Look Ahead, Not Back

I do not wish to address every instance of inaccuracy and hysteria contained within letter writer Michael J. Cummings’ Northern Ireland commentary titled “Bush Democracy Scam” in the issue of May 11-17, since that would make for a particularly tedious epistle.

But, lest there be anyone among the readership relying on his narrative for their compass on Northern Ireland, I must make a couple of quick points.

Cummings eloquently rails against the British for “denying democracy” in Northern Ireland and ruling it by “orders of the privy council whose only modern day equivalent is the Council of Guardians in the theocracy of Iran.”

The absurd Iran analogy aside, the “privy council” is not some mysterious or mystical body, but simply a term for “ministers collectively.” Their responsibility is to set policy only on issues not in the hands of a particular secretary of state.

I assume that we are all aware that Northern Ireland has a secretary of state. If not, his name is Peter Hain and he grew up in South Africa.

Additionally, Northern Ireland returned 18 MPs in the May 5 general election — more per head of population than the other regions of the U.K. And so if we Northern Irish folk are being denied democracy by Tony Blair then someone must tell the good people of Scotland or Merseyside or London at once, since they are in far worse shape.

Aside from these two points, I read Cummings’ contribution with much despair. Northern Ireland has made giant strides forward in the last 10 years and all the players in the process deserve credit for this.

But progress to near normality has been made possible chiefly by the willingness of two communities, who have suffered much, to move on from a past littered with pain. And to recognize that there have been wrongs perpetrated by, and upon, both “sides.”

Cummings’ history lesson breezes through the last century of Irish politics, castigating the British government for injustice after injustice. One could just as easily trawl the same period and list IRA bombing, maiming, murdering, beating, bruising and a litany of other evils against innocents, but what good would that do anyone?

It is testimony to the desire for peace in the hearts of Northern Irish men and women that we have been able to come as far as we have since the mid-1990s, never mind the mid-1970s.

Thankfully there are ever fewer of us seeking to sift through history searching for reasons to blame, and ever more of us studying the present and seeking ways to cooperate.

We all hope that the remainder of those with the mindset of Mr. Cummings can shortly catch up.

Thomas Keown, Somerville, Massachusetts

IRA Must Stay

Now that Ian Paisley has cemented his evil grip on power in the North, the IRA must stay strong.

How can anyone ever think that with Paisley and his ilk in charge, Catholics will ever get a fair shake? It’s just not possible. These people are bigots with a capital B.

I hope the so-called hard men in the IRA realize that they’re still necessary, just to keep Paisley in check.

Michael Daley, New York, New York

Stick to U.S. Politics

This is in response to the letter by John Dunbar in last week’s issue, “Go Away IRA.” Rarely does a letter to the editor prompt a response from me, but this one was so devoid of any sense that I felt it was my only option to help Dunbar catch himself on.

First of all, I know of what I speak. I grew up in Beechmount, West Belfast, not New Haven, Connecticut, during the 1970s and ‘80s. I encountered first hand the oppression and sectarian abuse of the Unionist community and the man leading the anti-Catholic rhetoric, Dr. Ian Paisley.

Dunbar claims that the Irish Voice has portrayed Paisley as a “crackpot” and “old joker,” when in fact the Voice has correctly labelled him a hate monger and bigot.

Dunbar also foolishly states that Paisley’s party doesn’t have a private army behind them. Of course they do. Ever heard of the Ulster Defence Association?

The letter writer also asked why Paisley’s Democratic Unionist Party garnered a majority of votes. Once again the answer is amazingly simple. Paisley has touched a nerve in unionism.

He relies on the politics of fear that people who cannot fathom change have, the same people who can’t stand giving up the status quo and have no real interest in peace unless it is made on their terms.

Paisley’s health is failing, perhaps because the hatred that festers inside him has eaten away at his soul, leaving him a wretched old man with a black heart.

If armed paramilitary groups in the North should disarm then they should all do so. Until that happens the IRA must stand strong.

Regardless of the calls from the John Spains and John Dunbars of the world, the people of Ireland are sick and tired of outsiders trying to tell us how things should be.

Perhaps, Mr. Dunbar, you should set your sights on the plethora of issues concerning your own country. Your congratulations to Ian Paisley and his party is a glowing example of how out of touch you are with reality in the north of Ireland.

Before reading your letter I was convinced that the majority of inane and stupid thoughts in it came from the pen of regular letter writer Jerry Hoosier, but you, Mr. Dunbar, have proved me wrong.

Please stick to American politics. The IRA, Sinn Fein or I couldn’t give a toss about what you think. We don’t tell you how to kill Iraqis or Afghans, so keep your nose out of our business.

Jon J. Gillespie, Bradford, Vermont

Hooray for Mick

I WAS delighted to read Cathal Dervan’s column in last week’s issue about Mick McCarthy being treated like a hero upon his return to Dublin.

How stupid that petulant little boy Roy Keane must feel now for berating McCarthy’s many managerial talents in the first place. Mick did a fantastic job guiding the Irish team to the World Cup finals last year, and he would still be around if not for the pig-headedness of Keane, who cares more about his own needs than those of his country.

Now Mick is back on top with Sunderland, and the time will come when his team meets Keane’s Manchester United next year in the English Premiership. I will be routing for Mick’s squad to thrash United and Keane in particular.

Congratulations, Mick, for finally getting the praise and respect you deserve!

Miriam Coughlan, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Farewell Trimble

I’m sorry to see David Trimble is retired from politics. He was the best hope on the Unionist side for peace that the Catholic community had.

It’s too bad he didn’t take the chance when it was in front of him. Hopefully Ian Paisley’s party will learn from Trimble’s mistakes, though that is highly doubtful given that it’s Paisley we’re talking about.

Peace should never be put on the long finger in pursuit of the perfect deal. The people of Northern Ireland deserve no less, and their elected leaders must put aside their unreasonable demands on all sides, and join together.

The people of Ireland want peace. Trimble is the first big casualty of the failure thus far to firmly put it in place. Paisley could be next — even Gerry Adams. People are soon going to demand tangible results.

Dominic A. Cosgrove, Miami Beach, Florida