Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Ní chabhraíonn sé le haon duine a bheith ag canadh "Up the RA" ar Bhóthar Gharbhachaidh. Stop leis sin, le do thoil. Ní dhéanann a leithéid de ghníomh gríosaithe ach an díospóid a fhadú agus searbhas a chothú. 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 04/10/20265 things I'm grateful for: 1. Nobody has been killed 2. Roads across NI have not been blocked 3. As far as I can see no flags have been burned 4. Even the Garvaghy Rd reopened to traffic 5. Stormont has not been brought down ... 031
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Well before ceasefires, the GFA, the Parades Commission or anything like that, these, guys nailed it:"Take to the streets, in military style, fly the flag, raise the banner high. Pick out a cause, shout it out, keep the solution deep in your heart..." www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8If...youtube.comSplit Level - Alone (Boomerang)YouTube video by Pete Cole 000
Reposted by Jason BleanRev Karen @revkarensethuraman.bsky.social · 01/10/2026🚨 Open letter from people of Protestant backgrounds concerning the Garvaghy Road 🚨 We feel compelled to speak publicly about what is happening in Portadown. 🚨Over the past few hours we have collected over 140 signatures. @RhonddaBryant @HMcEntee 910439
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Seasaim le muintir Bhóthar Garbhachadh agus iad ag iarraidh an tsaoirse a bheith acu maireachtáil saor ó eagla roimh chiapadh seicteach. 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Unionist reps & commentators have been very quick to label the peaceful protestors on Garvaghy Rd "illegal", condemning participants, as if they're the sole judges on this. In truth, there are numerous legal defences for the protestors: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...bbc.co.ukThe Nolan Show - Was Sunday’s protest on the Garvaghy Road illegal? Lawyer Paul Dougan speaks with Nolan - BBC SoundsNolan speaks with lawyer Paul Dougan 020
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Any objective observer can see that this is a totally unbalanced approach. People on Drumcree hill who are not Orangemen & outside the PC determination? Illegal bonfires/flags, etc...? Where is/are the "large scale criminal investigation(s) into those? How does this approach help? 010
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 30/09/2026c.org/mJ9gW9bmZXc.orgSign the PetitionProtect Our Peace – An Urgent Appeal on Drumcree 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 30/09/2026To put these numbers into proper perspective, we should look at the number of Roman Catholics (or from RC background) in NI: 870 000 (2021 census).How sustainable is it for an anti-RC organisation comprising 1.8% of a country's population to dictate terms to RC's in that country? 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Members of the Orange Order in NI: c.35k. NI Prods: 827.5k (NI Census, 2021); 4.2% of NI prods are in the OO. At their height there were almost 100k, still a minority by a v long way, but a loud one. www.thetimes.com/world/irelan... 013
Reposted by Jason BleanMike Small @bellacaledonia.bsky.social · 28/09/2026The Garvaghy Road and the Celtic Alliance bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/09/28/t...bellacaledonia.org.ukThe Garvaghy Road and the Celtic AllianceTwo weeks ago, the leaders of Scotland, Ireland and Wales met in Cardiff to sign an accord and announce a ‘Celtic Alliance’ [If You’re Feeling Sinister – Bella Caledonia]. Today, 200 po… 082
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 28/09/2026A Welsh MP is Secretary of State for Wales. A Scot MP is SoS for Scotland. There's never been a Northern Irish MP SoS for NI & there never will be as long as NI remains in UK. The current SoS doesn't even seem to know his powers in the Drumcree dispute: factcheckni.org/articles/par...factcheckni.orgParading in NI: Does the Secretary of State require the Chief Constable of the PSNI to intervene in the Drumcree parade dispute? - FactCheckNIDuring the dispute over an Orange Order parade at Garvaghy Road in Portadown, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant faced calls to intervene to prevent the procession from taking place. Speaking to ... 111
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Excerpt of email to MSPs asking what impact assessments carried out by Police Scotland re sending PSNI mutual aid over Drumcree, precedents for unwanted,needless sectarian marches in future/other relevant questions @adamharley.bsky.social @ross-greer.bsky.social @caramckeegreens.bsky.social 020
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Excerpt of email to MSPs asking what impact assessments carried out by Police Scotland re sending PSNI mutual aid over Drumcree, precedents for unwanted,needless sectarian marches in future/other relevant questions @russellfindlay.bsky.social @neilbibby.bsky.social @katysclark.bsky.social 010
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 28/09/2026What assessment was done before sending 200 Police Scotland officers to NI to police the sectarian march in Portadown? What information was obtained? @policescotland.bsky.social 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 28/09/2026It's finally happening. Good. About time... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukAvanti West Coast services to be nationalised from MarchThe move is part of a plan to improve rail infrastructure, cut train delays and improve experiences for passengers. 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 27/09/20265 things I am grateful for today: 1. Nobody killed. 