Well, thank you for the compliment, Observer, but before we go any further down the road of who's views are nearer to whom's I had better make my position quite clear.

1. I am an Englishman of Polish/Russian/English/Welsh descent. Brought up Russian Orthodox and Catholic and now very critical of organised religions of all types but particularly the extemist ones. I am also quite cosmopolitan in outlook with many friends of different nationalities and religions. I spend as much time as I can travelling both inside and outside this nations boundries.

2. I do not and will never support the annexing of anyone elses lands or goods by force. Nor will I ever support any government or organisation that believes it can command anyone elses respect by force.

3. I am of the fervent belief that anyone who believes that they can run a country must be disqualified from doing so instantly on the grounds of diminished responsibilty.

4. I know with certainlty that the ordinary people of England, Ireland, the USA and all other countries of the world are the same. Non are any better or worse than the others.

5. Because of number 4 above and because the ordinary soldier on the ground is drawn from ordinary people like you or I then the soldiers from all sides are the same as well. They are neither saints nor sinners. It is their paymasters who have most to answer for.

6. I respect anyone and everyone until they do something that looses that respect. Most people on here, including Keith, Observer, Mick and a host of others have never done anything to loose that respect. A few have shown that they warrant no respect at all in their first few words.

7. One of the easiest ways to loose my respect is to make blatant racist remarks about the 'British'. Whoever they are. Or anyone else for that matter. I am always at a loss as to why the Mudcat sems to think that it is OK to use he term 'British scumbags' but will not tollerate 'thick Irish', 'tight Jews' or 'lazy Blacks'. Non of them should be allowed as far as I am concerned.

8. I agree with the pro-republican supporters here who state that something did need to be done to rid Ireland of British rule. I disagree with violent way it was achieved but accept that, at the time, people felt it was the only answer. I agree with the posters who feel that once the violence had started something had to be done to protect the integrity of law. I disagree with the violent way that was done as well but, again, at the time people felt it was the only answer.

9. I will not dismiss someone as a fool or crackpot just because they disagree with my ideas. If their arguments are put over in sensible, logical and reasonable manner, whether I agree with them or not, they will be treated with respect.

10. I keep saying, and will continue to do so, it is over now. It should be an open book for our children to learn from but why on earth the past be dragged over the coals so often and, as is the case here, so viciously?

There is far more too it than that of course. There are various shades of grey in between those black and white words but at least now everyone should know what my opinions realy are. Well, as much as I do anyway...

D.