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Good Irish Monday
The Wall Street Journal ^ | Monday, March 26, 2007 | KYLE WINGFIELD

Posted on 03/26/2007 6:59:22 AM PDT by presidio9

The feeling here heading into a potentially historic week, when British unionists and Irish nationalists could agree to form a government, might be described as one of prerelief. Relief because there is a sense that things are finally going to go right this time, but only a preliminary one because, well, they've been down this road before.

Today we'll learn what it will be this time: devolution of a raft of governing powers from London to a local assembly elected March 7, or dissolution of the assembly and an undefined joint custody between Britain and the Republic of Ireland to the south. After years of waiting for the Provisional Irish Republican Army and its political wing, Sinn Féin, to lay down their arms and accept the rule of law, all now hinges on the hard-line Democratic Unionist Party's agreeing to work with the nationalists. Over the weekend DUP leader Ian Paisley, the Protestant minister dubbed "Dr. No" for his refusal even to speak with Sinn Féin, demanded a six-week extension. For all the bluster, though, there is still a decent chance that an arrangement will be made.

If anyone embodies Northern Ireland's incomplete transition to self rule, it's Gerry Adams. The Sinn Féin leader is widely accused of, and always denies, having ties to the highest levels of the IRA. Either way, and right or wrong, the fact is that he's become a legitimate actor on the political stage in the eyes of the British. That the onus is on Mr. Paisley and the DUP to go along with power-sharing, or risk absorbing the public's outrage for failing to do so, goes to show just how much the perception of Mr. Adams and Sinn Féin has changed. The IRA, remember, is blamed

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
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1 posted on 03/26/2007 6:59:24 AM PDT by presidio9
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To: presidio9
goes to show just how much the perception of Mr. Adams and Sinn Féin has changed

Erm, don't think so. Their perception hasn't changed, but if they renounce blowing up toddlers then that is a victory for peace and you work with them.

2 posted on 03/26/2007 7:19:21 AM PDT by Jack_Macca
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To: presidio9
Sinn Féin - just more proof that terrorism is a successful political strategy.
3 posted on 03/26/2007 7:48:51 AM PDT by PAR35
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To: Irish_Thatcherite

ping


4 posted on 03/26/2007 7:53:07 AM PDT by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: PAR35; Jack_Macca

5 posted on 03/26/2007 7:54:44 AM PDT by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: presidio9

The deal has been made with more talks to bring in a government on May 8th. Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams made a joint statment several hours ago.

Link is: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6494599.stm


6 posted on 03/26/2007 7:56:13 AM PDT by Nextrush ( Chris Matthews Band: "I get high....I get high.....I get high.....McCain......")
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To: Jack_Macca

There's blood on the hands of both sides. I have no problem with power-sharing as long as both sides agree. Despite being from a pro-republic background, I am a firm believer that any viloators (ie violent offenders) be punished hard, that no change in the overall status of the province occur without at least a two thirds majority and that all current prerogatives and freedoms are prolonged. The Catholic-Protestant blame game leads nowhere. If Paisley and his foes can rise above it then so can we.


7 posted on 03/26/2007 8:31:38 AM PDT by Androcles (All your typos are belong to us)
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To: presidio9; Irish_Thatcherite; Tax-chick

If only I_T would come back from exile!


8 posted on 03/26/2007 8:35:30 AM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: Incorrigible; Colosis; Black Line; Cucullain; SomeguyfromIreland; Youngblood; Fergal; Cian; ...

Substitute Ireland ping!

Howya, y'all!


9 posted on 03/26/2007 8:40:03 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm." ~ Calvin Coolidge)
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To: Androcles

Good post, but be careful with the ideology behind being an Irish Republican.

An Irish Republican is not the same as an American Republican.

The two may not believe in Monarchy, but the latter doesn't believe in killing innocents to get their political way or a far-left socialist government.

You are probably an Irish Nationalist like the SDLP, who have always advocated a United Ireland, but only through political means.


