Posted on 03/26/2007 6:59:22 AM PDT by presidio9
Erm, don't think so. Their perception hasn't changed, but if they renounce blowing up toddlers then that is a victory for peace and you work with them.
ping
The deal has been made with more talks to bring in a government on May 8th. Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams made a joint statment several hours ago.
Link is: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6494599.stm
There's blood on the hands of both sides. I have no problem with power-sharing as long as both sides agree. Despite being from a pro-republic background, I am a firm believer that any viloators (ie violent offenders) be punished hard, that no change in the overall status of the province occur without at least a two thirds majority and that all current prerogatives and freedoms are prolonged. The Catholic-Protestant blame game leads nowhere. If Paisley and his foes can rise above it then so can we.
If only I_T would come back from exile!
Substitute Ireland ping!
Howya, y'all!
Good post, but be careful with the ideology behind being an Irish Republican.
An Irish Republican is not the same as an American Republican.
The two may not believe in Monarchy, but the latter doesn't believe in killing innocents to get their political way or a far-left socialist government.
You are probably an Irish Nationalist like the SDLP, who have always advocated a United Ireland, but only through political means.
Oh when I was young and stupid, the fight seemed romantic enough after centuries of oppression that the end justified the means. Esprecially in the face of daily oppression by the less disciplined elemnts of the RUC and with the tradition of such as the Black and Tans to draw upon. Then I learnt more and now condemn all perpetrators of brutality, regardless of side. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who slays a child or innocent, or resorts to the bullet before the ballot is to be despised even if they share my overall beliefs other than that.
I've spent time in Northern Ireland during the troubles and the land deserves to be free. But not in a situation where either of the extreme factions win. Only where the people win - and (touch wood) - that is what we appear to be approaching today.
Lord knows this thread will bring out the SF/IRA trolls and it would be nice to I_T around to put them in their place. I have too much work to do today to bother with them.
The land is free. This is the great myth perpetuated. The people of Northern Ireland can vote for what they want, but the majority of Protestants, and a large Minority of Catholics want to stay part of the UK.
And get this, the Irish Republic does NOT want a united Ireland. They do not want an Ireland that has a massive minority of Protestants. It would change their whole society and drag Ireland down economically.
It's the thought that counts!
Thanks for the ping - no surprise that DUP and SF have agreed to put off the date to go into government together. All is sweetness and light in the statements issued by Paisley and Adams, if they can maintain this attitude devolution will no doubt be a reality in May. The main issue left hanging is the water rates, and it's a good sign that something so mundane is the focus rather than sectarian squabbling.
Just curious, how would a massive minority of protestants change their society? I was under the impression that the Republic was fast becoming a secular society.
Many more innocent civilians were killed by Loyalist Paramilitary Groups than by the IRA. Evil begets evil and Northern Ireland was an evil society created for the sole purpose of Protestant domination - not unlike the evil islamic nations that refuse to tolerate any other religion. I hate terrorism as much as the next guy but let's compete on a level playing field. To condemn the IRA for it's actions without condemning the British Security Forces, Protestant Paramilitary Groups and the RUC is mindless. Ian Paisley is contemptuous and is no different than the islamic imams spewing hate.
Put it this way, if 60 million people from another country who, at the very least, partially get their identity from NOT being American, suddenly landed in the USA tomorrow - do you think life would continue as normal?
Do you condemn the Provisional IRA too?
Also, I must admit, I did laugh slightly as your name is a mythological hero that Ulster Protestantism uses to symbolise their struggle. :)
You are right. Cuchulain is a mythological figure dating back to the pre-Christion era. He was the nephew of King Conor of Ulster and is said to have held the highest ideals of the Irish Gaels. He has always been regarded by the Irish as the "ancient defender of Ireland". Protestant revisionism has made him their "protector of the province".
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