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reply to post by SeekandYeShallFind
This is Ireland not Britain, we are militarily occupied by a foreign entity who control 6 of our northern counties, its about time the middle finger was raised to those who have treated the Irish citizens of this country like dirt. In the words of Bobby Sands "we are seeing the rising of the moon".
Originally posted by cavtrooper7
reply to post by EvanB
Pardon my stupidity but are you saying Ireland is made up of 2 countries?
I didn't know about this.
Originally posted by Freeborn
Especially at a time when support for The Union is on the increase in the so called Catholic Nationalist communities, (recent survey's suggest that approximately 60% of Northern Irish Catholics now openly support continued membership of the UK).
Originally posted by OtherSideOfTheCoin
reply to post by SeekandYeShallFind
You do know I was only quoting what another said.
I think he has a point though, if you look at the people who are doing the rioting do any of them look like to you that they know what the Easter Rising was.
Rioting is not a way to get things changed, its just an excuse for the young lads in Falls Road to go out and have a bit of fun for the night.
Catholics tended to segregate themselves into Church run (Catholic only) schools whereas State schools as with the rest of the UK allowed anyone to attend.
In recent months and years Dissident Republicans have been increasing their attacks,
The thing with the Loyalist paramilitaries is they are the same sorts of people who, if born anywhere else in UK would of been drug dealers, gangsters etc.
Originally posted by Carreau
reply to post by LadyGreenEyes
From what I've been able to gather, prior to the riots, the UK Flag was flown over the town hall. Someone decided to stop flying the flag. Since Northern Ireland has two very vocal groups (1 being pro British, 1 being Pro Irish), the Pro British Group got upset that the Union Jack was lowered and staged protests. The protests turned violent with the help of union leaders. So more police were called in, and then the rock throwing, molatov cocktail throwing started and its lasted for 6 nights in a row.
I'm sure the British/Irish ATS members can go into greater detail but from an outsider point of view and I am not taking sides because I don't know the whole story just what I've been able to read on the internet reports. I hoped that helped.
Originally posted by EvanB
reply to post by LadyGreenEyes
It is a long sorry story Im afraid.. But what it amounts too is that in Nothern Ireland you have two camps: the Protestants who class themselves as British.. And Catholics who class themselves as Irish..
The Catholics were treated as second class citizens.. There was even legislation in the Northern Irish parliament that basically was a form of apartheid against the Catholics.. It came to a head in the late 60's when a peaceful protest was ambushed by the police.. This caused mass riots thus the Army was sent in to keep both sides apart... Things very quickly deterorated as the Catholics saw us as an occupying force and started to fight us.. The loyalist also responded by setting up their own paramilitary organisations.. Of which the UVF is one of...
What is not commonly known however is that both sides paramilitaries evolved into criminal gangs that held their respective communities to ransom by fear and intimidation.. They were funded by naive Americans who thought they were helping out their ancestral people.. But in reality they were lining the pockets of mafia type organisations..
Now.. Because of the peace treaty.. These organisations have lost much power and prestige.. And they want it back.. Plus the economic situation draws people to their cause..
Originally posted by EvanB
Originally posted by cavtrooper7
reply to post by EvanB
Pardon my stupidity but are you saying Ireland is made up of 2 countries?
I didn't know about this.
Yes
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
reply to post by LadyGreenEyes
So, what involvement, if any, does Great Britain have there? Why would they be flying a British flag, if these are separate countries? I have to say, as one not Catholic, I tend to side more with the Irish on this one. It's their land, and their choice how they worship. Bloodlines do play in that, too, as there is a lot of Scotch/Irish in my family. I still get annoyed that Scotland isn't independent. There should be a better way than fighting and riots, though. With the temperaments in that part of the world (my ancestors, and I have the temper, too!), that just makes things worse and worse.
So, what involvement, if any, does Great Britain have there? Why would they be flying a British flag, if these are separate countries? I have to say, as one not Catholic, I tend to side more with the Irish on this one. It's their land, and their choice how they worship. Bloodlines do play in that, too, as there is a lot of Scotch/Irish in my family. I still get annoyed that Scotland isn't independent. There should be a better way than fighting and riots, though. With the temperaments in that part of the world (my ancestors, and I have the temper, too!), that just makes things worse and worse.
Appreciate the info.