the blood is not good.
so why is it good?

“Everybody has the same hurt!” — not entirely true.

This whole conflict was started by Britain's policies when they kicked the Catholic Irish off their land and encouraged Protestant Brits, Welsh and Scots to move into Northern Ireland, further marginalizing the Catholic Irish—making them anglicize their names, language, culture, etc. Northern Ireland can't even join the Republic of Ireland because there are more Protestants in Northern Ireland (ancestors of the colonizing British, Welsh and Scottish) than true Irish and they constantly vote against leaving the U.K, which only adds salt to the wound. Calling the IRA "terrorists" is very convenient for the British and the ancestors of the aforementioned colonizing British, Scottish and Welsh. What exactly were their ancestors during the Tudor Conquest of Ireland, the implementation of Plantations, the Cromwellian Conquest of Ireland and the exploitation of the Irish during the potato famine—all leading to the subsequent Irish diaspora? Ireland still doesn't have the population it had before the potato famine. The IRA was the end-product of over 200 years of subjugation. The chickens came home to roost.

Hurt?? yes indeed everyone feels hurt, but that does not mean that we should reward those who have been responsible for the taking of human life. That is what is at stake here. Yes there were many injustices in Ireland over the past 800 years but we have moved on from that and two wrongs do not make one right. I'd love to see how Americans would react if it were suggested that the families of the terrorists who were responsible for 9/11 were to be remunerated in such a monetary fashion!!! .As one who lives in this beautiful Northern Ireland and who is a product of both culturesand who has lived through the 'troubles' I can see the best and worst of both, Note to Sloane:: who are the "True Irish"? well according to the latest Irish research on attempting to find an Irish Gene apparently there is'nt one, since we have all originated from somewhere else!!! recent Irish TV documentary on Telefis Eireann "The Blood of the Irish" you might find this interesting. You see there is only one thing that we all hold in common and that is our humanity and there is only one who has the right to take life and that is the Great One who created us. Is it not time we ALL moved away from tribalism since we are all interdependant on one another.By the way to Sloane, get your facts right, it is not that Northern Ireland CANNOT be part of the Republic of Ireland, it is that the majority of the population DO NOT WANT TO BE. many of those are the so called 'nationalist' community who quite frankly know on which side their bread is buttered and where they are better off.

It is a sad group of people who murder each other for fun. I was once told by a friend's Irish grandfather that "if only two irishmen were left alive in the worl and one was in Ireland and the other in Japan they would be guide deach to the other as if by magic. They, once come together would grab rocks, clubs and pointed sticks and one would kill the other."

He believed that is how "the Troubles" would finally be solved. This from a man who's response to the question "How are you today?" was "as good as an Irishman can be without a Brit in his sights."

Simpson— what you said: "By the way to Sloane, get your facts right, it is not that Northern Ireland CANNOT be part of the Republic of Ireland, it is that the majority of the population DO NOT WANT TO BE."

What I already said: "Northern Ireland can’t even join the Republic of Ireland because there are more Protestants in Northern Ireland (ancestors of the colonizing British, Welsh and Scottish) than true Irish and they constantly vote against leaving the U.K, which only adds salt to the wound."

Perhaps you should improve your reading comprehension.

I have grew up when all this was going on. My mother an irish southerner, my father and eastender from london. I was brought up to believe that we as catholics had a right to the north. It was ours and protestants should keep their hands off it. As I have grown and found my own belief system and philosophy on life it has shown me this: That organised religions have brought wars and conflicts to almost every single state, country or territory in our world. We have to acknowledge the past and the hurt but we also have to change and evolve and grow up. Nothing brings back our loved ones, no money can replace them. Forget compensation and work on now and the future.

You can't really blame everything on religion because it's more about politics than religion. Being an Irish Catholic, especially in the north, is more than a nationality and a religion—it's a culture.
I understand why the religious fatcions want to compensate everyone equally—as a way to finally put everything to rest. But you can't put something to rest when one side doesn't accept any responsibility. This idea that "you cannot reward a perpetrator for their evil sins" and "Terrorists [the IRA] are not victims" is ludicrous. The IRA did not emerge from a vacuum. It seems that the Protestant majority wants to believe that. Unfortunately for them, they are the only ones who actually do. You can't move on when the majority (who perpetrated the most injustice past, present or future) does not acknowledge wrongdoing.

It is truly sad that this continues, but as they say Rome wasn't built in a day. The healing process is a lengthy process, but has slowed because of a reluctance on both sides to trust the other side. I'm Irish Canadian with family in Co. Monaghan and went there once. I found the South very warm and friendly. However, when we went to the North (Giant's Causeway, etc), everything was different. It didn't help that we (as Catholics) went on 12 JULY and my sister had the tri-colour braided in her hair! Northern Ireland needs to get rid of their ultra-radicals and needs to ban organizations that oppress the other group, such as the Orange Order. I know it'll take a long time, but I hope that Northern Ireland will eventually be rid of this deep conflict.

