A deadline of politics

So Mom and Anne's flight to Newark was cancelled on Wednesday due to weather, and thus they did not arrive in Belfast the next morning. They are coming in tomorrow morning, bright and early and because of the flight change will be staying for a whole week! I am very excited, although the initial disappointment of them not coming when originally planned was not fun. Apparently they have had a hard time working it all out and getting here at all, so I am very glad that it has worked out. Plus, its given me a few days to clean so that mom doesn't think I'm a complete slob.

Today was kinda a big day for Northern Ireland and the future of the government here. I will let you read an article that surprisingly I saw on yahoo as I checked my email. In my last PC(USA) newsletter, and blog titled PC(USA) newsletter, I asked when the need was great enough to warrant global attention. While the direct need of the people here is not addressed, the future of the people here is. A step, I suppose. The link to the article is http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061110/ap_on_re_eu/northern_ireland
I hope it will work for you. If not, let me know!

Now, that you have taken time to read the article, like good little blog readers that you are, here is my opinion on it. The crucial paragraph of this article reads: But Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley isn't willing to give Sinn Fein wiggle room on the issue. He insists the Democratic Unionists will not take the first, symbolically potent step to form a coalition with their enemies unless Sinn Fein pledges support for the police at the same time.

Here in lies the problem. No one is willing to make the first step. Both see the need for change, the need for compromise, and have the desire to form a government to rule themselves. But neither will yield first. I think we all have made compromises in our days, and we all know that someone must be the first to give in, to make a step towards working things out. So, how, these two parties (the DUP and Sinn Fein) think they can reach the agreement deadline of 24 November without one making the admirable first step to compromise, is beyond me. I am very hopeful that they will, in fact, reach some conclusion and make the appropriate elections by the 24th, but there is a sense of doubt lingering within me.

I know I have not been here long, and I know that I definitely still do not know enough about the politics here to really have an outspoken opinion. But, I think to have some local people, both Catholic and Protestant, in control over the government here would be a positive thing. I also think however, that much like the children in Youth Club who have learned what they can get away with without punishment, the political parties have learned that deadlines are not firm, and they continue to test these. Much like I support a new set of discipline for the kids, where they learn that they can no longer get away with things, I think the political parties need to learn that the British and Irish governments are both calling for change in the way Northern Ireland is run and they mean business. And maybe, just maybe, they will miss the deadline, and learn that compromises must be made if reconciliation is going to happen and be supported here in Northern Ireland, not just by its governing body across the Irish sea.

So, Sinn Fein, support the Police and encourage your Constituents to join the PSNI. DUP, make it clear that you really are ready to share power. And do something positive for your country.