As the final pounding echoes of the Orange drums grow silent at the end of Northern Ireland’s raucous marching season, the country is elated to hear that the IRA has finally renounced violence to further its message. Adding to the good vibes is the fact that the British Army plans a pull-out of its troops from Northern Ireland. It is now up to the unionists to take a step toward compromise, as scary as that might be for some. 

But it’s necessary to accept that philosophical challenge in order to bring healing to the sectarianism that has too long plagued the landscape of Ulster. Paramilitaries of all stripes need to step back from their constant tottering on the brink of their own self-destruction. They need to turn to more plausible, legitimate ways to enter the mainstream of political discourse. Hard? Yes. Achievable? Yes. Stressful? Yes. Necessary? Still yes.

The future offers a winding path, one with many turns, but it’s a roadway that has to be taken for the betterment of the battle-weary. Everyone in Northern Ireland deserves much more than the deadend that decades of turmoil has presented. They have waited too long for this day. But now that day is here — and hopefully the IRA proclamation is more than simply blowing air — the challenge needs to be accepted.

Martin Hintz, publisher.

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