http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/ Sinn Fein Forum en Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:58:27 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/images/styles/zen/misc/rss.png http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/ http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57709-How-would-Sinn-Fein-at-Westminister-affect-your-views&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:27:47 GMT Bit of a wee spin off from the other thread a chairde. Say Sinn Fein announced that they would sit at Westminister. Perhaps only way to claim expenses or wanted to highlight the will for... Bit of a wee spin off from the other thread a chairde.

Say Sinn Fein announced that they would sit at Westminister. Perhaps only way to claim expenses or wanted to highlight the will for independence in Ireland etc.

I know it isn't the the main issue but say the oath had been changed - Perhaps that they only had to swear allegience to the good of the citizens of the six counties, something like that.

How do you think you would react? Would you stand by them to keep republican/nationalist support united?

Or perhaps would you look to a different party, even a new one? ]]> Sinn Fein Bottle_of_Smoke http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57709-How-would-Sinn-Fein-at-Westminister-affect-your-views http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57698-quot-There-are-no-marxists-in-SF-quot&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:15:07 GMT I'm always hearing to quotes on this site and elsewhere

1. "there are no marxists in SF" attributed to Gerry Adams

2. "They havent gone away you know" also attributed to Adams but once I heard it was actually Francis Mackey who said it.

Both quotes are used regularly with no source and I have had great difficulty finding any source secondary or primary. Can anyone clear this up. The only thing I've found close to #1 is Gerry telling TIME in 1979 that SF wasnt a marxist party which is not the same thing. ]]> Sinn Fein Tomáis Joad http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57698-quot-There-are-no-marxists-in-SF-quot http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57629-What-is-Socialism&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:51:23 GMT Sinn Fein often claim to be a socialist party. At one point in time Gerry Adams however proudly stated that he was unaware of any marxists in SF. Mary Lou at a meeting in Belfast, last year I believe... Sinn Fein often claim to be a socialist party. At one point in time Gerry Adams however proudly stated that he was unaware of any marxists in SF. Mary Lou at a meeting in Belfast, last year I believe it was with Declan Kearney also, stated that SF were not marxist. That of course is factual.

But I'm interested to know, seeing as SF still attempt to claim the legacy of Connolly (much like Labour I must say, both claims are hollow as Connolly of course was a marxist), what exactly SF mean when they call themselves 'socialists'.

Now in anticipation of certain answers I want to say this from the outset, quoting rhetoric like 'cherishing the children of the nation equally' from the 1916 proclamation isn't going to cut it in this debate. What I want is a description of what SF see socialism as meaning, and that includes references to practicalities. And on top of that, I would like that definition to be backed up by examples from party policy. ]]> Sinn Fein Limericklad http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57629-What-is-Socialism http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57595-Sinn-Fein-says-budget-cuts-must-be-resisted&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:35:42 GMT Sinn Fein says budget cuts 'must be resisted'

First Minister Peter Robinson's call for Executive ministers to come up with savings proposals were "crazy tactics," a senior Sinn Fein figure has said.

The Comprehensive Spending Review on 20 October is expected to mean a cut of up to £2bn in the NI budget.

The DUP leader said the prospect of 20-25% cuts, amounting to about £2bn, made difficult decisions inevitable.
Continue reading the main story
Related stories

* Warning of 'prolonged recession'
* DCAL cuts 'will mean job losses'
* More department cuts revealed

Mitchel McLaughlin said cuts "proposed or imposed by the British government must be challenged and resisted".

Mr McLaughlin, who is a member of the assembly's finance committee, said the Executive "shouldn't be simply rolling over".

"We believe the executive ministers should all co-operate to protect services and the economic interests of this region," said Mr McLaughlin.

"We believe we should be working with the Scottish and Welsh assemblies.

In July, the Scottish government published an independent review setting out options that it may want to consider in the face of the challenging public spending environment.

The Scottish government said it commissioned the report to "inform" debate ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
'Incredible'

Mr McLaughlin added: "It's incredible that Peter Robinson is inviting ministers to anticipate the cuts before we even get the budget statement on 20 October."

