Backwoodsman;
My argument is that the British people should have a say in their own involvement in the six counties - where is that a contradiction with anything else I've said?
Keith has said that can't happen with either Britain or the Republic because "The Republic can outvote the 6 counties on its own, and Britain could do it many times over."
So neither have a say on the question because it would not produce the resuly required - is that right?
"Seems only right and fair that that decision should rest solely with the people of the island of Ireland."
Absolutely - this is what I have been saying all along.
Keith
"By the analogy you gave, they should be physically battered into submission, like the Confederacy."
Try again - where did I say this. I gave the American Civil War as an example of a nation's reaction to the cessation by a number of States - nothing more. You appear to believe it was fascist for the Union to resist that cessation - is that right?
"Does anyone else in the whole world believe that the people of mainland Britain should be allowed to vote for the next government of NI?"
And once more - where have I suggested this? I say that if the British people are expected to police the six counties, they should have a say in THEIR OWN INVOLVEMENT - to suggest I have said otherwise is a gross distortion. Straight question - should the British people have the right to a say in whether British troops are sent to Ireland or not?
"what would YOU want done to them?"
Not my decision to make TBTG - but as I see it several things can happen.
The partitioned state could fall and become part of the Republic; not the end of the world. To prevent it from doing so artificially by force of arms would achieve nothing and lead to further periods of armed conflict.
On the other hand, the six counties could decide to go it alone, but in order to do so it would have to take the Catholic minority on as full partners, which has not happened to date.
The alternative to both of these is that the killing will continue as it has for centuries.
Jim Carroll