Orange Walk / Scottish Cricket thread

[pccabe]

You have proved my point exactly , jumping to the controversial topics rather than recognising Their are parts of both communities and organisations who offer mixing of both communities particularly aimed at children through sports teams , youth clubs etc . They never receive the praise or air time that everything else gets

Why praise something founded on bigotry?

They are just encouraging children to part of it.

Why not abolish it and love in harmony thereby ending the need for this supposed good work.

The groups can be integrated until their differences are pointed out by adults who should know better.

[Half Rice Half Chips]

Interesting article from Belfast Telegraph, apologies if someone’s posted it previously. Some of the readers’ comments at the end are interesting also, points which I hadn’t previously considered. Apart from the obvious sectarian and anti-social issues which arise from the staging of these mass bonfires each summer, there is also the issue of the health and safety of nearby residents and visitors, as well the environmental damage caused by the burning of vast quantities of tyres and pallets (which, as one reader points out, would have been treated with various anti-damp, anti-fungal and anti-insect chemicals, thereby rendering the mass burning of same a serious biological hazard).

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/shameful-bonfire-scenes-cast-belfast-in-bad-light-as-no-other-tourist-destination-would-allow-this-to-happen-31372118.html

Shameful bonfire scenes cast Belfast in bad light as no other tourist destination would allow this to happen

Here's an idea for Tourism Northern Ireland if it wants to give a cutting-edge account of what holiday-makers can experience in Belfast city centre in the summer.

Visitors to our city aren’t impressed. “Setting up the bonfire did nothing to improve stay or view from room. Noise continued late into the night, smell of smoke did not help,” one guest noted in a recent TripAdvisor review.

“Not a pleasant experience, place was noisy, not such a nice area, drunks, verbal abuse, guys with Union flags. Looking forward to leaving Belfast,” said another.

The poor hotel’s management try to apologise and explain that this is part of a local “cultural festival”.

Let’s remember, this is the Golden Mile, our so-called showcase streets. In no other British or European city centre would such behaviour be allowed to prevail for weeks on end. The police, the local authorities, or government would take action.

Here, the PSNI drive by and do nothing. The Housing Executive, which owns the land where the bonfire is built, fails to act. And Jonathan Bell — the Stormont minister responsible for tourism — hasn’t rushed down for a selfie at this one.

Still, the shameful scenes outside Days Hotel pale into insignificance when compared to what residents in Chobham Street in east Belfast are suffering.

A towering bonfire has been built just 30 feet from their homes. Petrified that their houses will go up in flames, they’ve pleaded with the council, the Department of Regional Development which owns the land, and the fire service to do something.

Some material could be removed to reduce the pyre but nobody is willing to do so.

Those who built the bonfire are morons. They’re the enemies, not of nationalists, but of their own community.

And the politicians and officials who sit on their hands are despicable cowards. They’re scared to act in case it provokes disorder on the streets.

You’d think they were dealing with ISIS and not a handful of drunken anti-social youths. The men in high places fiddle, while Northern Ireland burns.

[The Ginger Prince]

Went back and read the last few pages and I'm still pishing myself at Topcat giving a run down on the actual cricket scores

[forever_blue]

Interesting article from Belfast Telegraph, apologies if someones posted it previously. Some of the readers comments at the end are interesting also, points which I hadnt previously considered. Apart from the obvious sectarian and anti-social issues which arise from the staging of these mass bonfires each summer, there is also the issue of the health and safety of nearby residents and visitors, as well the environmental damage caused by the burning of vast quantities of tyres and pallets (which, as one reader points out, would have been treated with various anti-damp, anti-fungal and anti-insect chemicals, thereby rendering the mass burning of same a serious biological hazard).

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/shameful-bonfire-scenes-cast-belfast-in-bad-light-as-no-other-tourist-destination-would-allow-this-to-happen-31372118.html

Shameful bonfire scenes cast Belfast in bad light as no other tourist destination would allow this to happen

Here's an idea for Tourism Northern Ireland if it wants to give a cutting-edge account of what holiday-makers can experience in Belfast city centre in the summer.

Visitors to our city arent impressed. Setting up the bonfire did nothing to improve stay or view from room. Noise continued late into the night, smell of smoke did not help, one guest noted in a recent TripAdvisor review.

Not a pleasant experience, place was noisy, not such a nice area, drunks, verbal abuse, guys with Union flags. Looking forward to leaving Belfast, said another.

The poor hotels management try to apologise and explain that this is part of a local cultural festival.

Lets remember, this is the Golden Mile, our so-called showcase streets. In no other British or European city centre would such behaviour be allowed to prevail for weeks on end. The police, the local authorities, or government would take action.

Here, the PSNI drive by and do nothing. The Housing Executive, which owns the land where the bonfire is built, fails to act. And Jonathan Bell the Stormont minister responsible for tourism hasnt rushed down for a selfie at this one.

Still, the shameful scenes outside Days Hotel pale into insignificance when compared to what residents in Chobham Street in east Belfast are suffering.

A towering bonfire has been built just 30 feet from their homes. Petrified that their houses will go up in flames, theyve pleaded with the council, the Department of Regional Development which owns the land, and the fire service to do something.

Some material could be removed to reduce the pyre but nobody is willing to do so.

