I’ve Been Debating About Whether Or Not To Write This

Since my American family reads my blog, but its too immediate and important to ignore.

Last Saturday night there was a dissident republican attack on a local army based.  Two soldiers were killed, two others and two civilians injured.

Last night a policeman was killed, also by dissident republicans, so far as anyone knows.

Last week, there was a bomb scare at Victoria Square, our newest City Centre shopping center, although, apparently, no bomb.

Its been 10 years. Is it starting again?

No one seems to know for sure. It is obvious they are targeting Military, not civilians.  It is obvious they are trying to piss off the ‘other side’ enough to get them to retaliate.

It is also obvious that this is a small splinter group of the IRA.  Sein Féin has condemned their actions.  Gordon Brown has condemned their actions.  Stormont (our local parliament, run by ‘both sides’) has condemned their actions.

Am I scared? Not really.  Am I sad? Oh hell yes.

I remember Simon and I have a little bit of a rejoice in the middle of the street about 3 years ago when we realized all of the closable gates around City Centre had been removed.

I remember, about a year ago, looking with pleasure at the new park in front of the County Courts building, which replaced the guard house and fence.

I remember, just last week, smiling at a store security guard who actually wished me good morning, as opposed to looking at me suspiciously.

Obviously, I was not here during the Troubles.  They officially ended about 10 years ago, I’ve been here 5.  But I’ve seen the aftermath.  The decade it has taken to get to the point where we can build new shopping centers because new businesses want to move into Belfast.

So, please, if you happen to be one of the people who are part of this splinter group, and you happen to be reading this blog.  Think about what you’re doing.  I’ll quote my husband here who said, “Whether you believe in a united Ireland or not (I don’t), what we have here is a small minority trying to deny the rest of us a chance of living our lives in peace.”