David Ervine was on Nightline with Ted Koppel on July 7, in a discussion on terrorism with the Anonymous (former CIA) author of "Imperial Hubris" and former National Security adviser Richard Clarke.
Mr. Ervine had some common sense points to make that it "required no thesis" to understand. Referring with first hand knowledge to the "pit of justification" -- the sense that violent actions were justified by "look what they're doing to us." Said the IRA recognized they were on a "hamster wheel to hell". Talked about moderate voices being marginalized by extremists so that NO communication can take place....
Mr. Clarke took a very hardline attitude. Mr. Ervine's comments were relevant to REALITY between competing ideologies, I thought, and I would like to know more about him. Definitely has the confidence and gilded tongue to stand out like Gorgeous George in politics and media.
I have googled for more info on him and not come up with a lot. Will look for the biography from 2003. "Uncharted Waters." Found one article from 1999
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/northern_ireland/profiles/290381.stm