Skewster

Well, I couldn’t let this week pass without some comment on the restoration of the Assembley.

Is this the beginning of a bright new future for Northern Ireland? That was the burning question yesterday. It’s really too early to tell, but surely the signs are hopeful?

I’m not sure what to make of Ian Paisley in the role of First Minister. Let’s face it, the man made his career out of opposing whoever held this (or equivalent) role in the past. In bringing down just about every ‘moderate’ attempt at peaceful governance, Paisley was the anarchist, the mixer, the organ grinder. He effortlessly roused the passions of paranoid Protestants in bigotted tirades against Catholics/Nationalist or anybody who looked at him squinty.

And now he’s the head honcho?

Over the last few years, The Reverend Paisley has had plenty to say about the IRA and Sinn Fein gaining the trust of the people. Today, Ian Paisley still has a long way to go before he has my trust. Too many stunts, posturing and double-speak from Paisley have left me rightly suspicious of his intentions for this Assembley.

My hope for the future is that Paisley decommissions his bigotted rhetoric the same way the IRA put their weapons away. Is it too vain to hope that he has seen the damage he has done to Northern Ireland and that in this late stage of his career (and life) he wants to finally be a force for change?

I hope so. Peace be with you, people…

I almost let a significant birthday pass without mention this week, folks and I feel bad about it.

Someone who has brought much pleasure and enjoyment to the human race turned 80, and – yes – he’s still going strong! Certainly, this great man has caused plenty of controversy in his time, and he is probably loved and hated in equal measure.

However, I won’t hear a word against him. Happy Birthday Hef!

*You didn’t think I meant this fella, did you?*

Seems the venerable, honorable Reverend Ian Paisley (Senior) has been on tour in East Tennesssee, visiting the Temple Baptist Church.

By the sound of the report it was a rousing affair and he left a great impression on the congregation there. Although with sentiments like It’s a thrilling thing to serve the Lord, it’s no wonder. I’ve never heard practicing Christianity described with such exuberance before!

Anyway, the one statement that really grabbed me was:

“I’m just a plain jailbird out of jail for the time being,” he told the audience.

I know Paisley has been imprisoned in the past – is this a reference to that? Or is it a religious reference? Any thoughts?

Oh, yeah that last link to Paisley’s profile on Wikipedia has an interesting link in the “No Surrender” section about his jail time. Read the line “He was released during a general amnesty for people convicted of political offences.” Now, what was his attitude to the early release of political prisoners?