Divis,

One reason why I don't care much for the IRA is what I perceive as a "my way or the highway" attitude. Intimidating an organization such as the Hibernians because they have chosen not to engage in violence is exactly what I would have expected from them prior to their current incarnation. Now that Sinn Fein is angling for votes, they can't afford to alienate so many groups on the Nationalist side, which certainly would include most Hibernians.

I don't hear much about the AOH out here in California, but I think they're big back east in NY and Boston (the St Pat's parades). Out here in the West we have the Knights of Columbus as the big Catholic men's service organization. I'm Protestant (a Wesleyan background), but the K of C helps out with the local handicapped population on a non-sectarian basis, and my daugher (who is handicaped) has been helped by them. She also goes to a program at a local Presbyterian church (United Presbyterian, not Free Presbyterian). In a civilized community, non-political service organizations play a big role in making life better for all.

I thought it was kind of funny, the idea of a shared Lambeg drum repainted for March 17th and July 12th. It is symbolic of the sort of cooperation between the two societies in NI that will be needed for a brighter future. It is sad also that the Lambeg drum, whose roots are    probably non-sectarian in Ireland, has been relegated to use only by the Protestant community when it once was popular in both communities.    In a way it is a bit like the instrument I play: the 5 string banjo. Originally played almost exclusively by Blacks, it now is played almost exclusively by white Country musicians. The use of the banjo in Minstrel shows that belittled Blacks made it unfashionable. It almost died out but was resurrected by Country string bands.

Maybe my dislike of Paisley is because I'm a Protestant from a different branch of the Faith. Methodists, Charismatics and related Pietists don't tend to believe in the Calvinist doctrines of the Elect and Predestination. And Paisley's wierd love of the King James Bible is way over the top. I think he likes it because most of his congregation can't understand it, so they have to take his word for what it means. As I recall, King James was a High Church Anglican who loathed Presbyterians. Many of his relatives were Catholic, too.   At Churches I have attended, a Catholic is welcome to take communion as long as they are Believers in Christ. Of course if I agreed with Catholic Doctrines that differ from Protestant ones I'd convert. I never will, of course.

Joe