Friday, September 30, 2005
Some things to ponder over...
Some things to ponder over...
If a General is a higher ranking officer than a Major, then why is a major illness worse than a general illness?
What was Captian Hook's name before he had a hook for a hand?
Do they have burglar alarms at Christian bookstores?
Do coffins have lifetime guarantees?
Why do the numbers on phones go down while the numbers on calculators go up?
Why is it that when adults have multiple personalities it's schizophrenia, but when a child has imaginary friends it's cute?
Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet soup?
In that song, she'll be coming around the mountain, who is she?
Makes you think...
If a General is a higher ranking officer than a Major, then why is a major illness worse than a general illness?
What was Captian Hook's name before he had a hook for a hand?
Do they have burglar alarms at Christian bookstores?
Do coffins have lifetime guarantees?
Why do the numbers on phones go down while the numbers on calculators go up?
Why is it that when adults have multiple personalities it's schizophrenia, but when a child has imaginary friends it's cute?
Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet soup?
In that song, she'll be coming around the mountain, who is she?
Makes you think...
Friday Fun-News in Brief
In the news this week, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has reportedly been barred from fundraising in the United States despite the completion of IRA decommissioning.
The move has reportedly worried Sinn Féin's Irish-American supporters in advance of next month's Friends of Sinn Féin fundraiser, which usually nets up to $400,000 for the party.
Sinn Fein short of cash? Why do I find that so hard to believe?
Also in the news this week, the Minister for Justice is to write to every member of the RTÉ Authority to complain about Tuesday's edition of Prime Time. Michael McDowell told the Dáil this week the investigative programme on Thornton Hall Prison was partisan and biased against him.
Unconfirmed reports also suggest that he's not happy with the storylines in Fair City at the moment and that he wants Glenroe returned to our screens.
And finally, US rock group Bon Jovi have confirmed an Irish date for next year. The band will play Croke Park on Saturday, May 20.
I object to these foreigners coming into Croke Park's hallowed ground, threatening our culture. I demand that they sing their songs in Irish and perform whilst draped in Irish tricolours!...though if they play Summer of '69 I won't mind.
The move has reportedly worried Sinn Féin's Irish-American supporters in advance of next month's Friends of Sinn Féin fundraiser, which usually nets up to $400,000 for the party.
Sinn Fein short of cash? Why do I find that so hard to believe?
Also in the news this week, the Minister for Justice is to write to every member of the RTÉ Authority to complain about Tuesday's edition of Prime Time. Michael McDowell told the Dáil this week the investigative programme on Thornton Hall Prison was partisan and biased against him.
Unconfirmed reports also suggest that he's not happy with the storylines in Fair City at the moment and that he wants Glenroe returned to our screens.
And finally, US rock group Bon Jovi have confirmed an Irish date for next year. The band will play Croke Park on Saturday, May 20.
I object to these foreigners coming into Croke Park's hallowed ground, threatening our culture. I demand that they sing their songs in Irish and perform whilst draped in Irish tricolours!...though if they play Summer of '69 I won't mind.
Fun Irelander Feature-Irish truths
I'm sure alot of you have read about Peter Kay's 34 universal truths. If you haven't, you can view them here.
I think they're funny because they're true!
With that being said, I thought I'd give my own list of universal truths - on all things Irish.
So without further ado:
1. Irish flags which aren't green, white and orange look like shite.
2. People who cheer and applaud before the final line of Amhran na bhFiann deserve a slap.
3. Looking up at the top of the spire after having alot of drinks is never a good idea.
4. GAA shorts are too small.
5. When you were a kid you found drawing a shamrock quite hard.
6. You learned little to nothing in Irish during primary.
7. Irish women are quite loud.
8. When telling Paddy jokes you're not quite sure if Paddy Irishman or Paddy Scotsman should be the butt of the joke.
9. Irish history is depressing.
10. We like the rain more than we let on.
11. Suppressing wind when you're out drinking Guinness is tough.
12. At some point you've wondered what it would be like if the Spire fell over.
13. The FAI are muppets.
14. There's too much stuff being built nowadays.
15. Laughing at Brendan O'Carroll makes you feel dirty.
So there you have it. Feel free to come up with some of your own.
I think they're funny because they're true!
With that being said, I thought I'd give my own list of universal truths - on all things Irish.
So without further ado:
1. Irish flags which aren't green, white and orange look like shite.
2. People who cheer and applaud before the final line of Amhran na bhFiann deserve a slap.
3. Looking up at the top of the spire after having alot of drinks is never a good idea.
4. GAA shorts are too small.
5. When you were a kid you found drawing a shamrock quite hard.
6. You learned little to nothing in Irish during primary.
7. Irish women are quite loud.
8. When telling Paddy jokes you're not quite sure if Paddy Irishman or Paddy Scotsman should be the butt of the joke.
9. Irish history is depressing.
10. We like the rain more than we let on.
11. Suppressing wind when you're out drinking Guinness is tough.
12. At some point you've wondered what it would be like if the Spire fell over.
13. The FAI are muppets.
14. There's too much stuff being built nowadays.
15. Laughing at Brendan O'Carroll makes you feel dirty.
So there you have it. Feel free to come up with some of your own.
Speak Engrish!
McDowell blasts SF over Rafferty murder
Sinn Fein has been accused by Justice Minister Michael McDowell of failing to cooperate fully with the investigation into the murder of Joseph Rafferty, who was shot dead outside his home at Ongar in west Dublin last April. A prime suspect for his murder is an alleged member of the IRA.The Irish Independent reports that...
The dead man's family approached a Sinn Fein councillor to organise the lifting of death threats against Mr Rafferty.
Following his murder, the family asked Sinn Fein to help bring his killers to justice.
In a Seanad debate last night Mr McDowell described the murder as cold blooded and "a death foretold".
The Garda authorities he pointed out, believed the murder stemmed from a row between the Raffertys and another family who included Sinn Fein activists.
"There is no doubt that in the weeks immediately before the murder, explicit violent threats were made against members of the extended Rafferty family in which the name of the provosional IRA was clearly invoked," the minister added.
It was a fact that after the murder the family once again approached Sinn Fein representatives to seek their help in bringing the perpetrators to justice and had been subjected to intimidation as they sought to establish the truth.
Mr McDowell said a Sinn Fein councillor had publicly stated he would co-operate with the investigation.
"But that co-operation, at least to date, has extended to providing nothing more than an uninformative, perfunctory written statement which has done nothing to progress the murder investigation," he added.
These are very serious accusations being made by the Justice Minister. They raise three very important points that must be acknowledged.
1. The IRA are gaining a tighter stranglehold on places in the South, particularly Dublin.
2. The inextricable link that exists between Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA has led to an Irish citizen being murdered in cold blood here in the Republic.
3. Sinn Fein have been doing their utmost to protect Mr Rafferty's killer and to hinder justice for his family.
The all-Ireland criminal enterprise is well under way it seems. Irish people should not countenance further strengthening these thugs through the ballot box.
Sinn Fein/IRA's murky and criminal dealings in the North must end. They must not be allowed to continue, nor to expand into the south of Ireland.
I commend the Justice Minister for taking the Sinners to task on this issue. Justice must be done.
Meme to self...
I've been tagged for one of these meme thingies. So without further ado:
These people will indeed be heard uttering phrases such as "roysh","totally","like, whatever" and "craic"(this one irritates me especially. Dubs can't pull off using this word.
This is the fifth sentence from my 23rd post (cough) which was a 'Fun Irelander Feature' on everybody's least favourite Dubs - the D4 heads.
What does this sentence tell you about me? Um, that I don't like D4 types?
Here are the rules of this thing:
- Search your blog archive
- Find your 23rd post (or near enough to it)
- Find the fifth sentence (or near enough to it)
- Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions
- Tag five people to do the same
So I guess I need to inflict this upon five bloggers. I think I'll choose some people I've never memed before...
maca over at Raiméis
Seoman over at Liffeyside
Sinead over at Sigla
Fi over at Trixibell
and Caoimhe at The blog and I
These people will indeed be heard uttering phrases such as "roysh","totally","like, whatever" and "craic"(this one irritates me especially. Dubs can't pull off using this word.
This is the fifth sentence from my 23rd post (cough) which was a 'Fun Irelander Feature' on everybody's least favourite Dubs - the D4 heads.
What does this sentence tell you about me? Um, that I don't like D4 types?
Here are the rules of this thing:
- Search your blog archive
- Find your 23rd post (or near enough to it)
- Find the fifth sentence (or near enough to it)
- Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions
- Tag five people to do the same
So I guess I need to inflict this upon five bloggers. I think I'll choose some people I've never memed before...
maca over at Raiméis
Seoman over at Liffeyside
Sinead over at Sigla
Fi over at Trixibell
and Caoimhe at The blog and I
Irish Ferries making waves
Following on from this post I made on Irish Ferries yesterday regarding their plans to replace around 550 staff with workers from eastern Europe, comes the news that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has questioned the legality of the move.The Irish Independent reports the Taoiseach saying he will be taking advice from the Attorney-General on whether it was within the terms of redundancy legislation to act in that way.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte has condemned what Irish Ferries has done branding the issue "disgraceful" and he said €6m of taxpayer's money would go towards the redundancy fund.
"It is a blatant move to disemploy an entire workforce and replace them with other workers," he said.
Mr Ahern said he could not defend the way the company had acted, describing it as "sharp practice" and "totally unacceptable". He told the Dail he had written to the Irish Ferries chief executive saying he "did not accept" the way in which the company had acted.
I'm pleased to see the Government as well as the Labour party tackling this important issue. Irish Ferries have behaved disgracefully and their anti-Irish policies are a travesty.
It's good to see that the unacceptable actions of this company are being brought to light.
Caption Time
Seeing as Sinn Fein have been in the headlines this past week, can you come up with a good caption for this picture to your left?Friday Fun's Fascinating Fact
From the age of thirty, humans gradually begin to shrink in size.
They're talking about height though right? Right?
They're talking about height though right? Right?
UI's Celtic Mythology - Sualtam Mac Roth
Sualtam Mac Roth, in Irish mythology, was the brother of Fergus Mac Roth. An Ulsterman, he accepted Cuchulainn as his own son, although the hero's real father was the son god Lugh. On the night of her wedding to Sualtam Mac Roth, Dechtire had swallowed a fly and fallen into a deep sleep. In this state she went to the otherworld with Lugh and there conceived Cuchulainn. While Cuchulainn was single-handedly defending Ulster against the invading forces of Queen Medb of Connacht, Sualtam Mac Roth attempted to gather the men of Ulster who had been weakened by Macha's curse. So desperately did he turn his horse that Sualtam cut off his own head with the sharp edge of his shield. But the severed head continued the call to arms long enough to rouse the warriors.
What do you mean how could a severed head have rallied the warriors? It's a myth! Suspend belief!
What do you mean how could a severed head have rallied the warriors? It's a myth! Suspend belief!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Loyalists bomb home of three-year-old
More depressing news I'm afraid.Today loyalist paramilitaries have been blamed for a pipe bomb attack on the home of a couple and their three-year-old son in Co Antrim.
A pipe bomb was placed on the window sill of the property in Carnany estate where a couple and a three-year-old child were asleep upstairs. It exploded at about 0230 BST, embedding a 12 inch long piece of shrapnel into a chair. No-one was hurt.
Detective Inspector Nick McCaw said it was lucky no-one was seriously injured.
"When we catch the people responsible they will be charged with attempted murder," he said.
He said that if someone had been in the living room "they would have been seriously injured or killed".
Horrible stuff. That three-year-old boy could have been murdered. I'm sure the family are quite shaken about this monstrous attack.
It would be nice if the DUP would come out and condemn the loyalists for this appalling murder attempt but it seems they have more important matters to attend to - they're off quizzing the two churchmen who witnessed the IRA's final act of decommissioning to assess if there is still a threat posed by the Provos!
You couldn't make it up. What a sorry state of affairs.
Methodist church attacked
I was disgusted to hear that a north Belfast Methodist church was targeted with paint bombs today in a sectarian attack.Rev Peter Mercer said that it was the second attack in two days. He said while there had been problems in other areas of Whitewell community relations in the vicinity of the Methodist Church in Greencastle had been good.
"It's annoying and saddening more than anything else," he said.
He added that locals helped clean the mess, and that local Catholics had stopped him to express their sympathy for the congregation and condemn the attack.
"I was hardly out of the car when the Catholic woman across the road came to express her condolences," he said.
The SDLP's Deputy Mayor Pat Convey and Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly have condemned the attack.
Allow me to add my voice to the condemnation. What a despicable act altogether. I'm pleased to see Catholics showing solidarity with the Methodists. It's the only way to beat these sick bigots.
I mean what does attacking a church prove?
The people who did this are vile and should be ashamed of themselves.
Dr No
I thought this was a great letter from the BBC's Ceefax page:"It is said that in life only two things are certain - death and taxes.
"May I suggest a third, namely, that Ian Paisley will continue to growl no."
BH, Northumberland
Hear, hear BH! I'm pleased to see that the British people see through this man's pathetic negative tactics.
In Dublin's unfair city...
A survey by a French property company has reportedly ranked Dublin as the fourth expensive capital city in Europe for buying a house.
Reports this morning said the study had found that Luxembourg, Berne and Madrid were the only cities where a house cost more than Dublin.
At €330,000, a home in the Irish capital was found to be more expensive than one in London (€328,000) or Paris (€260,000).
What a joke. This is a major problem for this country and the government doesn't seem to be tackling the issue at all.
Where are young people supposed to live?
Reports this morning said the study had found that Luxembourg, Berne and Madrid were the only cities where a house cost more than Dublin.
At €330,000, a home in the Irish capital was found to be more expensive than one in London (€328,000) or Paris (€260,000).
What a joke. This is a major problem for this country and the government doesn't seem to be tackling the issue at all.
Where are young people supposed to live?
Thursday Thoughts: Unity aim corrupted
'United Ireland'. Two words that hold great significance to the people of this island. Regardless of your religion, political persuasion, or whether you're from the North or South, these two words conjure up something in you.However, as we Dubliners recover from the 'Make Partition History' rally last weekend, it seems to me that, judging from people I've spoken to here, the thing that those two words conjure up at this moment in time more than anything else, is apathy.
When talking to some people the other day, the Sinn Fein rally came up. I myself was not in the City Centre when the rally took place but from listening to the opinions of those who were, it's clear this rally brought out a fiercely strong sense of revulsion towards the party.
I learned about how young children were marching through the streets of my city carrying guns (presumably fakes) and how there were chants for the IRA.
It's clear that those who witnessed this first-hand were disgusted.
Now I could care less about those who are disgusted at Sinn Fein, indeed I strongly oppose the party myself as visitors to United Irelander will know, but I do care about how the issue of Irish reunification is being damaged as a result.
I think the words 'United Ireland' evoke a sense of apathy in alot of Irish people as people have come to associate the words 'United Ireland' with Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein have, in my opinion, corrupted the noble goal of Irish unity.
Who is to blame for this? In my opinion, the southern parties should take alot of the blame. Fianna Fail are the 'Republican Party' apparently and Fine Gael are also said to be interested in reunification (when do they get involved in northern issues?) and the other southern parties make similar claims.
Sadly, it seems the only party that Irish people think are serious about this issue is Sinn Fein.
Considering that many Irish people in the south still want an all-Ireland State, why aren't southern political parties making a 'United Ireland' more of an issue? By not doing so, they run the risk of losing votes to the Sinners.
Presumably the point of a rally is to draw attention to something. Hopefully, in that sense, the rally has drawn the attention of the southern political parties and hopefully they'll pull the finger out on this matter.
To me, the words 'United Ireland' conjure up alot of things but one thing more than anything else - destiny. It is the destiny of this country to be reunited in the form of a 32-county all-Ireland State.
Let's not have that noble objective be tarnished by a few thousand people who are too ignorant to let go of the past and to embrace the future.
Sinn Fein won't ever get their version of a United Ireland, so why then should we let them impose their ignorant version of a United Ireland on the rest of us?
It's time we all looked within and asked ourselves what a 'United Ireland' means to us.
Flood of immigrants sink jobs
Hmm. Seems like the extraordinary levels of immigration into this country isn't as glorious a thing as some Irish people would have us believe.It's been revealed that Irish Ferries want to replace almost 550 staff with lower-paid workers from eastern Europe.
Not only that but the workers have until this weekend to accept or reject the redundancy package on offer and if they do not accept it, they face wage cuts, longer shifts and shorter holidays.
Anyone who opposes the new working conditions will be sacked with two weeks redundancy pay per year of service.
Gee, isn't all this immigration swell?
Remember how people in this country were treated like garbage when they expressed concerns that the expansion of the EU from 15 to 25 member states might prove damaging to Irish people and their jobs? Remember when Irish people wanted these issues discussed in the open in an adult fashion?
But no! We can't discuss issues like that! For if we do, we're being racist! And that is that!
Bollocks to that. I have no problem with immigrants coming into this country to work, indeed they provide an important service towards our economy, but it is clear that there needs to be stricter regulations on immigration levels as we're going way beyond our means right now.
I find it disgraceful that Irish Ferries (perhaps they should rename themselves 'Ferries') are treating their Irish staff in this despicable manner.
People like to bring up the 'R' word - 'Racism' - on issues like this. Well this is one instance in which racism should be brought up. Irish Ferries are being racist in their disgusting anti-Irish policies.
Shame on them.
'Endgame' - But for who?
I see Secretary of State Peter Hain has been busy giving his thoughts on the Irish peace process at the Labour Party conference. Mr Hain has stated that the endgame to decades of conflict in Ireland's north is about to be played out.Mr Hain outlined the position of the British government which he said sought to "take the last, painfully difficult steps towards a political settlement that will finally guarantee peace, stability, democracy and human rights".
In a clear call to unionists not to hold back he added:
"The endgame is the hardest because the two sides may have journeyed miles towards each other, but, when they are just feet apart, they want to draw back.
