I could tolerate the IRA when they were more political, as they were in the '60s and early '70s, even though they were embarrassingly Marxist. I could understand, though not approve, when they stuck to military and political targets, as well. Shocking, I know. It's easier to put up with people shooting at people who are beating up the neighbors.
It has been the choice of civilian targets that has alienated many from support or tolerance of the IRA. As Tony said, that withdrawal of political support has resulted in the "hard men" beginning to drop The Cause and becoming just another organized crime family. Such evolutions are not without precendent: the Mafia, too, was once a nationalist group advocating for Italian unity and independence through the use of violence.
That said, it makes me furious when the crimes of the IRA are condemned while the crimes of the more powerful British are glossed over, ignored or dismissed. Without those past atrocities and the continuing injustices, there would be no IRA. I understand how a Sioux must feel sitting through an old-time Western. The injuries and insults continue.
Sure, Ulster isn't the absolute hell it once was. That doesn't mean the Catholics should be happy (and maybe a tiny bit grateful to their "betters"?) to settle for purgatory.
I'm probably going to be mad about this for a while. Maybe I'll go rent "Michael Collins" this weekend...
Current Events » in reply to re: You make a good point.......
Stop the presses! We agree on something!
The whole thread (39 posts)
- Major Step Against Mick Terrorists
- A novel solution to the problem might be..........
- Yeah!! Screw self-determination!! Yeehah!! (n/t)
- Except for one minor detail, the Protestant Community in Northern Ireland. (n/t)
- The protestant minority. That Britain wants to keep in charge.
- "The protestant minority."
- Finally - an idealogical difference between us. :-)
- I don't see the disagreement (n/t)
- the disagreement
- I think it (like democracy itself) is a question of
- the disagreement
- I don't see the disagreement (n/t)
- The protestant minority. That Britain wants to keep in charge.
- re: Major Step Against Mick Terrorists
- A novel solution to the problem might be..........