[Brit_Guy]

You wrote "I just wish the Brits would end their occupation of Ireland." and then gave a long cut and paste history lesson about the spud famine.

How would you feel if I said, "I just wish the US government would end its occupation of native American lands" and then gave a cut and paste of the history of the 19th Century US land grab? It wouldn't exactly rub as a reasonable argument would it!

The United Kingdom for all its ups and downs in history, and for all it moments of both glory and infamy has, on balance, been a tremendous force of good in influencing the modern world. For all this history the current United Kingdom is a well balanced mature democracy where all citizens have fair access to democratic political process to address grievances. Not everyone can be happy all the time - that is democracy! However, nobody, but nobody from the second half of the 20th century to the present way can justify the use of terrorist tactics to influence the outcome of the democratic process.

[FatherofFive]

The Brits gave India back to the Indians. They gave Australia back to the Australians. They gave Canada back to the Canadians. They gave their African colonies back to the Africans.

They should simply give Ireland back to the Irish, and Scotland back to the Scots.

Actually, they should take back the African colonies. The Africans haven't demonstrated the ability to run their continent or a country. The world is much better with Americans in charge of America instead of the Indians. Africa would be much better if it were run by the British.

There is no inherent advantage of the British running Ireland.