Flag saga Northern Ireland

[SucksFakeSanta]

I am ashamed to be from NI.

Thank goodness there has been no loss of life, but some people have had terrifying experiences.

My DC are now scared of 'the flag people' after the route to my DTSs birthday dinner was blocked by a mob earlier this evening.

Seriously fed up with it all. Cannot imagine what it must be like to be working in retail or tourism at the minute.

[WayneDeer]

My ever practical grandmother remarked,
" they all knew there would be trouble, all of them. couldn't this all have waited until after Christmas, it'll really stop people shopping and going out"

I was going to mount my high democratic horse and then thought..yeah probably

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

I dont agree with the flag being taken down.

But I dont agree with little thugs rioting in the name of it either.

[WayneDeer]

I think lots of people feel the same way wannabe

[weegiemum]

This sort of thing is why dh left NI when he was 18 (24 years ago) and why he has told me (Scottish born and bred, as are our dc) that he will never go back!

We only visit because his mum and his brother+ family live there. I've never had a visit in 20 years when something they normalise happens and I'm left thinking "WTF"

It's not yet a healthy community, no matter what people from there say!

[ballroomblitz]

There's a difference between people 'defending their national identity and heritage' peacefully and not what those scumbags out on the street are doing. Fwiw - it's my national identity and I would have preferred for the flag to stay up but I don't condone people going out and rioting in my apparent name. As for burning a tricolour, well that just reeks of hypocrisy.

Now the police are being attacked? Disgusting! These people are only trying to do their jobs. They have families too.

[Northernexile]

Not sure I'm getting your point there bureni.

[BoulevardOfBrokenSleep]

I think s/he's saying it's OK to riot in defnce of your 'national identity and heritage'.

Personally, I find my heritage is about more than what colour of cloth is on top of a building. But hey, what sort of pickle would Northern Ireland be in if everyone thought crazy things like that?

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

No I think she is referring to the fact that Martin Mcguinness is Deputy First Minister even though he was in the IRA and has been in prison.

Sinn Fein pushed for it to go through now. Right before xmas. The effect its having on traders would always have been bad, but perhaps not as bad if they could have postponed until early 2013.

Also, everyone is quick to criticise loyalists when there are two sides. And lets not forget who it was bombing England and attacking British Forces.

Dissident Republicans have killed soldiers and PSNI officers in recent years. All that was in defence of their national identity. I think her point is that there are two sides.

[DizzyCow63]

MissCellania your comment is totally out of order. You cannot catogerise the entire unionist community by the acts of a few thugs, just like you cannot catogerise the entire nationalist community by, for example, those who murdered David Black just a few weeks ago.

I personally disagree with the decision to remove the flag but am disgusted by the violence that has ensued- the worst has been literally yards from my home. What the idiots perpetrating this seem not to realise is that politicians cannot be seen to give in to violence and they are simply vastly reducing the chances of any change in this decision.

[poozlepants]

A lot of N Ireland's problems are and have been due to high levels of unemployment. If you have fuck all hope of a job, ever, you get involved with things that make you feel important. Add the potent issue of Northern Irish politics and you get idiots fighting over a flag for example. I don't just mean the thugs outside the city hall.
I come from N Ireland originally and the council in my hometown have been fighting over this issue for years when they should be trying to work for the people of the town bringing jobs and opportunities for young people.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

Issuing death threats against politicians, trying to murder police officers, destroying property and economy and disrupting people's lives does nothing to protect national identity and heritage.

It costs us in taxes and jobs and will result in a new generation who will start their lives with criminal records and bitter minds.

[pickledsiblings]

So, what recourse do the loyalists have over this decision?

[BoulevardOfBrokenSleep]

What poozlepants and Dione said.

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Negotiations to get the amount of days its flown increased.

Not sure that will appease the rioters though.

I am tired of living here. Trying to go xmas shopping today. Nightmare not knowing where will kick off next.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

The people of NI have the same recourse as the rest of the UK: challenge by legal means and if that fails, do it via the democratic process of election. Elect representatives to overturn the decision.

[DizzyCow63]

Wannabe if you are on twitter, there is a list of planned protests for every day this week- check @chrislindsay_, he's a journalist who tweeted it last night.

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Thanks Dizzy! DP looking it up now!

East Belfast kicked off so bad because they elected Naomi Long (Alliance) into Peter Robinsons (DUP) seat. Thats why the death threats are against her.

So electing failed in their eyes.

Not that its ok in anyway. But just explaining it for anyone not from here!

[scarlettsmummy2]

It's just a bunch of not very bright people reacting the only way they know how. It's really sad and depressing.

[DizzyCow63]

I'm not sure if this will work from my phone, but for anyone in NI not on Twitter, this is a list of planned protests for this week- here

[DizzyCow63]

Irish sorry for your loss x

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

Have been watching this on the news. Stay safe x

[SantaIAmSoFuckingRock]

so sorry irish.

i hope the day goes without any trouble for you and your family.


"It's just a bunch of not very bright people reacting the only way they know how. It's really sad and depressing. "

and damaging to so many others beyond just themselves. all of NI suffers long term because of this stupidity.

[Rachel130690]

I'm from Northern Ireland, thankfully not Belfast. But last night there was a riot and 'protest' in my town. Basically it was the scum of the place out to cause trouble as its their 'right'. The whole thing is a joke. What good comes from wrecking everything and throwing things at people.

Politicians knew then when the flag came down this was going to happen. Of course certain people will disagree with it coming down but I think it's crazy what these idiots are doing to their towns. Peaceful protest is one thing I agree everyone should stand up for their rights but is this really the right way to go about it, causing mayham and destruction all over the place.

I wish people would go about it the right way but I doubt that will ever happen as a lot of people's minds have been warped but older generations.