Antrim lives up to its name as a sectarian cesspit

[ONeill]

Why were there no Nationalist politicians on?

Curley's were doing ham shanks for next to nothing.

[delboy]

I wonder what peoples take would be if they pitched up at the local tescos to find their shopping being packed by junior members of the orange order replete in collarettes   

Fwiw I think tescos should ban all this bag packing nonsense, its a royal pain in the ass having your bag packed v. v. slowly by some kid who you then feel duty bound to give some money too. If tescos want to support some local organisation or charity they should do it by putting their hand in their own pocket instead of inconveincing me and expecting me to shell out for it.

I hope the smilies after where to show sarcasm becaue there is a hell of a difference between the OO and the GAA

I don't understand what you mean by sarcasm TBH (not the right terminology in my mind) it was more tougue in cheek devil's advocacy. I was merely taking it too its 'logical' tit for twat conclusion that seems to abound in our society. 'If they can have junior representatives of an organisation in uniform why can't we have junior members in regalia packing bags'.
I feel sorry for the poor manager to be honest, sounds like they were put in a very awkaward postion damned if you do, burnt down if you don't 
He'd probably have to commit hari kari if he does receive a letter from the antrim branch of the junior OO to do some bag packing   
   

[armaghniac]

This association of the GAA club with the OO is typical bollocks. The GAA are a sports club, and should be compared with other sports club. Like many sports clubs in NI they may be associated with one community or the other, but that is neither here nor there. The OO is a political organisation, a good comparision might be having Ógra Shinn Féin there, which would not be appropriate. Political parties, poppies, flags and the like should be banned. Local sports clubs should not.

The manager may have been in an awkward position but you have to stand up against the scum sometimes.

[Gnevin]

Councillor furious at claims over Tesco GAA shirts row

By Matthew McCreary
Thursday, 30 April 2009


An Antrim councillor has hit out after being accused of complaining about a charity supermarket bag packing by members of a local GAA club.


Adrian Watson, who is also the Ulster Unionist deputy mayor of Antrim, said he was angry that his name had been brought into the furore surrounding the story after it was featured on the BBC's Talk Back programme yesterday.

Youngsters from St Comghall's club were taking part in the event at the Tesco store in Antrim town on Sunday when they were asked to remove their GAA shirts and carry out the work in plain T-shirts.

The request by a Tesco manager was made after members of the public and a local political representative objected to the items of clothing being worn.

Mr Watson said the political representative mentioned in the story was not him. He added that he was contacted by angry constituents the following day and that he had tried to defuse the situation.

And he branded reports that he had been involved in complaining as "a load of nonsense".

"I have not spoken to or complained to Tesco," he said.

"I had people in my office complaining about it on Monday. I asked them not to go down there and get into an argument.

"I quietened people down. It wasn't me that was there."

Mr Watson said that Tesco should have put more thought into the event because of the angry reaction he had witnessed from constituents.

"It could have been quite confrontational from other members of the community," he said. "I have worked to defuse that. I have no difficulty with the GAA club."

A Tesco spokesperson said that it was the company's policy to ask that groups wear their uniforms so customers will know the organisation for which they are collecting.

"This gives the customer the option to go to another checkout if they do not wish to support this particular organisation," they said.

"On Sunday we had a number of very vociferous complaints both in person and on the phone, including one from a political representative, regarding the wearing of the GAA shirts while the group were collecting.

"It is understandable that our duty manager then deviated from Tesco policy and asked that those packing should do so in plain T-shirts. Subsequently we have had several complaints to the store, both from those opposed to the GAA shirts being worn and those opposed to the duty manager asking for the shirts to be removed."

The company said it was re-assessing its bag-packing procedures from yesterday.

South Antrim SDLP Assemblyman Thomas Burns said he would be seeking an apology on behalf of the young people involved over the matter.

He said: "I find it deeply disappointing and shameful in the extreme. If it happened to my children they would not be going back."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/councillor-furious-at-claims-over-tesco-gaa-shirts-row-14284899.html

[Roger]

FFS, I was just asking who was protesting?  Jeez there's some boys in this site who aren't half tetchy. 

To answer...... no, I wouldn't have protested.

Bully for you... you wouldn't have behaved like a bigot towards children... round of applause...   
[/quote]
Are you upset that I answered the question as I did?

[Roger]

Ok Ziggy/GDA...

I am not surprised that this happened.  Why?  Because the GAA is a nationalist organisation and makes no bones about this.  It is seen as a Political organisation that plays games and one with support / sympathy for republican terror.  Whether you agree or not is a different issue, that is how it is seen.  In Northern Ireland the polarised society has seen national retailers' uniforms get complaints from nationalists and a whole controversy over what flag Ikea would be flying or what flag was in their architects.  To me it seems just like shit for shat.   That is why I am not surprised. Are you surprised?