"We are at this key moment now, and it's time for the politicians of Northern Ireland to be courageous, because we have come such a long way".
I agree with Mr Hain's sentiments but it appears to me, and many unionists it would seem, that in the eyes of Peter Hain and the British government as a whole, 'endgame' means what it means to Irish nationalists - Irish reunification.
It seems quite clear that the British want nothing to do with the Sterling-sapping six-county statelet any more.
In that sense, 'endgame' is just fine by me!
Martin O'Neill - Next Ireland boss?
According to the Evening Herald (and they're never wrong) Brian Kerr has accused the FAI of "leaving him dangling" over a new contract.Apparently sources have suggested that CEO John Delaney will not award Kerr a new deal if the team fail to make it to the World Cup finals.
As well as all that comes the news that ex-Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is the favourite to take over if Kerr leaves his post.
As far as I'm concerned, O'Neill would be a fantastic choice as manager. However I fear that such a development would be met with much hostility in certain sections of the North.
If we were to have an all-Ireland team on the other hand, O'Neill would be the perfect candidate.
As for Brian Kerr, let's all get behind the man as he tries to secure for us a place in Germany in 2006. The group's not over yet!
Take us to your college bar
Get this - The University of Glamorgan has launched a degree course in the hunt for alien life, which it says is a UK first. (wow you mean there's not more?)New recruits signed up to the course, on 'astrobiology', in South Wales, this week.
Around half a dozen people have enrolled to take part on campus, but about 100 people in the local community are studying aspects of the subject.
The three-year degree will encompass popular culture, such as films like K-Pax starring Kevin Spacey, alongside studying more obscure texts, laboratory-based study and stargazing.
On the subject of "dumbing down", Course leader Professor Brake said: "People's interest in quite serious and scientific sober issues is often sparked by popular culture.
He said films such as ET and Close Encounters of the Third Kind have their place "because they have influenced the scientists that do the searching".
Yikes. It's university, but not as we know it. I don't understand what the point is in having a degree on this subject. What does it prove? That you're a fan of Sci-Fi?
How about we introduce a degree course on Westerns as well? Instead of tutorials you could play Cowboys and Indians! Now that would be great fun!
Good luck to the people who do this 'astrobiology' degree but I fail to see what good it will do. I know college is about encouraging people to reach for the stars but this is ridiculous!
UI's Celtic Mythology - Searbhan
Searbhan, in Irish mythology, was a Fomorii warrior, one of the ancient sea gods. This surly one-eyed, one armed and one-legged fighter guarded a magic tree, which no one dared appraoch. However during the sixteen-year flight of Grainne and Diarmuid Ua Duibhne from the Fianna, the hard-pressed lovers managed to become friends with Searbhan and he allowed them to shelter in the branches of the magic tree, which made it difficult for Finn MacCool to find them. However, Searbhan and Diarmuid came to blows when Grainne attempted to eat some of the magic berries that grew on the tree, and the Fomorii warrior was slain with his own club.What is it with women and forbidden fruit, eh?
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
George Hamilton has a beard!
This is not something I ever saw myself posting on but having seen it with my own eyes just now on RTE, I regret to inform you that it is true. George Hamilton, seen here in the image to your left happy and clean-shaven, now has a... (gasp) beard!Why George why?
Irish people like things kept simple George, you know that. We don't like change.
Bill O'Herlihy should mess up his words, John Giles should speak in a blunt fashion, Eamon Dunphy should be pissed and George Hamilton should be clean-shaven!
So Mr Hamilton, if you are reading this, I implore you - shave it off!
Fury over heckler treatment
Have you heard about this story? I just found out about it on ITV. It seems Labour are taking a real no-nonsense approach to hecklers - even octogenerian ones!Walter Wolfgang, 82, from London, was ejected from Labour's conference hall after shouting "nonsense" as Foreign Secretary Jack Straw defended Iraq policy.
Delegate Carol Hayton protested during a later debate that Mr Wolfgang had been "manhandled".
She was told conference organisers were investigating the incident and would report on Thursday.
A man sitting next to Mr Wolfgang was also thrown out after complaining about his treatment.
A Labour Party spokesman said: "Following a disturbance in the visitors' balcony, two people were escorted out, having been asked three times to be quiet."
According to ITV, Labour have since apologised to Mr Wolfgang about his treaatment which they have acknowledged was over the top.
I am glad that they have apologised. If you saw the video footage you'd see that the steward's behaviour was totally unnecessary. An elderly gentleman should not be treated in such a manner.
As nice as it is that the Labour party are trying to bring democracy to the people of Iraq, it would be even nicer if they were to respect the democratic rights of their own party members!
'What If'? Wednesday - Dismissive DUP
The events of the last few days have put Republicans firmly in the spotlight. However, the group which will be firmly in the spotlight from now on as far as the north of Ireland is concerned, will be the DUP. We have all heard the bluster of DUP leader Ian Paisley of late but the DUP have been smart enough not to dismiss the idea of sharing a devolved assembly with Sinn Fein just yet. To do so would see them feel the wrath of the British people, the Irish people and possibly every political party on the island of Ireland. But the question still remains and permit me to ask it...What if the DUP refuses to share power with the IRA out of the picture?
What happens if the IMC's next reports state that the IRA have indeed gotten their act together but yet the DUP continue to dismiss the idea of devolved government? What then?
Would the idea of of Joint Authority be one step too far? I think it would. Whilst I would have no problem with Joint Authority and whilst I feel it would force the DUP to rethink its position, I feel it would be hard to sell the idea to the unionist community who could quite possibly vent their frustration through force.
What do you think though? If the DUP continue to be dismissive and rejectionist, what should be done about it?
Remove anti-Catholic law - MacManus
I came across this interesting piece in The Blanket, by Father Sean Mc Manus, which hits out at the British Act of Settlement of 1700 which forbids a Catholic from becoming King or Queen.
Mc Manus firstly comments on the history of the 6 county statelet saying:
"The problem has always been about the British Government militarily backing up that sectarian, undemocratic entity. Now that it appears, under Tony Blair, the British government is no longer interested in being identified with a sectarian regime, there is a chance for the world to see clearly the remaining problem: Unionist reluctance to accept the concept of equality with Catholics. That is now the issue, and there's no way of denying it."
Fr Mc Manus then raises the issue of the Act of Settlement and what Tony Blair must do:
"To show his Government has abandoned all sectarianism. He must immediately remove the 'constitutional' basis for all Orange bigotry and sectarianism: the anti-Catholic section of the Act of Settlement of 1700, which is still in force today. Under this ridiculous, but malicious, Act, a Catholic is forbidden by law to become the King or Queen, and that if the Monarch converts to Catholicism or marries a Catholic s/he forfeits the Throne and 'the people are absolved of their allegiance'.
"That would be similar to the U.S. Constitution having a provision that would outlaw an African-American becoming President or marrying a Black person. And if the President were to marry a Black person his election would be declared null and void by the Constitution.
"It is, therefore, this wretched Act of Settlement that is ultimately behind all anti-Catholic bigotry in Northern Ireland because it provides Protestant/Orange extremists with motivation and justification. If the very top law in England, the Queen's own law, declares Catholics cannot be Monarch, therefore it follows Catholics are inferior, and, therefore, cannot be equal to Protestants.
"And the sad thing is that British Prime Minister Tony Blair, until now, has blocked all efforts to change this horribly anti-Catholic law because, 'it would be too much paper work and too expensive'!"
Whilst I do not agree with Fr Mc Manus that the Act of Settlement is behind all anti-Catholic bigotry in Ireland's north, I do agree with him that it is ridiculous that British law still forbids a Catholic from acceding to the British throne.
It is unacceptable for the British government to have such anti-Catholic sentiments in this day and age.
Mc Manus firstly comments on the history of the 6 county statelet saying:
"The problem has always been about the British Government militarily backing up that sectarian, undemocratic entity. Now that it appears, under Tony Blair, the British government is no longer interested in being identified with a sectarian regime, there is a chance for the world to see clearly the remaining problem: Unionist reluctance to accept the concept of equality with Catholics. That is now the issue, and there's no way of denying it."
Fr Mc Manus then raises the issue of the Act of Settlement and what Tony Blair must do:
"To show his Government has abandoned all sectarianism. He must immediately remove the 'constitutional' basis for all Orange bigotry and sectarianism: the anti-Catholic section of the Act of Settlement of 1700, which is still in force today. Under this ridiculous, but malicious, Act, a Catholic is forbidden by law to become the King or Queen, and that if the Monarch converts to Catholicism or marries a Catholic s/he forfeits the Throne and 'the people are absolved of their allegiance'.
"That would be similar to the U.S. Constitution having a provision that would outlaw an African-American becoming President or marrying a Black person. And if the President were to marry a Black person his election would be declared null and void by the Constitution.
"It is, therefore, this wretched Act of Settlement that is ultimately behind all anti-Catholic bigotry in Northern Ireland because it provides Protestant/Orange extremists with motivation and justification. If the very top law in England, the Queen's own law, declares Catholics cannot be Monarch, therefore it follows Catholics are inferior, and, therefore, cannot be equal to Protestants.
"And the sad thing is that British Prime Minister Tony Blair, until now, has blocked all efforts to change this horribly anti-Catholic law because, 'it would be too much paper work and too expensive'!"
Whilst I do not agree with Fr Mc Manus that the Act of Settlement is behind all anti-Catholic bigotry in Ireland's north, I do agree with him that it is ridiculous that British law still forbids a Catholic from acceding to the British throne.
It is unacceptable for the British government to have such anti-Catholic sentiments in this day and age.
Ploughin' for glory
It's the one all the culchees have been waiting for, the National Ploughing Championships have officially gotten under way in Mogeely, County Cork.The Irish President, Mary McAleese, officially opened the festival on Tuesday morning.
A total of 150,000 people are forecast to attend the three-day event at the 400-acre site.
I have to ask - why would you want to attend the National Ploughing Championships? Why? Why?!
It's ploughing for crying out loud!
Still, I suppose boggers will be boggers...
Two sides of unionism
I see Dr Evil...oops I mean Dr Paisley (always get those two mixed up) has started raising question marks about the two church witnesses who were involved in the recent act of decommissiong undertaken by the IRA.He said the two church witnesses to disarmament were "IRA nominated" and his party now wants to meet them.
I find it very unfortunate that Paisley has adopted this tactic. It was to be expected that he would find fault with the decommissioning process but it's a shame he has brought the two churchmen into the equation.
That's why I applaud the UUP's Danny Kennedy for calling Dr Ev...uh Paisley up on this matter.
"It is a sad situation that other parties today have cast aspersions on the character and integrity of the two witnesses to IRA decommissioning," said Mr Kennedy.
"It is wrong to question the honesty and integrity of the church witnesses to IRA decommissioning. It is deeply regrettable that others have decided to do so. Questioning their bona fides serves no purpose whatsoever."
Well said Mr Kennedy. I think this is a good example of the two faces of unionism.
On the one hand, we have Mr Kennedy of the UUP. A party that is understandably sceptical about the IRA's intentions. Indeed, their former leader, David Trimble, was let down when the Provos dilly-dallied on the decommissioning issue. Yet despite their anxiety about the matter of decommissioning, they appear eager to want what's best for Ireland's north.
On the other hand however, we have Big Ian. A man who it seems will find any old excuse to disrupt proceedings. A man who has said the word 'no' all through his political life. People seem fed up with negativity though at this stage. But is Paisley?
I hope that Mr Kennedy will represent a willing and forward thinking aspect of unionism. Unionism which wants economic, political and social stability. And as for Paisley, I find it quite odd that a man who claims to be a man of faith, can have so much...well, doubt.
Mysterious crap
Poor oul' Peter Andre.A survey of 1,000 people carried out for for 3 Mobile has revealed that Andre's song 'Mysterious Girl' is the song most people would like to see banned.
Mysterious Girl went to number 1 in March of this year following his appearance on 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!'
Surely the biggest mystery concerns why people would actually buy such a crap song?
I think Mr Andre is unfortunate though as he has mysteriously (ahem) beaten the Crazy Frog song into second place. Crazy Frog even outsold Coldplay's new track when it was released in May.
What's really crazy is that people forked over money to buy that shite song. And don't even get me started on those people who use that racket as their ringtone...
In case you're wondering, the full list of songs that should be banned were as follows:
1. Mysterious Girl - Peter Andre
2. Axel F - The Crazy Frog
3. Mr Blobby - Mr Blobby
4. Agadoo -Black Lace
5. Macarena- Los Del Rio
6. Teletubbies Say Eh Oh! - Teletubbies
7. Barbie Girl - Aqua
8. Let's Get Ready To Rhumble - Ant & Dec
9. Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini - Timmy Mallet
Hard to believe that there are people who actually bought these songs.
UI's Celtic Mythology - Scathach
Scathach (whose name means "shadowy") was a warrior-princess in the Land of Shadows and tutor in the martial arts. One myth recounts that her most famous pupil was the Ulster hero Cuchulainn. She taught him his famous battle leap and gave him the spear named Gae-Bolg ("Belly-spear"). Although it made a singular wound on entry, once inside the body of one of Cuchulainn's enemies, thirty barbs opened to tear the stomach apart. Uathach, the daughter of Scathach, was Cuchulainn's mistress during his year of training, and was unhappy that he wanted to fight her sister Aoifa. In the event, Cuchulainn was able to defeat Aoifa by trickery and made her his next mistress.
Damn! Cuchulainn went through practically the whole family!
Damn! Cuchulainn went through practically the whole family!
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Ahern will raise man's murder with Adams
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to raise the Dublin murder of Joseph Rafferty with Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams at their next meeting, it emerged today.Mr Rafferty’s family claim the father-of-one was shot dead by alleged IRA members outside his apartment in West Dublin in April.
They believe Sinn Féin is protecting his killers but the party has condemned the murder and strongly denied any links.
Mr Ahern today met Mr Rafferty’s two sisters, Esther Uzell and Sarah Little along with their local Fianna Fáil councillor Garry Keegan for 45 minutes in Government Buildings.
Mr Keegan said afterwards: "Mr Ahern said he had followed the publicity of the case very carefully over the last number of weeks.
"He said he would definitely bring up the issue at the next meeting with Gerry Adams."
Ms Uzell claimed afterwards that Mr Ahern was disgusted by the murder and assured her of his support.
"I just told him the story from beginning to end of exactly what happened to Joseph and Mr Ahern has given us his full support," she said.
"He was actually disgusted to hear the full story from beginning to end and he has assured us that he will do everything he can."
I hope Mr Ahern keeps his word on this matter. This incident highlights perfectly why Sinn Fein cannot be trusted, regardless of IRA weapons decommissioning.
They are a party engaged in murky dealings and, allegedly, murder.
Irish people should not let them get a stranglehold down here in Ireland's south. The IRA's criminal dealings have affected Dublin and other southern counties. There can be no doubt about that.
They are not to be trusted.
Top Ten Tuesday - Beatles songs
I'm a fan of The Beatles. Then again, who isn't? In my opinion they are the greatest band of all time without a shadow of a doubt.One of the things I like most about The Beatles is that you can listen to some of their lesser-known songs and yet they still sound far better than most of the crap that's passed off for music these days.
To lighten the mood I thought that I would use this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday to detail my top ten Beatles songs. So without further ado:
1. She Loves You
2. Hard Day's Night
3. In My Life
4. Can't Buy Me Love
5. Let it Be
6. All You Need Is Love
7. Norwegian Wood
8. Hey Jude
9. Yesterday
10. Yellow Submarine
So there you have it. My top ten favourite Beatles songs. Feel free to comment on my choices or to offer up some of your own.
Keep out ye dirty langers!
I was interested to read courtesy of the Irish Independent that one third of the Irish-born population have decided not to live and work in the county of their birth, but have instead chosen to live in a different county.
Those from the Rebel County are the exception however as the Independent details...
"Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that Cork people are more likely to be born, to live and to die in Cork than any other Irish county.
"Four of every five people walking around Cork were born there, while at the opposite end of the scale half the population of counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow were born elsewhere."
With regards to my own county of Dublin...
"...almost three in ten people was born somewhere else, with one tenth of the city's population born abroad.
"From a population of 1.1m, over 180,000 people were born in another county while 120,000 were born outside Ireland."
Fascinating figures. Sort of surprising too. You'd think someone born in Cork would be eager to get out of the place as soon as possible.
What about yourselves? Are you currently residing in the county of your birth?
Those from the Rebel County are the exception however as the Independent details...
"Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that Cork people are more likely to be born, to live and to die in Cork than any other Irish county.
"Four of every five people walking around Cork were born there, while at the opposite end of the scale half the population of counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow were born elsewhere."
With regards to my own county of Dublin...
"...almost three in ten people was born somewhere else, with one tenth of the city's population born abroad.
"From a population of 1.1m, over 180,000 people were born in another county while 120,000 were born outside Ireland."
Fascinating figures. Sort of surprising too. You'd think someone born in Cork would be eager to get out of the place as soon as possible.
What about yourselves? Are you currently residing in the county of your birth?
Scotland warned about high murder rate
Scotland has the second highest murder rate in western Europe, research on violence has claimed. The study of 21 countries found Scots were three-times more likely to be killed than people in England or Wales
The World Health Organisation found that the Scottish homicide rate was 2.33 deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 0.7 in England and Wales.
Research from the UN last week suggested more than 2,000 people a week are attacked in Scotland - 10-times the official police figures.
Another study from the University of California, which will be published later this year, will claim Scotland has a higher homicide rate than America, Israel, Uzbekistan, Chile and Uruguay.
A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland said: "We have already accepted there is a problem with violent crime in Scotland.
"But we do take issue with these studies as we do not believe they are comparing like with like, they are not helping the debate we are having in Scotland right now."
Wow. I had no idea Scotland's problems with crime were so bad.
