i don't think anyone's defending anyone Keith.   killing people is indefensible.
the point is that we can't stop what the IRA do.
But ultimately those soldiers were working for us - our tax dollar. so really its our responsibility.

the problem is....sorry! one of the problems is that there are far more than three factions. and all the factions aren't military. the various church leaders bear an enormous responsibility. as Jim has said the shades of political opinion are many and various, and they all have terrific reasons for being in different parties.