It is my my view that Conflict Resolution is to History  what Astrology is to Astronomy.

In other words Conflict Resolution is a “cod” academic discipline which is made for academics by academics. It has no value whatsoever.

Despite the best efforts of Conflict Resolutionists to help us deal with the Past, the people of Norn Iron of all traditions would rather just move on. For the Conflict Resolutionist however, there is no “move on” option. They just wont be politely told to “Go Away”. But rather like a persistant “cold caller” from an Insurance Company or a kitchen manufacturer, there comes a time when it is permissable to be impolite and rather forceful.

It is increasingly obvious that people..ordinary people ……have become more irritated with the persistance of the Conflict Resolutionists and they Conflict Resolutionists seem stunned and even hurt at the hostile response.

They seem particuarly concerned at “anonymous” attacks on message boards. There is of course a difference between “anonymous posting” and having a nom de guerre. I am not a public figure and fully entitled to use a nom de guerre. The only stipulation is that I remain in a single identity and post a consistent viewpoint on the various platforms in which I engage.
I think my view carries as much or as little weight as anyone else.

If “quality of discourse” is the test then maybe the Internet Blog is the wrong area in which to carry out the Discourse.
Academic Discourse has a different framework and many bloggers would find it alien.
While I personally deplore offensive language on message boards (I stand by my own record) I realise that the Blogosphere is a vulgar way to express ideas. But I have to live with it.

Peace is NOT a concept to be debated.
It is simply to be accepted.
For most of us…..thats enough.
And our politicians are to be congratulated on avoiding a “debate”.
The notion that only the “helpful” views that agree with the Conflict Resolution blueprint are somehow acceptable is risible

.Conflict Resolution is an academic discipline that has been created by academics purely for the benefit of other academics.
The least important people in the whole process are “real people” who may be dismissed as being “unhelpful” if they disagree with conflict resolutionists.
As I have said before there is no real benefit in making an issue of the Peace Process.
Clearly Republican, Unionist and Liberal dissidents and dysentery are dangerous people.
Unwittingly perhaps…..conflict resolutionists are dangerous.
I dont deny that Conflict Resolution is “interesting” in a purely academic way.
Many courses as advertised on university notice boards are tempting …..but by no stretch of the imagination can these courses be described as “useful”.

In the academic world, journalistic world……its about the credibility that can attach to “who/what” we are. The source.
Thus the Professor of International Relations at Harvard might carry more weight than the “ordinary Joe” and thats the real irritation.
You just cant tell..
Nobody would care if the contributions of “Ordinary Joe….or er Ordinary Josephine”  were nonsensical.

But if the contributions of the “Ordinary Joe” appear well informed and well argued, then that presents a dilemna for those who are brought up in disciplines respecting “source”

In the academic world…A person with A levels carries more credibility than a person who has O Levels.
A person with a MA is more credible than a BA.
A PhD more credible again.
And so on.
Sooner or later every first year Uni student comes accross a tutor…….who wants more footnotes and can be dismissive if you happen to choose the “wrong” academic to quote.
And no good saying “well I just know it Dr Spock, youre wrong”. Because Dr Spock will inevitably say that he/sh is the one with the PhD.
In the deferential refined world of Academia thats accepted.
Alas in the real world, its more “democratic”.
The anonymous (as they would have it) world of the internet is probably even less deferential than “real life” and not an ideal platform for academics. Especially if they arent used to being told that they are wrong…….without copious footnotes quoting even more important people than they are.