As far as I'm concerned, responsibility rests with the Scottish Executive. The buck stops with them. Judging by these figures it seems they are letting down the people of Scotland once again.
Bigots attack two-year-old Tyrone fan
A two-year-old boy was hit in the face with a bottle and a woman squirted with petrol in a series of sectarian attacks on Tyrone fans returning home from their All-Ireland triumph.Another boy was struck in the face with a brick, while police arrested four men in Cookstown when they moved in to keep rival crowds apart.
The two-year-old was injured in the town’s Hospital Street around 9pm.
He was in a car, which was flying a Tyrone flag, with his mother and grandmother.
After the incident, a car pulled up alongside the family and warned them they would face "more of the same" if they did not take the flag down.
In the same area a woman visiting the town reported that a youth wearing a Glasgow Rangers top and a balaclava jumped in front of her car and pointed a water pistol at her.
A man also reported that petrol had been squirted at his car.
Meanwhile, a boy, aged seven, needed hospital treatment after a bus carrying Tyrone fans was stoned in Co Armagh. A 12-year-old girl was treated for shock.
I think these incidents are diabolical. To rain on the Tyrone fan's parade is utterly shameful.
Imagine how you would feel if you were this boy's parent. After watching your team pull off a famous victory at Croke Park, you witness your son get hit in the face by a bottle courtesy of vicious, sectarian thugs.
I think I speak for all decent nationalists and unionists when I say that the people who did this are scum.
30,000 visits
Sitemeter has informed me that United Irelander has officially reached a total of 30,000 visits.Go raibh míle maith agaibh to all those who have stopped by my blog since its inception.
Your presence is most welcome. Cheers.
UI's Celtic Mythology - Ruadh
Ruadh was a voyager whose ship became becalmed off the north coast of Ireland. According to Irish mythology, when he swam away to find help for his dying crew, he chanced upon a magical underwater island. On the island there lived nine beautiful women, and for nine wonderful nights Ruadh slept with all of them. The women then informed him that together they would bear him a son. Although Ruada promised faithfully to return at the end of his voyage, he unfortunately forgot about his underwater lovers, and they, in their fury, pursued him, kicking the severed head of his son before them like a football.
Promiscuity, unprotected sex and murder...this isn't the best Celtic tale to tell to young people!
Promiscuity, unprotected sex and murder...this isn't the best Celtic tale to tell to young people!
Monday, September 26, 2005
Monday Madness - Groundbreaking Tedium
So the IRA have apparently decommissioned according to General John De Chastelain and Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair are set to comment on his report. Wow, talk about déjà vu!Seeing as we are likely to hear alot of military-speak today I thought I'd get in my own pre-emptive strike (huh-ho) by giving my views on what we're likely to observe in the near future from the protagonists of this fascinating story of spin, lies and total bollocks. So, without further ado:
Gerry Adams - Get the hankees ready as Gerry takes us on an emotional rollercoaster detailing the bravery and the sacrifice that the volunteers have shown for the cause. Sniff. Watch him warn those nasty unionists that they must now begin to live up to their obligations, responsibilities etc. You know the drill. I wouldn't be surprised if the issue of Garda Jerry McCabe's killers comes up in the next few days.
Martin McGuinness - More of the same, really. Sinn Fein might even tell Martin to head to America to inform the Irish-American supporters of Sinn Fein firstly where Ireland is, and secondly what is now happening in the peace process...
Dr Paisley - Will he greet the news warmly? Do you really need me to tell you how this guy will react? Gerry Adams could get down on his hands and knees and give Big Ian a big fat smooch on his hardline unionist arse and Paisley would still complain that Adams didn't bother to shave for the moment. In other words, don't expect a positive response.
Reg Empey - Sir Reg will firstly inform the media who he is and why he's worth listening to, then he will question the evidence. He will probably ask for time to reflect on what has happened. A common unionist tactic of avoiding acknowledging a positive development.
Mark Durkan - Mark will tell us that his party are the only ones to have defended the Agreement, stood by the agreement, done what was stated in the Agreement, made love to the Agreement etc. You get the picture. He will tell us that this all should have happened years ago and that Sinn Fein are following the direction of his party.
Bertie Ahern - Bertie will hail it as a great day in Irish history, a momentous occasion, of great significance, blah, blah, blah. He will stress he understands unionist concerns. You get the idea.
Tony Blair - Same as Bertie he will mention what a special point in time it is, how it's time that the North moves forward, he will remind unionists of their responsibilities to the peace process. The usual...
(insert random DUP moaner) - This is usually the point where a DUP member comes out to bemoan something that has just been stated by someone else. It could be by one of the Prime Ministers, a nationalist or someone from the UUP. It will likely be taking the issue on to a brand new subject. For example, how dare Mr Blair remind unionists of their responsibilities when he has given concession after concession to Republicans! Or perhaps the Colombia Three issue will be raised for the Taoiseach. One to watch out for...
In conclusion, if you hear words tossed about for today's events like 'groundbreaking', 'historic', 'momentous' and so on, just don't be so quick to buy into all the hype.
We've been here before. And we might be here again...
Have the IRA abandoned violence?
I have added a new poll to United Irelander which asks the question:
Have the IRA abandoned violence?
It's been revealed that General John DeChastelain, chairman of the decommissioning body, will meet with representatives of the Irish and British governments tomorrow to tell them that full decommissioning of IRA weapons has taken place.
Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator, Martin McGuinness, has said he believes that Ireland stands on the cusp of a historic advance.
But what are your thoughts on the matter?
Please take the time to vote in the poll along the sidebar and please use the comments section of this post to explain your point of view.
Personally I think that they have finally abandoned violence. I think they've known for a long time that it wasn't going to achieve anything constructive.
I hope the ballot box alone will be their method of choice from now on.
Have the IRA abandoned violence?
It's been revealed that General John DeChastelain, chairman of the decommissioning body, will meet with representatives of the Irish and British governments tomorrow to tell them that full decommissioning of IRA weapons has taken place.
Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator, Martin McGuinness, has said he believes that Ireland stands on the cusp of a historic advance.
But what are your thoughts on the matter?
Please take the time to vote in the poll along the sidebar and please use the comments section of this post to explain your point of view.
Personally I think that they have finally abandoned violence. I think they've known for a long time that it wasn't going to achieve anything constructive.
I hope the ballot box alone will be their method of choice from now on.
Decommissioning...apparently
From RTE:RTÉ News has learned that the chairman of the decommissioning body, General John DeChastelain, will meet representatives of the Irish and British governments tomorrow to tell them that full decommissioning of IRA weapons has taken place.
General DeChastelain will present a detailed inventory of decommissioned weapons to the British and Irish governments before making the list available at a news conference.
Two independent witnesses will make a statement at the press conference to say that the promised IRA move has taken place.
It is understood the two witnesses are the Catholic priest Fr Alex Reid and Rev Harold Good, a Methodist minister.
The IRA arsenal is believed to include Soviet-built surface to air missiles, rocket launchers, heavy machine guns, armour-piercing sniper rifles, three tonnes of Semtex, about 1,000 Kalashnikov AK47 assault rifles and large quantities of handguns.
Both governments will make statements tomorrow following General DeChastelain's statement.
Looks like decommissioning has finally arrived. Better late than never I guess...
Politics - Nude Zealand-style
You think Irish politics is bizarre? Check out how they do things in New Zealand.There, a New Zealand politician has taken a stroll through Auckland - wearing nothing but copious amounts of body paint and a pair of pants.
Green Party MP Keith Locke had pledged to strip off if Act Party leader Rodney Hide won the seat of his constituency.
Seen as a long-shot, Mr Hide surprised pundits by winning a big majority.
"I had to do it," Mr Locke said. "The Greens keep their promises". His elaborate suit included a white shirt, green tie and matching jacket.
OK I have a question, why are people surprised that he lost?! If you say you're going to take off your clothes if you lose to your rival, of course you're going to lose! You're just setting yourself up for defeat!
As I understand it, the undressing of his clothes was carefully verified by an independent monitor...presumably his wife.
Man, can you imagine what it would be like if an Irish politician took his/her clothes off?
No, neither can I!
Tyrone take title
Congratulations to Tyrone for defeating Kerry in Sunday's All-Ireland final to claim Sam Maguire.I think Kerry should have been fearful the minute I uttered the words 'the team I want to win is Kerry'!
In all seriousness, it was a fantastic game. I had read predictions it would be very dull but it was anything but.
I think there was more than one winner in Sunday's final though. I think that Gaelic football was a winner as well.
Well done to Tyrone. I'll admit it - Ulster teams are fecking brilliant!
UI's Celtic Mythology - Ruadan
Ruadan, in Irish mythology, was the son of the goddess Brigid and of Bres, the half-Fomorii ruler of the Tuatha De Danann. At the second battle of Magh Tuireadh Ruadan was sent to spy on the Tuatha De Danann smith god Goibhniu who was busily making spears. Ruadan seized one of these weapons and thrust it into the god, but Goibhniu merely pulled it out again and drove it into Ruadan, mortally wounding him. When the goddess Brigid came to the battlefield to bewail her son, her weeping was said to be the first keening in Ireland.
Damn. Did Ruadan's plan backfire or what?
Damn. Did Ruadan's plan backfire or what?
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Sunday Scrutiny - All-Ireland final
This afternoon, the All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Tyrone gets under way.I must admit that I enjoy the day of the All-Ireland final. I'm not a big GAA fan (I am a Dub remember) but even as a kid I liked watching the football final. Not the hurling though, that never appealed to me. That sport's too rough for a Dubliner!
I think one of the great things about a day like today is that it's a real expression of Irish culture. It's a day for Ireland. Not too many other countries will follow today's events but that doesn't matter.
What I like about having a team from Ireland's north in the final is that it really gives the competition that all-Ireland feel. Today is truly a day for the Irish nation.
I won't bother making a prediction as I don't know enough about the sport to do so though I've read in the papers this week that the final is expected to be a rather drab and dour occasion and from what I've been reading, Tyrone are fancied to win. But I might have been reading the wrong papers so who knows?
Instead I'll choose the team I want to win and the team I want to win is Kerry. I know Dublin and Kerry have a bit of a rivalry with each other but then again, Dubs have a rivalry with everybody it seems. I want Kerry to win because I've had great times down in Kerry. It's one of my favourite parts of Ireland and I find the scenery beautiful there. I especially like Tralee. Besides, those Ulster counties are getting too big for their boots in my opinion. They think they're fecking brilliant!
Those Kerry boyos will put them in their place on Sunday hopefully. In my limited experience of this sport, I'm going to tentatively suggest that Colm 'Gooch' Cooper (yes I do know some of the players) will be the man to watch in the final.
So with all that being said, there's nothing left to say except...go on the Kerry!
Poll Results - Division on Iraq
I have closed the poll on my sidebar which asked the question:
Are you against the war in Iraq?
The final results were:
Yes - 50% (15 votes)
No - 50% (15 votes)
Well there's a surprising result. Not. It's one of the most contentious issues in the world right now and it was a close poll all week. I guess the result is a fair one.
It will be interesting to see what future generations make of the present conflict in Iraq though I suspect it will be just as contentious in the future as it is right now!
Are you against the war in Iraq?
The final results were:
Yes - 50% (15 votes)
No - 50% (15 votes)
Well there's a surprising result. Not. It's one of the most contentious issues in the world right now and it was a close poll all week. I guess the result is a fair one.
It will be interesting to see what future generations make of the present conflict in Iraq though I suspect it will be just as contentious in the future as it is right now!
Nationalism and Britishness
I came across the following letter in the Belfast Telegraph by 'Unionist and British' from Bangor and thought it was an interesting read.Here is the letter in full:
"Not only do nationalists refuse to recognise the British identity and culture of unionists but also they do everything in their power to help to destroy it. It says a lot for them that they are describing unionist culture as sectarian.
It is unbelievable that this basic human right of being able to cherish and promote one's own history, identity and culture is being obstructed so blatantly by nationalists.
Why then should unionists discuss the resumption of the Northern Ireland Assembly with so bitter and so hostile opponents?
Nationalists intend to make the Assembly a springboard for a united Ireland and as a vehicle for gaining more favours from inherently anti-unionist Labour politicians, aided and abetted by the Republic.
Ironically, nationalists have created the situation where the majority of unionists are now opposed to an Assembly.
Unionists should refuse to have any talks with nationalists until they publicly recognise the unionists' British identity.
Apparently in a united Ireland, a non-sequitur if ever there was one, all cultures will be treated equally.
Perhaps nationalists should be getting in some practice now. Unionists should not be holding their breath."
There's a couple of points I'd like to tackle here. Firstly, in relation to nationalists wanting to destroy 'the British identity and culture of unionists', I do not accept this. I presume that the author is making reference to the anger felt at the recent Orange Order marches. I would like to ask, if marching is such a fundamental part of being British, why do most Scottish, Welsh and English people not partake in it? To me, these marches are about triumphalism and putting nationalists/Catholics in their place. If nationalists protest against the marches, they are criticsed for attacking unionist culture, yet if they do nothing, then the Orange Order succeed in making them look like second-class citizens.
Secondly, on the point about nationalists using the Assembly as a springboard to a United Ireland, I think nationalists will indeed point to the benefits of continued cooperation but the Assembly is simply a microcosm of what complete cooperation could entail. Nationalists cannot 'spring' Irish unity on unionists without their prior consent.
On the last point, I actually agree with the author. Nationalists should start acknowledging the British tradition on this island and should start giving it the respect it deserves. It is the only way a United Ireland can be achieved.
All in all, I think there is alot of scaremongering in this article about Irish nationalism and a United Ireland.
The only way to alleviate fears such as these is to reach out the olive branch to unionists and see how they respond. Regardless of whether you want a United Ireland or the continued existence of the 6 county statelet, the fact remains - cooperation is a must.
The new shirt
I see my friends over at Our Wee Country are busy wondering what the new away strip for Ireland's north looks like.
Well, they're in luck!
I've managed to grab an exclusive first look at the team's strip. Observe it here.*
Not only inclusive but stylish to boot!
*(not confirmed)
Well, they're in luck!
I've managed to grab an exclusive first look at the team's strip. Observe it here.*
Not only inclusive but stylish to boot!
*(not confirmed)
UI's Celtic Mythology - Ronan
Ronan, king of Leinster, was, in the tangled relations of his second marriage, the Irish equivalent of the great Greek hero Theseus. Just like Theseus' second wife Phaedra, the king's second wife Eochaid loved Ronan's son more than her husband. When the stepson showed his horror of her passion, Eochaid told her husband that the young man had attepmted to rape her. Ronan ordered his son's execution and died of remorse when he later learned the truth. Eochaid ended her own life with poison.
Damn. Talk about a tragic story...
Damn. Talk about a tragic story...
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Cowardice
It seems that a staggering...wait for it...1,000 or so demonstrators today called on the Government to stop allowing the US to use Shannon Airport for military stopovers.Wow! 1,000 people! In a country of over 4 million people! That sends a very powerful message which is - most people don't care about the US using the airport.
Listen to Labour TD Jan O'Sullivan (pictured left) whine about the matter though:
"Today’s demonstration is part of a wider global peace rally with large protests taking place in major cities across the world."
Hopefully they're alot larger, eh?!
"It reminds us once again of the ongoing illegal occupation of Iraq by the US and gives us the opportunity to express solidarity with the Iraqi people."
Solidarity with the Iraqi people? Gee, that's funny. Because prior to the war, polls revealed that most Iraqis welcomed the invasion yet you anti-war protesters weren't showing alot of solidarity then...
"In particular, it is shameful that evidence that illegally held prisoners being transported to Guantanamo Bay are travelling via Shannon, is being ignored by the Irish Government."
Oh no! Those poor terrorists! Think of their human rights and so forth...
"I am calling on all opponents of the illegal invasion of Iraq to pressurise the Irish Government to cease their compliance in the illegal occupation of Iraq."
I'm calling on you to stop badmouthing the brave American troops risking their lives to help the Iraqi people.
I'm sure you're all terribly interested in hearing what Green Party chairman John Gormley (who?) had to say as well...
"Not only is the invasion and occupation of Iraq illegal but Shannon continues to be used as a tool of terror and torture as detainees are spirited away via Shannon to hell holes like Guantanamo Bay where the writ of the United Nations does not run."
Oh no, not hell holes! How dare terrorist prisoners be treated so harshly!
"Surely it is time for Ireland to now reconsider its assistance to the American war machine in light of this tragedy."
Is this guy seriously telling us that housing terrorists in Guantanomo Bay is a 'tragedy'? Can't you just go and hug a tree instead John?
"We alone of the so-called neutral states are giving our airports and airspace to the US military."
Really? Wow. With this and the fact that we gave assistance to the Allies in World War 2 despite being neutral, it's almost as if Irish neutrality is a COMPLETE SHAM. Fancy that.
"In aiding and abetting the Americans in this way we will be seen as a ‘legitimate’ target for Islamic terrorist organisations."
Unbelievable. I apologise to the American people on behalf of all decent Irish people for Mr Gormley's shocking cowardice.
These people are an absolute embarassment. Thankfully they represent a very small number.
PANSY Watch - Day of protest
Charming image to your left don't you think? It comes courtesy of PANSY Central a.k.a. Indymedia Ireland.Today of course is the day when the anti-American...uh I mean the anti-war protesters, descend upon Shannon airport highlighting their cowardice and stupidity in calling for Shannon airport to be denied to the US military. It must be the day for marches...
I think alot of these protesters are seriously misguided and I also think alot of them have disgraceful anti-American attitudes.
Protests such as these help the insurgency in Iraq and hurt the brave American troops who are risking their lives for a noble cause.
If you opposed the war in Iraq, that's fine. But the war has happened. Saddam's regime has fallen. Now the war is against Iraqi terrorists. Terrorists who have murdered an Irish-born aid worker. Terrorists who have beheaded an Irish citizen.
