View Full Version : OnYa Bertie
Ned Kelly
16-05-2007, 07:04
Ahern: ‘Ireland’s hour has come’
By Harry McGee, Political Editor, Westminster
BERTIE Ahern spoke almost 4,000 words. They ranged across 800 years of a “close, complex and difficult history” between Ireland and Britain.
He spoke about the parliamentary contributions in Westminster of Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell. He found a lovely phrase to describe the 1916 Rising — “a hinge of history” — and there were inclusive references to the Somme.
He was more robustly republican than many of us imagined. Let us not deny the truth, he said, the history of Ireland and Britain was one of “division and conflict, of conquest, suppression and resistance”.
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But of the 4,000 words, four took flight around the gilded walls of the Royal Gallery in Westminster: “Ireland’s hour has come.”
The words came from JFK, who used them when he became the first US president to address Dáil Eireann. Mr Ahern borrowed them as the first Taoiseach to address the houses of Lords and Commons in Westminster.
Mr Ahern’s speech dwelt heavily on “the dawning of a new era” in the North. But he was also brave enough also to refer to loose threads like collusion, his own republicanism, and to robustly assert his world view.
If there was a theme it was this: the dynamic has changed from old enemy to closest friend. That was the nub of it, a transformation from inferiority complex to relaxed equal.
“For decades our relations have been filtered through the prism of conflict. Now building on the peace and progress of the last decade, we can begin to pay greater attention to the wider partnership of common interests,” he said.
And strangely, it came powerfully through in the passage on our emigrants, those millions who came to Britain. The view Ireland had of Britain, James Joyce once observed, was seen through the “cracked looking-glass of a servant”.
No more. Bertie Ahern stood in Westminster yesterday and with four words — Ireland’s hour has come — told us all we need to know.
Gotta admit he done well!!!
Ned Kelly
16-05-2007, 07:06
Sorry Mike I thought i had deleted that bloody flash add thingy in the above post????
I see cry babi Rabbitte refused to attend because he argued that it should be the new incoming Taoseach who should have got the invite to speak at the Big Brother Parliment! Sure wont it be Bertie who'l be back anyway!
Ned Kelly
16-05-2007, 11:32
As SF said it would have been churlish!
Churlish for whom, for Rabbitte, or to attend anyway?
Personally, I think its a bit premature as the real independence day hasnt arrived yet, but it would be wrong not to recognise that progress has been made. Rabbitte isnt a million off the mark with Bertie and Tony's timing though!
Ned Kelly
17-05-2007, 11:23
Of Course K, Its politics FFS, the timing was right for Bertie for sure! But I think he got his point across bigtime!
only 5 days to go. Personally, I think its curtains for Bertie this time. Then again as someone said on TV last night. The British Labour Party had everything going on their side in 1992 , opinion polls, uplifting response on the door steps and began popping the champers as soon as the polling stations closed, but everyone wobbled and still voted for Maggie T. So its anyones guess how it will really go!
Ned Kelly
19-05-2007, 11:46
A letter in the examiner today K, needs your urgent reply, *SF needs to be kept out at all costs*from some bollox in bishopstown!
I saw it Ned and issued a reply within the hour. I know they will publish the reply but it will be interesting to see if they will leave it go until after the election or will they do the decent thing. Some times I feel these guys write them just to wind me up. I met a guy at the doors while canvassing in Carrigtwohill yesterday, he said he wouldnt vote SF because Adams has no mandate in the south and shoudnt be leading the party. I tried to explain that we are an all-Ireland party and it wasnt Adams fault that we were operating under the conditions of partition. Still no budge. I then explained that the candidate I was canvassing for was from East-Cork in Youghal, still no go. I tried to explain that if people in the north held those type of views and refused to vote SF, we wouldnt have a peace process. Still no budge. Then he said maybe the next time in 5 years. I then asked him for a no. 2 at least. He thought about for a while but didnt commit himself. It turned out he had been engaged in a political debate up in UCC and he adopted the anti Adams side of the debate. I think he practiced his arguments for so long that he ended up convincing himself they were the only correct ones!
Ned Kelly
21-05-2007, 11:36
Well at least u got him to think about it!!!
Ned Kelly
23-11-2007, 10:02
Changed me mind about BPB *bullet proof bertie*He talks well in a political tone but he's just another politician out for his own gain!!! MY naivety betrays me at times but sure I'm just a cobh garsun!
Oh Ned, Changed your mind? You mean you were a supporter? And there was I thinking you were taking the p out of Bertie all along.
Fianna Fail of all the parties in Leinster house is the most dangerous and dishonest. I dont say that just to repeat a cliche which many of berties opponents parrot for political gain. Fianna Fail is the only party that plays to the left and the right when the occassion warrants. (thats why they have held power for so long). At times they are more left than Labour (that wouldnt be hard says you) other times they are more right than the PD's. I'm in the unique position of writing and researching its origins (From 1920's Sinn Fein to the new FF party). There is absolutetly no comparison between the ethos of Pre 1950s FF and those blood suckers running the show now. All of its founders (mainly IRA people who fought and sacrificed to build the country, had principles but the soul of the party they founded died off with them!
Ned Kelly
24-11-2007, 07:52
I liked his speech about *Irelands Hour has Come* But as i said before I'm so naive that i actually thought that he was a prophet, but how wrong I was!
There can be little doubt that the speech and its perfect timing made a big impression on voters, but did you actually think he wrote the speech Ned? If Bertie has one gift it was making people believe he actually meant it. "Irelands Hour has Come" - Sounds great but within 2 months the man who uttered those words was in the tribunal dock with some serious questions to answer. Within 4 months the banks were reposessing houses, Multinational employers are pulling out of ireland. Hundreds of Women are being mis-diognosed about cancer. Oh yeah, Irelands finest hour has come and those bringing this glory to us have given themselves obscene pay hikes! I'm tempted to say we deserve it because in my heart of hearts, I know people will go out and re-elect them at the next election!
