Back in the USA | Alex Maskey | Ceol

Back in the USAThe 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement has attracted considerable national and international interest in recent weeks. Part of this involved me travelling last week once again to the USA. It must be four years since I was last there. While a lot has changed politically in that time both here and in the U.S. some things never change – among them the multiple stamping in red capitals of SSSS (Secondary Security Screening Selection) on our boarding passes and suitcase labels. It is explained as a random process whereby travellers are selected for ‘enhanced’ searches. I have been getting the SSSS stamp on every visit to and from the USA for over 20 years. Randomly routine. Alex Maskey GFA25They say a week is a long time in politics. This month we mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and we all should reflect on why it is that the Agreement is not yet fully implemented. One thing is certain and that is that republicanism is stronger now across the island than it has been at any time in this past century, with the continuing growth of Sinn Fein and emergence of civic United Irelanders while other progressives search for a political home including within a new Ireland. I believe that the GFA itself remains a work in progress however I also believe passionately that it has successfully set the template for all of our politics since 1998.CeolI love music. All kinds of music. I listen to the radio a lot. I still have cassette tapes and vinyl from the 1970’s. I play them also. And CDs. And an iPod. I also have music on my phone.  Every so often my devices organise my music into a Favourite Mix. For those of you who share my love for music here’s a sample of what my phone has selected. It includes Bruce Springsteen and James Taylor. The Byrds. Them. Sharon Shannon. John Spillane. Christy. Lisa O Neill. The Bothy Band.Cormac Breathnach. The Animals. Mary Coughlan.  Planxty. Liam O Flynn. Frances and May Black. The Gloaming. Bob Dylan