McGrath, I think the situation with the IRA in Northern Ireland is much too recent for British and Irish citizens to examine it with any sort of objectivity, so I am not surprised at your views.

However, there are many in the international solidarity movements around the world who have supported the use of armed struggle to rid one's communities of occupying forces, who believe that if the IRA, the ANC, and the Sandinistas HADN'T used armed struggle, there would have been no substantial social and political change for the better in their countries. Considering that all three of those countries HAVE seen historic change (and note I am not suggesting that these societies have eliminated all their problems) in regards to how people are being ruled, and by whom.

Not all of us are pacifists, and IMO, too many middle class Westerners will insist that resistance movements be non-violent, while their own government's militaries are guilty of carrying out some of the most violent, worst acts of aggression against civilian populations all over the world. Now, I know many of the people who oppose armed struggle because they are pacifists are operating from principle. That I can respect. What I don't respect are the vast majority of Westerners currently condemning those resistance movements which choose armed struggle, while doing nothing to stop the violence used against the communities. That is pure hypocrisy, and I find it detestable.