No further comment.

[flash gunner]

one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter

Tell that to the families of the people murdered in 9/11 or the people murdered in Ireland or Britain during the IRA's (and other organisations) biggest, darkest days. I remember being genuinely frightened during the 70's as a kid with the bombing campaigns against innocent people

[goonersid]

The queen is the head of the british army, an army that has murdered hundreds of Irish men, women and indeed children. So it should never be perceived that this was a one way act of "forgiveness" for the want of a better word.
Like others have said, I am no supporter of Sinn Fein or the IRA, but unfortunately he has been democratically elected, and tbf both he and robinson (opposite sides of the same coin) aren't making a bad fist of it.

[REB]

one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter

Tell that to the families of the people murdered in 9/11 or the people murdered in Ireland or Britain during the IRA's (and other organisations) biggest, darkest days. I remember being genuinely frightened during the 70's as a kid with the bombing campaigns against innocent people

and you couldnt quote the rest of my post where i said i never supported violence not getting into an arguement flash but there were wrongs from both sides as there is with 9/11 where many more innocents have been killed since .

its quiet a big deal over here for the queen to come to this country and every visit like that can only help.

[flash gunner]

one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter

Tell that to the families of the people murdered in 9/11 or the people murdered in Ireland or Britain during the IRA's (and other organisations) biggest, darkest days. I remember being genuinely frightened during the 70's as a kid with the bombing campaigns against innocent people

and you couldnt quote the rest of my post where i said i never supported violence not getting into an arguement flash but there were wrongs from both sides as there is with 9/11 where many more innocents have been killed since .

its quiet a big deal over here for the queen to come to this country and every visit like that can only help.

Im not arguing either Reb just stating my point of view. I didnt quote the part of your post about not supporting violence as that goes without saying mate and i wanted to address the terrorist/freedom fighter bit. No doubt there have been wrong doings from both sides and if the Queens trip can help both communities live peacefully it is worth it but i have my problems with the handshake with a convicted terrorist as i stated earlier

[DB10GOONER]

Flash, I'm certainly not defending the IRA here and I absolutely don't want to argue with you, mate.

But there are 2 sides to that coin... many many people in Ireland (not just IRA supporters) are also reluctant to see the good in an Irish person shaking hands with any representative of the British Monarchy/Government/Establishment, because of the orchestrated campaign of murder that both the RUC and the SAS were involved in here. For example the Loyalist bombers that murdered innocent women and children in the Dublin bombings in 1974 were supplied and trained by the SAS. The families of those people murdered that day view the British Establishment's use of the SAS in Ireland as State sponsored terrorism. I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder to some extent.

The IRA bombing campaign in Britain and Ireland was appalling, there is no excusing it, but yesterday's enemy often becomes tomorrow's friend. Maybe "friend" is too strong a word where the IRA are concerned but you get my point.

[flash gunner]

As i said to Rebel there isnt any arguments to be had as we generally agree on this. I said earlier there were wrong doings on both sides of that there is no doubt. If this handshake gesture was made by a republican politician who had no direct link to terrorism, say the next generation of politicians and next generation of monarchy i would have no problem with it at all but im looking at it from a British perspective and it sticks in my throat a bit thats all.

As i said earlier too if these steps make N.Ireland a better and happier place to live then its worth taking them. We all put up with Hlebby for the sake of this forum its a similar situation

[I Hate Hleb]

Not the first time I've been 'associated' with a famous handshake. Although the other occasion was when the Maxwell House adverts with Gareth Hunt were on!!

[Top Londoner]

one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter

Tell that to the families of the people murdered in 9/11 or the people murdered in Ireland or Britain during the IRA's (and other organisations) biggest, darkest days. I remember being genuinely frightened during the 70's as a kid with the bombing campaigns against innocent people

Flash mate. How about asking who finances these atrocities.
??????

[Deise Gooner]

one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter

Tell that to the families of the people murdered in 9/11 or the people murdered in Ireland or Britain during the IRA's (and other organisations) biggest, darkest days. I remember being genuinely frightened during the 70's as a kid with the bombing campaigns against innocent people

Flash mate. How about asking who finances these atrocities.
??????

Well the IRA finance their operations through crime like the bank robbery a few years ago that they are alledged to have masterminded and Al Qaeda were financed by Bin Laden.

[QuartzGooner]

You just have to hope and pray that these handshakes are not symbolic but representative of genuine wishes for non violence.

This handshake brought violence and strife in it's wake.

[Top Londoner]

You just have to hope and pray that these handshakes are not symbolic but representative of genuine wishes for non violence.

This handshake brought violence and strife in it's wake.

Yes Quartz, but imagine the dollar revenue that it raised.

[northbankbren]

Although made through gritted teeth on boht fronts, It was a gesture of goodwill that can only be good for long term relationships, and peace in the country.

[T.S]

Although made through gritted teeth on boht fronts, It was a gesture of goodwill that can only be good for long term relationships, and peace in the country.

Racist!

[Henry Norris 1913]

one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter

I fucking hate this quote, its such shit. Once you start murdering, your a peice of scum, either way

[T.S]

one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter

I fucking hate this quote, its such shit. Once you start murdering, your a peice of scum, either way

Uh-oh.