| From Unity, 16 January 2010 |
Exposureby Lynda WalkerAs Unity went to print last week, three stories hit the news. The first was about Iris and Peter Robinson, the second was the decommissioning of the Ulster Defence Association, and third was an attack on a police officer in County Antrim.Initiated by the exposure in the BBC programme “Spotlight,” when it hit the scene a week ago, the content of the programme brought incredible information to the public eye regarding Iris Robinson’s public and private life. Peter Robinson was not left out of the equation, having knowledge of most of the facts for several months. It has resulted in Peter Robinson standing down “for six weeks” and Arlene Foster MLA taking the role of the First Minister. Reports suggest that Sinn Féin and the DUP (with Nigel Dodds playing a key role) are having talks on the policing and justice issues, and the Robinson affair has helped to focus the parties in their work. The details surrounding 59-year-old Mrs Robinson’s affair with a 19-year-old man must have shocked the “good-living” people in her constituencies. The sanctimonious attitude of both the Robinsons, and in particular Iris’s outburst regarding the gay community, re-emerged. The holier-than-thou attitude, quoting the Bible and so on, had led to a total exposure of the hypocritical morals that they live under. In addition, and more importantly, are the allegations of corruption. Investigations are taking place at several levels. It is hard to believe that those around them did not know of the discrepancies. As they say, “tell a secret to a friend at night and it is across seven fields in the morning.” Page after page of the newspapers have covered the story, and it is not finished yet. Malachi Doherty wrote in the Belfast Telegraph about those who lived by the word of God and the dangers that lie therein: “Two people listening to the same God can hear different guidance and go in different directions.” Indeed Iris Robinson has already decided that she was comforted by the fact the “He was able to forgive me.” Gerry Adams gave a quite lightweight view in a television interview when he said that, “number one,” the private life of the Robinsons is private, but “number two,” the MLAs need an explanation regarding the financial deal and Mr Robinson’s role.” It is the case that personal is political, and the Robinsons have lost much right to any privacy that they might expect. Whether or not Mrs Robinson is receiving “acute psychiatric treatment” now is no excuse for what took place. The UDA have finally decommissioned their weapons, and the Communist Party of Ireland welcomes the statements by all the political parties who recognise the need for political struggle. Frankie Gallagher (UDA), in the decommissioning statement, said: “Our commitment remains intact, and we trust the future for all the people of these islands will be one of equality, harmony and fulfilment and those future generations will achieve their dreams in an environment of peace and prosperity.” The CPI would add that the road to these dreams and prosperity will be through unity in the class struggle. Last but not least was the violent attack on 33-year-old Constable Peadar Heffron. “Óglaigh na hÉireann” planted a booby-trap bomb under his car. Mr Heffron is one of the “peace force recruits.” An Irish-speaker and GAA player, he joined the PSNI ten years ago. These attackers are doing nothing to promote the aims of a united Ireland. |
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