Mr McLaughlin said ministers should be identifying efficiencies in their departments rather than anticipating cuts in public services.

"Let's wait until we see the bottom line then be united in fighting these cuts; not simply surrender before the statement is even made," he said.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

The public sector is the size that it is in order to provide the services that people require”

End Quote Brian Campfield Nipsa

Mr Robinson warned on Tuesday that Northern Ireland faced a "prolonged recession".

"While the Executive is not responsible for the economic downturn or the spending cuts, it is our responsibility to do what we can to tackle the problems they create.

"In these difficult economic conditions, the Executive's main priority must be to keep people in work and put people back to work. If necessary, budgets should be skewed to maximise the effect of public expenditure in keeping the economy moving forward," he said.

BBC NI Politicial Editor Mark Devenport said that the tensions between the Executive parties over how to respond to the expected cuts have been rumbling for some time, with the Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, keen to put contingency plans in place.

"However Sinn Fein ministers are resisting moves which they believe amount to acquiescence to the British Treasury.

"Next year's May Assembly elections are undoubtedly a factor, but so is the ideological divide between unionists and nationalists.

"The SDLP Minister Alex Attwood has expressed scepticism about whether a budget plan will be agreed ahead of next year's election.

"The Stormont parties have presented a united front in the face of dissident republican violence and eventually solved their differences over devolving justice.

"But they have pulled in different directions over issues like education and culture. The question is whether they will remain divided or will eventually unite in their response to the Westminster spending review," our correspondent said.
Spending review

Meanwhile, the leading public sector union Nipsa said job losses need not be an inevitable consequence of the spending review.

Nipsa says those cuts would put 30,000 jobs at risk. Its alternatives, which include moves to tackle tax evasion, will be published on Wednesday

Nipsa general secretary Brian Campfield rejected the government's assertion that the public sector in Northern Ireland is too big.

"The public sector is the size that it is in order to provide the services that people require," he said.

"Northern Ireland still has a significant amount of social and economic deprivation and it is precisely because of that deprivation that those public services are required."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-norther...itics-11225902 ]]> Sinn Fein freethepeople1916 http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57595-Sinn-Fein-says-budget-cuts-must-be-resisted http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57587-Ball-in-Sinn-Fein-court-on-allegiance-oath-Paterson&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:23:56 GMT The Secretary of State has said that he has asked Sinn Fein for an alternative text to the oath of allegiance to allow their MPs to sit in Westminster. Owen Paterson was speaking during his first... The Secretary of State has said that he has asked Sinn Fein for an alternative text to the oath of allegiance to allow their MPs to sit in Westminster.

Owen Paterson was speaking during his first appearance at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.

North Antrim MP, Ian Paisley Jnr, said that Sinn Fein had no intention of taking their seats and should be given a deadline or face losing allowances.

Mr Paterson said that such a deadline would not work.

He said "the ball is in Sinn Fein's court" on the issue.

Earlier this year, Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty said his party would "resist any attempts to discriminate against our electorate by the current Tory government".

"We are active abstentionists. We receive a mandate from the electorate to represent them in this fashion," he said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11232731 ]]> Sinn Fein gerard_black00 http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57587-Ball-in-Sinn-Fein-court-on-allegiance-oath-Paterson http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57582-Sinn-Féin-Pre-Budget-Submission-2010&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:04:42 GMT link

definately worth a look

few main points

• Introduce third tax rate of 48% on individual
  earnings in excess of €100,000 – Raises €355
  million
  
• Standardise all discretionary tax reliefs –
  Raises €1.1 billion
  
• Reduce earnings cap for pension contribution
  tax relief to €100,000 – Raises €85 million
  
• Abolish all remaining property-based tax
  reliefs (on property development, not principal
  home mortgage interest relief) - Raises €43
  million
  
• Abolish mortgage interest relief for landlords –
  Raises €285 million
  
• Increase tax on second homes to €600, to
  include holiday homes and rental properties
  only – Raises approx €120 million
  
