Wednesday, March 05, 2008
“Be careful what you wish for..”
Given the DUP’s official reaction to the “unfounded press speculation” in January, the Irish Times’ Frank Millar is more than justified [subs req] in reminding readers of his reports at the time of the internal party pressure for a resignation. And with that post-dated cheque now in the party’s pocket the speculation on Ian Paisley Snr’s successor is now in the open - although Peter Robinson points out that “I don’t think anybody is ruling themselves in or out - there is not, at this moment, a vacancy”. Frank Millar adds a note of caution to the party [subs again]
The tributes will attest that, not for the first time in recent years, “the Big Man” rose to the challenge, acquitted himself with dignity, embraced the unpalatable option and did what he had come to accept needed to be done. And the sense of relief in the DUP will be palpable, heightening renewed feelings of personal affection and gratitude - along, perhaps, with that small niggling doubt about a future without the once dominant, all-powerful figure under whom they have all prospered and so often sheltered. “Be careful what you wish for,” as the saying has it.
That protective Paisley shield will be withdrawn in May, leaving only the second leader in the DUP’s history to face formidable issues potentially complicated by the requirements of forthcoming elections for both the European and Westminster Parliaments.
Pete Baker @ 01:11 PM
Unionism’s 2 main leaders have now gone - Trimble because he shared power with SF and Paisley becuase he shared a joke with SF.
Posted by on Mar 05, 2008 @ 01:29 PMYou could imagine Paisley thinking back and asking himself what went wrong. He may chant a wee song like this to himself,
My way
And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend’s the people of Ulster I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I supported the Orange Order to march each and ev’ry Queens highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my wayRegrets, I’ve had a few, Jim Allister, my pup Ian
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption, yes I paid tax
I planned Ulster Resistance and Third Force, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my wayYes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I pulled Ulster in and sold it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my wayI’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing especially in Dromore
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
“Oh, No, No,Never,Never,Never not me, I did it my way”For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself as a leader, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of a Papist enemy of Ulster who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!Yes, it was my way
Posted by on Mar 05, 2008 @ 01:56 PMUnionism’s 2 main leaders have now gone - Trimble because he shared power with SF and Paisley because he shared a joke with SF.
Hmm there’s been more than 2 who have been ‘bundled’ from office by the TUV ‘mob’or their former ilks.
O’Neill , IIRC because he talked to Catholics .
Brian Faulkner because he believed in power sharing .Posted by on Mar 05, 2008 @ 03:20 PMGF: A certain degree of evolution is evident though in the various leaders of Unionism.
Dromore was important, not the reasons Mr. Jimodious claims, but because it was a fight between the two main unionist parties (who both believe in power sharing) and smaller rump of unionists (who don’t).
The history of unionism is that the latter always triumphed - until recent times.
Posted by on Mar 05, 2008 @ 04:03 PM‘A certain degree of evolution is evident though in the various leaders of Unionism. ‘
If you say so . Not sure Mr Darwin would entirely agree:)?
‘The history of unionism is that the latter always triumphed - until recent times.
Three steps forward two steps back is certainly an improvement on the more traditional unionist three steps backward and two forward approach .
By year’s end we should know if TUV are just a boil on the Unionist arse or another case of terminal nostalgia for a political order that can never return ?
Posted by on Mar 05, 2008 @ 06:07 PMIf anyone is interested the stormont Standards and Priveliges are holding their next meeting in public 12 03 08 stormont room 135 2pm.
Posted by on Mar 05, 2008 @ 06:16 PM
