Eligibility Rules, Okay

**Charlie Darwin** · 12/12/2012, 8:35 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

A combination of the above presumably, along with other identities from around the world.

Or maybe "Northen Irish"...

I think we have a future Elite Player Mentor (EPN) on our hands here.

**geysir** · 12/12/2012, 8:58 PM

That has gone way above my head, Charlie.

**osarusan** · 12/12/2012, 9:54 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

That has gone way above my head, Charlie.

"Northen" is written on the poster, not "Northern."

**geysir** · 13/12/2012, 7:18 AM

I got that, but I'm still in the dark about the EPN bit.

**osarusan** · 13/12/2012, 8:35 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

I got that, but I'm still in the dark about the EPN bit.

When the first article about Armstrong's role as mentor was published, it was referred to by the acronym EPN ('nentor' rather than mentor?).

A similar piece of misspelling here.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 13/12/2012, 12:48 PM

Geysir. 'They' (& don't want to appear 'sectarian') seem to have an issue with spelling.

Of the language of the country, they have such love for...

**peadar1987** · 13/12/2012, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Geysir. 'They' (& don't want to appear 'sectarian') seem to have an issue with spelling.

Of the language of the country, they have such love for...

Morons always have trouble with spelling. No matter which side of a 600-year-old religious spat they fall on.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 13/12/2012, 1:32 PM

Aye. But having known both communities...

**DannyInvincible** · 13/12/2012, 2:17 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

One of the remarkable things over the past fews days is that nobody has picked up the massive U Turn by the (so called) political representaives of "Loyalism".

We have seen high ranking figures in the PUP at various protests - we have been told by the PSNI that members of the UVF (and UDA) have been involved in organising and participating in some of the violent scenes we have witnessed.

However, a look at the Belfast City Council Equality Impact Assessment on the flying Of The Union Flag at City Hall, includes the following submission from the PUP:

Progressive Unionist Party

- Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom and the flag of a nation is a constitutional symbol;

- while this needs to be respected there is no requirement to fly the flag every day;

- it is our opinion that the Union flag should fly outside the City Hall, the Ulster Hall and the Duncrue Complex on the designated flag days plus the additional four days exclusive to Northern Ireland.

Make of that as you will.

Basil McCrea is of the opinion that flying the flag on designated days only is also UUP policy despite his disciplining and the party's recent utterances on the issue in public: http://www.u.tv/News/UUP-whip-withdr...c-d94574ea9146

Mr McCrea told UTV he was disappointed to learn of the decision [to withdraw the party whip from him].

He continued: "I've been trying to point out what is the right way forward and put out constructive ideas and frankly I'm disappointed. I told Mike that I don't think it's the right way forward, but it's Mike's decision and that's what he's done.

"If I voted for designated days in Lisburn and if in Stormont we have designated days and other councils then why would I take any different opinion wherever I am?

"To my mind this is UUP policy and I was just bringing it to the attention of people and I also happen to think it's the right way forward - but I do think all-party talks are the way to resolve these issues and I think it's been a disappointing outcome when I tried to put forward my arguments in the appropriate place and the appropriate way."

The joint UUP/DUP leaflet attacking Alliance read:

Is McCrea correct?

**DannyInvincible** · 13/12/2012, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by peadar1987

I think this time it's particularly ironic, seeing as they're protesting a decision made by a democratically elected body.

"Ulster says no to removing the flag!"

No mate, Ulster says yes to it. Otherwise they would have voted DUP instead of SF and Alliance.

In many ways, the hard core Unionists remind me of nutjob christians in the US. They genuinely think it's a grave human rights abuse that their privileged position is being taken away, and they have to be treated just like anyone else.

Well, the concept of representative democracy also comprises of protecting minority interests, but I don't see why the compromise reached on this particular issue should be viewed as an attack on British/unionist identity. The Union flag will remain flying on designated days above a city hall that still bears all the symbolic hallmarks of a very-much-British institution. The front grounds still feature the 11-foot-high statue of Queen Victoria and a memorial to Sir Edward J. Harland MP, whilst, inside, there's a bronze statue to the Earl of Belfast, Frederick Richard Chichester that was commissioned to mark the Festival of Britain in 1951. There are also portraits of King Edward VII, the Earl of Shaftesbury and Sir Edward Harland on the walls. The stained glass windows display the Royal Coat of Arms and those of the Chichester family. There's also a special case displaying the Royal Charter granted to Belfast in 1613 and the 1888 Charter from Queen Victoria. There are yet more stained glass windows in the Banqueting Hall showing the Royal Arms and those of Lord Donegall and Lord Shaftesbury along with further portraits of King William III, Queen Victoria and King Edward VI. Have I missed anything?...

