Post by An Fear Dubh on Oct 28, 2007 23:33:32 GMT
Eoghan Harris is easy to understand once you know his personal history. He was one of the original 'IRA think tank', without and I think this bit is right actually being a member of the IRA. They had this big long term plan to draw working class protestants into supporting the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, and through this bring about uniting of the working class through out Ireland. In other words a United Ireland. (that is the simple version).
But along came Unionism and the Stormont Executive and they played the sectarian fear card. The B'Specials and RUC beat the Civil Rights marchers off the streets, claiming republican agitation. Later we got Bloody Sunday in Derry, and the rise of traditional element of republicans later to form the Provos. And with this all Eoghan's great plans had been reduced to rubble, and we would never know if they might have worked. Because as usual his analysis was flawed, and failed to take into account unionist fear and the sectarian card, and the rise of rebellion in the face of a violent state response. A State response which should have been the first thing accepted in any analysis. But Eoghan did not antisicipate it! He did anticipate traditional republicanism and did warn against, but said they were on a road to failure.
During his time at RTE he was the key person behind the implication of section 30. And wanted journalists to take it beyond the remit of section 30. He got people sacked and was a force to be feared inside RTE, all this is common public knowledge.
So now a bitter man who has spent his life looking to blame all his failed analysis and visions on those who have risen from the failed situation as the winners - ie traditional republicans - Sinn Féin. And he is still looking to influence in ways that hinder those who come from that tradition. Does Eoghan Harris have an agenda you bet your ass he does!
I am not so sure about the pro-Bertie bit. But I wonder how much is down to Bertie courting and being a cute political mover. Bertie's form is to either isolate you so no one will listen to you. Not able to do that with Harris. Or to bring you in so close as to stifle what you can say. And remember Harris still has the ear of the UUP and that suits Bertie too!
But along came Unionism and the Stormont Executive and they played the sectarian fear card. The B'Specials and RUC beat the Civil Rights marchers off the streets, claiming republican agitation. Later we got Bloody Sunday in Derry, and the rise of traditional element of republicans later to form the Provos. And with this all Eoghan's great plans had been reduced to rubble, and we would never know if they might have worked. Because as usual his analysis was flawed, and failed to take into account unionist fear and the sectarian card, and the rise of rebellion in the face of a violent state response. A State response which should have been the first thing accepted in any analysis. But Eoghan did not antisicipate it! He did anticipate traditional republicanism and did warn against, but said they were on a road to failure.
During his time at RTE he was the key person behind the implication of section 30. And wanted journalists to take it beyond the remit of section 30. He got people sacked and was a force to be feared inside RTE, all this is common public knowledge.
So now a bitter man who has spent his life looking to blame all his failed analysis and visions on those who have risen from the failed situation as the winners - ie traditional republicans - Sinn Féin. And he is still looking to influence in ways that hinder those who come from that tradition. Does Eoghan Harris have an agenda you bet your ass he does!
I am not so sure about the pro-Bertie bit. But I wonder how much is down to Bertie courting and being a cute political mover. Bertie's form is to either isolate you so no one will listen to you. Not able to do that with Harris. Or to bring you in so close as to stifle what you can say. And remember Harris still has the ear of the UUP and that suits Bertie too!