Ian Paisley has died

ChicagoJoe · 12-09-2014 02:38PM

McGrath5 wrote: »

I fully aware of the history of this island, and I am fully aware this man has quite a colored and questionable past.

However, he did in the end help the peace process to move forward, and that is something that cannot be taken away from him.

Paisley and the DUP campaigned against the Good Friday Agreement, but it was passed anyway. He only supported it later because he had no other choice as he wanted to become First Minister.

Chance The Fapper · 12-09-2014 02:40PM

Is September 12th going to be known as good Friday from now on then?

Karl Stein · 12-09-2014 02:43PM

Deleted User wrote: »

That one scourge is dead.

He was instrumental in portraying the civil rights movement as a Nationalist conspiracy to get a United Ireland* to the sectarian droolers that listened to him.

When it comes to responsibility for creating the conditions for conflict that led to the troubles he was peerless.

*Not that there'd have been anything whatsoever wrong with Nationalists seeking a UI.

pedro1234 · 12-09-2014 02:43PM

The cessation of Ian Paisley's beating heart today has almost no significance.

As with the death of any controversial figure, the passing of this cretin has ignited debate throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom and some parts of the rest of the world. At 88 years old, Paisley's death is not surprising given that he had been sick for some time.

Deaths of this kind are oftentimes accompanied by two arcs: those who won't speak ill of the dead and those who don't hold back. The same patterns emerged after the death of Margaret Thatcher in April of last year.

Paisley was a villainous thug who preyed on the impressionable youth in Northern Ireland, and is responsible for the death of thousands of innocent people. In light of this I won't be holding back, and neither should you. The only tragedy about his death is that he did not die behind bars, where he would have been in good company.

When rallying a loyalist mob in 1969, Ian Paisley made a disgusting sectarian statement against Irish Catholics by stating “They breed like rabbits and multiply like vermin”. Make no mistake, this was a man who made it his job to create animosity between two religious groups: Protestants and Catholics; a man who profited from the hatred he created and spread for most of his life; a man who if he had the power would have ethnically cleansed the six counties of Ulster under the control of the British government.

Paisley used religion to divide communities, separating people and creating barriers between them;barriers which still exist today. He created an “Us versus Them”mentality which is still largely prevalent, and this way of thinking is the chief reason the north is so divided, even in government. His actions filled graveyards with the bodies of innocent young men and women; events he openly celebrated.

Like many fanatical evangelist preachers, Paisley was obsessed with the sex lives of others. Throughout the seventies and eighties he campaigned against homosexuality, citing the bible and asking the populace to “Save Ulster from sodomy!”. He celebrated the death of Pope John XXIII and remarked that the deceased Pope was now in hell for all eternity, so why should people be prevented from extending the same courtesy to him?

The evil he created will live long after him, and it will take Northern Ireland generations to recover from this rat bag's actions. It's a shame there is no hell for him go to.

Richard Hillman · 12-09-2014 02:44PM

Shakespeare's Sister wrote: »

Oh look, a "the other side were as bad" sophisticated comment. But this thread isn't... about the other side?
People can condemn his atrocious bigotry if they want. Beats "ah shur we'll get over it" grovelling any day. :rolleyes:
Criticism of him does not mean not wanting peace.

I'd bet the "let's move on" brigade would not say the same about a hate-filled republican, and i wouldn't expect people to either.

I have heard of many people being spoken of a collective brigade before but the "lets move on" brigade :pac:

I will happily take my place in the "lets move on" brigade. Enjoy whatever brigade you are on. The "lets pretend its the 70s" brigade"? the "lets live in the past brigade"? or the "lets not move on" brigade"?

I think the "I need a cause in my life" brigade would probably be most accurate.

gnarbarian · 12-09-2014 02:48PM

bur wrote: »

Good night, sweet Prince.

