I have attended a number of public meetings over recent weeks and watched in genuine disbelief as well known members of the SDLP, who according to their professions would be viewed as intelligent, rational human beings, engaged in what can only be described as play school antics and pettiness. The venom espoused by these members, some of who had been drafted in from other areas, was obvious to even the most non-political person.
The meetings were public, and were aimed at tackling the antisocial and rampant drug problem in the area. These meetings were not political and residents comprising from all walks of life arrived eager to tackle them.
The problem for the SDLP was that the people who initiated the debate and who proposed a solution, happened to have a Republican ideology. At the first meeting a drafted in SDLP councillor refused to refer to Sinn Féin by it proper name, preferring to call the North’s largest Nationalist party as the Provisionals, gangsters, criminals and the like. The other SDLP members who also had an agenda attempted to antagonise further by claiming that the people were afraid of ‘’Sinn Féin bully boys.’’
The people responded, and many infuriated by the false allegations, spoke in defence of Sinn Féin and the hard work party activists have been involved in. Indeed no Sinn Féin member needed to speak, the people had spoken on our behalf.
At the most recent meeting, I believed that the SDLP would have learnt their lesson and would, like the rest of the community be positive and back the initiative. How wrong I was, as I entered the room I noticed that an executive meeting of the SDLP Youth was sitting in the hall, again he like those before him were not from the local area. In fact that SDLP Youth Member travelled a considerable distance to attend the public meeting.
Once again, the nonsense began with SDLP members attacking the proposed solution, stating firstly it would not work and then when that failed, began to insult with ferocity the people at the top table. Again no Sinn Féin member responded, instead the packed assembly furious that a second attempt of petty party politics was being made demanded that the SDLP leave their politics outside the door.
They refused, waiting to deliver their Pièce de résistance. It was at this stage that the member of SDLP Youth executive spoke, and attacked the top table, accusing one of being a ‘’convicted murderer ‘’ the SDLP Youth member was heckled and booed by people in the packed hall. It was then that a member of Ógra Shinn Féin spoke. ( The only time a member of the party spoke ) and asked firstly for the SDLP Youth member to identify himself, where he is from and most importantly which party he is a member of. With great reluctance I might add, he answered all three. To which a roar of disproval echoed throughout the hall.
I must say I found it very disappointing that the SDLP blinded by pettiness attempted to stop and discredit a community project. Nevertheless, the SDLP failed in their attempt. Their grievances centered on one issue, a Republican suggested a solution to a community's need.
And we thought the Brits were Anti-Republican?
16 comments:
Stoops tried that in my area too, didn't work it just got peoples backs up.
These people are the biggest swower of twisted gombeens ive ever seen. their petty attacks at all things Republican to serve their own narrow agenda fails every time. These school room tactics fail because the community can see that they are attacking a party that is passionate about serving the community of which they are from. The dogs in the street can see how stupid their frustrated, petty attacks on SF are, there again desperate times call for desperate measures. grow up lads!
a dying party in desperate times. God they just stoop lower every time dont they
The stoops see that the only true voice for the Nationalist community is Sinn Féin. Their attacks on sf resemble a little rat trapped in a cage. Just read that gobshite tom kelly's peice in the stoop news, he really is an anti Republican shitbag hell bent on attacking sf to foreward the narrow political ambitions of the stoops. Sinn Féin deliver, the results speak for themselves, so wind your necks in!
Where and when were the meetings? Who was the Executive member? This sounds like a very hollow piece of propaganda to me. It's a good thing no one reads this blog.
Perhaps anonymous should read the Newry Reporter, Newry Democrat, The Outlook, Mourne Observor amongst other Newspapers in the Newry and Mourne area. Particularly the Newry Democrat and 'Billy's Bit' which described the last meeting quite well. And finally comrade if nobody reads this blog, why then do you?
I have never read such a load of shite in all my life. Talk about re-writing events - I attended the meeting but didn't speak - only observed quietly what SF was up to -- the fairy tale about CRJ was peddled out - the SDLP people who were there had every right to be there it was a public meeting - but it seems that when they asked pertinent questions about those in charge of CRJ, their training methods etc the CRJ clique were not prepared to answer - it is also untrue what you said about the reference to the people on the 'top table' - no one was accused of being a murderer - are so thick or devious - that you didn't even know the person that was referred to?? I think you need to go and do your homework on CRJ.
