Bush sends chilly warning to Sinn Fein

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050314/wl_uk_afp/usnirelandwhouse_050314235846

WASHINGTON (AFP) - President George W. Bush (news - web sites) shut his St Patrick's Day celebrations to leaders of the Irish Republican Army (news - web sites)'s political wing to protest what one aide described as the IRA's "thuggery and gangsterism."

White House officials did not to publicly single out Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, who is on a trip to the United States. They said Bush was frustrated with Northern Ireland political parties in general, but made clear in private that the IRA was in Washington's crosshairs.

"We have hosted the leaders of the political parties in Northern Ireland in recent years in order to encourage progress toward a comprehensive peace agreement," said Bush spokesman Scott McClellan.

"We have seen recently that there has been a lack of progress," added McClellan. "Continued violence, paramilitary activity and associated criminal acts remain a key obstacle to a lasting and durable peace."

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Don't fuck with Ireland! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

That rotten bastard couldn't find NI on a map.

What I would like to know is who is paying the bill for the McCartney sister's trip to the US this week?

The Irish government, the Brits, who????

Did you see that one of the sisters wants to stand for election? Seems awful curious to me. I understand their desire to get justice but, to parlay that into a political career? Something's awful fishy.

I just hope McCartney's family realizes that making any deal with Bushco is equal to selling your soul to Satan.

to run in the local council elections.

Looks to me like the SDLP is behind this with help from Fianna Fail.

Why does this not surprise me.

However, there is much political hay being made right now. It seems that the IRA was wrong to be seen as doing nothing, were wrong to be seen as getting involved, wrong for not solving the case for the police, wrong for offering to use force to handle the situation...I have trouble seeing what could be done by them legally or illegally that wouldn't be proclaimed more reason for their disbandment. Damned if they do anything or nothing.

Here in the US, there are crimes that go unsolved because people won't come forward, too--it doesn't require organized crime to be involved. Even in the worst days and places of Mafia control, there were crimes that actually had nothing to do with the mob itself, altho any thug could claim connections that he didn't have to leverage extra power. (True, it would put him at risk of his life from the REAL Mafia, but if they were trying to lay low, he could get by for a while with the ruse). This could as easily have a Real or Continuity IRA thug involved--like they would 'fess up to get the heat off the provos.

I was needling my English boss about NI today. Actually he is sympathetic to the Republican cause. I just like saying, "Brits Out!" and "Up Sinn Fein" to see how he reacts. I get enjoyment out of saying those things but, I'm really not projecting a good side of the republican cause.