Those who built the bonfire are morons. Theyre the enemies, not of nationalists, but of their own community.

And the politicians and officials who sit on their hands are despicable cowards. Theyre scared to act in case it provokes disorder on the streets.

Youd think they were dealing with ISIS and not a handful of drunken anti-social youths. The men in high places fiddle, while Northern Ireland burns.

Again just blaming the one side again , maybe you would prefer tourists to come across a scene like this or show the same worry for the Health and safety of firing guns into the air

http://www.u.tv/News/2015/07/17/DUP-calls-for-police-action-over-Derry-coffin-shots-41221

[pccabe]

Again just blaming the one side again , maybe you would prefer tourists to come across a scene like this or show the same worry for the Health and safety of firing guns into the air

http://www.u.tv/News/2015/07/17/DUP-calls-for-police-action-over-Derry-coffin-shots-41221

I would prefer to tourists to come to a country free of all sectarian bigotry.

There is no need for these marching bands in the 21st century.

[THE KING]

I like your posts. They make me look interesting and witty in comparison.

So does a dug shit lying in the gutter.

[Half Rice Half Chips]

Again just blaming the one side again , maybe you would prefer tourists to come across a scene like this or show the same worry for the Health and safety of firing guns into the air

http://www.u.tv/News/2015/07/17/DUP-calls-for-police-action-over-Derry-coffin-shots-41221

My post and the article was about the anti-social, health & safety and environmental risks associated with these huge bonfires, and you send me a "whitaboot" link to an article about Republicans firing shots in the air at a funeral?

[LongTimeLurker]

It's been over 40 years now since the UDA and Ian Paisley were able to collapse Sunningdale with street protests and work stoppages, but the Unionist elite in NI is still terrified of taking on the Loyalist underclass due to the fear that another charismatic leader will emerge. When Jamie Bryson and Willie Frazer are the best that the fleg protests could come up with, it seems to me as an outsider looking in that the DUP really needs to get over the baggage of the past and crack on with what needs to be done long term to secure NI's ongoing existance as a political entity.

[Sloop John B]

Big day for Scotland in the world T20 qualifying with a massive game against surprise group leaders Oman at Goldenacre at 10 am. A win gets Scotland in the top 4 and through to the playoff round at and if other results go in their favour they could finish top and get automatic qualification.

[The OP]

Big day for Scotland in the world T20 qualifying with a massive game against surprise group leaders Oman at Goldenacre at 10 am. A win gets Scotland in the top 4 and through to the playoff round at and if other results go in their favour they could finish top and get automatic qualification.

It's shameful that you are just mentioning Scotland when other sides embarrass themselves by playing cricket too.

[Jacksgranda]

It's shameful that you are just mentioning Scotland when other sides embarrass themselves by playing cricket too.

Is Scotland only a "side" now, and not a country?

[forever_blue]

Why praise something founded on bigotry?

They are just encouraging children to part of it.

Why not abolish it and love in harmony thereby ending the need for this supposed good work.

The groups can be integrated until their differences are pointed out by adults who should know better.

What ? So people who have set up youth clubs , football teams , rugby teams etc with a specific aim of bringing children of both communities together are actively encouraging bigotry? Please explain that one , in my eyes they deserve the same praise as the people who do similar work over here aimed at keeping teenagers out of gangs and petty crime

as a copper that is the most naive outlook I have ever heard , you can't just abolish something and then expect everything to go on happily ever after , particularly in a place like Northern Ireland

[The OP]

Is Scotland only a "side" now, and not a country?

The Scotland cricket side is a side. An embarassment to the country of Scotland but lest we forget on this Scotland cricket thread that Sri Lanka play cricket too.

[topcat(The most tip top)]

Big day for Scotland in the world T20 qualifying with a massive game against surprise group leaders Oman at Goldenacre at 10 am. A win gets Scotland in the top 4 and through to the playoff round at and if other results go in their favour they could finish top and get automatic qualification.

Thanks for dragging this thread back on topic

I guess those of our correspondents whose sympathies lie in Ireland didn't want to talk about the shocking loss of form they've experienced. Losing to Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong leaves their position about as finely balanced as ours.

[topcat(The most tip top)]

It's shameful that you are just mentioning Scotland when other sides embarrass themselves by playing cricket too.

To be fair he did mention Oman as well

[Jacksgranda]

Thanks for dragging this thread back on topic

I guess those of our correspondents whose sympathies lie in Ireland didn't want to talk about the shocking loss of form they've experienced. Losing to Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong leaves their position about as finely balanced as ours.

I was going to ask you if Ireland were still in with a chance - although I suppose I could have googled it.

So, both my teams on the way out - sad times.

[The OP]

To be fair he did mention Oman as well

Thank f**k I never dug him up about spelling "Oh man" incorrectly as I'd have looked quite the fool.

[topcat(The most tip top)]

Is Scotland only a "side" now, and not a country?

Given that international cricket involves teams representing geographic areas where it would be problematical to use the term "country" or "nation" such as the West Indies, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jersey or "England and Wales" it's best not to get too pernickety about these things.

[Jacksgranda]

Thank f**k I never dug him up about spelling "Oh man" incorrectly as I'd have looked quite the fool.

I will manfully resist shooting at this open goal...

[The OP]

I will manfully resist shooting at this open goal...

Please don't drive your car at it either.