tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160442142284993094.post7620369139069458183..comments2023-10-21T10:30:07.774+01:00Comments on Marxist-Lentilist: Statement on Union flag and protests at Belfast City HallJohn Barryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03404806335337565248noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160442142284993094.post-36443023403206129162012-12-07T14:49:42.171+00:002012-12-07T14:49:42.171+00:00Hi Dr. John,
A friend of mine posted your pieces...Hi Dr. John, <br /><br />A friend of mine posted your pieces on the matter and I thought I maybe should comment.<br /><br />I will come straight out and say that I am a Nat but I would also say that when it comes to mainstream politics I am something of a social democrat and very proud of it.<br /><br />Regarding your contentions above, I find the, well I will use the word 'accusation' (though it is probably a bit stronger than what I would like) against SF for 'party politicking' a bit mad, especially as it was noted for being particularly flexible on the motion as opposed to the SDLP who wanted an outright ban of the flying of the union flag over City Hall. Now if you had leveled this against the SDLP, a party I have the utmost respect for, then yes, they could possibly have been accused of this, yet it seems somewhat convenient that you go for the usual 'suspects'.<br /><br />Regarding the DUP and the obvious electoral advantage it is trying to gain, I cannot disagree with this and have stated my belief in this proposition elsewhere. <br /><br />As for the contention that symbols are not that important, well yes and no. No, they are not that important as they do not put food on my table, yes they are important owing to the nature of the creation of the State, it's history and the trouble attached to said symbols, so to pretend otherwise is bonkers. <br /><br />Symbols of any kind are always important; they act as neat figure of something whether a political movement, belief, support for something that many believe to be important or otherwise so to ask 'why do people attach so much emotional attention to a little symbol' really is missing the point, especially in places with a contested history such as our own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com