It's Just A Thought
Things change all the time49 total reviews
Comment from Walu Feral
G'day Gareth. This is a very interesting piece and very well written as is all of your work. After my childhood there is no room in my heart or my life for any kind of descrimination of any kind. This is a really good entry and may your winning streak continue mate. Good luck and cheers Fez
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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G'day Gareth. This is a very interesting piece and very well written as is all of your work. After my childhood there is no room in my heart or my life for any kind of descrimination of any kind. This is a really good entry and may your winning streak continue mate. Good luck and cheers Fez
Comment Written 21-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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Many thanks Fez. I wish more held your philosophy. I carry things with me everyday, as I am sure you do but it's what we do with it. I am a professional career working with children and young people who have additional needs or have been badly treated. Twenty years now. I stand up for these guys every day.
My daughter is 3 and she will not grow up like that.
As always, I appreciate your time and thoughts.
Comment from Irish Rain
Most excellent essay on bigotry...I read this yesterday, but didn't have time to review. Tragic that the violence and pain always falls to the children....you've written a very telling example of what bigotry does! Good luck friend!
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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Most excellent essay on bigotry...I read this yesterday, but didn't have time to review. Tragic that the violence and pain always falls to the children....you've written a very telling example of what bigotry does! Good luck friend!
Comment Written 21-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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Many thanks for the review. This contest has thrown up all sorts of things. Much appreciated
Comment from mfowler
This was very engaging, G. You give us a clear definition of bigotry, make sure there's no confusion about how extensive its tentacles are spread. You then recount a tale of the sort of bigotry that seems so pointless to those not born to it, but is a fact of life in a country that could be so good if only everyone would change that idea in their head. Your example of your father was telling for me. Clearly a good man, the circumstances of your lives created bigotry in him which he in turn hoped would fit your life. It is a form of fear matacised into hatred. That point about bigotry having no heroes is so true, no saints either, I'd imagine.
It's a long read but well worth the journey. Wisdom built from experience, it is authentic. Well done, mate. I hope you win.
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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This was very engaging, G. You give us a clear definition of bigotry, make sure there's no confusion about how extensive its tentacles are spread. You then recount a tale of the sort of bigotry that seems so pointless to those not born to it, but is a fact of life in a country that could be so good if only everyone would change that idea in their head. Your example of your father was telling for me. Clearly a good man, the circumstances of your lives created bigotry in him which he in turn hoped would fit your life. It is a form of fear matacised into hatred. That point about bigotry having no heroes is so true, no saints either, I'd imagine.
It's a long read but well worth the journey. Wisdom built from experience, it is authentic. Well done, mate. I hope you win.
Comment Written 21-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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Many thanks mark. Much appreciated
Comment from JJ Rowe
possibly the best story I have read on here. this was powerful, personal, passionate, devastating and funny. You pulled this together on such a professional level and I thank you for sharing this story. bravo man, this was really good.
I actually recently watched a show about a prison in northern ireland and it mentioned how often knife attacks occurred and it blew my mind. Stabbing someone it close, personal and vengeful. It takes a lot of hate. it is easier to use a gun.
I commend you on this piece and the strength you have built from your past.
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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possibly the best story I have read on here. this was powerful, personal, passionate, devastating and funny. You pulled this together on such a professional level and I thank you for sharing this story. bravo man, this was really good.
I actually recently watched a show about a prison in northern ireland and it mentioned how often knife attacks occurred and it blew my mind. Stabbing someone it close, personal and vengeful. It takes a lot of hate. it is easier to use a gun.
I commend you on this piece and the strength you have built from your past.
Comment Written 21-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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Many thanks for your thoughts on this. You would probably be shocked if you knew how much I needed to leave out!
The bizarre thing is that it is also such a lovely place. Visitors are always welcomed with open arms and tourism is huge. The 'troubles' are insular. My family still live there and I visit regularly. In fact I took my daughter for the first time last year for her third birthday. It is much quieter these days, but still there.
Who knows, in another twenty or thirty years it may actually not be such an issues!
Many thanks. Much appreciated
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i would love to visit! Unfortunately, the last time I was there I was stuck in Dublin.
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Different country!!!!!!
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haha I know I was just saying that is the closest I'll ever have been. I'm from Los Angeles! but I guess it's like saying you went to New York and should have stopped by Los Angeles. You are free to call me a dumb American for that one!
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
LIttle wonder you're in the lead. What an eye-opening story this is. Hard to believe that people, having the deluxe brains we do, can be so incredibly STUPID, isn't it?
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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LIttle wonder you're in the lead. What an eye-opening story this is. Hard to believe that people, having the deluxe brains we do, can be so incredibly STUPID, isn't it?
Comment Written 21-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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I know. I had to edit this quite drastically too, on my wife's advice. When I moved to England there was a cease fire on in Northern Ireland so that was fine. But when it ended, the abuse I got from so-called friends and other people I knew was even more horrific, as it was a total eye-opener. You never know what's behind closed doors or in inner thoughts.
I really only have 2 close friends (other than wife and my family)because we have always been there for one another through everything. It is part of a legacy of this kind of thing.
