There has been a number of postings on various blogs in the past few days about the 5 year old “loyalist” who was caught throwing stones at the PSNI during a recent riot.
Balrog is “shocked and appalled” to hear that Loyalists have been recruiting young children to take part in these riots; United Irelander calls it a “new low” for loyalists; Slugger also covered the story. Disgraceful that a child so young could be dragged into the action, I’m sure you’ll agree. But make no mistake, this problem is not confined to just one community. Wasn’t it within that past 2 weeks that there were reports [link needed] of a six year old nationalist child rioting also? How sick is that?
If ever there was a [yet another] wake up call to Northerners I believe this is it! What kind of sick society have they created that you have kids as young as 5 or 6 out on the streets rioting? They should all be absolutely ashamed of themselves!
My own child will have his 5th birthday this weekend and not only is he in bed by 8pm every evening but he knows well enough that if he throws a stone even in the general direction of another person he’d get more than a telling off. So I simply cannot understand how kids so young are on the streets during such trouble. What kind of worthless parents would allow their children to be dragged on to the streets of Belfast to hurl stones at Police? What kind of idiotic parents would allow their children get involved in such a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation as a riot? There is simply no excuse for such gross irresponsibility!
Isn’t it about time politicians, those wankers the people of NI chose to represent them, came together and said enough is enough? Isn’t it about time the decent people of NI, who I’d like to believe are the vast majority, came together and said enough is enough? Isn’t it about time that people recognised that the children of NI are the best opportunity for building a lasting peace and a future together? They should be looking at ways of teaching their kids tolerance, respect and understanding. Instead children* are allowed to be recruited by the scum of NI society so we have yet another generation of mindless bigots.
There are enough good people in NI who would be well able to work out their differences, all it takes is a small bit of effort. What’s stopping half a million or more of the decent protestant & catholic people of Northern Ireland marching on Belfast city hall declaring that finally enough IS enough! I hate to use this clichéd phrase, but will someone please think of the children? They’re your best chance.
*a small number I am sure
p.s. if you resort to whataboutery or use the “glass houses” analogy in your response I’m going to assume you agree with the recruitment of children for the riots.
I would agree with your assessment here Maca. It’s a poor reflection on N. I society that children should be involved in political activities and riots. It’s not like they have any real understanding of what they are doing or “fighting” for.
I think I changed a lot when I became a dad. The thoughts of children being abused in this way sickens me to my stomach. I don’t know why the majourity of people in NI, the decent people, let this sort of thing go on. They need to come together and put their collective feet down.
What’s stopping half a million or more of the decent protestant & catholic people of Northern Ireland marching on Belfast city hall declaring that finally enough IS enough!
You could get half a million of ‘em, but you’d need two separate marches…..
Good point Hugh, my hope is that it would be a mixed march
When I was around the age of 9 and 10 I had to be in bed by 9 o’clock sharp. It’s hard to fathom that kids who are so young are out past that hour rioting.
I agree Maca, I covered this on Balrog a few weeks ago and I attacked ALL sides.
These kids need a good kick up the arse and sent to bed, what they fuck are their parents thinking?
Well said Maca. The majority of people of whom you speak are there, I call them The Peaceful Majority, and as you rightly say, they need to speak out and say enough is enough.
They don’t even have to march, cos i think there has been enough flap about bloody marches up there to last everyone a lifetime, unless you count their marching to the ballot box come election time and stop giving pseudo-mandates to the Extremist parties.
True, JL, I suppose more marches are hardly the answer
How do you think I feel? I’m living in South Belfast! I’d quite happily throw one of the wee bollixes over a bridge. It’s basically scum parents who leave the education of their children wholey to the schools, and never teach them any manners. Pregnant at 16, Granny by 30, and the dole yer whole life. This is the life of a Belfast Spide Mother.
Am I being naive in thinking that the kids probably think rioting is just a bit of fun and arent actually indoctrinated into the whole “I hate feenyins/proddies, so I do”-fest so early?
J, it may be just a bit of fun for them but i’d worry that it’s more than that, that they are being taught to hate their ‘opposites’
Still, you’re closer to the action so likely have a better take on the situation than I do.