Posted on 03/26/2007 6:59:22 AM PDT by presidio9
The feeling here heading into a potentially historic week, when British unionists and Irish nationalists could agree to form a government, might be described as one of prerelief. Relief because there is a sense that things are finally going to go right this time, but only a preliminary one because, well, they've been down this road before.
Today we'll learn what it will be this time: devolution of a raft of governing powers from London to a local assembly elected March 7, or dissolution of the assembly and an undefined joint custody between Britain and the Republic of Ireland to the south. After years of waiting for the Provisional Irish Republican Army and its political wing, Sinn Féin, to lay down their arms and accept the rule of law, all now hinges on the hard-line Democratic Unionist Party's agreeing to work with the nationalists. Over the weekend DUP leader Ian Paisley, the Protestant minister dubbed "Dr. No" for his refusal even to speak with Sinn Féin, demanded a six-week extension. For all the bluster, though, there is still a decent chance that an arrangement will be made.
If anyone embodies Northern Ireland's incomplete transition to self rule, it's Gerry Adams. The Sinn Féin leader is widely accused of, and always denies, having ties to the highest levels of the IRA. Either way, and right or wrong, the fact is that he's become a legitimate actor on the political stage in the eyes of the British. That the onus is on Mr. Paisley and the DUP to go along with power-sharing, or risk absorbing the public's outrage for failing to do so, goes to show just how much the perception of Mr. Adams and Sinn Féin has changed. The IRA, remember, is blamed
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
"Which means you are as Irish as me. In other words you are not" In your opinion. I am an Irish-American in my own.
As for being Pro-English and Irish etc., I refer you to the history of Ireland, and how they treated the people of Ireland and YOU decide.
Call the IRA anything you wish, but if not for Michael Collins, DeValera, and the Irish Republican Army, there would be no Republic of Ireland.
You can call yourself what you want but you are not Irish.
Still you cannot help but defend those who killed toddlers in shopping malls. So the Orange paramilitaries are terrorist scum, right? As a decent Human Being I hate all terrorists. Can you say the same?
Do you think the IRA are terrorist scum? Yes or No?
IMO its a combination of the Celtic Tiger and the ME conflicts. The former being a reason to move to Ireland the latter a reason to leave the UK. The conflicts are not popular while the tax situation in Ireland are very attractive.
Given where the EU is headed, a logicial person would cease to think that there will be great deal of difference in a few years.
On another note, Ireland has a per capita income that is HIGHER than the UK.
Absolutely.There are many Catholics who want to remain part of the UK. That's been my experience, certainly with middle-class Catholics - just as there are Protestants who would welcome a united Ireland. I'm surprised that the number for unification isn't higher than 23%, especially with the vastly improved economy in the Republic.
The present IRA are terrorist. No question about that.
And who are you to judge who is Irish, and who is NOT?
Since my Grandfather was full blood, that makes me 1/2 at least. Even Cherokee Indians are accorded THAT respect.
I detest ANY GROUP that makes war on innocent civilians, Orange OR Green.
I just noticed your "Union Jack"....
That explains a lot.
I suspect ,based on your defense of the IRA, that some money from your pockets has found its way into their coffers. Ever contributed to Noraid?
OK Genius:
I will lay it all out for you. My Great-Grandfather & Grandmother immigrated from Ireland. They had a SON. That would be my Grandfather, and that makes him FULL BLOOD IRISH.
And get this straight: I have never given a dime to the IRA or any other terrorist group.
Now. If you continue to be nasty and act like an *SS, then I am going to let you have it. I am trying to be respectful, even though don't like your accusations.
The ball is in YOUR court.
Oh Yes, as for the IRA, I only defend the organization that existed during the struggle for independence against England. The group that exists today is not the same.
I don't defend terrorist.
As I said, you can call yourself what you want, but I know you are not Irish. I have more than one Grandparent who is Irish - and I know that I am not Irish.
Honestly, the real Irish would wet their pants laughing if you said to them you are Irish. Much like you would if a Frenchman said he was American because his Great Grandparent was born in the USA.
As for the "Union Jack" stuff. I don't know why you feel it explains a lot. It's interesting you bring up flags, since the flag you adore on your page not only is taken from a nation of Britain, but even more amazing is that it was flown by the Scots-Irish, who are the same people as the Unionists in Northern Ireland you think of as scum.
The irony eh?
Actually, I have nothing against the English, , other than the way they treated the Irish for 700 years......
As to the flag, well, that is based on the St. Andrews Cross of Scotland. If you have read my earlier posts, you would know I have Scots-Irish relatives as well.
I was making an assumption that you were either English or perhaps Pro-English. My family has never had much love lost for England. Even my Scottish family were originally Jacobites :)
Have you never heard of the Native American (Native should be a clue to my point here) and the black slave?
That is not your, or present America's, fault any more than Ireland is my, or the present UK's fault.
Let's be honest here, if the Irish people realise this, maybe the non-Irish like you and me can too.
The Irish in the Republic don't vote for Sinn Fein/IRA for a reason you know:
http://markhumphrys.com/ni.nationalists.html#tyranny
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