2. PSNI restrained in handling protestors - no dragging screaming women off the road 3. UVF haven't threatened to shoot people unless the Orangemen get their way 4. Disingenuity has been exposed 5. The army hasn't been deployed 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 26/09/2026...legal "rights" paramount whatever the cost to wider society? I'm frankly mortified as an Ulster protestant when my Catholic neighbours are made to feel they're somehow obliged to listen to Orange bands/watch their anti-RC processsions or they're not good neighbours. No! (4/4) 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 26/09/2026"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves" (Phil 2:3) -putting other people's needs, interests, & well-being ahead of your own with true humility- are those the characteristics of OO marches? Or is assertion of... (3/4) 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 26/09/2026"As much as it depends on you, you should live at peace with all people" (Romans 12:18). "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone" (Hebrews 12:14). Has the Orange Order sought to repair the damage and hurt from deaths linked to their previous contentious marches? (2/4) 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Notwithstanding the real and perceived injustices involved, legally and politically, the Orange march down the Garvaghy Road is at least arguable. However as the Order claims to be Christian, it needs a Biblical perspective, the higher law for a proper analysis/justification(1/4) 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 26/09/2026By riding waves of sectarianism, unionist parties have lost credibility with the wider electorate, who have moved on with their lives & don't waste so much time and money arguing over flags and marches. NI "pan-unionism" would not be tolerated anywhere else in the UK (3/3) 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 26/09/2026In 1998 both DUP & UUP leaders were at the Drumcree parade in their sashes. They led unionists down a cul-de-sac. Today only the DUP leader wears a sash & has the wit not to turn up in it at Drumcree.IMO unionism is more divided & extreme than in '98 & it's their own fault. (2/3) 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Having to resort to court rulings and appeals to solve contentious marches shows a complete failure of politics in Northern Ireland. Politics which is consistently undermined & devalued when Unionists buckle to pressure from extremists over flags and marches. (1/3) 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Here's a suggested compromise walk: the Orangemen walk out their traditional route from the mid-80s via Dungannon Rd/Drumcree Rd, and return via Drumcree Rd/rt onto Garvaghy Rd, left onto Ballyoran Hill, left to rejoin Corcrain Rd. They will march on Garvaghy Rd but not 80% of it 100
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Dear Orange Order, the march tomorrow is all about lawful rights...or so we're told; why then break OO laws about marching on Sunday? What is the church service you are marching to tomorrow beginning before 8am? Is there a special early-morning service being put on just for you? 010
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Georgia 0 - 1 N Ireland Fantastic goal, superb result for Northern Ireland 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 21/09/2026And when he's proudly wearing his sash, is he concerned about diminishing the right of the residents of the Garvaghy road to live free from Orange marches? Hmm. (25:50) www.youtube.com/watch?v=a00l...youtube.comGavin Robinson addresses 2026 DUP ConferenceYouTube video by Democratic Unionist Party 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Ah, the old tribal carve-up politics again...where else in the UK do you find unionist pacts to keep out nationalists and others? That's right, only in Northern Ireland! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukDUP will 'not be found wanting' on unionist co-operation says RobinsonGavin Robinson was speaking at his annual conference ahead of highly anticipated assembly and council elections next May. 010
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 19/09/2026"And I went into my prepared spiel with all the reasons why she should do it and all the rest of it. She listened politely again and she said, “No.”. “What’s more, Mr. Humphreys, if one were ever to do such a thing, it would certainly not be with you.”". www.channel4.com/programmes/t...channel4.comThe Royals: Time to Go?Is it time to think the unthinkable? Should the UK put the royal family out to grass? 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 19/09/2026"I did try, once, to get an interview with the Queen.She’d invited me v kindly to lunch at Buckingham Palace & after the lunch we were standing, just the 2 of us, in an anteroom and I said to her, “I wonder whether you've ever thought of doing an interview with me?”" www.channel4.com/programmes/t...channel4.comThe Royals: Time to Go?Is it time to think the unthinkable? Should the UK put the royal family out to grass? 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 16/09/2026...a few words to say about politics. Cut to 2026, acts like Ed Sheeran seem to studiously avoid political songs,while groups that are political like Kneecap are rather extreme.That's a pity. Choose a political act like Macklemore, expect "words"(2/2) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 16/09/2026When I first went to live concerts (I went to many!), it was the era of overtly political songs - U2, Peter Gabriel, The Specials all sang about political issues: apartheid, US over-reach in Latin America, etc. So if you went to their concerts you expected they'd have...(1/2) 020
