Belfast: Protests over flag continue

"The issue of state symbols often causes religious tensions in Northern Ireland, where Protestants generally want to remain in the United Kingdom, and Catholics to unite with the Republic of Ireland."

I recalled reading an article that informed that the demographic balance in N Ireland is turning in the Catholics' favor. In fact, another article here http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/51-of-northern-ireland-school-pupils-are-catholic-16065851.html provided that the 51% of schoolchildren are Catholics compared with 37% Protestants.

Moreover, and at the risk of offending one poster (apparently from the UK) again, info has it that the younger generation is likely to support Scotland's independence than the older folks. For example read http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/9623122/All-16-and-17-year-olds-to-have-vote-on-Scottish-independence.html So, methinks its reasonable to assume that the same could happen in N Ireland in the years ahead. If so, then no wonder if the unionists and London are worried!

It's about time the Irish drive out the English protestants crusaders and unite with their brothers in the South.The UK today is nothing more than a banana republic threads to satisfy the whims of the yanks.

It's about time the Irish drive out the English protestants crusaders and unite with their brothers in the South.The UK today is nothing more than a banana republic threads to satisfy the whims of the yanks.
(Gotsefromohrid, 8 January 2013 16:11)

Actually the vast majority of Protestants in Ulster are of Scottish decent and are the result of plantations established by King James I of England and VI of Scotland in the early 1600s. This is why many Protestants have Scottish names, speak the Ulster-Scots dialect and have very close cultural ties with Scotland.

Also a significant amount of Police Officers in the Police Force of Northern Ireland are Welsh Atheists. This is because both communities in Northern Ireland don't have any resent towards the Welsh and therefore non-religious Welsh police officers are generally well received by both communities. Compared to the English and Scots who are generally disliked (hated) by the Catholic community.

The Yanks are generally in favour of a United Ireland as Irish is (supposedly) the second largest ethnic group in the US. And every US President for the last 100 years (even Obama) is of Irish decent. Let us not forget how McDonalds used to fund the IRA.

I for one support the Unification of Ireland in the long term. But to say now is "about time" to unify Ireland is ludicrous. Haven't you seen how p****d off they got over a flag? The past 15 years has been relatively peaceful, it'd be a shame to return to the 70-90s!

It's about time the Irish drive out the English protestants crusaders and unite with their brothers in the South.The UK today is nothing more than a banana republic threads to satisfy the whims of the yanks.

"The issue of state symbols often causes religious tensions in Northern Ireland, where Protestants generally want to remain in the United Kingdom, and Catholics to unite with the Republic of Ireland."

I recalled reading an article that informed that the demographic balance in N Ireland is turning in the Catholics' favor. In fact, another article here http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/51-of-northern-ireland-school-pupils-are-catholic-16065851.html provided that the 51% of schoolchildren are Catholics compared with 37% Protestants.

Moreover, and at the risk of offending one poster (apparently from the UK) again, info has it that the younger generation is likely to support Scotland's independence than the older folks. For example read http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/9623122/All-16-and-17-year-olds-to-have-vote-on-Scottish-independence.html So, methinks its reasonable to assume that the same could happen in N Ireland in the years ahead. If so, then no wonder if the unionists and London are worried!

It's about time the Irish drive out the English protestants crusaders and unite with their brothers in the South.The UK today is nothing more than a banana republic threads to satisfy the whims of the yanks.
(Gotsefromohrid, 8 January 2013 16:11)

Actually the vast majority of Protestants in Ulster are of Scottish decent and are the result of plantations established by King James I of England and VI of Scotland in the early 1600s. This is why many Protestants have Scottish names, speak the Ulster-Scots dialect and have very close cultural ties with Scotland.

Also a significant amount of Police Officers in the Police Force of Northern Ireland are Welsh Atheists. This is because both communities in Northern Ireland don't have any resent towards the Welsh and therefore non-religious Welsh police officers are generally well received by both communities. Compared to the English and Scots who are generally disliked (hated) by the Catholic community.

The Yanks are generally in favour of a United Ireland as Irish is (supposedly) the second largest ethnic group in the US. And every US President for the last 100 years (even Obama) is of Irish decent. Let us not forget how McDonalds used to fund the IRA.

I for one support the Unification of Ireland in the long term. But to say now is "about time" to unify Ireland is ludicrous. Haven't you seen how p****d off they got over a flag? The past 15 years has been relatively peaceful, it'd be a shame to return to the 70-90s!