I came over to see what Dave was nattering on about, and I must say, I've never had the chance to really dig into Irish politics. From the little I do read in US newspapers, my vague perception was that the North is messed up and ruled by shadowy criminal types. What you've said is scary. What hope does the north -- or Ireland -- have, then? Any glimmers of reason? I'd hate to think of my relatives making a better go of it only to lose it to IRA remnants that have taken over...and I certainly didn't see any signs of this when I visited. Ireland looked better last year than it did 25 years ago, when it was repressed, church-ridden, and groaning under high taxation rates.

Mind if I friend you?

Ginger