"This Is About New Beginnings..."

Ireland's historic win over Australia today at rugby is a well deserved reason for celebration. (Rugby has been one of the few things over the last fifty years in which the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic has not been a divide). However, it is in danger of eclipsing other significant events, which arguably should be celebrated too. A week after Sinn Fein/IRA made the unprecedented move of inviting a former British army chaplain (and current Presbyterian minister) to speak at their annual conference, Slicer has been struck by the latest statement from Martin McGuinness, who has been holding the post of Deputy First Minister in the Northern Ireland government - a devolved UK government. But, as Slicer mentioned in a recent post, sometimes it's hard to appreciate what something is without a comparative reference point. So, first of all, here are a couple of historical reference points.

 

 

 

And, on today's news.....

You can, and should, check out the video on the link page: McGuinness would meet the Queen

Sure, he fancies the Irish Presidency (Slicer will be amazed if he gets it), but this man has swallowed what, for him, are some pretty bitter pills.

In search of a soundtrack for such dramatic and positive change, Slicer briefly considered that old nursery rhyme song "Michael Finnegan".... it of the dodgy rhyme "beginagain." The trouble with that song is that it gets stuck in a seemingly endless cycle....

So (unsurprisingly!) he thinks that The Call covered the territory better - and encapsulated the hope that many of us have for our children, and theirs. "Here's to you my little love...." The only down side is the 80's feel, and the overzealous use of smoke machine. Nice bit of slide tho'...

 

 

All sorts of new beginnings are possible. For my Aussie friends, who will be feeling a bit low today and in need of commiseration, here's a little didge. Take it away, Tracy... 

 

"We can break the cycle - We can break the chain

We can start all over - In the new beginning..."

 

Let the day begin.

Comments

[The Slicer]

Further to the above post a few days back, today's news demonstrates that it's not just on the Republican side of the political/paramilitary fence that transformation is occurring. Some with dark pasts on the loyalist side are exercising good influence and leadership:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14999249
Bring it on - Let the day start.