I once worked for a coal man who is a big Fianna Fail supporter. He often said to me, there are three things sacred about being an Irish Person. "The Catholic Church, The GAA and Fianna Fail. Well, we all know what has happened to the C Church, The GAA has allowed the unallowable in God Save the Queen echo around its grounds. I'm Still waiting to see what will bring Fianna Fail down to planet earth. Something tells me it may happen across the border when and if they have the bottle to take on Sinn Fein in Elections!
Ned Kelly
26-11-2007, 07:56
The Tide has turned here In OZ, we will now have a fair and decent society after lil jonny howard has got his comeuppance, Hit the road Jack!
Kevin Rudd Might be centre left but i'm sure he has the best interests of the people at heart, Don't let us down Kevin!!!
fullastern
26-11-2007, 11:59
Glad to see Howard get his cumuppence -not sure about the new guy - sounds like a Tony Blair type which ain't any better.
Centre Left going into power, Centre right-ish in power. I dont know anything of the man, but have a deep suspicion of anyone who describe themselves as centre anything. Too non committal and populist!
Ned Kelly
27-11-2007, 09:34
Only comment I can make is its gotta be better than what we had before, He has promised to take ozzie troops out of iraq and wind back the exteme industrial laws that howard brought in and also to ratify the kyoto protocol!
Who can complain if he lives up to those committments. We should really be having this chat in a years time i suppose, If we are still here on planet earth!
Ned Kelly
28-11-2007, 09:45
I think he will!
The new 'Labour' leader here has congratulated him, but it song hollow as they are only linked by name. Centre-Left again is the battle cry but leaves it mirroring the Centrist policies of the others. A bit like trying to compare the USA's 'Republican Party' with the Irish Republican Party.
Ned Kelly
29-11-2007, 09:32
Well mo Chara sometimes we have to put in power those who will do us the least harm!
I see where your coming from Ned, but just like everything else that comes with age, can you not see yourself and your views mellowing. We are all there but Some things are sacred and if we give up on them, then we are no better than all those we condemed before us!
Ned Kelly
30-11-2007, 11:59
Sometimes the choices are limited K, the devil or the deep blue sea.We all mellow with age but whats right is right and as far as i'm concerned this boyo will never change his opinions, We need the true believers on this planet and I'll be one till they throw the sod on me coffin!
What about the guys and dolls around him, anyone with a bit of spine who talks the talk?
fullastern
30-11-2007, 14:15
They have about as much backbone as a jellyfish between the lot of them - Ned O'Keeffe included. What a wazzock!
I agree. Ned lost the whip one day, Bertie was on TV the next day saying he was a great friend of Ned's and the rebel stood for everything that was great about Fianna Fail. - Talk about a planned sequence of events! A master stroke by Ned. Half witted voters now think his the best thing since Michael Collins -Ready to top the poll at next election, while the FF's have to grovel to get him back into the party! Personally, I would have him shoveling his own pig shit for a year as punishment. Remember this is the same guy who wanted to ban the childrens movie 'BABE' as he claimed it would effect the sales of pig meat by Irish Farmers!
Ned Kelly
01-12-2007, 09:53
Labour party australia was founded by the unions and even tho times have changed with less than 20% of aussies in unions these days. Rudd has been given a mandate to implement the changes that are needed, that is to get working family issues back on the agenda,ratify the kyoto protocol not that that means much since ireland signed it and went way way over their targets anyway, the latest name for Ireland i hear is the Concrete Country!!!And also to get aus troops out of countries where they have no damn business being there in the first place! Rudd has a good team around him, Julia Gillard deputy prime minister is one hell of a lady and will make a big difference and will go far, possibly the first female pm of Australia!
Ned Kelly
19-12-2007, 09:38
HMMMMM!!!!:rolleyes:
Ned Kelly
11-12-2008, 10:01
The pm here has lived up to expectations so far he has ratified the kyoto protocol, he has withdrew aus troops from iraq and also wound back the archaic industrial laws and also spent a hell of a lot of money on pensioners, He's the goods no doubt about it!
fullastern
11-12-2008, 10:27
he won't last long so Ned - the banks and their friends will see to that!
You are probably right about that Fulla, but you still have to admire the guy if he is delivering on what he say -Feck he must be good if Ned is impressed with him!
Ned Kelly
12-12-2008, 10:17
I'm not easily impressed, but Kevin Rudd is a man that could lead this country out of the stone age!
Mr Rudd's maternal great-grandparents, Owen Cashin and Hannah Maher, both born in Ireland, met and married in Brisbane in 1887
fullastern
12-12-2008, 10:23
He has passed the Ned test so and he's one-eight Irish (I think). Sounds like Barmbrack O'Bama!
Ned Kelly
13-12-2008, 08:42
Nice one barmbrack!!!LOL
If I did'nt know better Fulla I'm sure there was some sarcasm in yer last post!:rolleyes:
The only possible connection of Obama's folks to the Irish, was probably they were owned by some Irish slave driver!
fullastern
13-12-2008, 19:16
Nice one barmbrack!!!LOL
If I did'nt know better Fulla I'm sure there was some sarcasm in yer last post!:rolleyes:
Me, sarcastic? Never!:p
Lol.....aaahh!! to be sure our Fulla, was just back from the local pub....did you no get us all a wee dram Fulla, or even a bag of crisps..lol....:) cheers Katy:)
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