Last week I was in Belfast for the first time in 20 years. The city centre was flooded with tourists, adding a cosmopolitan flavour. It’s clean and without litter or graffiti. I also didn’t see a single football top on the street in two days, which has to be exceptional for any European city. It was a proper tourist destination.
The whole city is small and just a few minutes’ walk from the centre are demarcation zones where normal rules of law and order, or even planning permission, do not apply. There are places where inappropriate bravado would be punished without appropriate limit.
Many people live in besieged areas. Bombay St is pretty and well-kept, but the residents, are not even protected by a roof-high peace line (below). Their gardens are now completely caged in, a necessary step to protect life and property.
One phrase you will have heard all your life about Belfast in July is “tensions run high”. Communities spend months preparing enormous bonfires, while ancient observances are carried out.
It is not possible for Celtic to play against Linfield under normal conditions without jeopardising the welfare of our travelling support. Too many people would be vulnerable in too many places. We should decline tickets for the away game and politely inform Linfield they should do likewise – don’t think for a second it would be only Linfield fans who would pitch up at Celtic Park for the return game. Their presence would be a beacon for all that we don’t want to see or listen to for 90 minutes.
Belfast has so much to teach Glasgow, from tourism, to reconciliation, but conflict remains part of its infrastructure. This is a tie to get out of the way without cost to life or limb.
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GordyBhoy64, sorry, that wasn’t meant to imply you were making such a choice, more a general point, to go to any game is a choice for each, for any number of reasons.
Oops I did it again.
Right offski.
The Green Man, everybody notices when he changes his moniker.
Wonder if he is in the standing section?
Doc
Im giving him a new moniker….Mr Benn:)
HH
Do I get to keep my page podium this time???
oh, and c’mon the San Marino team
probs best to do what paul suggests – not sure it’ll happen though
When I go, I go to watch the Celllliiiccc.
GGs post at 6.38 worth a squint.
Would still be concerned about our fans though, given the days that are in it, and especially those not aware of the sectarian geography of I mbeal feirste.
HH
I don’t think Celtic fans should give any consideration to the consequences of authority embarrassments.
Que sera, sera.
Remember, Legia had a stand closed, then a Euro home game played behind closed doors (v R Madrid). Well done them making last 32. We didn’t.
Good luck to Legia against the Finns.
Mr Benn :-))))))
And of course there’s yon corkcelt troll. The most dangerous of all. A sleeper cell troll if you will. Biding his time with lots of Celtic minded common sense, killing us all into his hunnish trap. A veritable hunny pot sting waiting to happen!!!
;-))))
Donald nilloc or whoever you are. If Doc decides to have your number, your number will be had! In Internet terms of course!
HH jamesgang
Corkie, that’s what a good Troll does, there are some rubbish ones too!
Looks like Corky has had his post that tells it like it is removed.
Trolls winning me thinks
JamesGang, I have been wrong before, just once mind, and from that i gained a friend.
So mibees me and Matts will be pals, or mibbees no.
Good to see you back on bud, you missed a good night on Saturday.
TET
1984:)
HH
Kieran Tierney is just incredible.
What a player – who else is coming through? :))
The players won’t be on the biggest Money but they will give it everything and so much more. Bring them all on.
TGM
The self same thot entered my head as well :-)
HH
TET
Ministry of Truth:)
HH
Incredible
Hey Doc
Missed Saturday mate. Had both kids. I’d have tethered them outside the pub but apparently that’s no longer deemed good parenting!!!
;-)
HH jamesgang
TGM
Am no sure if this is right, but I recall 1984 was to be titled 1948 but the publishers thot that 1948 was too close so they decided on 1984 and yer man agreed, I could be dreaming this but something in the recesses tells me that there is a grain of truth in it, can you enlighten me ?
HH
No mate, the Milton Race Noght, went the mere after, also a good gig, child friendly.
Jamesgang
It’s only deemed good parenting if you give them coke crisps and a comic book while tethered,
Noght is the new night, obviously.
Good Lord, Has my post been removed. That was a serious post, meant to help people, which I put a good bit of time & thought into.
