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Originally Posted by
experiencedguy
It's not that simple either.
I don't think Martin McGuinness is a member of the IRA. I believe he was, but has moved on. I believe Sinn Féin have done some good work in Northern Ireland regarding balancing the political scales, and are getting more acceptable as time goes on.
I'm not as polarised in my opinion as some people. However, I do see the tactics they employ, and I do not agree with them.
I see people giving out about David Norris's clemency letters, Gay Mitchell's links with the Penguin, all of which are far less serious than the concerns I have over Martin McGuinness. I believe Sinn Féin will become acceptable, but only if they get rid of all of their old guard. Then I would happily vote for them.
Instead, what I see are a bunch of men in suits getting older and grasping onto as much power as they can as they sacrifice their old ideologies and appeal to old fears.
We don't need Sinn Féin in the Republic. We need people who are more proactive and realistic.
Mary Lou McDonald will be president very soon. She has no link with the war, the north or any of the baggage.
Do you not think they are aware of the stigmas & are not adressing them ? There is a succession plan & it can only happen slowly in order to keep the followers on board in the north, while trying to present a more acceptable face in the south.
"I don't want to go to heaven. None of my friends are there."
Oscar Wilde