^^ lol

MadYaker · 12-09-2014 02:50PM

About the kindest way you can put it is that he has a mixed legacy, there were loyalist gunmen interviewed in prison who said they were inspired to commit murder by his more vitriolic speaches in the 60s and 70s. He spread a lot of hatred and inspired much violence. In his later years he mellowed out a bit and eventually bought into the peace process when it was clear he had no other option, you could commend him for this but the reality is the peace process wouldn't have been necessary if it wasn't for people like him.

I heard some of the statements on the radio from Gerry Adams, McGuinness and Bertie Ahern and I was surprised, some of them were borderline affectionate, calling him a dear friend etc etc. Maybe one to one he was a very decent polite man but his public persona was a lot more unpleasant. I think a lot of that came from his religious views, he had a lot in common with the crazier end of the evangelical christians in the USA in terms of his extremism. It's a bit simplistic to say he was either good or bad, it seems he was a complex individual.

Lapin · 12-09-2014 02:51PM

A Great Man in so many ways.

And occasionally flawed in others.

But his contribution to the betterment of everyone on these islands will be his outstanding and everlasting legacy.

History will judge him well.

And rightly so.

Rest in Peace.

Richard Hillman · 12-09-2014 02:51PM

pedro1234 wrote: »

.

Deaths of this kind are oftentimes accompanied by two arcs: those who won't speak ill of the dead and those who don't hold back. The same patterns emerged after the death of Margaret Thatcher in April of last year.

I think it can be put as people of the left wing persuasion celebrate deaths of people they didnt like, normal people dont, right wingers are usually too religious to celebrate (excluding the west baptist church).

I think the urge to celebrate is the fact that left wingers are angry because of their natural powerlessness. The likes of Thatcher/Paisley dominated their lives and made them feel powerless. Them being dead and the lefties being alive was the first time in their lives where they felt that they had some sort of superiority.

iDave · 12-09-2014 02:52PM

Chance The Fapper wrote: »

Is September 12th going to be known as good Friday from now on then?

9/12

porsche959 · 12-09-2014 02:53PM

From Twitter:

Simon Price ‏@simon_price01 Given the sheer number of things that Ian Paisley swore would happen over his dead body, we should prepare for a time of great change.

afro man · 12-09-2014 02:53PM

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

Just looking at the reports from around Europe, it's interesting how they see him in languages other than English.

France's Libération has him as an enlightenment figure:
Spain's El Mundo makes him sound like a Columbian drug-dealer:
And Germany's Die Welt has him as a

Excellent from the Germanys a perfect Description for him

Protestantenführer

Shakespeare's Sister · 12-09-2014 02:53PM

Richard Hillman wrote: »

I have heard of many people being spoken of a collective brigade before but the "lets move on" brigade :pac:

I will happily take my place in the "lets move on" brigade. Enjoy whatever brigade you are on. The "lets pretend its the 70s" brigade", the "lets live in the past brigade" or the "lets not move on" brigade".

I think the "I need a cause in my life" brigade would probably be most accurate.

I want peace too and recognise the need to accept difference and embrace sames, but there is certain pain that will never be healed and it's dishonest to suggest it needs to be left in the past - e.g. enniskillen, Bloody Sunday. Those are who I mean by the "let's move on" brigade. They usually tend to be referring only to atrocities by one side too, they don't *really* mean it.

Shakespeare's Sister · 12-09-2014 02:54PM

Lapin wrote: »

A Great Man in so many ways.

And occasionally flawed in others.

But his contribution to the betterment of everyone on these islands will be his outstanding and everlasting legacy.

History will judge him well.

And rightly so.

Rest in Peace.

What nauseating toadying. You don't have a clue clearly.

J Cheever Loophole · 12-09-2014 02:58PM

Lapin wrote: »

A Great Man in so many ways.

And occasionally flawed in others.

But his contribution to the betterment of everyone on these islands will be his outstanding and everlasting legacy.

History will judge him well.

And rightly so.

Rest in Peace.

