Unbelievable scenes....

[Bry Nylon]

Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams sitting at a table together talking about sharing power, in just a few months time.

When I was a kid growing up, and watching images of bombs in Belfast, London and even Brighton, I could never have thought I would ever see this day.

Today was the first time Paisley and Adams have EVER spoken directly to each other. Hope the decent people of Ireland finally get to live in some sort of peace. God knows they deserve it.

 

[Les Biehn]

Is Adams still using that silly Irish accent?

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Is Paisley still a nob?

 

[Woodchip]

Is Paisley still a nob?

Isn't Paisley a lion?









Oh no, that's Parsley.

 

[Bry Nylon]

Is Paisley still a nob?

I would say that today he has finally seen the bigger picture. As have Sien Fein. Most people just want to get on with their lives with their friends and families, without sectarianism.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I would say that today he has finally seen the bigger picture. As have Sien Fein. Most people just want to get on with their lives with their friends and families, without sectarianism.

The question is why has it taken so bloody long for them to realise this!? Considering he is a 'religious man' he has certainly lacked a peaceful streak. I can't stand the man and never will. He doesn't deserve any plaudits for this move. His hand has been forced, in my opinion.

 

[Juan Albion]

How Paisley has the nerve to call himself a man of the cloth I will never know. While we shouldn't judge others, we can judge their words - and his have been vicious and bigotted.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Has Paisley finally been dragged kicking and screaming into the 19th Century then?

 

[Buzzer]

How Paisley has the nerve to call himself a man of the cloth I will never know. While we shouldn't judge others, we can judge their words - and his have been vicious and bigotted.

So let's get this right. A bloke that has repeatedly condemned terrorism is deserving of being called a vicious bigot but an apologist for the IRA and (alleged) IRA commander is not? Adams words have been horrendous and murderous. Can't we judge him also?

hmmm

Don't get me wrong - Paisley is a bigot. I've seen enough evidence of that but why such a one-sided view of the situation? As far as I can see, Adams and Paisley both represent the unacceptable face of Ulster politics but if they've seen the light and it brings peace then fair play to them.

Still don't think I could be in the same room as those 2 without wanting to punch them though.

 

[Mrs Coach]

Twat both of them and let God sort it out.

 

[Virgo's Haircut]

Am I the only one to actually not really give a toss about all this?

 

[Gwylan]

So let's get this right. A bloke that has repeatedly condemned terrorism is deserving of being called a vicious bigot but an apologist for the IRA and (alleged) IRA commander is not? Adams words have been horrendous and murderous. Can't we judge him also?

The point that Juan was trying to make was that Paisley is, supposedly, a Christian and a man of peace. It was hypocrisy that was being attacked, not his sectarianism. Adams has never claimed to be a Christian minister, so escapes that charge.

 

[Buzzer]

The point that Juan was trying to make was that Paisley is, supposedly, a Christian and a man of peace. It was hypocrisy that was being attacked, not his sectarianism. Adams has never claimed to be a Christian minister, so escapes that charge.

Fair point but both sides use religion and the word peace as excuses for their evil. Don't think one should be drawn as better or worse.

 

[Buzzer]

Am I the only one to actually not really give a toss about all this?

Possibly. You should really though. If Adams and Paisley can be in the same room together then maybe, maybe other intractable enemies can be brought together and we might not have innocent people murdered in the future.

 

[Napper]

another thing Labour get no credit for but wouldnt of happened under the tories

 

[Buzzer]

another thing Labour get no credit for but wouldnt of happened under the tories

oh f*** right off.

John Major did all the ground work for this under the Tories and all the really hard work was done by the official Ulster Unionists and the SDLP.

 

[Cian]

Front of one of the papers here has a picture of Paisley with "DR YES" on the front. Surely "DR HOLD ON, WAIT A BIT" is more accurate?

 

[Brovion]

Oh you just know they're going to screw it up somewhere along the line. ...

However, maybe, just maybe the clanking noise you can hear isn't tanks but the sound of lots of pennies finally dropping. With both nations members of the Europe community (and thus both subject ultimately to the European parliament and European law) slogans such as 'Ourselves Alone' and 'Ulster is British' are actually meaningless and are now only so much empty rhetoric. Welcome to the twenty first century, gentlemen.

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

I feel a Nobel Peace Prize coming on.

Leaving aside my natural suspicion and cynicism of all politicians, fair play to both of them for actually sitting down and talking face to face.

Especially Paisley. After all he's said it takes guts to do what he's done. OK you might well criticise the man for his past (and I'd certainly go along with that) but at least he's doing the right thing now.

And Adams too, although he realised long ago that the only real way forward was political and not violence.

Whatever their reasons, whatever their motivation, whatever they or anyone else has done in the past at last it seems like the troubles are on the way to being over. And that HAS to be a good thing.

And I don't think we should forget John Major's part in all this, it was he who started the whole process. And (although it pains me to say it!) Blair has kept it going.

(sorry for bring serious!)

 

[Man of Harveys]

The Tories - to their eternal credit, much as saying that makes me hurl - were indeed "doing deals with terrorists", to use their vernacular, all the while that the lying old coffin dodger Thatcher was claiming that they weren't. And a good job too - nothing but good news out of this.

Anyone else here been to Northern Ireland? It's probably the most consistently friendly place I've ever visited, anywhere.