Ian Paisley, RIP

[bizzaro]

The fact he said YES and worked within the peace process to the benefit of the UK, Ireland and Northern Ireland despite having issues in his own community

Means he should be mouned.

If he'd of not facilitated peace then the opposite is true.

The fact Martin Mcguinness and Paisley were and have publicly been committed to take violence out of politics is good for everyone.

Its why the queen could visit Ireland and the irish president can visit uk. Without people being completely stupid.

Like they were for 50 years. I'm English and I like the Irish. Great place to visit.

 

[bizzaro]

I'm biased. Very. And there's a lot that could be said about his time as M P for North Antrim. BUT , the irony is that he was the only bloke who could sell the agreement to the working class protestants.

There would have been troubles without him - he just helped fan the flames - but I can't think there would have been any kind of 'peace' - no matter how shortlived it may be - without him.

True. The strength of his character it appears that allowed him to lead the unionists into a peace process the hard liners probably didn't want based only on ideology.

Violence has no place. Thankfully that's a key theme these days.

 

[blueser]

Although he was key in getting the agreement signed, the man was hateful, for 90% of his life he treated Catholics like second class citizens, not only republicans but Catholics.

There are many reasons Catholics in Belfast couldn't get the same opportunities for decades but Ian Paisley was a big part of that.

Jobs at the docks etc in Belfast, certain professions were dominated by Catholics an example the Bar Trade, anything in public office, Police, Judges, all reserved for Big Ian and his mates, your a Catholic and want to buy a house in Belfast it will cost you an extra 15%-20% than it it will a prodestant 4 streets away because for years Ian and his mates had the keys to any development and gave the keys to the prods

I have never known a more divisive figure growing up, he incited violence and murder, marched with UDA and then distanced himself to suit his political / super prod agenda.

And he didn't like gays. I won't shed any tears.

 

[1966efc]

No, he wasn't an open admirer of manlove.

"And there's a lot that could be said about his time as M P for North Antrim."

Blueser has managed to say most of it!

 

[Gerard_Francis]

First class religious bigot

 

[Chang Elephant]

A deluded plonker that thought too much about nationalism and religion, jut like the plonkers on the other side of that debate.

Exceptionally sad that in the 21st century humans still hold to superstitions of a biblical god. Equally as sad as their romanticised idea of nationality/bloodlines/culture and what it means to Be Irish/British (whilst being utterly screwed by elites in each country operating in a similar manner and by global capital).

 

[1966efc]

A deluded plonker that thought too much about nationalism and religion, jut like the plonkers on the other side of that debate.

Exceptionally sad that in the 21st century humans still hold to superstitions of a biblical god. Equally as sad as their romanticised idea of nationality/bloodlines/culture and what it means to Be Irish/British (whilst being utterly screwed by elites in each country operating in a similar manner and by global capital).

It's a situation full of ironies ... e.g., the fact that the two best recruiting sergeants Republicans had were the Rev. Dr. Paisley and the Army.

I think it's a situation best approached by the Irish themselves. No matter how well intentioned comment and criticism from the English is, there will always be the faint whiff of patronisation given the history.

The prize is peace and once established, a deepening of that peace. I'm not convinced as yet that that will happen. Tiocfaidh ar lar isn't an empty slogan.

 

[Chang Elephant]

I think it's a situation best approached by the Irish themselves. No matter how well intentioned comment and criticism from the English is, there will always be the faint whiff of patronisation given the history.

Not really, it will just end in the Irish working class being dominated by an Irish elite and global finance. Nationalism and religion are just trinkets to distract them from that.

 

[PhilM]

As the saying goes, "Only Nixon could go to China". Whether you like him or not, we and they needed him to get the more extreme sections of the Unionist / Loyalist communities to eventually comments accept the Stormont process.

He may have been a bigot. He may have at times fuelled the flames of the Troubles. His actions may have cost lives. However, in the end he was a pivotal component to the movement towards peace, which undoubtedly transformed NI and saved lots more lives; then, now and in the future.

I'm not saying he should be revered or was a nice man; yet his importance and overall contribution can't be ignored.

 

[Larry]

 

[peteblue]

Paisley and his opposite numbers in the IRA were the same bigots with a different face. Between them they caused the death of thousands of people, yet amazingly no harm came to them. Belatedly they seem to have found that peace was the best way forward. I would not mourn either his demise or those of the other 'leaders',.........