"Find myself rather oddly reacting, Jim, to your apparent obsessive hatred of your own country"
No I don't Mike - I hate what the politicians, bankers and big businessmen have done to my country.
The same goes for Ireland, where I now live.
The people I have spent my life with fill me with admiration and total respect - but the politicians - of all breeds - something else.
"what on earth could they have turned their hands to? Folk Music?"
Could have joined the army - saw that on a beer-mat in the Scottish Borders once - can't get a job - join the army.
Not sure what you're saying Popeye, me old shipmate - that the Empitre wasn't predatory - that they were an ungrateful lot for wanting out and biting the hand that fed them?
Gi'e us a break!!
Jim Carroll