Thatcher and the IRA
- Thread starter redandwhiterob
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K
kensplace
Guest
The thought of any politician these days sends shivers down my spine.
The future of this country, with the current 'democractic' system that ensure's we never can escape from the elite in charge sends shivers down my spine.
Are you taking the piss
No, I'm not. They were disadvantaged in some areas of life no doubt. but that in no way justified the murder of innocents. The way some of the IRA apologists are going on on here you would think the were living in South Africa under Apartheid. Political prisoners my arse.
It's served us well for the last 350 years.
si73
Striker
It actually wasn't a million miles away from it tbh. You need to read about the Special Powers Act, which was renewed in NI continuously from the founding of the 6counties, which maintained more or less martial law for nearly 50years. Even the Prime Minister of NI called it a "Protestant country for Protestant people!"
And I'm no PIRA sympathizer, quite the opposite but it's not as black and white as you've been trying to suggest.
FootballFan
Striker
Were you Saddam Husseins PR Spokesman? No way you can rewrite history.
Read up on gerrymandering also, as well as everything else - what you are trying to claim was democracy was not - the electoral system was manipulated so that Catholics never had any chance. Catholics were consigned to segregated slums and endured high levels of unemployment and poverty, Unionist employers were openly encouraged by the state to hire only Loyalist Protestants.
"Not oppressed" - what the hell do you think oppression is?
si73
Striker
IrishMackem88
Winger
Sorry mate but your way out of your depth here! You have no idea the oppression Catholics suffered up North for decades, until they started to stand up for themselves!
Look beyond the IRA for one moment and even google Catholic oppression in Northern Ireland and you will see what challenges they faced!
As for your comment "it wasn't South Africa" well it was close enough the Protestants were the whites, the Catholics were the blacks up North if you want a comparison! They had no rights, none at all!
lostinfrance
Midfield
Good Post
It would appear that you've killed this thread stone dead with an uncomfortable home truth.
IrishMackem88
Winger
I can thank my old History teacher for my knowledge on this topic
But seriously, how anyone with a sane mind debating on this topic could not know that the Catholics up North were oppressed is embarrassing.
K
Kieran
Guest
I can thank my old History teacher for my knowledge on this topic
But seriously, how anyone with a sane mind debating on this topic could not know that the Catholics up North were oppressed is embarrassing.
Does it matter any more? Both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland are part of the lovely EU. So them 30 years of bloodshed was a complete waste of time. Them 30 years was just a cover for gangsters to make their money. My Dad has IRA medals and even he feels the struggle was a false one.
IrishMackem88
Winger
Catholics needed to rebel and stand up for themselves so no it wasn't a waste of time, but for sure it's a shame that many people on both sides died of course.
I'd love to see those 6 counties reunited with Ireland, but once theres peace up North then let them stay under British rule if that was the case.
K
Kieran
Guest
There was a chance of an end to violence in the late 70s and it didn't happen. After that the only people the violence served was those who were making a lot of money from it continuing.
Like alot of great fight's it was hijacked and was diluted by those that had the power to do so. It wasn't in their interests to stop the conflict so they continued it but with a different agenda.
JonnotheMackem
Striker
I can thank my old History teacher for my knowledge on this topic
But seriously, how anyone with a sane mind debating on this topic could not know that the Catholics up North were oppressed is embarrassing.
Well indeed. The group that came out of it with the most credit were the peaceful catholic protesters, who's name escapes me at present. I freely admit having my own personal prejudice against the IRA as well.
Northern Ireland: Politics, History and Culture was by far the most interesting course I took at university.
TwasOnTheFifthOfMay
Striker
Why, when the majority living there have no desire to be? Where do you live, out of interest?
What a stupid thing to say! Do you call terrorists firing from within a protest peaceful? That day was a bad day for the British Army but for you to call it a peaceful protest is just fuckin blatantly stupid.
Before you come out with" you have no experience blah, blah, blah" I have more than enough experience of that country.
Catholics is Northern Ireland were treat like second rate citizens, all the good jobs were given to Prods etc. It still doesn't detract from the fact the IRA( how they can use the word Army is beyond me) were murdering innocent people indiscriminately.
I would be more than happy to see NI handed over as it's a drain on the UK. If it happens and that's a big if what do you think will happen? Will you go for the Protestant paramilitaries accepting that or will you go for them going back to day one and it all kicking off again?
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lostinfrance
Midfield
The initial Civil Rights marches in the late '60s in Derry were purely socialist protests regarding housing and jobs.
The response of the authorities and police at the time made it very easy for the hard line Nationalists to hijack these protests for their own ends.
The response of the authorities and police at the time made it very easy for the hard line Nationalists to hijack these protests for their own ends.
FootballFan
Striker
link me to evidence of this - I've heard the soldiers got reports of an IRA sniper in the area, but not that he was within the civil rights protestors.
All eyewitnesses (apart from the soldiers), including marchers, local residents, and British and Irish journalists present, maintain that soldiers fired into an unarmed crowd, or were aiming at fleeing people and those tending the wounded, whereas the soldiers themselves were not fired upon. No British soldier was wounded by gunfire or reported any injuries.
26 civil rights protestors shot, 14 dead. Aye I'd say it was a pretty bad day for the British army alright. Thats putting it mildly.
lostinfrance
Midfield
Probably the most successful recruitment drive the British Army have ever been involved in!
IrishMackem88
Winger
Due to Ireland's economic improvement of late and the fact Sinn Fein down South are bound to get in to power at some point these points will all factor in. It easy to do surveys etc but I'm sure if a nationwide vote happened you will see a lot of people would want a United Ireland more than you think.
I'm from a place called Carlow, an hour south of Dublin.
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