I know the history of Ireland, and I know the IRA and Sinn Fein were once the good guys under Michael Collins, and that the conflict has since lost it's religious foundation. That is a long time ago now. The only point I agree with the IRA now is the reunification of Ireland. I don't care if people in the Republic do not want it for socioeconomic reasons. Ireland should be whole.
I am glad the IRA announced it's end to armed conflict (at least in gesture). I only wish the Unionsts and other "Orange" factions would do the same. I absolutely hate Paisley and his son.
I do have a problem with what Ireland is becoming. The Republic is becoming too wealthy too fast, and the people are starting to lose their identity, and the characteristics that made the Irish people great. The people have been becoming less friendly over the years, are becoming more materialistic, more secular, and some are starting to become arrogant. The growth rate is not going to last forever, and as the wages become too high, the American (and some European) companies supporting the growth will start to outsource, and so the country is likely to go into a depression, especially with all of the EU regulations.
The Pro-IRA people on this site have every right to voice their opinions here. Just deal with it, like how we deal with all of the anti-Catholic bigots who spew their crap here. This is first and foremost, an AMERICAN conservative site, and any outsider that comes in here dictating who is and who is not a troll, is likely to be nothing more than a troll himself.
After doing a quick search under your name I find that you post almost exclusively on the IRA. Now, I subscribe to The Irish Voice, and I know that the Ulstermen are very active. Perhaps you should start posting on their doings as well, otherwise I very much question your motives. Just keep in mind, its the Irish-Americans who have been investing in Ireland and traveling there, and they can always pull out that investment and vacation elsewhere. I think it would be wise if you guys would refrain from IRA postings altogether, so that it would help keep the IRA supporters from posting.
I want you to know, I do not mean this to be personal, I am just sick of the "troll" name calling, and one-sided postings. The IRA are terrorists, period. Constantly posting articles on them is not going to win any new converts, as you are well aware, the Irish can be very stubborn people. I am trying to be objective, and to avoid future fights. I am half Irish from my fathers side, and I am very proud of my heritage, but I do take offense to the way in which you post here, thats all.
I am glad to see you are well informed on Irish matters, and a lot of what you say about this country is true.
However, and I didn't take any personal offence to what you wrote, I don't see why pro-IRA posters should be treated any differently from, we'll say, pro-AQ posters.
I don't post as often about the Loyalist terror groups as much because there is unanimous agreement about those scumbags, also the IRA are a far bigger threat to Irish democracy at this present time.
And I have every right to post threads as many IRA threads as I wish.
Again, no offence taken
I_T.
Actually, I do take offence to that!!!
People who sign up here supporting terrorism are trolls, plain and simple - pointing that self-evident fact out does not make me a troll... geeez!
The little teeny weeny amount of respect I may have had for the IRA went away when Gerry Adams went to Cuber and praised Fidel Castro.
If a majority of people in both the Republic and Northern Ireland don't want it to be, than why should it be? It may happen at some future point, but only when a majority on both sides of the border are ready accept it.
I absolutely hate Paisley and his son.
Then you must be thrilled at the prospect of Paisley becoming First Minister with Martin McGuinness as his deputy next month. I know that Paisley is a favourite bugaboo amongst Irish Americans, but he is not a terrorist and neither he nor the DUP have supported or been affiliated with any terrorist organisations - unlike McGuinness. He also happens to be very popular amongst his Catholic constituents. It's very ironic actually - all those decades of armed conflict, and what did it get SF/IRA? Big Ian as First Minister, that's what!