Diamond Dan the Orangeman - This must be a joke

[Eire hibs]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0403/orangeman.html?rss



The Orange Order's new superhero has been given a name, Diamond Dan the Orangeman.

The colourful figure was the focus for unprecedented media attention when he was introduced to the public in November.

He appeared on Orange Institution Christmas cards and proved an instant success.
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He will now feature on new badges and other merchandise such as fridge magnets and notebooks.

Grand Lodge launched a competition to name the cartoon figure and there were more than 120 suggestions, many of them from the young people to whom the character was intended to appeal to the most.

A special committee was set up to select the winning name.

Director of Services of the Grand Lodge, David Hume said, 'We were delighted with the response to the competition. There were many strong entries such as Sash Gordon, Sashman and the Boyne Wonder.'

'We picked Diamond Dan the Orangeman for a number of reasons.'

'The name Diamond Dan has resonance going back more than 200 years to the formation of the Institution at the Diamond, Loughall, in 1795. Dan Winter was one of the founding fathers of the Order. It will raise questions, which we can answer as part of our education outreach and explanation of our history.'

'And of course apart from the historical aspect of the name, it has a good ring to it,' he said.

The name was the idea of Steven Mitchell a primary school pupil from Lisburn. He received a cheque from the Grand Treasurer, Mervyn Bishop.

Orange Order education officer David Scott would like him to be a mentor for young people offering advice on a range of matters encompassing the general theme of civic responsibility.

'It goes without saying that the Orange superhero will be in favour of young people attending church, helping others and showing respect for the community,' he said.

'Diamond Dan will be the kind of person who offers his seat on a crowded bus to an elderly lady. He won't drop litter and he will be keen on recycling. He will also be very committed to the Orange Order and to the Junior movement and will make efforts to know all he can about the history and culture of his community.'

'The whole idea is really a bit of fun and an attempt to make the Orange Order more appealing to young people. Diamond Dan will not replace King Billy but his creation will give us the chance to promote the true values of being an Orangeman,' he said.

[Northern Ireland Hibby]

With respect, shouldn't this be in the Cowshed forum

[superbam]

Sash Gordon would have been better

[sull]

Or the KKKaped KKKrusader

[Loki_Sproule]

Agree with NI Hibby EH, shouldn't this be in the main forums dude?

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

He's an Irish (living) Hibee, putting an Irish story in the Irish section of the website. Don't understand the problem!

[Loki_Sproule]

Not a problem per say, but it just seems to be more suited to the general section of the forums, since it's a subject that a lot of people on here (not just the Irish ones) would be interested in and want to debate? It's a general topic, and not a topic that's solely related to Ireland, Norn Iron or either of the SCs.

No disrespect meant, of course, just a personal opinion.

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

Originally Posted by Loki_Sproule

Not a problem per say, but it just seems to be more suited to the general section of the forums, since it's a subject that a lot of people on here (not just the Irish ones) would be interested in and want to debate? It's a general topic, and not a topic that's solely related to Ireland, Norn Iron or either of the SCs.

No disrespect meant, of course, just a personal opinion.

Fair enough, but as I said, I don't see the problem with it being posted here, conversations here don't have to be about the SC's. If you want to discuss it it the cowshed, just copy and paste it there, don't tell the guy he should post it somewhere else. Most of the lads in Dublin just like posting in the Irish Hibs section. THey shouldn't be restricted to what or where they post. Thats all

[Loki_Sproule]

Originally Posted by Rep of Ireland Hibee

Fair enough, but as I said, I don't see the problem with it being posted here, conversations here don't have to be about the SC's. If you want to discuss it it the cowshed, just copy and paste it there, don't tell the guy he should post it somewhere else. Most of the lads in Dublin just like posting in the Irish Hibs section. THey shouldn't be restricted to what or where they post. Thats all

I'm not trying to restrict his posting, just a personal opion ROIH.

On another note, have you got any travel/accom tips for Prague? I'm heading over from the 8th-14th July...any help appreciated

[Northern Ireland Hibby]

Originally Posted by Rep of Ireland Hibee

He's an Irish (living) Hibee, putting an Irish story in the Irish section of the website. Don't understand the problem!

I wouldn't post about something which could be a sensitive issue to the RoI Hibbys in this board, I'd take my comments to the Cowshed out of respect for you lads.

