A word

THIS is a word to those that believe blowing a courthouse up is an act of courage. This is a word to those that believe that leaving a mortar bomb in a residential area is an act of courage. This is a word to those that believe that stripping and binding a man before shooting him in the back of the head is an act of courage.


This word is a simple word that even your twisted, distorted and diseased minds might understand.


This word is: ‘leave’.


You assert your right to fight, but don’t have the courage to fight.


You demand unity bathed in blood.


You deny the words and the votes of the vast majority on this island.


You cower in darkened corners believing your own myths.


Remember the word: ‘leave’.


Leave those of us who believe in democracy, even those that came to it belatedly.


Leave the island to those that want to build a future for our children, whether it be a united island or part of the United Kingdom.


Leave your distorted view of history.


Leave your primary school belief systems.


But most of all: just leave.


Here we do not want or need a future dripping in blood; we do not want a future that is an economic wasteland; we do not want a future where children cower.


To quote the words of Belfast punk band Stiff Little Fingers:

“How can you convince yourself that what you do is right”.

In the same song SLF said:

“Each new day a bullet. Each victim someone’s son. And ignorance kills Irishmen.”

Take your ignorance, your casual brutality and your puffed up belief in courage that really is cowardice and just leave.


When you wash off the gunshot residue, or bleach the stains of blood away; or run away from the burning building lie awake at night. Lie awake and dream of what you have taken. Lie awake at night and wonder at the pain you cause. Lie awake and see if you really believe that what you are doing will achieve anything other than misery. Lie awake and curse the darkness for it is a foe more real than the demons that crowd your daylight terrors.


You are nothing, you offer nothing and you take so much in exchange for weeping and despair.


Now, for one last time, just leave.