The SDLP* have raised concern about a number of flags put up on lamp posts along the Lisburn Road last night. Apparently a number of men put up Union Flags and Northern Ireland flags along the road and the SDLP have claimed that they should be taken down because it's a mixed area. The flags were put up from Tate's Avenue on up the Lisburn Road to the police station and beyond.

I'm not quite sure how mixed the area is but I wasn't too purturbed by the flags. Unlike the case in Holywood last week, no paramilitary flags were put up just the national flags of the United Kingdom and the 'Ulster Banner' which is commonly used as the flag of Northern Ireland.

I must admit that despite my desire not to offend people, I'm quite happy with the flags along the Lisburn Road. I think they brighten the place up and it does make me feel ever so slightly patriotic. As far as I'm aware the Lisburn Road is usually a fairly major marching route too (forgive me, I'm not that well up on the Orange Order) but there's a caveat that goes along with my support. I think they must be taken down before the end of the summer - something I somehow doubt this will happen. When the flags are left up too long they become dirty and tattered and basically they turn into eyesores. A flag should not be left in that state whether it's on a lamp post or flying from a flag pole, it's just not right.

* I thought I heard on BBC Newsline this morning that it was Big Al McDonnell (the new MP for the area), but the BBC website reports that it's West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood.

As if it isn't bad enough attacking someone because of their religion, you have to be fucking stupid as well as scum to try it and fuck it up!

Paul at Northern Irish Magyar points out that a young couple's home was petrol bombed because the (19 year old) girl's name is Roisin. Her boyfriend had had his face bitten after getting involved in a fight when a man kicked his door.

The girl lives in east Belfast and had already had sectarian (presumably anti-Catholic) abuse hurled at her, despite being a protestant! I think this is evidence, if it were needed, about the mentality and (complete and utter lack of) intelligence of the sectarian wankers who carry out disgusting attacks like this and blacken the reputation of Northern Ireland as a whole.

Recently Graeme of Incorrect Use of Soap fame has posted a few comments here at EU. As usual, my curiosity led me to investigate his site and I came across a post today called "It's Not Orange, It's Tangerine" (the part I was interested in had little to do with the title).

Aside from the fact that he plugs EU (thanks graeme) I found some very interesting tidbits of information in it, for example that Catholics are unlikely to join the police in the west of Scotland (and here was me thinking that particular problem was the exclusive preserve of Norn Irn). As such, Incorrect Use of Soap is now linked on the side of this site with my other regular reads.

Encouragingly from his writings, it seems a former republican sympathiser seems to have curbed his enthusiasm for Sinn Fein/IRA following a few home truths. Perhaps Unionism hasn't lost the PR-war just yet?

Just something curious I've noticed through the Everything Ulster statistics page and the server logs.

Firstly, for some time now Everything Ulster has been the first site listed when you go to google and search for teenage slags. I've slipped to third now, but still; a touch worrying. What's more worrying is the amount of hits I've got because of that! It's the fourth most searched-for term that leads to EU, after:

1. "orlaith mcallister" (after Sunday's weekend roundup - 41 searches in just a few days - how sad!)
2. "everythingulster"
3. "lisa dorrian"

Why do I rank so high on google when you search for teenage slags? All thanks to my story on the Williams Sisters from Derby who all had kids at the ages of 12, 14 and 16.

I noticed something else that was slightly worrying yesterday. Someone had gone to google searching for belfast sex filmed on mobile phones and been directed to my May archive, presumably because of this story on Becky Smith, a victim of 'Happy Slapping'. How disappointed that dirty-minded person must have been!

Slightly more reassuringly, someone had sound my site by searching for northern ireland, unionist perspective on MSN search. Unfortunately they had to go all the way to page 6 to find the EU post entitled "Nobody Wants All-Ireland Republic?". Even more unfortunately, that post has now dropped to page 7.

I'm also glad to say someone found the site searching for IRA wristbands. Happily all they got was my PSNI Jump On Wristbandwagon story

... why do Bono, the self-styled second coming of Jesus, and eternal mindless dogooder Geldof not hand over what they would have paid in tax over the years towards paying off Africa's debt or towards schools, contraception programmes or to helping the people who are really working to make things betterin Africa? Because I don't believe Making Poverty History is the main aim of this concert...

Up until now I've treated Live 8 with what can only be described as disinterest. Harsh it may sound, but I don't believe it will achieve anything. I'm not convinced the amount of aid going into Africa is the biggest problem, just the most fashionable one. More worrying is the corruption endemic in African governments*. So much money goes 'missing' in Africa once the governments get their hands on it, you have to wonder where your donations would end up ('resting' in a bank account in Switzerland would be the first place I'd look). So no, I'm not convinced Live 8 will 'feed the world'.

