Operation Banner Comes To An End- Result: A No-Score Draw

The longest running campaign in British military history draws to a close at midnight tonight with the end of Operation Banner. Of course, some will see it as a victory for the army and some will see it as a victory for the IRA.

Indeed, I had to laugh when I read through the comments section below the report on this development on the UTV News website. With clockwork predictability, armchair pundits came out with diametrically opposed views on what the withdrawal means.

For instance Mr G Smyth from East Tyrone took the view that it is "One more positive step towards an [sic] United Ireland," whereas Willie from Limavady said: "Well done to all who served their country in N Ireland in securing such a day when terrorism has been defeated." Then we had Billy from South Belfast, who said: "Our thanks must go out to the gallant men and women of not only the British Army but also the UDR and RUC who stood firm against the evil of militant Republicans," while Seamus from Armagh was unhappy that there was no remembrance event for "all the Irish volinteers [sic] who give ther life for this over the past 38 years."

The fact is that there were no victors in this grubby and unnecessary conflict. The British Army set out officially to 'keep peace' and ultimately to crush the IRA- they failed, and Sinn Féin are more popular than ever. The provos set out to blow the 'Brits' out of Ireland and achieve unity down the barrel of a gun- they failed, and those same people who led that campaign of violence now happily draw the Queen's shilling in that erstwhile bastion of unionism, Stormont.

And while there were no winners, there were plenty of losers, mostly innocent bystanders who never asked to be dragged into the conflict, but often ended up losing their lives.

The end of Operation Banner and other moves towards normalisation such as dismantling of army spy towers and disarmament by the IRA are to be welcomed, but neither side can claim success.

This is not a time for celebration- it's a time to remember those who were killed by both sides during the idiotic conflict that gripped this part of the world. Hopefully moves like this will mark an end to this chapter in our history.

Police Attacked During Drugs Raid

The police were attacked over the weekend as they carried out drug searches in Derry. During the raid, they recovered cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis so I think we can safely say that their presence was justified.

What exactly is the thinking behind attacks like this on police as they try to clean the filth out of our community? People who peddle drugs will simply snigger at pickets outside their houses- the only way to hit them is to throw them behind bars and cut off the blood supply to their poisonous enterprise by destroying the mechanisms they use to acquire their drugs. The only people who can do this is the police.

The youngsters who attack the police with petrol bombs, fireworks, stones and bottles are simply acting as unpaid sidekicks to the pushers. The vast majority of people want everything done to drag the dealers out of these areas by legal means- therefore it is incumbent upon parents to ensure that their children are not impeding these efforts.

Police Ombudsman In The Clear- That's More Than What Can Be Said About The RUC

Nuala O'Loan's office has been cleared of allegations that it leaked information about its recent investigation into RUC/ UVF collusion and murder before details of the outcome were officially published. The report, made public earlier this year, revealed that there was collusion between RUC Special Branch officers and a north Belfast UVF gang which killed up to 16 people.

Unsurprisingly it was the Retired Police Officers' Association for Northern Ireland who complained about this 'leak'. Unbelievable. Here we have an organisation that throws a fit at any suggestion that RUC activity should be investigated and brought into the light by people such as Nuala O'Loan, then turns around and complains about the possibility of the details of any such reports being released early. Good to see they've got their priorities right...

These people have retired from the police. Perhaps now it's time they put their mouths into retirement too- after all, given that the Ombudsman's report was only the tip of the iceberg, they're going to be getting pretty tired with all the complaining they'll have to do as more and more of the truth is revealed.

Bin Tasers- It's The Only Good Place For Them

Amnesty International has picked up on a spot of bother the PSNI is facing over its plans to introduce tasers here, a ridiculous and retrograde flight of fancy highlighted on El Blogador last year.

According to AI's blog:

The advice, presented to the [Policing] Board last month, finds that the PSNI has not properly addressed the "legal and human rights framework within which a taser can be used" and has not "devised clear and robust policy, guidance and training to ensure that any use of Taser in Northern Ireland fully complies with the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.

In effect, the eminent (aren't they always?) QC is saying that if they went ahead and used Tasers without these measures in place, the PSNI themselves could be found to be breaking the law.

Basically, Sir Hugh, like every other Chief Constable across the UK, is being told that he hasn't done his homework. He has now agreed to do so.

