Death Rattle

The violent protests of 'loyalist' gangs in Belfast in recent days - is really just the slow the death rattle of a bygone age.

An age in which people's tribal loyalties matter above all else - where young children are brought up in a climate of sectarian hatred - which is passed down loyally and religiously from one generation to the next.

Now ostensibly these demonstrations are about the right of people to fly the Union Jack flag - but this is complete nonsense of course.

Because in certain parts of Belfast the Union Jack is everywhere - hung from every house and painted on all the street kerbsides which is a bizarre sight - to the uninitiated at least.

A statement of tribal domination, I would say - having taken the trouble to walk through some of these areas myself - in recent times.

Also at certain times of the year, the Union Jack is paraded publicly and often - with great fanfare and gusto - albeit with a dwindling band of supporters, as the years go by and people decide that 'live and let live' is a better way forward. 

So while the Union Jack has its place, it's well-nigh impossible to regard the flag as a multi-cultural symbol of peace for Northern Ireland - because the country has moved on and its people are demanding a new future.

The men of violence have had their day and even though small pockets of resistance remain - who are trying to get their way by the use of threats, intimidation and physical force - their days are well and truly numbered.

Like most folks in Belfast I think it's perfectly reasonable for the local council to decide which flags should be flown - and how often - from the top of their City Hall.

I heard a 'community leader' on the TV earlier who tried to blame the rioting and violence on heavy handed police tactics - which conveniently ignores the fact, of course, that angry mobs of young men had come prepared with stockpiles of street weapons - including petrol bombs and vicious projectiles with which to attack the police.

But Belfast is a great place to visit these days - despite the best efforts of very small, very vocal, yet extremely unrepresentative pockets of often masked young men - who would like nothing better than to drag the city back to its past.

So I think I'll make trip to Belfast in 2013 to show some solidarity with the people of Northern Ireland - whose views and outlook on life are not remotely reflected by these angry riots and street mobs.