Posted on 04/04/2006 1:08:31 PM PDT by bd476
Right on man. well said.
How do the two insurgent wars in Northern Ireland and Iraq compare?
What is the reality of the situation in the South?
Oh and whatever side of the wire we fall on, I reckon I can speak for almost one and all here when I say good on yer for doing your job. Terrible situation, one can only hope that time will improve the conditions and heal open wounds.
In terms of action and operations and blood thirstiness Iraq is a lot worse.
The tactics we are using tho are roughly the same.
Holding the line, while a political settlement is reached.
I watched a program Iraq veterans against the war.
They were talking about the tactics they had to use.
I felt sympathy for these young men. It was not the sort of war they joined up to fight and there lies the nub.
It is a very dirty war.
I was not happy or proud about rousing a family out of there beds at 2 or 3 in the morning while searching for suspects or weapons or any incriminating documents.
Dragging away men or teenage boys while mothers look on tearfully or scream at you.
Children shying away from you as the just under preteens or those just over stare at you with hatred in there eyes.
Rousing granny or granddad out of bed.
I was bought up in a Christan country to protect women and children to have respect for my elders.
That is why it is termed a dirty war as you can feel dirty after such a operation.
But is has to be carried out, you have to look for suspects search for weapons carry out periodic sweeps and use methods reminiscent of the Gestapo.
While the terrorists fight behind civilians, civilians will be in the front line.
And you were a slave holding empire up until the 1800's. What's the difference...
None we all have skeletons in our countries closets.
You see FatherofFive Tulsa Brian an American agrees with me.
About 60 years.
What is the Red Hand? The Clash use the term Red Hand in one of their songs (Radio Clash I think?), and I've always wondered what it meant.
I guess you think the Irish Republic was founded by the Black and Tans?
Thank you for offering an alternative perspeftive on this issue. Also for your service.
So a few then?
Shame. Reading some of the posts around and about this subject it seems that US civvies (Boston and NYC) were giving dollars to funds to be sent back to Ireland to waste more British squaddies.
Thats not really the action of an ally. But then to those kind of people the Brits will always be the bad guys, its bred into them.
It still gets at me though, that US guys are supporting the killing of British forces. But then, these wannabe Irishers have prob never been to the Emerald Isle anyway, and so dont have a clue what they are talking about, instead relying on second hand info and heresay.
Tony, thank you for your service and for writing about your experiences. God Bless.
I don't doubt that there are still establishments that pass the hat so to speak. And one of my biggest complaints has always been that US still allows funding of NORAID.
That said, except for very small enclaves of plastic paddies in cities like you mentioned, a lot of the dollars for "the cause" have dried up and the FBI has busted several large gun running schemes in the past couple of years. It ain't perfect, but 9/11 to open a lot of peoples' eyes.
The Potato Famine was cause by potato blight, for God's sake!!
And what the hell has the Famine got to do with modern IRA??
What has the events of 80 years ago got to do with the modern IRA????
Here is a link to the Independent newspapers website:
(you must register, but it's free)
http://www.unison.ie/
They haven't made progress - they have just shifted gears - they are trying to gain power here in the south before they try to unite the island.
Indeed. Very good steps.
I hope that the US Gov will be able to stand up and apologise for allowing its civvies to contribute to the death of British citizens.
A good start though.
Plastic Paddies. Thats a corker! Never heard that one before ;)
Great posts here tony!!
Yes, it's a good phrase!!
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