Tony Blair's Wimbledon to Belfast plan

I’ve disagreed with most of what Black and White Bear has said on this thread but discussing his mental health, without his consent seems pretty distasteful to me.  

Quoted from Brummie Codfather

I’ve disagreed with most of what Black and White Bear has said on this thread but discussing his mental health, without his consent seems pretty distasteful to me.  

Thank you sir.

Quoted from 123614

Thank you sir.

Are you against someone offering an opinion on your mental health post Bear?

Quoted from Sandford1981

Are you against someone offering an opinion on your mental health post Bear?

I would imagine so, but possibly not. B and W has opened up on other pages but let us not stoop to such a level as prodding someone to clarify why they hold such opinions. He is a fairly open book but show the guy a little more respect.

[b][/b]

Quoted from smokey111

I would imagine so, but possibly not. B and W has opened up on other pages but let us not stoop to such a level as prodding someone to clarify why they hold such opinions. He is a fairly open book but show the guy a little more respect.

Rather than take offence on his behalf or assume it’s ok because he’s open, I’ve asked the man himself to clear it up.
My motivation for asking him was so that I didn’t add to what he could perceive as unwarranted attention, no matter how well intentioned it was.

Quoted from Sandford1981

[b][/b]

Rather than take offence on his behalf or assume it’s ok because he’s open, I’ve asked the man himself to clear it up.
My motivation for asking him was so that I didn’t add to what he could perceive as unwarranted attention, no matter how well intentioned it was.

Fair enough. I don't doubt your motivation.

Quoted from Sandford1981

Are you against someone offering an opinion on your mental health post Bear?

Again, with all due respect, I am definitely against being offered various peoples opinions on my mental health, especially if they are not qualified to do so.  Yes I posted how it effected me but that didn't mean I was asking for anyone's help on this forum, unless they were a qualified Psychologist, even then I would need to see proof of their qualifications.  I thank you for your concern, but I have learnt to live with my mental health problems, probably not to a 100% solution, but good enough for me hopefully to enjoy the rest of my life.  

Just as an aside, I am not aggressive on these, or any other forums, I'm sure you understand that it is not possible to determine what frame of mind a person is in just by reading text, people assume a lot of things, but just because they assume something, doesn't mean it's right.

Quoted from 123614

Again, with all due respect, I am definitely against being offered various peoples opinions on my mental health, especially if they are not qualified to do so.  Yes I posted how it effected me but that didn't mean I was asking for anyone's help on this forum, unless they were a qualified Psychologist, even then I would need to see proof of their qualifications.  I thank you for your concern, but I have learnt to live with my mental health problems, probably not to a 100% solution, but good enough for me hopefully to enjoy the rest of my life.  

Just as an aside, I am not aggressive on these, or any other forums, I'm sure you understand that it is not possible to determine what frame of mind a person is in just by reading text, people assume a lot of things, but just because they assume something, doesn't mean it's right.

You may have been asking for help in a round about way in which case I’d have been only too happy to assist (in a practicable manner). The only way to know is to ask. I did. You didn’t need help.

The reason I asked the question was to avoid assuming one way or another and to clear it up! Job done!

I have never been in the army but worked with 3 who did all intelligent guys 2 rose to warrant officers and one who ended up a major.

They all did several tours. of N.Ireland And had few stories to tell which I will not repeat.

BUT just to lighten up this thread,

One bit of advice I will pass on which has got nothing to do with the troubles.

While laying in a ditch overnight in 6 inches of freezing water.

It's a relief in more ways than one when you need to urinate.

I now live in a ‘somewhat’ free Derry/londonderry/maiden city, and after taking a good while to get through this thread, it does indeed raise some interesting points.

Firstly, I played rugby for 4 years with some serving and ex army lads. Indeed, their humour is dark and I would never begin to imagine what they have encountered while serving our country on tour and, also while training at sandhurst. You only have to look at many that are seemingly cast by the wayside and live on the streets, forgotten about by those that they protected, to realise how serious a problem PTSD is.

Secondly, although there are many that want you to believe that the GFA dissolved any tension or animosity between areas, then all you have to do is look around areas of Belfast (shankhill, West Belfast etc) and  Derry (Galiagh, Creggan)to know that there are still those who sympathise with the IRA, real IRA etc and see pro republican flags and walls daubed with graffiti, to know that there is a very vocal faction around. The murders or Lyra McKee and attempted murder of chief inspector John Caldwell, just prove that theory.

Thirdly, 99% people I speak to every day, don’t want a return to the worry that the troubles brought and having the army on the streets or a checkpoint at every corner. Although I didn’t know anything of the ‘actual’ history of the people that it has affected, there are reminders of what can happen when people want change. In Derry alone, the peace bridge is a standing monument to that, the ebrington barracks have become leisure and business hubs and tourism is on the increase bringing in much needed revenue to areas that are being left behind because of the lack of investment from the northern Irish government that haven’t sat at Stormont since 2022, because none of the MLA’s are there to make decisions!

Fourthly, and lastly, we don’t know what is actually going on in peoples lives outside of this forum. Let’s at least keep things to the less trivial matters of football

Happy new year one and all