Everything Ulster - Latest comments on Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

Zen [Visitor] in response to: Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

Zen [Visitor] — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:00:16 +0000

Like many UK people, I simply believed that the IRA were totally responsible for violence.

Over time I began to realise that everything exists within a framework of events imperfectly remembered over time - often centuries.

I understand that catholics were deliberately excluded in many ways by protestants in NI, and that this was a major source of resentment. The British Army was welcomed by catholics at first due to catholics being attacked by protestants.

The army and police spent many long years paying a high price in blood for what amounts to a lack of understanding of what was the cause. Chasing effects is always futile.

The tragedy is that government - instead of examining all sources and grievances to see if any were justified - automatically backed the existing power which was the source of much of the problem.

The way people thought in 1969 is so very different to today. I used to listen to the voices on TV from both sides shouting at each other like chainsaws on an overdrive of hate, and I did not find it attractive.

I am so glad that common sense has prevailed, in spite of dubious actions on all sides.

I have noticed in my life that as men become more loving and peaceful, their voices change, and become softer and gentler.

The truth is, "Only Fear Attacks!" Zen :-)

original dolls [Visitor] in response to: Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

original dolls [Visitor] — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:40:41 +0000

This is a great idea.

mark newman [Visitor] in response to: Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

mark newman [Visitor] — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:03:49 +0000

Lads, I am from america, yes. My grandfather was from schull, county cork. I went to Ireland with him several times up until his death and I still continue to visit.His mothers end of the family were from Belfast.I have come to love all of Ireland for the beautiful majestic and culturally distinct land that it is and I am so thankful to have it as a part of my heritage. I am in favor of a united Ireland, yes.I tend to support the Eire Nua form so that all sides of every community can have a voice and have their views represented. My heart is broken for tension the Brits have caused and for all sectarian tensions that have been created. But I dont feel any part of Ireland should be governed by another country. I want all protestants to know that their culture is a very important part of Irish history and culture. From the plantations, to the Orange Order, to Ulster-Scots, to being an Ulsterman, everything. For the fact that it goes back centuries, it isnt anything new, it is a big part of Ireland. It can never be denied how much British culture and legacy has had on Ireland. I dont see nothing wrong with anyone identifying with it. But also, I like to see it as a part of overall degree of irishness. But also, I do feel that as long as Britain remains in Ireland in some militaristic or governmental form, than they will always stir up tension between communities and will do little or nothing to ensure a lasting peace because people will always resist their presence as history has shown. I do hope one day, they leave Ireland forever and catholics, protestants, and non-religious people can embrace eachother is common countryman governing themselves as a single cohesive thriving nation.

Mark

Pat [Visitor] in response to: Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

Pat [Visitor] — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:02:23 +0000

I never understood how the Provos expected to achieve a united Ireland by murdering people from the majority community in N.I.,the very people that they needed to persuade the benefits of leaving the Union and joining the R.O.I.

Though to be fair there was never very much chance of that bearing in mind the unthinking hatred many Prods had/have to all things Catholic and Republican.

The only thing I can think is that the Nationalists hoped that they could ethnic cleanse N.I. of the Ulstermen if they could get the Brits to give up the ghost.

Any Brit political party who would even consider this would be swiftly be voted out of office,and we all know what lengths politicians of any country will go to to keep their cushy jobs.

Any chance of the Brits losing their nerve through soldiers being killed is demonstrably unworkable given the large numbers of dead and wounded that they have taken in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And the Brit civilian population,unlike the Americans during Vietnam,have as oft times before united in solidarity behind their forces,what ever their opinions on the justification of any war/police action/peace keeping mission that their soldiers have been committed to.

Having experienced terrorism at first hand now the Americans no longer have the rose coloured glasses that convert killing civilians of the wrong religion into exploits similar to those of the French resistance,so theres going to be no support there.

The Provos never had a chance to achieve their aims in the first place by terrorising civilians, and definitely zilcho for the forseeable future.
All they achieved was to get a good many good, honest Irish civilians killed by Protestant scum terrorists and shame the name of Irish people before the world.

Many people hope that the troubles will never,ever resume.

crossmaglen man [Visitor] in response to: Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

crossmaglen man [Visitor] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:18:20 +0000

Dear paul you obviously are woffling...if you did your homework correctly you would clearly see that the SA Brigade only ever killed 10 protestants on purpose in whtecrosswas only beacause of the loyalist death squads were killing innocent random catholics

sean [Visitor] in response to: Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

sean [Visitor] — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:36:39 +0000

its over thank god.....now all we have to wait for is a united ireland....the moves are in motion....when will unionists understand yous arent wanted in the union.....its over

cross lad [Visitor] in response to: Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

cross lad [Visitor] — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 05:30:49 +0000

big nick... sorry for your loss. I'm sure you all just wanted to do ur tour and get home. I know you no more wanted to be hear than any locals wanted army there.
hopefully is all over now.

big nick [Visitor] in response to: Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

big nick [Visitor] — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:12:13 +0000

i spent 6 months in xmg in 93/94 and left behind one of my best mates danny blinco MURDERED by the brave boys in south armagh pira,shot from over the border. both danny & i came from second generation irish catholic families in working class comunities, niether of us had any beef with the provos, just wrong place, wrong time i suppose. i still miss him & always will. funny thing is i still miss crossmaglen, despite the violence i saw i also saw beauty & met some really nice people, cromwells got a lot answer for! RIP Danny.

Seamus [Member] in response to: Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

Seamus [Member] — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:24:30 +0000

Thank You, but I'll still disagree with you on the opening paragraph, but me still disagreeing is more about political opinion than history.

beano [Member] in response to: Soldiers Leaving Crossmaglen - Holding Heads High

beano [Member] — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:08:31 +0000

My apologies, you're right, a schoolboy error (quite literally since part of our history in school was that one of the aims of bringing the army to NI was to protect Catholics from loyalist mobs). I'll amend the opening paragraph shortly.