist people, and beating them by whatever means into a united Ireland.

Such offers of help are deceptive in the extreme, and regardless of costs to ourselves, we must resolutely resist the urge to place ourselves in their deathly bosom. Any help they can or will give us will turn out to our undoing - if we accept it.

Do not be deceived by their smiles, or be taken in by the serious mood they are now projecting. These are dangerous deceivers. Their presence at the heart of government, thanks to the DUP, actually negates democracy by undermining it, and speaks loudly about a dismal future for us and our children. Our country will suffer a repeat of the past atrocities if we do not oppose this corrupt regime with everything we've got.

We will most assuredly go back to the past horrors because we have brought into the present those very people who made that past so dreadful, and elevated them to the very heart of government.

Hearts and Minds : offering a full assessment (David Vance)

2007-11-01T12:36:00.000Z

Well, we didn’t have to wait for Halloween to glimpse the horrors that stalk this land. How else to describe the bludgeoning to death of 21- year-old Paul Quinn with crow bars and pick-axe handles

Mr Quinn’s family claim that it was IRA members who were responsible for this killing but predictably Sinn Fein spokesmen have sprinted to the tv cameras denying all republican involvement even before the police on either side of the border have had the chance to investigate.

Of course we’ve heard it all before. During the ceasefire years when republicans claimed the guns were silent, at least thirty nine people - more than the number killed in the Dublin/Monaghan bombings and more than those killed at Omagh - met their deaths either through shooting or stabbing at the hands of the IRA.

With these brutal murders infamously dismissed as “internal housekeeping” I suppose one could almost understand republicans thinking that the IRA could literally get away with murder - just like it got away with the £26.5m stolen from the Northern Bank. With Gerry Adams believing that republicans cannot be criminals, all things become possible in the land of the self-deluded.

But there is no good reason why unionists should play along with this republican charade. During the years when the Ulster Unionists meekly sat in power with Sinn Fein as the IRA murdered and maimed, the DUP condemned them time after time. But now that the DUP has plunged its collective snout into the trough at Stormont, it’s not so quick to pass judgment.

Jeffrey Donaldson bleats that should the police prove beyond all doubt that the IRA has “corporate responsibility” for this latest murder then his party might do something. The idea that a terrorist Mafioso like the IRA operates like a corporation, holding official board meetings to consider who it is going to kill next, shows just how detached from reality the DUP has become.

Memo to Jeffrey Donaldson; the IRA exists to terrorise, it’s not about proving IRA corporate responsibility, but is it proving DUP political irresponsibility.

The DUP/Sinn Fein axis has also failed to support Margaret Ritchie’s courageous decision to stop the ghouls in the UDA from getting their claws on £1.2m of taxpayers money. Just what prevents them from collectively sending the message that those who refuse to move away from violence should be punished rather than rewarded?

Like a vast hollowed out pumpkin, the Stormont Assembly casts an eerie glow across Northern Ireland. The flame of democracy barely flickers as our coven of politicians look the other way when evil is done and choose the pursuit of power at any price over principle. Devolution at all costs carries a very high price.

CAUSEWAY FURORE CONTINUES

2007-10-24T14:50:00.000Z

With a lack-lustre performance by Paisley jnr on lastnights Insight programme many people are left confused and many more are demanding answers. Jim Allister agrees that the issue has not been dealt with effectively. In the lastest edition of his Brussels Briefing. Mr Allister states;

"I find most people are shocked by the daily revelations over the Causeway debacle.
How UNESCO, the National Trust and EHS can offer professional advice against the private
proposal and yet the Minister smiles upon it, is unexplained and baffling for most.
The Giant's Causeway is North Antrim and Northern Ireland's greatest natural asset. It
belongs to us all. Its exploitation through a much-needed visitors' centre should not be a
matter for private profit. Thus, I oppose the DUP Environment Minister's "minded" decision to grant permission to Seymour Sweeney's private proposal. The fact that Mr Sweeney is a DUP
member and, it turns out, close associate of Ian Paisley Junior, only adds to the public unease.
The teeth-pulling manner in which Ian Paisley Junior's links to Mr Sweeney have had to emerge
has accentuated the public disquiet. When the Causeway issue began to unfold we had the
economical declaration on public radio by Ian Paisley Junior that he "knew of" Seymour
Sweeney. It has since turned out that Ian Paisley Junior and Mr Sweeney have in fact a longstanding relationship. I think the people of North Antrim expected more openness and transparency from Ian Junior.

