{Begin rant}
I just love news like this:
Constable Stephen Paul Carroll, 48, was shot dead in Craigavon, 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Belfast, late yesterday, two days after two British soldiers were killed by members of another breakaway group, the Real IRA. Police began raiding properties in Craigavon today in connection with the murder, a police spokeswoman said today in a phone interview.
Continuity IRA Claims Credit for Ireland Attack (Update2) – Bloomberg.com
If things weren’t bad enough, now people have to busy themselves reviving old hates and violence. I remember all too well when a day didn’t go by that you didn’t read or hear about the violence in Northern Ireland. It was just one of those “everyday things” like coffee and toast in the morning and the latest news on the Cold War. You know, get up, have breakfast, read the news (“yup, they’re still killing each other in Northern Ireland and do you know that a Russian communist spy could be living next door to us, honey?”) and head off to work. No big deal, right? Except for those living in Northern Ireland of course.
Now, after years of stability (for the most part) and with the world in turmoil, instead of banding together to help solve the problems, human nature takes over and people in so-called civilized countries start killing each other over old grievances. Hey, that’ll make things all the better now won’t it?
Stupid, worthless, childish (and sadly typical) human behavior.
So what’s next? The South Shall Rise Again?
God! I wish people would grow up.
{End rant}
Author’s note: There’s nothing personal against Northern Ireland here, I want to make that clear. And I realize that things over there have always been restless since opposing factions came to an accord to end the violence in 1998. It’s just a damn shame that this kind of worthless, meaningless violence should rear it’s ugly head again—ever! And I just couldn’t help myself but rant about it. It makes it apparent how little it takes to start doing each other in…
…even in my own country.
My Irish father worried himself into an early grave in the 70′s because of the ‘troubles’. I will never understand why people just can’t live and let live …..
Hi Kate,
Not that I could reasonably expect any improvement in my lifetime but regression? I have a hard time dealing with that. Perhaps our children/grandchildren can do a better job of it?
So what’s next? The South Shall Rise Again?
This thought or comparison had never occurred to me before. Interesting. I shall trundle off and think about it whilst planting out my spuds tomorrow morning.
It is very depressing, the killings, as such overwhelming majorities in both parts of the Island voted for the Peace Agreement.
PS: And for other readers of the blog the spuds are Colleen, my first earlies and Celine the main crop.
KevanB,
Let’s hope they smarten up. Personally, I don’t see why the Britain just doesn’t officially give Northern Ireland back to the Irish. What’s so important about the place that they feel is the advantage in keeping it? Except out of pure stubborn pride?
PS: My father and I used to plant spuds at the old homestead way back when. Kennebecs and Green Mountains. I preferred the Kennebecs myself.