Leaving Iraq will mean allowing the Iraqi people to fall into the hands of these scumbags. Scumbags like Al-Zarqawi. This cannot be allowed to happen.
It's one thing to oppose the war in Iraq, it's another thing entirely to oppose the war on terror.
'Peace on terror' as Edward Horgan called for on Indymedia recently WILL NOT WORK. That is advocating cowardice in the extreme.
We the people of Ireland must stand shoulder to shoulder with our real allies - America, Britain, Australia and the other Coalition troops.
To deny the US access to Shannon airport would be a slap in the face to America, a slap in the face to our allies, and a slap in the face to what it means to be Irish.
I say it's time the anti-war protesters got the hell out of Shannon Airport!
Saturday Survey
Hero of the Week: Simon Wiesenthal: I was saddened to hear of the death of veteran Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal this week. A true hero. RIP.
Villain of the Week: Gerry Adams: This week he renewed his bid to have the killers of Garda Jerry McCabe freed. Totally undemocratic and utterly disgraceful.
Funniest Moment of the Week: Edward Horgan's piece: A hilarious load of claptrap.
Dunce of the Week: Arlene Foster: She's got herself into a tizzy after a Monaghan judge refused to call 'Derry' 'Derry'. I hear she's going to bring the matter up with Justice Minister Michael McDowell. Please! With the DUP focusing on that, as well as the Colombia Three, one would be fogiven for thinking the DUP is becoming more nationalist!
Luckiest persons of the Week: The Swiss: Roy Keane is set to miss the match with Switzerland on October 12th! Nooooooo!
My favourite moment of the week: Adams' approval rating: In an opinion poll in the Irish Examiner, poor oul' Gerry's approval rating with the Irish public went down by 11% to a pretty dismal 31% overall (behind Mary Harney!). 34% expressed dissatisfaction with him. Beautiful!
Quote of the Week: "We need to make peace on terror, not war" - Edward Horgan at indymedia.
Anti-war protesters, eh?
United Irelander's Busiest Day of the Week: Monday
Villain of the Week: Gerry Adams: This week he renewed his bid to have the killers of Garda Jerry McCabe freed. Totally undemocratic and utterly disgraceful.
Funniest Moment of the Week: Edward Horgan's piece: A hilarious load of claptrap.
Dunce of the Week: Arlene Foster: She's got herself into a tizzy after a Monaghan judge refused to call 'Derry' 'Derry'. I hear she's going to bring the matter up with Justice Minister Michael McDowell. Please! With the DUP focusing on that, as well as the Colombia Three, one would be fogiven for thinking the DUP is becoming more nationalist!
Luckiest persons of the Week: The Swiss: Roy Keane is set to miss the match with Switzerland on October 12th! Nooooooo!
My favourite moment of the week: Adams' approval rating: In an opinion poll in the Irish Examiner, poor oul' Gerry's approval rating with the Irish public went down by 11% to a pretty dismal 31% overall (behind Mary Harney!). 34% expressed dissatisfaction with him. Beautiful!
Quote of the Week: "We need to make peace on terror, not war" - Edward Horgan at indymedia.
Anti-war protesters, eh?
United Irelander's Busiest Day of the Week: Monday
Gerry Adams - The fraud
I groaned as I heard Gerry Adams' latest thoughts on the future of the peace process.Hilariously, Adams said the time ahead should be used to build confidence with those who doubted the intentions of the Republican terror group.
Yeah shame on all of you who doubted the noble Provos! So they said they would decommission years ago, hey everybody makes mistakes! That's why pencils have erasers, right?
Let's look at some of Mr Adams' comments:
"We believe that we are all on the cusp of a future which allows those of us who want to, to see democratic and peaceful structures in place."
Wow, seems like Gerry is quite the democrat indeed. Makes you wonder why his party was tied to an illegal paramilitary organisation for so long...
"Those of us who want to see equality right across the island and those of us who want to see an accommodation between unionists and the rest of us, we are on the cusp of that happening in the wake of the IRA putting its arms beyond use."
Well fair play to them! Republicans are going to show unionists that they want an accomodation with them - by deciding not to blow them up any more. Outstanding!
I have to say I'm getting sick and tired of the pandering the media does to this guy. He's a disgrace to Irish Republicanism.
Nationalists need to acknowledge his real role in this process. The reality is, if Adams and the IRA had done what they claimed they were going to do at the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, stability would have been brought to the North. Trimble would not have fell on his sword and unionists wouldn't have flocked to Dr Evil and his merry band of moaners in the DUP.
But you see Adams needed Trimble out of the way and he needed the SDLP out of the way too. The moderate position had to be swept aside to give Sinn Fein what it really craves - power. Power even if it means at the expense of Irish reunification.
If these steps had been taken around the time of the Good Friday Agreement, as they were supposed to, we would be closer to Irish unity. Maybe not by much, but closer nonetheless and certainly in a more stable environment. But Sinn Fein feed off instability. They need it. Instability enabled them to gobble up the SDLP's groundwork. It also gave Paisley the number one position in unionism.
Make no mistake about it, Gerry Adams is an egomaniac. He believes he can deliver Irish unity through his methods. But he can't. And to Adams, if he can't do it, no one can. He wants his name in the lights. He wants his place in history.
'Gerry Adams - The Irish Moses. The man who led the Irish people to the promised land after 40 years.'
But Adams ain't no Moses. The nationalist people in Ireland's north have been conned by this guy and his rhetoric.
He can organise all the 'Make Partition History' campaigns he wants but the reality is, he and his supporters are travelling down a route that most of us asked them to travel down years ago. They have delayed, and quite possibly destroyed, the chances of ridding this island of the border through their campaign of terror.
So soak up your adulation Mr Adams. Stand there and feel like a winner. Lap it all up, take it all in. But know this - not all the Irish people are fooled. The recent popularity ratings for the political leaders confirmed this. You may feel like you have achieved some great victory when this is all said and done but the border will still be there. Still staring back at you. Reminding you. Reminding you of the one thing you know deep down in your heart...
You've lost.
A load of Arse
I see Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has called for international friendlies to be scrapped and for changes to be made to the World Cup and European Championships.He wants midweek internationals to be played on Tuesdays rather than Wednesdays to give players more time to recover for club matches the following weekend.
I've a better idea Arsene. How about we cut back on the amount of European games in the Champions League?
Oh that's right. We can't do that as there's money involved. Silly me.
Bogside
I'm flushed with excitement at the news that Belfast is to be the venue for the World Toilet Summit which will be held next week.I know the people of Belfast were bummed at having to put a lid on their dreams of being the 2008 European Capital of Culture, but now I'm sure they'll be bowled over at the chance to host this prestigious event!
It's sure to make a big splash!
UI's Celtic Mythology - Rhiannon
Rhiannon, in Welsh mythology, was the daughter of Hereydd, and the long-suffering wife of Pwyll, a chieftain of Dyfed. All of Rhiannon's troubles stemmed from her rejection of Gwawl, the man to whom she had been promised, and as a result his enraged father had laid a spell on Pwyll's household. Because of this curse, Rhiannon suffered years of barrenness and, after the birth of a son, she was unjustly accused of eating the baby. Even after the boy, whom she named Pryderi, which meant "Care", had been restored and grown up, the spell continued to dog Rhiannon. At one stage she and Pryderi were changed into donkeys. Rhiannon herself had her own magical aspect, however, for the singing of her birds was said to be able to wake the dead and send the living to sleep.Rhiannon is a singular figure in Welsh mythology. She bore her suffering and injustic with a patience that still seems remarkable. But her real nature was in all likelihood originally connected with horses. When Pwyll first set eyes on her, Rhiannon was riding "a big fine pale white horse, covered with a garment of shining gold brocaded silk". Also, Rhiannon's stolen son was found in a stable and her punishment for losing him was to act as a beast of burden to visitors who came to her husband's palace. It is tempting to link her with the horse goddess Epona, one of the few Celtic gods or goddesses to be worshipped by the Romans.
I think it's fair to say Rhiannon is one of the most unfortunate characters in Celtic mythology.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Fun Irelander Feature-Riddle me this
I can't think of anything original to write. Call it writer's block, stress, the fact I'm busy watching something on TV, whatever. With that being said, I thought I'd pose you three riddles. Here goes:
Q1.
Two words, my answer is only two words. To keep me, you must give me.
Q2.
Each morning I appear
To lie at your feet,
All day I will follow
No matter how fast you run,
Yet I nearly perish
In the midday sun.
Who am I?
Q3.
A man was found dead in his study. He was slumped over his desk and a gun was in his hand. There was a cassette recorder on his desk. When the police entered the room and pressed the play button on the tape recorder they heard..."I can't go on. I have nothing to live for." Then there was the sound of a gunshot. How did the detective immediately know that the man had been murdered and it wasn't a suicide?
Don't cheat and use Google by the way!
Q1.
Two words, my answer is only two words. To keep me, you must give me.
Q2.
Each morning I appear
To lie at your feet,
All day I will follow
No matter how fast you run,
Yet I nearly perish
In the midday sun.
Who am I?
Q3.
A man was found dead in his study. He was slumped over his desk and a gun was in his hand. There was a cassette recorder on his desk. When the police entered the room and pressed the play button on the tape recorder they heard..."I can't go on. I have nothing to live for." Then there was the sound of a gunshot. How did the detective immediately know that the man had been murdered and it wasn't a suicide?
Don't cheat and use Google by the way!
Friday Fun-News in Brief
In the news this week, it was revealed that troubled pop superstar Michael Jackson has been asked to record a duet with Irish boyband Westlife next year.
The group's manager Louis Walsh says: "Michael Jackson is an inspiration and we are approaching him. The boys have sung with Diana Ross and Mariah Carey on their new album. So we thought: 'Who next?' Jackson would be great."
Wow, Westlife's legion of young fans will love hearing that...
Also in the news this week it was revealed that according to research commissioned with SEI support, by 2050 Ireland’s winters will be wetter, with an increased risk of flooding as a result of more frequent storms and localised rainfall. An 11% increase in rainfall is predicted by 2050.
How come with all this talk about global warming, Ireland still gets pissed on by rain? Typical.
As well as all that comes the news that the Government has launched a scholarship programme aimed at attracting more young women into the science, engineering and technology sectors.
At present, men vastly outnumber women in these sectors.
Responding to the news, a science student declared: "Hooray! Actual girls! The Star Trek club is going to be brilliant from now on!" Ah, bless 'em.
And finally this week comes the news that Mariah Carey loves watching British soap opera Eastenders and is trying to adopt the characters' trademark cockney accent.
"I love Eastenders and I've asked a friend of mine to record some episodes for me. I love the way they speak - the cockney accent, so I'm gonna learn it," Carey said.
It's official - she's crazy.
The group's manager Louis Walsh says: "Michael Jackson is an inspiration and we are approaching him. The boys have sung with Diana Ross and Mariah Carey on their new album. So we thought: 'Who next?' Jackson would be great."
Wow, Westlife's legion of young fans will love hearing that...
Also in the news this week it was revealed that according to research commissioned with SEI support, by 2050 Ireland’s winters will be wetter, with an increased risk of flooding as a result of more frequent storms and localised rainfall. An 11% increase in rainfall is predicted by 2050.
How come with all this talk about global warming, Ireland still gets pissed on by rain? Typical.
As well as all that comes the news that the Government has launched a scholarship programme aimed at attracting more young women into the science, engineering and technology sectors.
At present, men vastly outnumber women in these sectors.
Responding to the news, a science student declared: "Hooray! Actual girls! The Star Trek club is going to be brilliant from now on!" Ah, bless 'em.
And finally this week comes the news that Mariah Carey loves watching British soap opera Eastenders and is trying to adopt the characters' trademark cockney accent.
"I love Eastenders and I've asked a friend of mine to record some episodes for me. I love the way they speak - the cockney accent, so I'm gonna learn it," Carey said.
It's official - she's crazy.
It's called 'Derry'
I see the DUP are quite upset after a Monaghan judge refused to acknowledge the name 'Londonderry'.The party's Fermanagh and South Tyrone assembly member, Arlene Foster, criticised the comments, made by Judge Sean McBride during a motoring case.
The judge said that 'Londonderry' didn’t exist, but Ms Foster said he was ill-informed and completely inaccurate.
It showed, she said, the contempt felt for anything British by the southern judicial authorities.
Arlene Foster is talking out of her arse. The fact is, 'Londonderry' is a figment of British imaginations. It's called 'Derry' to me and most of the Irish people on this island and considering this is our country, we are qualified to comment on the matter!
Furthermore, Ms Foster would do well to tell her party leader Dr Evil...I mean Dr Paisley, that 'Ulster' is a nine-county entity and is not a valid name for the six counties!
Gerry Adams is a disgrace
I am absolutely disgusted and outraged at the news that Sinn Fein head honcho Gerry Adams will today renew his bid to have the killers of Det. Garda Jerry McCabe freed from jail.Although senior members of Mr Ahern’s administration warned Sinn Féin any new request for the prisoners’ early release would fail, Mr Adams has pledged to continue the fight.
He said: "I’m mindful of the trauma for the McCabe family but the Supreme Court upheld the fact they were qualifying prisoners (under the Good Friday Agreement) and we will continue to campaign for their release."
Well what the majority of Irish people are mindful of is a commitment given to us around the time of the Good Friday Agreement and given to us again earlier this year by the Taoiseach that the scumbags who gunned down a protector of the Irish people would serve their sentences!
Bertie Ahern must not cave in to Sinn Fein/IRA on this matter.
The Irish people don't want those sick murderers on our streets. Adams is showing his complete disregard for the laws of the Irish State and for that he deserves serious condemnation.
Gerry Adams is a disgrace. An Irish Republican? No. An apologist for criminals.
Gay adoption again...
I had quite a heated debate on this issue fairly recently here on United Irelander. It's a contentious issue without a doubt. My feelings on the matter have been expressed. I have nothing against homosexuality. I don't even object to gay marriage myself which is another contentious issue - but I draw the line at gay adoption. In my opinion it's wrong. That's why I have to comment on the following letter by Caitríona Horgan in the Irish Examiner which was in response to an article in the Examiner entitled 'Calls for ban on adoption for homosexuals'. Here are some excerpts from the letter:"I am infuriated by the Mother and Child Campaign. This sort of bigotry is completely idiotic and has no place in today’s world."
It's not bigotry. It's traditional family values. And why does it have no place in today's world? Ah yes, because tradition has to go out of the window in today's world!
"The spokeswoman for this blatantly homophobic campaign, Niamh Uí Bhriain, claimed that “homosexual parenting was not in the interest of the child.”"
Oh dear. The 'homophobic' word, a.k.a. The 'H' card. Used much quicker than usual I might add.
"Who is she to say that two people of the same sex can’t love, care for or provide a child with a happy, stable home any better than a heterosexual couple."
Stop focusing on the gay couple in the issue and start focusing on the best interests of the child. Why deny it a normal, heterosexual family in favour of a false, unnatural knock-off?
"But it is my understanding that when a child is given up for adoption, the parents do so because they want a better life for the child, and who’s to say a same sex couple can’t provide this."
Who's to say they can?
"Even though I am only 17..."
D'oh!
"I know that if I ever had to put a child up for adoption I would prefer the child to be adopted by a homosexual couple who loved it and gave it a good life than a heterosexual couple who might not provide a loving environment."
Eh? Now who's the bigot? Why assume that homosexual couples = good, heterosexual couples = bad? I would prefer that a child have both a maternal and a paternal figure.
"As long as they love the child it shouldn’t matter if they are gay, straight or otherwise because at the end of the day, love is love."
Love is complicated. Let's suppose some girl who is around the age of the author of this letter, 17, decides she wants to have a child. Should that be encouraged? After all, who's to say this person won't love the child? After all, love is love right? I would say that such a situation would be most unhelpful for the child. And the reality is, the child is the most important person in the adoption process. Does a child benefit by being placed with a homosexual couple? I don't believe so.
"As long as the child’s best interests are served, that is what counts."
Agreed but how is it in the child's best interests to be placed into a perverse mockery of the traditional family model?
"From the number of calls to organisations like Childline, sadly it is clear that many heterosexual couples fail to meet the needs of their children."
This old chestnut again. All straight couples are bad, ergo all gay couples are good! I don't think so.
"So why does Niamh Uí Bhriain claim that a heterosexual couple is best."
Maybe 'cos she has common sense and she knows it's the natural way?
"How can she guarantee this? Surely it is case specific."
Ha! Now the author claims it's 'case specific' when earlier she lambasted all heterosexual couples and praised all homosexual couples!
"I appeal to the Government not to succumb to this sort of prejudice and change the adoption legislation. This Mother and Child Campaign threatens to return us to the Dark Ages."
The Dark Ages? What, when a father and a mother cared for their children? As opposed to what? The golden age of Mammy and Mammy and Daddy and Daddy trying to fight the law of nature and be something that they are not? Wake up.
"What next? Restoration of the ban on contraception?"
The irony is lost on the author here as she overlooks the fact that if our ancestors, in the 'Dark Ages' had thrown out the heterosexual family model of man and woman, none of us would even exist today! That would have been the ultimate contraceptive, eh?
I'm not suggesting that single-sex couples can't offer a child love. I'm sure we've all seen the film Three Men and a Baby so we know it's possible. I just don't think it's ethical.
Deny a child his or her right to a father or mother? Unacceptable I'm afraid.
How cool is this?
The disgraceful, sovereignty-robbing EU Constitution appears to be on ice - that is according to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. (hat-tip Slugger)He said that the text was unlikely to be ratified in the near future, after French and Dutch voters rejected it and that the EU will not have a constitution for "at least two or three years".
The Commission spent Tuesday "brainstorming" at a chateau in southern Belgium about the future of Europe.
Mr Barroso insisted on Wednesday that the EU should not be nostalgic for the constitution, but should make the most of the existing treaty framework.
