Howard, me and most everybody else sceptical over IRA killers’ offer
The Irish Republican Army were terrorists who murdered people and there was nothing heroic about their struggle, Prime Minister John Howard said today.
The IRA yesterday announced its militants had been instructed to abandon their weapons, “end the armed campaign” and pursue their aims through the political process, from 4pm (0100 AEST on Friday).
I’ll believe them when they add….and all our weapons will be dumped centrally and destroyed publically.
Facebook
Twitter
This is all important – and I am with you – but what about the Cape? I am going up for my 2nd trip this September, up in the area of Kendall and Archer Rivers, central to west. Let’s hear about your trip!
I can only wonder if the IRA had a moment of clarity when they took a look at Islamic terrorists and thought….”what a lot of insane thugs and criminals”. And then looked in the mirror and saw the same in themselves.
I have real problems with even the title “Irish Republican Army”. The word “army” implies that those carrying out the frequent attacks against civilian targets should be considered soldiers. Soldiers defend those who cannot do so themselves and attack those who can. The shooting and bombing of non-combatants is the behaviour of terrorists pure and simple.
Kev, are you on for Friday drinks? I think Dan wants to try out the tranvestite bar in the Valley that Bikko suggested. I think Dan was talking about an early start around 3pm ish.
Matt email me and I’ll tell you all if I have trouble doing the Cape York piece in time
Sorry for being dopey, but is emailing you the same as commenting here? If not, what is your email address?
I am interested in reading about your experience of the Cape for a number of reasons. Let me try two of them.
First, I enjoy your writing and your perspective on things and just selfishly I will enjoy sharing your reflections on that wonderful place.
Second, and a little harder to explain, is the connection between what the Cape is like and what I wish the world was more like and the view of things I think we might share.
I have driven around the Cape and walked many kilometres there; urgently searching the map for drinking water, camping in bare isolation, cursing and slapping green ants, hunting along shrinking water courses, legs shredded on the grass, catching so many fish I got weary of it, feeding slabs of pork to gorging Mertens water monitors, and the stars! … you get the idea.
The sorts of experiences that are typical of the “Cape” – just simply getting around and tasting the challenges arising – are hard and simple, long, tough, ruggedly beautiful, unforgiving of fools, and wild. You need to be independent, but you’ll need good mates too. You had better ne humble and you’d better be committed. You will certainly hurt, and sometimes a lot.
But you will be required to give in order to recieve and your reward is far greater than the empty bedevilment of consumerism and Sydney billboards.
Mate – I’m sounding like a tosser – but I reckon you’ll guess that I really want to hear about your trip up there.