I' m a little curious, as an American who is standing outside much of this quarrel, what the definition of "Pro-IRA" songs is? How about "Foggy, Foggy Dew"? Or "Rising of the Moon"? They certainly commemorate battles in the Irish struggle for independence, and tragic losses for the Irish. To me they demonstrate an Irish character trait- not hate, but bravery and hope in the face of almost certain defeat. And certainly not the act of cowardly thugs. And neither do I think of men like Charles Parnell or Michael Collins as murderers. Maybe this is what got Mick stirred up. If so, I can't blame him.

But maybe I am wrong about the songs. Maybe there are songs that are more closely related to the vicious and indiscriminate acts of terror that we have seen from both sides in the Troubles. It does seem to me that nowadays there are few "heroes" pulling triggers on either side. It seems to me the heroes must be the men, whether IRA or Orangemen, who have the strength to accept and live with one another, no matter what their religion, station, or cultural heritage is. Or what songs they sing.

LEJ