It's Just A Thought
Things change all the time49 total reviews
Comment from Dawn Munro
This was such a dynamic nonfiction, it held my attention from start to finish and I'd read more if there was more.
Just a couple of minor things I noticed:
"...man, who(m) I loved dearly..."
"...typos" << just the period outside the bracket - no exclamation mark
Bravo. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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This was such a dynamic nonfiction, it held my attention from start to finish and I'd read more if there was more.
Just a couple of minor things I noticed:
"...man, who(m) I loved dearly..."
"...typos" << just the period outside the bracket - no exclamation mark
Bravo. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Many thanks for the this. Much appreciated, as always
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You're welcome.
Comment from Nosha17
I went on a tour of Northern Ireland with my daughter, 2 years ago. I enjoyed it immensely, the scenery was exquisite, you must miss it in that respect. I sympathise with you entirely about the terrible dangers that prevailed whilst you were growing up-horrible situation. You did right to leave. You have incorporated the essence of bigotry well in your commentary, well expressed views with good examples. Good luck in the contest. Faye
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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I went on a tour of Northern Ireland with my daughter, 2 years ago. I enjoyed it immensely, the scenery was exquisite, you must miss it in that respect. I sympathise with you entirely about the terrible dangers that prevailed whilst you were growing up-horrible situation. You did right to leave. You have incorporated the essence of bigotry well in your commentary, well expressed views with good examples. Good luck in the contest. Faye
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Hi Faye, I still go back regularly. The rest of my family still live there, and last summer I took my daughter for the first time, for her 3rd birthday. it is much quieter now but things still go on. The odd thing is that the issues are so insular. Visitors are welcomed openly.
Many thanks for the review. Much appreciated.
Comment from Ulla
Excellent, I have commented on a story of yours before, which I liked and I am commenting again now. I liked it, and I say now, as I said before, the topic is controversial. I have read a lot about The Irish Problem, lived in Britain for many years and I may say I do have my clear views on the conflict. I come from a country where being a Protestant or Catholic will never be an issue, it does not exist. I like your approach and I like your way of describing what is indeed bigotry. Well done. Ulla
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Excellent, I have commented on a story of yours before, which I liked and I am commenting again now. I liked it, and I say now, as I said before, the topic is controversial. I have read a lot about The Irish Problem, lived in Britain for many years and I may say I do have my clear views on the conflict. I come from a country where being a Protestant or Catholic will never be an issue, it does not exist. I like your approach and I like your way of describing what is indeed bigotry. Well done. Ulla
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 Ekim777
Our writer seems to define a bigot fairly well; as one who holds to an opinion or argument. But such concepts of our minds cannot be fixed while life is a movement ever seeking to change itself. Ideas and opinions might be registered as something fixed but if we really knew ourselves, contradictions and conflicting ideas; we would go mad with confusion. This does not come out clearly in this post. How do we counter our rigid bigotry, not by packing our bags and leaving for another place but by supreme awareness of our changing selves in our relationships. This is easier said than done, not to mention our illusions.-Ekim777
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Our writer seems to define a bigot fairly well; as one who holds to an opinion or argument. But such concepts of our minds cannot be fixed while life is a movement ever seeking to change itself. Ideas and opinions might be registered as something fixed but if we really knew ourselves, contradictions and conflicting ideas; we would go mad with confusion. This does not come out clearly in this post. How do we counter our rigid bigotry, not by packing our bags and leaving for another place but by supreme awareness of our changing selves in our relationships. This is easier said than done, not to mention our illusions.-Ekim777
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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With all due respect, I don't think you have a clue what you are talking about.
Comment from c_lucas
Terrorists come in all shapes and sizes. There isn't one set mold. This is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very good read. There is good imagery.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Terrorists come in all shapes and sizes. There isn't one set mold. This is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very good read. There is good imagery.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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So true, many thanks for the review. Much appreciated
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You're welcome, GMG. Charlie
Comment from jpduck
Give that man a medal. Utterly brilliant. I'm going to 'Bookcase it' (I've never done that before). The rating is not just a sixer. It is my last sixer of the week. That's how good I think this is!
