[dodadaxia]

Where do you stand?

I'm an Ulster Unionist in terms of political affiliation, I support Rangers FC against Celtic, I enjoy Unionist music etc but that's more of a cultural connection, due to being Protestant. Naturally I'm anti-IRA, they planted bombs within a few miles of where I live but it was before my time and I recognise this is no reason to dislike the Irish people.

I think it should be decided by a referendum and either NI should become part of Eire and we should let it go or it should become a 'proper' part of the UK and we ought to put all of our might into defending it. This current limbo is not satisfying.

[Immarsecice]

I don't know anything about it but from an outsider point of view, just by looking at the map it would make sense if it belonged to Ireland.

[FetMiddle]

I don't know anything about it but from an outsider point of view, just by looking at the map it would make sense if it belonged to Ireland.

It would, but things aren't quite so simple. Alaska ought to belong to Canada if you were to decide ownership based on maps.

[TagBahthuff]

It would, but things aren't quite so simple. Alaska ought to belong to Canada if you were to decide ownership based on maps.

True, maybe some people would say Portugal should belong to Spain based on that.
How long has NI belonged to the UK?

[asharbiq]

Part of Eire.

Y Gibraltar español!

[Sydneyfonzi]

Keep the status quo - this is longest period of `peace` NI has had in a long time. To try to push NI towards reunification with the republic would be akin to kicking a hornet's nest.

A friend of mine once told me that at the height of the troubles, they decided one night to leave NI and leave everything behind and never to return.

[phpfoxmods]

True, maybe some people would say Portugal should belong to Spain based on that.
How long has NI belonged to the UK?

Well Ireland was part of the UK until 1921, so NI has only been part of Britain for 90years but for hundreds of years prior to that as part of Ireland.

I don't think there's much desire among the Portuguese to become part of Spain, whereas in NI there is a lot of support for remaining British.

[gghrdfffhfyj]

Northern Ireland's current political status is basically a colonial remnant, and ideally it should rejoin the rest of Ireland. However, that's obviously an impractical and unlikely solution given the large number of loyalists/Protestants present there. Gradual devolution and increasing independence for Northern Ireland seems to be the most realistic policy.

Very interesting issue as it is one of the few cases of violent factionalism in Western Europe.

[mGUuZRyA]

Knowing northern Irish people both for and against the UK I would say it's fair to let them decide for themselves.

[r5YOPDyk]

Y Gibraltar español!

No, Gibraltar Malti!

[brandiweb]

Ireland should be united.

[HaroTaure]

If they don't want to be part of Southern Ireland, then they can stay with the UK. It makes no real difference to me, I've always considered northern Ireland to be a different country.

[dwestemesse]

Most northern Irish people ive met are more pro British than English people !
Not to forget many thousands have fought and died and continue to for Britain.

[shenacatro]

Most northern Irish people ive met are more pro British than English people !

You mean most Ulster Scots are more pro British than English.

I'm not a fan of the IRA because of their Leftism but I must admit I admire the group somewhat for fighting against the odds and doing well. They didn't just battle the British army but also the Unionist paramilitary groups who were being supported secretly by the British intelligence an receiving their weapons through the British. The IRA also attempted to minimize civilian deaths while the UVF targted civilians.

I blame the troubles in Northern Ireland on the Unionist community for falling into line behind little Napoleons like Ian Paisley who think it's the 17th century. Before the IRA's split into a more violent faction during the riots, they wanted to bring working class Protestants and Catholcis together peacefully. That just couldn't happen when the Unionists went bat-shit crazy on Catholics who simply demanded equal rights.

Anyway, as long as the Irish Catholic communities are respected, I could care less to what happens to Northern Ireland.

[sessoorale]

"Give Ireland Back to the Irish"
-Paul McCartney

[outdog]

You mean most Ulster Scots are more pro British than English.

I'm not a fan of the IRA because of their Leftism but I must admit I admire the group somewhat for fighting against the odds and doing well. They didn't just battle the British army but also the Unionist paramilitary groups who were being supported secretly by the British intelligence an receiving their weapons through the British. The IRA also attempted to minimize civilian deaths while the UVF targted civilians.

I blame the troubles in Northern Ireland on the Unionist community for falling into line behind little Napoleons like Ian Paisley who think it's the 17th century. Before the IRA's split into a more violent faction during the riots, they wanted to bring working class Protestants and Catholcis together peacefully. That just couldn't happen when the Unionists went bat-shit crazy on Catholics who simply demanded equal rights.

Anyway, as long as the Irish Catholic communities are respected, I could care less to what happens to Northern Ireland.

which reminds me, my brother had tons and tons of badass IRA posters alongside his dorky "Italian mafia" and Scarface crap in his room. now that he's married and has his own place, he decorated the whole house with things like that. I love my brother, still so in touch with his childhood

[Overlord]

You mean most Ulster Scots are more pro British than English.

I'm not a fan of the IRA because of their Leftism but I must admit I admire the group somewhat for fighting against the odds and doing well. They didn't just battle the British army but also the Unionist paramilitary groups who were being supported secretly by the British intelligence an receiving their weapons through the British. The IRA also attempted to minimize civilian deaths while the UVF targted civilians.

I blame the troubles in Northern Ireland on the Unionist community for falling into line behind little Napoleons like Ian Paisley who think it's the 17th century. Before the IRA's split into a more violent faction during the riots, they wanted to bring working class Protestants and Catholcis together peacefully. That just couldn't happen when the Unionists went bat-shit crazy on Catholics who simply demanded equal rights.

Anyway, as long as the Irish Catholic communities are respected, I could care less to what happens to Northern Ireland.

You're talking out your arsehole, they tried to minmise civilian deaths, they purposely targetted civilians you twat... get it right Johnny.

---------- Post added 2011-02-28 at 11:04 ----------

which reminds me, my brother had tons and tons of badass IRA posters alongside his dorky "Italian mafia" and Scarface crap in his room. now that he's married and has his own place, he decorated the whole house with things like that. I love my brother, still so in touch with his childhood

Yeh, sounds like your average uneducated American, supporting a terrorist group with no knowledge about it or waht its doing to the civil society in that region. This is exactly why people hate Americans.

[Arrocousa]

Yeh, sounds like your average uneducated American, supporting a terrorist group with no knowledge about it or waht its doing to the civil society in that region. This is exactly why people hate Americans.

I know all about the Provos myself.

Abhor their socialist politics, but support their (until recently) "terrorist" fight against the British imperialists who occupy their territory.

If Brits don't want to die, they shouldn't be in Ireland. Americans in Arabia should heed the same warning.

[Saduyre9de]

You're talking out your arsehole, they tried to minmise civilian deaths, they purposely targetted civilians you twat... get it right Johnny.

---------- Post added 2011-02-28 at 11:04 ----------



Yeh, sounds like your average uneducated American, supporting a terrorist group with no knowledge about it or waht its doing to the civil society in that region. This is exactly why people hate Americans.

How about you try to 'educate' me on the matter and then I'll school you; I prefer a discussion over 'tough talk.'

[quedry36]

Yeh, sounds like your average uneducated American, supporting a terrorist group with no knowledge about it or waht its doing to the civil society in that region. This is exactly why people hate Americans.

do me a favor keep my brothers mention out of your mouth. "wanker"