We, as society, didn't reward Sinn Féin with government positions. We, the Nationalist people, rewarded Sinn Féin with government positions when we the people voted for them.

Everything's so simple, isn't it Seamus? The only problem with that being that we, as society, voted for the agreement that included the d'Hondt scheme that allowed those votes to be translated into government positions. Since we, as society, were fully aware that Sinn Fein would almost certainly get enough votes for at least one seat we, as society, rewarded Sinn Fein with government positions. After all, in most other systems 26% of the vote wouldn't guarantee anything.

But yeah, way to pick out the big issue here.

I am an Irish Nationalist. I am from Dublin. I am too young to remebmer most of the troubles. But I'll tell you what I do remember. I remember the center of Omagh being ripped apart along with 29 people and two unborn twins. The motive for this act of total insanity, Some guys in the Real IRA didnt like the peace process. And now they want to start it all over again. I have nothing more to say about the Real IRA except to wish the PSNI good hunting.

No the major reason I made that comment is that in general I agree with the majority of your post. It was just that last paragraph that I disagreed on. I don't agree with the RIRA. The war is over. Time for the peace.

(PS, I also disagree with the whole calling it Londonderry thing but I'll let that one slide)

I couldn't agree more with you on the "time for peace" quote, Seamus.
Unfortunately in a comment on another topic on this blog you say that you support the right to overthrow an "occupying force" by whatever means possible.
Those tossers in RIRA probably agree with that sentiment of yours and are yet to see the light.
Would it not be have been more consistent to have opposed violence from any quarter and you can then speak from a morally stronger position?
That having been said - as I stated earlier - good on you for your present "time for peace" stance and let's hope that anyone, from whatever quarter, who continues on a violent path is removed from the streets post haste.

I personally am a Pacifist. I don't like war. But I see a difference between peace and a lack of violence. The situation between 1962 and 1969 was non violent but not peace. I would prefer to fight for my country and cause war than sit back and have my religion and nationality discriminated against in my own country. I think both Ireland and the world have changed since 1969, and in my opinion, for the better. We now, for the first time in the history of this island, have a real chance of peace. It is time to take it. The question of the constitutional position of the North has not been answered, but it will never be fully answered no matter what the outcome is. If the North stays in the UK it won't have been answered. If there is an independent North then it won't have been answered and if there is a United Ireland then it still won't have been answered. It is an unanswerable question, but now that there is a mechanism in place for Republicans to achieve our aims peacefully, we are obligated to attempt to achieve our aims peacefully rather than by force of arms. I am a committed Republican, I believed in the Armed Struggle but we now need peace without the fear of the war from the RIRA, however well intentioned their campaign may be. We don't need the war anymore lads so stand down and give peace a chance.

Seamus, why was the IRA started?
It was to rid Ireland of the British and bring a 32 county soverign Ireland.
What is the RIRA objective?
To rid Ireland of the British and bring a 32 country soverign Ireland.
The RIRA, as well as everyone else are aware that no only are the British still presnet here but they still have British army bases here. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. Ireland is used as a British army training base.

The RIRA are simply carrying on the objectives of the founding fathers of the Irish BrotherHood.

The Sinn Fein sold out, they are not part of the British crown that we have for so long fought against and that's where they will remain as long as they sit in Stormount.

On the point of them bringing the army back out to the streets;
The occupying army are hiding in their bases, away from sight, they are still very much here, they are still very much active but they are hiding in their heavily fortified bases, draw them back to the streets and rid Ireland of the British crown once and for all.

Joe Cahill R.I.P. once stated that if the the Republican movement can achieve a United Ireland peacefully, then we are obligated to do so. The IRA would not have been able to free Ireland by force of arms, what hope to the Real IRA. The Good Friday Agreement, while distasteful in parts, puts in place a mechanism to secure the peaceful reunification of this country and for the sake of all the people of this island we have to take that course of action.

Yes, but as you see, those sitting in Stormount, those that claim to be Irish are bowing down to British wishes, there is not going to be a united Ireland through political means. Just look at the situation now, we are closer to a seperated country that a united Ireland.
British army bases are still in Ireland, British army troops are still in Ireland and are still deployed in Ireland for training.
To fight an army you need an army, not a few men sitting talking and moving no-where.
People want and need peace but they also want freedom and a united Ireland.
Fighting brought about the border which, was said to be temporary which would eventually lead to a united Ireland, back in '16. Without it all of Ireland would be under British rule.
Think about it, where are we moving politically at the minute?

The mechanism in place means that when the North declare that they want a United Ireland, then that will be achieved. We where never going to be able to remove the British by force of arms so we used the Armed Struggle to achieve an agreement that protects the Nationalist people from British oppression while at the same time putting in place the mechanism to achieve a United Ireland.

"Fighting brought about the border which, was said to be temporary which would eventually lead to a united Ireland, back in '16."

You will actually find the border was put in place in 1920, and reinforced in 1921, not in 1916.

"Fighting brought about the border which, was said to be temporary which would eventually lead to a united Ireland, back in '16."

Eh? There was no border in 1916.

I travel back and forth over the border quite a lot. The border is gradually becoming irrelevant due to the development of an all-Ireland economy. (On that point - the sooner the north joins the Euro the better.)

No-one with any common sense/decency wants a return to paramilitary violence.

Yeah, i meant because of events that took place in '16.
There is a "mechanism" in place but while we have Sinn Fein bowing down to the British crown and accepting their presence it will never be implemented.

Only time will tell.

You all say that you want peace and no more war, but as i drive around Derry I cant help but notice alot of British flags, road kerbs painted red, white and blue. I find that quite intimidating. why dont we see white flags as a sign of peace or should we just keep fueling the fire!

Beano I suggest you close this blog down or rename this blog Everything Provo, or give "me"'s IP address to the authorities for inciting violence and hate.
To achieve a "united" Ireland the key is not to unite a piece of land but rather the people. Nationalism but more specifically provo republicanism are guilty of the opposite and have not learnt a single thing. People like Seamus (the Provisional IRA apologist and "it was all the Brit's and Unionists fault propagandist" - do you work for Sinn Fein John? 3500 odd deaths were justified?) and "Me" are a God send to Unionism. Keep up the great work John.