Due to bad health, Marty is stepping down from po!itics in Norn Iron.
Although we are po!ar opposites, I wish him all the best in his battle against illness, and good luck in future life.We share a love of fitba and cricket, oddly.
He was honest about his Provo past, and as a loyalist, I respect that.I was an activist, but did not take up the gun......Martin did, and then he helped broker peace, with loyalists and others.
When he met the Queen, he did so out of respect, and to reach out to unionist and loyalist people.
One wee side story.Michael Stone wore a Celtic top in order to scout the Sinn Fein Derry office, but the day of the planned attack, Marty never turned up.Things could have been worse for us all, if Stone had shot him that day?
Good luck and God bless ye, Martin.
Awra best Marty McGuinness
posted on 19/1/17
Fair play tbbrb - know nothing of your country's politics but recognise it's likely that you might have every reason to detest the man. You'll know best if he has helped the communities evolve.
posted on 19/1/17
comment by foddy occasionally thinks of Ronny but is now pumpin Brendan (U8028)
posted 1 minute ago
Fair play tbbrb - know nothing of your country's politics but recognise it's likely that you might have every reason to detest the man. You'll know best if he has helped the communities evolve.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Exactly foddy.
I think his personality made him likeable, even though he was an aul enemy.
posted on 19/1/17
Tbab.
Just shows you what a few years of peace can do to a mindset.
Hope McGuinness fights the good fight against his illness and has a good few years of tranquillity left in him to spend with his family and friends.
From the republican side I know there would have been no peace if he and the likes of Gerry Kelly hadn't bought into it.
Best of luck Martin.
posted on 19/1/17
Hec
It was interesting to see him banter with Paisley and the Queen....Peter Robinson and Arlene wished him well also tonight.
He stood up to the dissident nutters, and as you say, without him and the hardliners from Ardoyne, south Armagh and east Tyrone, the green side of the peace process would have been weaker, or even doomed.
posted on 19/1/17
Blue
A bit like yourself, (I grew up in the 70/80's). McGuinness, Adams (& the British government) were far too entrenched, to consider future generations.
Moving forward, if it wasn't for him (and his ilk - on both sides) the Provence would be a completely different place.
When I think of politics, the fundamental principle is the future we're going to leave for our kids. Without forgetting the past.
His politics aside, I understand McGuinness was an excellent education minister and likewise DFM.
posted on 19/1/17
Was always suspicious that Adams and McGuinness were playing the role of good cop bad cop, but over time believe that he genuinely made a friendship with Paisley and stood up to dissident Republican violence.
Wish him well in recovering from his illness.
posted on 19/1/17
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 19/1/17
Tbbab
Marty the peacemaker
No disrespect intended but it says a lot for Arlene that he could make things work with Robinson and Paisley but not her. I didn't like her comments a week or so ago regarding his health either... When Robinson was ill Marty rightly spoke with dignity and class in wishing the man the very best.
Anyways let's hope the good folk of the six counties vite on merit rather than tribalism, though I fear we're still a bit away from that
posted on 19/1/17
*couldn't make things work
posted on 19/1/17
Well made a balls of that.
Ivamin, close my account.
Thank you