Indeed - unfortunately many other people paid the ultimate price for those flaws

Specialun · 12-09-2014 03:00PM

Best news I have heard today. He may well have had a massive part in the peace process in the end byt Fook me he was an absolute khunt in his hayday and stirred the pot big time to drive a bigger wedge between all parties

dublinman1990 · 12-09-2014 03:00PM

I was stunned to read about his death today but I was always rather terrified of the man regardless of the beliefs he found through his political life in the North.

I would find very little humility from this man that went to proceed his violent charge on the innocent people in the North who basically did nothing but to flee his constant regime of hatred, bigotry and unmistakable hurt that was meant to last for many many decades.

He did to change his ways to a degree later on but my respect is still minimal for this man's darker past. Rest in Peace.

Chance The Fapper · 12-09-2014 03:05PM

Lapin wrote: »

A Great Man in so many ways.

And occasionally flawed in others.

But his contribution to the betterment of everyone on these islands will be his outstanding and everlasting legacy.

History will judge him well.

And rightly so.

Rest in Peace.

Nah he was a scumbag

MadYaker · 12-09-2014 03:08PM

No wonder we've had a warm week, the gates of hell were opening up!

Karl Stein · 12-09-2014 03:08PM

Here is in all his glory whipping people into a frenzy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMpV5jnZhq8

No doubt he'd have slithered away before any trouble kicked off.

nelly17 · 12-09-2014 03:09PM

In my mind it was his incitement to hatred that he garnered over the years that duped people into thinking he is some sort of great man as he began to soften his stance.

fedor.2. · 12-09-2014 03:09PM

It's apparent that some people here haven't a clue as to the history of the north and his part in it. Fcuk him.

Richard tea · 12-09-2014 03:11PM

lol.

eyescreamcone · 12-09-2014 03:11PM

Just when you thought he was irrelevant he goes and dies in the week before the Scottish Independence vote, thus generating more pro union propaganda.

He will be viewed differently by the different communities.
No one will disagree that he was a larger than life character though.

Buona Fortuna · 12-09-2014 03:13PM

wendell borton wrote: »

A few years ago I'd probably be celebrating but now I feel a bit sad. In fairness to the man it takes courage to go in to government with nationalists after a lifetime of bitter opposition.

Yes. Also quite nice what Martin McGuinness said.

Karl Stein · 12-09-2014 03:16PM

McGrath5 wrote: »

However, he did in the end help the peace process to move forward, and that is something that cannot be taken away from him.

'I had no choice'

Ian Paisley.

'Never, Never, Never... I had no choice' would be all the epitaph Paisley needs.

TwoShedsJackson · 12-09-2014 03:19PM

Lapin wrote: »

A Great Man in so many ways.

And occasionally flawed in others.

But his contribution to the betterment of everyone on these islands will be his outstanding and everlasting legacy.

History will judge him well.

And rightly so.

Rest in Peace.

An unpleasant, intransigent bigot who eventually realised he would have to compromise. Motivated by religious beliefs, to add insult to injury.

P_1 · 12-09-2014 03:35PM

I always judge a person by their actions and to borrow a phrase from the bible Paisley was "weighed in the balances, and art found wanting". In my eyes he was a homophobic bigot and my only regret at his passing is that he is no longer sat drooling and shítting himself.

Chrissybhoy · 12-09-2014 04:04PM

If that man wasn't apart of the north it would be a better place. Just listen to his speech in 85 full of hatred.

Long Gone · 12-09-2014 04:05PM

Paisley was outraged once when someone opened a strip joint somewhere in East Belfast. The strippers used to wear Union Jack bikinis which they (obviously) discarded as their act progresssed.

Paisley was interviewed about this club on the radio and in the course of the interview said that what was really adding insult to the immorality of it was that it was obvious that the girls involved were Fenians. "Why do you say that, Dr. Paisley ?", asked the interviewer. "Because", thundered Paisley, "No true daughter of Ulster would ever lower her colours, in the face of the enemy! "

Let that be his epitaph.

Ian Paisley has died

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