The cow of British money will run dry, but only because it has been milked by Nationalists for years. Nationalists that apparently dont want anything to do with Great Britain, but are all there come Dole day to take the British pound in their hand. 3600 deaths related to the troubles, 360 caused by the crown forces protecting all citizens, 2160 caused by republicans, when will the republicans put their hands up and admit that they are murderers who were afraid to put a uniform on and stand on the front line Instead they used women and children to hide behind to snipe at real hero soldiers

Posted by gary | 27.10.08, 18:49 GMT

Ryan,

Real live and let live attitude you've got there. I can just feel the disparate traditions of Ireland coming together under your calming influence.

Just assuming, for the sake of argument, that a united Ireland wass declared tomorrow, how would you plan to gain the allegiance of the 1/4 of the island who would be implacably opposed? Would you simply demand it as per Pearce's doggerel?

Posted by Steve W | 24.10.08, 20:29 GMT

Ryan...... Contrary to what you believe. Until N.I. no longer remains a part of the U.K., the British army does have a right to be there. Is there a statute that I am not aware of?

I am not defending the British army or condemning them, but status is status and when the island of Ireland is united, which could coceivably happen, then and only then, can you make such a statement.

Earl. Canada.

Posted by Earl | 24.10.08, 20:13 GMT

The british army has no place on the island of Ireland. Therefore this is a parade of an invading army with no legitimate claim to be here. Unionism is now a broken toy with only the milk of british money keeping it's bigoted and backward pathology in power for only a bit longer. Why? Because that cow will go dry in the coming depression leaving all citizens of the island to be members of a new reunited Ireland.

Posted by ryan | 24.10.08, 18:06 GMT

Steve W.... In defence of John. I believe he was referring to the opinion (at least here in N.A.) that the war in Afganistan was started because America had interests in oil in Iraq and choose to quell the Taliban's support of Iraq, even though at one time they were bitter enemies.

Yes it was sanctioned by the UN and N.A.T.O..

Earl. Canada.

Posted by Earl | 24.10.08, 17:51 GMT

John,


I am afraid you are a little confused. There is no oil in Afghanistan. Also, the operation there is unequivocally authorised and supported by the United Nations Security council.

Posted by Steve W | 24.10.08, 16:46 GMT

I hope your british army done you proud and brought back lots of oil with them as thats all this war was over. All the innocent iraqi people killed for oil. Well done! Give your boys a big pat on the back for that! So much to be proud of.

Posted by John | 24.10.08, 16:18 GMT

I have to agree with Jake M. I believe he is speaking from a ( not amongst the natives view.) I too, am commenting from an outsiders point of view. I think a lot of the people's views in N.I. have become somewhat clouded.

Sinn Fein have fought for democracy and impartiallity over the years and have gained that obectivity to some extent.

At this time they should not damage this achivement by being obtuse or insensitive to other peoples belief. They were at one point in the same situation. Two wrongs and all that.

You have come a long way, N.I.. Don't step backwards.

Earl. Canada.

Posted by Earl | 24.10.08, 14:58 GMT

*Drums fingers on desk, waits for Tony Fearon*

Posted by McD | 24.10.08, 13:52 GMT

Hi Jake,

There is nothing wrong with anyone protesting, yes this is a democratic country, my issue is that Sinn Fein want to protest on the same day, at the same time and in the same area; do they really need to do this?

I would like my wife and kids to come with me, but I will not do so if I know that there is a Sinn Fein protest taking place down the street. I don't want my family to be targeted by mindless thugs who may attach themselves to the protest, I would worry about potential trouble and I would never put my family at risk, so i will have to attend on my own.

I'm sure there are many others in my situation and potentially a lot of people who will simply stay away because of the Sinn Fein protest, especially after the violence mid-week in Lurgan, what is to stop these idiots from tagging on to the protest?

We all know that Sinn Fein disagree with the homecoming parade, but do they have to ruin it for everyone else who doesn't see their political point of view.

