I was determined not to post back to this thread as what I see are a lot of people shouting and no-one listening.

Mick said: "For the most part, your country continues to try and cover up and justify the use of the taxpayer supported armed forces to collude with the loyalists who are intent on keeping a people separated from themselves."

This statement implies ordinary UK taxpayers are actively supporting the criminal activities of the UK Government by giving up their taxes for this very purpose. Well, that's a sweeping generalisation, and a look back at Ken Loach's comments might indicate not every 'Brit' is so blinkered and ignorant of the facts as the more stereotyped image might indicate.

The problem here is at the end of the day is the whole situation is very complex and for the peoples of Ireland and the UK the lines can be blurred and confusing, especially for those of us who have lived with the results of the conflict and suffered it's effects without knowing fully what the reasons for the war were.

I've known people involved in both sides this conflict and it soon becomes clear as you talk to them there is a fundamental difference in their understanding of what the conflict was about and why it was being fought. I've known British Army soldiers shot in a gunfight with the IRA, one man who was a member of the IRA left and joined Loyalist group and since has spent his life on the run for fear of revenge attacks but by his own admittance had seen and done some questionable things for both sides. Then of course people I've met here like Divis for whom I have a lot of respect and like Ard told their side of the story from where it was actually happening, on the ground, for real in their home.

As a 'Brit', I spent my entire youth as the subject of an intense and one-sided propaganda campaign conducted by the British Government. When it's your only source of information (no internet etc), it's difficult not to be swayed by the endless media bombardment telling you that we're right and they're wrong, and when they start pulling the bodies out of pubs a few miles up the road from your house and every one is shitting themselves about going shopping it becomes difficult to gain a perspective.

So much blood spilt, so much suffering. Look at us bickering on this thread, perpetuating the myths and prejudices that have allowed both sides to slaughter innocents and keep alive old animosities long after they should have been buried. If odious types like the Chuckle Brothers can shake hands and get down to managing the situation and start on the long and arduous road taking the violence and bitterness out of the equation, then so must we all. This film is a part of that process, and it should be celebrated for that reason.

The winners in the peace process will be the innocents of Ireland and the UK who don't get torn apart by bombs or suffer the indignities of discrimination or intimidation from either side. Time for us on these Islands to revel in our common heritage - the folly of Empire is behind us and the war is over. Let's get back to being ourselves, because we are all good people and we have always go on so well on a personal level, even in the darkest days.

Now, who's for a tune?