Really Keith, is that really what it is all about. Silencing the Republicans. If it makes you feel better. You won. Happy now? Maybe you can contact Joe Offer and collect a little Mudcat gold star. This is so pathetic. You and your pal above have succesfully hijacked another thread to further your own agenda. You're like broken records and to be honest debating with you on the subject of N. Ireland is pointless. With statements like, "those dirt poor hard working small farmers would often parade with the reserve to supplement their meagre income." You dash completely any modicom of credibility you may have on discussions concerning N. Ireland. If that statement were not so embarrasing for you it would be quite funny. I doubt that the underlying reasons for Fr. Reid's outburst will ever be debated on with any objectivity on this site.