Comments on: The impact of Killian Forde’s resignation http://neilward.ie/2010/01/killian-forde-resigns/ Neil Ward blogging on personal, political and queer topics Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:05:42 +0100 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Glumdalklich http://neilward.ie/2010/01/killian-forde-resigns/comment-page-1/#comment-3807 Glumdalklich Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:05:25 +0000 http://neilward.ie/?p=475#comment-3807 "Many joined Sinn Fein, seeing it as a growing party with room for advancement" - yes, just like Mary Lou McDonald did back in 2000 (I witnessed it first hand how this opportunist lady worked her way up, using all means- she jumped the FF ship when she realized that the shortlist for any elected position there is too long). The only difference between her and other careerists now is that she has nowhere else to go. No party would take her. “Many joined Sinn Fein, seeing it as a growing party with room for advancement” – yes, just like Mary Lou McDonald did back in 2000 (I witnessed it first hand how this opportunist lady worked her way up, using all means- she jumped the FF ship when she realized that the shortlist for any elected position there is too long). The only difference between her and other careerists now is that she has nowhere else to go. No party would take her.

]]> By: Neil Ward http://neilward.ie/2010/01/killian-forde-resigns/comment-page-1/#comment-3786 Neil Ward Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:51:26 +0000 http://neilward.ie/?p=475#comment-3786 Hi Polly, and thanks for the comments. I think it's somewhat unfair to start attacking the Labour Party on a post that's about Sinn Féin. If you disagree with my analysis, I'd be happy to hear your disagreements, but commenting only on Killian and on Labour while ignoring the analysis I put forward, adds nothing to this debate. Hi Polly, and thanks for the comments. I think it’s somewhat unfair to start attacking the Labour Party on a post that’s about Sinn Féin.

If you disagree with my analysis, I’d be happy to hear your disagreements, but commenting only on Killian and on Labour while ignoring the analysis I put forward, adds nothing to this debate.

]]> By: Polly http://neilward.ie/2010/01/killian-forde-resigns/comment-page-1/#comment-3785 Polly Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:43:27 +0000 http://neilward.ie/?p=475#comment-3785 Sorry, last paragraph refers to 'Robinson affair' and McCann in conversation with Sam Smyth, Sunday Jan 10. Sorry, last paragraph refers to ‘Robinson affair’ and McCann in conversation with Sam Smyth, Sunday Jan 10.

]]> By: Polly http://neilward.ie/2010/01/killian-forde-resigns/comment-page-1/#comment-3784 Polly Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:21:21 +0000 http://neilward.ie/?p=475#comment-3784 Interesting article: the most salient point for me was, 'There should be no doubt – resigning from a political party (whether as a member, activist or public representative) must be a traumatic experience. The idea that people who do so are careerist, or traitorous is cheap, and usually they are ideas spouted by wounded activists who feel betrayed.' Yes, traumatic but mostly careerist. Many joined Sinn Fein, seeing it as a growing party with room for advancement. They now recognise that SF has had its moment in the sun, beyond republicanism there is no place for SF. I think Labour has serious credibility issue, in that many candidates have no ideological commitment to any type of socialist vision for Ireland. I'm not even sure the Labour Party has a vision, except maybe to distribute a little more where possible, without cost. The 'wounded activists who feel betrayed' and use 'cheap argument' are good lines but simply remind me of Bertie Ahern's line that anyone who criticises is a 'loolah' or should 'commit suicide'. Convenient that Killian Forde's website was 'robbed' by Ukrainian tech nerd. Could ye not buy it back for him? His coming back from The Balkans (having spent how many days there?) in 2001 and joining SF to give out leaflets, please! Interesting that Killian had signed document that he would give up his seat if he left SF. His list system argument holds no water, nor does the personal vote argument. Interesting that Eamon McCann thinks this might eventially lead to the beginning of 'class politics' in the North. Isn't there a major problem with class politics in that one class wants ultimately to belong to the other class? Good luck Interesting article: the most salient point for me was,
‘There should be no doubt – resigning from a political party (whether as a member, activist or public representative) must be a traumatic experience. The idea that people who do so are careerist, or traitorous is cheap, and usually they are ideas spouted by wounded activists who feel betrayed.’
Yes, traumatic but mostly careerist. Many joined Sinn Fein, seeing it as a growing party with room for advancement. They now recognise that SF has had its moment in the sun, beyond republicanism there is no place for SF. I think Labour has serious credibility issue, in that many candidates have no ideological commitment to any type of socialist vision for Ireland. I’m not even sure the Labour Party has a vision, except maybe to distribute a little more where possible, without cost. The ‘wounded activists who feel betrayed’ and use ‘cheap argument’ are good lines but simply remind me of Bertie Ahern’s line that anyone who criticises is a ‘loolah’ or should ‘commit suicide’.
Convenient that Killian Forde’s website was ‘robbed’ by Ukrainian tech nerd. Could ye not buy it back for him?
His coming back from The Balkans (having spent how many days there?) in 2001 and joining SF to give out leaflets, please!
Interesting that Killian had signed document that he would give up his seat if he left SF. His list system argument holds no water, nor does the personal vote argument.
Interesting that Eamon McCann thinks this might eventially lead to the beginning of ‘class politics’ in the North. Isn’t there a major problem with class politics in that one class wants ultimately to belong to the other class?
Good luck

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