Quote from: Myles Na G. on June 22, 2014, 03:14:44 PMQuote from: Galwaybhoy on June 22, 2014, 01:19:28 AMLike Syferus, you're very good at telling those of us in the north what are problems are. Here's one of my problems: people in the 26 counties who think that my Irishness somehow depends upon whether a Dublin administration does or does not have a 'claim' over me. Big news, it doesn't. I'm as Irish as anyone from Dublin, or Cork or Galway by virtue of the fact that I was born in Belfast on the island of Ireland, irrespective of what an administration elected by people in the 26 counties thinks or decrees. That makes me part of the Irish nation as far as I'm concerned. The nation may currently be dispersed across two political jurisdictions, but that does not - or at least, should not - dilute its legitimacy. There is no such thing as a Northern Irish nation, nor is there a Republic of Ireland nation. There is just the Irish nation. Calling the 26 counties 'Ireland', or claiming that it is a country, is to diminish what the Irish nation is and what it represents. It also insults those Irish people who live outside the 26 county jurisdiction.Quote from: Myles Na G. on June 21, 2014, 11:47:32 PMQuote from: Galwaybhoy on June 21, 2014, 03:07:04 PMYou talked about 'this country' and then you mentioned Northern Ireland. You obviously think that these are two separate countries. That's where we part company. I think Ireland is one country, though it is currently divided into two separate political states. Neither of these states, in my view, is a 'country'. I get tetchy when people talk like they are.Quote from: Myles Na G. on June 21, 2014, 01:34:45 PMQuote from: Galwaybhoy on June 21, 2014, 12:54:54 PMAny of those, bar the last. Ireland doesn't stop at the border.Quote from: Myles Na G. on June 21, 2014, 12:45:07 PMQuote from: Galwaybhoy on June 21, 2014, 12:06:27 PM'this country'? You mean the 26 county state? Hardly a country.
I don't mind England and I do have more interest when they are playing but I don't like to see them win. It's rivalry, I don't wish them any harm or anything like that. What I don't understand is why so many people talk about immaturity when people in this country cheer against England (normally non-football fans say this) but yet it seems to be perfectly acceptable for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to shout against England.
However there are instances when England will have my full support - Normally against Northern Ireland and Australia in football and anytime they play New Zealand, Australia or South Africa in Rugby.
The term "country" is used to refer to sovereign states. You can call it what ever floats your boat, I don't get caught up on names when it comes to this island.
So
Republic of Ireland
Free State
the 26 counties
The south
Ireland
Take your pick.
I never mentioned Ireland in my original post only the word country so unless you don't believe the 26 county state is a country I don't know why you attacked my post. Seems like you were looking for any reason to pounce.
Like many people in the north you need to forget about being 'tetchy' and accept peoples opinions on the matter.
However this isn't so much an opinion as it is fact. Under the Good Friday Agreement we on this island have accepted that there are two different states on this island. The south gave up any claim it had to the six counties in the north. As the word 'country' can be used when referencing different states then that makes it a fact the the 26 county state is a country. With the right conditions I would support a United Ireland but not if it means 1000's of innocent lives. Over the years I have found myself caring less about names and flags and caring more about peace.
Talk about wanting to pick a fight over nothing. I never said you weren't Irish you like many are looking for excuses to be insulted. You are like anyone born on this island entitled to an Irish passport and entitled to be an Irish person however just like those in the north, Northern Ireland, the six counties - choose which ever wording you like is also entitled to feel British.
All this just cause I used the words Ireland and Northern Ireland in the one post. If you haven't understood by now I don't mind or care what flag you or anyone else flies or what nationality you want to be. Your fully entitled to either but picking argumens over the words people use to describe this bloody island is where alot of the problems start.