In Thoughts of You

I'm so pleased the Orange Order will get to parade along the Springfield Road today.  It is a pity our laws on domestic privacy prevent the Loyal Orders from marching through the living rooms of the rebellious trolls who will doubtless be out, once again demonstrating that their 'Oireland of equals' never extends to those who belong to a distinctly Unionist profile.  Orange marches take place throughout the world: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America, Scotland, England, Togo and Ghana as well as Northern Ireland.  It is strange that nobody of a Catholic persuasion in those countries takes exception to the presence of 'Orange feet' on a publicly-funded thoroughfare.  However, the context of Northern Ireland is very different.

Let me one thing plain.  Opposition to marches in Northern Ireland is not only opposition to the Orange Order, it is to the very existence of Protestantism and Unionism on the island of Ireland.  For most of the year, republicans can tuck themselves away in the backstreets of the areas they inhabit, swamped by the accoutrements of rebellion: scabby tricolours, murals of terrorists, the occasional tea and biscuits visit from the local Sinn Fein heavy, etc.  When the reality that Northern Ireland is still very much a part of the United Kingdom - a position which, in no small part, owes its endurance to the men and women of the Orange Order - comes into their befuddled minds, they demonstrate against it, using the flimsy excuse of adulterated sensitivities to articulate their bigotry.

Hibernian parades take place in predominantly Unionist towns and villages throughout the province with no opposition.  I do not include republican parades because I see no linkage whatsoever between parades which are political/cultural in nature and those which venerate murdering scumbags.  There is no earthly excuse why Orange Parades should not occur anywhere within Northern Ireland.  I had to laugh at this passage in the Angrytown News:

'What will happen on Saturday should the parade go ahead is anybody’s guess. It is to be hoped that an eleventh hour decision to reverse the ruling might yet be made, but at present that appears unlikely. What we can say for certain is that nationalist residents and their community and political representatives will do all in their power to ensure that the day passes off peacefully, whatever direction the parade takes on Saturday. But clearly passions have been kindled and anger is high and it would be a foolish person indeed who would rule out conflict in the area at the weekend. And if there are those in the nationalist community – from the Springfield district or from elsewhere – who now believe that riots and wrecking are what get you heard, then it would be difficult, if not impossible, to argue against them.'

Translation from blarney into plain English: 'The representatives of republican custard-heads will pretend to do all in their power in preventing the baying Neanderthals from attacking a legitimate parade.  Nevertheless, we can't really blame them if they choose to attack because that's the sort of low-life dross they are.'

My message to all involved in the parade is straightforward.  Do not engage these idiots in violence or verbal torrents.  You are better than them and you know it.  Don't drag yourselves down to their level and give the PSNI a headache their officers could well do without.

Comments

[Tony]

So many lies/inacuracies so little time.

It is a pity our laws on domestic privacy prevent the Loyal Orders from marching through the living rooms of the rebellious trolls

Imagine black islamofascist marching up your street, spreading hatred and fear with equal measure. We know how you would feel, That is just for starters;

Orange marches take place throughout the world: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America, Scotland, England, Togo and Ghana as well as Northern Ireland.

Apart from Scotland and nornIron they don't deliberately set out to upset and be provocative to a part of the population. Where exactly in Australia, NZ, US and Ghana do they parade?

It is strange that nobody of a Catholic persuasion in those countries takes exception to the presence of 'Orange feet' on a publicly-funded thoroughfare.

In my area of Glasgow in Scotland they were kicked the shit out of about 15 years back, and are not allowed their Nazi rallies in several other parts of Scotland. This is due to the fact that the local population of all religions do not want this hate-fest anywhere near them. We have had priests attacked outside their chapels, parishioners abused, old ladies shouted at using vile sexual obscenities.

Hibernian parades take place in predominantly Unionist towns and villages throughout the province with no opposition.

Is that a fact?

The Orange Order are a notoriously anti-Catholic organisation, indeed It is written into their rule books. The aggressive nature of their hatred would not be tolerated in any normal society. I'm sure if they"paraded" the same way in Liverpool and Toronto, in the same manner they rallied in Belfast and Glasgow. They would be banned.

