Loyal to whom?

There was a time when the word "loyalist" meant an honest, true supporter, usually of a political regime. Today it conjures up images of tattooed rowdies - often well out of their youth - waving the St Patrick's flag and kicking 10 bells out of other Loyalists. Or worse.

Who are these guys being loyal to?

If it's the faith professed by their Church leaders, why don't they do like God says, shun violence and put their energies into getting to know Jesus? If they're loyal to politicians, why don't they heed their advice and lead quiet lives? If they're loyal to the UK Government, why do they break its laws with no shame? If they're loyal to the monarchy, why do they deface the "Queen's highway" with sectarian emblems and paint the woman's kerbstones red, white and blue when her appointed officials had them made in grey?

Maybe they're just being loyal to themselves, waging internecine power battles just to stay top dog in drugs, extortion and bullying. But underneath the evil bravado I think they're scared because they know their day is over. Radical loyalism has no future, and some day I'll explain why I think that is, and what some fresh alternatives might be.

For now though, Loyalists, do the Big Thing:
Go home, have a cup of tea and get on with being good fathers, husbands and sons.