Mick,
I made the analogy earlier with California.
Would Mexican Americans there be justified in fighting a guerilla/terrorist war against USA? Their grievance is much more recent.

Den,
You should certainly apologise for keeping the whole Mudcat world waiting. Or maybe I should get out more.

No you did not call me a bigot Den. Sorry for that. I did take a lot of abuse from your side, but not from you. Again sorry.
I think that you did sort of suggest that I was coming from that general direction though.


The army arrived to protect the Nationalists.(We are never going to agree on this bit I know.) They stayed BECAUSE of the armed struggle begun by PIRA, and left when it ended.
Using soldiers to police a volatile situation always results in killing. I do believe the British army is better than others but it is still an army. And it did improve over the years.

About those numbers.
I thought we were discussing deaths directly attributable to soldiers. Are you sure you have not just moved the goal posts a bit?
I wish that we had cleared that up before I did all that counting and categorising. Just as well I don't have a life.

I am not a great supporter and defender of politicians, I think the wrong people are attracted to that trade for the wrong reasons.
I accept that the Stormont government was vindictive and repressive to the Nationalist community.
I honestly believe that the British Government meant well but did not know what to do. As I said, incompetence rather than conspiracy.
I think you are entitled to feel bitter about much of what went on.

You don't appreciate me inferring that you are acting like an adolescent. Good. That is how I feel when you tell me I have won.

Keith.