Quote:
Originally Posted by Ulsterman
And of course you are not hard core  . At the formation of BU there was a third of places in the RUC reserved for Catholics but it was never taken up completely. Those Catholics who did join were given a hard time by their co-religionists and many left. But even in the more recent 'troubles' there were still some Catholics who were brave enough to join and they paid with their lives. Murdered by the IRA.
It was the same with the UDR when it was formed. The first two to join were a Catholic and a Protestant but that didn't last long as a young Catholic who was in the UDR was murdered in front of his wife and children and so other Catholics left after this. But again there were some who refused to be intimated and continued on in the UDR.
Yes SF are extremist. They were and are the political wing of the IRA. So I suppose in a way you are right. We have to say thank you for not killing us anymore. |
Newsflash for you. The IRA disbanded some time ago, or didn't you hear.
Of course I am not hardcore, but you are so focused on us vs. them, you cannot see the forest for the trees.
I imagine hardcore Republicans would be saying all Brits deserve to be removed from Ireland, whether it be voluntarily, or by force. They would justify shootings, bombings and the like to "end British rule and occupation of NI".
They would oppose the ballot in place of the bullet and think the GFA is a capitulation of Ireland to the British.
I imagine you could throw in a few 26+6=1 and Tiocfaidh ar la's by someone who supports the Real IRA or other splinter groups intent on keeping the terror alive and well.
So just because I lean with more sympathy toward the Irish for the centuries of mistreatment and abuse at the hands of the English/British, does not make me hardcore. If anything I am trying to learn and understand your side of the issues more. That should be self evident if not for your apparent "you are either with us, or against us mentality".
Maybe you have been conditioned to live that way, but when people try to understand/empathize with your position (even if they do not agree with you), that hardly makes them hardcore.
So for you or others to want to diminish SF's attempts at a peaceful resolution, and still call them the IRA (as if they are still around creating mayhem), it shows you are living in the past.
That is a large problem with many of the people (on both sides) in NI because they cannot let go of the past, even when obvious olive branches are being extended in either direction.
If a hardcore blowhard like Paisley can see his way past the hatred, bigotry and prejudice toward Catholics, and SF & Co, you'd think your average Brit in NI could as well.
The real question is, are you prepared to do so, or not?
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