Stormont's Performative Politicians and the Maintenance of Societal Division

I know. I do tend to stumble through my thoughts, at times spilling out a stream of consciousness. Nevertheless, I just recently realised that it's been just over forty years since I joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary. I hadn't a clue then, and, most likely, still haven't?! So, I've tried to restrict what I want to say in this episode - the vast bulk of the subject matter I raise I've already covered in previous episodes about the Hunger Strikes, commemoration of the past, 'imagined communities' (especially Loyalist - and how Loyalism could quickly turn on the police if, for example, Orange parades were rerouted).Listening to myself I wonder at times if I do have some form of Stockholm Syndrome? I mean, I've always tried to conduct myself with even a modicum of empathy, or need to understand counter-narratives and opposing ideologies, but have I strayed over the 'empathy line' too far? I don't know. Many of my ex-RUC colleagues would say I have and that, being of 'soft-mind' and a traitor to organisational memory / mythology, I'm welcome to stay there! Anyway, tomorrow I begin scripting out my episodes returning to the subject of asset management, the Intelligence Services, collusion, murder, relative legislative points and things like RIPA.I hope you'll join me - if you make it through this episode unscathed, or just bemused!           Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Well, just over forty years ago I joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary. So, I'd like to make my next podcast one in which I over my time in the RUC / PSNI. Hopefully I can draw on events that I've not, so far, included in my previous podcasts as well as trying to keep things light.I've nearly completed revisions for my upcoming podcasts revisiting the Intelligence Services and Asset Handling etc., during the Troubles, I just need to go over some aspects of relevant legislation and transcripts. The above podcast will provide me with a bit of a breather before I enter the world of counter-terrorism again, plus a break from P. & B & D & I who've been slagging me off again in the 19th hole ; )  Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

A concise look at colonial mechanisms of suppression of indigenous language, customs and superstitions in the context of 18th century Ireland. The inception of this episode is due to my long interest in (old) languages as well as etymology combined with the current debacle in Northern Ireland surrounding the use of the Irish language.Sources:Colby, T.F., Instructions for the interior survey of Ireland, lithographed at the Ordinance Survey office, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 1825Curtis, L.P., Anglo-Saxons and Celts: a study of anti-Irish prejudice in Victorian England, Bridgeport CN, 1968 Dixon, H., 'John O'Donovan', An Leabharlann 2:1, 1906Durkacz, V.E., The decline of the Celtic languages: a study of linguistic and cultural conflict in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland from the Reformation to the twentieth century, Edinburgh, 1983Fulford, T. & P.J. Kitson (eds), Romanticism and colonialism: writing and empire, 1780 - 1830, Cambridge and New York, 1998 Hindley, R., Irish in the nineteenth century: from collapse to the dawn of revival, in R. Hindley, The death of the Irish language: a qualified obituary, London, 1990MacDonagh, O., The politics of Gaelic in O. MacDonagh, States of mind: a study of Anglo-Irish conflict, 1780 - 1980, London, 1983O'Donovan, J., The topographical poems of O'Dubhagain agus O'Huidrin, Dublin, 1862O'Donovan, J., A grammar of the Irish language, published for the use of the senior classes in the College of St Columba, Dublin, 1845Ó' Loinsigh, P., The Irish language in the nineteenth century, Oideas 14, 1975Spenser, E., A view of the state of Ireland from the first printed edition (1633), ed. A Hadfield and W. Maley, Malden MA, 1997Swift, C., John O'Donovan and the framing of early medieval Ireland in the nineteenth century, Bullán 1:1, Spring 1994     Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Some succinct recollections about how some females were treated in the RUC, at the time a very patriarchal organisation. Also, to conclude a brief look at Irish right-wing groups and the maintenance of tribal hatreds. I may expand on the latter in a future episode. I have shifted the proposed episode about the Irish Language to an episode of its own as I have slightly more material and in mind of current political posturing and culture wars - the lies for your vote is on, or 'I'll give you a fistful of grievances and victimhood you didn't know you needed - I'll throw in some confirmation bias for free, too!   Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Details about some of the subjects I hope to discuss in the next Stray Bullets episode. Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Some additional aspects following messages and a few conversations with ex- and still serving police colleagues.'[My father] did not show me how to be sociable. I ended up designing a covert life; I have to maintain a profile while being invisible.' John Cale Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

A look at how the Northern Irish proletariat continue to allow themselves to be exploited through the maintenance of the legacy of flags and fear.   Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

I suppose the title should really read: 'Political Courage in Northern Ireland flaps in tatters from upon the lamppost that one of our un/elected demagogues attached it to before intimating a threat to anyone who dared remove it.'In the pipeline is a return to discussing asset handling and the 'nuances' of Special Branch as well as looking more in-depth at PIRA volunteer testimonials.      Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International