What I am convinced of is that Live 8 is a chance for lots of famous musicians with over-inflated egos to pat each other on the back and show how wonderful they are and what compassionate caring people they must be, persuading the public to donate more money to Africa. Remember that a lot of these people pay little or no tax (Bono and Geldof can both take advantage of an Irish law granting tax-free status to money earned from artistic endeavours) so rather than make a donation out of their own vast fortunes they want the governments to pour your tax money and mine (not theirs since they don't pay it) into what seems like an economic bottomless pit. Hypocritical much?

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Direct Rule Minister for Health, Shaun Woodward has announced a ban on smoking ban for Northern Ireland, however he said he has not yet decided whether it will be a full or partial ban.

The 'licenced trade' are obviously happy that a blanket ban wasn't announced. a representative said "We have worked hard to demonstrate that the issue of passive smoking can be responsibly addressed by the licensed trade without the need for a total smoking ban." Perhaps it's just me (to do with my hayfever/allergies?) but smoke really gets to my eyes, particularly in the summer and believe me, I've seen no evidence of this 'hard work'.

A spokesman for MacMillan Cancer Relief said "Following the overwhelming response to the government's consultation, in which an incredible 91% of people were reportedly in favour of a ban, the minister holds an enviably strong public mandate to move ahead with comprehensive legislation." [my emphasis]

I really hope Woodward sees sense. I don't want that shit in my eyes or my lungs. Critics say that after the ban in the Republic more people are drinking and smoking at home rather than the pub. To be perfectly honest I'll not lose any sleep over that! Bring on the ban, and no half-assed fudging either.

DUP MEP Jim Allister is hosting an information session tomorrow at the Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast, (7:30 PM) to encourage groups from the Unionist community to apply for PEACE II funding. Pointing out that Unionist groups have hitherto been severely underrepresented as recipients of funding compared to their nationalist counterparts, he wants to "equip local representatives and community workers with the necessary knowledge to generate applications."

Shaun Henry, Director of PEACE II from the Special EU Programmes Body will also be giving a presentation and information will be available too.

Places are limited, to apply contact Jim Allister's office on 9065 5011.

I hate speed cameras. I've never been snapped speeding on one (touch wood) but I hate them in principle. To many motorists, including myself, they're little more than another stealth tax, especially on roads where speed limits are ridiculously low, especially at times when the roads are empty. That, and last year while road deaths at camera sites had fallen by 100, total road deaths were up 77 - so are they just moving the accidents up the road?

If I was to be asked for a contribution to HM Treasury just for doing 42 in a 40 zone I'll be less than pleased. This is why I welcome yesterday's release by the AA of their AA Big Road Atlas Britain 2005 which lists every fixed speed camera site in Britain as well as 'favourite' mobile sites. I can't find out from the net whether or not this guide covers Northern Ireland.

Anyway...

Apparently, legislators in Rio de Janeiro want to turn off speed cameras overnight in some areas of the city. Apparently, some motorists are being attacked in their slow-moving cars in areas of high crime where speed limits are as low as 25 mph. Perhaps there is a way to beat the speed cameras after all...

Disclaimer: Everything Ulster does not condone attacking people in their cars, regardless of whether or not the bastard in front of you is travelling excruciatingly slowly due to those damned cameras or because he's just too damn old to be on the road! Attacking people isn't nice, so don't do it.

I had the pleasure of a trip to the cinema last Thursday to see the new Batman movie, Batman begins. Recent Batman films, like Batman And Robin [1997], have been as camp as a row of pink tents, but this one promised something darker and more serious.

I have to say it delivered it too. Both myself and my girlfriend were very impressed with what they'd done and the Batmobile (Built in Britain) looks great! There's a (good) plot with decent villains (Jim Carey and Uma Thurman they're not!) and some nice twists. I really didn't want the film to end!

I'm not a zealous fan of Batman or anything, but if you're thinking about going to see this movie then stop thinking and just go - you won't be sorry. In fact if you're in Belfast tonight, the Movie House does a 'Crazy Tuesday' offer where all tickets are £2.50 (and no, I'm not on commission)

One of Britain's greatest entrepeneurs, Sir Richard Branson KBE, celebrates his 55th birthday today - at least according to my trusty Value Cabs calendar. In reality, Richard Branson's birthday isn't until 18th July (oops!) but I've decided to do write the story anyway.

Branson came 85 in the BBC's 100 Greatest Britons list (although I should point out that he was one place ahead of Bono - you can't half tell it was a public vote when a Irishmen get into the top 100 Britons!) Perhaps more importantly, he was also ranked 7th in the Sunday Times Rich List 2005, valued at a cool £3,000m.

If there's one thing Northern Ireland really needs its people like Richard Branson. Capable of taking a risk and becoming successful off their own back rather than relying on state handouts and state-sponsored jobs.