(no subject)

[essayel]

Listening to the news these days has become a real emotional workout. I suppose we're used now to there not being much good - the world's finances seem to get more screwed up by the day - but the developments in Ireland over the past week are enough to make me wail. I really hoped that my kids would never have to be searched periodically as they went out for the evening, or all have to run out of a pub because someone had left their briefcase on the floor while they went to the loo, or anxiously ring relatives to make sure they were all right if something 'spectacular' had happened. And those are tiny minor inconveniences in comparison with what so many poor souls went through, and are still going through, every single day.

Gah! so much for democracy. It's the blunt instruments with the guns who ultimately make the headlines.

Comments

[writerofictions.livejournal.com]

The worst part is that the governments 'fixing' of things just ends up costing us more. I work in a little convenience store, and cigarettes here are going to end up costing us about $50 a CARTON. When we resale, they'll be insanely high per pack. It's our biggest selling item, and if people stop buying it, we don't make money. But the government thinks taxing things like cigarettes and alcohol will bring in more money for the economy. Yet people can't spend money they don't have. It makes no sense.

[essayel.livejournal.com]

They tax us on everything here. And with gas at over six dollars a gallon all the transport costs get passed on too. But then I suppose the governments need the money so they can pass it on to the bankers. blinking well baffling isn't it.

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

But it's the talking that works. I kind of have faith that no-one is going to want things to go back to how they were during the Troubles. And if the Real IRA don't have the support of the people then they're just criminals and their impact is likely to be minimal. (I hope!)

[yakalskovich]

These splinter groups would be ridiculous, a joke, along the lines of those 'Judean People's Liberation Fronts' from Lie Of Brian, if they hadn't started killing people.

I just hope that the majority of Northern Irish Catholics sees them that way -- pathetic wankers, stuck in the past.

[essayel.livejournal.com]

Don't forget that there are 2 sides there, both with a tiny percentage of loonies with guns. It takes 2 to tango.

[yakalskovich]

Perhaps it would really take a grassroots effort from both side, telling them 'Go away, you are loonies, you don't speak for us and we think you are all mad', together, to make the loonies finally realise that they have no base and are living in the past?

[essayel.livejournal.com]

I hope you're right. I really do.

Ordinary people are an extraordinary power for good.

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

As long as the British government don't start escalating things by re-arming, toughening up procedures etc, then I don't see that there has to be a downward spiral. I just hope the whole 'getting tough on terrorists' thing hasn't gone to our heads; like that really worked the last time!

[essayel.livejournal.com]

the definition of terrorist is so elastic. I think that it would be best if Martin McGuinness and his ilk sorted it out. They have some real clout AND the connections to know with whom to have a quiet word.

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

I agree :) That's why I feel that talking is the way to go. Heh, now we've just got to hope the politicians are as sensible as us ;)

[essayel.livejournal.com]

Oh dear *puts on John Laurie voice* we're doooomed.

[erised1810.livejournal.com]

yeah. i ahd this werid gloom yfeelign for the past week. adn i thougth if the sun shines it'l lbe sometign to distract me and all ith ink now is' why the hel ldoes the sun shien on withthis kidn of stuff goign on.'

[essayel.livejournal.com]

That's part of the terrorism process. I think it's important to enjoy the sunshine. If we let them take all that away then they have won.

[cweb.livejournal.com]

It's so depressing, isn't it? Like a giant step backwards.

[essayel.livejournal.com]

Just a false step I hope. With any luck the ones who have bought into the peace process will slap them down good and hard.

[katbeseroc.livejournal.com]

Let us hope that a few people wise up and realize actively destroying things does not help anyone. Problem is, it's times like these recruitment into these types of causes is at an all time high. People hit what they think is rock bottom and realize they have little to lose. These groups give an outlet to not only point the blame at something but to burn it down so they take it with them.

A very scary prospect considering how many old grudges there are laying about that is easy to set aside when times are good.