Re: Believer Beware- Psychic Poms

Dermod Ryder <grim_reaper [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> "Rod" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > We might have lost the World Cup...
> > but by God Sir we may yet win the
> > Republic! ;-)
>
> Which is much more important!  Suas leis an Phoblacht!

Yea...We haven't been in the Republic race as long as you blokes...
but we have benefited from your expertise ;-)

> Geez it's great to declare as a good republican.  I can't do it here for
> fear of being associated with the Sinn Fein gobshites, who have hijacked
the
> descriptor as a smokescreen for their sectarian intolerant politics..

If ya don't mind I will sit meself down for a minute Dermod....as I was
thinking about you and your mob today. I was out in the sacred shed
preforming the rites of 'mens business while I listened to ABC Radio
National. I had the cement mixer going so forgive me if I get the details
wrong. There was an interview with a bloke (Irish I think) who has
just brought out a book on Irish political prisoners and the origins
of the hunger strike. He covered from the period of transportation
to Van Demons Land and the rights won by Irish 'politicals' to be
treated separately from the 'criminals'. A couple of tales from Port
Arthur in the 1800's set me laughing to piss meself. It seems it has
been a longstanding tradition to continually test and push the boundaries
of incarceration....One lad, being introduced to his rock pile and
sledge hammer, proclaimed- "Right then, let's to it" and promptly
threw the hammer over the wall into the ocean.....I can't remember
if it was for that or the subsequent emptying of a chamber pot over
the Governors head that he got 35 days in handcuffs- an against
the regulations punishment that backfired. The author went on to
describe prison conditions and rights won over the years and
gave an overview of current arrangements for separation (from other
prisoners and opposing politicals) and negotiation conducted by
paramilitary brigade (?) leaders.
But by far the best and most ripping yarn related to a group of
Irish politicals ('Finnians'?) held in Western Australia.
Hearing of their plight
the American Irish community organised a Whaler and sent it
over amidst a whaling fleet.The six lads did a dramatic runner
from various cells and workyards and made it to the beach
and longboat with the Jacks hot on heels. They had no sooner
reached the whaler than the warship came round the heads
to give chase. It was a bloody ripper of a tale Dermod that
ended with the Whaler, crew and prisoners bailed up at
cannon point....at which point the Irish captain indicates
the Stars and Stripes and declares- "These men are under
the protection of this flag".

Complete bullshit bluff but the English Captain bought it
and buggered off....the lads arrived in NY to live out
their days as hero/kings.

I don't know why film makers resort to made up shite...
history is much more interesting and exciting.

All the best.

Rod.