A simple note on the right to march. Is it not a more important right not to have those who hate you come along your road displaying their hatred and mouthing obscenities. People are no longer willing to tolerate the fear that accompanies this so-called Protestant/British cultural expression.

No-one in Kent or Cornwall would recognise this as a British cultural expression, just thuggish triumphalist hatred.

[Andrew McCann]

...And all clearly written by someone with so many preconceptions that haven't been strangled by practical experience.

[Madradin Ruad]

The Orange Order are a notoriously anti-Catholic organisation, indeed It is written into their rule books.

LOL Splendid!

[Tony]

...And all clearly written by someone with so many preconceptions that haven't been strangled by practical experience.

I don't have pre-conceptions Andrew. Unlike you, me and mine have to deal with this shite. My children are beginning to ask me questions about all this crap, I would prefer we lived in a society, where they aren't about to find out that they are hated due to an accident of religion.

Do you know anything apart from rhetoric? Your cosy bolt-hole in Yorkshire doesn't have many of these hate rallys, we have zillions of them in Scotland.

Yes, where priests are attacked, old ladies going to mass are questioned about their sexuality, all very nice stuff.

Mad.

Is what I am saying not true in essence or fact?, or are you congratulating me on my brave stand against orange thuggery?

[Madradin Ruad]

Is what I am saying not true in essence or fact?

Why would I accuse you of changing the habits of a life-time MacPlastic ? ;)

[Tony]

Mad.

Have you been exposed as a blustering bigot? Again?

Tony, when and in what parts of Scotland have the Orange Order requested to hold a parade in only to find they have been banned? And after they were "kicked to shit" in your area (a fact you appear proud of), have they paraded there again? Were the perpatrators of this violent attack identified and prosecuted?

[Tony]

The police can object to the rally, if they fear they have the potential for mass violence. I never mentioned banned, but;

http://www.sundayherald.com/50868

One of Scotland's premier newspapers reports;

"THE head of the body which represents Scotland’s 32 local authorities is to hold talks with ministers to demand new powers that would allow councils to ban sectarian marches marred by violence and disorder.
The move comes just days after senior police officers condemned the “disgraceful” scenes at an Orange march in the east end of Glasgow commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. Two weeks before that, police made a record 85 arrests at another march held in the city centre."

These thugs actually can't be banned at present;

"Under current legislation, councils are powerless to ban marches – only the chief constable has the authority to stop a march from going ahead.

Last night, the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland condemned Watters’s plan , saying it was a “threat to our democratic right to peaceful procession and assembly”.

Oh the irony!!!

"Included in the report was a recommendation that councils should consult with march organisers and local communities before they went ahead."

Now where have we heard that before.

The powerlessness is articulated in this article;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/4977820.stm

A priest was attacked outside his own church by a marcher, and the following year's rally still wasn't banned.

they were "kicked to shit" in your area (a fact you appear proud of), have they paraded there again?

I'm sure the Jews who smashed the fascists in the east end of London were proud. I'm not as I wasn't there to take part. They have in a small part of the area.

[Iain]

Tony.
Thanks for the links, but give me an example of where they are "not allowed their Nazi rallies in several other parts of Scotland." as you stated previously.

[Madradin Ruad]

Timely reminder to second-class nationalists

Outrageous! When did nationalists get promoted ? ;)

[Colm]

I saw the video clip on slugger of the stretch of road in dispute and I couldn't believe the fuss it causes. Both sides are as bad as each other in this instance. The rioting that occured last September when the route was restricted was shameful and equally if the residents riot tonight that will be equally shamefull.

There. That's me sitting on the fence.

[Tony]

No you are not Colm.

"Both sides are as bad as each other in this instance."

That is not sitting on the fence pal, not at all. I remembered you saying mad asked if you were a tim. It should have been "uncle tim".

The video on slugger showed one side of the road ffs, not the windowless houses on the other side to protect them from nail bombs etc. Are you telling me that you agree with these supremacist nutjobs desire to march where they are expressly not wanted. Be that 100 yards or 100 miles.

