Pheonix, I am the co moderator of the forum. I am also from a family with decidely Republican views, and we have debated many times with folks in these precincts. Having said that, I must tell you that the deletion of your posts had nothing to do with your views. As long as you use a consistent identity, and don't attack anyone personally, you are free to post. You may debate someone's positions, you may attack the evidence and opinions they post, as long as you do so without making personal attacks. We ask that the debate be kept civil, even while we heatedly defend our positions.

I do not expect those who are not steeped in the traditions of our people to understand starving oneself to death. It goes to the very old traditions regarding hospitality in the home of the Irish Celt. One must never turn away someone in need of a meal or a place to lay their head. Conversely, the greatest insult one can hurl at another would be to starve themselves to death while in their hands. Kind of the Irish Celt's way of throwing a shoe at someone. It is a statement of the gravest kind.

It is altogether too easy to label men of conscience, such as McKenna, as terrorists and murderers. History is never that easy. There are those that would say Gandhi fomented terrorism even though his way was through nonviolence. The American patriots that hid behind trees and fought to liberate this land from the forces of the Crown were called cowards and murderers. The Free French commandoes were considered terrorists if you were a German soldier. The Viet Cong, fighting to rid their land of the Imperialists used tactics that caused innocents to lose their lives, yet many consider them brave fighters.

McKenna, whom I have never met, from all accounts was a gentle man who was willing to give his life in the ultimate act of nonviolent protest. You don't have to like him, but one day when the whole of Ireland is united, it will be in some measure due to him and his brave act of defiance. God be good to him.

All the best,

Mick