• Abolish the PRSI ceiling – Raises €119.5
  million
  
• Introduce a 1% wealth tax on all assets worth
  more than €1 million, excluding farmland
  (regardless of residency rules) – (estimated,
  detail in full Budget proposal) Raises €1.6
  billion
  
• Increase DIRT by 5% - Raises €145 million
  
• Increase Betting Duty to 10% - Raises €310
  million
  
• Increase Capital Gains tax to 40% - Raises
  €190 million
  
• Phase out all subsidies of private practice in
  public hospitals and charge practioners for
  the use of public equipment and staff in their
  private practice – Saves €100 million
  
• Implement a new contract for all hospital
  consultants which would cap their starting
  pay at !€100,000 with a maximum of €150,000
  remuneration – Saves €210 million
  
• Cap TDs’ salaries at €75,000 and Senators’
  salaries at €60,000, with a maximum cap of
  €100,000 and €80,000 respectively – Saves
  €4.8 million
  
• Cap ministers’ pay at €100,000 and junior
  ministers’ at €85,000 – Saves €2.43 million
  
• Remove the allowances payable to the
  Chairpersons, vice - Chairpersons and Whips
  of all Oireachtas Committees and Sub-
  Committees and introduce properly vouched
  expenses – Potential savings €1 million
  
• Cap the maximum salary available to
  public servants and semi-state bodies at
  approximately four times the basic entry rate,
  or three times the average industrial wage (cap
  at €100,000) – Saves €450 million

]]> Sinn Fein LongKeshCSC http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57582-Sinn-Féin-Pre-Budget-Submission-2010 http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57581-Budget-Cuts-quot-Must-be-Resisted-quot-SF&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:55:10 GMT Sinn Fein says budget cuts 'must be resisted'First Minister Peter Robinson's call for Executive ministers to come up with savings proposals were "crazy tactics," a senior Sinn Fein figure has said.

The Chancellor's announcement on 20 October is expected to mean a cut of up to £2bn in the Northern Ireland budget.

The DUP leader said the prospect of 20-25% cuts, amounting to about £2bn, made difficult decisions inevitable.


Warning of 'prolonged recession'
DCAL cuts 'will mean job losses'
More department cuts revealed
Mitchel McLaughlin said cuts "proposed or imposed by the British government must be challenged and resisted".

Mr McLaughlin, who is a member of the assembly's finance committee, said the Executive "shouldn't be simply rolling over".

"We believe the executive ministers should all co-operate to protect services and the economic interests of this region," said Mr McLaughlin.

"We believe we should be working with the Scottish and Welsh assemblies.

'Incredible'

"It's incredible that Peter Robinson is inviting ministers to anticipate the cuts before we even get the budget statement on 20 October."

Mr McLaughlin said ministers should be identifying efficiencies in their departments rather than anticipating cuts in public services.

"Let's wait until we see the bottom line then be united in fighting these cuts; not simply surrender before the statement is even made," he said.

"We do not have sufficient fiscal autonomy to allow us to begin to plan for economic recovery - we're bouncing about like a cork on the waves."

Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
The public sector is the size that it is in order to provide the services that people require”
End Quote
Brian Campfield

Nipsa
Mr Robinson warned on Tuesday that Northern Ireland faced a "prolonged recession".

"While the Executive is not responsible for the economic downturn or the spending cuts, it is our responsibility to do what we can to tackle the problems they create.

"In these difficult economic conditions, the Executive's main priority must be to keep people in work and put people back to work. If necessary, budgets should be skewed to maximise the effect of public expenditure in keeping the economy moving forward," he said.

BBC NI Politicial Editor Mark Devenport said that the tensions between the Executive parties over how to respond to the expected cuts have been rumbling for some time, with the Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, keen to put contingency plans in place.

"However Sinn Fein ministers are resisting moves which they believe amount to acquiescence to the British Treasury.