Constitutional position shifting?

2007-10-24T14:34:00.000Z

The DUP informed the Unionist electorate that as a result of their negotiations at st Andrews the constitutional position of Northern Ireland was secure. However now the Dail has granted speaking rights to the Northern Ireland MPs. SDLP leader Mark Durkan said attending committees was "an additional means of engagement on a north/south basis".

The Unionist electorate must now consider why the Dail has seen fit to grant speaking rights to Northern Ireland representatives if the constitutional question had been settled.

The Unionist electorate must ask is this move a further appeasement to SF/IRA and if so was it agreed to at St Andrews.

The Unionist electorate must also ask what else is yet to emerge from the DUP's successful negotiations at st Andrews!

IRA Terror eclipses 9/11

2007-10-24T08:10:00.000Z

Doris Lessing has claimed that 9/11 was not that terrible when compared to the terror campaign waged by the IRA.

Lessing who has won the Nobel Prize reminded listeners to a radio station that the IRA attacked the British government and was responsible for a murderous campaign claiming any lives and causing injuries on tens of thousands. Lessing claimed that people had forgot the deeds of the IRA.

Lessing's statement certainly appears to ring through, many do believe that the IRA campaign as been forgotton, especially when a former IRA commander has now attained the highest political office offered by Northern Ireland.

Poots: I can only afford to fund Gay Pride

2007-10-22T13:31:00.000Z

Edwin Poots DUP minister for culture skipped off to the annual conference of the GAA (the DUP aren't having a conference this year). At the conference minister Poots informed the GAA he would do nothing to inhibit their culture and language but could simply not justify the cost of an Irish language bill.

Therefore are we to conclude that Minister Poots actually sees the merits of the bill but has blown his budget funding the Gay pride parade?

Whatever one makes of Mr Poots decision not to introduce a language bill one must acknowledge that he has failed to extinguish the hopes of the Irish language lobby who claim they negoiated a bill at St Andrews.

The story of Pooty poots and the Irish language is too be continued.....

IRA blamed for murder.

2007-10-22T13:15:00.000Z

Paul Quinn was set upon by a gang of masked men on Saturday. He died a short time after as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Mr Quinns family stated; "we believe that he was abducted by the Provisional movement and beaten to death"

Jim Allister has condemned the murder and demanded clarity, he stated "The suggestion that the IRA killed Paul Quinn requires absolute clarity from the PSNI and the Garda, with no phony distinctions being made between organisational acts and actions by indivdual IRA members. If a gang of 15 IRA men beat a man to death then its an IRA murder. No ifs or buts!"

Butcher of the Bogside

2007-10-17T14:36:00.000Z

McGuinness had been born on in Londonderry on 23rd May 1950 and like the majority of the SF leadership he was exclusively educated by the Roman Catholic Church.

By 1971 McGuinness was employed as an appretice butcher for Doherty's and climbed through the ranks of the IRA. He was now second in command of the Londonderry brigade.

In the two year period, during which McGuinness was second-in-command of the IRA in Londonderry 29 members of the security forces were murdered by the IRA, this included 24 regular soldiers, 3 members of the UDR and 2 policemen - all of which were murdered in the city during 1971 and 1972. If this is widened to include 1973, then one third of the 320 murders in Londonderry (attributed to the troubles) took place during this period.

David McKittrick made these comments on the period, "This represents one of the IRA's most sustained and deadly local offensives... it is accepted in both republican and security circles that Mr McGuinness was one of the organisation's most senior members in Derry before Bloody Sunday."

In an interview with Neil Collin, McGuinness gave this response to a question about civilian lives being lost, "any body that was hurt was hurt through their own fault. Being too noisy, sticking around where the bomb was, after they were told to clear. It's only their own fault they got hurt" Some thirty years later McGuinness would not retract that statement.

In 1973, after being caught with a car containing 250 lb of explosives and nearly 5,000 rounds of ammunition McGuinness was convicted by the Republic of Ireland's special criminal court and was sentanced to 6 months in prison. In the court McGuinness stated "I am a member of the Oglaigh na hEireann and very proud of it".

It is somewhat strange that McGuinness now co-rules of Northern Ireland...

