Brendy,

I would normally be in the middle of any debate on this point. But your work demands that those of us who debate this on the basis of upbringing and examination of facts from all points of view, and from a place far away, be quiet and ponder what you and those who will respond to you in a very respectful way. No place for slogans here. This is not an attempt to silence debate from those of us who have strong beliefs from afar. Rather a request that we shelve all the preconceived notions that we have and hear the voices of those who live this. Neither Conrad nor I need recite Orange Order/Republican Sinn Fein rhetoric. It might be better to just ask questions and listen to answers. Of all the threads on the troubles that I have seen to date, this one represents the best chance for true understanding. Please, my friends, let it be so. Let us use this one to find common ground. As I always say, the children of Ireland deserve this.

Big Mick