JamesConnollysStache [any]

Nah, your friend is worrying over nothing, been watching too many movies maybe. Sure, how would anybody know if he’s catholic, as long as he’s not wearing his “I love the Pope” t-shirt? Look, you’ll see a lot of weirdo loyalists and an overabundance of union jacks in some places, but they’ve no interest in you. Likewise, catholic areas will have lots of interesting murals celebrating various anti-colonial struggles, you won’t find much overt sectarianism in those neighborhoods. Leave the Pope t-shirt at home (I guess there’s no presbyterian equivalent?) and avoid the dodgy parts of town, you’ll have a great time. The Antrim coast and Mourne mountains are very beautiful, if you like a bit of nature!

Has she never met a Canadian?

It’s fine, nothing at all to worry about. Like you said, you’re an American and that is how you will be viewed. Maybe avoid Mid-July so you don’t have to see the ugliness of Loyalism, when they do have their sectarian festival. I’m curious what you’ve heard…

Should we be so accepting of IDF veterans fresh from shooting civvies on the border fence?

I dunno. I guess only if said veteran was fully repentant and acknowledging of the crimes they were part of…and most importantly were now actively agitating against them.

I guess I don’t believe in condemning people forever - neither the cop in Baltimore nor the grunt in Mogadishu, if they’re on the bottom rungs of such fucked up hierarchies. We need allies and if they’ve come around, that’s better than nothing.

Forgive, never forget.