Stray Bullets

For someone who's intent on winding down and deleting their podcast I'm doing a really bad job!

Anyway, apologies for the length of this one - as you can see I'm going to have to split it into two parts, due to the political swamp we call home.   

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Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.

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A hopefully less impassioned look at Drumcree, sectarianism and our continuing comfort in division and bitterness.    

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Seriously, what the hell?! I had just intended to record a very brief 'many thanks' to all the folks who'd sent kind messages via the Buzzsprout app as I can't directly reply other than by these means. But... Drumcree... I didn't realise Unionism would attempt to take us all back a few decades with them. 

Now, this is the last episode! Just personal thoughts, no research - that's all binned as well as arguing with some retired RUC colleagues about the 'rights of Unionism' (JB, GW et al). 

Anyway, I hope to 'go away, y'know' (although I've no hides or bodycount of innocents to conveniently forget about)...

Apologies, and many thanks!

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Thank you to everyone's who's listened. I hope you got something from my podcast, no matter how small or fleeting. It's time to call time on the whole enterprise. There's a number of reasons, some I talk about in the podcast, but also the fact that - as far as general interest goes - the Royal Ulster Constabulary has long faded into the fog of history. Of course, given our divided society we (the RUC) are viewed as either murderous demons or selfless angels. Whichever reference suits whoever's agenda at the time is of no interest to me anymore.

Plus, if you look at Irish literature these days the aspect of narratives set during the Troubles is also diminishing. Now, most authors who choose to write about the subject will do through a post-Troubles' lens; through a character's memories, or even a reference to a fading mural. Also, this would be a goodtime to express my gratitude to those authors and historians who've lifted elements from my podcast - I don't expect to be credited, so that was never an issue.

The station gates are finally closing for one last time. I'll keep the episodes up for a month or two then cancel my sub to Buzzsprout as I could use the money to buy more books and vinyls.

Many thanks!     

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Just a short notice in relation to the longevity of the podcast.

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In light of the conviction of Jeffrey Donaldson on Monday 22nd June 2026 I thought I'd take a look at some of the behaviour employed by sex offenders, especially in the context of Protestant Fundamentalist Christianity. I also look at the similar organisational environments where corruption can thrive due to collectivist mindsets.

There has been a disgraceful surge in members of the DUP, Unionism and even loyalism clamouring to distance themselves from Donaldson as well as decrying his behaviour. A number of political and public figures also openly intimating that they were of his predatory and, in some cases, hypocritical behaviour, yet these self same paragons of virtue kept quiet about such, why? I look at possible reasons, too. 

Are we now, yet again, witnessing the rot and ruin behind the DUP's godly-white walls? 

Also, here's the link for Chris Moore's definitive book about Kincora cover-up 

References:

Dos Santos, Simone Miranda and Lemes, Sirei, Corruption and Religiosity: A Cross-Country Analysis Medicated by Accounting Quality, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brazil, 2022   

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The violence of the past week has brought Northern Ireland to the global media stage (violence and intolerance are two of our best products!). Fuelled by an abhorrent attempted murder which was seized upon by right-wing populist groups, idealogues, demagogues as well as several extremely wealthy sponsors of right-wing political parties. Of course, a number of clandestine foreign actors employed agitprop, militant accelerationism and and synthetic media also added fuel to the fires. Naturally, homegrown organised crime groups (UDA, UVF etc.) also clambered aboard, coercing youths into racism, rioting, 'green-lighting' streets / addresses / premises to be attacked and destroyed, as well as intimidation and threats to anyone who wasn't white. 

There was much faux handwringing in some political corners, noticeably those who seek to normalise racist attitudes as a strategy to secure votes and power. Others in the NI Assembly simply muttered about 'legitimate concerns' while turning their back to burning homes. 

It seems in Northern Ireland continued political dysfunction, failure and apathy are best illuminated by the light of a burning nurse's car. 

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Continuing my look at asset handling during the Troubles. Some asides included: the light and dark of Special Branch as imagined by popular media (Blue Lights), the aspect of 'reputation', organisational and personal. Finally, some extracts from The Bass Player by Stephen Travers.

The Bass Player: Surviving the Miami Showband Massacre

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Just a revisit to aspects of asset-handling / management post-Kenova. I conscious of not wishing to tread over old ground, but it may be inevitable given how much the subject matter overlaps. If you'd like to hear more in-depth discussions about asset handling and the intelligence community during the Troubles you can find this in my episodes entitled Stakeknife et al.  

Hope you find this, and succeeding episodes, informative.

Many thanks

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