Paisley faces rebellion over power-sharing deadline

[two gun sid]

From the Guardian:
A despondent British government fears Tony Blair's planned Northern Ireland legacy is slipping away amid signs that Ian Paisley is facing a party revolt over his plans to form a power sharing executive with Sinn Féin on Monday.

Mr Blair and his Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain met Mr Paisley yesterday at Downing Street to tell him the long awaited executive must be formed on Monday, the deadline set in legislation.

But Mr Paisley, after a rebellious meeting of the Democratic Unionist party executive on Thursday night, sought further concessions before deciding whether to go back his executive today to ask them to allow his name to go forward tonight to be nominated as first minister.

He asked Mr Blair to rush emergency legislation through the Commons next week ensuring the executive is temporarily suspended after it meets.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,,2041729,00.html

Bwwhahaha. Goddamn, I'm an evil bastard, but, I do love seeing Big Ian get his head handed back to him and the DUP eating its own. You reap what you sow, you stupid fucker. The sad part is that the people of the Six will be the ones who suffer for this bullshit.

[two gun sid]

1. NI deal struck in historic talks

From BBC.NI:
Devolved government is to return to Northern Ireland following an historic meeting between the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein.

Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, sitting side by side for their first news conference in Stormont, confirmed that power-sharing would begin on 8 May.

Mr Paisley said the DUP was committed to full participation in government and Mr Adams said it was a "new era".

Tony Blair said it was a very important day for the people of Northern Ireland.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6494599.stm

Unreal! I can't believe it.

[Maeve]

2. I've been sick this week, so excuse the pessimism

But I will believe it when it happens. If there should suddenly occur something...oh, a murder or bank robbery, say..around the beginning of May that is immediately laid at the feet of the remains of the IRA, proving that Paisley was right and you can't trust Sinn Fein...well....:eyes: I'd be as shocked as the Casablanca chief of police was to find gambling at Rick's.

That said, I really, REALLY hope that power-sharing takes place on May 8.

[two gun sid]

3. Maeve, I hope you feel better.

I hope power sharing finally takes place also.

[CountAllVotes]

4. we can always hope I guess

but the bottom line is the bottom line and every Irishman and Irishwoman here knows what this is huh?

[Rambis]

5. IP video

http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/videoplayer/0,,30100-1264638,00.html

[Maeve]

6. Glad to see it happen at long last!!

Altho I can't help thinking of Vogons every time I see Paisley...at least he doesn't recite poetry...
And it is just a start.

(for those who don't know, Big Ian was the model for the Vogon captain in the big-screen version of "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" in 2005)

[two gun sid]

7. My favorite picture of today...

[CBHagman]

8. But wait! There's more!

Okay, I didn't know Ian Paisley could LAUGH. But life is full of surprises.

Check out the link below:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,,2075344,00.html

I'm listening to Martin McGuinness on C-SPAN now (a rebroadcast). Paisley spoke earlier and quoted from Ecclesiastes (the passage about there being a time and a season for everything).

[two gun sid]

9. That cannot be the real Ian Paisley!...

Over the last couple of months Big Ian has shocked me with his actions and words. I've gotta give that evil bastard credit, he has done a lot of things right lately but, I think more credit should be given to PIRA. The courage of the leadership and the Volunteers over the last couple of years has made this all possible.

Congratulations to all the people of the wee Six and congratulations to the new Sinn Fein Ministers: Martin McGuinness, Catriona Ruane, Con Murphy, Michelle Gildernew.

[Rambis]

10. Maybe he was langered

No matter cheers!

[two gun sid]

11. I suppose Paisley will be doing a guest spot...

on Podge & Rodge soon. Maybe do a couple of jokes about his mickey.

[greatauntoftriplets]

12. I really felt a disconnect this morning, looking at the photos in the paper....

of Marty McGuinness yukking it up with Ian Paisley (of ALL people)!!!!

It'll take some getting used to, I guess. Still, I will never feel at all warm and fuzzy about Ian Paisley.

[two gun sid]

14. The whole thing is surreal, isn't it?....

I don't know what I thought a DUP-Sinn Fein devolved Stormont would look like. Now I now.

[Rambis]

13. LOL!

I would love to see that!
My fave PR show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCiyOUREnB0

[two gun sid]

15. Great episode...

I'd love to see Podge & Rodge ask Big Ian about a rash on his mickey!