We've been on the IRA issue for a long time at Winds of Change.NET - from a 2002 discussion with Iain Dale to in-depth analyses of the IRA as a terrorist template for the future to recent calls for President Bush to disinvite Sinn Fein.
Richard Delevan is "a stray Yank in Ireland," which makes him especially well suited to comment. He has the best roundup and summary that I've seen regarding this issue.
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I agree with the "other comentator" almost completely. Nevertheless, the Spanish right wing government put ETA twice on its knees in eight years, targeting its financial structure in Spain and its gunmen in France, it is said, with the help of the American communications surveillance system (thank you). Thus, maybe it is just a matter of being really willing to confront them.
Did Bernadette Devlin ever appologize for starting the killings?
Delevan's doing a great job. I've been reading him and Slugger O'Toole daily for the last couple of weeks and trying to blog the American angle of the story.
As a UK citizen I'd like to say thank you to Bush for doing the right thing WRT Sinn Fein - although I admit I'm tempted to say better late than never...
I beleive Sinn Fein has EVERY right to exist and recruit. They are a political group that is working towards peace. It may be easy for someone to hate the IRA or Sinn Fein in Britania but try being an Irishman under the Crown and Violently oppressed for years. Disinvite the British government for they have committed as much violence as either group. Those who died were justified as any put down by the British Tyranny. Not a bullet , Not an ounce.