Friday September 28, 2012, 5:42 pm
thanks for posting Caldid no realise this was going on so long ago

Friday September 28, 2012, 6:19 pm
Thanks Cal for the link to the Macleans article by Katie Engelhart. It doesn't seem like 14 years since the Good Friday Accord was singed and I hope that that tomorrow's celebrations don't ignite any violence. Read and noted.

Friday September 28, 2012, 6:29 pm
The article suggests a half million people signed the Ulster Covenant. In 1912? I'll have to look up census data, but it seems highly unlikely that there were a half million in people in Ireland,much less Northern Ireland at the time. I won't speak to the divisions of the Irish people nor say anything regarding the Troubles...though I might suggest that there would be no troubles had it not been for centuries of English occupation, oppression, and terror. All the Celts need to throw off English ways. None of us are free so long as any of us acknowledge English monarchy with any respect at all. Throw off the culture of the enemy. Nothing tastes so foul as the language of the enemy, but, for many of us, our own tongue has been stolen from us long before we were born.

Saturday September 29, 2012, 4:17 am
Brian M, I agree with you RE The English

Saturday September 29, 2012, 6:02 am
The root of it all is actually religious differences, and that is the basic problem all over the world!!! This is where it all begins, all the hate and violence! And of course, possession of land...

Saturday September 29, 2012, 9:22 am
Noted and read. I too agree with Brian M. Tried to send you a star Brian but have already sent you one this week.

Saturday September 29, 2012, 1:20 pm
I am going to No. Ireland next week so hope it is peaceful. Let's all learn to engage in diplomacy. Diplomacy should be a required class in all schools everywhere!! Peace to all.

Saturday September 29, 2012, 1:25 pm
in 1912 half a million did sign the ulster covenant. however not all were from n,i,scottish people english people. people who were followers of carson were encoureged to sign. anyone with ties in all corners of the world under british rule had the right to sign there was also a large amount of people who followed carsons idelogy living in the Irish Republic they also signed this covenent however you were not allowed this right if they were catholics .one staunch follower signed in his own blood.it would now be a fore runner to ethnic cleansing.ian paisley was a staunch believer in carsons thinking as every time he needed to gather money in n.i.he marched the people up the hill telling them that we in the Republic were on our way to kill them.some people will believe anything.as for the partioning of Ireland a vote was never taking at any time on this matter north or south..was religon the cause of the troubles in Ireland not solely you would have to bring human rights into the overall picture of what was happeningat this time.but if you were an Irish catholic living in n.i.you could not vote nor could you get a job to keep your family unless it was sanctioned by the ruling class in n.i.im not writing this to have a pop at any person living or dead or to stir up old wounds it is by way of an insight to the Irish situation which is complex and is very easily misunderstood.i hope this might be an insight to any one interested .

Saturday September 29, 2012, 7:29 pm
Damn! What is wrong with you Christians? I use to be one and I never understood this hate among Christians. You follow the Same Prophet. I don't remember Him saying Hate thy neighbor.

Saturday September 29, 2012, 8:58 pm
When that reverend from hell, Ian Paisley dies, I'll be chilling, then popping the cork on the 200.00 bottle of bubbly that has been stuffed away for the occasion of his demise. May it be soon. May it be filled with suffering and torment.

Hartson Doak,...because your people have been scorned and looked upon as the lowest form of life in their own country, because they have had all their land, possessions, businesses and homes stolen from them, because they were forced to pray in secret, because they had no right to vote, because they had no rights at all, because one million of us were starved to death, that's what is wrong.

Other European countries pleaded with Britain's grotesque troll queen, Victoria, to help the Irish, which she refused to do. The other countries were too afraid of Britain at that time to do anything, so we starved.

I still have the shortened version of my family's rosary beads, the ones which were hidden.

I don't hate the English. I have many English friends, all of whom are aware of how I feel. They know I loathe the monarchy, especially the troll queen.

Sunday September 30, 2012, 11:42 am

Hartson Doak im saddened that you think all christians have misunderstood the teachings of Jesus. speaking as one who came very close to meeting him in person he holds no fear for me only thanks for his patience & love. as a christian i do not disrespect any other religous belief. respect is a two way street. howrver the longer i live ive found there is always just enough religon to cause hate & mistrust never love & understanding.sweeping statements have never done anything to help any situation.you said you were a christian once but i take it you no longer hold this view which is a pity as i do not know how you could turn off this part of you. i wish you well and hope you will always be at peace in your heart.

Tuesday October 2, 2012, 1:55 pm
hnx for the article