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Again, interesting stuff, but is it really to do with the question?
I specifically pointed out that their motives are mixed and not really the point. The point, in reference to the question, is that they are just the same as terrorist groups the world over.
I made the comment in reference to PussyKatty's comment that Muslims are treated equally in the US and UK.
I dont know, are you suggesting its something unique to Islam?
I believe the terrorism associated with a very extreme interpretation of Islam is unique, yes. The fundamentalist religious ideology that marks al Qaeda distinguishes them from the likes of ETA and the IRA. Suicide bombing, the bizarre 72 virgins belief and the unattainable demands are somewhat unique. The IRA's demand of a united Ireland is in itself a rational and negotiable desire. (Although it's not something I would necessarily endorse).
The minority of British Muslims that adhere to this extreme interpretation of Islam have demands that are irrational and unacceptable to all of those who disagree with them. Islamofascism as an ideology is more dangerous, more extreme and more alien to civilised thought, it's very different to the IRA. I probably do not support the aim of a united Ireland but like most people I can understand and identify with it. I cannot say the same of the beliefs espoused by the minority of Muslims that support terror.
What difference does it make what excuses they use?
They use terror to try and get what they want, ergo they are the same as other groups.
i could name a dozen people killed by the IRA who I or my parents knew, ranging from family to the person who used to own the local garage (and to be fair I suspect Turlough and his parents could name a fair few murdered by the UVF et al). I doubt any poster on this board knows the same number killed by AQ (or other Islamic militant groups).
But the great English public care more when its a bomb in London, whether its Islamists on the tube or the IRA blowing up Harrods, than they do when another Paddy or soldier getting gunned down in Belfast. perhaps the qualities might devote a few paragraphs to it and if it was a slow news day the BBC might mention it at the end of the news bulletin
Omagh certainly got a lot of coverage as did the bombs in Manchester in 1996.
Not a silly point. How many people do you know killed by AQ? I can name a dozen killed ny the IRA. And interesting how you mention the Manchester bombing - as that kind of validates my point. Because that was in England it got lots of publicity - the number of deaths it caused was none. Even Docklands only killed two.
In the list of PIRA atrocities these are constantly mentioned, but in reality they were minor compared to the numbers killed in Northern Ireland.
Who was the greatest threat between AQ and the IRA and who was worse pretty much depends where you sit... and to me it seems that most English people don't have any real clue about Northern Ireland or what was happening there was ar worse than the relatively minor threats posed by AQ.
I dont disagree at all, which is why saying AQ are far worse and very different from what we've had in the past is rubbish.
That's the point I was going to make, who cares who dies as long as it's the paddy's killing the paddy's seems to be the mentality across the world.
Dont take it personally mate, there are loads of other countries we dont care about either.
The difference being those countries aren't part of the UK and it wasn't British subjects being killed in them.
not really
I don't know anyone killed by either. But I know people affected by both.
I agree that I personally don't know much about Northern Ireland. I remember bomb scares when I was younger and lived in Brighton at the time of the bomb there. But I was too young to really understand it. Most people seem to think problems with the IRA are over and concentrate on Al Quada now as that is the current biggest 'threat'.
And I am sure that the media in NI/Ireland/any country, focuses on news there as opposed to other places. It's hardly something exclusive to England.
its still more political than religious .. im labeled a catholic because of where i was brought up not because im a practising christian
the answer is quite simple
The IRA were only blowing up people
ALKIDA is blowing up american assets those twin towers cost billions of greenbacks and even more billions of greenbacks to replace
And of coarse we can't forget the question of OIL to the yanks oil is more precious then gold
The USA cannot Tick over without plentiful supplies of OIL
This is the reason they went into Iraq /Kuwait to get rid of saddam and maintain oil supplies
Desoite the ever growing evidence to the contray.
OUCH!
The IRA drink guiness.
Al Qaeda drink the blood of a thousand virgins / babies / etc. Or so we are led to believe.