IRA to stop all armed action

[Skeba]

"The IRA today announced its 36-year armed campaign was over, and that it would resume disarmament.

Tony Blair welcomed the historic statement, describing it as of "unparalleled magnitude", and said it could "create the circumstances" to revive the power-sharing assembly in Belfast.

...
"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,2763,1537901,00.html

[Izzy]

If true thats great - but u'd have less than half a brain to believe them

Apparently its part of their next scheme to take power in the Republic of Ireland.

It would be a truly sad day if they managed that, a terrorist group funded through drug deadling taking power in a major western nation

[2NaFish]

i'm only 20 and it seems like i've seen this many times before. I hope its true but i won't get my hopes up.

It would be a truly sad day if they managed that, a terrorist group funded through drug deadling taking power in a major western nation

Terrorists have towels on their heads. Notice how when Tony talks about terrorists he never mentions the IRA who've been bombing the shit out of british pubs for decades.

[jimmythegent]

I think its a very positive step

[Izzy]

i'm only 20 and it seems like i've seen this many times before. I hope its true but i won't get my hopes up.

Snap...as Metallica would say, its 'sad but true'

[Chris Misfit]

When have you seen the IRA give up arms? Their last ceasefire eleven years ago.

I'm glad. I'd like to see the other terrorist groups follow suit. Why do the british never mention them?

4 people in Ballymena are facing jail for being members of the Real IRA. Hundreds of UVF and UDA members stand in a belfast estate, to ensure that LVF members do not return. How many arrested? None.

Obviously when you're British, being in a terrorist group is not enough for an arrest.

It's a funny old world.

[Izzy]

I'm glad. I'd like to see the other terrorist groups follow suit. Why do the british never mention them?

Perhaps because they don't plant bombs throughout our country?

[Chris Misfit]

I didn't see many Iraq bombs in the UK  before you decided to take them out.

I don't condone killing. But when you treat people like second class persons in their own country, what ya think is gonna happen?

[Will]

That's really great news. It's also very interesting to see Chris talking about Ireland a bit.

[Izzy]

I didn't see many Iraq bombs in the UK? before you decided to take them out.

To be blunt - what has that to do with the way loyalist terrorists have been reported by the media?

I don't condone killing. But when you treat people like second class persons in their own country, what ya think is gonna happen?

No member of the public over here has anything to do with problems in Northern Ireland. And yet we pay for it.

Its not our fault our idiot former politicians split the country 80 years ago

I imagine most people share my view that Northern Ireland should be taken out into the Atlantic and sunk. Its not worth the lives of anyone - if need be they can fight it out amongst themselves, i don't see why the rets of us have to suffer and live in fear.

[jrs2001_99]

I've been a citizen of NI my whole life, born and raised here, and I find what Izzy just said above me hugely offensive. I'm 24 years old, I have never known true peace in this country. The troubles have always been there, I was just born into them, but it doesn't make me wish that Northern Ireland should be "sunk" into the Atlantic.

I'm a Catholic, but I despise everything the IRA has done up until now. I do not buy into their way of thinking. I do not want a united Ireland, through democratic or any other means, if it means that the whole place will be governed the way the Republic is.

The major onus now should not be on the IRA... they've released this statement, which is a BIG step forward. I know actions speak louder than words etc. but the IRA have never ever said anything like this. The onus now is on Paisley's DUP, and also the loyalist paramilitaries, whose existence I'm sensing some people in this thread are condoning just because they never bombed the mainland. Try taking a guided tour around east Belfast, take in the dozens of huge murals depicting hooded gangsters with machine guns in one hand and a Union Jack in the other, with a giant NO SURRENDER or some bullshit underneath it. They are not good guys, by any means, and it's an utter disgrace that they can enter a housing estate and watch people leave their homes while the police stand idly by and do nothing.

Let's see if the loyalist paramilitaries are big enough to start cleaning up all this shit - they are just as involved in crime, drugs, pirating, punishment beatings, shootings, stabbings and killing as the IRA, but somehow this is seen as okay because it doesn't affect the mainland.

The IRA have made an unprecedented move, and I dearly hope that they start to act upon their words soon. I just hope that the loyalist contingent start to move forward as well, although I would be very surprised if Paisley and co. don't throw down another few hoops for the republicans to jump through before true democratic and political actions can start.

[*Izzy*]

I do not want a united Ireland, through democratic or any other means, if it means that the whole place will be governed the way the Republic is.

Eh, why the hell not?

  Izzy?

[Walk]

Punk rock says it better than I can. Here's some Skrewdriver lyrics for you all. Smash The IRA!!!! 

On the streets of Ulster, the battle rages on
British people fighting for their land
Fought in two world wars for us, fought and died for Britain
Gotta help them, support the Red Hand
Chorus:
Smash! Smash! The IRA!
Smash! Smash! The IRA!
Smash! Smash! The IRA!
Remember the victims of their bombs
Gotta change our policies and hang the IRA
Let the Army deal with them their way
Corrupt politicians and sniveling left-wing scum
Are quite content to let them get away
Come on Ulster!
(Repeat Chorus)
solo
(Repeat Chorus)
IRA supporters are marching on our streets
Are we gonna let them spread their lies?
Are we gonna let them march or are we gonna smash them?
Laughing while the British people die
Come on Ulster!