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 15/09/2026...use our freedoms wisely and may those denied the freedoms we take for granted be given grace, wisdom and strength tomorrowsaffairs.com/autocracies-...tomorrowsaffairs.comAutocracies vs. democracies — Who is losing the battle?Autocracies, whether through overt force or subtle manipulation, undermine decades of democratic progress and billions in investments 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 15/09/2026"democracy - the worst form of Government except all those other forms that have been tried" - Churchill. Yet democracies are now a minority globally: 5.8m live under autocracies...Lord, may we value our democracy and... www.v-dem.net/documents/60... 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Violence is the disease, not the cure. We invaded one of the poorest countries of the world, as a reaction to 9/11, dropped bombs on them & unleashed firepower creating new injustices when we should have gone in to love and serve them in humility. 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 11/09/2026#nineeleven The post-9/11 wars of retribution have cost the lives of over 7050 US service men and women, the price of "justice" via the Global War of Terror far exceeding the cost of the 9/11 attacks themselves. www.usnews.com/news/nationa...usnews.com 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Stanley Praimnath's compelling testimony of escaping the South Tower with Brian Clark. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIDm...youtube.comI Escaped the Top of the World Trade Centre | What It Was LikeYouTube video by What It Was Like 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 11/09/2026#nineeleven This man was above the impact zone when the second plane hit the south tower, but survived. With remarkable composure, candor & humour he describes his experience & gives sage advice about unanswerable questions and the future (spoken in 2011). www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irqe...youtube.comA 9/11 Survivor's Story - Brian ClarkYouTube video by Mesquite ISD 001
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 11/09/2026#nineeleven The ill-defined, never-ending "War on Terror" announced by President George W Bush produced an estimated 4.5 - 4.7 million further deaths, a catastrophic and futile waste of precious human life (costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/findings). worldbeyondwar.org/25-years-of-...watson.brown.eduWatson School of International and Public Affairs 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 11/09/2026#nineeleven Sitting by a small lake near Ballynahinch fishing we couldn't believe the radio's news from New York city of the terror attack on the twin towers. This distressing tale from a woman who escaped one of them describes escaping & the aftermath. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxGG...youtube.comI was on the 84th floor of the South Tower - this is how I survived 9/11YouTube video by ITV News 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 10/09/2026action.transform-trade.org/urgent-appea...action.transform-trade.orgThe consequences of war are about to hit producers across the world.In March, due to global shortages of fertiliser caused by the war in Iran, many farmers in the Global South face poor harvests. It can become a devastating cycle: a poor harvest means less income; les... 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 10/09/2026"...international clients, including Britain’s MoD, are sustaining the occupation by awarding contracts to Israeli arms firms while benefitting from the occupation by purchasing items that have been “battle tested” on Palestinians." 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Very little has been done to stop arming the IDF in its genocide in the last 3 years by the UK govt. Here's your chance to tell your MP. caat.org.uk/take-action/...caat.org.ukCAAT - Email your MP: UK arms export licensing system – broken or ineffective by design?The government continues to defend its export licensing system, which is supposed to account for “peace, security, human rights and International Humanitarian Law violations” despite UK-produced weapo... 000
Reposted by Jason BleanDeclassified UK @declassifieduk.org · 09/09/2026The MoD recently gave a £10 million contract to an Israeli-owned arms firm which operates under the authority of minister Bezalel Smotrich -- who is subject to UK sanctions. Is Andy Burnham going to do anything about that? www.declassifieduk.org/uk-awarded-c...declassifieduk.orgUK awarded contract to firm overseen by sanctioned IsraeliExclusive: £10 million deal signed with company linked to Bezalel Smotrich who is sanctioned by Britain 313498
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Following on from off-the-table gate in NI, another worse foot-in-mouth moment for Andy. 1. GFA is specific to NI and Ireland, an internationally-binding treaty whereas Scotland's situation is quite different. 2. A significant majority of polls since March show IndyRef support: 010
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 09/09/2026The SNP are considering a motion to allow sex-selective, self-induced abortion up to birth. Only 1% of people support this. It is extreme. Register your opposition here: citizengo.org/en-gb/lf/193...citizengo.orgCitizenGO 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Emma Little Pengelly's very upset at the "dehumanisation"/"outright rejection" of the Orange Order. A spot of emotional regulation needed perhaps? If she does that, and realises that respect can never be demanded but is always earned, do you think she might get over this? 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 09/09/2026If The US, the world's most powerful military, couldn't defeat The Taliban in Afghanistan (ranked 120 places below them (out of 145 countries (globalfirepower.com)), and limps on in its war to topple the Iranian regime, what does that tell you about militarism as a strategy? 000
Jason Blean @j-blean.bsky.social · 08/09/2026One of the most thorough and helpful analyses I've seen of an issue dividing Catholics and Protestants, in a respectful and considerate way. My prayer is this might be a rapprochement tool between separated brothers and sisters and aid understanding. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhL6...youtube.comWhy Do Catholics Pray to Mary and the Saints? (Is It Idolatry?) | Prof. John Lennox AnswerYouTube video by Intellectual Faith 000
