Thanks, that's the drift I caught as well. I grew up in Hong Kong and under the British colonial government it was natural we saw a lot about Northern Ireland. I had never been sympathetic to the IRA years before 9/11 from news coverage - in fact, I treat them in the same cloth as the PLO or ETA or Hamas.
We also have many Irish descents in New Zealand - former Prime Minister Jim Bolger was one example. And there has never been any sympathy for the IRA from these Irish descent New Zealanders. It was different for Americans with Irish ancestors or who don't but weren't well informed.
Also, it seems there is a cultural divide among the Irish in the US. I'd say the dumbest ones about the IRA are those geographically closest, if you know what I mean.
See this one.