[MCT]

Drug deadling?

[Jamie]

Finally the IRA have come to their sences, now the ball is in Ian "Ulster says no" Paisley's court. Hopefully the Unionists don't go and take advantage of the IRA's disarmament, and bomb the shit out of the innocent Catholics who have been falsely represented by the IRA for many years. On an International level, due to the British having a huge media, and a powerful government ALL the blame for the troubles has been placed on the Catholics and the Republicans, they are not only the bad guys the Paisley and co. are just as bad. Hopefully this will in the future lead to a United Ireland with no bloodshed.

[jrs2001_99]

I do not want a united Ireland, through democratic or any other means, if it means that the whole place will be governed the way the Republic is.

Eh, why the hell not?

  Izzy?

Think about the logistics of it. If it isn't done correctly it could be disastrous for our economy.

Let's forget about the romantic, misty-eyed notion of a justified united Ireland after all these years for a minute. For a start, there are an overwhelming number of people in Ulster who are employed by government branches including the civil service and the NHS. What will happen to all these jobs? They will be replaced eventually, but not overnight. However, thousands of people could potentially be made unemployed at once, should the British government decide to end it's involvement and rule in Northern Ireland.

The rate of income tax I believe is slightly higher in the republic also, and it probably would go up if they were overnight handed the burden of an extra six counties to take control of.... simple things, from road signs to car registration number plates, higher tuition fees for students, differing tax brackets in general, etc.

I don't see, logistically, how Northern Ireland can be properly integrated as part of the Republic. It probably could be done eventually, but it would take a hell of a long time.

Not to mention the number of people who DON'T want a United Ireland. Don't forget that the DUP is still the biggest political party in the north (unfortunately), and it shows that there are thousands of people who do not want to be part of a united Ireland... some for purely bigoted reasons, and some for the more practical reasons that I have mentioned. If a united Ireland was to happen, what would there be to stop loyalist paramilitaries for instance starting a bombing campaign in the republic to try and free Ulster from Irish rule? It would put the whole political process back 40 years.

Whatever happens, Northern Ireland, in my lifetime anyway, will always be seen as a separate entity from the republic. In any case, this statement from the IRA is a bold one, and can only be seen as a real attempt to move things forward.

[Chris Misfit]

I've been a NI citizen for 23 years. Since I was 10 all I've seen is the british army run us over (Search harryville chapel, not 30 secs up the road from where I spent 19 years) and have I not had enough of british rule in this country. We couldnt have more troubles if we had a bunch of monkeys in power.

August ninth there is a catholic march in Ballymena. The British have already started attacking chapels and catholic homes (the church going people hold do much threat, I guess) Watch the news, as I'm sure the british police, and supporters will not let it go ahead.

What will happen when the Irish celebrate the easter rising? Which in truth is the same as the coloureds in america celebrating their freemdom. But as us being sencond class asses that mean fuck all to anyone, we'll probably be terrorised and slaughtered for standing up and taking back our freedom.

Would the US protect us in terrorism? No. Coz it dont benefit them.

[Chris Misfit]

Punk rock says it better than I can. Here's some Skrewdriver lyrics for you all. Smash The IRA!!!!?

On the streets of Ulster, the battle rages on
British people fighting for their land
Fought in two world wars for us, fought and died for Britain
Gotta help them, support the Red Hand
Chorus:
Smash! Smash! The IRA!
Smash! Smash! The IRA!
Smash! Smash! The IRA!
Remember the victims of their bombs
Gotta change our policies and hang the IRA
Let the Army deal with them their way
Corrupt politicians and sniveling left-wing scum
Are quite content to let them get away
Come on Ulster!
(Repeat Chorus)
solo
(Repeat Chorus)
IRA supporters are marching on our streets
Are we gonna let them spread their lies?
Are we gonna let them march or are we gonna smash them?
Laughing while the British people die
Come on Ulster!

I do like a bit of Screw, but lets face it. They're not intelligent people, and their lack of understanding reagreding England/Ireland is a little off. I do believe the english slaughtered us, and in no way is it british land. Unless you're a proud bully.

[estranged.1098]

No member of the public over here has anything to do with problems in Northern Ireland. And yet we pay for it.

That's true. Just like the innocents killed by (insert your favorite country) armies have nothing to do with (insert Hussein or your favorite motive for a war/invasion here). It's a fucked up world we live in.

 Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

[Chris Misfit]

No member of the public over here has anything to do with problems in Northern Ireland. And yet we pay for it.

Aside from the odd bomb, how?

Do you suffer discrimination in your own country because of the Irish?
Do you have your picture taken when you leave an airport? (Lets point out that most british terrorist groups control all the drugs t the drugs in NI)
Have you been shot with a plastic bullet for no reason?
Have you had a milk bottle thrown at you?
Are you currently living in an area where drugs and crime are controlled by a britsih terrorist group?
Have you ever grown up as a child separted from kids your age, and not been able to go to the same school as them, because of discrimination against your people?

Where were you when the british where offering the irish to convert to protestantism, with food during the potato famine?
Where were you when we were being killed for our beliefs?

Get to fuck! Ignorant!