Simon demands his flag

I’m sitting here listening to Talkback talkers elaborating on Simon Harris’s call to “Take back the flag!” There’s much talk of the flag belonging to everyone, IRA volunteers traditionally having their coffins draped in it, its history predating the southern state.

It’s quite an interesting discussion but it has damn all relevance to Simon Harris’s address. He had one purpose only in his “Take it back!” call : to kick the shins of the Shinners.

Before he stepped down, Leo made it clear that Fine Gael would not go into coalition government with Sinn Féin. Harris is simply doing the same. It’s a very handy weapon which can be waved over one’s head and get all attention to it while distracting from other more complex problems such as health or housing. If I lived in the south and was looking for a booking with a doctor, or searching for a house that wouldn’t gut my bank balance, I really don’t think I’d be terribly keen on who owns the flag, who can use it, what it means, etc.

We don’t know much about Simon H yet but we do know he has no qualms about blowing a dog whistle.