(This is only part of a larger article from THE ULSTERMAN Sept/Oct 2007, further information on this publication can be obtained by emailing theulsterman@hotmail.com)

Another Silly Storey!

2007-10-17T14:20:00.000Z

In the wake of Poots anouncement that as minister for Culture he would be scrapping the proposed plans for Irish language.

The move was offered to the Unionist electorate as a major victory for the DUP.

However as Nationalists insist that the Irish language bill will go ahead Mervyan Storey of the DUP has revealed that the Irish language cause has been advanced since the restoration of Stormont under his party leader.

A response to an Assembly question by North Antrim DUP MLA Mervyn Storey also found that such funding for Irish schools had doubled from £15,000 to £30,000 in a year.Although this was a small fraction of the overall total of more than £1 million, there are only 21 Irish language schools out of more than 1,000 schools eligible.The controlled integrated sector, which has 20 schools, got nothing.A total of £630,000 was allocated to the 533 maintained schools and Irish medium schools, while just over £450,000 was allocated to the 592 state schools.

Mr Storey stated that the;"figures highlight yet again the ongoing failure of this Education Minister to get to grips with her ministerial obligations. One would have thought that the Education Minister would by now have established a very clear set of priorities for herself. Falling school roles, competing education systems, a new transfer system, a 12-year-old industrial dispute and this ongoing financial black hole. However, instead of this the minister busies herself pouring money into Irish language schools at a time of such intense financial pressure."

The question must follow what is Mr Storey to do and indeed what his is party doing to stop this waste of money?

It seems that Mr Storey has indicated that the DUP are permitting the advance of the Irish language not prohibiting it!

Mr Poots anouncement yesterday seems to contrast with the political reality.

FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

2007-10-17T14:17:00.000Z

The First and Deputy First Ministers, in law and practice are equals. Politically they are dependant on each other to make decisions.

Ian Paisley cannot even sign a letter as First Minister without McGuinness approving and signing it also.

If you – even as a victim of the IRA – write to the First Minister on an OFMDFM issue McGuinness must see your letter.

3 of the IRA/SF ministers have terrorist convictions. None demonstrate any regret for their personal actions or those of the IRA.

No government in the democratic world contains such a proportion of unrepentant terrorist convicts.

IRA/SF would not be in government – no matter how much London and Dublin wanted it - without the DUP allowing them.

There was no plan B. It was a scare tactic deployed by those desperate to attain power. Joint authority is constitutionally impossible.

There is no exclusive Unionist veto. There are mutual vetoes. Unionists, despite their numerical superiority, have no more power of veto than Nationalists/Republicans.

The basic architecture and structures of the Belfast Agreement remain unchanged. St Andrews only tinkered with it. In one vital area, it made it worse, by opening the door to a SF First Minister. Under the Belfast Agreement the FM had to come from the largest tradition. Under St. Andrews the FM is from the biggest party. Thus a SF FM could be foisted on the Unionist majority. Shamefully, the DUP allowed this to happen and refused to vote against this change in Parliament.

Mandatory coalition is utterly undemocratic. It guarantees every sizeable party a place in government forever, with no opposition. Thus, the people can never vote a party out of government. This arises from the use of the d’Hondt system, which is not used anywhere else in the world as a means of forming government.

The absence of an opposition is highly damaging to the democratic process. It means decisions go unchallenged and arrogance and bad government result.

As part of the UK we are entitled to devolution compatible with the patterns prevailing in Scotland and Wales, where voluntary not mandatory coalition is the route to shared government.

SF ministers do not accept or believe in the state which they now govern, rather they are dedicated to its destruction. They see this arrangement as a mere stepping stone to their continuing goal of Irish unification.

British Government Backs 7-Years in Jail for 'Hatred' of Homosexuals

2007-10-15T22:27:00.000Z

Britain's ruling Labor Party government has announced plans to introduce a new "hate crimes" law that would result in jail terms of up to seven years (more than the average penalty for rape) for "incitement to hatred" against homosexuals. The law is not limited to people who commit violent acts or incite violence, but the Justice Ministry claims the law "would not prohibit criticism of gay, lesbian and bisexual people" -- as long as it done in a "temperate way," said one homosexual activist. What constitutes "hatred" or "invective" as opposed to "temperate" speech is in the eye of the beholder. Colin Hart of the U.K.'s Christian Institute put it bluntly: "A homophobic hatred law would be used by those with an axe to grind against Christians to silence them." Earlier this year, homosexual activists called on police to halt a peaceful protest against a "gay rights" bill in Parliament on the grounds that it was "inciting hatred." Although the "hate crimes" bill which the U.S. Senate recently attached to a defense bill is ostensibly limited only to acts causing "bodily injury," the situation in Britain perfectly illustrates the slippery slope such laws would set us upon. Congress should oppose, or President Bush should veto, any bill that adds "sexual orientation" to federal hate crimes law.

