No war
Thankfully the Assembly has voted clearly for what all democrats know to be true: that the racist terrorism which plagued our country for 30 years was not war. The motion to reject reclassification was passed by a decisive 46 votes to 20. I rarely agree with the DUP, but Mervyn Storey put it so well when he said the IRA "fought a seedy, grubby, sectarian terrorist campaign - nothing more and nothing less".
Many of the 20 votes against the motion (and perhaps some of the "yes" votes too) were cast by former terrorists. Fair enough, I'm just glad they're engaged in playing out democracy for real in northern Ireland. The people who perpetrated the terror are not beyond forgiveness, and forgiving them will demand from the Protestant community equal courage and purpose as demonstrated by Republicans in recent years.
We must find it in our hearts to do so, and I hope patience will prevail as we work through what is probably our Biggest challenge.
posted by B.U. @ 10:01 p.m.
6 comments
6 Comments:
"racist terrorism"
Let's leave aside the terrorist bit for a moment because we will never agree on that, how in the name of god was it racist??
Catholics and Protestants in Ireland are the same race John.
I've never heard such utter shite in all my life.
BTW Sinn Féin could have blocked this motion but decided not to veto this vote.
Hardly a victory
I wonder what race the Marxists who took part in the early days and went under truce first are from ? I'm pleased that the Protestants who began their seedy, grubby, sectarian, terrorist campaign first can find it in their hearts to forgive themselves. Perhaps, once they have forgiven themselves, they will find it in their hearts to interact peacefully and, dare I say it, lovingly with their fellow creatures.
Wow!
Not been here for a while, but always keep in mind the measured comments over on Balrog, which although I rarely agree with them has gained respect. However you are way, way, way off on this one.
Of course we are the same race, but do you really believe that the volunteers of the IRA risked death and imprisonment all because they hated Prods? That is ridiculous!
BU
McCrea's ugly triumphalism at the end of the debate; when almost orgasming cried "And Ulster is still British" tells us everything we need to know.
It was a WAR over territory, as to whether Ulster should remain British or become fully Irish.
Your point about democracy though is well made.
Perci, I take your point too about territorial war, but true war (other than civil war) is declared by sovereign governments and waged in uniform against sovereign forces, not civilians. I trust you get this too. (And before anyone jumps in claiming the Provos to be the designated successors to the first Dáil Éireann, no Irishman outside the Provos recognises this).
Oh, and for the record, Ulster already is fully Irish. Point well made, I trust!
Perci, McCrea is an embarrassment to most Prods in Ulster for exactly the reason you state. All he's doing is aggravating the Shinners and playing to his own sad gallery. I wish he'd shut up and go home.
Post a Comment
<< Home