I was motivated to write this by an “exchange of views” recently in this thread (and this one).
Although I criticised Icefalcon there, my intention was not to give offence to him, or to annoy the moderator of that thread. I apologise to the OP too.
First let me say that although I’m English, my father’s family were from Limerick and my mother’s ancestors were from Tyrone, so I don’t need any lectures about the Famine, the Drogheda massacre, the Black and Tans or anything else like that. As an Englishman who loves Ireland I would vote for a united Ireland tomorrow if that is all it would take. I am not your enemy, Icefalcon, but I have read your words and you’ve convinced me even more that you know next to nothing of Ireland.
What a disgraceful shame it is that you couldn’t take even one day’s rest from fostering the poisonous bigotry that has brought nothing but torment and agony to Ireland. This is the same kind of thinking that has murdered thousands in New York and Washington this week, including both British and Irish people among the dead. If we cannot find undiluted solidarity at a time like this, there’s no hope for us.
If anyone feels sympathy for the victims of the obscene massacre at the World Trade Centre, let them know that the same things have happened on a smaller scale at Omagh and Warrington, Derry and Ealing, Shankhill and Manchester and numerous other places in Ireland and Britain.
If anyone feels despair or hatred at the sight of people celebrating on the West Bank, let them understand how easy it is, and how dangerous it is, to isolate yourself from the feelings of people who do not share your beliefs or who remember history differently from you.
Peace has not been brought to Ireland by people who have killed to bring it, or who have killed themselves to bring it. Nor has peace been brought by the random prosecution of false suspects on the flimsiest of evidence, or by the malicious harrassment of people we believe may threaten us. Peace does not come from rash response at a time of public outrage. The only progress to peace in Ireland has been through the bravery and wisdom of people who have put violence aside and have planned to share their present days with their opponents, whatever the future holds.
I hope everyone will learn from that wisdom, and use it as a guide for all actions in the future - for Ireland, Britain, America, Afghanistan, Israel and the whole world. Please teach your children not to hate Catholics or Protestants, Muslims or Jews, or any nationality.