They better not get nostalgic for the constitution! Long-time visitors to this blog will be aware of how much I detest this rear end friendly constitution.
I greet Barroso's comments with cautious optimism however as I remain unconvinced that the EU seriously respect the sovereignty of nation-states.
As far as I'm concerned, this "brainstorming", especially from the Irish contingent, better involve a better deal for the Irish people than was offered to us in the current monstrosity.
Nothing less will suffice.
Friday Fun's Fascinating Fact
A hard working adult sweats up to four gallons per day.
Wow, I wonder what that must be like...
Wow, I wonder what that must be like...
UI's Celtic Mythology - Oscar
Oscar, in Irish mythology, was the son of Oisin and the grandson of Finn MacCool. His name means "dear lover" and recalls his grandmother, the goddess Sadb, whom Finn MacCool first encountered while he was out hunting. Sadb had been changed into a hind by a spell, which Finn MacCool briefly lifted. Oscar's mother was Eibhir, who was said to be "a yellow-haired maiden from a warm country".
Oscar was a mighty fighter, one of the best of all the Fianna, or Fenians, the warriors who acted as a bodyguard to the High King of Ireland. But he lived during a time when the ruler, Cairbe, felt that the Fenians had too much power, and a bloody struggle ensued. High King Cairbe refused to pay the Fenians for their services and raised another band of fighters to replace them. In a battle fought at Gabhra, near present-day Dublin, Oscar killed Cairbe in single combat but was himself mortally wounded. According to one version of the myth, Finn MacCool returned briefly from the otherworld to mourn Oscar's death.
Oscar was a mighty fighter, one of the best of all the Fianna, or Fenians, the warriors who acted as a bodyguard to the High King of Ireland. But he lived during a time when the ruler, Cairbe, felt that the Fenians had too much power, and a bloody struggle ensued. High King Cairbe refused to pay the Fenians for their services and raised another band of fighters to replace them. In a battle fought at Gabhra, near present-day Dublin, Oscar killed Cairbe in single combat but was himself mortally wounded. According to one version of the myth, Finn MacCool returned briefly from the otherworld to mourn Oscar's death.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Thursday Thoughts: New Irish party?
I had a discussion with someone about this recently. I think there should be a party in Ireland that caters to those at the right of the political spectrum. The PDs are perhaps the only group that could be termed right-wing though they do swing to the left when it comes to social policies.
Wikipedia outlines all the main political aprties in Ireland here for those who are unfamiliar with them.
What's clear is that a real right-wing alternative is missing. Well, it is in my opinion.
What do you think?
Wikipedia outlines all the main political aprties in Ireland here for those who are unfamiliar with them.
What's clear is that a real right-wing alternative is missing. Well, it is in my opinion.
What do you think?
PANSY Watch - Sissy Socialists
As I continue PANSY (Pussies Agaisnt Nurturing Statehood Youth) Watch, I've found some more ridiculous comments, this time from the Socialist Workers Party website. Here are some notable excerpts from the piece:"Once again Taoiseach Ahern says Ireland is playing no role in the Iraq war and there is no danger of London style attacks here. Yet the government claims Al Qaida cells exist in Ireland. Such is the threat; they claim they need to introduce similar draconian security measures to those planned in Britain. The government has signed a new treaty for enhanced co-operation with US intelligence services to monitor, arrest and interrogate "terrorist" suspects in Ireland. Both can't be true."
If 'both can't be true', where do you stand? You seem to take issue with Ahern saying there is no threat to Ireland's safety, yet at the same time you label the government's security measures as 'draconian'. You are being very vague here. Fancy that!
"In the first six months of 2005 153,381 US troops came through Shannon. This is double the number that went through last year. It is also roughly the number of US troops presently in Iraq. In January alone, 34,647 US troops went through, almost treble the monthly average going through in 2003 when the invasion began."
Go Ireland!
"The London and Madrid bombings show countries connected to the US led occupation of Iraq are potential targets."
Yeah it's all down to the Iraq war. Remember 9/11? Apparently that was down to the war in Iraq as well. Don't mention the timeline of events though!
"Ireland may not be a prime target but for Ahern to say there is no risk is a lie."
So what you're saying is, by denying the US access to Shannon airport we won't be at risk? What a bunch of pussies. They sicken me. Talk about cowardice!
"On September 24th at Shannon it is vital we join with the US and British anti-war movements to say no to war and no to collaboration with war."
You will be saying 'no' to the people who are fighting against the insurgents who murdered an Irish-born aid worker. The only 'war' now is against those who want to see democracy in Iraq fail.
You fools are siding with the insurgents, unwittingly or not. Realise that!
The UVF after the LVF
The Independent Monitoring Commission has concluded that the Ulster Volunteer Force is trying to wipe out the rival Loyalist Volunteer Force.
In a report published today, the Independent Monitoring Commission said the recent feud between the two groups was the worst violence it had been asked to investigate since its establishment a year-and-a-half ago.
It said the Progressive Unionist Party had lost control over the UVF, which had decided that the time was now right to "finish off" the LVF.
The IMC said the UVF was responsible for four murders carried in July and August as part of the feud, as well as some 38 others attacks.
The LVF was blamed for 11 attacks.
I am in favour of the LVF being wiped out - but not in this fashion. This loyalist violence must end before more people die needlessly.
In a report published today, the Independent Monitoring Commission said the recent feud between the two groups was the worst violence it had been asked to investigate since its establishment a year-and-a-half ago.
It said the Progressive Unionist Party had lost control over the UVF, which had decided that the time was now right to "finish off" the LVF.
The IMC said the UVF was responsible for four murders carried in July and August as part of the feud, as well as some 38 others attacks.
The LVF was blamed for 11 attacks.
I am in favour of the LVF being wiped out - but not in this fashion. This loyalist violence must end before more people die needlessly.
Damn flu!
I've been struck down with the flu which is why I haven't posted much.I blame that anonymous guy sitting behind me on the bus the other day who wouldn't stop coughing and splurting.
Flu on a Thursday. The odds must be a million to one!
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
PANSY Watch - Pass the sick bag
Here's another big pile of excrement from Michael Youlton on the Irish (PANSY) Anti-War movement's site. It's about Iraq's political future in relation to the Iraqi constitution. Here are some notable excerpts from this pile of trash: "Whether the Americans pulling the strings on this process will allow the law to be applied is another question. They may try to come up with a more creative method of getting their way."
More anti-American bashing. Here we have anti-American scaremongering in action. The 'American way' will be about letting Iraqis decide their own future. It's certainly alot better than Saddam's way.
"The U.N., which wants to print those copies, is pressuring the U.S. to allow parliament to vote on the constitution; so far, the Bush administration has refused - so much for democracy in the Middle East!"
As opposed to what? Saddams' democracy where he gets 100% of the vote? Stop spouting nonsense you bigots.
"What it all adds up to is a nightmare: an unfinished document where women's rights are in severe jeopardy, where Islamic law and theocracy is ascendant, where the Bush administration will have replaced a brutal dictator, at a cost of hundreds of thousands of lives, with a potentially equally brutal theocracy."
More stories to amuse the hip and peaceful kids, eh? This is all hearsay, hearsay, hearsay.
"Perhaps to some this represents "democracy" and "progress." But for true democracy to blossom in Iraq, it's clear that the process needs to start over -with international help, and without American troops or "advisers" leading the way."
There is international help. The British are helping, the Australians, and lots of other brave nations...
"The Crusading Coalition has made a horrible mess of things."
Funny 'cos I've been under the impression that the murderer of thousands of Iraqi civilians, Saddam Hussein, was now in custody...
"Hard to see how things can now be put right. Stopping the war, stopping killing and arresting people, agreeing a ceasefire may be some of the steps that may have a chance of success."
More pandering to the civilian-murdering, insurgent scum! A ceasefire? Sit down for talks with Al-Zarqawi maybe? Put away the bong, guys...
"200- 300 people have been killed every single week over the past couple of months."
Oh don't omit the information! Do tell us - who is responsible for those killings? The insurgents or the Coalition forces? It is quite clearly the insurgents. Shame on the Irish Anti-War Movement for not acknowledging that.
"This is a situation of an embryonic civil war - and it doesn't take a nuclear physicist to figure out who is really responsible."
You protesters know that the insurgents are really responsible and yet you still place the blame on the Coalition forces. You're a disgrace.
"Saddam and his ilk must be happily chuckling in their holes these days."
As far as I'm aware, Saddam is in a cell not a hole. Had the Coalition forces not invaded Iraq, Saddam and his ilk would be chuckling away in a palace, perhaps thinking of new ways to torture Iraqi citizens.
The Iraqi people have been given a chance. A chance for freedom. What is your problem with that?
Loyalists behind most attacks
Loyalists are carrying out almost three times as many "punishment attacks" as republicans, according to figures published today by the PSNI.The figures showed loyalists carried out 40 punishment shootings in the first seven months of this year, compared to nine blamed on republican organisations.
Loyalists were also responsible for 44 beatings in the same period, while republicans were blamed for 25.
The most recent victims were three men in their late teens and early 20s who were all shot in the lower leg in a loyalist area of Newtownards, Co Down, last night.
It seems unionists were unavailable to comment on the PSNI's findings. Would that be the case if the shoe was on the other foot?
Of course not.
It's time to condemn all violence, unionists!
Dissidents blamed for Bradley attack
Police believe dissident republicans were responsible for an attack on the vice-chairman of the North's Policing Board as he watched the Eircom League Cup final between Derry City and UCD.Denis Bradley is recovering in hospital today after he was struck several times on the head with a baseball bat by a masked man.
The former priest was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital and is understood to have suffered cuts to his head and a suspected broken nose.
Mr Bradley, a long-time community worker, has been the subject of threats from dissident republicans and attacks on his home in Derry since taking up his position on the Board.
His family escaped a multiple petrol bomb attack last year.
The SDLP's Mark Durkan was among those who condemned the attack and visited Mr Bradley in hospital.
"Unlike his attackers, Denis Bradley argues his views openly, takes other opinions too and can justify his stance and his actions," he said.
"Attacking a man like this in this way proves the weak cowardice of its perpetrators.
"Nobody should suffer such an attack in any circumstances at the hands of any thug."
Well said Mr Durkan. These dissident Republicans are scum and are an insult to the proud tradition of Irish Republicanism espoused by men like Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet.
The fact that they think this kind of thing is noble and justifiable goes to show how warped these thugs really are.
Shame on them.
'What If'? Wednesday - SF in government
In my earlier post I gave my thoughts on the results of the Irish Examiner's opinion poll on party support in relation to Sinn Fein.More specifically, I gave my thoughts on the prospect of Sinn Fein in a coalition government in the Republic and why I thought it would be a bad idea.
But what do you think?
Let me put the question to you - what if Sinn Fein were part of a coalition government in the Irish Republic?
What do you think this would mean for Ireland?
What about the men?
I welcome the Labour party's calls for free breast cancer screening to be made available to women throughout Ireland.Labour health spokeswoman Liz McManus accused the Government of breaking its promises on the roll-out of Breastcheck across the country and promised to hold the Minister for Health to account over the issue.
Speaking at the Labour Party’s parliamentary meeting in Clonmel, Ms McManus said around 650 women die from breast cancer in Ireland each year.
"A sizeable number of these deaths could be prevented if periodic screening and diagnosis identifies the problem early enough," she said.
But the health spokeswoman said BreastCheck – the free cancer screening service – was only available in certain parts of the country.
"To deny women breast cancer screening because of their geographical location is unethical and unfair," the Wicklow TD said.
I agree with Ms McManus and I support calls for free breast cancer screening for women throughout Ireland, but I have just one question - what about men?
Testicular cancer is also a real danger. I don't know the figures myself but I'm sure it claims a substantial amount of lives each year.
Men are perhaps more unlikely to get themselves checked out by a doctor than women. I think if there was a way to facilitate free screening for testicular cancer, it would benefit lots and lots of Irish men.
Come on, Labour. Don't dismiss this important issue.
System error!
I came across this interesting test (hat-tip The Dossing Times) which aims to determine what party you are most suited to in Ireland. I'm pretty sure I've taken it before, but I took it again and the results were the same as last time. Apparently, the top three parties I'm most suited to are:
1. Sinn Fein.
2. Labour
3. Fianna Fail.
Clearly, there are major bugs in the system! Me a Shinner? I think not! Just because I favour Irish unity and promoting the language doesn't make me a Sinn Fein supporter!
And I don't lean to the Left, do I?
What parties are you most suited to?
1. Sinn Fein.
2. Labour
3. Fianna Fail.
Clearly, there are major bugs in the system! Me a Shinner? I think not! Just because I favour Irish unity and promoting the language doesn't make me a Sinn Fein supporter!
And I don't lean to the Left, do I?
What parties are you most suited to?
PSNI to blame - Loyalists
I see the North's Police Ombudsman has received more than 50 complaints in relation to the PSNI's handling of recent loyalist violence in Belfast and surrounding areas.Apparently loyalists aren't happy with how the PSNI handled the riots.
Here's the bit I really love though:
"The loyalists have also accused inexperienced PSNI officers of provoking the three nights of riots that followed a re-routed Orange Order parade."
Of course! Inexperienced PSNI officers are to blame! You see, they don't understand how things work in Ireland's north. You're supposed to turn a blind eye to violence that is carried out by the Orange Order and loyalist paramilitaries!
Silly officers!
Uh-oh Gerry!
There's been alot of talk about the Irish Examiner's opinion poll on party support in Ireland.I'd like to comment on Sinn Fein myself and I've a feeling their supporters won't like this poll one bit! As the Irish Examiner states:
"Surprisingly, while 52% felt Sinn Féin should go into government subject to varying conditions, including decommission, 39% said they should not go into power under any circumstances."
Things get worse for Adams - His satisfaction rate is only 31% (lagging behind the ever lovable Mary Harney!), while 34% expressed dissatisfaction with him.
Gerry Adams has had an 11% drop in popularity. Maybe the securocrats had something to do with this?
Meanwhile Sinn Fein's popularity remains around the 10% region.
They ain't getting anywhere near the Dail! It would be political suicide for one of the other political parties to go into coalition with these guys. Their economic policies are a Marxist's dream and would send the Republic down the road to ruin.
Bad news for their followers, good news for the rest of us who are serious about attaining a United Ireland.
UI's Celtic Mythology - Niamh
Niamh was the wife of Conall Caernach. While Cuchulainn was recovering from wounds sustained during the war against the men of Connacht, Niamh nursed him and became his mistress. She then tried to prevent him returning to battle. But the witch Badb, one of the daughters of Calatin, cast a spell on Niamh so that she wandered away into the countryside. Badb then assumed the form of Niamh and told Cuchulainn that he must return to the war and fight.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
PANSY Watch - Anti-war cowardice
The post I made earlier about the contemptible Ayman al-Zawahri praising the London bombings reminded me of something from a few months back which really turned my stomach.It was the day that it was revealed that Margaret Hassan, the Irish-born aid worker, had been murdered by the Iraqi insurgents. On the VERY SAME NIGHT, RTE's Prime Time show asked the question - Should we continue to allow the US military to use Shannon Airport?
It's that kind of twisted logic that makes me hate this 'tradition of neutrality' bullshit so much.
Some people love neutrality so much that they cross the line from neutrality to out and out cowardice.
It's a sad state of affairs when an Irish woman can be murdered by insurgent scum and the media's response is to debate whether we should deny the use of the airport to the very people who are fighting these people!
Neutrality? No. Cowardice.
Top Ten Tuesday - Worst Irish myths
For this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday I thought I'd tackle some of the worst myths that abound in this country. So without further ado:
1. The 'tradition of neutrality' - This really is a load of rubbish. Many Irish people are ever so proud of our neutrality. Well it was a total sham in World War 2. For more of my views on this issue, read this.
2. Luck of the Irish - This is another bad joke. What exactly is so lucky about our nation's history? For more of my views on this issue, see here.
3. The 'Irish charm' - What is this all about? Why do foreigners refer to this mythical 'Irish charm'? There's no such thing. Just ask the ladies. Unless of course you find drinking yourself into oblivion and vomiting on the streets charming.
4. The friendly Irish - Maybe it's because I'm a Dubliner but I see no evidence of our 'friendly' ways. Obviously alot of people are nice but we barely say two words to strangers these days...
5. Anti-British - Clearly there are some parts of Ireland that are very anti-British just like there are some parts of Ireland that are very anti-Irish! By and large though, the idea of us being anti-British is a fantasy.
6. We fight alot - The Yanks love to make out that we're all spoiling for a duel. That's not true. We have aggressive people of course but so does every country. It's a shame to generalise an entire people. We're not like those Aussies...
7. We're in love with Europe - No we're not, we just like the money. Still, there are a few Irish people who would sell out Ireland's soul totally for the financial aspects. Not all of us are like this though. See the Nice treaty referendum for example. The first (proper) one, of course.
8. We love to party - From my experience, most Irish guys want to sit on their arse drinking in the pub as opposed to heading out and going crazy. Maybe they're wilder down in Leitrim or something I don't know...
9. We're very patriotic - I don't think we are. I don't recall any tricolours in my school, nor have I seen them flown over Irish schools.
10. We don't want a United Ireland - This is a total myth. Of course we do, just not the Sinn Fein version which is based on...well, nothing really.
So there you have it. Feel free to comment on my choices or to offer up some of your own.
1. The 'tradition of neutrality' - This really is a load of rubbish. Many Irish people are ever so proud of our neutrality. Well it was a total sham in World War 2. For more of my views on this issue, read this.
2. Luck of the Irish - This is another bad joke. What exactly is so lucky about our nation's history? For more of my views on this issue, see here.
3. The 'Irish charm' - What is this all about? Why do foreigners refer to this mythical 'Irish charm'? There's no such thing. Just ask the ladies. Unless of course you find drinking yourself into oblivion and vomiting on the streets charming.
