PONTIFICATING POLITICIANS
Pontificating politicians
LET'S be honest, apart from the sheer scale, the Omagh massacre was no different from other terrorist atrocities committed over the last 30 years.
Republican terrorists have in the past killed Catholics. indeed, they have killed more Catholics than loyalist paramilitaries.
In no time at all the tragedy will be forgotten by all but those directly and indirectly involved. Many times before we have been at the watershed between good and evil and evil always seems to survive.
Yet again our politicians are out of touch with people who they are supposed to represent. The man and woman in the street wants the Draconian measures announced by the South, they want decommissioning to start, they want the release of paramilitary prisoners suspended, they want the plight of the victims recognised, they want a stable and wholesome peace.
Not the 'Good Friday' peace that saw the Omagh carnage.
But all hope is not lost. Omagh saw ordinary people assist one another at the scene, at the hospitals, at the homes of the bereaved and injured.
Ordinary people north and south, national and international, Catholic and Protestant and a multitude of other religions and creeds united in heart and mind; united in shared pain and suffering and united in prayer that Omagh would be the last.
Colour, religion, creed, geographical borders enter not their hearts and minds.
Yet again our politicians fail to understand, to accept, to acknowledge that it is those same hearts and minds that should shape the future of this island and not pontificating politicians adhering to their predetermined agenda.
AWA WALLACE
Ballyclare.
LET'S be honest, apart from the sheer scale, the Omagh massacre was no different from other terrorist atrocities committed over the last 30 years.
Republican terrorists have in the past killed Catholics. indeed, they have killed more Catholics than loyalist paramilitaries.
In no time at all the tragedy will be forgotten by all but those directly and indirectly involved. Many times before we have been at the watershed between good and evil and evil always seems to survive.
Yet again our politicians are out of touch with people who they are supposed to represent. The man and woman in the street wants the Draconian measures announced by the South, they want decommissioning to start, they want the release of paramilitary prisoners suspended, they want the plight of the victims recognised, they want a stable and wholesome peace.
Not the 'Good Friday' peace that saw the Omagh carnage.
But all hope is not lost. Omagh saw ordinary people assist one another at the scene, at the hospitals, at the homes of the bereaved and injured.
Ordinary people north and south, national and international, Catholic and Protestant and a multitude of other religions and creeds united in heart and mind; united in shared pain and suffering and united in prayer that Omagh would be the last.
Colour, religion, creed, geographical borders enter not their hearts and minds.
Yet again our politicians fail to understand, to accept, to acknowledge that it is those same hearts and minds that should shape the future of this island and not pontificating politicians adhering to their predetermined agenda.
AWA WALLACE
Ballyclare.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0296
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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