Of speeches, flags and explainers

Sometimes I think a mad-house would be a tranquil living environment compared to our NEN.

Arlene Foster made a speech yesterday where she explained that unionism “stands for pluralism and multi-culturism”, whereas nationalism is “by its nature narrow and exclusive.”

You might think that having dismissed nationalism as worse than worthlessl the DUP would leave it at that. Ah no. Nelson McCausland was on Raidio Uladh twice today, lamenting the “arrogant” response of nationalism to his leader’s speech. I mean, Nelson old mucker, you really mustn’t put people in the stocks, pelt them with rotten fruit, and then say they’re arrogant when they object.

And this morning we also had Jamie Bryson on the Nolan Show. Some people think Jamie is stupid. He’s not, you know, and he’s getting smarter all the time. Jamie was talking about the East Belfast Cultural Institute (or something like that) of which he is a member though he can’t remember the names of the other people in it . According to Nolan, it has links with the UVF. Anyway, as you’ve probably heard the East Belfast Community Insiders (or something) have announced that there will be only official UVF flags flown from now on (although the ones already up will be allowed to stay there). Plus the period of flag putting-up will be from 1 June to 7 October.

I’m not clear if this edict covers, for example, mixed areas. But here are a few questions that deserve answer.

1. While it’s good that the lamp-post flag-flying will have some (albeit generous) limits, isn’t it illegal to put flags up on lamp-posts, which are public property? Jamie says it’s not illegal, that it’s a grey area, but I’m not so sure.
2. Isn’t the UVF an illegal organization? Weren’t they supposed to have dissolved and decommissioned ages ago?
3. Isn’t it the job of the police to announce and enforce the law,not the UVF or what appears to be its mouthpiece, the East Belfast Conversation Interrupters ?
4. Isn’t it time this doublethink claim that a UVF flag relates to the UVF of the First World War and not to the more modern version? I mean, come on, lads, would you?
5. Is Belfast a modern Wild West? Where people take it on themselves to decide if flags will fly, what flags, where and for how long? If the IRA decommissioned and left the stage decades back, would it not be about time, twenty years after the Good Friday Agreement, that the UVF did likewise? And if they refuse to, that the media kick up an almighty stink and that the police take their courage in their hands and apprehend law-breakers?

It’s one thing to act in a self-contradictory way; it’s quite another to think the rest of us are so stupid we won’t notice.

Nationalism is by its nature narrow and exclusive. Being a Unionist is the opposite. Unionism stands for pluralism and multi-culturism. We are inclusive and welcome all.