How do we know that none of the handful of Nordies who read this section (or might be interested in Hibs) don't have a sympathy/ tolerance for the OO or a family history within the OO? It's unlikely, but they are just as welcome to be Hibbies, and I reckon the thread could have given them the wrong impression about that.

Like I say, just a personal view though - each to their own.

[sull]

Originally Posted by Northern Ireland Hibby

I wouldn't post about something which could be a sensitive issue to the RoI Hibbys in this board, I'd take my comments to the Cowshed out of respect for you lads.

How do we know that none of the handful of Nordies who read this section (or might be interested in Hibs) don't have a sympathy/ tolerance for the OO or a family history within the OO? It's unlikely, but they are just as welcome to be Hibbies, and I reckon the thread could have given them the wrong impression about that.

Like I say, just a personal view though - each to their own.

Look, we are all big girls and boys. Of course everyone is welcome. That does not mean that anyone needs to pussyfoot around here. It is perfectly reasonable to post a pretty light-hearted story that appeared on the RTE news website, and to respond to it. I will welcome anyone to the board but I will not disguise my views on what I see as an objectionable organisation, most particularly in this innocuous context.

[Northern Ireland Hibby]

Originally Posted by sull

Look, we are all big girls and boys. Of course everyone is welcome. That does not mean that anyone needs to pussyfoot around here. It is perfectly reasonable to post a pretty light-hearted story that appeared on the RTE news website, and to respond to it. I will welcome anyone to the board but I will not disguise my views on what I see as an objectionable organisation, most particularly in this innocuous context.

It isn't such a light-hearted story in the north: tens of thousands of people up here belong to the OO, from harmless auld duffers to blinkered young bampots. It might be an objectionable organisation, but up here we need to find a way to live with them.

I respect your opinon in any case

[sull]

Originally Posted by Northern Ireland Hibby

It isn't such a light-hearted story in the north: tens of thousands of people up here belong to the OO, from harmless auld duffers to blinkered young bampots. It might be an objectionable organisation, but up here we need to find a way to live with them.

I respect your opinon in any case

And I respect yours. I also respect your right and my right to debate about this on whatever section of the site we please, without having to look over our shoulders. I think that the whole point of having sections for the different geographical locations is to give an insight into what kind of people other hibs fans are and what their views are on things. So each section should reflect those views, opposing or otherwise, and not present an artificial, sugar-coated togetherness.

When I said light-hearted I can tell you for sure that I wasn’t referring to the Orange Order as a concept. What I meant was the original article. The whole tone of it is undoubtedly very light and was reacted to in the same way I think.

“Up there” and everywhere, of course all cultures have to be respected. But I do not accept that this means preserving all the offensive (and I really do believe that the OO would, objectively, be seen to be offensive in its stubbornness and its bigotry, no matter what corner of the world it existed in) elements of those cultures and elevating them to such an extent that they are beyond criticism. Respecting each other’s culture is about listening to reasonable criticism and, surely, open debate. Of course you have to find a way to live with each other. But the harmless auld duffers and the blinkered young bampots don’t get to march on oblivious.

The fact that an organisation has tens of thousands of members doesn’t lend it any credence. Look at the flippin Scientologists!

We'll have to agree to disagree (but on the Irish Hibs forum)

[Northern Ireland Hibby]

Originally Posted by sull

And I respect yours. I also respect your right and my right to debate about this on whatever section of the site we please, without having to look over our shoulders. I think that the whole point of having sections for the different geographical locations is to give an insight into what kind of people other hibs fans are and what their views are on things. So each section should reflect those views, opposing or otherwise, and not present an artificial, sugar-coated togetherness.

When I said light-hearted I can tell you for sure that I wasn’t referring to the Orange Order as a concept. What I meant was the original article. The whole tone of it is undoubtedly very light and was reacted to in the same way I think.

“Up there” and everywhere, of course all cultures have to be respected. But I do not accept that this means preserving all the offensive (and I really do believe that the OO would, objectively, be seen to be offensive in its stubbornness and its bigotry, no matter what corner of the world it existed in) elements of those cultures and elevating them to such an extent that they are beyond criticism. Respecting each other’s culture is about listening to reasonable criticism and, surely, open debate. Of course you have to find a way to live with each other. But the harmless auld duffers and the blinkered young bampots don’t get to march on oblivious.

The fact that an organisation has tens of thousands of members doesn’t lend it any credence. Look at the flippin Scientologists!

We'll have to agree to disagree (but on the Irish Hibs forum)

More than happy to - sure we're all Hibbys.