Charlie Stross wrote:
>
> On Tue, Apr 25, 2000 at 10:34:29AM -0700, Brian D Williams wrote:
> >
> > Sounds like a bit of trouble.
> >
> > Gee, maybe if the english got the hell out of where they don't
> > belong they wouldn't have these problems....
>
> Clue #3: there are two native communities in Northern Ireland. They love
> each other so much that the mere threat of a British withdrawl is enough
> to give the government of Eire a panic attack; the aftermath of a British
> withdrawl without some sort of peace settlement would resemble Bosnia.
>
> Now, would you like to explain exactly how your suggestion would result
> in a successful resolution of the Irish problem? If you can convince us,
> then I suggest you will not find the Prime Minister and the Taioseach
> uninterested. (They -- and their predecessors -- have been looking for a
> solution for the past three decades, at great personal risk.) If you
> can't suggest a solution, may I submit that the smart thing to do would
> be in future to do your research _before_ you open your mouth in public?
>
The unfortunate problem, Charlie, is that the northern group looks upon
itself as 'english', not 'irish', so the solution is to get ALL of the
'english' out of Ireland.
To paraphrase Longshanks:"The problem with Ireland is that its full of
Englishmen."
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