en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1227656 Comments by paddywakk http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/queens-university-students-to-debate-on-poppy-sale-ban-30250072.html#IDComment827044650 I have no objection to the Poppy being displayed as a symbol of respect for those who died in both World Wars and have often bought and worn one, but unfortunately the Poppy like the Union Flag is used by some elements to "beat it up the fenians"! As an apprentice in the 50s and 60s I still remember the insults and threats received by some young fellow Catholic apprentices and journeymen( not from everyone ) at their place of work around the Twelfth . I repeat here most workmates were friendly and accepted another religion but some elements were apparently brought up to hate anything to do with Popery and let it be known at every opportunity, particularity the Twelfth Wed, 7 May 2014 06:34:35 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/queens-university-students-to-debate-on-poppy-sale-ban-30250072.html#IDComment827044650 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/homes-defaced-in-racist-attack-30245346.html#IDComment826379994 If this had happened when Irish emigrants arrived in other countries such as USA, NZ or Australia ! People have been ( and are starting to be again ) our biggest export for centuries , hopefully this does not happen to them. Mon, 5 May 2014 17:06:27 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/homes-defaced-in-racist-attack-30245346.html#IDComment826379994 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/no-review-of-la-mon-police-probe-30228847.html#IDComment823981213 Ms Villiers said she did not believe a review would uncover further evidence related to La Mon. Just because she does not believe does not necessary mean that further evidence would be uncovered . She is entitled to her opinion but the public are even more entitled to know why official files on the police investigation were lost! Is this a coincidence? Can everyone who wants go into police archives and look at and even take files with them? She says she has written to bereaved families and told them about her "decision"! My opinion is she can recommend something but not decide Tue, 29 Apr 2014 19:06:50 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/no-review-of-la-mon-police-probe-30228847.html#IDComment823981213 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/ballymurphy-probe-calls-rejected-30227991.html#IDComment823954419 Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers today ruled out their call to establish a review panel to assess the evidence related to an episode the relatives refer to as the Ballymurphy massacre, claiming it would not serve the public interest. Why not ? Regardless of what came out it would serve public interest, either to prove the British army acted correctly or overstep their mandate by shooting and murdering innocent demonstrators . Either they would be cleared or condemned and the British government could no longer be accused of hiding facts. Tue, 29 Apr 2014 17:52:16 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/ballymurphy-probe-calls-rejected-30227991.html#IDComment823954419 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/weekends-opening-hours-must-change-to-make-us-a-tourism-leader-expert-30222618.html#IDComment823459842 Not only Sundays are facilities closed, on Monday a lot of tourist attraction, such as museums, centres and other tourist attractions. Some friends of mine arrived on Monday at Alexander Irvine´s home in Antrim and it was closed with no explanation. If we want to encourage tourists to come and spend then we must be more flexible. Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:48:09 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/weekends-opening-hours-must-change-to-make-us-a-tourism-leader-expert-30222618.html#IDComment823459842 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/third-serious-race-crime-in-belfast-in-days-man-stabbed-in-the-leg-and-subjected-to-abuse-during-attack-30218379.html#IDComment821980412 This is only to be expected when certain groups are allowed to do what they like. No respect for law and order, Hatred and bigotry are part of our culture and inheritance ,Now foreign citizens are being subjected to this also Fri, 25 Apr 2014 16:29:52 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/third-serious-race-crime-in-belfast-in-days-man-stabbed-in-the-leg-and-subjected-to-abuse-during-attack-30218379.html#IDComment821980412 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/hate-crime-two-people-escape-injury-after-shots-fired-through-window-of-belfast-house-30214716.html#IDComment821765231 Could n´t agree more but unfortunately others think different. Fri, 25 Apr 2014 05:09:39 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/hate-crime-two-people-escape-injury-after-shots-fired-through-window-of-belfast-house-30214716.html#IDComment821765231 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/hate-crime-two-people-escape-injury-after-shots-fired-through-window-of-belfast-house-30214716.html#IDComment821549859 The family, who are believed to be members of the Travelling community, were not injured. Travelling community and 5 kids. Wonder what the reason was? Is it possible Catholics from ROI? Thu, 24 Apr 2014 17:32:02 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/hate-crime-two-people-escape-injury-after-shots-fired-through-window-of-belfast-house-30214716.html#IDComment821549859 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/portavoe-reservoir-campaigners-seek-legal-block-on-draining-of-lake-after-wildlife-starts-dying-30213351.html#IDComment821488647 Some politicians seem to forget we need tourists here badly to boost our economy, not only Titanic Centre and Giants Causeway, Attractions such as Scrabo Tower and beauty spots such as Portavoe reservoir cannot be done without. Also we must give more thought to opening such attractions 7 days a week during the tourist season, Monday closing as we are doing now deters tourists from returning when they stand outside closed buildings, parks and museums. Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:33:34 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/portavoe-reservoir-campaigners-seek-legal-block-on-draining-of-lake-after-wildlife-starts-dying-30213351.html#IDComment821488647 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/new-northern-ireland-law-could-boost-breastfeeding-in-public-30213105.html#IDComment821365383 Breastfeeding is the most natural thing ever, sadly due to our Puritan society it is not accepted everywhere and frowned upon. Hopefully we will begin to think in more modern terms and accept this as part of life and stop banning young mothers from taking part in everyday life Thu, 24 Apr 2014 08:13:16 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/new-northern-ireland-law-could-boost-breastfeeding-in-public-30213105.html#IDComment821365383 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/republic-of-ireland-back-in-commonwealth-its-not-as-mad-as-it-sounds-says-senior-tory-mp-fabricant-30208791.html#IDComment821021038 "If a country like the Republic of Ireland joined the Commonwealth, what greater message could be sent to countries facing political upheaval and disputes on the other side of the world than an ancient country who had drawn a line under parts of its past, whilst promoting its future on the best parts of its heritage?" Mr Fabricant wrote on a website yesterday. Do I understand this correct? The ROI should rejoin the Commonwealth and maybe experience again the downtrodden times where the black and tans murdered our citizens, when Irish citizens were considered free prey for the B specials, Orange order and Unionist politicians and Westminster who played the "Orange Card " to gain a majority ? Who will assure us that history does not repeat itself? Wed, 23 Apr 2014 11:27:41 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/republic-of-ireland-back-in-commonwealth-its-not-as-mad-as-it-sounds-says-senior-tory-mp-fabricant-30208791.html#IDComment821021038 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/miracle-babys-mother-tells-of-riot-terror-30205160.html#IDComment820727853 It´s time the police force wake up and show these louts who runs this country, the government must bring back law and order here otherwise everyone can think they can do what they like. Tue, 22 Apr 2014 17:45:31 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/miracle-babys-mother-tells-of-riot-terror-30205160.html#IDComment820727853 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peaceful-start-to-northern-irelands-marching-season-helps-to-ease-tensions-30204772.html#IDComment820530673 I can think of many much better ways to spend my time as dressing up like the Grand old Duke of York´s men and parading around the country. Tue, 22 Apr 2014 07:04:17 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peaceful-start-to-northern-irelands-marching-season-helps-to-ease-tensions-30204772.html#IDComment820530673 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/two-racist-attacks-every-day-in-belfasts-racehate-crime-surge-30202329.html#IDComment820290201 Things have not changed a lot except that more foreigners instead of Catholics are being chosen as the brunt of their hatred. Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:02:22 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/two-racist-attacks-every-day-in-belfasts-racehate-crime-surge-30202329.html#IDComment820290201 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/spending-power-set-to-rise-15-30203481.html#IDComment820147468 Rise in price and rise in living standard are two entirely different kettles of fish. If I spend more this does not mean I have increased my living standard. People are sometimes led to believe reading articles like this we are on the way up but we are experiencing an increase in prices and rates etc. nothing else. Mon, 21 Apr 2014 09:06:15 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/spending-power-set-to-rise-15-30203481.html#IDComment820147468 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-could-control-six-new-super-councils-30198897.html#IDComment819523677 Hopefully we will not return to the "good old days" when one party had the monopoly and also the support of English Conservative Party when Lord Randolph said in 1910 " The Orange Card is the one to play"! Sat, 19 Apr 2014 17:31:40 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/unionists-could-control-six-new-super-councils-30198897.html#IDComment819523677 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/in-pictures-8m-spent-on-fake-shop-fronts-in-northern-ireland-30196699.html#IDComment819396456 Footfall doesn't always mean sales, I know plenty of folk who go into a shop, check out an item, then go home and order it online for a lot less money. High St shops need rate relief or else you'll see a lot more empty or in some cases, burnt out shops With less cash to spend no one can blame shoppers for looking for the cheapest article or place to buy it. Secondly you mention rate relief for shops! That would mean the rest of us would have to pay higher rates as the councils need the cash relief given to the shopkeepers and would take it from the rest of us. Sat, 19 Apr 2014 09:39:00 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/in-pictures-8m-spent-on-fake-shop-fronts-in-northern-ireland-30196699.html#IDComment819396456 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfasts-bars-vent-their-anger-at-easter-pub-opening-hours-30198826.html#IDComment819374030 I prefer to spend Easter and other holidays with my grand kids so I am not affected but nevertheless it should be left to each individual when or where if he wishes to take a drink or not . Who do politicians think they are, deciding when people go into pubs and restaurants or what they drink? This can only happen here, pubs open but not allowed to serve alcohol ! We are returning to the days when it was forbidden to open kids playgrounds or cinemas on Sundays or holidays. If someone thinks it is not correct to drink on certain days then that is their decision but where do they take the right to enforce their religious teaching or thinking upon others? Just think about it I can buy alcohol a day previously and drink it without anyone being able to prevent me but cannot buy it and drink it on holidays because someone else decides it is so! Sat, 19 Apr 2014 08:14:47 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfasts-bars-vent-their-anger-at-easter-pub-opening-hours-30198826.html#IDComment819374030 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/in-pictures-8m-spent-on-fake-shop-fronts-in-northern-ireland-30196699.html#IDComment819071427 Shopper numbers on the rise The significant improvement in footfall numbers reflects this much-improved economic environment and bodes very well for the year ahead. Mr Connolly said: "These are the first positive footfall figures for Northern Ireland since July 2013 and they demonstrate the fantastic work that has been done by Northern Ireland retailers to tempt shoppers into their stores. I find this report contradictory to a report here in BT on 17th April ago that shoppers are spending more and yet more shops are standing empty and this is being disguised by camouflaging the empty premises Fri, 18 Apr 2014 14:00:37 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/in-pictures-8m-spent-on-fake-shop-fronts-in-northern-ireland-30196699.html#IDComment819071427 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/after-a-long-brave-fight-wee-oscar-knox-moved-to-childrens-hospice-30196270.html#IDComment819014790 God bless him, he fought bravely but unfortunately it looks as he will not succeed. For his parents and relations who watch him it must be agonising. Fri, 18 Apr 2014 10:50:20 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/after-a-long-brave-fight-wee-oscar-knox-moved-to-childrens-hospice-30196270.html#IDComment819014790