A defining question
Lord Eames and Denis Bradley gave evidence to the Committee of the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister today, on the topic of their exploration of the past. They suggested that the committee might wish to submit in writing its own ideas about how we can come to terms with our troubled inheritance.
Afterwards the DUP's Jim Wells warned that it might be difficult for the Committee to get beyond a working definition of a "victim". He offered to pay 拢500 to charity if any member could provide one. I think the offer was restricted to fellow Committee members, but if there are any lexicological punters out there I'm sure the Committee would be glad to hear your suggested definitions.
I'm 
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Mark
VICTIMS 鈥 TAKE YOUR PLACE IN THE QUEUE
Attempting to find a consensus on the definition of a 鈥淰ictim鈥 is a nugatory exercise because the diverse views of the Parties as to what constitutes victimhood are irreconcilable. It is also introducing a negative into the current positive political progress. Following their return from the Summer Recess our MLAs are really getting stuck into the business of Government. The big issues are being addressed with a passion that is breathtaking. Despite general sniping that the Assembly debates are sterile I believe the Parties have their priorities spot-on.
It is crucial that the Assembly is not diverted by special interest groups from building on what has been achieved to date. For example, the Victims鈥 Lobby is ramping up its campaign and it is important that FM/DFM are not bounced into appointing a Victims鈥 Commissioner before they have found a suitably compliant apparatchik. With the MLAs doing so much good work it鈥檚 best that the problems of Victims, arising out of thirty-five years of murder and mayhem orchestrated by some of those now sitting in the Assembly, are put on the back burner. The current DUP/UUP electoral pact discussions, the Visitors Centre at Giant鈥檚 Causeway, the Mourne National Park issue and the new Sports Stadium are the issues that concern the public.
It may be a tad harsh but perhaps the Executive should make it clear to the Victims that their concerns have been put on hold. If they continue to create a fuss then it鈥檚 simply a matter of getting Sir Kenneth Bloomfield or Lord Eames to establish a forum of some sort or other 鈥 that鈥檚 always a good stalling tactic.
Susie
Carryduff
Can't make out if the fluent Susie is using subtle sarcasm or not regarding priorities between secular business and victims suffering.
Changed days when the FM is taking evidence from what he would have previously described as Apostate, World Council, Romeward trend, Ecumenical leaders.
Perhaps a simple and pragmatic way to find the most comprehensive definition of a "victim" would be to contact a (non-sectarian) organisation based in North Belfast called 'Survivors of Trauma'.
This organisation provides free counselling, comfort andassistance, even reflexology and Reiki massage,to ANYONE who has lived/grown up in North Belfast on the simple basis that every individual in that sector of the city is - by definition - a victim.
T'is only a phone call away