Insert a blank line at the end of each of the following two to mark the new paragraph:
'However, one of the things I remember most is the way he spoke about Catholics.'+
'Was he a bad man? I think not.'+
One typo:
'taken the afternoon off [the] *to* go shopping'
Adrian
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Give that man a medal. Utterly brilliant. I'm going to 'Bookcase it' (I've never done that before). The rating is not just a sixer. It is my last sixer of the week. That's how good I think this is!
Insert a blank line at the end of each of the following two to mark the new paragraph:
'However, one of the things I remember most is the way he spoke about Catholics.'+
'Was he a bad man? I think not.'+
One typo:
'taken the afternoon off [the] *to* go shopping'
Adrian
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Many thanks for this review. it really means a lot to me. Truly. I will attend to those issues you pointed out. Many, many thanks.
Comment from Deniz22
I find your personal story fascinating, having had a dim idea of the conflict in Ireland from other writings. But you have made it very "close to home" in your anecdotes, so well written. My previous assumption that things have quieted down is shown to be incorrect.
I would say however, one can hold convictions contrary to the crowd without being bigoted. As I understand bigotry, it is the proud assumption that things which are unchangeable (color of skin, for instance) insure superiority and thus permanently lock the door to the "outsiders". "They" can't change, therefore our superiority is secure.
I am a Christian. I believe in Christ and His Gospel. Yet I know it is only by the grace of God I have this faith I was not born with or into. I believe God can change any heart and unite such hearts. So I would say there is truth to be held to tenaciously which holding is not bigotry, yet is often labeled such. The danger of sliding into bigotry is ever present, yet is never a true reflection of Christ's love. Nor should such danger or the threat of being labeled such keep one from allowing Christ to begin and continue His work in us. A long reply...but blame on your provocative, well written honest posting. :) God bless, Dennis
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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I find your personal story fascinating, having had a dim idea of the conflict in Ireland from other writings. But you have made it very "close to home" in your anecdotes, so well written. My previous assumption that things have quieted down is shown to be incorrect.
I would say however, one can hold convictions contrary to the crowd without being bigoted. As I understand bigotry, it is the proud assumption that things which are unchangeable (color of skin, for instance) insure superiority and thus permanently lock the door to the "outsiders". "They" can't change, therefore our superiority is secure.
I am a Christian. I believe in Christ and His Gospel. Yet I know it is only by the grace of God I have this faith I was not born with or into. I believe God can change any heart and unite such hearts. So I would say there is truth to be held to tenaciously which holding is not bigotry, yet is often labeled such. The danger of sliding into bigotry is ever present, yet is never a true reflection of Christ's love. Nor should such danger or the threat of being labeled such keep one from allowing Christ to begin and continue His work in us. A long reply...but blame on your provocative, well written honest posting. :) God bless, Dennis
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Always a pleasure Dennis. I appreciate the voice you share and the convictions that you hold. If more people lived by these ideals, or truths then the world would be a much better place.
It is not that all ideas or differences produce bigotry but when it does mannifest itself, in essence it is a difference of thought or ideal that powers that hatred.
God gave man free will and look what we did with it!
All the best
Gareth
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Amen...and thanks...Dennis
Comment from Dean Kuch
The IRA, PIRA, Real IRA, the UVF, UDF, UUF, Red Hand Commandos...really, Gareth? I had no idea there were so many paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. We have UDFs here in the states as well, but the only thing they give us is great coffee and homemade ice cream, not car bombs and terror attacks. UDF (United Dairy Farmers) is a popular carry out or convenience store in our area. In a country whose population is hovering somewhere around two million people, and is just a bit over 5,000 square miles, that's a lot of guns, bombs and grenades per capita I would think. Not the greatest of environments to be brought up in.
That was a horrible thing to have happen to your friend, the guitar man, we'll call him. Not only did those fools deprive him of fulfilling his dream, they may have also deprived the world of some magnificent music. That's truly sad, and on the grandest of scales. You're absolutely right, bigotry has no genius.
