I don’t usually write anything about regional politics, but this evening an exception must be made; the Orange Order in Northern Ireland has created a cartoon super-hero in an attempt to draw in a new generation of members. His name… Diamond Dan:
Names that were rejected (and this isn’t a joke) included: Sash Gordon, Sashman, and my personal favourite: The Boyne Wonder.
Of course, every super hero has a super power of some kind, and this got me thinking; I wonder what Diamond Dan’s is? Perhaps it’s getting down the Garvaghy Road.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
How patronising of you to refer to “regional politics”.
Last time I looked Northern Ireland was part of the UK. Oh sorry it’s not England, so it doesn’t really count.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:59 am
I think its quite apt myself - neatly represents the ongoing struggle of liberty versus tyranny.
April 4th, 2008 at 1:12 am
Andrew means, of course, that Northern Ireland is one of ‘The Nations’ of the ‘Nations and Regions’ of the ‘U’K, and only the unmentionable England can be described in a regional context, and only the ‘Nations’ can be considered in the context of the ‘U’K.
Is that what he means?
Having reconsidered, I don’t think it is. To be honest I don’t know what he means, and I doubt that he does either, and I’m sure you have no idea. Who can?
Do you see what a ‘can of worms’ you’ve opened Mr Greer? Merely to refer to NI, in even the most benign or placatory terms, is to invite a ‘biff, wham, sock, blatt, kerpow’ from those who would be Diamond Dan, be he clad in orange, green, red, white or blue.
I suspect that DD’s unique power is the corruption of reason.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Andrew, did you know that Shane comes from Northern Ireland? Because your comment regarding England doesn’t make much sense…
April 4th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Diamond Dan strikes for liberty against the intolerant residents’ associations.
His superhuman powers include an ability to walk the Queen’s highway in peace and an ability to express his culture without the outside world turning on him in the bitterest of fashions.
He’s just what we’ve been looking for!
April 4th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Well if Mr Greer comes from NI, then his statement is even more bizarre. When I said NI was part of the UK, I did indeed assume that people would take that as meaning one of the 4 constituent administrations of the UK, 3 of which have devolved Parliaments/ Assemblies. Political events in these 3 areas are not “regional politics” to the people who live there.
I have no comment for or against Diamond Dan. I bet however if “Kendo Ken” (or such like) appeared during the London Election Campaign, it would of course be “National” news, in all the London-based papers and in all the TV/Radio news bulletins, AND MR.GREER WOULD NOT REFER TO IT AS “REGIONAL POLITICS”.
April 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Nope, it’s definitely regional politics.
As regards London though I comment on it because I live in London. If I didn’t live in London I probably wouldn’t comment so much about it; except to the extent that the mayoral elections have national implications.