The Great Stormont Shut Down
A modest proposal. Next time our First and Deputy First think of visiting Washington D.C. I think we should insist on closing the US Congress building as a pre-condition.
When George Bush arrives on Monday it looks like our parliament will shut, even though he's not expected to visit the building. There will be no Assembly session and no Committee meetings. Only MLAs will be allowed to drive to the building (essential staff will be bussed in) and those brave souls who do make it in will not be allowed out for more than five hours.
Okay, it's not 42 days, but it does look like a return to the days of "selective internment" to borrow Lord Maginnis's old phrase. It's just this time we have good intelligence on 108 or so likely suspects.
Citizens may find it hard to notice any difference between a shut Stormont and an open Stormont. But what will be the reaction when they learn that the Mo Mowlam Children's Park will be closed both on Sunday and Monday? I predict furious protests by anti-Bush toddlers.
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