"Protestant Culture"

[fitzroyalty]

I see Peter the punt wants SF to be more tolerant of Protestant culture....? What exactly is this? 

By this does he mean Orangeism? And if so since when did Orangeism become the sole representation of "Protestant" culture. I know the DUP are trying to boost support among their bigot grassroot support but they cannot be serious. Anytime the slightest bit of criticism is directed at the OO, it is seen as sectarian intolerance towards Protestantism (begars belief considering plenty of Protestants wouldn't go near the OO with a bargepole!) Why can the DUP not at least attempt to address the issues within the OO, rather than constantly going on the offensive.

Just out of curiousity, how could a nationalist, such as myself be more tolerant considering the following:

- Like thousands of others I put up with the France bunting, Union Jacks and NI flags put up in my town centre every June, facilitated by Craigavon Council and the local PSNI. Lurgan is 50/50 and despite the town centre being a neutral area it is still bedecked in red, white and blue til it rots.

- I avoid the town centre (like the plague) anytime a parade is on, instead chosing other places to socialise/shop. Also be sure not to wear any GAA gear that evening, should I come across the band members/supporters before the event takes place.

- Likewise when travelling through the idyllic towns/villages of mid-Ulster, go out of my way and change my route whenever a parade is on.

- I try to book my holidays around the 11th/12th July...like the majority of right-minded people in the north.

Any other suggestions as to what I can do to be more tolerant?

[Trevor Hill]

I was reading the following report on the bbc website yesterday and was wondering could it no be applied here in relation to the OO ?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8114619.stm

The British National Party has dismissed threats of legal action over its membership policies by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The commission said it had written to the party over possible breaches of the law in the BNP's constitution, membership rules and recruitment.

It asked the BNP to pledge to comply with the Race Relations Act by 20 July or face a potential legal injunction.

But BNP leader Nick Griffin said the party's rules were "entirely legal".

Mr Griffin - who was elected as an MEP for the North West on 4 June - said the BNP was an exempted organisation under Section 25 and Section 26 of the Race Relations Act.

He said this meant "ethnic groups who need special protection such as the English in their own country, who are now second class citizens" were "entitled to discriminate on that basis and not on the grounds of colour".

He added: "We are not discriminating on grounds of colour."

On 4 June, the BNP won their first two MEPs in the European Parliament elections.

'Deliberate omission'

In a statement, the commission said the BNP's constitution and membership criteria appeared to discriminate on the grounds of race and colour, in breach of the Race Relations Act.

The party's rules appeared to restrict membership to those within what the BNP regarded as particular "ethnic groups", the commission added.

It also said the party's website asked job applicants to supply a membership number, which appeared to be in breach of legislation banning the "refusal or deliberate omission to offer employment on the basis of non-membership of an organisation".

The statement added: "The commission is therefore concerned that the BNP may have acted, and be acting, illegally."

John Wadham, the commission's legal director, insisted it had a duty to take action against possible breaches of anti-discrimination laws.

He said: "The legal advice we have received indicates that the British National Party's constitution and membership criteria, employment practices and provision of services to constituents and the public may breach discrimination laws which all political parties are legally obliged to uphold."

The commission said it had received around 50 recent calls from members of the public about the membership policy of the BNP, although it is understood it was already investigating the party.

Teachers

The BNP's Deputy press officer John Walker said the party would not be making a formal response to the commission at this stage as it wanted to "wait until the Equalities Bill has gone through".

"We are not going to respond to threats like this. We will look at it, but it is an entirely politically-motivated attack," he told BBC News.

The Equalities Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, is expected to include a move to outlaw the BNP's membership policy, which is limited to various groups it defines as "indigenous Caucasian".

Mr Walker said the BNP would be prepared to change its membership rules "to remain within the law".

But he added: "I don't think we should be bullied by outside forces. They are asking us to change our whole political ideology."

On Monday, the Department for Children, Schools and Families said it was considering banning teachers in England from joining the BNP.

In its constitution, the BNP says it exists to represent the "collective National, Environmental, Political, Racial, Folkish, Social, Cultural, Religious and Economic interests of the indigenous Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and Norse folk communities of Britain and those we regard as closely related and ethnically assimilated or assimilable aboriginal members of the European race also resident in Britain".

It says membership of the BNP is "strictly defined within the terms of, and our members also self define themselves within, the legal ambit of a defined 'racial group' this being 'Indigenous Caucasian' and defined 'ethnic groups' emanating from that Race".

[nrico2006]

I agree Fitz, try getting home after training to Waringstown in your gear, had a few occasions where I had to pull suddenly down a side road to avoid stopping right beside a band parade.

[illdecide]

I agree Fitz, try getting home after training to Waringstown in your gear, had a few occasions where I had to pull suddenly down a side road to avoid stopping right beside a band parade.

Why stop...