Catscradle,

Taking issue with some of your comments:

"Well, what the hell is your excuse for not being able to figure out the "deeper story" when you were at the goddam Irish Times website you pompous jack ass?

Can you read, or do you just look at the pictures?

Ever wonder why it takes the RUC in riot gear to take Catholic children to school through a Protestant neighborhood? That one too tough for you?

We aren't talking tit for tat history--this is what is happening on the ground TODAY. This is what has been happening on the ground for NEARLY A YEAR"

Probably the reason this "pompous jack ass" couldn't figure out the "deeper story" is that having served two tours in NI during the very early years, what I saw in that picture was the RUC doing their job as they have done for the past thirty years (not nearly one) protecting the lives and rights of the population of Ulster in general - nothing deeper than that. I know you are not going to like that statement, but the facts support it. In the last thirty years over three and a half thousand people have been killed in Northern Ireland, many more have been scarred and maimed, due to the activities of the various paramilitary groups (Loyalist and Republican). I can recall a number of instances where members of the security forces have given up their lives to protect and save life - I cannot think of a single instance where a member of any paramilitary organisation has done the same.

As to why it takes the RUC in riot gear to take Catholic children to school, I would have thought is blatantly obvious - It's because of a bunch of ignorant bigots - which was the point I was trying to make in the first place, had you bothered to read it.

To another of your earlier comments:

"Like I said, I've not much faith in the British government to do this right. In every other circumstance where the Brits have pulled out of the colonies, they have left a civil war behind them. It appears they are right on schedule in the north."

I'm with Grab on this one. What you state is inaccurate, otherwise please explain to me the existance of an international organisation, the second largest after the United Nations, called the Commonwealth of Nations. Made up of member nations that were formerly British possessions, the ones who, according to you, the British left in strife and ruin. The funny thing is though, at present, there is a waiting list of five counties wishing to join this organisation, who have never been British colonies, or had any historical tie with Britain.

If indeed you believe that a civil war is, "right on schedule", it will only be because of a minority of bigots and fools in Ulster who will not let people live and let live.

As to your question, "So, who the hell do you suppose the terrorists are now?" I would answer the same organisations who carry that label now - until such time as all the paramilitary groups operating have decommissioned all their weapons. In addition to the Loyalist groups, as far as I am aware the C-IRA and R-IRA are still active.

I have a hypothetical question for you. If you believe that it was the right of the PIRA to conduct their armed struggle to advance the cause of Irish Republicanism. Would you then deny that same right to others who for instance may live in Northern Ireland but who want no part of a united Ireland?

I also agree with Grab that this thread was generated from what was good news. An alternative site is currently open which is better suited to this discussion.