4. The friendly Irish - Maybe it's because I'm a Dubliner but I see no evidence of our 'friendly' ways. Obviously alot of people are nice but we barely say two words to strangers these days...
5. Anti-British - Clearly there are some parts of Ireland that are very anti-British just like there are some parts of Ireland that are very anti-Irish! By and large though, the idea of us being anti-British is a fantasy.
6. We fight alot - The Yanks love to make out that we're all spoiling for a duel. That's not true. We have aggressive people of course but so does every country. It's a shame to generalise an entire people. We're not like those Aussies...
7. We're in love with Europe - No we're not, we just like the money. Still, there are a few Irish people who would sell out Ireland's soul totally for the financial aspects. Not all of us are like this though. See the Nice treaty referendum for example. The first (proper) one, of course.
8. We love to party - From my experience, most Irish guys want to sit on their arse drinking in the pub as opposed to heading out and going crazy. Maybe they're wilder down in Leitrim or something I don't know...
9. We're very patriotic - I don't think we are. I don't recall any tricolours in my school, nor have I seen them flown over Irish schools.
10. We don't want a United Ireland - This is a total myth. Of course we do, just not the Sinn Fein version which is based on...well, nothing really.
So there you have it. Feel free to comment on my choices or to offer up some of your own.
UVF behind another attack
The mother of a loyalist murder victim has blamed the UVF for an attack on her Portadown home.Ann Robb's son Andrew was murdered in February 2000.
Mrs Robb says the family have been intimidated by the UVF since her sons killing.
Two devices were thrown at a house in the Festival Road area of the town shortly before midnight.
One of the petrol bombs was thrown through a utility room window causing minor smoke damage while the second caused scorch damage to a garage door.
Disgraceful stuff. These twisted individuals are unbelievably low.
No condemnation from unionists by the way. Big surprise...
Barrosso the clown worried
I see the Germans are in a bit of an über-duper mess right now since both Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats and Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats claim the right to lead after Sunday's inconclusive election.The EU have weighed in of course (being such fans of democracy and all) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso urged German leaders on Monday to "find as soon as possible a stable solution for Germany", because "without a dynamic Germany, Europe cannot recover".
Well if that's the case, hopefully there will be a period of instability!
No, that's not fair. I do hope that Mrs Merkel emerges victorious because, as I understand it, if she does, she will seriously alter EU-German relations.
Sehr gut!
Al-Qaeda praise London bombings
In a move that will not concern anti-war protesters in the slightest, Al-Qaeda's second in command Ayman al-Zawahri has praised the four London suicide bombings which killed 52 innocent people on July 7, saying the mass killings exposed Western "hypocrisy". In a reference to British threats to deport anti-West Muslim clerics to their countries of origin, Ayman al-Zawahri said: "This blessed attack revealed the real hypocritical face of the West."
Al-Zawahri also criticised the legitimacy of Afghanistan’s weekend elections, saying the polls took place under the control of the "lords of war".
All decent, right-thinking people will join in with me in condemning these disgraceful sentiments from this evil, horrid human being.
It's quite extraordinary that anti-war protesters feel that the Iraqi people should be left to maniacs like this guy.
And they have the audacity to say that the Americans and their allies are the evil ones!
UI's Celtic Mythology - Nemain
Nemain (whose name means "dreadful" or "venomous") , in Irish mythology, was a goddess of war. Along with Badb, Morrigan and Macha, she formed one of a group of war deities who sometimes appeared as beautiful young women and sometimes as crows, screeching over the battlefield. Nemain also appeared sometimes as a washer at the ford, presaging doom. Before his last combat, Cuchulainn saw a washer woman weeping and wailing as she rinsed a heap of bloody raiment belonging to the great hero.
I think Nemain and the other war deities are fascinating figures in Celtic mythology. They offer a spooky dimension to the Celtic tales which I think makes them all the more interesting.
I think Nemain and the other war deities are fascinating figures in Celtic mythology. They offer a spooky dimension to the Celtic tales which I think makes them all the more interesting.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Monday Madness - PANSY Watch
In case you missed my post yesterday, I have coined a new term for these disgraceful Irish anti-war protesters:PANSY (Pussies Against Nurturing Statehood Youth)
I have found an interesting piece on next Saturday's protest at Shannon airport from indymedia a.k.a. PANSY Central by Edward Horgan. Here are some excerpts from the piece:
"There has been a concerted campaign by Irish government spin-doctors to portray US military use of Shannon airport as a "dead" issue."
There was? When did this happen?
"It sure is, about 110,000 dead so far, or as the Iraq Body Count reports suggests, 25,000 dead and about 85,000 missing because the US and its allies "don’t do body counts"."
Perhaps the US and its allies are more concerned with stopping the people who are trying to raise the death total higher and higher? And why should we trust those figures?
"The peace movement needs to get its act together to continue to highlight Ireland's role in these unlawful killings."
It needs to get its act together alright so it can stop telling tall tales.
"Divisions within the peace movement are a healthy sign of independent thinking, and since we are challenging the abuse of democracy by our government, independent thinking is vital."
How are the Irish government abusing democracy?
"The state will respond that they have a democratic mandate for allowing US military use of Shannon. George Bush claimed a mandate for the Iraq war after the last US Presidential election"
Uh...why did you go from the Irish state's response on to the topic of George Bush? Are we not going to hear what your response is to the Government's democratic mandate?
"No one, or no group of people in any state has any right to mandate their government to kill tens of thousands of innocent people. Unlawful killing is murder."
So was it not murder when Saddam authorised the mass killing of thousands of his people? Why weren't there marches when that was going on?
"The whole weekend around the 24th Sept or even the week before and after, should be used to remind the Irish people of what is done at Shannon airport in our name."
Yes we must remind them of the courage and sacrifice that the American military are showing to bring democracy and freedom to the Iraqi people who have suffered so much.
"It was silence and inaction that enabled Hitler to carry out the Holocaust, and Pol Pot the Cambodian Genocide."
D'oh! A Hitler reference! I never saw that coming...
"Over 100,000 dead is about the populations of the greater Limerick city area combined with Shannon area, every man, woman and child, and we in the Mid West of Ireland especially have been part of this."
Ah, very clever! Trying to make the issue more identifiable with the Irish people even though those figures are not widely accepted. Did you notice the Mid West of Ireland card? Swish!
"We do not need permission from the Gardai and the Irish Government to have demonstrations at Shannon."
Isn't freedom and democracy a great thing altogether?
"We are demonstrating against the Government's policies and against Garda and Irish army complicity in the US military use of Shannon airport."
Now the Gardai are to blame! Who'd have thunk it?
"Perhaps you may feel that it is too much effort to spend an overnight or a few nights at Shannon. Is 100,000 dead not a good enough reason?"
Yeah, shame on you! Trust the dodgy figures and go spend a few nights with some random strangers, will you?! They seem like a sensible enough bunch (cough).
"Let your voice by heard, or your silence will facilitate the ongoing killing."
Makes sense!
"The innocent people we are helping to kill are all non-Irish, so as many non-Irish as possible should attend the protest."
Wasn't Margaret Hassan Irish-born? Killed by the insurgents? Didn't Ken Bigley, the hostage beheaded in a gruesome fashion, have an Irish mother?
"Our neighbours are all humankind, not just our friends in the UK and the USA."
The insurgents are not our neighbours. Not by a long shot.
"We are opposed to murder and terror in all its formats, be it nuclear weapons, or B-52 bombing or suicide bombers."
So there will be a big focus on the suicide bombers in Iraq, will there? Gimme a break.
"Ireland has now become part of this terror by supporting the US illegal wars."
If Ireland is part of the War on Terror by supporting the US, then we should be very proud.
"We need to make peace on terror, not war."
Peace on terror? Yeah, that makes alot of sense. Maybe we could invite Osama Bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi over to Ireland on a State visit? They could meet the President and have a nice cup of tea maybe?
"War creates more terror by using terror as a false excuse to secure an undue share of the worlds energy and oil resources."
The oil argument again. I wasn't sure if that was still around...
"Shame on those who profit from war."
Uh, like you guys you mean?
"This will not be a protest against the US government. It will be a protest against the IRISH GOVERNMENT for its complicity in the killing of innocent people."
Oooh!
"See you at Shannon if you value peace and cherish humanity."
Dear oh dear. I value peace and cherish humanity. Next Saturday I will probably be in the pub and I'll raise a glass to the Americans and their allies for being willing to sacrifice their lives in the pursuit of peace and in their love for humanity.
God bless them all.
The author of this laughable piece from indymedia, Edward Horgan, should be ashamed of himself. I wonder if he kept a straight face when he wrote this bile.
These anti-war protesters are hypocrites, they're xenophobic, and they're an embarrassment to the Irish nation.
Shame on them.
Are you against the war in Iraq?
I have added a new poll to United Irelander which asks the question:
Are you against the war in Iraq?
The war in Iraq is set to become an issue once again here in Ireland over the next few days as a national protest is planned for next Saturday at Shannon Airport.
So where do you stand on this issue?
Please take the time to vote in the poll along the sidebar and, as usual, please use the comments box of this post to explain how you voted and why.
Personally I voted No as I am not against giving the Iraqi people freedom, democracy and justice.
I support the efforts of the Americans and British to give the Iraqi people a better future, free from a vicious dictator and his rape rooms, torture rooms and mass graves.
Are you against the war in Iraq?
The war in Iraq is set to become an issue once again here in Ireland over the next few days as a national protest is planned for next Saturday at Shannon Airport.
So where do you stand on this issue?
Please take the time to vote in the poll along the sidebar and, as usual, please use the comments box of this post to explain how you voted and why.
Personally I voted No as I am not against giving the Iraqi people freedom, democracy and justice.
I support the efforts of the Americans and British to give the Iraqi people a better future, free from a vicious dictator and his rape rooms, torture rooms and mass graves.
How fast can you type?
How fast can you type?To find out, go here.
My score was 253 keys per minute - 50 words per minute
50% have typed a better result than me.
So what did you get?
45% don't want a United Ireland
A total of 45 per cent cent of Irish people would not vote for a United Ireland.
That is according to a new poll, published in the Sunday Independent.
I think the results of these polls have to be taken with a pinch of salt. I suspect support for a United Ireland is alot higher than 55 per cent.
I remain confident that if a Yes vote was required in a referendum on Irish unity, it would be secured in the Republic.
That is according to a new poll, published in the Sunday Independent.
I think the results of these polls have to be taken with a pinch of salt. I suspect support for a United Ireland is alot higher than 55 per cent.
I remain confident that if a Yes vote was required in a referendum on Irish unity, it would be secured in the Republic.
Caption Time
It's been a while since I've done this.Can you add a caption to the image to your left? Give it a go.
Poor health stubbed out
Pub and restaurant workers are up to 40% healthier since the smoking ban was introduced according to new research presented at the European Respiratory Society Meeting in Copenhagen.The study, undertaken by doctors at Trinity College Dublin, is the first to measure pollution levels before and after the introduction of the smoking ban.
Over 80 bar staff and 40 pubs were surveyed and the results indicate dramatic benefits for all.
The levels of harmful particles in the air was shown to have been reduced by 70% since the ban was introduced in March 2004, while the lung function of the barmen surveyed showed a 30% increase.
I think this is great news and vindicates the decision by this country to ban smoking in the workplace.
Hopefully this will send a message to the detractors that they were wrong to oppose the measure, and hopefully other countries will follow Ireland's lead and introduce total smoking bans in the workplace.
UI's Celtic Mythology - Morrigan
Morrigan, sometimes known as Morrigu, was an Irish goddess of death on the battlefield who helped the Tuatha De Danann at both battles of Magh Tuireadh. She was associated with the other war deities Macha, Badb and Nemain. Morrigan appeared sometimes as a warrior in a battle, siding with her favourites. Most often she soared overhead as a raven or a crow, shrieking and flapping her wings to scare the host, or to signify imminent death. She settled on the shoulder of the Ulster hero Cuchulainn when he was finally killed in the war against Queen Medb's forces. Cuchulainn had not only refused Morrigan's love, but in anger had even wounded her. For such a deed his fate was sealed.
Hell hath no fury like a war goddess scorned! I think Morrigan is a fascinating figure in Celtic mythology. You can find some variations of her exploits here.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Sunday Scrutiny - Anti-war protesters
I can't stand anti-war protesters. I've no problem with people who oppose the war in Iraq but I take issue with these self-righteous, anti-American PC types who, when not mooching money from their parents so they can go get pissed in college, are off moaning, whingeing and disrupting our way of life with these moronic anti-war protests about Bush and Blair being war criminals and how Ireland should be ashamed of itself for allowing the US military the use of Shannon Airport.What a load of bollocks.
Imagine my surprise then to learn that next Saturday, September 24th, there is to be a national demonstration at Shannon calling for the US military to be denied access to the airport.
I managed to catch a glimpse of one of their leaflets and I read how you can ring the anti-war protesters up and go on a bus journey with them, sadly not to a lunatic asylum, but to Shannon airport itself.
I'm not sure if you have to bring your own weed or not, it didn't say.
I vehemently oppose this protest as you have probably gathered and I will be disgusted at the inevitable anti-American demonstrations which we will bear witness to next week. Let any American reading this know that these contemptible people do not reflect the feelings of the Irish nation as a whole.
The leaflet I saw, stated: US Military Out Of Shannon!
I say: Anti-war Protesters Out Of Shannon!
And why not out of Ireland to boot? Perhaps they could go to Iraq and join the insurgents since they hate Americans and liberty so much.
It's hard to really put a label though on these people, who are mostly young types, particularly since these demonstrations are often organised by various groups and organisations. That's why I have come up with my own term for them. Ready?
Pussies Against Nurturing Statehood Youth or PANSY for short.
Over the week here on United Irelander, you will witness PANSY Watch as I give my views on these pot-smoking, beer-swilling, insurgent arse-kissing buffoons.
God bless America!
Weep for us
You know, qualification for the World Cup was still a real possibility for Ireland despite the loss to France. Maybe not any more though!I regret to inform some of you who may not have heard just yet that Manchester United captain and Irish legend Roy Keane is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his left foot in the draw at Liverpool.
He is thought to have broken the third metatarsal in his left foot and could be out for up to two months!
Now Keane was set to miss the next game against Cyprus anyway through suspension, but he was expected to play against Switzerland in the potentially massive game on the 12th of October.
Altogether now, are you ready? 1, 2, 3...
Noooooooooooooooooooooo!
McCartney sisters 'Irish people of year'
The sisters and fiancée of Robert McCartney have received the "Irish People of the Year Award".
The award was presented by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen at the ESB/Rehab People of the Year awards last night.
In other awards, broadcaster Terry Wogan was named as Ireland’s greatest living entertainer (huh?) while Bob Geldof was chosen as the International Person of the Year.
Geldof won the award for his work in the Make Poverty History and Live8 campaigns.
The Young Person of the Year was awarded jointly to three schoolmates for their stand which saw the deported friend Olunkle return to complete his Leaving Certificate earlier this year.
I don't object to any of the other awards but Terry Wogan as Ireland's greatest living entertainer? Come on!
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Saturday Survey
Hero of the Week: Hugh Orde: Full credit to PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde for stating that the Orange Order must bear substantial responsibility for the loyalist riots.
Villains of the Week: Orange Order: The orange bigots engaged in the loyalist violence attacking police, they then denied they were involved, they then refused to condemn the violence, they then announced plans to march through the nationalist Garvaghy Road - on Christmas Day - they then announced they would re-run last week's parade and if that wasn't enough, they announced plans to participate with the 'Love Ulster' campaign in a Belfast parade next month! They are disgraceful and despicable.
Funniest moment of the Week: Wankdorf thread: Check out this great thread on Gerry O'Sullivan's blog. Ah, priceless.
Dunce of the Week: Dawson Bailie: It was Belfast's most senior Orangemen, County Grand Master Dawson Bailie, who stated: "As far as I'm concerned the people to blame for that are the secretary of state, the chief constable and the Parades Commission, fairly and squarely. I'm not condemning anything at this moment in time." What an idiot!
Luckiest persons of the Week: Colombia Three: It certainly appears the three men are going nowhere considering the USA appears uninterested in the issue.
My favourite moment of the week: Orange Order exposed: My favourite moment of this week was the whole world getting a look at the true colours of the Orange Order, the loyalists and the unionist leaders. Bigots the lot of 'em!
Quote of the Week: "I'm not condemning anything at this moment in time" - Belfast's most senior Orangemen, County Grand Master Dawson Bailie
Mr Bailie showed the whole world what the Orange Order are all about - harassing and intimidating Catholics and excusing violence. How does this man sleep at night? Shame on him and his disgusting organisation.
United Irelander's Busiest Day of the Week: Monday
Villains of the Week: Orange Order: The orange bigots engaged in the loyalist violence attacking police, they then denied they were involved, they then refused to condemn the violence, they then announced plans to march through the nationalist Garvaghy Road - on Christmas Day - they then announced they would re-run last week's parade and if that wasn't enough, they announced plans to participate with the 'Love Ulster' campaign in a Belfast parade next month! They are disgraceful and despicable.
Funniest moment of the Week: Wankdorf thread: Check out this great thread on Gerry O'Sullivan's blog. Ah, priceless.
Dunce of the Week: Dawson Bailie: It was Belfast's most senior Orangemen, County Grand Master Dawson Bailie, who stated: "As far as I'm concerned the people to blame for that are the secretary of state, the chief constable and the Parades Commission, fairly and squarely. I'm not condemning anything at this moment in time." What an idiot!
Luckiest persons of the Week: Colombia Three: It certainly appears the three men are going nowhere considering the USA appears uninterested in the issue.
My favourite moment of the week: Orange Order exposed: My favourite moment of this week was the whole world getting a look at the true colours of the Orange Order, the loyalists and the unionist leaders. Bigots the lot of 'em!