Additional Resources
The Times of London: 'Inciting hatred against gays could lead to 7 years in prison'
FRC Resources on 'Thought Crimes' Laws

SF fail to co-operate on McCartney Murder

2007-10-11T14:57:00.000Z

Yesterday the family of Robert McCartney hand delivered a letter to the office of FMDFM.
In the letter the McCartney family insist that SF have failed to uphold their duty to uphold law and order as promised by the party before entering power-sharing arrangements.

Ian Paisley sought promises from SF that they would cooperate fully with the investigation into the Robert McCartney murder. Yesterday the McCartney sisters claimed that support had not been forthcoming.

According to the family of Robert McCartney a senior police source revealed to them that the police had found SF to be unhelpful when information was requested.

Catherine McCartney said yesterday "SF are telling the public that they support police but if you measure these words against what is happening in Roberts case, they have not done that."

The evidence in this instance certainly suggests that SF have merely paid lip-service to policing and are not fully committed to law and order that should be part of a democratic society.

DUP(ed) MEMBERS TAKE NOTE

2007-10-09T10:59:00.000Z

As it becomes clearer day by day that the DUP’s Dr Ian Paisley can not (nor does not), in his role as First Minister, even sign a letter without McGuinnes’s approval, he (and every member of his party) should reflect upon the words and views of the deputy First Minister’s mentors, Marx, Lenin and Stalin.

In his book ‘Marx & Satan, Richard Wurmbrand, himself imprisoned for 14 years in Europe for his outspoken views on communism urges Christians ‘not to be duped by Marxism’s benevolent disguise as mere political or economic partners’.

Five examples from Wurmbrand’s research will suffice to trumpet the danger of being ‘ unequally yoked’ with the Marxist orientated Sinn Fein/IRA:

· Marx: ‘We must make these rogues (and here Marx was referring to his comrades/partners) believe that we continue our relationship with them, until we have the power to sweep them away from our road, in one manner or another’.

(MEW, XXV11, P, 292)

· Stalin: ‘..the greatest joy is to cultivate a person’s friendship until he lays his head confidently on your bosom, then to implant a dagger in his back, a pleasure not to be surpassed’

(Boris Souvarine, Stalin)

· Lenin: ‘We have to use any ruse, dodge, trick, cunning, unlawful method, concealment, and veiling of the truth. The basic rule is to exploit the conflicting interests of the capitalist states’

· Marx: ‘There is only one method to shorten the murderous pains of death of the old society, the bloody birth pangs of the new society; only one method to simplify and concentrate them, that is revolutionary terrorism’

(The Communist Manifesto)

and finally for those who are still being deceived by those ‘chuckles’:

· Khrushchev: ‘If anyone believes our smiles involve abandonment of the teachings of Marx, Engels and Lenin, he deceives himself. Those who wait for that must wait until a shrimp learns to whistle’.

Surely the DUP Leader(s) must soon awaken to the realisation of the serpent he/they has taken into the DUP’s bosom – Marxist Sinn Fein/IRA

BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE – COME OUT FROM AMONGST THEM - NOW

