After Hours, one and only Queen thread

iHeartSaraQuin wrote: »

Let the free staters say what they want. We will have our day.

ROFL. 1923 called, it wants its war back.

The editor of the Irish Times put things pretty well today.

The small minority of extreme nationalists who begrudge the visit seem incapable of grasping the way it symbolises the distinct and separate sovereignty of the two states. Generations of Irish patriots could only dream of a time when a British monarch would arrive here as honoured guest rather than condescending ruler, as a friendly neighbour rather than an embodiment of imperial power.

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

From someone who says they can read. How did my post of "says it all" turn into All republicans are scumbags? I wrote three words when a "republican" poster said republicans are not scumbags, then went on to call the Gardai scum and praised people who attacked them. My "says it all" was about him.

You do know pretty much everyone who lives here is a Republican, we are a Republic? Republican is not limited to celtic wearing history obsessed hate groups ya know?

I quoted your post out of many I possibly could have. Apologies if it appeared I was singling you out specifically, I was not. I was capturing the current mood of the thread and the direction I felt it was going in.

There are different terms to describe different beliefs. Some call themselves Republican, some Nationalists, and some so many others. I am well aware that the term "Republican" is not limited to "Celtic wearing history obsessed hate groups" as you put it, and to be honest that was the crux of my earlier point.

Not everyone who might come under the umbrella of one term is the same.

There will always be those who latch on and attach themselves to groups and names in order to define their own beliefs. I don't understand why people here are so surprised that others feel the need to defend their own beliefs when they are having them so broadly attacked by those who would tar them with the same brush as the protesters today.

JaxxYChicK wrote: »

You people can't seriously be suggesting that ALL Republicans are scumbags? Why, that's just as ignorant as those who were throwing projectiles today in Dublin city center.

Entirely agree. Things are getting very heated on here and for what? Yes, there were small protests today by people who showed a lack of respect for law and order by attacking the Gardai, etc. Such acts should be condemned but they should in no way be taken as being representative of Republicans or Republicanism in general.

It is undoubtedly the case that there are many respectable, law abiding citizens, including Republicans, who are opposed to the Queen's visit for various reasons, be they historical reasons, the continued British presence in Northern Ireland, or the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Others have expressed concern about the cost. All of these people are entitled to protest peacefully, and they are right to do so. This is a democracy after all.

Other people are indifferent to the Royal visit. And then there are many people who welcome it. I was on the street as the Queen drove past today and I was surprised at the warm and spontaneous cheer she got from the crowd. The video is on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ6unj460pE

Conclusion: there are a range of views in Ireland on the Royal Visit and in a democracy such as ours all views should be respected. Peaceful protest is to be welcomed: differing viewpoints on issues is exactly what democracy needs to work. It would be more effective though if people were to express those views in a moderate and reasonable way.

No offence to the posters who are talking about republicanism and tarring it with the one brush. But I thought it was fairly accepted now that the term has been hijacked by these hate groups? So that is why a huge amount of people who actually like living in a republic and are republican in political nature, have no problem in seeing terms like "scumbag republican" or whatever, because we know what it means and it is not being applied to the millions of people who are republican but not "republican".

Wheelie King wrote: »

Lol. Check out the skanger in the Manchester United top.
http://i51.tinypic.com/2v2tsw7.jpg

The fella with the packet of ham is a cracker. Nothing like a hang sandwich for asserting your 'Irishness'

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

No offence to the posters who are talking about republicanism and tarring it with the one brush. But I thought it was fairly accepted now that the term has been hijacked by these hate groups? So that is why a huge amount of people who actually like living in a republic and are republican in political nature, have no problem in seeing terms like "scumbag republican" or whatever, because we know what it means and it is not being applied to the millions of people who are republican but not "republican".

Yep, look at the post on that Republican site thanking the People's front of Judea and the Judean People's front for joining the People of Judea's front protest! They can't stand each other normally hence there being about 20 different groups.

Had to laugh at flag burning, it was from the Sun and the newly wed Royal couple on it! Probably bought in England.