They answered the echo of Lord Carson's call to arms they fought for the Armagh Brigade
May heaven keep the men that sleep in the Y.C.V Brigade ๐ฌ๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ง
Provincial Grand Lodge of #Armagh officers at the installation of the new Provincial Grand Master. Present was the M.W.Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of #Ireland#freemasons#masonic
David's 14 year old son witnessed his murder, then along with a young friend pursued the terrorists. That's a horrendous thing for anyone to experience, never mind a kid.
This is just one of the many acts of terrorism that Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill told us that the IRA had "no alternative" to carrying out. It's the brutal reality behind political soundbites and spin.
The "no alternative" narrative could be used to excuse anything. The Nazis could have said the same about the Holocaust, in order to rationalise mass murder. The "no alternative" narrative is merely a way for people to avoid admitting that something was morally wrong, inexcusable and that there were actual alternatives. The "no alternative" narrative is a handy way for people to deal with the discomfort of cognitive dissonance experienced from holding contradictory thoughts.
I have a simple and easy to remember position on terrorism; I'm against it all, regardless of which terrorist group was involved. I'm older than Michelle O'Neill, I lived through the Troubles and I don't need to rely on anyone else, least of all someone from Sinn Fein, to know there was always an alternative to terrorism. A non-violent alternative always existed. Terrorism was the first resort of the morally bankrupt.
Unlike Michelle O'Neill, I'm in the fortunate position of not being related to any terrorists. I find that helps whilst pondering on terrorism.
I also don't buy into the often repeated line about "one man's terrorist, is another man's freedom fighter". I have years of experience in witnessing the reality of that other man's "freedom fighter" and I know he's a terrorist, regardless of what anyone else calls him. That's not even open to debate. I also know that the 'other man' who thinks otherwise, must either be ignorant about terrorism or a supporter of a terrorist group, or maybe both.
Official Statement from GLOI
Dear Brethren
With regret, I took a decision this morning to stand down R.W.Bro. Leslie Nixon as Deputy Grand Master with immediate effect.
Richard S.G. Ensor
Grand Master
PP Philip Daley