Allister puts spotlight on McGuinness

2007-10-05T19:41:00.000Z

In a debate in the European Parliament in
Strasbourg on terrorism, Jim Allister MEP rounded
on Sinn Fein's opposition to extradition of a
republican, McAliskey, to face terrorist charges in
Germany as exemplifying non-commitment to the
EU-wide battle against terrorism. Referring to
arrests at Frankfurt, he said Europe would be
outraged if any government minister opposed the
extradition of someone wanted in that regard, yet
this was precisely what McGuinness was doing in
respect of republican terrorism. Referring to ETA's
return to terrorism, he cautioned that often
terrorist's supposed espousal of democracy was
tactical and self-serving.
In the course of his remarks Jim Allister said:-
"There are two essential points which I want to
make in this important debate.
First, all, or most, can come to this House and
deplore and denounce terrorism, as well we
might, because it is vile and indefensible in all
its forms, but, within the EU, do we
consistently practice what we preach?
This morning at Frankfurt we had a
reminder of the ever present threat
of terrorism. If any government
minister anywhere in the EU were to
condemn those arrests, or resist
later connected extraditions, we'd be outraged,
because terrorism is terrorism and is not
sanitised by the passage of time.
Yet, in my small country, just weeks ago, we
had the Deputy First Minister, Martin
McGuinness, who knows more than most about
the hideous practice of terrorism, reverting to
form and vehemently attacking the German
Government's current application, under a
European Arrest Warrant, for the extradition of
an Irish republican terrorist suspect, McAliskey,
for a bombing some years ago in Germany. Such
is intolerable - just as was the harbouring by
Ireland of 3 IRA terrorists convicted in
Columbia.
So, it behoves us all in Europe, does it not, to
lead by example. We cannot pick and choose in
attacking and resisting terrorism. If we are
against it, we must be against it all and act
accordingly. If you genuinely support the rule of
law then you do not attack and protest against
the means of securing international justice.
My second point is that the recourse of ETA to
active terrorism is a timely reminder that
seldom does the terrorist leopard change its
spots. Those who stoop to terrorism have the
amoral mindset capable of switching, for
tactical reasons, to supposed commitment to
political means, if for the time being it better
serves their purposes. We should be ever wary
of such and never make the mistake of judging
terrorists by our own standards."

(Article from Brussels briefing September 2007)

The new Jack and Vera Duckworth Team

2007-10-02T13:48:00.001Z

It’s official. The love between Education Minister Catriona Ruane and her Assembly scrutiny Committee Chairman, Sammy Wilson is under strain.

Last Monday’s clashes between the Sinn Fein/IRA Ruane and the Pro-Union (Ireland Ltd) DUP member, Wilson were notable not just for the way she went on the offensive during the classroom assistants debate but for the line that Sammy Wilson was tempted to use (being the Joker he is – or is it the joke he is).

After he and other unionists were accused of showing little concern for the assistants and taking unfair swipes at the Irish Language, the East Antrim MP noted she spent a third of her speech attacking them.

Wilson later confessed, “I was very tempted to say when I got up to speak that from the tone of her speech I was glad I was not married to her because I wouldn’t be getting dinner that night”. (right the second time – the joke he is)

Coronation Street fans take heart, you may be losing one of your favourite characters but Jack and Vera Duckworth will never be dead whilst the N. Ireland Assembly has Ruane and Wilson.

(Source: contribution by Dan McGinn, Belfast Telegraph, 1^st October suitably modified to fit this blog site)

P.S. For the facts it should be noted by all Pro-Union (U.K. Ltd) members that on the same day that ‘Minister’ Sinn Fein/IRA Ruane was actively taking a stand against the classroom assistants the Sinn Fein/IRA ‘Education Spokesman’ joined the assistants on the picket line – typical Marxist tactic for creating instability. (Remember Sinn Fein/ IRA are self confessed Marxists and one might here echo the often quoted Scripture verse used (or should we now say abused) in bygone days by a certain Clergyman/Politician

“…. Come ye out from among them and be ye separate”.

SF support police?

2007-10-01T10:21:00.000Z

In the wake of IRA/SF claiming to offer support to the police (under pressure from the DUP) Michelle Gildernew appeared to say in a radio interview that she would not personally go to the police and give information about terrorist-related activity.

On Radio Ulster's Talkback, when given a clear opportunity to state full and unconditional support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Michelle Gildernew failed to do so. When asked whether she would give information to the police about the whereabouts of guns she replied she herself would not do so.

At the weekend we were again reminded of SF's commitment to policing when the party criticised police for being heavy handed as a riot broke out in Londonderry. Police were attacked as pieces of concrete slabs were hurled at them.

Unionists must wake up to the reality that while IRA/SF have embarked on an apparent political strategy they still hold the same ideas that saw the murder and destruction of Protestant communities. IRA/SF still believe it is legitimate to murder members of the police force, they have never stated murders of security personnel was wrong!

The IRA army council remains in tact, the warped sense of ideology remains in tact and support for the police....