"Next year's May Assembly elections are undoubtedly a factor, but so is the ideological divide between unionists and nationalists.

"The SDLP Minister Alex Attwood has expressed scepticism about whether a budget plan will be agreed ahead of next year's election.

"The Stormont parties have presented a united front in the face of dissident republican violence and eventually solved their differences over devolving justice.

"But they have pulled in different directions over issues like education and culture. The question is whether they will remain divided or will eventually unite in their response to the Westminster spending review," our correspondent said.

Spending review

Meanwhile, the leading public sector union Nipsa said job losses need not be an inevitable consequence of the spending review.

Nipsa says those cuts would put 30,000 jobs at risk. Its alternatives, which include moves to tackle tax evasion, will be published on Wednesday

Nipsa general secretary Brian Campfield rejected the government's assertion that the public sector in Northern Ireland is too big.

"The public sector is the size that it is in order to provide the services that people require," he said.

"Northern Ireland still has a significant amount of social and economic deprivation and it is precisely because of that deprivation that those public services are required."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-norther...itics-11225902 ]]> Sinn Fein Newry Republican http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57581-Budget-Cuts-quot-Must-be-Resisted-quot-SF http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57564-Martin-will-be-our-next-First-minister&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:05:13 GMT Published Date: 07 September 2010
By Norman Hamill


The former police inspector in Derry takes a personal look at some topical issues.

It'll be good craic next year when our Martin becomes first minister.

Many are looking forward to it. It'll help to liven things up.

Launching his campaign for the leadership of the Ulster Unionists, Tom Elliott vowed to change the rule that makes a Sinn Féin first minister a possibility. Before the talks at St Andrews, the
largest 'designation' was entitled to provide the first minister. But, at the Scottish summit, the terms of the original agreement were changed to allow the largest party to take the 'top' post.

The DUP thought it would help them to crush the UUP but they didn't foresee the continued growth in the republican vote. Now it's probable that Sinn Féin will be the largest party after next May's election.

The unionists are like a football team in danger of losing a big match.

But, instead of getting on with the game, they're trying to spare their blushes by campaigning for a change in the rules. There's virtually no chance of the referee, the Secretary of State or the sport's governing body in the form of the British Government agreeing to the mid-match change. If that were to happen, surely the Shinners would lift the ball and take their team off the pitch.

Mr Elliot has already lobbied Owen Patterson to make the change. Incidentally, the other contender for the unionist leadership, Basil McCrea, takes a different line. Like former First Minister Ian Paisley, he says he'll accept a Sinn Féin first minister if that's how the electorate vote.

But Basil McCrea is unlikely to be elected. He's far too trendy to be a unionist leader.

For most unionists, being old-fashioned is their defining characteristic. It's in their genes. It's how they're programmed.
"Elliott is taciturn, conservative, steady, rural, unexciting, an Orangeman, a member of the Black Preceptory, a former part-time UDR man," as described by political commentator Brian Feeney. In other words, he's the perfect unionist. What politician anywhere in Irish politics needs policies when he's got the perfect CV like Elliott? Wasn't Jim Molyneaux the perfect unionist leader in his time and his policy was not to have a policy. Yes, Tom Elliott's a shoe-in for the job in the party's election later this month.

But neither he nor Peter Robinson has any chance of getting the SDLP and Sinn Féin to renegotiate the St Andrews Agreement. And whether or not Robinson will survive as leader of the DUP, even until next May's election, is another question altogether. Their best option would be to put a brave face on their prospects and calmly accept that Martin McGuinness is likely to be first minister. They should accept the democratic verdict of the electorate. They shouldn't make a big deal out of it. After all, the first and deputy first ministers are in a joint office with identical powers. Even if Martin does become top dog, no constitutional issue will arise for unionists.

But, make no mistake; it will be a massive psychological blow for them. And the more they make a big deal out of it, the greater will be their trauma when it happens.

That's the other thing about unionists. They never learn from their mistakes. They've kept on repeating the same big mistake over and over again. They don't do strategic thinking.