Ballocks Roger, these were 12 year old kids who are involved in an organisation which provides them with a sporting platform.

Im all for trying not to offend sections of the community, and Im loathe to use these words, but those that complained about these children are the scumiest b**tards on the face of the planet. Id pay for each and every one of them to rot in peace.

Assuming that you are referring to the bit that you put in bold, then I disagree. It is not ballocks that the GAA is a nationalist organisation and that it is seen as being supportive of republicans and their activities.  Just because you know a different side to it doesn't mean that others don't see the other side of it.  I also think that your reaction to the complaint is way over the top.

[Katchit]

But surely you can be a republican without supporting terror campaigns, a massive generalisation that I can't agree with.

[Roger]

How do you view the GAA yourself in terms of what it does for communities?

I see an organisation providing recreational activities and a social outlet in order to meet a Political goal.  Those activities look like they are enjoyed by nationalist communities throughout Ireland and have a positive and binding effect on those communities.

[Roger]

But surely you can be a republican without supporting terror campaigns, a massive generalisation that I can't agree with.

Indeed, I know many Unionists who would be republicans but in terms of Irish republicanism and their activities I think you know what I meant.

[ziggysego]

I guess I can see where you're coming from Roger, but we'll have to agree to disagree. The GAA is not working towards a United Ireland. True, it promotes Irish Cultural and Sport, but it isn't working towards a UI.

If you're referring to Casement Park, that's a matter for Antrim GAA. Croke Park has voiced their dissatisfaction over it.

Now, to use your terms. The IFA and Linfield in particular are political organisations because they are Unionist/Loyalist organisation, working on keeping the Union with British in place in the north-eastern part of Ireland. With support from Loyalist communities and the OO, they too should be banned from public areas.

Personally I don't have a problem with the IFA and just ignore Linfield. If I see someone in a Linfield.. so what... 9/10 they're good people. Maybe Windsor Park's different, but T Fearon can fill me in on the details.

[ziggysego]

But surely you can be a republican without supporting terror campaigns, a massive generalisation that I can't agree with.

Indeed, I know many Unionists who would be republicans but in terms of Irish republicanism and their activities I think you know what I meant.

I believe nifan is one and SammyG claimed to be one

[Roger]

I guess I can see where you're coming from Roger, but we'll have to agree to disagree. The GAA is not working towards a United Ireland. True, it promotes Irish Cultural and Sport, but it isn't working towards a UI.

If you're referring to Casement Park, that's a matter for Antrim GAA. Croke Park has voiced their dissatisfaction over it.

Now, to use your terms. The IFA and Linfield in particular are political organisations because they are Unionist/Loyalist organisation, working on keeping the Union with British in place in the north-eastern part of Ireland. With support from Loyalist communities and the OO, they too should be banned from public areas.

Personally I don't have a problem with the IFA and just ignore Linfield. If I see someone in a Linfield.. so what... 9/10 they're good people. Maybe Windsor Park's different, but T Fearon can fill me in on the details.

It is another issue about comparisons with football and how football is organised globally. I don't agree and we're not likely to agree either Ziggy as we've been over it before.  However, whether the GAA or you like it the organisation is polarised into the nationalist community in Northern Ireland where republicanism dominates.

You mentioned Antrim GAA and it's not lost on people that 2 people were murdered in cold blood there and others seriously injured there by republicans only last month.  That is why I am not surprised by the complaint to Tescos for assisting fundraising to the GAA.  I don't agree with the complaint but I'm not surprised by it.  It is not necessary for those who are  / feel excluded from the GAA to change their attitude to it even though many within the GAA demand it and call names to anyone who disagrees with it. 

[ziggysego]

I'm trying to keep it sensible between us Roger, but I'm nothing liking the link you made between the GAA in Antrim and the murders of the two British Soldiers.

[Roger]

I'm trying to keep it sensible between us Roger, but I'm nothing liking the link you made between the GAA in Antrim and the murders of the two British Soldiers.

I am not in any way or have any intention to link them. I was being accusatory towards the polarised attitudes in Antrim at this time. 

[ziggysego]

I'm trying to keep it sensible between us Roger, but I'm nothing liking the link you made between the GAA in Antrim and the murders of the two British Soldiers.

I am not in any way or have any intention to link them. I was being accusatory towards the polarised attitudes in Antrim at this time. 

Fair enough, but by the same hand people say that the IFA polarises the community.

I'm not trying to be twisting here or anything. I just think it's better to argue with reason, than mindless ramblings which gets everyone annoyed.