Campbell's daily joke: 'no blurring'

2007-09-27T22:46:00.000Z

Gregory Campbell of DUP fame has on tonights Hearts and Minds made an astonishing claim that there is no blurring of the lines between the DUP and SF.

Campbell was however put on the spot by presenter Noel Thompson. Thompson questioned if Campbell and the DUP were spinning some hardline rhetoric to keep true Unionists voting for the DUP. Campbell successfully managed to deny the accusation insisting that he was reflecting the political reality that the DUP and SF were political foes.

BUT as Thompson pointed out the Chuckle brothers are reflecting a truer representation of the political reality between the DUP and SF.

Don't be fooled by Campbell's rhetoric. Campbell like his DUP cohorts have accepted terrorists who remain unrepentant into our government!

'They haven't gone away'

2007-09-27T21:33:00.000Z

"They haven't gone away you know"

(Adams was addressing a demonstration in Belfast in August 1995, when a member of crowd called out to him to "bring back the IRA". In an unscripted reply Adams made this remark.)

The famous words of SF/IRA leader Gerry Adams still ring true...

Everyone should know that the IRA Council remains in tact despite members of that council sitting in the government of Northern Ireland.

Now we learn that a Republican gun stash has been discovered in South Armagh (27/sept/2007) despite the new 'era of peace' Paisley and McGuinness insist we are in.

There are no Unionist politicians in Stormont that can question the discovery of Republican Arms as all have now accepted SF in government and have therefore accepted the legitimacy of the IRA Council to remain in tact.

Remember at the next election to demonstrate your distaste at the Unholy Alliance. Do not support candidates who permit SF/IRA in our government while the Army Council remains in tact and while the IRA continue to collect illegal weapons.

V4D Meeting

2007-09-25T22:33:00.000Z

Once again V4D held a very successful meeting. The meeting which was considered to be one of the most important in our organisation's history was blessed with more new faces and was sealed with a resounding sense of purpose.

V4D can clearly state that this group will continue to oppose SF/IRA in our government and will persist in exposing the corrupt government that intends to preside over Ulster.

V4D also stated full support for those who gathered at Moygashel Orange Hall last week. All present declared support for MEP Jim Allister as he continues to represent the views of anti-agreement Unionists.

V4D took the opportunity to condemn the vicious attack launched against Mr Allister by the DUP's Peter Robinson at the weekend.

The meeting closed with unity and determination to continue along the path that may lead to truth and justice for all Unionists.

Victims and the Unholy Alliance

2007-09-25T15:45:00.000Z

Willie Frazer discusses how the politics of the 'Unholy Alliance' between the DUP and SF is impacting upon victims:

Councillor Mel Lucas Resignation Letter

2007-09-23T13:13:00.000Z

Today is tinged with sadness as I make this announcement. I have been a DUP activist my entire adult life. I always supported the party when it called for various Unionist leaders to resign over the years. “O’Neil must go,“ “ Faulkner must go” and the list goes on. In 1998 it was “Trimble must go,” and so along with many others I jumped on the bandwagon and harassed Trimble out of office. Today however, we see the result of that; the DUP party leader has stole the clothes from off his back and moved into government with unrepented terrorists and those which have committed the most heinous and brutal murders in our province.

Whatever happened to the IRA Army Council being dismantled before entering government?

Whatever happened to the credible testing period of republican commitments to policing and rule of law?

Does anybody really believe Sinn Fein/IRA support the rule of law? Remember Minister Gildernew said she wouldn’t report dissident republicans who were involved in terrorist activity.

What happened to the parties pledge that dHondt-style coalition with republicans was out of the question?

What happened to the ill-gotten gains of £26 million withdrawn from the Northern Bank?

O yes and Ian Paisley did say, Sinn Fein in government “over our dead bodies.” Followed by the promise to the Unionist community of a battle a day, but instead we get a giggle a day, with Ian Paisley joined at the hip with a self confessed IRA man.

Then we have our MP William McCrea telling us how great a victory it has been over the IRA, one Unionists should be celebrating. Is this why he voted to put IRA/Sinn Fein in government, and then told the Unionist people he was, “sick to the pit of his stomach” and Sinn Fein were not fit for government? I doubt the Unionist people are that easily fooled.

