No surrender

There's dangerous talk on some blogs, and from some politicians, about the IRA having surrendered. It's inflammatory and very harmful.

 

As I said in my last post, violence feeds off desperation and humiliation. The very last thing Unionists need to do now is humiliate Republicans and make them think there's nothing they can do to make amends. Think about it. The Republican movement has done something we all wanted it to do: decide between the ballot box and the armalite. They've done it. They've chosen democracy. The last thing we need is for them to feel despised and rejected.

 

If you feel an urge to rub their noses in it, please consider what good you might do if, instead, you choose to jump over your inherited prejudice, your hurt, your fears and your mistrust, and simply accept that Republicans now want to live with the rest of us in peace.

 

Come on! This is a never-before opportunity to create a new Ulster for ourselves and those that come after us. Please don't blow it with triumphalism.