HOLDING A CANDLE TO THE DEVIL . . .

Today, July 12th, marks the height of the Protestant "marching season" in Ulster. The object of such marching is to lead a gaudy procession of largely men, with bully-boy intent, into Catholic neighborhoods, to rub the noses of the residents in Protestant ascendancy. In the golden days of the past, many heads would be broken, and the Protestants would have the satisfaction of seeing the fulfillment of their prophecies about the "barbaric" nature of the Papists.

Why have i placed this in International News? Well, either we will see mention of disturbances on this day in Ulster, which would historically be nothing out of the ordinary; or, as has been more the case in recent years, the RUC (or whatever they're called these days) will prevent such mayhem, and that absence of news will be newsworthy indeed.

Finally, why hold a candle to the devil? The Brits have always abetted such violence, although usually by omission, in simply doing nothing to prevent the sectarian violence. Let us hope that the day has come when that candle has been extinguished, and the peope of Ulster are saying: "Get thee behind me, Satan."