As they rightly point out, when the requisite equality impact assessment is carried-out, it most likely will show the disproportionate threat these 'less lethal' weapons will pose to young people and those with mental health problems.

Hugh, instead of wasting your money on this rubbish, quit while you're ahead and redirect funds towards tackling the type of crime that people are worried about such as burglaries and assaults.

Good UDA/ Bad UDA

A policeman was shot last night in Carrickfergus after finding himself caught in the middle of the current UDA feud (yes, I find it hard to keep up with them as well).

We have the Ulster Political Research Group (isn't 'political research' and armed loyalism a contradiction in terms?) blaming such feuds on breakaways in South-East Antrim, and the separatist faction likewise blaming their erstwhile brothers in (illegal) arms for the violence.

This all of course leads to such terms as 'Good UDA' and 'Bad UDA' depending on who one sees as legitimate and working towards a peaceful settlement. However, given that ransoms are regularly demanded of the government by these groups in return for peace and loyalist paramilitary activity continues apace, being asked to decide which side is 'good' is like being asked to choose who was 'good' between Stalin and Hitler. I think I'll sit on the fence on this one.

Chuckle Chuckle Vision

A teacher in Wales has been cleared of hitting a pupil who made fun of him because he apparently looks like Barry Chuckle of Chuckle Brothers fame. Allegedly the schoolboy sang the Chucklevision theme tune at him.

Now I’m sure we can all take a joke, but I don’t think anyone would blame a teacher for giving an unruly idiot a dig to shut them up if they take it too far- it’s not exactly corporal punishment, which is patently wrong, but likewise it does no harm to teach ignorant buffoons a lesson so to speak.

That said, ironically we used to have a teacher who looked like one of the Chuckle Brothers and indeed people used to sing ‘Chuckle Chuckle Vision’ at him- to be fair he laughed and took the joke in the spirit it was intended. He did only stay in the school for one year though.

On a separate issue, isn’t it ironic that the Chuckle Brothers were so named, given that they do indeed make people chuckle with their own inimitable brand of comedy…

Northern Ireland Assembly Question Of The Week

I wonder does Westminster have ministers being asked such gems as this...

Mr Jim Shannon (Strangford): To ask the Minister for Regional Development what are his intentions with regard to the continuation of the sewerage system a further 50-60 yards, towards 94 Rubane Road, Kircubbin.

The Twelfth Of July

Now I haven't much of a problem with people parading the streets banging drums, just so long as they don't do it to intimidate people in their own homes. But why is it that around this time of year, the authorities seem to turn a blind eye to blatent law-breaking?

If I fly-tipped rubbish like old furniture, trees and general household waste on the side of a road, I would be rightly prosecuted. Yet it seems to be ok if it's done in the vicinity of a bonfire, regardless of the fact that said rubbish often ends up blocking roads. Why?

If I burnt tyres and produced toxic fumes, I would be rightly prosecuted. But hundreds of tyres stacked neatly between layers of pallets on bonfires don't seem to attract the attention of the authorities. Why?

If I played loud music and shouted out sectarian rantings well into the night near people's homes, I would be rightly prosecuted. Yet this goes on on the 11th night at dozens of locations, and nothing is done. Why?

And why do unionist politicians, so infatuated with parties being committed to upholding law and order, conveniently forget about the need to support law and order when it comes to many events surrounding the 12th July such as those mentioned above?

And why does 'celebrating one's culture' often involve burning tricolours and election posters of nationalist parties?

So many questions and so few answers. Of course, anyone who dares to ask these questions is regularly accused to attacked 'orange culture'. Perhaps if those so interested promoting 'orange culture' stopped for a moment and listened to the concerns of people who find many of the events surrounding the 12th July highly questionable, then maybe they might be able to do something to make it more Orangefest than Crapfest.

By the way, have a look at this delightful pic on Flikr.

Bored

Things have been pretty boring lately. It's no fun when everyone's acting like the best of friends. No doubt it'll all end in tears, but hopefully with the Assembly seemingly functioning we can get some action to address the big issues which the British direct rulers ignored.

It has been interesting watching some of the activity in the Assembly though. In the past few weeks I've found out that Nelson McCausland seems obsessed with the Irish language and Gerry Adams operates an effectively Westminsteresque abstentionist policy at Stormont.

Let's see how the Twelfth goes, and maybe we'll have something to talk about...