Danny,
While I admire your knowledge on this issue, for me who has not lived in Ireland on a long term basis since 1998. the progress made in the 14 years since, is incredible. The news I remember most from that year was the Omagh bombings. It has to be one of the saddest and most callous events that I ever encountered. The only positive out of this horrific deed was the sense of outrage and desire to see the end of such atrocities. This is why I found the article uplifting and positive as it encapsulated the progress made.
In regards to the peace walls, yes I have seen them first hand and while they are very much a curiousity to the outsider, they do serve their purpose. For me, like the chances of there being a united Irish football team, the peace walls will last well into the future and there is no immediate solution to this problem. This does not affect my feelings of the positive changes occuring.
You mentioned too the discontentment of many working class people in NI, much of this is due to the economic situation being exploited by extremists, something I have been told is occuring in Donegal villages close to the border too, and the souce of my information is a man who has experienced it. I really don't see any desire to return to the old ways and while extremists are a real issue, their support is symptomatic of the present recession and the associated frustration and lack of hope that exists in many communities, as much as a real commitment to extreme politics. Maybe, I am showing my naivety again on this issue, but I felt compelled to express it anyhow.
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