In response to Allison Morris, ‘Líofa and crocodiles have changed course of history’ (March 9), I think there are a few facts she needs to look at again.
Gerry Adams’s comment ‘They haven’t gone away you know’ doesn’t fill unionism with any concept of the real republican agenda. The crisis facing unionism as I see it does not come from Sinn Féin, it is more in our own terms internally and the Alliance Party. Almost all the seats Alliance have won are within unionist areas. An interesting time will lie ahead if or when a border poll comes about and they must tell their electorate which way to vote. As a political party, I take it they must give them direction in what is best for them economically and socially for their future.
The second point Allison made was reference to the Civil Rights movement as a non-sectarian fight for the working class.
Does she know the name Billy (Liam) McMillen who was a member of the IRA who openly admitted in the 1970s that they had infiltrated the Civil Rights movement at all levels to further its agenda. The IRA used the Civil Rights movement as a shield and a recruiting agent for its later campaign.
Point three I would like to make is reference to the Irish language. Personally I don’t have any issues around the Irish language other than the possible cost. What I do take exception to is unionism taking the blame for politicising it. It was senior Sinn Féin members who used the words ‘every word spoken in Irish is a bullet in the gun for Irish freedom’. These words were spoken 30 to 40 years ago, long before the Good Friday Agreement.
Sinn Féin need to take responsibility for the way they have treated the Irish language and made it a political football. To move forward we need to take heed of our use of language and try to stay conscious of each other’s pain. If we are to move ahead even as a divided society respect in our language towards each other must be paramount. As a unionist I feel I must put the hand of friendship out to the Catholic people. At present at the last poll 35 per cent would not vote for a united Ireland and this should be the way forward for unionism. No doubt those who believe in a united Ireland should think of ways and means to convince people of my tradition how a united Ireland would be better for us. Our language and attitudes towards each other must come with one word at the top before we speak and that word is respect.
Respect our mandate was the terminology used by Sinn Féin for years. At present please respect the unionist mandate given by our people to the DUP. You can’t have it both ways or double standards.
JIM WILSON
Loyalist community worker,
East Belfast
Assembly election dead heat could be great result
The most interesting statistic to emerge from the Assembly election is that the historic tribal split has not only been confirmed but has never been more balanced. If forced to designate ‘broad nationalist’, ‘broad unionist’ or determinedly centrist the 90 seater forum would split 40, 40,10.
So at this precise moment in the history of Northern Ireland we have the perfect impasse or if viewed positively the perfect opportunity.
No need to debate who has the stronger mandate as the evidence clearly says no-one.
Rather than any group feeling greater or lesser than the other, both should approach the upcoming challenges from a position of strength, safe in that knowledge. So what would mature professional people do when faced with the type of impasse facing our political representatives. Put simply, they would translate impasse into opportunity. Apologies to the ‘determined centrists’, you are noble beyond measure, but your day has not yet come. The equally split big blocks have to sort out once and for all an accommodation which affords respect and recognition to both sides and firmly puts aside petty and frankly immature squabbling. Centrists may be required to referee the contest.
From a republican dominated nationalist block we need to see increased sensitivity to the real or perceived fears of the unionist block.
Gerry Adams, from the comfort of his cosy retreat in Co Louth, needs to stop poking the unionist rhino and just stay at home. If crocodiles can bite back then rhinos have been known to inflict a bit of damage also.
Unionists need to realise that the croppy is finished lying down at their command and that 50 per cent representation means that everyone’s interests must be even handedly catered for.
KIERAN McMULLAN
Randalstown, Co Antrim
Ulster at crossroads once again
The people of Northern Ireland are coming to terms with the implications of the recent Assembly Election which has changed the dynamics of our politics and could have significant implications for decisions on a key range of moral and other issues. A former prime minister of Northern Ireland said many years ago that Ulster stood at the crossroads and that is where we are once again.
An uncertain future lies ahead, and much will depend on the willingness of our elected representatives to reach a deal that will see the restoration of the devolved institutions. Failure to do so could see another election or a return to direct rule.
As Christians, we are exhorted to pray for all in authority and we would therefore urge all evangelical Protestant churches to include prayer for our province in their services of worship. In particular we request prayer for evangelical elected representatives.
In these circumstances we take comfort from the knowledge that God is sovereign in the life of nations and peoples, and it is our fervent hope that the people of Northern Ireland would put their faith in Him.
PHILIP CAMPBELL (Rev)
Caleb Foundation,
Coleraine, Co Derry
Society’s rage compounds injustice
A friend from Co Meath told me a ‘joke’ which her teenager heard from his friends. What do you call 10 nuns at the bottom of a lake? A start.
In the midst of the collective outrage against historical failings of Church and State to those committed to their care, the above comment is chillingly disturbing. However, the lone voices of blogger Brendan O’Neill and Dr RD Edwards have recently cautioned against the new sport of Catholic baiting.
O’Neill states that secular joy at Catholic schadenfreude are actually using the same tactics of the Jansenistic society which allowed these injustices to happen.
Ruth Dudley Edwards equally views society’s rage compounds injustice to the children of Tuam in the rush to judge.
Indeed, the Irish media’s indignation would best have us believe we have now become a model of child welfare – so why is it the majority of these same voices are leading in the call to repeal the Eighth? So much for care of innocence.
The rational secular utopia of 2017 Ireland still has some way to go to cherish all the nation’s children as the vision of 1916 gave us to do and if it goes wrong they can’t blame the Church.
JDP McALLION
Clonoe, Co Tyrone
Opposed to language act
I am a long-time speaker of Irish and a native speaker of that dialect of English known to non-speakers as ‘Ulster Scots’.
I am opposed to an Irish language act in the present circumstances for the following reason:
It would enable Sinn Féin to increase fake Irish in the public domain as the loyalists have done at Stormont with Ulster Scots. Just look at government document headings for examples of both.
I suspect no Irish language act would force Martín Ó Muilleoir (sic) to spell his name grammatically correctly. (Shinners obviously do not do genitives.)
BRIAN MacLOCHLAINN
Glenarm, Co Antrim
