The stalemate in Northern Ireland began over a Sinn Fein’s request to have the Irish language recognised as an equal language in Northern Ireland, like it is in the Republic of Ireland and in the European Parliament. The DUP refuse to have Irish words appear on public buildings and road signage not to mind recognise it as an equal language. The issue resulted in a government shutdown in January 2017. In June 2017 the DUP agreed a £1billion deal to support the conservative party in Westminster instead of taking their seats in Stormont, thus ending power sharing.
The stalemate in Northern Ireland clearly benefitted one party over the other, the Irish media have failed to criticise the DUP for their actions or provide coverage challenging the shut down.
In America I fear the shut can last as long as Trump is willing to continue it as he stands to benefit most from the outcome as any compromise the Democrats make will only bolster Trump’s 2020 campaign. The wall was a comical idea that the world laughed off and any compromise in its funding will only legitimise the proposal. In one way half a wall would be worse than a full wall because he’d have more support to finish the job.
We’re truly entering a very strange space in the history of America as an egomaniac attempts to build a wonder of the world in his own name and he’s literally inches away from funding it.
The truth about stalemates is that they do benefit one party, and it’s always the one that acts like the victim because they are on the losing side of the board.
Toon by Dave Power @DaveBrownToons