Quote Originally Posted by Cuchulainn
The problem with Unionists is that they fear losing their identity if they say they're Irish, and thus their allegiance to the Crown. This brings up the problem and dilemma of, if you are not Irish, don't want to be labeled as Irish, why are you in Ireland and want a equal say? I am well aware of the Unionist suspicions and fears, and understand much of them, but they need to lose the fear of change. Without that we will still be shooting eachother. I, along with a lot of people, have lost friends & family. I have also seen & done things which I'm not proud of and do not wish on anyone. This country needs to lose it's festering hate and festering mistrust in order to move anywhere.
Perhaps they view being Irish as something different, though? To use a stereotypical parallel, some people consider being American to be loyal to the President and supporting the troops. Whereas some people consider being American to be ready to voice dissent and to try constantly to change the system. But I agree, the country does need to try and move on. I know many people on the Northern side of the border who are unecessarily distrustful and make various assumptions which are usually untrue.

The only thing I object to in what you say is that you blanket your claims to the whole population. Not ALL of our residents want to remain British, not ALL of our residents think the IRA are still active. Some do, most accept, while more could have been done to PROVE it, that more WASN'T done to try and save face.
That's entirely fair and I apologise for giving that impression/any time I may have overtly made such claims. It was unfair and I got dragged into the heat of the debate.