Kind of fascinating that the origin of this term is an example where I don't think 'whataboutism' really applies: Hey the IRA has committed multiple atrocities

Kind of fascinating that the origin of this term is an example where I don't think 'whataboutism' really applies: Hey the IRA has committed multiple atrocities > well the English occupation of Ireland is much more violent and brutal than the IRA resistance like, the IRA was planting bombs and killing kids in pursuit of throwing off the English, whose crimes were worse, and committed for the purpose of maintaining English control of Ireland. later whataboutism is about questioning the standing of the speaker: "oh you hate Putin, but what about American crimes elsewhere?" These are unrelated points saying essentially "you can't criticize me for poisoning the ocean because you don't always recycle your cans"