It is clear to me that the main problem for Northern Ireland is that the people do not know they are one people. THIS IS CLEAR IF THEY TRAVEL AND LIVE IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THE TITLE FOR THEM IS NOT BRITISH OR IRISH BUT HUMAN BEINGS. IT IS BETTER WHEN THERE IS PEACHE TO FORGET ABOUT THE PAST AND WORK TOWARDS PERACE IN THE FUTURE. In Egland a Nortern Irish is not recognised as British but Irish and in Ireland he is not recognised as either British. It is time when the Irish travel to forget British and Irish and only refer to the geography of birth. We from Northern Ireland should be judghed as individuals on our own merits and not have labels placed on us that leads to killing. In my mind to kill another person born in Ireland is wrong so forget the past and make sure it doesn not happen again

It's the British ..............!
It's always been the British if you read history...........pompous poops!

They have been at the "source" of much human suffering.

My mother, hers and all of their kin are from Belfast of the Northern Counties. "The Troubles" go far and beyond religion, nationalist, unionist, Irish or Scots-Irish. The Troubles include hunger, poverty, homelessness, despair and neglect, and are far more so than a first-generation Irish-American man can explain or even completely understand. Mum and grand-mum both worked in a Magdalene laundry for sustenance. Grand-mum remembers foraging food from rubbish bins and taking it home to make a stew. Grand-pop could not even earn a cash wage until all came over on the boat, leaving their beloved Ireland behind.

It is clear to me that the problems facing Northern Ireland is they do not know who they are OR where they belong. If the people of Northern Ireland vote to stay with England, YOU should go and live there. It seems that they created this mess and now ,like always they take no blame. England has caused much of the problems in Scotland,Ireland and continue the destruction to the home of my ancestors. Ireland is is ONE country, One people and those of you that are willing to not be Irish should go like good BOOT LICKERS to your masters. GO there and be a drain on their economy, go there and be part of their law and SEE were you get. The BRITS do not like you, and you are just to blind to see it. The Limeys have let Scotland go, Wales go, Canada go– WHY NOT IRELAND?
Also correct me if I am wrong, BUT was WILLIAN of ORANGE not a German brought to IRELAND to sqwash the catholic uprising? DID he not fall off his horse in a drunken stuper and break his neck? If this is true then IRISH PROTESANTS of english descent follow a DRUNKEN GERMAN WHO COULD NOT HOLD HIS BOOZE, and if I am wrong I have been misinformed and appologize

sooooorry <i have just been informed that william was from the netherlands

The flip side of people saying that murders shouldn't be compensated are the Loyalist Militants. Why is only the IRA targeted?The IRA were not the only ones killing people. The Protestant Militants are just as guilty. So why is there not an outcry about that? It seems like Hypocracy and tunnel vision to me. Inocents on both sides died. Both sides are guilty of murder. Catholics and Protestats are equally guilty of hatred and violence. Because the Loyalists and IRA were both killing people that is why the people planning the compensation have decided to compensate everyone. If you guys can't get over your tribilism and realise this then you will fall back down into the pit of war again and you will never move forward.

The fact is that there was terrorism on both sides, and it does go back a long, long way. It's a cycle of terror and inhuman treatment going back beyond history, and it goes much farther than Ireland.

I, myself, experienced some terrorist-style behavior from British troops – when I was three years old. I watched them threaten to rape my mother and the other women around us, threaten to kill those of us who were children (I got to feel the barrel of a gun in my belly button), and saw and heard them beat at least two men senseless and drag them off.

All of that on one bus ride, in 1973. Quite a bit for one little American girl and her "Irish looking" mother to absorb on a trip overseas, wasn't it?

Sloane you miss the point those responsible on both sides should not be rewarded for murder

Sloane. Are you american? Do you consider yourself to be a "true american" because if your ancesters have lived there for less than 200 years then by your own standards you are not a "true american" and have no claim to residence or citizenship in your own country.

It's racism and bigotry such as yours on *both* sides in northern ireland which has perpetuated these troubles. And the double standards of americans which has funded it

As I said both sides are guilty. This is always the case with War. It doesn't matter who started it or who finished it nor who won. What matters is what happened in between. The true victims in war are the people who did not take up arms but were killed anyway because one side or the other decided they were enemies when they were not.

800 years of oppression, when do we start counting from exactly? The arrival of the French speaking normans in Ireland in 1169? If we're redrawing the maps back to the 12th century you'd better tell the Spanish to hand their country back to the muslims then.

Only true Irish to stay in Ireland, sounds realistic. Everyone else must leave.

I look forward to all North Americans of non 'pure' native american and first nation extraction to return to their original pre 1600 country.

Oh and you'd better hand AZ, CA etc etc back to Mexico while you're at it.

As a Belfast Catholic who left during the "troubles" in 1974 to come to the United States I can say that one's religion in the North was one's assumed political badge.

When I read the comments on this page with people reiterating the past it reminds me of why I left the North in the first place and thank God have never regretted it.

