I’m in shock. I’ve just been listening to a ‘balanced’ discussion on Talkback about the plans of Portadown Orangemen, sixty of them complete with Orange collarettes, to march down the Garvaghy Road. All sorts of talk about redressing the balance (EH?) and tolerance between all communities, and please let me kneel before you so I can lick your big toe.
And the reason I’m in shock? In the course of discussion no one – not Carla Lockhart, not Dolores Kelly, no one mentioned that the Orange Order is an anti-Catholic organisation.
Any time I say this, there’s a chorus of ‘Scandalous talk!’ ,’Stirring the pot!’ and even ‘You are a nonentity – you are a Rebel!’ But no one seems capable of dealing with the facts. The Orange Order was established the day after more than 30 Catholics were killed in a sectarian riot, the Orange Order was formed to combat the influence and even existence of the Catholic Church. No one talks about the fact that the Orange Order’s rules forbid any member to be a Catholic, to have a Catholic wife, to attend a Catholic service.
Why does no on mention these facts? Because they’d blow a large hole through the sectarianism which is at the heart of the Orange Order.
Unionism had a chance to win the support of traditional Catholics/nationalists in 1998, when the Good Friday Agreement wiped the slate clean and pointed the way to a better future. Unionists spurned that chance. Now they’re intent on showing us that they haven’t changed in their contempt for the wishes of Catholics/nationalists/republicans and please clear the way for our anti-taig Order.
One question, guys: Do you think that stance is going to win the hearts and minds of those you clearly hold in contempt?
Very good jude
Thank you, James…
Smyth’s influence in BBC Belfast has created the front facing Nolan, Nolan Lite and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Nolan as counsellors to unionism’s many crises
every nationalist should change channel at the sound of nolans voice..Jamie’s publicity agent
Notwithstanding the anti-Catholic elements of the Order’s ethos you mentioned Jude, nobody has asked any representative or spokesperson why, as a Christian organisation, why do they not uphold the teachings of Christ. Why do they not treat their neighbours as they would expect to be treated?
But then the media don’t ask these questions.
Nor has there been any mention of the 21 people who were murdered during the initial Drumcree dispute.
All the while the DUP still rant about SF and their links to terrorists.
You don’t have to hate Catholics if you want to join the orange order but it does save time on the application form.
every nationalist should change channel at the sound of his voice..he’s been Jamie’s publicity agent for years