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- Jul 23, 2005
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Quite frankly, I don't think this is up to those in the UK or the Republic. It is something that should be decided by the people of Northern Ireland as a whole.
And for those who think this has anything to do with religion, learn about the region. Religion is not a real concern. The religious differences are actually a product of being ethnically Irish or ethnically English. Typically the side which one is prone to supporting (Unionist or Republican) is actually product of ethnicity, not religion.
There were legitimate reasons why many took up arms in the North back 40 years ago, but those reasons just aren't present anymore. There is far less Catholic (read: ethnically Irish) subjugation than there was 40 years ago in the North. Sein Fein is even considered a legitimate political entity now, for the love of God.
There is no reason at all for violence anymore. None whatsoever. Those who use violence in today's Northern Ireland are little more than pigs.
The Catholics now have a voice, and that voice is actually being heard. 40 years ago this was not the case. Today, it is the reality.
The fight was won in the only way it really needed to be one. The people have a choice. Only persistent attempts to degrade things back towards violence by people who want to remove that choice from others can destroy all that has been achieved over the last 11 years.
I largely agree except protestants in NI are mainly of Scottish decent.