Larry, you talk such awful nonense, I do wonder why I waste my time replying. However, here goes.                     

In political terms, the only "majority" that matters is the unionists of NI. After 30 odd years of conflict, it's now been agreed that the constitutuional position of NI will only be changed if the majority in NI so decide. Prior to 1969, most people in the Republic would have have argued that the decision should be made on an all-Ireland basis, which would have resulted in immediate re-unification. Now, 94.4 % in the Republic have voted for an NI -only decision. The conflict, the so-called "freedom struggle", has in fact set back the cause of Irish unity, of which I am a supporter, and strengthened the position of the union. So, the conflict, as well as being a travesty of human rights, by both sides, has been, from a republican perspective, also counterproductive.

The position of NI is now the same as that of Scotland, Wales and England: any can have independence if the majority of the people living there so decide, which seems fair enough. And very wrong, if the majority don't have the chance to express their opinion in a free vote.

How would you fancy the US joining in a political union with, say Canada or Mexico, if, say, 20% of the population took up arms and imposed their will on the majority?