Quote of the Week: "I'm not condemning anything at this moment in time" - Belfast's most senior Orangemen, County Grand Master Dawson Bailie
Mr Bailie showed the whole world what the Orange Order are all about - harassing and intimidating Catholics and excusing violence. How does this man sleep at night? Shame on him and his disgusting organisation.
United Irelander's Busiest Day of the Week: Monday
Durkan blames unionists
Mark Durkan today accused unionist political leaders of "almost soliciting" the loyalist violence of a week ago.The rhetoric used the Rev Ian Paisley and Sir Reg Empey ahead of last Saturday’s contentious Orange Parade in Belfast was heavily condemned by SDLP leader Mark Durkan.
And he said it appeared the loyalist paramilitary tail was now almost wagging the unionist dog.
Durkan blasted: "Effectively the signal they sent to people was ‘do your worst and we won’t blame you, do your worst and we will blame the police.
"Do your worst and we will blame the Parades Commission and we will blame the Secretary of State’.
"Of course that is exactly what they have done since."
Mr Durkan, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Inside Politics programme, said the leaders of the two unionist parties had allowed the loyalist paramilitaries to take the lead over policing and parades.
"It seems as though the whip hand in unionist politics actually lies with the paramilitaries who showed their real nature last weekend," he said.
He dismissed the DUP call for a “root and branch” review of the Parades Commission – what the party really wanted was its abolition, he said.
Mr Durkan said ahead of the re-routed Whiterock parade UUP leader Sir Reg Empey had not, through the terms he had used, made his position clear.
"It was, I believe, the rhetoric used by himself and Ian Paisley, even in advance of last weekend, that almost solicited the sort of violence we had," Mr Durkan added.
I agree 100 per cent with Mr Durkan. At a time when unionist leaders nedded to stand up and be counted, needed to stand up and show real leadership, they instead decided to join in with the rest of the mob, albeit in a very subtle manner.
The DUP and the UUP acted disgracefully and it was like a mirror image of the harassment Catholics suffered in the past in Ireland's north.
The people of Ireland, Britain and the greater world saw last week what unionism has to offer for the people of this island and it tells us, I think, a very important message - it's time to have a United Ireland.
So much love...
Since the 'Love Ulster' campaign is in the news again due to their plans for a huge demonstration in Belfast next month, I thought I'd see what this week's message of peace, love and goodwill towards men was from those adorable chaps at the Love Ulster site. Check out this inspiring piece entitled 'catholics/republicans' by 'loughy larneloyal':"is it just me or have you noticed that catholics/republicans always have to have there way or no way? they never condemn sinnfein of which the world no`s they are the ira. they can never see the protestant side of the story and just dont want n.ireland to be peacefull.. how long is it going to take b4 they realize that marching is a big part of the protestant culture and it will never go away, the parades arnt gona kill any1, but all this nonsense of concerned res c**p is gona end up in warfare..can the nat comm not accm the parades for 3-4months of the year? is it so big an issue?"
What thoughtful and heartfelt sentiments towards the Catholic people. Sniff.
Oh and before I forget, in a poll called "Do you support the Loyalist Riots?" 52% of the people voted 'Yes'.
Ah, so much love...
Truth hurts
An interesting letter from the Irish Examiner:
"Perhaps those who felt offended by the remarks made by President Mary McAleese last January regarding Protestant sectarianism in the North might now wish to reconsider their response.
"The President said then that “people in Northen Ireland transmitted to their children an irrational hatred, for example, of Catholics, in the same way that people give to their children an outrageous and irrational hatred of those who are of different colour”.
"Those upset by that observation might reflect now on the images of armed members of the PSNI standing guard outside Catholic churches, schools, businesses and homes in an attempt to prevent the orgy of petrol and paint bomb attacks which are endemic in certain areas of the North. The President’s remarks may well have hurt, but who can argue with the truth?"
Tom Cooper
Well said, sir! I didn't feel the President's comments were offensive to begin with, and I certainly have no reason to think otherwise in light of recent events.
"Perhaps those who felt offended by the remarks made by President Mary McAleese last January regarding Protestant sectarianism in the North might now wish to reconsider their response.
"The President said then that “people in Northen Ireland transmitted to their children an irrational hatred, for example, of Catholics, in the same way that people give to their children an outrageous and irrational hatred of those who are of different colour”.
"Those upset by that observation might reflect now on the images of armed members of the PSNI standing guard outside Catholic churches, schools, businesses and homes in an attempt to prevent the orgy of petrol and paint bomb attacks which are endemic in certain areas of the North. The President’s remarks may well have hurt, but who can argue with the truth?"
Tom Cooper
Well said, sir! I didn't feel the President's comments were offensive to begin with, and I certainly have no reason to think otherwise in light of recent events.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Things can only get better...not
Just when I thought things couldn't posssibly get any more depressing...they do.I see that representatives of the Love Ulster campaign are planning a huge demonstration in Belfast next month.
Victims’ groups, Orangemen and loyalist bands are all set to take part in the October 29 march.
Organisers have insisted the gathering will be peaceful but the SDLP have warned it could lead to new trouble.
"It’s the height of irresponsibility to bring large crowds on to the streets of Belfast in the present circumstances," said the SDLP's Alban Magennis.
"It’s dangerous and can only lead to further community tensions in the build-up to this particular march.
"Police resources are bound to be put under further strain and this will create a climate of fear.
"It’s pure nihilism. It’s an aimless protest for protest’s sake.
"There’s no political objective on the horizon, and no political objective will be achieved."
The campaign has already sent out 200,000 copies of a free newspaper declaring "Ulster in Crisis" across Northern Ireland, with loyalist paramilitaries openly involved in the deliveries.
I agree with Mr Magennis. I can't see what the purpose of this protest is, other than to stoke up tension.
I'm also deeply disappointed that even after the recent loyalist violence, the Orange Order is still very much a part of the loyalist's Love Ulster campaign.
They're causing alot of fear and unease in a province that they claim to 'love'.
Do we all just sit idly by and let this happen then?
Friday Fun-News in Brief
In the news this week, actress Renee Zellweger's marriage has ended - after five months.
Zellweger married country music singer husband Kenny Chesney after a whirlwind romance.
Five months? Sounds more like a quicksand romance to me...
Britain's Prince William is to become president of the Football Association, it was announced today. The 23-year-old will take over the role from his uncle the Duke of York in May next year – just in time for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Congratulations to him. He can keep an eye on how Poland perform in the World Cup! Along with Ireland of course...
And finally, the unionist members of the Belfast District Policing Partnership are planning to boycott future meetings in protest at the handling of loyalist riots in the city.
Responding to the news, a PSNI spokesman declared: "Hooray!"*
* may not be true
Zellweger married country music singer husband Kenny Chesney after a whirlwind romance.
Five months? Sounds more like a quicksand romance to me...
Britain's Prince William is to become president of the Football Association, it was announced today. The 23-year-old will take over the role from his uncle the Duke of York in May next year – just in time for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Congratulations to him. He can keep an eye on how Poland perform in the World Cup! Along with Ireland of course...
And finally, the unionist members of the Belfast District Policing Partnership are planning to boycott future meetings in protest at the handling of loyalist riots in the city.
Responding to the news, a PSNI spokesman declared: "Hooray!"*
* may not be true
Orange Order lose the plot
The SDLP has condemned apparent plans by the Orange Order to apply for a re-run of last Saturday's contentious parade in west Belfast.The order is reportedly planning to lodge an application with the Parades Commission seeking permission to march through a nationalist area.
Last Saturday's parade, which was banned from the nationalist Springfield Road, was followed by three nights in intense loyalist rioting that left dozens of PSNI officers injured.
SDLP councillor Tim Atwood said today that it was "madness" for anyone to seek a re-run of the contentious march given the amount of violence it sparked at the weekend."
What we need is a period of calm and peace," he said. "Everybody wants law and order on the streets of Belfast, not further disorder."
I have to say, I find this extraordinary. I have come to the conclusion that the Orange Order are either one of the most depraved, vicoius and thoroughly evil organisations on the island of Ireland...or else they're stark raving bonkers. I suspect it is the former with a dash of the latter.
So yesterday they announced they wanted to march through the nationalist Garvaghy Road on Christmas Day, today they announce they want to march through the area that they and their loyalist friends terrorised last week.
This is just crazy and will likely lead to more officers being injured and more people getting hurt.
Do unionists honestly believe this organisation is a force for good in the island of Ireland?
Putting things into perspective
Here is a comment made from Belfast's most senior Orangeman, County Grand Master Dawson Bailie, on Monday in relation to whether the Orange Order condemned the loyalist violence:
"As far as I'm concerned the people to blame for that are the secretary of state, the chief constable and the Parades Commission, fairly and squarely."
"I'm not condemning anything at this moment in time."
Here is a comment left yesterday on United Irelander by Stewart McAfee regarding the Orange Order's despicable plan to parade down the nationalist Garvaghy Road on Christmas Day:
"I think some common ground could be found if the OO were to be accompanied by a band playing Christmas Carols, on what afterall is the birthday of Jesus....who knows, the Garvaghy Road kids, rather than being terrified, might actually enjoy it."
And this is a picture of 22-month old Caleb Finnegan, a victim of the loyalist violence Dawson Bailie refuses to condemn.
Puts it all into perspective, doesn't it? I don't think anything else needs to be said.
"As far as I'm concerned the people to blame for that are the secretary of state, the chief constable and the Parades Commission, fairly and squarely."
"I'm not condemning anything at this moment in time."
Here is a comment left yesterday on United Irelander by Stewart McAfee regarding the Orange Order's despicable plan to parade down the nationalist Garvaghy Road on Christmas Day:
"I think some common ground could be found if the OO were to be accompanied by a band playing Christmas Carols, on what afterall is the birthday of Jesus....who knows, the Garvaghy Road kids, rather than being terrified, might actually enjoy it."
And this is a picture of 22-month old Caleb Finnegan, a victim of the loyalist violence Dawson Bailie refuses to condemn.
Puts it all into perspective, doesn't it? I don't think anything else needs to be said.
Loyalists at it again!
Police came under attack from loyalist rioters in north Belfast on Thursday night.During fresh trouble a crowd of 150 hurled petrol bombs, bricks, bottles and other missiles at police in the Forthriver Road area.
Officers responded by dousing the crowds with water cannons, said a police spokeswoman.
A car was hijacked and set on fire and one person arrested for hijacking whilst a lorry which had been hijacked earlier was recovered before it was torched.
The area was later reported to be "calm".
The area would be even more calm if key figures in the unionist community would show some leadership and tackle these loyalist thugs.
Sadly, as the events of last week have shown, unionism right now is quite bereft of leadership. Not too surprising considering the voice of unionism is being led by one of the biggest bigots in Irish history.
My heart goes out to northern nationalists right now but I also feel very sorry for unionists. There is a shocking level of cowardice within the unionist community and it's a real shame.
Separated at Birth?
One is renowned for his sombre, gloomy warbling, the other is Art Garfunkel.Martin McGuinness and Art Garfunkel...
Separated at Birth? You decide.
Friday Fun's Fascinating Fact
In the last 4,000 years, no new animals have been domesticated.
That's a real shame but it's not very surprising. I mean come on, Corkmen haven't been domesticated yet...
That's a real shame but it's not very surprising. I mean come on, Corkmen haven't been domesticated yet...
UI's Celtic Mythology - Medb
Medb, also known as Maeve, was the warrior-queen of Connacht. According to Irish mythology, no king could reign in Connacht unless he was married to Medb, who was believed to hold the kingdom's sovereignty in her person. It was also said that she "never was without one man in the shadow of another". Medb's most famous action was the invasion of Ulster, when her forces captured the great brown bull of Cuailgne and killed the Ulster hero Cuchulainn. She was herself slain by Forbai, the son of King Conchobar Mac Nessa, while she was bathing in a pool. Forbai had discovered that Queen Medb was in the habit of regularly taking her bath in a Galway pool. He very carefully measured the exact distance between the spot where she bathed and the shore, then he returned to Emain Macha and practised with a sling-shot every until he was able to knock an apple from the top of a pole over the same distance. Satisfied at last that his aim was perfect, he stealthily made his way back to the pool and hit Queen Medb in the centre of her forehead using his sling-shot. Thus was Ulster revenged.Let that be a lesson for you. Next time you go bathing in a pool, keep a lookout for angry guys with sling-shots.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Thursday Thoughts: Federal Republic?
Staying with the theme of speaking rights in the Dail for northern politicians, what if the Government went a step further and set up an administration for the three Ulster counties of the Republic - Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan?It is my belief that if and when a United Ireland comes about, it will need to work on a federal basis. I don't know if devolved administrations for the four provinces would be practical but one thing is certain, Ulster will need its own parliament and will not tolerate Dublin rule.
I personally support the idea of a federal United Ireland. Rather than simply having a United Ireland which contains power for the 6 counties of NI which is, if I'm not mistaken, a plan the SDLP mooted, why not acknowledge the Ulster identity by giving the province significant powers? I think this would lessen the fears that some unionists would have relating to a United Ireland.
I think it would be worthwhile for the Republic to pave the way for Irish unity by establishing a small 3 county administration based on the Republic's Ulster counties which would be given the task of engaging in cross-border co-operation.
If unionists could see the influence that Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan enjoy outside of Dublin's influence, it could lead them to contemplate ending their division of our island. It could be called the Ulster Council of Ireland or something along those lines and co-operation from those within the 6 counties would be sought.
Let us not forget that Ireland was not the only region divided by the border in 1921. Ulster was too.
Let's unite both.
Nesbitt, naivety and nationalism
I groaned in despair as I read Dermot Nesbitt's naive and ignorant remarks towards the proposed speaking rights in the Dail for politicians from Ireland's north. (hat-tip A Tangled Web) They highlight a deeper and more significant issue, namely, the stunning inability of unionists to comprehend what Irish nationalism is about. Let's analyse some of Despot's...uh I mean Dermot's comments:
"I never cease to be amazed at the chasm in understanding of some nationalists towards the unionist position. I witness an Irish Government that is seemingly prepared to act both outside international law and against its own Constitution in order to placate the demands of aggressive nationalism."
International law is an ass. As for working against our Constitution, Article 3 begins "It is the firm will of the Irish Nation, in harmony and friendship, to unite all the people who share the territory of the island of Ireland..." Says it all.
"Speaking rights seems an insignificant development, but it is an important litmus test. What is the Irish Government’s view of good neighbourliness? I say to members of Dail Eireann: according to international law this development would represent interference in the domestic affairs of the UK."
Our neighbours are the British. Speaking rights are a matter relating to our country. I don't think our neighbours will really mind to be honest, seeing as the PM of their country once spoke to the Dail! As for the 'international law' argument, what do you say Dermot to those who argue that the British breached international law when it interfered in Iraq? Hmm?
"Put simply, the Irish Government would be in breach of its international obligations if it unilaterally succumbed to Sinn Fein’s pressure to allow speaking rights in the Dail. As a member of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, surely Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern could not conclude differently?"
Our national obligations are more significant than our international obligations. And furthermore, this goes above and beyond Sinn Fein. This is about Irish citizens having a say in their nation.
"The Forum met and commissioned studies. It asked Asbjorn Eide to consider human rights, describing him as “a leading international authority in the field of human rights”. Sinn Fein always refers to the importance of this issue.
"His study considered Ireland as an "outside minority-related" State in relation to Northern Ireland (i.e. having an Irish nationalist minority in Northern Ireland). He indicated that such States “must show respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity and political independence of States” viewing this as a “principle basic to all international instruments in this field”. Non-interference is clear."
Well Mr Asborn Eide would do well to take heed to these words from the great Charles Stewart Parnell:
"No man shall have the right to fix the boundary to the march of a Nation".
"Subscribing to these international norms is unpalatable to many. However, forsaking them is potentially disastrous for good neighbourliness. Members of Dail Eireann, the choice is yours: choose wisely."
Dermot Nesbitt must think we're all idiots. Warning of a threat to 'good neighbourliness'? Where was the good neighbourliness over the last few days from those unionists who attacked northern nationalists?
We here in Ireland have the right, nay the duty, to uphold the rights of Irish citizens and to grant them equality with their southern compatriots.
No man, nor foreign nation, shall ever tell us 'thus far shalt thou go and no further'.
Orange Order to steal Christmas
The SDLP has condemned an attempt by the Orange Order to get permission to parade down the nationalist Garvaghy Road on Christmas Day.The party has described the move as "appalling" and "shameless" given the riots and violence that accompanied a re-routed Orange parade in Belfast last Saturday.
Local SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly accused the Orangemen of deliberately planning the latest march to "up the ante" in the wake of this week's riots.
She said they appeared intent on casting a shadow over Christmas as well as making every summer a time of fear for the Garvaghy Road residents.
The Orange Order has been banned from marching down the road since 1998 due to its refusal to hold talks with the nationalist residents.
Well there you have it. They're scum. They're complete scum. They are going to try and ruin Christmas Day for nationalist residents?
Little boys and girls must have their Christmas ruined by the loud triumphalist howlings of the merry band of bigotry? It makes me want to retch.
Just when you think they can't go any lower, they do.
I agree with the SDLP wholeheartedly on this. The Orange Order are a disgrace.
The actions of a Christian organisation? I think not.
Know when to quit, Colombia!
I hear the Government has received an extradition request from the Colombian government for the Colombia Three.So when the Colombian government isn't committing human rights abuses it can actually file paperwork! Wow I'm impressed!
Poor oul' Colombia. Don't they realise the three men are going nowhere? We're not the kind of country that sends its citizens off to meet a terrible fate. We aren't savages.
It is abundantly clear from some of the statements being made by various parties involved that the men are going nowhere. Observe these comments from the US envoy to Ireland's north, Mitchell Reiss:
"Dublin and Washington may have disagreements from time to time but let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture here."
Translation: The Colombia Three are not a big issue.
