Comments on The Pensive Quill: Hierarchies of Victims

John, I think you give us much to think about. To ...

2009-05-12T21:28:00.000+01:00

John, I think you give us much to think about. To what extent the dark forces controlled everything will remain a contentious area. Need to get in touch with you shortly.

Séamus MacB, I don't know why you think I would reach for the hurl! My problem is not with what you say as I think what I have written on the matter is compatible with what you have said. The platforms you refer to are valuable. My objection is to the view that they would bring either truth or reconciliation. They might bring relief. Fine. A greater objection is to the official organisation of truth.

Seamus, such an opportunity exists in the form of ...

2009-05-05T22:15:00.000+01:00

Seamus, such an opportunity exists in the form of www.sharedtroubles.net Anyone and everyone is welcome regardless of background or involvement.
Tell your story and air your experiences free of any silly framing or positioning.
Check it out.

John, Your scepticism is well founded. However, a...

2009-05-04T21:31:00.000+01:00

John,

Your scepticism is well founded. However, as an artist you know that the human being needs a platform to express primal emotions. From creating a painting to creating a riot, it will surely express itself.

I believe the one positive aspect of the "South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission" was that it provided a platform/stage/environment for people to have their pain acknowledged. Albeit that very little truth or reconciliation came out of it.

I too believe that the search for truth and justice in Northern Ireland is a nonsense. It is yet another junket that the misery merchants can make a living out of.

However, I do believe that a public platform should be created for everyone and anyone to come and tell their story. There is an amazing project going on in the States at the moment called Story Corps http://www.storycorps.org/. An individual, or group, can go to a mobile recording studio and talk about their lives or a particular issue/event. An unedited oral history of America is developing and the contributors have found the experience to be a cathartic (if not healing) experience. It will also be an invaluable tool for future researchers/historians who are looking for the non-official version of the times.

I can sense Anthony reaching for the hurley stick on this one but if people cannot find a peaceful, positive way to express their rage we will go back to square one.

My mother's brother was killed by the Shankill Buthers. She didn't want money, she didn't want revenge and she didn't need anybody to tell her that they were "sorry". But she did want the opportunity to tell people what type of person her brother was and why he didn't deserve the death he got. At least, then, she would have died knowing that somebody told the truth.

Anthony, we will never hear the real truth as to ...

2009-05-04T17:02:00.000+01:00

Anthony,
we will never hear the real truth as to what happened here. We were all pawns in a dirty, murky conflict orchestrated by dark forces. It appears now that they controlled both republican and loyalist groupings and people died for nothing. If the truth ever came out it would rock the establishment to the core, this is why we'll never hear it. As for reconciliation, that is too much of a liberal thought for me. Unfortunately, there will always be sectarian hatred here, it will never change!
John Kennedy Cartoonist