I don't normally write this kind of thing but when you write fiction pieces alluding to some of it and people tell you it is 'unbelievable' and not realistic, or indeed pure fantasy (I have had it all!) you feel like shouting at them "Wake Up, Look Around".
Many thanks for the review. It is always appreciated.
And congratulations getting picked up for the story of the month vote. (I voted for you but don't tell the others).
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Thanks so much for the vote. Of course, Sasha's beeeeeautiful story of generosity and love has to win. She deserves some kind of reward for what she did. Just amazing. And I certainly don't mind being second to her this time. :)
Comment from Caroline Yego
WOW! You are a flawless writer. I accept, bigotry is just but a thought. I got mine too. I agree, it keeps changing now and then depending on time, circumstances and place.
You make a good public speaker and I like your boldness to express yourself.
excellent work giraffmang
From Caroline
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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WOW! You are a flawless writer. I accept, bigotry is just but a thought. I got mine too. I agree, it keeps changing now and then depending on time, circumstances and place.
You make a good public speaker and I like your boldness to express yourself.
excellent work giraffmang
From Caroline
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2015
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Many thanks for the great review and the very generous rating. It is very much appreciated
Comment from Leineco
Really well stated Gareth. Bigotry (both in its outward acts and its internal influence) is part of all of us. From the smallest thing, like I don't like spinach because it is green, to monumental things, like I don't like Jews because they killed Jesus. All just opinions we let drive us.
Education sometimes helps us "revise" our opinions and therefore correct our bigoted behavior. Sometimes, it's just a matter of "having had enough of the insanity". Sometimes, it's just experiencing "truth" by broadening our circle of friends.
I don't think we can cure bigotry - I think the best we can hope for is to recognize it. And in recognizing it, strive to eradicate from our own "stinkin' think'in"!
Strong write!
(5 stars) = EXCELLENT. I would recommend this to a friend! I enjoyed the read and found both the content and the construction admirably accomplished.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Really well stated Gareth. Bigotry (both in its outward acts and its internal influence) is part of all of us. From the smallest thing, like I don't like spinach because it is green, to monumental things, like I don't like Jews because they killed Jesus. All just opinions we let drive us.
Education sometimes helps us "revise" our opinions and therefore correct our bigoted behavior. Sometimes, it's just a matter of "having had enough of the insanity". Sometimes, it's just experiencing "truth" by broadening our circle of friends.
I don't think we can cure bigotry - I think the best we can hope for is to recognize it. And in recognizing it, strive to eradicate from our own "stinkin' think'in"!
Strong write!
(5 stars) = EXCELLENT. I would recommend this to a friend! I enjoyed the read and found both the content and the construction admirably accomplished.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Many thanks for your thoughts. Much appreciated
Comment from Jacob Collins
I don't think I could have written quite so much on just one word but I was intrigued by your writing and what you had to say. I couldn't find any faults, another excellent piece of writing, good luck in the contest...Jacob
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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I don't think I could have written quite so much on just one word but I was intrigued by your writing and what you had to say. I couldn't find any faults, another excellent piece of writing, good luck in the contest...Jacob
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Many thanks for the review. Much appreciated
Comment from adewpearl
deadline for entries, and - add comma
clear and thoughtful explanation of what constitutes bigotry with good illustrative examples
Western World, and bigotry has shaped - add comma
It is, however, a member - add the commas
thoughtful discussion of your homeland, Northern Ireland
so badly that doctor's had to induce - drop the apostrophe
induce a comma - a coma
effective discussion of your personal experiences to make a larger point in a thought-provoking way
Brooke
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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deadline for entries, and - add comma
clear and thoughtful explanation of what constitutes bigotry with good illustrative examples
Western World, and bigotry has shaped - add comma
It is, however, a member - add the commas
thoughtful discussion of your homeland, Northern Ireland
so badly that doctor's had to induce - drop the apostrophe
induce a comma - a coma
effective discussion of your personal experiences to make a larger point in a thought-provoking way
Brooke
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Many thanks for the review. Much appreciated as always
Comment from tfawcus
I cannot imagine that anyone could write more powerfully on the subject of bigotry. You have shown what it ws like to live in Ireland in those times with intense clarity but with the controlled voice of hindsight. I only saw the conflict from the outside and only felt it when it spilt out onto the streets of London. I spent quite a bit of time in the 1970s flying in C130 Hercules and ferrying British troops on their eternal cycle. Three months in Northern Ireland, three months in Germany, three months in Belize and then three months back home in Aldershot with their families. I don't think anyone at the time ever believed that there could be a lasting solution to the 'Irish problem'.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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I cannot imagine that anyone could write more powerfully on the subject of bigotry. You have shown what it ws like to live in Ireland in those times with intense clarity but with the controlled voice of hindsight. I only saw the conflict from the outside and only felt it when it spilt out onto the streets of London. I spent quite a bit of time in the 1970s flying in C130 Hercules and ferrying British troops on their eternal cycle. Three months in Northern Ireland, three months in Germany, three months in Belize and then three months back home in Aldershot with their families. I don't think anyone at the time ever believed that there could be a lasting solution to the 'Irish problem'.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Thanks very much for your thoughts on this . It is very much appreciated.