A separate peace?
It began as a relaxing normal day. One, in which I should have taken more advantage. However, I rested. Then there was the bathroom ordeal where the toilet connection broke causing water to flood a portion of the basement.
However, that event is not nearly as predecent or historic as the announcement that the IRA (Irish Republican Army) have official disbanded a a para-military organization. To me it is good news because I have been praying for peace in the "North of Ireland." This announcement is certainly a further step in that direction. Gerry Adams even alluded to Ecclesiastes when he stated: "There is a time to resist, to stand up and to confront the enemy by arms if necessary. In other words, unfortunately, there is a time for war... There is also a time to engage, to reach out and put war behind us. This is that time."
No doubt many are skeptical of such rhetoric. Actions do speak louder. Even after the Good Friday Accords enacted a cease fire, the IRA still opporated. Now the network is called to disband and disarm.
Yet the doubts are not unwarranted in Irish history. Secret militia societies have been a thing of Irish history since after the Great Famine during the Land Wars. It may not exist in name but definitely could slumber beneath a polarized Northern Ireland. However, I am hopeful.
Certainly the recent bombings in London have brought many memories of the IRA's tactics and perhaps tried to link today's terrorists with them. To me it is a hard sell. The only thing that links them is passion.
I hope that passion can now united a troubled land that needs the blessing of peace.
However, that event is not nearly as predecent or historic as the announcement that the IRA (Irish Republican Army) have official disbanded a a para-military organization. To me it is good news because I have been praying for peace in the "North of Ireland." This announcement is certainly a further step in that direction. Gerry Adams even alluded to Ecclesiastes when he stated: "There is a time to resist, to stand up and to confront the enemy by arms if necessary. In other words, unfortunately, there is a time for war... There is also a time to engage, to reach out and put war behind us. This is that time."
No doubt many are skeptical of such rhetoric. Actions do speak louder. Even after the Good Friday Accords enacted a cease fire, the IRA still opporated. Now the network is called to disband and disarm.
Yet the doubts are not unwarranted in Irish history. Secret militia societies have been a thing of Irish history since after the Great Famine during the Land Wars. It may not exist in name but definitely could slumber beneath a polarized Northern Ireland. However, I am hopeful.
Certainly the recent bombings in London have brought many memories of the IRA's tactics and perhaps tried to link today's terrorists with them. To me it is a hard sell. The only thing that links them is passion.
I hope that passion can now united a troubled land that needs the blessing of peace.
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