*The Poratadown marches have nothing to do with the battle of the boyne and the 12th celebrations. The parade simply goes to the church for a service commemorating the sacrifices of so many lives at the battle of the Somme in WWI

**I would ammend Swift's quote to read "but not enough government to be fair" The reason we broke from england in 1776 is still there- the government does not truly fairly represent its people yet.

***dead men are created as much by poor law enforcement as by anything else. The british government has a basic hands off approach to the hot pursuit of terrorism. The government knew in past years that republicans were manufacturing hundreds of petrol bombs yet did nothing to arrest those concerned. The RUC does not arrest violent rock throwing protesters it basically stands their and takes it.

****The British government blocked the parade largely because of the threat of violence from republicans. The solution would have been to enforce the peace.

*****Remember also that the Orange Order has already agreed to severely modify their customary parade traditions. No offensive songs only religious hymns common to both traditions, limitations on regailia, no playing in front of churches and careful self policing to eliminate hatred. The last parade or even last two parades which were allowed to proceed followed those rules so a good record was established. In a free country there should be nothing wrong with such a peaceful traditional act. But we must remember that under britain Northern Ireland is not free for anyone- protestant or catholic.

******When you quote loyalist paramilitaries you are quoting terrorists who are outside of the orange order. The orange order is extremely conservative in regard to any association or statement concerning terror. Loyalist paramilitaries are the same thugs as SinfeinIRA. In regard to violence however one must listen to Ronnie Flannagan head of the RUC when he said on todays bbc news when he said in effect- I undertand your anger at what has happened (meaning the denial of basic rights and unfair acts by the parade commission...) As our own american founding fathers point out in their writings a people can only be pushed so far by an unfair government. Wasn't it Jefferson who said that the tree of liberty is fertilized by patriot's blood? At some point liberty is worth the sacrifice and that point is to be determined by the people of Northern Ireland and not self appointed liberal minded folk from outside.

******The Orange Order did not fight at the battle of the boyne as it was not in existence. In the battle mercinaries were to be found on both sides. If you wish to cite history, learn it- see my pages- Click here

********Basic freedoms do not stop anywhere. A public road is a public road. All should have the right to freely and peacefully walk it. Note that the catholic parade was given the right and was not protested-even when it dissobeyed the commission- the double standard is an important part of the issue.

******************The Orange order has engaged the process and has worked hard to appease the republican community. If you think that folks wanted civil rights marches in their neighborhood peaceful or otherwise you are very wrong. MLK did not ask permission of anyone. The situations are absolutely the same. And remember too that as the Orange must put up with the violent loyalist fringes so too the peaceful civil rights folk had to deal with urban rampages very similar to those in NI and infact a lot worse.

******************************Buying peace with money is not the way to go. It is a shame that officials always mention the impact of protest on tourism when they should concentrate upon the impact of government upon freedom. When government angers a wide population to a high level something is not being done to represent them fairly. Lets have freedom and justice first and worry about tourism later. The attempt by the USA and other countries to pay off those seeking freedom with economic investment is a tragedy. There is no reason for violence based only on poverty.

All for now!

Conrad