Trouble in Belfast

[BluePurgatory]

Did Belfast City Council not know what would happen if they took the Union Jack off the city hall? Really?

This^^^^^. Only idiots would think they would not have been a backlash!<br /><br />-- Mon Jan 14, 2013 12:37 pm --<br /><br />

ffs all this over a piece of cloth,its a pity they have nothing else to do or worry about

They prob feel the same as you feel about the colour of a city shirt. Its about keeping their identity!

 

[mammutly]

Did Belfast City Council not know what would happen if they took the Union Jack off the city hall? Really?

This^^^^^. Only idiots would think they would not have been a backlash!

-- Mon Jan 14, 2013 12:37 pm --

ffs all this over a piece of cloth,its a pity they have nothing else to do or worry about

They prob feel the same as you feel about the colour of a city shirt. Its about keeping their identity!

Just to extend your metaphor slightly. In football terms, Manchester is a divided city. If the council chose to fly either a City or a Utd flag over the townhall they would be alienating a large section of the community they are supposed to represent.

 

[BluePurgatory]

Did Belfast City Council not know what would happen if they took the Union Jack off the city hall? Really?

This^^^^^. Only idiots would think they would not have been a backlash!

-- Mon Jan 14, 2013 12:37 pm --

ffs all this over a piece of cloth,its a pity they have nothing else to do or worry about

They prob feel the same as you feel about the colour of a city shirt. Its about keeping their identity!

Just to extend your metaphor slightly. In football terms, Manchester is a divided city. If the council chose to fly either a City or a Utd flag over the townhall they would be alienating a large section of the community they are supposed to represent.

That was not my point. I was pointing out that the piece of cloth may seem the same to them as he feels about his city shirt or scarf.

 

[BlueHammer85]

Did Belfast City Council not know what would happen if they took the Union Jack off the city hall? Really?

Does that mean they shouldn't do it? Despite the vote?

So ... We have a majority. We can vote to take the flag off the building. We know damn well that if we do the Orange guys will create mayhem costing millions.

But we'll still do it anyway because hey- we are a Democracy. That's really sensible. Struck a blow for Democracy. Stood up for a principle. Ignored 400 years of History. Really in the best interests of the city.

 

[johnmc]

Did Belfast City Council not know what would happen if they took the Union Jack off the city hall? Really?

Does that mean they shouldn't do it? Despite the vote?

So ... We have a majority. We can vote to take the flag off the building. We know damn well that if we do the Orange guys will create mayhem costing millions.

But we'll still do it anyway because hey- we are a Democracy. That's really sensible. Struck a blow for Democracy. Stood up for a principle. Ignored 400 years of History. Really in the best interests of the city.

It was decided by a vote.

 

[mick10]

Does that mean they shouldn't do it? Despite the vote?

So ... We have a majority. We can vote to take the flag off the building. We know damn well that if we do the Orange guys will create mayhem costing millions.

But we'll still do it anyway because hey- we are a Democracy. That's really sensible. Struck a blow for Democracy. Stood up for a principle. Ignored 400 years of History. Really in the best interests of the city.

It was decided by a vote.

Not by the people it wasn't. What would that vote have show? For? Against? Who knows but if it had been put to a referendum then the decision would more likely than not been accepted by all.

 

[johnmc]

Not by the people it wasn't. What would that vote have show? For? Against? Who knows but if it had been put to a referendum then the decision would more likely than not been accepted by all.

You want a referendum on every decision or just the ones you don't agree with? The decision was voted in by parties that were voted for by the people. If they don't like the decision vote for a party opposing the decision. I'd doubt many of those rioting actually vote. Many are too young for starters.

 

[nijinsky's fetlocks]

Why don't they just settle this problem by flying the Basque national flag instead?
It's like a union jack,but with green stripes where the blue ones should be.
Surely that will please everyone.
Or no one.
But at least everyone will either be happy or pissed off,which is a level playing field I suppose.

 

[mick10]

Not by the people it wasn't. What would that vote have show? For? Against? Who knows but if it had been put to a referendum then the decision would more likely than not been accepted by all.

You want a referendum on every decision or just the ones you don't agree with? The decision was voted in by parties that were voted for by the people. If they don't like the decision vote for a party opposing the decision. I'd doubt many of those rioting actually vote. Many are too young for starters.

None of these politicians were voted in on regards to this present issue. Not on any manifesto. Never wanted a referendum in my life so nothing to do with what I agree or disagree with. If a referendum would or could stop the trouble why not? The politicians don't always make the right decisions now do they? Lots of trouble over decisions,poll tax,miners etc. The fact is if you as a politician make decisions that result in civil disorder you haven't quite got it right have you? As far as the people out rioting go I've no idea if they vote or not and no idea of their ages. I am however old enough to know the reporters,camera crews etc will zoom in on the image that'll cause the biggest wow factor (sorry terrible term).If you're under some impression that those out on the streets are all school kids you're greatly mistaken.<br /><br />-- Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:08 pm --<br /><br />

Why don't they just settle this problem by flying the Basque national flag instead?
It's like a union jack,but with green stripes where the blue ones should be.
Surely that will please everyone.
Or no one.
But at least everyone will either be happy or pissed off,which is a level playing field I suppose.

Personally I'll settle for a City one.

 

[mammutly]

It might be the case that a proportion of the population have not liked the flag being there for a long time. So, by democratic means they set about having it removed.

Now I think that is fair and reasonable and not just because of the means by which it was achieved.

To go back to my earlier metaphor. If a Utd flag were flown over Albert square all the time, it would piss off City fans, just as a City flag would piss off Utd fans. The logical solution is to fly neither flag since there are also a lot of people who support neither Utd nor City and just want to get on with other things.

History has no objection in reason, especially the sectarian history of Northern Ireland. Those who are protesting are defending an unreasonable position by unreasonable means.