By the way - when exactly was the US funding pulled from CRJ - one of your 'top table' said it was recently and glossed over the facts - I think not - was is not 2 years ago in the wake of Robert McCartney's murder?
It is extremely worrying also that two of the 'committee' who vokunteered added 'enforcer' after they called their names - hardly inspiring for the confidence of the people of the village. #
If CRJ operates democracy like the way that meeting was operated when a right of reply was refused to a speaker who challenged CRJ then I can only be despondent about the future - however in the intersts od democracy I challenge you to publish this comment
Is mise le meas
In reply to anonymous and the great press - it is quite obvious that a pre - prepared statement was handed out and we all know that journalists in the main are a lazy bunch who love to get their work done for them - and they freely admit it - was Billy at the meeting ?
I suppose you only want bloggers comrade that agree with SF unquestionably and believe all the rubblish that they spin out - when community restorative really becomes community based and not manipulated by SF and with the PSNI and the proper systems to support it , then it will be much more acceptable across the community - but until then it is viewed as henchmen trying to act like policemen without much control -
If a person was approached and requested to attend a 'conciliation meeting' the fear of theat and intimidation needs to be lifted - which is not currently the case - and people are afraid to stand up and say this but the way who 'vets' the cnciliators to ensure they are not paedophiles etc-
My God I wonder who Up Down could possible be? As someone who also attended the meeting and the previous one, I can say with certainty that what was reported in that article is true and accurate.
Secondly the person who said enforcer, whom I know personally said it in jest, hence the laughter that echoed in the hall, or does one not remember that? I also remember he was the same person, who stated that he had voted SDLP his entire life and was embarrassed by what SDLP members were saying. Or have you chosen to forget that part as well? or indeed the countless other people who made it quite clear that those childish comments and untruths were not welcome. Again I would suggest you read 'Billy's Bit' in the Newry Democrat, he seems to remember events quite well. Or is he a Republican conspirator as well?
As well as this the SDLP Youth member did accuse a member of CRJ of being as he so eloquently put it, ''a convicted murderer'' You are the one rewriting history. It was the people who responded and chastised him for his pathetic attempt at politicising the meeting.
The SDLP are more then welcome to attend, as someone who lives in that village, I amongst others just thought it was quite strange that people from other areas had been drafted in, that is until their agenda was ousted, then it became quite clear why you and your friends were there.
Nevertheless the SDLP failed and they did themselves no favours by their outbursts.
Finally can I ask that you do not use obscenities, I know it can be hard losing all the time, but language like that does not suit you.
Stoop invade Ógra Blogspot, lol
they are a dying party.
At least two SDLP comments have been eft on this blog. That represents a 40% increase in there work output for this year. EC
Anonymous
I wouldn't normally even waste my precious time visting your blog - as most of the comments posted are full of hate for anyone who doesn't agree with you viewpoint - democracy at work SF style no doubt - but when I see lies being published by your commentator then it is necessary to correct them - and if your party had any decency they would withdraw the article - talk about stooping low to score cheap points - quite obviously it has unnerved you that a few people have told you a few truths and that is why you feel it necessary to pour forth your bile.
QUOTE FROM ARTICLE 'and attacked the top table, accusing one of being a convicted murderer'
When you try to correct someone make sure you check what you are 'correcting' and don't accuse them of re-writing what was said when you are doing so
I never heard the comment about the voter - no doubt that was dreamt up - and 2 people said 'enforcer' not one and not everyone laughed I can assure you - so I wonder if you were the meeting at all? - by the way you did not answer the questions posed - again is this a smoke screen being used to divert from the real isues of the CRJ -Ireland and how it operates?
The fact is if there is nothing for CRJ to hide then couldn't the panel on the night - or yourself just answer the questions - it is quite simple.
A daily average of 500 'unique hits' view the blogspot. That is quite substantive for a political youth blog.
Yeah i wonder how many the stoop youth get? lol
Selective hearing me thinks, and yes people did laugh apart from yourself and your friend, but I think that had more to do with the fact that you were scolded by people in the hall.
The fact remains you went to that meeting to disrupt and to serve your very selfish and narrow political agenda, you failed. Again I would refer you to 'Billy's Bit' in the Democrat, a good summary.
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