Like the Gadarene swine in the bible, they can't see a cliff without hurling themselves over it. The politics of paranoia are deeply ingrained in their collective psyche. Whipping up fear in their electorate has long been their most favoured tactic. Playing up one crisis after another served many of their individual politicians well over the years. It kept them in power. In the longer run, however, it was always at the expense of their own community.

Thus Seán Lemass's visit to Stormont was a threat in 1966, civil rights marches were a threat in 1968, power-sharing was a threat in 1974, the Good Friday Agreement was a threat in 1989 and the probability of Martin McGuinness becoming first minister will be their favoured threat for 2011.

The election should be good craic. Bring it on.

http://www.derryjournal.com/hamills-...ext.6517162.jp ]]> Sinn Fein undefeated http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57564-Martin-will-be-our-next-First-minister http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57558-Cutbacks-will-Provisional-Sinn-Féin-be-protesting-with-the-Working-Class&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:36:54 GMT Since the Tory Government is going to get their way with getting stuck into the Occupied Six Counties public sector and the possible £2 Billion pounds which may be asked to be saved by cutting back... Since the Tory Government is going to get their way with getting stuck into the Occupied Six Counties public sector and the possible £2 Billion pounds which may be asked to be saved by cutting back on the Public sector, will Provisional Sinn Féin be protesting against these cutbacks or help implementing them as they have Ministers involved in the Stormant set up? ]]> Sinn Fein Young Irelander http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57558-Cutbacks-will-Provisional-Sinn-Féin-be-protesting-with-the-Working-Class http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57446-Stop-SF-first-minister-says-UUP-Danny-Kennedy&goto=newpost Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:36:31 GMT Stop SF first minister, says UUP Danny Kennedy THE rules for choosing the first minister must be changed by the government, UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy has said. The Newry and Armagh MLA... Stop SF first minister, says UUP Danny Kennedy


THE rules for choosing the first minister must be changed by the government, UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy has said.
The Newry and Armagh MLA spoke out in support of leadership contender Tom Elliott's call for the Conservative-Liberal coalition to reverse the St Andrews Act changes to the Belfast Agreement rules on choosing the first minister.

The changes open up the possibility of a Sinn Fein first minister and Mr Kennedy, who is supporting Mr Elliott's bid for the leadership, warned that unionist confidence in the Stormont edifice could be undermined if Martin McGuinness or Gerry Adams take the top post.

In Saturday's News Letter Mr Elliott appealed for the DUP to back his attempts to pressure the government on the issue.

However, Peter Robinson's party has yet to say whether it would even support attempts to change the legislation.

Mr Kennedy said he "genuinely believed that Unionist confidence in the political institutions would be seriously undermined and democracy itself further weakened should the distortion of the St Andrews Agreement not be reversed".

Mr Kennedy said that all unionist representatives should be committed to forcing a change in the legislation to "restore the democratic principles established and agreed in the Belfast Agreement, which clearly reflected the demographic trends of Northern Ireland".

Mr Kennedy said the DUP had allowed the changes to be made "on their watch" and therefore had a duty to work with Mr Elliott and the UUP to address the issue.

Mr Kennedy said he believed the prospect of a Sinn Fein first minister would "horrify the unionist population".

He rejected the solution offered by some of creating "a joint office" which would formally make both roles entirely equal. Such a solution, he argued, "would simply continue to ignore the democratic wishes of the people".

Mr Kennedy said he had "every confidence in Tom Elliott to drive this issue forward on behalf of the pro-Union population", but, in an explicit call for support from the DUP, added that "he would need the support of others in this battle, especially those responsible for this debacle".

UUP chief whip Fred Cobain, who is also backing Mr Elliott's leadership bid, has warned that if the government does not reverse the St Andrews changes his party would be entirely justified in abandoning its Conservative alliance and entering a pact with the DUP.

