My dear Gareth:
When addressing comments to fellows here, it would be appreciated not to make fun of folk's names. Hating things British is also not the issue here. I agree with much Ard Mhacha has said, and I am in no way anti British any more than I am anti American in my opposition to the unchecked militarism of the USA. I am quick to point out, that though I am anglo Irish, when I lived in west Kerry, I was not in west Britain, as I did in a recent post, that is not anti British, just accurate. The fact is I spend quite a lot of time in Wiltshire and England Scottland Wales and Ireland share a tremendous amount in our folk traditions. The fact is, that I spent time in the Northern counties during the worst of the fighting in the seventies. Mutual respect when we speak with each other is the only way to move forward together and peace begins with respect.
If you want to show Britain at its best, I'd begin with an appology to your friend here, and then continue the disscussion on the points raised. If you want to begin a thread, are you anti British? that is up to you.
Is mise, le meas
Larry