Letters to the Editor
The Irish American Post is eager to hear from its readers and
welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be no longer than 150 words
and should be signed.
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to conform to space limitations. Letters can be mailed to Editor, The Irish
American Post, 301 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 or e-mailed to
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Letters do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of
The Irish American Post. |
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Dear Editor:
As an ex-pat Ulsterman (of mixed religious parentage) now living in
England, it is interesting to see how others who regard themselves as Irish
view the province. I probably am not the first to say that removing myself
from the situation where I grew up has given me a greater sense of perspective
on the problems facing my home country (not being able to see the wood
for the trees is a phrase that springs to mind!).
The first thing that strikes me about the situation in the North is
that recent events confirm what we (who grew up in the middle of the Troubles)
already knew that all the "volunteers" on both sides of the religious divide
were never primarily concerned with political concerns — these being a
convenient flag to inspire romantic notions in those not directly affected
by the situation and serving to camouflage their criminal activities involving
drugs, prostitution, extortion and so on.
These activities have escalated since the ceasefire, as have the brutal
punishments meted out to members of their own communities — whether this
be the crude crucifixion of a joyrider by loyalist paramilitaries or the
"Padre Pio" shootings by republicans.
It is with interest, therefore, that I read your recent issue online
to see what the view from the U.S. is. While the bank robbery at Christmas
dominates your pages, you appear to have ignored the brutal murder of a
Catholic man a few weeks ago by known IRA men outside a pub and the subsequent
reaction within his community. In the interests of balance, will you be
printing the reaction of Sinn Fein and their seeming reluctance to help?
It is possibly one of the most significant events in the history of
the Troubles when his entire family (who are both Nationalists and Catholics)
are prepared to show these gangsters and murderers up for what they really
are in what is considered to be one of the staunchest Republican areas
of Belfast.
You may have no choice but to report this when the dead man's sisters
(heading the campaign to bring his killers to justice) come to the U.S.
later this year. The arrogance of the killers who are known to all in the
area, live within a stone's throw of the dead man's house and think they
can rely on fear of reprisals to buy the silence of the community is disgraceful
and an insult to Robert McCartney's widow and children.
The silver lining in this cloud would be for the community to throw
off the fear of intimidation from IRA thugs, come forward and testify without
fear. This might even set an example to Loyalists in the same situation
and encourage them to do likewise.
I recommend you check out the following link for more information
and make of it what you will.
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=68735
I will continue to read your publication with interest and look forward
to your reply.
Best wishes
Karl Baxter |