But your poignantly penned and well written essay on bigotry does display flashes of genius, Gareth. The genius that comes along with having the common sense to be proud of where you were born, and the country you came from, but the wherewithal not to let it dictate how you view others and live your life now.
And for that, we are all truly grateful.
Best of luck to you in the contest, my friend. ~Dean
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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The IRA, PIRA, Real IRA, the UVF, UDF, UUF, Red Hand Commandos...really, Gareth? I had no idea there were so many paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. We have UDFs here in the states as well, but the only thing they give us is great coffee and homemade ice cream, not car bombs and terror attacks. UDF (United Dairy Farmers) is a popular carry out or convenience store in our area. In a country whose population is hovering somewhere around two million people, and is just a bit over 5,000 square miles, that's a lot of guns, bombs and grenades per capita I would think. Not the greatest of environments to be brought up in.
That was a horrible thing to have happen to your friend, the guitar man, we'll call him. Not only did those fools deprive him of fulfilling his dream, they may have also deprived the world of some magnificent music. That's truly sad, and on the grandest of scales. You're absolutely right, bigotry has no genius.
But your poignantly penned and well written essay on bigotry does display flashes of genius, Gareth. The genius that comes along with having the common sense to be proud of where you were born, and the country you came from, but the wherewithal not to let it dictate how you view others and live your life now.
And for that, we are all truly grateful.
Best of luck to you in the contest, my friend. ~Dean
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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As unbelievable as it sounds yes, there are actually more than this. They splinter off and gather pace. It is frightening. And then there are the "political wings" to contend with too. The Protestant guys are complete nutters, some were ex sas trained and membership too. It is much better now but still exists. My family are all still there.
It is a beautiful country too. The issues are insular and visitors are always made welcome!
Many thanks for the review, Dean. Always appreciated.
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Australia, Ireland, Scotland and England are four countries I've never traveled to, Gareth, but would love to see before I die. God willing I'll do it one day before it's too late.
You're very welcome, my friend. ~Dean
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Wow! I would have gotten out too. That is no way to live. There is no end to it I can see. Why can't they live in peace the Catholics and Protestants? We do here. We all love the same God. I guess my dad was a bigot too. I had a Catholic boy interested in me, Dad had a fit! We are Baptists. He was a good man too. Well done Gareth. :<) Nancy
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Wow! I would have gotten out too. That is no way to live. There is no end to it I can see. Why can't they live in peace the Catholics and Protestants? We do here. We all love the same God. I guess my dad was a bigot too. I had a Catholic boy interested in me, Dad had a fit! We are Baptists. He was a good man too. Well done Gareth. :<) Nancy
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Many thanks for the thoughtful and great review. Much appreciated
Comment from humpwhistle
This is a thoughtful and personal take on the subject of bigotry. You have plenty of experience with the subject.
Speaking as I writer, I might have started with one of events you witnessed or experienced, then begun the explanations. Always best to start with some drama. Give your readers something real to chew on.
Just a thought.
Peace, Lee
This may be niggling, but 'The minute' and 'immediately' seems redundant to me.
for no rational reason whatsoever --This is an opinion. Many bigots will argue they have rational reasons. Rationality is a very difficult point to argue.
the base of my right hand thumb--again, niggling, but you don't need hand.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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This is a thoughtful and personal take on the subject of bigotry. You have plenty of experience with the subject.
Speaking as I writer, I might have started with one of events you witnessed or experienced, then begun the explanations. Always best to start with some drama. Give your readers something real to chew on.
Just a thought.
Peace, Lee
This may be niggling, but 'The minute' and 'immediately' seems redundant to me.
for no rational reason whatsoever --This is an opinion. Many bigots will argue they have rational reasons. Rationality is a very difficult point to argue.
the base of my right hand thumb--again, niggling, but you don't need hand.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2015
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Feel free to niggle away. many thanks for the review and your thoughts on this. Much appreciated