Outgoing UUP leader Sir Reg Empey has stayed out of the leadership contest, saying that he will neither "publicly nor privately" endorse either candidate ]]> Sinn Fein undefeated http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57446-Stop-SF-first-minister-says-UUP-Danny-Kennedy http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57399-Does-SF-Not-have-a-policy-regarding-Imperialism&goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:24:47 GMT SF claim to be an Irish Republican party and some members even claim to be socialists. So how come not one member was spotted at the the protest yesterday against the Imperialism of the British (led... SF claim to be an Irish Republican party and some members even claim to be socialists. So how come not one member was spotted at the the protest yesterday against the Imperialism of the British (led by Tony Blair in Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan? ]]> Sinn Fein Feargus http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57399-Does-SF-Not-have-a-policy-regarding-Imperialism http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57394-SF-welcome-ETA-ceasefire&goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:01:27 GMT The Spanish Government needs to hold inclusive talks with Basque separatists ETA as soon as possible, according to Sinn Fein.

Party President Gerry Adams welcomed Sunday's ceasefire announcement by the armed group and said the authorities should act quickly.

He added the George Mitchell non-violence principles which had worked so well in Northern Ireland were also important to the Iberian conflict.

"It is now vital that the Spanish Government respond positively and grasp the opportunity to advance a peace process presented by today's announcement and quickly establish inclusive political negotiations," he added.

ETA said it took the decision several months ago "to put in motion a democratic process".

The Spanish government has not responded. In the past it has said it will only negotiate with ETA if it renounces violence and disarms.

ETA's campaign has led to more than 820 deaths over the past 40 years.

It has called two ceasefires in the past, but abandoned them both.

The Irish peace process is seen as a blueprint internationally and there have been contacts between the two regions in an effort to bring about a cessation of violence.

http://www.u.tv/News/SF-welcome-ETA-...d-bf70aa4ecfc2 ]]> Sinn Fein *chucky* http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57394-SF-welcome-ETA-ceasefire http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57388-Memorial-night!&goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:00:05 GMT Sinn fein have organised a memorial night for poddy barton in the gasyard .. is there anyone from derry that could tell me if theres any tickets left ? Sinn fein have organised a memorial night for poddy barton in the gasyard .. is there anyone from derry that could tell me if theres any tickets left ? ]]> Sinn Fein LAW http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57388-Memorial-night! http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57333-Gerry-Adams-An-Uachtaran&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:28:58 GMT I heard the oter day that it is PSF's wish that Gerry Adams gets into the aras for 2016 and was wondering is this still the case. I'm no the biggest SF fan but hes head and shoulders above the other goons hoping to run! ]]> Sinn Fein Conchuir Ó Raidaigh http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57333-Gerry-Adams-An-Uachtaran http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57326-Are-Provisional-Sinn-Fein-on-the-right-path&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:50:58 GMT As republicans we know and realise for a propper and victorious Irish freedom struggle it is almost necessary that we have a united working class in the north. That means it needs to be backed by... As republicans we know and realise for a propper and victorious Irish freedom struggle it is almost necessary that we have a united working class in the north. That means it needs to be backed by catholics and protestants, so the british main weapon of divide and rule is gone.

I am an anti-GFA republicans,I am not a Sinn Fein support nor am I a supporter of any other group, but as an indepdent listening, learning and watching the current situation I have seen that Sinn Fein are making quite positive steps into gaining some support by the protestant community. On radio shows some callers in from the protestant side have called in saying that they fell more 'connected' with martin mcguiness and that Sinn Fein seem to get the job done, I also feel that this is happening more often from the protestant side, even talking to some friends of mine.
As far as I can see republican groups who support armed struggle are not gaining any support at all from the protestant community.
Although Sinn Fein may have dropped down their line of republican ideas, and no longer are seen as 'extrmists' etc, is this what is needed to be done to gain protestant support? and in turn help create the united northern working classes, which will stop the sectarian headcount divide and rule, and create the united Ireland? ]]> Sinn Fein revolution1916 http://www.irishrepublican.net/forum/showthread.php?57326-Are-Provisional-Sinn-Fein-on-the-right-path