With my deepest apologies to Linda in Good Idea thread below. I was dubious that "Randy Mandy" would actually authorize a full fortnight leave for the lads from the Maze. What gives here? Do TPTB prefer to have less nuisance factor occupation issues with the penal system in NI? Or do they prefer the combatants to "take their chances" at home with family? Today's Irish Times header implies talks on again for the Commonwealth. Thought that canard had well and truly flown HMS Cunard a long time ago. If true, this is NWO type stuff on a truly frightful scale. Brings to mind the following passage: "...And there are Seven Kings(kingdoms) Five are fallen, ONE is and ONE is not yet come, and when he FINALLY cometh, he must continue for only a short space...." Servant are you UK based? Your gut on this? The mood? Have beaucoup kinfolk both sides the Irish sea riding on your response, as I will ring them today to wish the annual "Happy Christmas". Andy what say ye? Risteard? Any other Celts/Scots lurking? Your comments? Have heard biggest Eire risk factors are 70% BGE connections with UK and of course, Eircom. Seen enough thus far and am convinced this is probable.

-- Sally Hemmings (286yrsinUSA@slavery.com), December 24, 1999

Answers

From today's Electronic Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000154642417163&rtmo=LbKL7iSd&atmo =YYYYYYbp&pg=/et/99/12/24/nmaze24.html

ISSUE 1673 Friday 24 December 1999

MORE than 120 republican and loyalist bombers, murderers and gunmen walked through the gates of the top security Maze prison yesterday as every one of its convicted terrorist inmates was paroled for a 12-day Christmas break.

Only a couple of remand prisoners remained in the jail - guarded by about 50 officers - after the concession announced by Peter Mandelson, the Northern Ireland Secretary, as a confidence-building measure to boost peace moves. During the course of the day a total of 125 inmates walked through the open gates to be met by relatives or friends with cheers and hugs. They were let out in batches to ensure there was no confrontation between the sectarian groups. Rival supporters, many with their faces disguised by scarves, glowered at each other across the prison car park but the release programme passed without incident.

One of the first convicted prisoners to be released, just after 9am, was Sean Kelly, who planted the Shankill Road fish shop bomb which killed nine people including his fellow bomber in 1993. A short while later he was followed by the leading loyalist Michael Stone, who was jailed for the gun and grenade attack in 1989 which killed three mourners at the Belfast funeral of three IRA members shot dead by the SAS in Gibraltar.

Stone was greeted by supporters chanting "Michael is our hero" before being driven away in a blue BMW. As he left he was given a clenched-fist salute by another loyalist, Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair, the Ulster Freedom Fighter who was himself released last year and was waiting for other prisoners. He is known to be a deadly rival of Stone after the pair had a well-publicised feud while both were still in the Maze.

One of the last to leave was James McArdle, the IRA man serving 25 years for the London Docklands bombing which ended the last cease-fire in 1996. He was among eight convicted prisoners who were not technically due for Christmas parole but were included on Mr Mandelson's orders.

McArdle was accompanied by three others from South Armagh who plotted and executed the sniper murder of Lance-Bombardier Stephen Restorick, the last British soldier to be murdered by the IRA months before the ceasefire was reinstated in 1997. The republican contingent also included Michael Caraher and Martin Mines, members of an IRA sniper squad that is thought to have killed 10 soldiers and policemen around the border areas of South Armagh. One of the last allowed out was Christopher "Crip" McWilliams who, along with two other INLA terrorists, murdered the loyalist leader Billy "King Rat" Wright inside the jail two Christmases ago. All those let out for the holidays are due to be released by next summer under the terms of the Good Friday agreement.

The two men left behind were both members of the Loyalist Volunteer Force, Robin "Billy" King and Archie Phillips, who are awaiting trial for the murder of an alleged informer inside the jail last year.

Mr Mandelson said he had decided to let out all convicted terrorists "in recognition of the remarkable political progress which has been made over recent weeks, and a confidence-building gesture by the British Government". Ken Maginnis, the Ulster Unionist security spokesman, said prisoner release was hard to swallow but a price worth paying for permanent peace. "While it is irksome, if at the end of the day it is the price we have to pay, this is a small element we have to live with," he said. "I'm glad I'm not walking behind coffins and long may that last. We want to ensure that is a permanent state of affairs."

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), December 24, 1999.

Smart move...letting the foxes into the chicken coop. What kind of simple minded folk worked out such a lunatic arrangemnt. "Heros and freedom fighters?" What a sick joke. The GOOD people of Northern Ireland (Catholic & Protestant alike) ought to round up these murderous scumbags and make sure it's their last Christmas...ever.

