rioting in North Belfast

hi all

just letting you know whats going on in Belfast.

this whole situation began yesterday because of an arguement between two women. One was a catholic and the other a protestant. this doesnt really have anything to do with the rioting but it's a good reason to have one. the area is the junction of 3 roads. I'll go take a photo for you when everything has calmed down.

This is recreational rioting!!!.

we are gardeners and like to get into the garden whenever possible. the rioters like to have a bottle/stone/firework or petrol bomb throwing competition when ever possible.

you have to understand that these people have nothing better to do. they leave school at 16, usually without exam qualifications. they claim unemployment, get married have babies and then 'separate'. the unemployed are given loads of $ per child and even more if the husband 'walks out'. she just says he has left.

if you see any footage look at the age of the prople rioting. if they are old enough to walk they are old enough to throw stones etc.

thats all from me but if you want ask something feel free.

Mark

This message was edited Thursday, Jan 10th 1:31 PM

Mark,

How many people are rioting? Does this affect anyone other than the people actually participating...like bystanders?

~Carla

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this.

Mark

It's a pity the people who do this can't think of what they are teaching their children. It's a shameful display.

I hope you and yours aren't close to the riots.

Smilin

This link has a summary of whats been going on.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/0,2759,446746,00.html

This message was edited Thursday, Jan 10th 2:11 PM

hi Carla

it doesnt affect anyone as normal people stay away. what the rioters dont seem to realise is the are ruining their own area. there will be on lookers but they will be looking from a distance.

there are 100s of kids rioting. protestants on one side, Catholics on the other and the cops in the middle. if it was up to me i'd let them kill each other.

It doesnt affect me! personally I dont care what they do to each other provided it doesnt affect me personally

Mark

It's a shame.

hi all a friend has just arrived from Belfast here is what she has to say

I would just like to make a comment about a question asked regarding who else is affected. Well as usual there are a lot of people who are not interested in rioting or hating their neighbours etc. These people just have the misfortune to live on the border between a very Catholic and a very Protestant area where there is a lot of hatred which has developed over many generations.

Kate.

Ah, Mark... d'ye think we shall eiver have Peace... when we still all believe in the same God, just worship diffr'ntly?

(No disrespect meant by my choice of printed "venacular"... so happens I have a large and proud Irish strain in my bones!)

I don't understand. It is religion so how can these people justify fighting in the name of God? God teaches peace, love, forgiveness and respect. I know it doesn't always work that way but should. Hurting and killing others in the name of religion is horrible.

Darius, bout ye? ye idjit. it's OK mucker, if not oil knock yer pan in!! LOL

people I dont come fron Norther Ireland. I actually come from Norn Iron!!

Such a shame...but generations of people have known no different.It's been going on for 400 years or better and no end in sight.My ancestors came from Antrim around 1750,no one knows why,but I'm sure there was fighting there then too.Mark,if you need to vent a little...just shout.I'll listen.

Sounds like the Hatfields and McCoys! This type of rioting has affected pockets of civilizations throughout the history of mankind. Some use religion as their Battle cry while others just harbor ill will because someone's ancester was percieved to have harm someone elses ancestor. Often the hatred goes on generation after generation passed on as a family tradition long after the original "cause" is
forgotten. This does effect innocent bystanders in the sense that it is publicized and causes tourism to decline and the economy of all suffers for it. It is hard to make people realize how isolated it is when it is the only news we are given by our news correspondents.

If it were not for people like Mark putting it into perspective it would be easy to believe that the whole of Ireland is unsafe and at war!

Mark, it is good to hear from someone who is there but can see it clearly, you're not taking sides. I just wish they would stop destroying such a beautiful place. tell them to leave some til I get there!!!

Hi Mark, I was watching the news and saw the rioters throwing bottles and rocks at each other. It really is a shame that people can't be more caring for each other and get along. It is hard to understand why it has a religious overture to it. Do people know to stay out of these areas and does it go on quite frequently or just a one timer.

GRC of course we know to stay away from these areas when something is about to happen or is going on. it is an undercover of darkness riot which finishes every night at 2am while it's happening. my brother has a delivery driver who goes up 2 of the 3 roads every day. he sees nothing as at first light the street cleaners are up there cleaning up.

as I said it only takes one thing to set it off. it really is any excuse to throw bottles etc.

A friend of mine lives about .5 mile from the area but it would not stop me going but not when the gangs are out like the last few nights.

I would let them kill each other??? sounds like sandbox strategey to me Mark, perhaps we should eraticate the entire Rock. oops here we go again. PRAIN

This message was edited Friday, Jan 11th 11:54 PM

what your news programs wont tell you it all the rioting stopped on Thursday night. Friday passed off peacefully until the next excuse to start one comes around again.

Mark