Cheers my friend.
Not taking ourselves seriously is a trait I've come across throughout these islands we share.
Merry Xmas to you and yours.
See you in the New Year.

Very fine comment whose sentiments I agree with. I'm one Irishman that recognises the big difference between your regular English person, often with Irish connections, and the British Establishment, which takes forever to change, if ever.

Being sited between Ireland and Europe while you still retain a hankering for your old dominion across the Atlantic is somewhat of a problem. We here have learnt recently to stand up on our own two feet. It's very invigorating. The UK should try it too. Being a real part of ...

Cheers my friend.
Not taking ourselves seriously is a trait I've come across throughout these islands we share.
Merry Xmas to you and yours.
See you in the New Year.

Very fine comment whose sentiments I agree with. I'm one Irishman that recognises the big difference between your regular English person, often with Irish connections, and the British Establishment, which takes forever to change, if ever.

Being sited between Ireland and Europe while you still retain a hankering for your old dominion across the Atlantic is somewhat of a problem. We here have learnt recently to stand up on our own two feet. It's very invigorating. The UK should try it too. Being a real part of a united Europe would achieve more than being an scrupulous appendage of the USA - except as a military outpost - as things are going with foreign policy recently.

I hope you have had a very happy Christmas and I wish a peaceful and prosperous New Year, MickFinn.

Being sited between Ireland and Europe while you still retain a hankering for your old dominion across the Atlantic is somewhat of a problem. We here have learnt recently to stand up on our own two feet. It's very invigorating. The UK should try it too. Being a real part of a united Europe would achieve more than being an scrupulous appendage of the USA - except as a military outpost - as things are going with foreign policy recently.

In common with many Brits I'm a committed European but also believe in strong ties with the US.

Many people seem to have conveniently forgotten or perhaps don't know about the post WW2 reconstruction of Europe, largely funded by the US, and the ...

Being sited between Ireland and Europe while you still retain a hankering for your old dominion across the Atlantic is somewhat of a problem. We here have learnt recently to stand up on our own two feet. It's very invigorating. The UK should try it too. Being a real part of a united Europe would achieve more than being an scrupulous appendage of the USA - except as a military outpost - as things are going with foreign policy recently.

In common with many Brits I'm a committed European but also believe in strong ties with the US.

Many people seem to have conveniently forgotten or perhaps don't know about the post WW2 reconstruction of Europe, largely funded by the US, and the influence of that country in desiring a united Europe.

In more recent times Ireland itself has benefited from US goodwill and its involvement in the peace process in NI leading to a transformation in the lives of the Irish people as a whole.

There are many of the new entrants to the European Union who have no problem with good relations and friendship with the US. They remember who their true friends were when held in thrall by the former Soviet Union.

It's fashionable to bash the US and, by association, Britain and to claim 'a hankering for your old dominion' is patent nonsense. To stand by one's friends is an honourable principle.

(quote]In more recent times Ireland itself has benefited from US goodwill and its involvement in the peace process in NI leading to a transformation in the lives of the Irish people as a whole. Not only am I very aware of this but I've written about it. Indeed I would go further than the usual platitudes. I have no doubt that the Northern Peace could not be achieved but for Clinton's involvement. The entrenched British Establishment was the the North was a British matter ONLY and input by even the Irish government was seen as interference. This attitude has been reinforced just this day with the release of the 30 year secret state papers.

Without a strong interest by Bill Clinton t...

(quote]In more recent times Ireland itself has benefited from US goodwill and its involvement in the peace process in NI leading to a transformation in the lives of the Irish people as a whole. Not only am I very aware of this but I've written about it. Indeed I would go further than the usual platitudes. I have no doubt that the Northern Peace could not be achieved but for Clinton's involvement. The entrenched British Establishment was the the North was a British matter ONLY and input by even the Irish government was seen as interference. This attitude has been reinforced just this day with the release of the 30 year secret state papers.

Without a strong interest by Bill Clinton then the Peace would never have arrived no matter how much Tony Blair wanted it. Blair needed the excuse of Clinton's determined interest to overcome the mandarins of the permanent government. You must remember that they sent an expedition to the far South Atlantic to rescue islands full of sheep.

It's fashionable to bash the US and, by association, Britain and to claim 'a hankering for your old dominion' is patent nonsense.

Of course it is. Surely you knew this from the terminology that I used. Who was the dominion of who? I don't believe that you thought that the U.S.A. would ever become the dominion of the UK ever again. I hope this makes sense as I'm broken up laughing at the idea of the Brits in control of the US.

Maybe I should have read your full comment before replying above. I see now that my sheep sentence might not read as I intended. May I blame that it's 7am on New Year's Eve here?

