Moving Statues
Rejecting TUV calls for the historic buildings at the Maze to be demolished, Gerry Kelly told reporters in North Belfast this afternoon that the people calling for the bulldozers to be sent in were the kind of people "who pull down statues, who deny the history of any place". What could have put that in the Sinn Fein Junior Minister's mind? Could it have been the overnight attack on the statue of the Seventeenth Century Governor George Walker? As the news report makes clear this isn't the first assault on a statue of the Governor - the original was destroyed in an IRA bomb attack in 1973.
P.S. The Ulster Unionist Tom Elliot got a bit tongue tied on the Nolan show this morning, almost turning the new development at the Maze into a "Transflict Confirmation Centre". The tongue twister proved contagious as subsequent callers started referring to it as a "Trans- thing". Any catchier titles? And "shrine" is already subject to copyright....
P.P.S. I am away for the next fortnight, but Martina Purdy is promising to step into my shoes.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~54~RS~)
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I was surprised when I saw Jim Allister wouldn't lend his support for the IRA shrine. I thought he was a reasonable man.
Love, PieMan
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can't imagine martina in mark's shoes
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But can you imagine Mark in Martina's shoes? Phwoah!!!
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can't imagine that either.
too many pairs to choose from?
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Its not about denying history
Right so as to keep Gerry Kelly happy whats say we knock down the buildings BUT put a wee sign up saying "this is where PIRA terrorists starved themselves to death because they couldnt get out to kill more innocent people".
Doing this means we can have more room for something decent to be built but ALSO marking the history of the area
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The prison and the events within it including the Hunger Strikes were world known events. traditional_unionist agrees that we can mark it's historical significance.
The panel on the museum is made up of representatives of different players with widely different points of view. It includes prison officers as well as prisoners. If they can come to an agreement I am sure it will not be one which produces a "shrine" or something that celebrates violence.
It could be an informative museum that teaches history.
As for building something decent- the retained buildings are a minuscule part of the site. There is plenty of acreage for other development.
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Traditional Unionist,
Re:
"this is where PIRA terrorists starved themselves to death because they couldnt get out to kill more innocent people".
Are you sure that's why they starved themselves?
There's nothing more intolerable, regardless of the "side" it's on, than perpetuating misconceptions. Either you're not intelligent enough to know that actual reasons, or you purposely misrepresented the position.
Here you go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_Irish_hunger_strike
Love, PieMan
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themanicminer
Indeed I would mark it by putting a simple message up telling the truth about the filth who died there ie they were terrorists filth who brought misery to the Innocent people of this province
PieMan
I prefer to deal in the reality. ie the reality is they were terrorist filth who would terrorise yet more innocent people if they got the chance.
They lived dirty filthy lives and brought nothing but misery to the people of Northern Ireland with their actions. Very fitting they died in filth and misery.
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traditional unionist,
So why didn't you simply say that in the first place?
It's refreshing to see your mature attitude. When I see the likes of you, I feel a distinct sense of pride about sharing the same province. Keep up the fine work.
I look forward to seeing more of your contribution to these otherwise dull debates.
Love, PieMan
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8. traditional_unionist
"Indeed I would mark it by putting a simple message up telling the truth about the filth who died there ie they were terrorists filth who brought misery to the Innocent people of this province"
I recently went to Strand road PSNI station in Derry. On the wall in the reception was a memorial to filth RUC terrorists. People who brought misery to the innocent people of this Province.
They lived dirty filthy lives and brought nothing but misery to the people of N'Ireland with their terrorist actions. Very fitting they died in filth and misery.
In your noble opinion, should this shrine to filth be removed???
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The centre for conflict transformation is less than 20 acres and that also includes the aircraft hangers used in world war 2. So the actual centre would be a tiny proportion of this 360 acre site. No one would be forced to visit the centre, just like any other building you may wish to avoid. So lets get on with this, lets create the much needed jobs, housing and prosperity that is need in this society.
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Who really cares about the innocent who suffer?
Do republicans and so called loyalists get money from these transformation/community groups with which they are involved in,and positions of power?
Who led people up and down hills until they got into power?
If traditional voice unuionists got positions of power would they be any different?
Writing as an ex fp/dup
Don't be dup-ed
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Has martina stepped into mark's shoes,yet?
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