Ian Paisley has died

[Capt. Obvious]

Source: BBC

In a statement, Baroness Paisley said her "beloved husband" had "entered his eternal rest" on Friday morning.

"Although ours is the grand hope of reunion, naturally as a family we are heartbroken," she said. "We loved him and he adored us, and our earthly lives are forever changed."

Baroness Paisley said that his funeral would be private.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-29177705

[nomorenomore08]

1. While I don't feel the sheer relief (with a dash of schadenfreude) that I felt upon Thatcher's death

a deluded bigot like Paisley - with religious views straight out of the Victorian era - is not exactly a devastating loss to the world. Men like him simply don't belong in the 21st Century.

[rpannier]

2. Good riddance

Man was a bigot and an agitator
World is better off

[KatyMan]

4. hear hear

MUCH better off.

[hatrack]

3. And the world is a better place . . .

.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. An awful man for much of his life, but he improved towards the end

That he could get this from Martin McGuinness would have been unthinkable 15 years ago:

In a statement released today, Martin McGuinness said: "I learned with deep regret and sadness of the death of former First Minister the Rev. Dr. Ian Paisley.

"Over a number of decades we were political opponents and held very different views on many, many issues but the one thing we were absolutely united on was the principle that our people were better able to govern themselves than any British government.

"I want to pay tribute to and comment on the work he did in the latter days of his political life in building agreement and leading unionism into a new accommodation with republicans and nationalists.

"In the brief period that we worked together in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister I developed a close working relationship with him which developed into a friendship, which despite our many differences lasted beyond his term in office.

"I want to send my sincere sympathy to his wife, Eileen, his children and extended family."

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/martin-mcguinness-on-ian-paisley-passing-chuckle-brothers-nickname-sent-positive-image-30582321.html

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

6. $5 says a notable DUer will find a way to defend him

Just like Maggie.

[okasha]

16. See post #5.

[Cleita]

7. He has a special suite ready for him in Hell in the same circle

Dick Cheney will go to when the time comes. Caligula, Hitler and Maggie Thatcher are already there to greet him.

[Kelvin Mace]

11. Don't forget Kissinger

It makes me wish I believed in devils, gods and Hells.

[Cleita]

13. Oh, yes. How could I forget Kissinger, who is still alive but can

share the hellfire chariot Cheney is dragged down to Hell in when the time comes. Yeah, I know, it doesn't exist except in our imaginations, but it sure is fun thinking about it.

[bayareaboy]

8. Ian Paisley is dead...

GOOD!

I still like his fabric though, Very psychedelic.

[MisterP]

9. and now his beliefs need to, too

[Kelvin Mace]

10. I imagine there will be a lot of celebrating in the majority of Ireland tonight

and quite a bit in the part still unjustly held by the UK.

[Nye Bevan]

14. Most people in Northern Ireland want to remain part of the UK (nt)

[Kelvin Mace]

17. That's disputed

Kind of the problem from the very start.

[onwardsand upwards]

12. Someone who preached hatred, intolerance, and tribalism ...

... all in the name of Jesus Christ.

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

15. another terrorist dead!

good.

[AverageJoe90]

18. Not exactly somebody I'd mourn for, TBH.

Yes, it may be true that, supposedly, he made a public improvement of himself, but was it really genuine? Or just for personal gain? I suppose we'll never now know, but in any case, another controversial figure of the 20th Century passes on.