"Troubles" no more?

This is such good news, I don't know what to say. Like the reporter himself, I am almost speechless for fear that I may be speaking too soon- with my fingers crossed behind my back for good measure.

The Miracle of Belfast

Peace in Ireland. Let it last. Let it grow. Let the walls separating neighborhoods come down and let the past be simply the past. Peace between the leaders, although important, is less important than peace between the people. Real peace may be at hand, but it will not be a lasting peace if the Irish people themselves don't embrace it.

EXCERPT:
Across the barrier, Michael Connery, a Catholic student, expressed a similar concern that progress in Stormont has yet to be reflected in the reality of life among ordinary people.

He said: "Just because Sinn Fein and the DUP have agreed to a return of the Assembly doesn't mean our communities are not still divided. Segregation is a problem that has to be addressed. Until the barriers come down and people really learn to live alongside each other then I think political progress will be limited."

But while any optimism was bound to be cautious, there was a firm belief that the co-habitation of Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness made the demolition of the Peace Lines a distinct possibility as well as a long-held aspiration. Mr Williamson said: "It symbolises segregation and segregation institutionalises sectarianism.

"I remember my Dad saying to me 'good fences make good neighbours Tommy'. But he was wrong. Segregation has ruined this community."

Peace- it truly has become a terrible world to think it so outlandish. And when seeing it realized has become such an outrageous spectacle to consider.

Peace and war are both easy to embrace. It is time for us to embrace the right one.

UPDATE: Batocchio also has a post up about this at Vagabond Scholar
UPDATE II: Mick Fealty (of Slugger O'Toole fame) has this passionate commentary at the Guardian