Posted by What's the point? | 24.10.08, 13:48 GMT

Geez..... I thought we here in North America were complex, but you guys in N.I. take the cake.
Such nonsense. These men and women are over there fighting for democracy. Yes the same democracy which gives all the citizen of the province the right to their opinion whether right or wrong. However in saying that, all creeds should support and welcome these men and women home. At this time, N.I. is still a British domain. Is it not? As one comment stated. They do not have a choice as to where they will be sent.

Canada has troops there too and a lot of people here object to it. But in the long run, we support them. Don't shame them because they are doing what they signed up to do.
Politics do not belong in the equation.

Earl. Canada.

Posted by Earl | 24.10.08, 13:38 GMT

Steve W I agree with your point and disagree with the need SF feels it has to protest at everything that is important to the unionists. But in NI that seems to be par for the course. Each side, for the most part, has a knee jerk reaction against anything that the other side holds dear. Whether its unionists against the Irish tricolour, language or GAA flags or nationalists against the union flag or army parades. It all smacks of lack of respect for alternative views and traditions that underlie true democracy. When will "live and let live" prevail up there?

Posted by Jake M | 24.10.08, 13:20 GMT

All these Rebulicains make me laugh, they are so against Birtish/English things but they all support English football teams?????

Posted by Dave | 24.10.08, 12:58 GMT

Up the British Army, the boys need a well deserved welcome home for all their hard work.
Well done boys.

Posted by Justin | 24.10.08, 12:58 GMT

Republicans & Nationalists should take that big chip off their shoulder and wake up!! They nit pick for an excuse to complain about something. This march will be broadcast across the world and if there is trouble (highly likely), everyone will see that there isn't really peace in N.I. :(

Posted by Raki Diva, Turkey | 24.10.08, 12:58 GMT

Totally disgusting. I wholeheartedly disagreed with the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan was never winnable. It would be great to get rid of all evil regimes but in both cases there are worse rogue states that could be dealt with. However this is about the soldiers who sign up for a very worthwhile career in the army, an army that stands and fights and is constantly underfire and attack- not just planting bombs to kill civilians. This is not a protest about the war, this is deliberate troublemaking of the worst type. These lads and lasses are coming home and this is a parade for them and their families and politics has no place in this whatsoever. Plain outrageous.

Posted by soarer | 24.10.08, 12:56 GMT

Jake m,

'What's the problem with SF protesting - its called democracy'

I agree with you Jake, they have a right to protest. I am simply disappointed that they still feel the need to do so all these years after we are supposed to have 'moved on'. The British Army exists and there are plently of Irish men and women (of all persuasions, both North and South) who are happy to give their allegiance to it. Why should the 'Ireland of equals' party not respect that decision.

Try getting to know some of the soldiers involved and you might be surprised that they are not monsters.

Posted by Steve W | 24.10.08, 12:28 GMT

John - It is not unusual to have homecoming parades to welcome a unit or a regiment home after a tour of duty. It does not mean the campaign is ended. Yes, this does happen in England but probably doesn't become a major "news issue" as it does not attract the attention of small-minded bigots, as it does in Northern Ireland.

Posted by Richard | 24.10.08, 12:25 GMT

Billy for the Truth

'also note you did not mention any atrocities carried out by the British, Unionists and Loyalists terrorist such as Bloody Sunday, McGurks Bar, the Shankill Butchers, et al'

Billy,

How on earth do you get from the RIR in 2008 serving in Afghanistan to Mcgurks bar and the Shankhill butchers? How many of those soldiers in the parade do you think were involved in those horrible atrocities? What sort of twisted bitter logic is behind that? You mention your children; I really do fear for the future of Northern Ireland if your infect them with your pointless hatred. Are we really doomed to do it all over again? Werent 3000 deaths enough to satisify the bloodlust of the republicanism monster?

Posted by Steve W | 24.10.08, 12:20 GMT

What's the problem with SF protesting - its called democracy. You may disagree with them on most if not all issues (as I do personally) but like it or not there has to be freedom and liberty to express opinion and have your voice heard. In a democracy they have as much right as the soldiers to parade.

Posted by Jake M | 24.10.08, 12:13 GMT