I've written at length of my desire the the US would reclaim the moral ...

It's fashionable to bash the US and, by association, Britain and to claim 'a hankering for your old dominion' is patent nonsense.

Of course it is. Surely you knew this from the terminology that I used. Who was the dominion of who? I don't believe that you thought that the U.S.A. would ever become the dominion of the UK ever again. I hope this makes sense as I'm broken up laughing at the idea of the Brits in control of the US.

Maybe I should have read your full comment before replying above. I see now that my sheep sentence might not read as I intended. May I blame that it's 7am on New Year's Eve here?

I've written at length of my desire the the US would reclaim the moral authority it DID have. It might happen that we here need a Clinton type input again in particular. In general, we're english speaking and white, which automatically places us with Americans, the English, the Australians or Canadians for good or bad and I'd prefer it to be for the good. This doesn't even make sense to me now as I reread it.

I must sound like a right grouch; my apologies (suffering from jetlag and flu).

I agree entirely with your comments regarding Bill Clinton's crucial role in the peace process in Ireland. Another important factor was US recognition that terrorists are just that howsoever they disguise themselves and which led to the proscription of organisations from both sides of the conflict thus denying them legitimacy.

I've travelled to Ireland and was warmly received there and I have no doubt that demographics will at some time in the future lead to a united Ireland; a long time coming perhaps but welcome to many, Irish or not, when it does indeed happen.

You mention UK government inaction or u...

I must sound like a right grouch; my apologies (suffering from jetlag and flu).

I agree entirely with your comments regarding Bill Clinton's crucial role in the peace process in Ireland. Another important factor was US recognition that terrorists are just that howsoever they disguise themselves and which led to the proscription of organisations from both sides of the conflict thus denying them legitimacy.

I've travelled to Ireland and was warmly received there and I have no doubt that demographics will at some time in the future lead to a united Ireland; a long time coming perhaps but welcome to many, Irish or not, when it does indeed happen.

You mention UK government inaction or unwillingness to act towards peace before US involvement. I believe its involvement goes back to Mrs Thatcher’s time by the establishing of a dialogue, albeit in a very quiet and secret way. The movement towards peace also surely accelerated from the ground up: ie, the increasing revulsion of ordinary folk towards the bombings and carnage and the growing realisation that enough was enough. Furthermore, I believe Blair stood his ground and acted with courage and determination to overcome deep seated opposition to any peace, any cessation of land, any increase in rights to the Catholic people of NI and as such, he, Bill Clinton, the Irish government and other people of goodwill who oversaw the difficult early stages of the process should be applauded for their foresight and courage in swimming somewhat against the tide as far as the sectarian forces were concerned.

The Americans have the chance to elect a new President in 2008. The neo-cons and rednecks have had their day, it's time for a change. Mr Obama for me. Academic as I don't get to vote! lol

Wishing you a Happy New Year.

Your fine, mate. I was only concerned not to offend your sensibilities. Thank you for your seasonal wishes and I wish you a very Happy New Year.

The Bon Ami displayed by the NI First Minister and his Deputy was voted in Ireland as the second most important event(s) by the Irish public in 2007. The English played a big part in the event judged the most memorable! More anon.

Yes, about Maggie but it was not her that I had in mind. There is a good deal of evidence that there were forces within the British Establishment who would sabotage even the will of Parliament. Some of the worst atrocities and acts of real terrorism were at the direction of these people. There's a lot yet to be revealed...

Your fine, mate. I was only concerned not to offend your sensibilities. Thank you for your seasonal wishes and I wish you a very Happy New Year.

The Bon Ami displayed by the NI First Minister and his Deputy was voted in Ireland as the second most important event(s) by the Irish public in 2007. The English played a big part in the event judged the most memorable! More anon.

Yes, about Maggie but it was not her that I had in mind. There is a good deal of evidence that there were forces within the British Establishment who would sabotage even the will of Parliament. Some of the worst atrocities and acts of real terrorism were at the direction of these people. There's a lot yet to be revealed.

How much Britain has changed is highlighted by the death of that Brazilian. That a foreign power taught your 'bobbys' how to pump bullets into someone's face from inches away is an abhorrence that I cannot ever clear from my brain. Yes get anti-terrorist help but not from the one state that trives on the terrorism that commenced with murdering British servicemen and a UN peace ambassador.

That no one in authority in the Met resigned for this dastardly act is still beyond my comprehension. The image of the friendly English bobby is now gone forever. Another Blair must go but it's already too late.

Why have all the english speaking countries except Ireland, had a decrease in their own citizens' rights and extraordinary fear of Islam in common. I believe Brown may have reversed this but it's too early yet.