Can anyone who read it advise me of any possible reason why it might have been removed.
If this is what CQN has come to maybe it’s time to saddle up and ride off into the sunset.
Tet
I think he wrote it in 1948 and picked 1984 as it’s title as it seemed very futuristic.
I may be wrong
Jamesgang
Are you heading into Glasgow on Saturday?
Not been on due to many reasons.
If you thought you were getting a wedding invite (evening) but didn’t receive it please let me know, there’s at least one batch that haven’t arrived.
In addition my pre wedding man drinks are on Saturday. I lost the list (I know, I know!) so don’t know who was contacted and who wasn’t!
Also there are some I’d like to be there that I don’t have contact details for.
If any of this applies to you :-) please contact me at hamiltontim88@yahoo.co.uk
Wits
Smiley thing.
Corkcelt
Wtf non smiley thing.
HH jamesgang
Dont see what all the fuss is about re the security issue against Linfield. Any supporter travelling over for the game need only be equipped with a fire resistant statue of the Virgin Mary.
If you happen to wander into the wrong area just explain to the Unionists you’re looking for the nearest bonfire.
Corkie that’s incredible!
Mods, can I please ask why?
That was a measured post, in judgemental and without offensive language, asking for moderation!
Hmmmmmmmm
Corky
The truth hurts it seems, naming names is obviously a no no.
HH
……………………………………..
Stars
I was under the impression that he wrote it well afore 1948, but the old grey matter isny whot it used to be.
HH
Ps Paul67
“And the Glasgow Celtic will be there!”
It’s what the Celtic support do Paul.
Something really big is happening.
I loved watching the Celts in the 80s. cracking teamwork… illustrated in so many of the goals we scored.
This team, and we are gonnae change players, is so very exciting.
Broonstigator will play less… a Logical Progression
This kid Eboue. Look out.
SOAL
Sadly not bud. im at a 40th on Saturday. Nicest guy in the world and his wife asked me she’s back to his surprise party. Sadly missing the coolest retro tim in the world as a result.
HH jamesgang
DOC,
The moderation on this site is very odd, as you say, it tends to support the rather “out there” controversial posters.
When you or I or others take these posters to task we often find posts surreptitiously disappear.
Now there is a Celtic Board “mind-set” that mostly is in line with supporters but often enuff is not.
Now, posters like Mats Nilloc espouse the Boards Outlook… Always…
We often see this attitude in the Moderators, we also often see CQN Cleaned-up.
If you look at the debate in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena or London Borough Market tragedies, you will see they have been “cleaned-up” many posts deleted.
So why would the likes of Mats Nilloc not be Moderators as well as would be influencers.
Hail Hail
I thought I was going to a stag night, but hey ho!
:-)
I can’t this weekend HT, but looking forward to celebrating your marriage to H.
Unless oor Mr Matts Pastry is a mod…………………..Arghhhhh
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Hello..! Hello..!
TET
Id say that sounds right.
Ministry of truth=BBC
Orwell was a bit near the truth for the powers that be.
He saw how information was manipulated during the war, and saw that would become the blueprint for media control.
I believe he knew he was dying as he wrote 1984.
He saw post-war Eastern Europe Sovietized and feared Stalinism.
Face crime, thought crime, two minutes hate…..screens in every home controlled by Big Brother
A bit like the GDR became in many respects…..Stazi.
1984 was a warning…..no doubt Orwell knew what the future could hold.
Now…..Big Brother isnt Stalin…..its the digital media.
HH
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Since There’s Now A Sizeable Hispanic Colony Over At The AsbestosDome..
CQN Should Introduce A New Weekly Feature (On Fridays?)…
A Simple Line Drawing Cartoon,With Two Stereotypical Mexican Hombres, Frankie & Jose….
Sitting Against An Adobe Wall…
Draped In Ponchos, Faces Obscured By Wide Sombreros…
Musing Over “The Madness Of Lil’ Pedro”…
Topical Bubble Cartoon Captions…..
Supplied By Bournesoupe..(?)
https://www.toonpool.com/user/589/files/mexican_820255.jpg
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