Lets keep this on track guys - it is about the hunger strikers, not the murderers. Regardless of what they had done or allegedly done it took no small ammount of courage to starve themselves to death for their beliefs. As I said earlier - it harmed no-one but themselves and the regime they were in conflict with. It was an honourable sacrifice in the midst of dis-honourable deeds.

If only all the 'warriors' had this courage we would have had no need for bombs and bullets or killings and reprisals. Remember them and what they were trying to achieve.

Remember also it was a peaceful means to gain the same ends as the bombers and snipers. Had but a major polititian or political leader had the same conviction. Remember what Ghandi achieved by the same means? We are not talking 6 counties here but a sub-continent - and without violence.

As to humour and death. I was at a Sean McCarthy memorial concert in Finuge, Listowel, a couple of years ago. An elderly chap told a joke about an IRA officer ticking off one of his snipers for shooting a Black and Tan. "What's wrong with that?" asked the soldier. "You missed the other one" replied the officer.....

Switch it round to a British soldier shooting a Provo and everyone is up in arms! Sorry but I don't understand the selective sensitivies here.

Cheers and peace to one and all

Dave the Gnome