10 posted on 03/26/2007 8:46:20 AM PDT by Jack_Macca
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To: Jack_Macca

Oh when I was young and stupid, the fight seemed romantic enough after centuries of oppression that the end justified the means. Esprecially in the face of daily oppression by the less disciplined elemnts of the RUC and with the tradition of such as the Black and Tans to draw upon. Then I learnt more and now condemn all perpetrators of brutality, regardless of side. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who slays a child or innocent, or resorts to the bullet before the ballot is to be despised even if they share my overall beliefs other than that.

I've spent time in Northern Ireland during the troubles and the land deserves to be free. But not in a situation where either of the extreme factions win. Only where the people win - and (touch wood) - that is what we appear to be approaching today.


11 posted on 03/26/2007 8:52:46 AM PDT by Androcles (All your typos are belong to us)
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To: Incorrigible; presidio9; Irish_Thatcherite; Tax-chick

Lord knows this thread will bring out the SF/IRA trolls and it would be nice to I_T around to put them in their place. I have too much work to do today to bother with them.


12 posted on 03/26/2007 9:02:55 AM PDT by elc (Guns kill people the same way the spoon made Rosie O'Donnell fat.)
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To: Androcles
I've spent time in Northern Ireland during the troubles and the land deserves to be free.

The land is free. This is the great myth perpetuated. The people of Northern Ireland can vote for what they want, but the majority of Protestants, and a large Minority of Catholics want to stay part of the UK.

And get this, the Irish Republic does NOT want a united Ireland. They do not want an Ireland that has a massive minority of Protestants. It would change their whole society and drag Ireland down economically.

13 posted on 03/26/2007 9:05:51 AM PDT by Jack_Macca
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To: elc

It's the thought that counts!


14 posted on 03/26/2007 9:06:24 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm." ~ Calvin Coolidge)
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To: Tax-chick

Thanks for the ping - no surprise that DUP and SF have agreed to put off the date to go into government together. All is sweetness and light in the statements issued by Paisley and Adams, if they can maintain this attitude devolution will no doubt be a reality in May. The main issue left hanging is the water rates, and it's a good sign that something so mundane is the focus rather than sectarian squabbling.


15 posted on 03/26/2007 9:15:22 AM PDT by slane
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To: Jack_Macca

Just curious, how would a massive minority of protestants change their society? I was under the impression that the Republic was fast becoming a secular society.


16 posted on 03/26/2007 9:21:00 AM PDT by MBB1984
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To: Androcles

Many more innocent civilians were killed by Loyalist Paramilitary Groups than by the IRA. Evil begets evil and Northern Ireland was an evil society created for the sole purpose of Protestant domination - not unlike the evil islamic nations that refuse to tolerate any other religion. I hate terrorism as much as the next guy but let's compete on a level playing field. To condemn the IRA for it's actions without condemning the British Security Forces, Protestant Paramilitary Groups and the RUC is mindless. Ian Paisley is contemptuous and is no different than the islamic imams spewing hate.


17 posted on 03/26/2007 9:25:37 AM PDT by Cuchulain ("...never treat with the enemy; never surrender to his mercy, but fight to the finish.")
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To: MBB1984
Just curious, how would a massive minority of protestants change their society? I was under the impression that the Republic was fast becoming a secular society.

Put it this way, if 60 million people from another country who, at the very least, partially get their identity from NOT being American, suddenly landed in the USA tomorrow - do you think life would continue as normal?

18 posted on 03/26/2007 9:27:32 AM PDT by Jack_Macca
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To: Cuchulain

Do you condemn the Provisional IRA too?

Also, I must admit, I did laugh slightly as your name is a mythological hero that Ulster Protestantism uses to symbolise their struggle. :)


19 posted on 03/26/2007 9:36:16 AM PDT by Jack_Macca
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To: Jack_Macca

You are right. Cuchulain is a mythological figure dating back to the pre-Christion era. He was the nephew of King Conor of Ulster and is said to have held the highest ideals of the Irish Gaels. He has always been regarded by the Irish as the "ancient defender of Ireland". Protestant revisionism has made him their "protector of the province".


20 posted on 03/26/2007 10:01:33 AM PDT by Cuchulain ("...never treat with the enemy; never surrender to his mercy, but fight to the finish.")
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