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Listed below are comments made by Pan-dora between Sunday, 7th June 2009 and Thursday, 30th July 2009.

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Talking to the Taliban 9:41pm on 30 Jul 2009 EXIT STRATEGY ALL BUT IN NAME

The British (Army) is in Afghanistan under a UN mandate. They now propose having talks with the Taliban, which is a unilateral decision by the UK. Will the US follow this strategy along with all the other countries including the Government of the Irish Republic?

Pandora
Talking to the Taliban 8:44pm on 30 Jul 2009 'TALKING TO TERRORISTS'

In Mr Dudgeon's review of the book, he mentions that William Whitelaw was in negotiations with the IRA in 1972. This was on 7 July and according to J Bowyer Bell, the Provo delegation comprised Mac Stiofain, O'Connell, Twomey, Martin McGuinness, C/O of Derry, Gerry Adams, Ivor Bell from Belfast and Myles Shevlin from Sinn Fein. The Conservative Government was represented by William Whitelaw (SOS) and three other members of his ministerial team.

The secret negotiations (as opposed to talks) broke down. On 21 July the Provisional IRA exploded 22 bombs in Belfast (Bloody Friday), so what is to be gained by negotiating with terrorists? When they don't get what they want they revert to type.

Pandora
Don't hold your breath 9:48pm on 23 Jul 2009 BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING...

Susie (post no. 5)

You will recall that the same thing happened to me on 29 April under Mark's blog entitled 'A Long Lunch'.

My original comment was passed by the moderators on at 8.43pm, then removed on 1 May at 15.07 having apparently broken the rules. (I received the same from the moderators as you have quoted above). The redactions to my original entry had been made by me in order to comply with the rules. I then submitted my comments with XXXX's. It must have been fun trying to fill in the blanks!

On 2 May, you said I should 'keep punching' and I am glad you are doing the same.

Pandora
A Toxic Shock 3:51pm on 14 Jul 2009 AMNESIA IS PAISLEY'S PROBLEM...

I totally concur with Stormonspy and Susie, although I think Paisley is the one who suffers from amnesia - probably caused by being hit on the head with a golf ball while at St Andrews in 2006!

Pandora
Another council by-election 8:02pm on 06 Jul 2009 'AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER'

Very clever Susie. However, I don't think the issue should be about what films Jeffrey Donaldson paid to view while in his hotel room in London. The fact that he thought the taxpayer should pay for his entertainment while there is what annoys me.

If Mr Donaldson had decided to have a night at the opera, the ballet or the theatre, did he think we should have paid for these too?

Pandora
"A fragile flower" 9:37pm on 01 Jul 2009 VICTIMS FORUM..

After the ruling by Mr Justice Gillen, one member of the Victims Commission, Mr Mike Nesbitt commented on BBC television that the Commission can now get on with distributing the money. How can this go ahead without the issue of a definition of a victim being sorted out by the yet to be established Victims and Survivors Forum? Paragraph 24 of the Outline Draft Strategic approach for Victims and Survivors Consultation paper of August 2008 clearly states: "The Forum will also have the role of examining the issues surrounding the definition of "victim" and to make recommendations"

Pandora
"A fragile flower" 8:54pm on 01 Jul 2009 'POSITIVE DISCRIMINATION AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST'

In his ruling in favour of OFMDFM, is Mr Justice Gillen saying that behind closed doors, Ministers of the Crown can reach an agreement in making public appointments, set aside the law on discrimination of employment: that the Ministerial Code has no bearing in legal matters of this nature?

Surely in these appointments there is a conflict of interest in that two members of the Victims Commission, Bertha McDougall OBE and Patricia MacBride, are family members of "victims".

Pandora
One relative only 10:28pm on 25 Jun 2009 Entry 4 - majesticfilibuster:

SUSIE NOT HAVING A CLUE?

I am sure Susie will respond to your comment herself, but in her defence, I have to say that of all the bloggers on The Devenport Diaries - Susie is one who is 'clued in' to the political scene in Northern Ireland.

Pandora
Westminster expenses 9:20pm on 19 Jun 2009 SMELLING SWEET...I DON'T THINK SO!

Re the claim for the perfume at 46 pounds and Montblanc pen costing 300 pounds, I note that a spokesman said 'the mistake had been made by Mrs Robinson's office'.

I suppose Mrs Robinson considers it is all right to blame her children. Doesn't she employ them in her office?

I could say more, but I don't want any redactions by the lovely moderators!

Pandora
A count and a coup 4:42pm on 07 Jun 2009 ALLIANCE - STUCK IN A HYPOCRITICAL NON-SECTARIAN RUT!

While I listened with interest to your Alliance Party guest Gerry Lynch talking about tallying procedures, I didn't warm to his remarks about the sectarian vote. It is well known Alliance policy is to accuse anyone who doesn't vote for them as being 'sectarian'.

Mr Lynch was particular in pressing home his point with regard to Jim Allister. Perhaps those voting for Mr Allister were doing so on his record as an MEP.

*Jim Allister was voted top of the list of MEPs for his attendance at Europe by the Taxpayers' Alliance.

*Jim Allister has published his expenses, while Jim Nicholson refuses to do so, giving the impression there is something underhand.

While all the other NI parties have committed to abandoning double and triple jobbing, it is obvious that with the new Lord Mayor of Belfast, Naomi Long, the Alliance Party is heading off in the opposite direction with 'Miss Splendid' in the back seat of the Mayoral limousine!

The Alliance Party is stuck at around 5% to 6% in recent elections and obviously intends to remain here - stuck in a non-sectarian rut.

Why vote for the DUP who intend to gift Policing and Justice to a polical party that commands only 5% of the popular vote? And what hypocrisy when Alliance is willing to accept this on their terms from a 'sectarian' party - or is it two 'sectarian' parties if Sinn Fein is included?

I look forward to seeing the new Policing and Justice Minister being flanked on either side by the First and Deputy First Ministers representing 'sectarianism'.

Pandora

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