The facts of the hunger strikes have already been established

[minstrelboy]

Well said, tout or not, its only the Mi5 led effort to redeem Thatcher in the eyes of the world that will gain anything from this,
When she dies, the world will once again be reminded of her role in the hunger strikes and the next brit Gov. (Conservatives) won't want the bad publicity just as it starts its tenure.

Thatcher doesn't need redeeming in the eye's of the world - she's widely admired. When she dies she's expected to receive a state funeral (usually reserved for monarchs). No one in Britain has any interest in the history of the hunger strikes.

[10%of200]

Almost everyone on the small country road on which I live, including myself, is related to two of the Hunger Strikers, some of them in six different ways. That in no way gives me permission to speak on their behalf or claim my opinion is representative but I can give you a feeling of the general attitude.

Most of them are very suspicious about the circumstances surrounding the offer and believe there has been a story change or two along the way but greater than that is a hope that Republicans would stop pulling each other apart over the subject. It appears than many people on both sides are happy to use the deaths to further their own agandas.

I'm not suggesting that people don't discuss things which are difficult or pointing the finger at anyone in particular but I'd imagine that no Republicans want to see their names dragged through the dirt, there are enough anti-Republicans around to do that and good luck to them too.

I do see it as quite unfair however that Katayusha is described as an MI5 agent as his postings on the topic are genuine and backed with contemporary references. I would guess none of us will know the full details of the events surrounding mountain climber but for crying out loud, at some point both sides need to see the impass and futility of further bickering.

[the dark angel]

Almost everyone on the small country road on which I live, including myself, is related to two of the Hunger Strikers, some of them in six different ways. That in no way gives me permission to speak on their behalf or claim my opinion is representative but I can give you a feeling of the general attitude.

Most of them are very suspicious about the circumstances surrounding the offer and believe there has been a story change or two along the way but greater than that is a hope that Republicans would stop pulling each other apart over the subject. It appears than many people on both sides are happy to use the deaths to further their own agandas.

I'm not suggesting that people don't discuss things which are difficult or pointing the finger at anyone in particular but I'd imagine that no Republicans want to see their names dragged through the dirt, there are enough anti-Republicans around to do that and good luck to them too.

I do see it as quite unfair however that Katayusha is described as an MI5 agent as his postings on the topic are genuine and backed with contemporary references. I would guess none of us will know the full details of the events surrounding mountain climber but for crying out loud, at some point both sides need to see the impass and futility of further bickering.

A fair and balanced post.
As from Kat, he is a Brit sh*t stirrer, so don't be fooled by the little snake. If you pm me I'll tell you actually who he is.

[Katayusha Mk2]

- she's widely admired.

By the type of people who admire her friends General Pinochet and Ronald Reagan.

[minstrelboy]

Amongst many others. Just a fact, not a value judgement. Same with Mandela and Gorbachov.

[the dark angel]

By the type of people who admire her friends General Pinochet and Ronald Reagan.

And by her lap dog KatayuselessMI5tout.

[eyeswideopen]

And by her lap dog KatayuselessMI5tout.

I've just neg repped you because you're not adding anything to the debate or offering any substantiation for a very serious allegation. If you continue, without providing justification, I'll be reporting you to the mods.

[Stendec]

No apologies necessary. I would recommend 'Ten Men Dead' by David Beresford, which is an excellent account although we now know that it lacks the key details of the Mountain Climber initiative, and 'Blanketmen' by Richard O Rawe, which has helped fill in some of the missing detail.

blanket men me bollox is there any book ********************e men thatd suit them better????

[eyeswideopen]

Almost everyone on the small country road on which I live, including myself, is related to two of the Hunger Strikers, some of them in six different ways. That in no way gives me permission to speak on their behalf or claim my opinion is representative but I can give you a feeling of the general attitude.

Most of them are very suspicious about the circumstances surrounding the offer and believe there has been a story change or two along the way but greater than that is a hope that Republicans would stop pulling each other apart over the subject. It appears than many people on both sides are happy to use the deaths to further their own agandas.

I'm not suggesting that people don't discuss things which are difficult or pointing the finger at anyone in particular but I'd imagine that no Republicans want to see their names dragged through the dirt, there are enough anti-Republicans around to do that and good luck to them too.

I do see it as quite unfair however that Katayusha is described as an MI5 agent as his postings on the topic are genuine and backed with contemporary references. I would guess none of us will know the full details of the events surrounding mountain climber but for crying out loud, at some point both sides need to see the impass and futility of further bickering.

From a very different standpoint of not knowing about this apart from what I've read on the threads, it seems to me to be a lot of focus on one part of a long story, in which there were a lot of betrayals as well as a lot of heroism. But maybe I'm missing the point. People seem very anxious to shut him/her up.

[10%of200]

From a very different standpoint of not knowing about this apart from what I've read on the threads, it seems to me to be a lot of focus on one part of a long story, in which there were a lot of betrayals as well as a lot of heroism. But maybe I'm missing the point. People seem very anxious to shut him/her up.

Apologies if I sounded as if I was trying to shut anyone up, tried to point out clearly that it wasn't my intention. My motivation is about trying to stop their names being dragged through the dirt. There are plenty who disagree with their actions before and after sentencing who will do that and that is entirely up to them but to see Republicans doing it doesn't seem a fitting memorial.