I don't think people realise the corner they have put Ireland in........

is_that_so

axer wrote: »

Are you saying that this piece of text about NATO is incorrect?

Not if you are a NATO member and as for the UN it has no army and relies on its members to come together so not sure how it can do so. Take your pick out of Rwanda, Kosovo, Darfur or even that paragon of democracy Zimbabwe to see how well the UN can respond to things. Incidentally here's a booklet on EU foreign policy which outlines how it works.

axer

is_that_so wrote: »

Not if you are a NATO member

What do you mean by this?

Daftendirekt

axer wrote: »

What do you mean by this?

I think (s/he?) means if you're NOT in NATO, which Ireland isn't.

Scofflaw

axer wrote: »

Are you saying that this piece of text about NATO is incorrect?

As people have pointed out, the text is fine, but it applies to NATO members, which Ireland isn't.

cordially,
Scofflaw

limklad

Scofflaw wrote: »

Neither NATO nor the UN are obliged to do so.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Agreed, but we do have Britain next to us, who will not like anyone on their backdoor who could strike then next.


Just to mentioned our previous experience Historically.
During World War 2, there were provisions to Invade Ireland by Britain and USA if The Nazi managed to Land here in large Numbers. Nazi's did land and even a "U boat" crew who scuttled it in the Shannon (Found out recently near Foynes), but we arrested them and held them in the Curragh POW along with British forces (Royal air force and Nazi fighter pilots) who landed here, usually crashed. So we do have an “unwanted” Big brother who does not want trouble near their territory. In reality as a population during World war two we were never truly neutral, as approx. 200,000 worked on the war effort in Britain and lots more entered the British Army and fought and many Irish abroad for USA, Australia and less extend New Zealand. Politically (hypnotically Neutral), we supplied a lot of military intelligence to Britain. Allowed RAF fly over Donegal, and ignored (usually by anti-nazi people) many RAF and other Allies pilots and let them go back over the border into the North (not all RAF pilots). By staying Neutral we managed to avoid much mass Bombing that Britain had. therfore protecting our country while fighting the Nazis. Yes, I know that Germany bomb Ireland one or two times for helping the North.


Been Neutral has many advantages over the years, it gives us more freedom to move around in the world as nobody saw us a threat nor have any suspicions of us, compare to brits and US. After all we invade and occupy other countries in other ways by stealth (immigration is great isn’t it). We have no ambitions for hostile takeover of other nations, therefore we are not a legitimate military target. We general help in time of crisis and not take sides without general UN approval with all of our Peace keeping missions over the years.



If some country would want to Invade Ireland, they are more highly likely using Ireland as a back door to Britain & Europe, So Britain & Europe will be watching very closely, and Britain will strike first (probably Air & Navel Strikes) and invade Ireland against the aggressors. They will want to fight here than in their own country. Then we will no longer be neutral and we will not have an issue with it. Up to then, we shall remain Neutral, and let those who want to fight, go and join other armies (who would love much needed manpower) while our country is safer.
I believe that If Ireland is attacked, then the Invader will in the end up regretting it, for we have many ways in responding besides the military option ( I keep those options secret - I cannot let our future enemies know of our plans). We are a very resourceful nation when we pressed.


We may be a small nation physically, but population wise we are just like the sleeping Giant that was the USA at the start of World War 2.


I would not worry about physically aggressors, just passive aggressors who pretend to be our allies to get us into their wars. That is why I will question anything that will affect our Neutrality status.

hmmm

limklad wrote: »

I believe that If Ireland is attacked, then the Invader will in the end up regretting it, for we have many ways in responding besides the military option ( I keep those options secret - I cannot let our future enemies know of our plans). We are a very resourceful nation when we pressed.

Yeah, last time we were invaded it only took us 800 years to kick them out. Go us!

We may be a small nation physically, but population wise we are just like the sleeping Giant that was the USA at the start of World War 2.

Eh what?

thehighground

hmmm wrote: »

Yeah, last time we were invaded it only took us 800 years to kick them out. Go us!

Eh what?

Did you not notice we managed to stay out of the last European war? Maybe we're not that stupid after all!

limklad

hmmm wrote: »

Eh what?

You have clearly forgotton where all of our peopes have gone over the centuries and still considered themselves Irish.

thehighground

limklad wrote: »

You have clearly forgotton where all of our peopes have gone over the centuries and still considered themselves Irish.

80m around the world who consider themselves Irish, isn't it?

limklad

thehighground wrote: »

80m around the world who consider themselves Irish, isn't it?

It 's hard to get an acurate figure. I do not thing anyone have done a worldwide census on the Irish..

turgon

They only claim it when it suits them. Like Americans who are into all the heritage.

Half the time they mock us as backward. Look whos laughing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index#January_2007_ranking
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reporters_Without_Borders#Worldwide_Press_Freedom_Index_Ranking