Thread:Cyrannian/@comment-25890179-20180111235940/@comment-1633483-20180115213004

Well I'm not a pacifist, and I suppose I wasn't being totally accurate when I said I was against political violence, though I draw a very definite line on terrorism in any shape or form. I should also make it clear that culturally, I come from an Irish Catholic family, and I definitely believe that Ireland is far better off as an independent republic, and that British rule was often characterised by neglect and even oppression during the 19th Century. Northern Ireland is a more messy situation, and on a personal note, I use it to get free Amazon shipping from the UK, by sending things to my relatives who live there!

The Easter Rising is a difficult issue, since it was a military failure and at the time, was rejected by the majority of the population. Indeed, people forget that many Irish people were enthusiastic supporters of the British Empire, which is often overlooked by those who believe that Irish soldiers in WW1 only fought for the British on the promise of an independent Ireland upon the war's conclusion. However, it led directly to the War of Independence, which I would have supported. In fact, I admire Michael Collins, both for his skills as a military leader, and his recognition that the Anglo-Irish Treaty was preferable to a continued and devastated war.