I'm away for a lie down.

[Colm]

I am not from Northern Ireland so how can I be an "Uncle Tim" .

My preference is to agree with you that contentious marches should not be permitted in areas where they are not wanted and I do think that following the rioting of last September the parades commission should not have permitted any parade this year by the same Orange lodge but I maintain that it is better for the Parades commission decisions to be accepted by both sides every time rather than engage in the pointless and destructive defiance that only damages the communities who engage in it.

[Tony]

Colm.

You can be a Tim in darkest Africa, or outer Mongolia. There is even one in India called Adrian.

If the parades commission is clearly wrong they are wrong. It is not relative. Seen many BNP marches through Brixton lately? If this is an expression of culture, then it is no culture worth having. One side is not as bad as the other!

[Madradin Ruad]

I never used to have a lot of time for the OO but they cannot be all bad if they stick in the craw of ill-informed, sectarian bigots like this MacPlastic :)

[Tony]

"I never used to have a lot of time for OO"

That is a damned lie, I've heard you gushing about mammaries on a number of ocassions.

Will you achieve your ambition of becoming English, when GB no longer exists?

[Scouseproud]

In the USA parades take place in Detroit,also New Jersey, New York state and Pensylvania.
In Australia and New Zealand wherever they want, a recent band parade took place in Melbourne. The 12th is the height of New Zealands winter, so a church service and social are more likely!
There are 25 to 30 lodges in Ghana, in Kpando they parade to St Patricks Anglican Church. Hibernian parades take place in Protestant Kilkeel and Desertmartin.

[Tony]

Scouse.

I lived in Melbourne a long time, this must be recent; However, Kilkeel is hardly Protestant with a 40% plus RC po.
http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/mapxtreme_towns/report.asp?SettlementName=Kilkeel&bandName=Small%20Town

Scouse , I bow to your superior knowledge.

Like I have said previously, if any of these parades, or the few they have in England had the same vehemance as they have in Scotland and Ireland. Do you personally believe they would be tolerated?

[Iain]

Tony, did you miss my question at 11.55 or are you naturally ignorant?

[Tony]

Ah, I guessed you were going to be a troll.

Sorry Ian, don't feed trolls, apart from my weans that is. Try another day, under an assumed name and I may entertain you.

[Iain]

I'm not a troll,I just think that lies should be exposed. If you tell a lie often enough it becomes a fact and your statement is a lie.

[PJ]

Andrew

These political/cultural parades that you mention. To list but a few examples from this year alone - they will include banners and/or bands dedicated to :

John Gregg
Lenny Murphy
John Bingham
Brian Robinson
Billy Wright
Mark Fulton
Robin Jackson

Real champions of "religious and civil liberty" eh?

Also, the OO, these bastions of law and order have for many years informed their "brethren" that the nasty Catholics should support the forces of law and order.

Of course, as soon as a ruling goes against them, we have the OO leaders and a senior member of the DUP on stage with the leader of the LVF. For the following week, we had a campaign of violence leaving 5 Catholics murdered (3 of them children) and damage costing millions.

Personally, I would rather have no parades (Orange or Green).

However, as usual, your solution involves the Catholics simply lying down and "knowing their place". We should just let the OO march through predominantly Catholic areas with their bands playing and their banners celebrating the people listed above (among others) and the atrocities they committed.

[Colm]

At least on this occasion the residents did not react to dissapointment in the same way that the marchers supporters did last September.

[Dan]

Can anyone confirm or deny if the Orange Orders' roots go back to the Peep O'Day Boys group which was set up in opposition to Catholic groups following the first Penal Laws being repealed?

Isn't the Freeman Memorial Band from Coleraine named after UVF terrorist Geoffery Freeman who was blown to bits (by his own bomb) in the 1970s? Maybe they'll make another appearance this year on the 12th.

[Paul]

Since the Orange Order seem to arouse so much hatred amongst so many Irish, isn't it about time that their colour was removed from the Tricolour?