The retaining of weapons by Loyalist groups seems to be very much a sticking point in this discussion of the peace process and therefore very much on topic. It has been pointed out, quite rightly, that out of the people that have retained weapons, the Loyalist groups have not yet used them.

A number of us have written to our MPs to ask that as much effort is put into disarming them as was put into the disarming of the Republican groups. As far as I can tell this is now happening. There is a concerted effort by police forces all over the UK to take weapons away from criminals, and criminals is what these people are. Nothing more. So, right back to the opening question and spirit of the thread; how is the peace process going?

Well, the view from here seems to be that it is going well. Reports both on this thread and in mainstream media sources seem to indicate the people actualy there are happy with the peace. There are thugs with guns about but, hey, there are gangland shootings in Manchester, London and any number of cities across the globe. The difference in the north of Ireland is that a couple of shootings have been performed in the name of the Republican cause. This has stuck, quite rightly, in the craw of the decent law abiding Republicans that form the majority.

There are, however, those who want to justify it by citing the retention of arms by Loyalist para-military groups. Let me say here and now that I believe that the people who keep arms and the people who use arms to maim and kill are two entirely different cases. Yes, of course everyone should disarm. The Republicans, The Loyalists, The UK, The US, China, Russia and uncle Tom Cobley and all. We know it will never happen. So lets have the next best thing. Let those who want arms keep them, but not use them. This is happening all over the world anyway but in Ulster it seems to have formed the basis for an ongoing peace.

What of those who are trying to derail that peace? I would say they are just criminal scum. But there are those here who will endevour to tell me that because I am not from that province I do not understand. Some of those same people have actively threatened others because of holding the same views as me. That is not conducive to understanding what is happening and is, quite rightly, not tolerated.

Mick, I am not questioning your integrity as a moderator when I say this, but the bias on this post seems to be distinctly anti British at the moment and I cannot see a good reason for that. It has nothing to do with the rules of the forum or your actions it is just that there have been a spate of posts questioning the validity and integrity of posters who hold very similar views to mine. We are all for the peace process. We all want to get rid of the problem. We all abhor the actions of the disident groups. Why start dredging up old posts and old arguments if not to try and open old wounds?

Cheers

DeG