Can anyone explain to me the difference between terrorist and freedom fighters?
The reason I ask is that when the IRA was at its highest and bombing mainland Britain. The American Senate allowed them to collect funds from the American people because they where freedom fights and not terrorist.
Silky
Silky it seems a lot of people in the UK are at a impasse on what to do with the USA/IRA link. I am not sure how the senate would actually stop the funding at the time.
I think it is good to review American history to understand the strong Irish support.
At the start of WWI, the USA could have support the Germans. There is a old political cliche'.."Wave the bloody shirt", in the 1800's that is what politicians do to invoke anger and support from the voters. Basically it was to say something bad about the British.
After the American Civil War, there was the Finnegan's Brigade, they were Irish Americans who were going to Invade the Canadians. The USA has had a large Irish influence. There were Irish Brigades in both the Union and Conferderate Armies.
I guess you would have to review the "Troubles" in its 300 plus years of history.
Those members of the IRA who attacked innocent people where terrorists. I think their acts of Terrorism also weakened the IRA caused for a unified Ireland.
You probably might recognize my name, it is Celtic. I have both Scottish and Irish ancestors. The Scottish side left Scotland at the defeat at Culloden. My Dad's Mother was born in Ireland.
When the IRA became a marxist cell. They adopted those tactics used elsewhere, and there are links to PLO, another terrorist group. I also think many Irish/Americans supported a Unified Ireland. There were a number of parts of Seinn Finn. The IRA also had numerous parts, including the extremist who where Terrorist. Which complicated determining where the money was going.
I think there also needs to be a review of the tactics of the UDL, RUC, ROO, and other groups and their extreme branch's that went over the line too.
I would like to point out there is NO Justification for terrorism, regardless who does it. Even legitimate soldiers and police can cross that line too.
Terrorism is contagious in a way, acts of terrorism can and sometimes will justify in a person mind a notion that they can cross that line with legitmate reason. I think the Acts of Bloody Sunday is a example of good men....... making extremely poor choices. My understanding was that the IRA did not have the same controls over it's membership. Rogue terrorist that came from the IRA ranks may have been a example.
Sadly supporting a Unified Ireland with funds eventually ending up in the hands of terrorist is a tremendous stain on the Irish/American community and consequentially the USA government.
I am hoping that dark past is gone and is not repeated. If anything the people in the 6 counties needs and deserves peace.
At the time funds being raised were "called" for relief..... But Some Irish/Americans have been fighting the British all their lives and diverted those funds. It was a old and very tragic conflict that seemed without end.
I hope that works as a feeble attempt to explain a very long and confused times.
, and I agree, it is Terrorism
