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Further sanctions the US government could use against Sinn Féin include denying visas to the party's leaders - some of whom plan to attend a White House reception marking St Patrick's day next month - although government officials on both sides of the Atlantic fear that over-tough action risks undermining the peace process and would end any hopes of the IRA decommissioning its weapons

Its a terrorist group!!!!

Over-tough not to invite them to the White House??? Its a terrorist group!!!

When I was young and stupid, I believed that because I was Irish, Catholic, and from New England, I was obligated to support the IRA's goals (emotionally, not materially). I truly didn't understand who or what they were. All I knew was Britan was Bad, NI was good.

I now think that a rebellion is only functional if it works within a reasonable timeframe. Pot shots against innocent people, living within an entirely different century outside the source of the problem, is a stupid form of protest. No one is stopping these people from living thier lives in a nearly autonomous manner. The IRA must go away, forever.

I have to think about it in terms of the U.S. If we were invaded and occupied, I'm sure I would fight against the occupier. But after a few hundred years of it, I think I would hope my children would find some form of coexistence tollerable. At some point, you have to face defeat and work within the system you have.

How can anyone not support an organization that looks to Cuba as a model way to run a country...

A letter of mine:

Somehow I do not believe that Michael Collins and the people who fought in the same cause wanted to replace a brutal, draconian and imposing outside government (the British) with a brutal, draconian and imposing inside government (an Irish marxist state).

I constantly read in An Phoblacht praise for the Cuban government and Gerry Adams loves the place (or to put it another way, I have NEVER read any criticism of the Cuban government despite their horrible treatment of political prisoners, the absolute iron control of the state of the speech/press and the complete lack of any kind of democratic process).

It also looks like the IRA was trying to exchange training for arms with the FARC (a narco-marxist-guerillas group). The FARC are some of the most brutal people on the planet and make their money selling drugs to American children. Are some allies really worth it?

A quick search of the interned:

From An Phoblacht (Jan 2002):

Despite all this, Cuba has the best health and education systems in all of Latin America, and among the best in the whole world, including the rich western economies. Education is free to all citizens right up to third level and primary class sizes have been reduced to 20 or less.

The health service is also free to all citizens and is of very high quality. Cuban doctors have pioneered new treatments for cancer and drug addiction and have served in many countries all over the world.

Adams defends Cuba visit Dec 16 2001 (The Birmingham Post)

(Direct quotes from Mr. Adams)

"The Cubans have reduced illiteracy almost to nil. They have arguably the best health service in the world, sending doctors and nurses around the globe - treating people from Chernobyl and other places which have fallen victim to nuclear fall out.

"The fact that people struggle despite all the difficulties, all the impoverished conditions and despite the hostility of the US Government can survive and help others, is a big lesson to everybody."

Adams's kind of country
The Daily Telegraph | December 18, 2001 | Editorial Staff

GERRY ADAMS was all smiles as he touched down in Havana yesterday. Waving two fingers at his American critics, he lavished praise on the Cuban system of government and its wonderful health service.

It was no surprise to see Mr Adams so at home in Latin America's only dictatorship. For Cuba is a fine model of how Ireland might look if, by some bizarre twist of events, Sinn Fein / IRA were ever to come to power there.

For 40 years, Fidel Castro has pursued an "ourselves alone" policy, distracting attention from the condition of his own island by attacking its larger neighbour.

Although he has the fanatical support of a minority, Mr Castro despises the democratic process and holds his legitimacy to derive, not from popular support, but from the sacrifice of a past generation of revolutionaries.