It seems to me that the temptation of high office and financial gain clouded the party leaderships’ decision to enter into government, with those who have spent the past 35 years murdering and bombing the people of this province, both Protestant and Roman Catholic. I, like many others have worked tirelessly for many of those now in government, believing that they would deliver a fair deal for Unionists. However, now we find that all we achieved was the building of several family empires. Finally when the lure of power and office came along they betrayed the Unionist people.

Personal interest and advancement might dictate that I too should run with the flow, but my conscience would not permit me to do so. I will have to face the electorate again someday but by sticking to my principles I for one will be able to look them straight in the face.

Today, I resign from the Democratic Unionist Party although very shortly I intend to have a new political home, one that will once again honestly defend the Unionist cause as the Democratic Unionist Party once did.

We have Secured the Union? Really Jeffery?

2007-09-18T21:23:00.000Z

NOW WE KNOW THAT WEE JEFFERY AND HIS FRIENDS HAVE SECURED THE UNION. THATS WHY FIANNA FAIL WILL FORM IN NORTHERN IRELAND!

Fianna Fail has been dominant in the politics of the Republic since the party's formation 81 years ago. However the party has never considered contesting any election in Northern Ireland... Until now!

Bertie Ahern yesterday claimed that, "This moves reflects the dramatic changes we have seen across the island," the party leader said.

Fianna Fail clearly believe that they can win seats in Northern Ireland and promote the idea of an 'All Ireland Party'. To date SF/IRA are the only party that can claim an 'All Ireland' status. They have however been unsuccessful in convincing the Republic's voters of their merits.

Following a disastrous election for SF this year the DUP claimed a United Ireland was not on the agenda. They argued that there was no desire in the Republic or in Northern Ireland for an 'All Ireland' party. The DUP's theory will now be tested by FF.

2007-09-18T09:17:00.000Z

A SPECIAL INVITATION TO ALL SUPPORTERS

to attend a KEY meeting of

The Voice for Democracy Umbrella Group

to be held in

Burnside Orange Hall, Antrim

on Tuesday, 25^th September 2007 at 7.45 pm.

Key Topic:

‘Update on Political Representation discussions’

also

· Feedback on V4D activities over the summer period

· Programme preparation for remainder of 2007.

Your attendance would be appreciated – Your input valued – Your support essential

and

‘Phone a Friend to attend’

RSVP to Robert Campbell at address/phone as above or robertcampbell@talktalk.net

I QUIT - Cllr Lucas

2007-09-14T15:26:00.000Z

Mel Lucas of Antrim Council as quit the Party. A member of the party his entire adult life Lucas took the decision with great sadness but insisted he was left with no option.

From within the DUP Lucas had campaigned against the 'Unholy Alliance' however last night Lucas resolved that the fight from within the party had been lost.

In Antrim Council chamber last night Lucas explained that like so many Unionists he could not support the power-sharing arrangements between the DUP and SF.

Lucas now joins the growing list of Councillors who have refused to sacrifice their principles and will provide representation to many Unionists opposed to the 'Unholy Alliance' in South Antrim.

DUP 8 Clash with Leadership!

2007-09-13T15:42:00.000Z

More dissent within DUP ranks as eight Coleraine Councillors reject Arlene and Dodd's plans to privatise the Causeway site.

In response Arlene (former Ulster Unionist) stated that her loyalty was with her position as Minister rather than the DUP. "I am the Minister first, not the DUP first" claimed Arlene. (Newsletter 13.09.2007)

It is clear that Arlene is determined to assert her authority as environment Minister, but maybe its time that she took heed of the grassroots from within her own party?

DUP Man Suspended!

2007-09-11T20:25:00.000Z

Councillor Mel Lucas of Antrim as been suspended from the party pending a disciplinary meeting. Lucas as been a vocal critic of power sharing with IRA/SF and with Jim Allister was one of the few executive members to vote against the move.

Today Councillor Lucas spoke out over the DUP betrayal. Lucas stated;

"They (DUP) have betrayed me, but worse than that they have betrayed the Unionist community who put them were they are today. It is all desperately sad.

What happened to the cries of 'never, never, never'? It seems they have been all put to the side after the promise of money and power.

I will not be gagged nor will I be bought. I have my principles and my conscience is clear!"

While Lucas awaits the DUP disciplinary meeting it is now inevitable that his future is no longer with the DUP. The DUP have refused to accept any criticism from within the party.