The alarmist notion that Belfast is becoming a "cold house" for unionists is all rather daft.

**peadar1987** · 13/12/2012, 2:55 PM

The sad thing is that for a while, the whole thing was working exactly the way I think Northern Ireland should work. The two opposing blocs had very different opinions about something, but neither had the majority to force it through against the will of the other. A non-aligned party stepped in, proposed a compromise, and it was passed, legally and democratically, by the elected body.

And then suddenly, stuff was smashed, heads were stuck through windows, and "no surrender" was screeched.

Still, maybe next time things will go better.

**geysir** · 13/12/2012, 3:42 PM

On the other hand, the (shining) piece of light relief, came in the form of that Belfast Crazed Bigot.
I suppose she will be after some royalties soon enough.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 13/12/2012, 3:50 PM

I dunno. Probably not worthy of so much attention?

With Dimitri on this one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuIgZzW2J_Q

**Not Brazil** · 13/12/2012, 3:52 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

The joint UUP/DUP leaflet attacking Alliance read:

Is McCrea correct?

McCrea is somewhat of a maverick - he would position himself as a leading voice of moderate Unionism.

I believe he takes the broader picture of the GFA - of which, of course, the UUP were one of the key architects - as his basis for UUP policy on this issue. The agreement on equality, parity of esteem etc.

On specific UUP stated policy on the City Hall flag issue, he is out of sync with Party thinking - he would argue that Party policy on the flag issue is out of sync with the broad principles agreed by the UUP in the GFA.

The leaflet sent out by the DUP & UUP is grossly misleading - it was designed to play on people's fears - For starters, PSF/SDLP policy was not that the flag be "ripped down on all but a few days" - it was that there should be no Union Flag at City Hall, period. It was an Alliance compromise proposal that saw the flag staying on designated days.

Much easier for the DUP & UUP to demonise Alliance, than to face up to the "big boys".

Alliance acted totally in accordance with their stated policies on equality, shared space etc.

Anyway, I would think Basil will jump ship in the New Year - hopefully to Alliance, maybe to the Conservatives.

**geysir** · 13/12/2012, 5:50 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

I dunno. Probably not worthy of so much attention?

Grinches have no humour.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 13/12/2012, 10:56 PM

One factual inaccuracy by NB in his post there.
My Christmas sixpence to the first person who can spot it?

**Charlie Darwin** · 13/12/2012, 11:03 PM

His incorrect use of em dashes.

**DannyInvincible** · 14/12/2012, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

McCrea is somewhat of a maverick - he would position himself as a leading voice of moderate Unionism.

I believe he takes the broader picture of the GFA - of which, of course, the UUP were one of the key architects - as his basis for UUP policy on this issue. The agreement on equality, parity of esteem etc.

On specific UUP stated policy on the City Hall flag issue, he is out of sync with Party thinking - he would argue that Party policy on the flag issue is out of sync with the broad principles agreed by the UUP in the GFA.

The leaflet sent out by the DUP & UUP is grossly misleading - it was designed to play on people's fears - For starters, PSF/SDLP policy was not that the flag be "ripped down on all but a few days" - it was that there should be no Union Flag at City Hall, period. It was an Alliance compromise proposal that saw the flag staying on designated days.

Much easier for the DUP & UUP to demonise Alliance, than to face up to the "big boys".

Alliance acted totally in accordance with their stated policies on equality, shared space etc.

Anyway, I would think Basil will jump ship in the New Year - hopefully to Alliance, maybe to the Conservatives.

"Hopefully", as in you'll be glad to see the back of a recalcitrant, or as in you'll be glad to welcome over a maverick?

David Trimble appears to side with McCrea on what the UUP stance ought to be: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20728991

Former first minister David Trimble has accused the DUP of "cynically" stirring things over the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall.

The Conservative peer told the BBC the row was more to do with the DUP's attempts to win back the East Belfast parliamentary seat from Alliance.

"I am surprised there is a problem, because the issue could have been foreseen, a compromise was available.

"It seems rather strange the compromise has not been accepted," he said.

Haven't the UUP been stirring as well though? The leaflet campaign was a joint effort, after all.

**DannyInvincible** · 14/12/2012, 2:52 PM

The Irish Daily Star tweeted this earlier today:

[In tomorrow's Irish Daily Star...] Find out who's the latest Irish player to snub Michael O Neill and the North for Trap's Army #fai

Speculation on OWC suggests the player in question might be Rory Donnelly. For what it's worth, Donnelly was called into a NI under-21 side in November of 2011 but didn't feature in their match against Serbia. I don't think he has ever represented the IFA or participated in any of their squads other than that actually. Can't imagine that making much difference to the expected outrage, mind...