Trouble in Belfast

[totallywired]

I was in Belfast over the weekend.

Like someone else said, all they're doing is bringing the flag protocol into line with the rest of the UK and that it was an all party democratic agreement.

It's simply an excuse to do some kicking off, frankly.

One suggestion has been to fly both Union Flag and the tricolour from the building, but somehow I can't see that happening.

Why do these "Loyalists" feel the need to fly Union Flags from every lamp post in the street, even in predominantly catholic areas? We don't do that over here do we? It's simply an act of provocation by small minded youths.

The main protests are peaceful and outside city hall but you only hear about the violence over here. Those main protesters are simply trying to make their point, as is their right, but these idiots in the masks and attacking the cops aren't the slightest bit interested in the flag, they're just out to cause trouble.

What??? Never ever suggested by anybody.
Stupid statement.

N O ITS NOT A STUPID STATEMENT. It`s spot on.

 

[mammutly]

Well we should agree to disagree...i see it more often than a few weeks of the year.

Also...has anyone else seen the scanned image of the legislation from the 50s? It shows that the fleg was only flown for 15 days a year.

Ill try and find it again and post it

My experience is similar to yours. Father in Law lives in Newry which, as you'll know, is a predominantly republican town. The last time I was there in September, I can't recall seeing a single flag or nationalist symbol.
We drove down the coast to Annalong and there were union jacks flying everywhere, there was red, blue and white bunting across the main road and the kerb stones were painted red, white and blue. I have seen similar sights in Belfast - flags and symbols everywhere in unionist areas and all year round.

There is just no need for it. It's jingoistic silliness. If nationalists were doing it, the bullshit rating would be equally as high.

 

[mick10]

I was in Belfast over the weekend.

Like someone else said, all they're doing is bringing the flag protocol into line with the rest of the UK and that it was an all party democratic agreement.

It's simply an excuse to do some kicking off, frankly.

One suggestion has been to fly both Union Flag and the tricolour from the building, but somehow I can't see that happening.

Why do these "Loyalists" feel the need to fly Union Flags from every lamp post in the street, even in predominantly catholic areas? We don't do that over here do we? It's simply an act of provocation by small minded youths.

The main protests are peaceful and outside city hall but you only hear about the violence over here. Those main protesters are simply trying to make their point, as is their right, but these idiots in the masks and attacking the cops aren't the slightest bit interested in the flag, they're just out to cause trouble.

What??? Never ever suggested by anybody.
Stupid statement.

N O ITS NOT A STUPID STATEMENT. It`s spot on.

OK then. Give me one instance of a union flag flying in a nationalist area of Belfast, or someone saying 'fly the Union jack in nationalist areas!'
It's not spot on IT'S WRONG.

 

[mick10]

Well we should agree to disagree...i see it more often than a few weeks of the year.

Also...has anyone else seen the scanned image of the legislation from the 50s? It shows that the fleg was only flown for 15 days a year.

Ill try and find it again and post it

My experience is similar to yours. Father in Law lives in Newry which, as you'll know, is a predominantly republican town. The last time I was there in September, I can't recall seeing a single flag or nationalist symbol.
We drove down the coast to Annalong and there were union jacks flying everywhere, there was red, blue and white bunting across the main road and the kerb stones were painted red, white and blue. I have seen similar sights in Belfast - flags and symbols everywhere in unionist areas and all year round.

There is just no need for it. It's jingoistic silliness. If nationalists were doing it, the bullshit rating would be equally as high.

Your experience seems to be avoiding nationalist areas that fly nationalist emblems. You didn't see any in Newry!!! Belfast has union trapings in the loyalist areas and if nationalists did it?!! Take a wider trip next time you're visiting,try and get a wider picture. The one you have appears slightly blinkered.

 

[Anonymous]

My wife's got a pair of union jack knickers. I call them her Belfast pants as every time they come down there's a fucking protest.

 

[mammutly]

Well we should agree to disagree...i see it more often than a few weeks of the year.

