On the 10th anniversary of the Omagh bombing, today’s Irish Times’ editorial asks a stark question. To wit:
The revulsion that followed Omagh had within it an element of shame. Why did it take the obscenity of Omagh to create a genuine, shared sense that such vile deeds are utterly beyond the Pale? And given the effect that the reaction to Omagh had on terrorism in Ireland, what might have happened had we reacted earlier?Excuse me? ‘We’? With due and heartfelt respect to the families of the Omagh dead, I haven’t the slightest intention of taking even one iota of responsibility for the actions of the sadly deluded killers on all sides during the 30 years of the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’. I never planted a bomb, I never wanted a bomb planted, and I never cheered when a bomb went off. Peace, out.
7 comments:
'..what might have happened had we reacted earlier..'
Suggesting what? We were aware? In cahoots?
Horrible, clumsy wording. I was disgusted by the Omagh bombing, as I would be disgusted by any brutal taking of innocent life. I, or indeed anyone else, should not have to clarify this.
I'm not Irish, but I do work for a "news"paper, and I see that the Irish Times exhibits the same sense of arrogant self-exaltation, self-flagellation and belief it speaks for the public as its American counterparts do.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Yeah ... there was another handwringing liberal guilt piece on the facing page, about how 'we' in the South haven't interacted with those in the North, either before or after the Peace Process. I can only speak for myself, but I lived in Coleraine for three years in the mid-90s, played football for Northern Ireland Universities, and my brother-in-law hails from the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. And only last week I went to Newry to bulk-buy nappies and champagne. Although I draw the line at drinking Harp. Cheers, Dec
Tonight I learned from a part-time colleague that he was stationed at the U.S. Navy base in Londonderry for a year and a half during the Troubles. I asked him, among other things, if the North and the South had different drinking habits. The South, he said, drinks Guinness while the North drinks Harp. That's an interesting bit of information, and to hear it twice in one day is ... is ... something of a coincidence.
Fergie's, by way, where you are to join us in October, has signs for both, though heavier on the Guinness. (Fergie himself is from Dublin.)
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
As a Nordie, I can tell you Harp is pisswater. Mind you, I don't like Guinness either. It's Stella all the way.
Stella, eh? I wonder if the Flemings and the Walloons have different drinking habits in Belgium.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Who cares what you drink in Belgium, it's ALL good.
When I lived in Coleraine, Buckfast - or Bucky - was quite popular with the students. It's a tonic wine brewed by monks. The locals call it 'bate-the-wife'. Cheers, Dec
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