MY GRANNY WAS RIGHT!

As I saw pictures and read reports on social media about the disgusting goings-on in Glasgow last night, I had a sense of déjà vu about the whole thing. As you are probably aware, I'm currently working on a novel about Irish people coming to live in Garngad at the end of the Nineteenth Century. Much of what I'm writing is based on things that my granny told me about. The whole area lived in fear every July as the Orange Walk came along Garngad Road and went right up the hill to terrorise the residents of Rosemount Street etc. Children were kept indoors while even the men hid from the triumphalist marchers and the drunken mob that followed them. Venturing outdoors could see you beaten up, while any attempt to fight back would lead to you being arrested and probably receiving another beating in the cells. Last night it seemed as if what I was writing was coming to life again.

The YES campaigners were in George Square all last week and, according to all sources, it was a party atmosphere. It had already been decided that, no matter what the vote was, they would meet again on Friday, in the same carnival atmosphere, to thank and congratulate everyone on a well-fought campaign. I would imagine that the police were aware of this; unfortunately others were too. I've seen Facebook comments, from people that live near Edinburgh, planning a 'party' at Glasgow's George Square at 6pm if NO won. Why there, you have to ask yourself? And why at that time?

From what I've read online, there were folk from further afield than Edinburgh planning to turn up. Apparently there were plenty of EDL scum on trains and buses heading to Glasgow to join in the fun. And, of course, it was one big bigot-fest. Saltire flags were burned, the 'Billy Boys' and the 'Famine Song' got an airing, while Nazi salutes were in evidence at the Cenotaph. And they can't claim that they were 'Red-Hand' salutes this time; they were clearly heard shouting, 'Sieg Heil' as they made their gestures. Anti-Islamic and homophobic chants were heard and attacks were made on Asian people as well as on anyone with a YES badge or a saltire.

And what were the police doing? Well, the most shocking thing for me was watching a video of when The Peeppul and their cronies were just arriving. The square was already full of YES campaigners, whom the police pushed and drove over towards Queen Street Station, allowing the bigots to take over the square! The amount of attacks I've seen online would warrant many arrests; not just the six that have been reported. The YES campaigners wisely headed home, except for a few that were looking to fight back. Apparently The Peeppul then spread around the neighbouring streets, attacking anybody they could find. 

Our media, meanwhile, have remained true to form. The Daily Record have reported 'clashes' and made it look as if both sides descended on George Square at the same time, looking for trouble. Sky News reported 'boisterous' scenes, while the BBC website tells of 'Unionists' making a co-ordinated attack on the YES folk already there, but say that there were only '100' people on each side. From what I've seen, there were a lot more of The Peeppul around than that! They also make sure that none of their pictures show all the Rangers tops and Ulster Loyalist 'flegs' that were around. 

And the lies just keep coming. One clown on McMurdo's site tries to make out that the YES side started the trouble and that he can make out IRA chants. I watched the video he linked to and there is no such thing to be heard. Meanwhile, a BBC reporter has claimed that folk are putting videos and pictures from riots in London on the internet, pretending that they're from Glasgow last night. If he's right then The Peeppul must have caused the riots down there, as there are plenty of Rangers tops in all the pictures and videos!

I've just been writing a chapter in my book about The Peeppul spreading fear and destruction in Garngad in 1907. Again, this came from my granny and never appeared in any newspaper. I used to think that my granny was making it all up, since I couldn't find any proof anywhere. Looking at our media now I can imagine my own grandchildren (if I ever have any!) feeling the same way when I tell them about what happened last night. Thank God for the Internet Bampots!

 Better Together? Aye, right!