Also...has anyone else seen the scanned image of the legislation from the 50s? It shows that the fleg was only flown for 15 days a year.

Ill try and find it again and post it

My experience is similar to yours. Father in Law lives in Newry which, as you'll know, is a predominantly republican town. The last time I was there in September, I can't recall seeing a single flag or nationalist symbol.
We drove down the coast to Annalong and there were union jacks flying everywhere, there was red, blue and white bunting across the main road and the kerb stones were painted red, white and blue. I have seen similar sights in Belfast - flags and symbols everywhere in unionist areas and all year round.

There is just no need for it. It's jingoistic silliness. If nationalists were doing it, the bullshit rating would be equally as high.

Your experience seems to be avoiding nationalist areas that fly nationalist emblems. You didn't see any in Newry!!! Belfast has union trapings in the loyalist areas and if nationalists did it?!! Take a wider trip next time you're visiting,try and get a wider picture. The one you have appears slightly blinkered.

I really don't think so. I'm just reporting what is visible to anyone. Unionist areas are often full of flags and symbols. In general, you don't see the same in Nationalist areas.
Taking the examples I gave, google images of Newry and Annalong if you like. The difference is obvious.

Its not a case of both sides flying flags and emblems equally. That's not me being blinkered, mate. It is actually the way it is. I'm not taking sides here - whether someone painted their neighbourhood red, white and blue or green, white and gold I'd still think it was stupid because it is..

 

[mick10]

My experience is similar to yours. Father in Law lives in Newry which, as you'll know, is a predominantly republican town. The last time I was there in September, I can't recall seeing a single flag or nationalist symbol.
We drove down the coast to Annalong and there were union jacks flying everywhere, there was red, blue and white bunting across the main road and the kerb stones were painted red, white and blue. I have seen similar sights in Belfast - flags and symbols everywhere in unionist areas and all year round.

There is just no need for it. It's jingoistic silliness. If nationalists were doing it, the bullshit rating would be equally as high.

Your experience seems to be avoiding nationalist areas that fly nationalist emblems. You didn't see any in Newry!!! Belfast has union trapings in the loyalist areas and if nationalists did it?!! Take a wider trip next time you're visiting,try and get a wider picture. The one you have appears slightly blinkered.

I really don't think so. I'm just reporting what is visible to anyone. Unionist areas are often full of flags and symbols. In general, you don't see the same in Nationalist areas.
Taking the examples I gave, google images of Newry and Annalong if you like. The difference is obvious.

Its not a case of both sides flying flags and emblems equally. That's not me being blinkered, mate. It is actually the way it is. I'm not taking sides here - whether someone painted their neighbourhood red, white and blue or green, white and gold I'd still think it was stupid because it is..

I agree totally about the flag and painting thing. The difference between you and me is simple. You see it a week or two a year and need to google it, don't need google I just use my eyes. I see it every day mate. each as bad as the other. You are blinkere, or choose not to see. Next time you're over give me a pm,I'll happilly take you for a pint no matter what your belief and I'll show you both sides.Oh and although I come from Belfast I lived between Newry and Markethill for 3years so I'm familiar with the area (Armagh road I'm sure your father-in-law knows it well) and in honesty I quite liked the place.

-- Sun Jan 20, 2013 3:25 pm --

My wife's got a pair of union jack knickers. I call them her Belfast pants as every time they come down there's a fucking protest.

Oh zip up my sides. Hilarious.
Went out with Nelson's eye that. ;)

 

[mammutly]

It really beggars belief that these few idiots are causing so much trouble over a flag:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21487405" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21487405</a>

 

[Shadz69]

While not wanting to ressurrect this thread I am just wonder how widely the recent inclusion of the British ambassador laying a wreath to commemerate the fallen on both sides during the war of independence was reported in the media over your way.Spoke to an English mate today and he had'nt heard anything,was reported over here but nothing major.It's a pretty signifigant step forward in my opinion.Definitely good signs when you consider whats going on elsewhere and was wondering some people's thoughts on it.

 

[speccybob]

Not heard a peep about it tbh pal. Any links?