Believer Beware- Psychic Poms

in article [EMAIL PROTECTED], Rod at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote
on 23/11/03 2:54 pm:

> 
> 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.

There might be more truth to such a story than fiction. Irishman John
Mitchell escaped from Van Diemen's Land (modern Tasmania) and escaped
to the US in 1853.  I am sure he was not the only Irish convict to do
so.   Mitchell wasn't a fenian though, he was a Prod. Irish
Nationalist.

Errol
Rebel With Two Causes
http://www.americancivilwar.org.uk/articles/reb_two.htm


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