Police Battle Protesters After N. Irish March

Yahoo ^ | Sun Jul 7 | Andrew Cawthorne

[Michael2001]

The violence in N Ireland has always escaped my understanding. Do these people really believe that small doctrinal differences are worth a civil war? Maybe as Ireland accepts more Muslim "refugees" these folk will begin to realize that Christians shouldn't be fighting each other.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Do these people really believe that small doctrinal differences are worth a civil war?

They seem to have in the past certainly. It is actually a little more complicated than what type of liturgy you attend,who officiates sacraments, honor accorded to the Virgin Mary, which translation of the Bible, authority of the papacy, etc. The historical and cultural peculiarities associated with the triumph of William of Orange over James II in the north of Ireland also involved other things. Scottish immigration, etc. At any rate, the provocative bating, the violence, etc. have lasted whereas in North America the religious conflict tends to be between liberal atheists and Christians in general. Generally speaking, we don't have flamboyant, costumed, inter-denominational street riots here anymore. Pro-gay protests at some churches, yes. Pro-life vs. pro-abortion street conflict, yes.

[CIBvet]

Has virtually zero to do with doctrinal differences, it has everything to do with lingering British dominance over the 16(?) counties of Northern Ireland.

Another one of those pesky cases of 'national sovereignty'.

In another few years we'll be dealing with it as the Illegal Mexicans (who will be naturalized citizens by that time) continue to demand an ever larger slice of 'whitey's' American pie.

But we may not have anything to worry about, cause the United Nations and their World Court will probably step in to solve the problem, and punish the guilty.

[mountaineer]

I thought Bill Clinton brought peace to Northern Ireland. Looks like someone didn't get the memo.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Your comments are practical-for today. However, read the story of the seige by James II forces. People can remember for a long time.

[Gigantor]

"You scum! This is our road, you can't stop us!" yelled one of the protesters, in his early 20s, as he rushed toward riot police with a large rock in his hands."

The 'scum' here is this young piece of trash.

[stylin19a]

No kidding about the grudges. There's STILL a long time hatred for Cromwell that gets passed from generation to generation.

[Michael2001]

Just doesn't make much sense. Heck we had our wars with the British for our independence. Had two terrible wars with Germany, the latter of which many still remember. We've moved on.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

I have a certain admiration for Cromwell.(Don't know too much about him though. Read only a few books about the man.)

[stylin19a]

??? you mean admire THIS Comwell ????
"It was in August of ’40 that Cromwell landed in Dublin. The great leader of the grim Ironsides, himself, was destined to leave behind him in Ireland for all time a name synonymous with ruthless butchery. The first rare taste of the qualities of this agent of God the Just, and first Friend of the Irish was given to the people at Drogheda. Only thirty men out of a garrison of three thousand escaped the sword. After Drogheda, Cromwell in quick succession reduced the other northern strongholds, then turned and swept southward to Wexford - two thousand were butchered here."

Like I said, the grudges get passed on from generation to generation.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Nothing against the Irish. I'm familiar with Oliver's Irish campaigns. Overall he is an interesting man. Perhaps merely a military type. Yet, perhaps a religious fanatic, a politician, a statesman? Perhaps a combination of all. One historian likened his movement to that headed by Pythagoras of ancient times. I don't know. He is just one of those men I intend to study when I retire.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

P.S. By the way I agree with your comments as to people having long memories.

[ladyjane]

So what is it with these men who have to dress up in orange sashes and go marching?

[CIBvet]

"You scum! This is our road, you can't stop us!" yelled one of the protesters, in his early 20s, as he rushed toward riot police with a large rock in his hands."

The 'scum' here is this young piece of trash"

This young 'Orange" protestor would not be of Irish desent whatsoever, but a leftover decendent of the conquering British Empire who still maintain control of these northern counties, holding the good jobs for themselves and theirs, and still treating the Irish as 2nd class citizens.

The chaffing of such continued dominance combined with years of hatred under foreign rule, sparks the fire of fierce nationalism in the Irish patriot.

Try to change places with the Irish for a moment... let's say the British had won the Revolutionary War and their decendents were still around celebrating our defeat, while working the best jobs in your town, living in comfortable homes while you and yours were sealed away in YOUR ghetto.

The British controled media want the world to think it's a Protestant (Church of England) thing versus a Catholic (Irish Catholic) thing. Avoids the whole question of hunger for self-rule ... of a people seeking to be live free from benevolent oppression.

[CIBvet]

Meant to *ping* you all with my #14 post.

[ex-snook]

"The British controled media want the world to think it's a Protestant (Church of England) thing versus a Catholic (Irish Catholic) thing. Avoids the whole question of hunger for self-rule ... of a people seeking to be live free from benevolent oppression. "

Good observation. If the English had treated the people in Ireland like they treated those in Canada, there never would have been any 'troubles'.

[Michael2001]

What then do the Protestants (English) have to protest and march about then?

[CIBvet]

To maintain their long history of oppression and domination over the land and people their ancestors in the 'British Empire' conquered and squatted upon so many, many years ago.

[Conservative til I die]

The historical European Protestant pasttime: sectarian violence.