-- TM (mercier7@pdnt.com), December 24, 1999.

Hi Sally,

I really don't know what to make of this - other than high stakes concessions to "encourage" the provos to disarm - understand that there are factions in the IRA now virtuallt at war with each other on this issue...

Sorry I can't be of much help - Perhaps Doyle aor Risteard can comment. Pretty mind-boggling though...

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), December 24, 1999.

Has comrad Klinton visited this place? He has been known for doing this sort of thing.

-- Notforlong (Fsur439@aol.com), December 24, 1999.

My advice to the IRA would be to hang onto those arms at all cost. Once they turn them in England will renig on whatever promisies have been made and they'll all be cooling their heels in prison.

-- Nikoli Krushev (doomsday@y2000.com), December 24, 1999.

If you can't be lenient toward murderers and bombers, who can you show the Christmas spirit to? (Hmmmmmmmm.....)

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), December 24, 1999.

Mara,

Leniency shown toward the depraved encourages the would-be criminal.

Isn't this sweet...the criminals get to spend the Christmas holiday with family, while their victims spend another day in the grave: a prison that allows neither visitors nor holiday releases.

I hope you never become a mother who has to look upon a empty chair at the holiday table.

Merry Christmas!

Tim

-- TM (mercier7@pdnt.com), December 24, 1999.

Agreed. RTE showcased the 3697 souls who perished in this 30 yrs war this a.m. at www.rte.ie. Omagh caused one of my relatives to have a nervous breakdown and be put on sedatives, lost hope you see. Wee son having nightmares/bedwetting. Terrorism hurts everyone. Tim and Mara, check it out. Very touching :>( After much cross pond telephone discussion today, we have come to the conclusion that The Maze must be non-compliant, like the facility in Texas that had that riot after the electrical/pneumatic door failure. Perhaps they decided to let them out 6 months early. One less battle for Downing St. to fight... The Maze will be closed this time next year anyway per the GFA (Good Friday Agreement) That was George Mitchell who suggested this release compromise when he created the framework of the GFA document. Kinfolk are already frightened to death. This release does not help!!! BTW am VIOLENTLY opposed to terrorism (ditto for the rest of the clann) But Nik is right about private weapon ownership & surrender/seizure. They had to put 4 sick cattle down this past Nov. Weapon restriction affects the ability to sacrifice livestock for personal survival. A hale and hearty Nollaigh Mait Duit, (that's Noel to you in Gaelic from the cousins)God bless to all and esp. to those on this forum. Peace on earth and good will to all...JUBLIEE 2000!

-- Sally Hemmings (286yrsinUSA@slavery.com), December 25, 1999.

Sally,

Hope you are having a blessed day. Agree with Nikoli and you about the issue of firearms ownership...that is a right that should never be abridged.

Just as I suspected about the authors of this release...a well meaning yet simple-minded George Mitchell. His idea of justice never considers the plight of the current or soon-to-be victim. The Neville Chamberlains of this world never go away; they just change suits and sport the newest hairstyles.

Tim,

P.S. Sally...just out of curiosity. Is the use of Gaelic encouraged? I haven't studied much history of the Irish people, but it seems to me that the Brits outlawed it's use for some time...is that correct? Also, can you recommend a good history text of the Irish people? You'd be suprised to see how much Hollywood has shaped our (American's) understanding of Ireland...just the other day I watched Mary Poppins with the kids. In the cartoon scene of the fox hunt, the Brits are the hunters, and the fox has an Irish accent. It seems that subtle indoctrination begins at an early age.

-- TM (mercier7@pdnt.com), December 25, 1999.

I'll reply to this in the next few days. No time now,trying to enjoy the last Christmas before (insert Y2K outcome here).

Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go liir.

-- Risteard Mac Thomais (uachtaran@ireland.com), December 26, 1999.

"With my deepest apologies to Linda in Good Idea thread below."

Accepted... but not needed.

"If true, this is NWO type stuff on a truly frightful scale."

Mandelson's name DOES come up several times in this Bilderberger site.

It occured to me that prisons *attempt* to do TWO things. We mainly focus on their goal to protect society from the bad guys. But prisons also protect the bad guys from society don't they? Could it be that if you wanted to get rid of some terrorists... well... you can finish the thought.

Or maybe it IS just a good will gesture in the spirit of peace.

Time - perhaps - will tell.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), December 26, 1999.