Brian, I agree with you, oppressive countries need to back out and leave everyone else alone. However, I am from America, born and raised, and America cannot retrace its steps back to the countries that it came from. I myself am of Irish, German, and English heritage, along with most Americans almost everyone I know is of mixed heritage. Now, Sloane you sound like you know what you are talking about, but from my knowledge, opposing sides in this conflict will never agree on anything. You have brought up many very good points but people will never listen to you so do not waste your breath.

As a Brit I find it amazing that the issue of Northern Ireland brings forward such liberal / idealistic views from people who refuse to apply the same rules to their countries. For example why doesn't every none native american leave the USA? did the original americans (British) colonists not kill 99% of the locals and steal there land? people point to Cromwell and the potato famine but forget what the US army did to the Native americans. why do non native american people have a right to live in USA because their families have lived there for a few generations but people who's families have lived in NI for the same amount of time are not?

If Americans seriously think the Brits have a moral duty to allow NI to join the ROI and that the unionist in NI should go back to UK then why don't they take the lead and return USA to the native americans and all the people return to the countries of their ancesters?

Why is northern ireland to be treated differently from any other country? why must people in northern ireland be held accountable for the actions of their ancestors but Americans will not? Hypocrits every single one of you!!!

I was born in Belfast, schooled in Derry. My mum and dad died in the troubles. Thus, it's quite difficult for me to read all the declarative statements made by people (whatever their nationality) that have never set foot In Northern Ireland. If you haven't lived as one of us, you haven't earned the right of declaration. (Be you Protestant, Catholic, soldier or civilian.)
While reparations are needed, clearly a check (for any amount, to anyone) is absolutely ridiculous. What the people of Northern Ireland need to move forward is to feel safe (no matter their allegiance,) to feel heard/have a vote in their future, to have equal rights and representation in all forms of government and civil service, and a chance to rebuild community relations on neutral ground.
I believe that given time, (say, 30 years) Northern Ireland will inevitably vote itself free from British authority and on that day, all those that choose to stay in peace will be "true irish".
Much of my family fought and died in this war. My fight is to live content, to survive, to wait patiently, and to celebrate our county's independence on that sunny day in the future.

i agree with david from newzealand its always about the ira it was coming from both sides they are all responsible for deaths but i dont believe that there should be reperations money doesnt bring the dead back

How far back to we need to go to find a united, 'non-occupied' Ireland? If we are to re-draw borders based on those of the 12th century, the world would be thrown into turmoil! And the Scots are actually an Irish tribe who were exiled and moved to the land of the Picts. (Today's Scotland.) So couldn't the Scots be returning to their homeland?

I agree the English aristocracy did colonise Ireland in response to a 'threat' from the then occupiers. But the conditions inflicted on the Irish were the same as those dealt out to the peoples of England, Scotland and Wales – there was starvation and subdication everywhere. The potato famine did not stop at the Irish Sea.

It is from the realisation that we cannot undo history and the need for democracy that Ireland will find a balanced future. It may take time and a spirit of reconciliation, but I am positive it will be ultimately achievable.

Personally, if I had lost a loved one in the troubles, I would consider $17,000 compensation derisory – an honest apology from all sides would have been worth more.

Our American TDC channel (The Discovery Channel) gave the best explanation I ever heard for the troubles in Northern Ireland. I believe given their documentary, everyone is looking in the wrong place for an answer.

In the late 1990's they presented a wonderful documentary showing the large, empty tracts of land in Southwest Scotland, telling a strange story. The documentary said the clans in that area, and they gave names, had been killing each other since the time of Hadrian's wall.
It was decided by the powers in London to disperse the warring families to the southern US, Australia, and yes, tiny Northern Ireland.

Of course, as it always was in Britain, the warring clans did possess some nice land which could prove useful to the powers that be. The original "eminent domain."

The documentary went on to say that wherever these clans were dispersed they continued to raise havoc. The feuds in the Southern US are legendary.

Can you imagine the havoc such a population could raise in tiny Northern Ireland. Recently one of the most famous US feuding families have been diagnosed with an inherited disorder, tumors of the nervous system, causing them to fly into a rage at the slightest provocation.

I suggest calling in the Research Doctors in Northern Ireland to track the descendents of this particular plantation. Most Northern Irish Protestants would never attack another because of religion. How do I know? We have them in our family and as friends.

I am amused by some of the comments a Fharquar in particular. Britain was a nation that attacked an innocent world to send wealth back to their royalty. Most of them were dupes and servants and still haven't caught on. Again, however some of the nice ones are part of our family.

I would like to see our children's history books changed to reflect a true history. I would like to see monsters like Alexander the great, right on down through the emperors and murderous royalty identified as the disfunctional meglomanics they truly are. The good people, doctors, scientists, and all those who peacefully better the earth should be given space in a true history.

DNA has disproven the Anglo-Saxon myth, but I guess there are some who have no other accomplishments to make them feel worthwhile.

Heres to a peaceful world.

Mary