WTF's going on in Nornirland?

[Geoff]

Maybe if the NI authorities restricted the movements of the Orange-men parade from Catholic and republican areas, riots simply wouldn't kick off. They know it's patronising, and they know it triggers tensions to escalate: but they persist, and people get hurt because of pure inevitability. The media uses it as an excuse to say 'hey, look, the republicans are kicking off again', meanwhile a bunch of stuck-up, bowler-hatted unionists march the streets celebrating the defeat and death of thousands of Catholics. The violent response should be considered second to repulsive, anachronistic conceit of the Twelfth celebrations.

Bollocks. How would you feel if one of your pride marches was told it mustn't go near a Muslim area for fear of upsetting them?

a) it should feel safer if the muslims are known to be violently aggressive$
b) If the parade is an actual threat to public order, the authorities have not only the power, but the duty to restrict the itinerary to places where it won't cause riots.

That's just meekly submitting to intimidation, in both cases. Why should one group be allowed to dictate another's movements with threats of violence?

The authorities have it right, IMO, in allowing all marches to go ahead, and providing police protection when it's thought necessary.

[Svartalf]

That does not exonerate the powers that be from doing something about the violent hooligans populating the area, but until that something is done, allowing events that can predictably cause riots and major eruptions of violence is irresponsible and undesirable.

I live 300 yards from the core of the Paris Jewish quarter, I know when there are Jewish major festivals (like yom kippur) because on those days, police buses sit not so inconspicuously in front of my home and close to all major accesses to the quarter. One thing I've never had around in 12 years of dwelling here is militant muslim or pro palestinian demonstrations... maybe they allow them in front of the israelian embassy, but not here. Which I guess is wise because the blackhats tend to be a rather militant lot when they want to be.

[devogue]

That's just meekly submitting to intimidation, in both cases. Why should one group be allowed to dictate another's movements with threats of violence?

The authorities have it right, IMO, in allowing all marches to go ahead, and providing police protection when it's thought necessary.

Believe me, Geoff, if you lived in this fucking shithole you, as a rational and decent fellow, would be wishing like many of us that every fucking parade was illegal, every flag waved would be pulled down and that every fucking bigot here would be gassed like vermin.

[Geoff]

That does not exonerate the powers that be from doing something about the violent hooligans populating the area, but until that something is done, allowing events that can predictably cause riots and major eruptions of violence is irresponsible and undesirable.

I live 300 yards from the core of the Paris Jewish quarter, I know when there are Jewish major festivals (like yom kippur) because on those days, police buses sit not so inconspicuously in front of my home and close to all major accesses to the quarter. One thing I've never had around in 12 years of dwelling here is militant muslim or pro palestinian demonstrations... maybe they allow them in front of the israelian embassy, but not here. Which I guess is wise because the blackhats tend to be a rather militant lot when they want to be.

I'm not sure about the laws in other countries, but here peaceful protests are allowed anywhere (that is, as long as the protesters themselves are peaceful, irrespective of their opponents' potential for violence). There are some few "no-go areas", but they're mainly for security concerns - military bases, nuclear power stations and so forth.

Believe me, Geoff, if you lived in this fucking shithole you, as a rational and decent fellow, would be wishing like many of us that every fucking parade was illegal, every flag waved would be pulled down and that every fucking bigot here would be gassed like vermin.

I would indeed, and emotionally I do think like that about the whole situation over there. Fortunately, from this distance it's easy for me to pontificate about protest rights!