There is a protection racket going on in Northern Ireland. Shop owners have to pay money to both the IRA and their protestant counterparts.

If this 'war' discontinues, many of these thugs will lose their income. It's in their best interests to keep the violence going and the only reason Gerry Adams had a change of heart was because he realised that public feeling was going very much against him. Few people voted for him so if he wanted to save his political career, he'd better start trying to look good.

Americans don't understand that the people of Ireland live in fear of the IRA and all the other factions of both religions. Religion has nothing to do with the problems anymore. I always thought it was ironic that those I knew in the Orange Lodge never bothered to go to church on a Sunday. Indeed, most of the them know nothing of history (its not taught in schools). All they know is that they're suppose to dislike catholics although they know not why. Most people join the Orange Lodge because they like the social life and its a good place to learn how to play the flute.

Please, the Irish kids deserve a chance at a decent life. It can't happen until the people can live without fear from the IRA, the UDA and the police. Stop pointing fingers and get rid of the thugs.