"We don’t want the issue to cause problems in the broader relationship. I don’t think there are muddy waters. Dublin and Washington are extremely clear on where each one stands."
Translation: We don't care about these three Irishmen.
"Let’s see how this issue plays out and before jumping to conclusions."
Translation: Ireland can do whatever the hell it wants.
Observe these comments from Justice Minister Michael McDowell on receiving the documents from the Colombians:
"I haven’t seen them yet. Out of respect to the Colombian authorities I won’t comment or speculate until I have the opportunity to study them in full."
Translation: Out of respect for the Colombian authorities, we won't point out that they have a snowball's chance in hell of having the three men due to their barbaric attitude to people's human rights.
Poor, dumb Colombia. You still don't get it, do you? The three men are going nowhere. You lose. If you want to abuse human beings that is your own despicable choice, but you won't be abusing any Irishmen that's for damn sure!
I'm back...did I miss much?
Well I'm back. So it's been a pretty quiet few days here in Ireland huh (note the sarcasm)? I have been keeping an eye on the recent events.
Firstly I welcome Peter Hain's declassification of the UVF ceasefire. So the UVF are now no longer a group which supports peace. This astounding information is right up there with 'Space is quite large' and 'Ireland is quite wet'.
I also had to laugh at comments made from the Orange Order yesterday claiming they were not involved in the loyalist violence. Pure nonsense. Thankfully, the PSNI proved it by releasing video footage! One can clearly see an OO member waving his sword around the way a child would a plastic toy. But this was no plastic toy. One high ranking official in the Orange Order claimed he was not threatening officers with it. Bollocks! He was waving the thing around like an Orange Zorro! Laughably the high ranking official claimed he had not seen the PSNI's footage himself as he was 'too busy'. Yeah, too busy plotting to intimidate Catholics. They're a disgrace.
The world has caught a glimpse of what many of us here in Ireland have been saying all along - the Orange Order are bigots! And their loyalist friends are terrorising innocent Catholics!
Firstly I welcome Peter Hain's declassification of the UVF ceasefire. So the UVF are now no longer a group which supports peace. This astounding information is right up there with 'Space is quite large' and 'Ireland is quite wet'.
I also had to laugh at comments made from the Orange Order yesterday claiming they were not involved in the loyalist violence. Pure nonsense. Thankfully, the PSNI proved it by releasing video footage! One can clearly see an OO member waving his sword around the way a child would a plastic toy. But this was no plastic toy. One high ranking official in the Orange Order claimed he was not threatening officers with it. Bollocks! He was waving the thing around like an Orange Zorro! Laughably the high ranking official claimed he had not seen the PSNI's footage himself as he was 'too busy'. Yeah, too busy plotting to intimidate Catholics. They're a disgrace.
The world has caught a glimpse of what many of us here in Ireland have been saying all along - the Orange Order are bigots! And their loyalist friends are terrorising innocent Catholics!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Dev and Ulster
I thought I would interrupt my break to make a post on an interesting book I've been reading called 'De Valera and the Ulster Question 1917-73' by John Bowman. De Valera is a fascinating figure and a man I have alot of respect for. The book is an interesting look at de Valera's attitude towards partition right through his career. I thought this was an interesting piece in relation to the oft-mentioned condolences Dev sent after Hitler's death which unionists just love to bring up! Bowman writes on page 255:"With the news of Hitler's death on 30 April 1945 de Valera insisted - ignoring his closest advisers - on expressing his sympathy to Hempel (Hempel was German ambassador to Ireland). He believed Hempel's conduct throughout the war to have been 'irreproachable' and he believed it would have been 'an act of unpardonable discourtesy' not to have called. He was aware of the inevitable propaganda, telling Hempel:'No matter. I do what I think is right.' Maffey, (Sir John Maffey was Britain's representative in Ireland)...believed that de Valera's condolences to Hempel, particularly as they had been followed by the revelations of Buchenwald, 'gradually took on a smear of turpitude'. Maffey was upset some days later when Churchill, in his victory broadcast at the conclusion of the war, focussed attention on de Valera with a bitter attack on Irish neutrality. De Valera made a politically brilliant reply. According to Maffey, he 'saw his addvantage, found the authentic anti-British note and did not put a foot wrong'.
I think this point about the condolences offered is important. The myth that rose from his gesture - which admittedly was foolish - was that Dev had sympathy with the Nazis. This was not true. Indeed, if you have a read through this article in The Guardian, you'll see these final lines:
"De Valera is famous for having signed the book of condolences for Adolf Hitler in the German embassy in Dublin at the end of the second world war. Sir John, however, observed in 1940: "I dined with [de Valera] and he expressed the strongest anti-German and anti-Russian sentiments and deeply regretted our inability to help Finland."
To go back to the book, I found the following interesting in relation to Nazi attitudes towards Ireland on pages 240/241:
"After the war, it was not in the south's interest to admit that for most of 1940 and 1941 at least, a German victory was considered probable in Dublin. But to base policy on the expectation of a German victory was, unfairly, in some quarters, confused with sympathising or aiding such an outcome. The Irish were not alone in expecting a German victory. In December 1940, Maffey presumed to advise the Ulster Unionists to prepare for such a contingency, surprising and annoying Spender with the suggestion that 'if the British Empire were defeated' that 'it would be very greatly to the advantage of Northern Ireland to join up with Eire and that the British government would advise Ulster to do so.'"
Although Hitler himself claimed in December 1940 that 'possession of Ireland could have the effect of ending the war', he accepted the counsel of his military advisers that, strategically, German 'occupation of the island of Ireland' was 'impossible', if Ireland were not at war with Britain. The following year when Rudolph Hess was being questioned after his flight to Britain, his interrogator 'dropped a fly at him on Ireland' and received the reply that Hitler had 'no intention vis-a-vis that country. It had done nothing for Germany, and why should Germany do anything for her'?
And page 242 offers an insight into the Irish views of the time:
"The possibilty of a German invasion of the north, ostensibly to unite Ireland, was still de Valera's worst fear. That such a development would have caused confusion in Fianna Fail's ranks is clear; only Fine Gael seem to have been confident that the correct response would be to aid the Unionists and British. Cosgrave wrote to Mulcahy: 'If we could help the north and don't, we are plumping for German occupation of a part of our country. Dermot [?MacMurrough] over again in a new shape.' In general, Mulcahy was critical of de Valera's policy: he disliked the 'prevarications, contradictory statements and the extraordinary equating of the British with the Germans.' O'Higgins agreed. His paper, for a front-bench meeting in March 1941, suggested that 'the most serious aspect' of Irish neutrality as practised was 'the indifference as to which side may become our enemy and therefore which side may become our ally': if Britain in desperation seized the ports we must make war on Britain and 'make a Nazi victory a certainty'. O'Higgins believed the most probable outcome of the war was a negotiated peace, in which case Ireland would learn that because of neutrality she had 'made an enemy of Britain for years to come, and...Partition as permanent as British power can make it. Any future Commonwealth Conference will see our representatives begging for the scraps.' In the event of a German victory, O'Higgins believed that Ireland would become a German base. He suggested that policy should be reviewed in the light of these probabilities and considred exclusively in terms of Ireland's rights, which could be 'summed up in one sentence, Ireland's territorial unity - the restoration of Ulster to Ireland.' O'Higgin's preferred solution to this dilemma was to lend or lease ports to the Allies on the strength of an American guarantee of their evacuation at the end of the war.
All in all, I'm finding the book a great read and if you're interested in de Valera and the 'Ulster question', as you well know I am, you will love this book.
Anyway, I have to get back to drinking...I mean fishing!
Monday, September 12, 2005
Gone drinkin...I mean fishin'
Sorry about the lack of posting today. I had alot of things I wanted to comment on but I haven't got the time I'm afraid.I'm going away for a few days so I don't know when my next post will be.
I'll leave you with this joke:
"An English MP was addressing a crowd in Belfast. He stated to the masses "I was born an Englishman, I've lived an Englishman, and by God I shall die an Englishman!" Then, from the back of the crowd, a voice yelled "Shite man, have ye no ambition?"
Stay safe and God bless.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Unionist hypocrisy
I thought this was a great point made by Declan over at A Tangled Web:
"Unionism and the scum that call themselves loyalists really showed their hypocrisy yesterday. After all their whinging about the reform of the RUC and disbandment of the RIR they weren't one bit behind the door in trying to kill members of those same forces. Jeffrey Donaldson and that odious little bastard Willie Frazer travel thousands of miles to South America to make a show of alleged IRA violence and what happens? An organisation that Donaldson is a member of is responsible for calling thousands of people on to the streets knowing full well of the chaos that would ensue."
Hard to argue with that, folks.
"Unionism and the scum that call themselves loyalists really showed their hypocrisy yesterday. After all their whinging about the reform of the RUC and disbandment of the RIR they weren't one bit behind the door in trying to kill members of those same forces. Jeffrey Donaldson and that odious little bastard Willie Frazer travel thousands of miles to South America to make a show of alleged IRA violence and what happens? An organisation that Donaldson is a member of is responsible for calling thousands of people on to the streets knowing full well of the chaos that would ensue."
Hard to argue with that, folks.
OO must bear responsibility - Orde
Chief Constable Hugh Orde has said the Orange Order must bear substantial responsibility for the disorder which occurred at the hands of loyalists yesterday and claimed the action by his officers was proportionate to the violence.Mr Orde also revealed a bomb factory was discovered as part of the follow-up security operation in the aftermath of violence in Ireland's north which left 32 police officers injured.
"This violence was completely organised and the heroic actions of my officers prevented it escalating," he said.
I myself have said many times here on United Irelander that the Orange Order are bigots. I've even called on the organisation to disband.
In response, I had people criticise me and tell me that I was the one being bigoted and that the organisation is a force of good in Ireland's north.
This has been confirmed to be pure bollocks. Here we have the Chief Constable Hugh Orde stating that the Orange Order must bear 'substantial responsibility' for yesterday's violence. Recently, the Orange Order pledged its full support to the abysmal, laughable 'Love Ulster' campaign which highlights bigotry at its worst!
The Orange Order are a force of evil in Ireland's north. And it's time for them to disband.
Browned off
"Considering the dire circumstances that we have in New Orleans, virtually a city that has been destroyed, things are going relatively well." – FEMA Director Michael Brown, Sept. 1, 2005It's been revealed that The White House has removed US emergencies chief Michael Brown from his role managing the relief effort and recalled him to Washington.
Democrat senators have called for Mr Brown to be sacked for his response to the hurricane.
His role has been handed to Coastguard Vice-Admiral Thad W Allen, who has been overseeing relief and rescue efforts in New Orleans.
Mr Brown has been criticised over the slow pace of the rescue effort, amid allegations he does not have the experience to lead Fema.
This is the right decision. Mr Brown's handling of the Hurricane's aftermath has been inept at best. Same goes for the rest of the American administration.
"Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." – President Bush, to FEMA director Michael Brown, while touring Hurricane-ravaged Mississippi, Sept. 2, 2005
Oh Amanda!
Hey, I just noticed that the BBC are showing Castaway tonight!What a great film! For those of you who haven't seen it, the film stars Amanda Donohue and Oliver Reed as two people who spend a year on a deserted island.
What's so great about that you ask? Well, the lovely Amanda Donohue spends most of the film walking about the place buck naked.
What do you mean why does she do that? It's an essential part of the movie...I guess. Hey, I'm not complaining!
Just make sure to watch it some time!
9/11 remembered
The events of 9/11 will be remembered today, 4 years on from the tragedy.It was an awful day but it brought out the best in the American people.
God bless America.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Loyalists harassing and hurting Catholics
Some people may get the impression that because I am a nationalist I specifically highlight loyalist violence and turn a blind eye to Republican violence. This is not true. I simply comment on the news. To prove it, have a look at the front page of BBC's NI news section right here.The top story is this story I highlighted in my previous post about a civilian getting shot in loyalist rioting.
The second story which you can read here, is about a Catholic man being in critical condition in hospital after being attacked by a gang of up to 10 men in east Belfast. BBC report:
The 29-year-old, believed to be a Catholic, was discovered lying on a river walkway at the junction of the Albertbridge Road and Short Strand.
He had sustained a head injury and was given emergency treatment at the scene.
Sinn Fein assembly member Alex Maskey said he believed the victim was attacked because he was Catholic.
"There is no doubt that these incidents do rise in the number, and very often the intensity, depending on what the current political situation is," he said.
The third story on BBC's NI section can be read here and is about a man arrested in connection with attacks on two Catholic churches in Banbridge being released on police bail pending further enquiries.
So you see, the reality of the situation is that the Loyalists are the ones causing carnage and mayhem. Not nationalists. Not Republicans. Loyalists! And I want to know what is to be done about it?!
If you want to follow the events in the North, which are quickly spiralling out of control, check out Slugger O'Toole here.
Loyalists cause carnage
Following on from my previous post which signalled some optimism for this island, I regret to inform visitors to this site who may be unfamiliar with Ireland that loyalists are causing absolute carnage and mayhem here on the streets of Ireland's north.The BBC has reported that shots have been fired at police and a civilian injured by a blast bomb thrown during loyalist rioting relating to the rerouted Whiterock parade.
Water canon and plastic bullets were used against loyalist petrol bombers who attacked police and soldiers. Four officers were reported injured. The security forces came under sustained attack by several hundred loyalist rioters on West Circular Road.
Earlier, a number of children were left badly shocked after a bus driving along the street was hit with bottles and stones.
A window was smashed and one passenger said some people on board panicked and were screaming in terror.
"It's hard to tell for sure whether anyone's hurt because so many people panicked and got off the bus. They were screaming and yelling," he said.
"It was obvious to me that a number of the children were in shock."
Several roads were blocked in what a DUP councillor said was "disgust" over a ban on the parade.
Ian Paisley said: "The Parades Commission are to blame for the mess that has been created."
Sinn Fein councillor Fra McCann said the trouble could have been avoided if the Orangemen had talked to Springfield Road residents.
On Friday night, a senior police officer said he feared loyalist paramilitaries could cause trouble at the march.
After a request by unionists on Friday, the Parades Commission reviewed its ruling on the Whiterock Parade, but did not change it.
Ladies and gentleman, the loyalists are out of control! Paisley is pathetic trying to lay the blame on the Parades Commission. He ought to lay the blame on the loyalist scum who have run amok and attacked officers and civilians as well as children.
Who can stop the loyalists now?
Fantastic News
I am delighted at the news that a new symbol commemorating the contribution of Irish soldiers in the First World War has been unveiled.The symbol, a poppy with a shamrock centre, was launched at a special cross-border service of remembrance at the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Belgium.
More than 50,000 soldiers from Ireland lost their lives in World War One.
Former Donegal TD Paddy Harte unveiled the new symbol at the scene, and expressed his hope that the new poppy would be universally accepted and recognised as a symbol of remembrance for the Irish war dead.
I think this is a fantastic development. It is shameful the way this state has disowned the men who fought in the two World Wars, especially World War 1.
The poppy isn't worn by most Irish people during Remembrance Day celebrations but hopefully this new poppy will put an end to that and will herald a new era in which we can show pride in our brave men who fought in the two World Wars.
They became victims of historical events and later, ignorance. We can't change the past but we can do something about the ignorance here in the present and we seem to be doing just that.
It's great to see.
Saturday Survey
Hero of the Week: Bob Geldof: This week it was revealed that Sir Bob is to get the Freedom of the City of Dublin. The only question is, why did it take so long for this to happen?
Villains of the Week: Bush administration: The way they have handled the situation down in New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina has been, in my opinion, shambolic and disgraceful.
Funniest Moment of the Week: Pink Cat: Narrowly beating out the folks at the Love Ulster site, is the story of the pink cat.
Dunce of the Week: Sven Goran Eriksson: 4-5-1 against a team with one victory in four years? Dunce.
Luckiest Person of the Week: Raymond Domenech: The French boss is lucky he has a player like Thierry Henry who can conjure up a goal out of nothing.
My favourite moment of the week: The fury of English fans: As disappointed as I am that Ireland lost to France, I've still found the English reaction to their defeat to NI most amusing! That's the English for you - they hype their athletes up to epic proportions and when they fail to deliver, they hammer them!
Quote of the Week: "So it should come as no surprise if I tell you that come Wednesday night, I will be cheering not only for an England win, but an emphatic England win; a trouncing, a rout, a spanking, a tanking, an embarrassment (but not a national embarrassment, of course)" - Robin Livingstone
I'm guessing he wasn't a happy camper on Wednesday.
United Irelander's Busiest Day of the Week: Monday: 230 visits (+5)
Villains of the Week: Bush administration: The way they have handled the situation down in New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina has been, in my opinion, shambolic and disgraceful.
Funniest Moment of the Week: Pink Cat: Narrowly beating out the folks at the Love Ulster site, is the story of the pink cat.
Dunce of the Week: Sven Goran Eriksson: 4-5-1 against a team with one victory in four years? Dunce.
Luckiest Person of the Week: Raymond Domenech: The French boss is lucky he has a player like Thierry Henry who can conjure up a goal out of nothing.
My favourite moment of the week: The fury of English fans: As disappointed as I am that Ireland lost to France, I've still found the English reaction to their defeat to NI most amusing! That's the English for you - they hype their athletes up to epic proportions and when they fail to deliver, they hammer them!
Quote of the Week: "So it should come as no surprise if I tell you that come Wednesday night, I will be cheering not only for an England win, but an emphatic England win; a trouncing, a rout, a spanking, a tanking, an embarrassment (but not a national embarrassment, of course)" - Robin Livingstone
I'm guessing he wasn't a happy camper on Wednesday.
United Irelander's Busiest Day of the Week: Monday: 230 visits (+5)
Friday, September 09, 2005
Dead blogs?
I'm guessing the broom of anger blog is gone. A shame.What about Irish nationalism and Irish Corruption?
Has Bloglaigh na hEireann had a few casualties?
Some things to ponder over...
Some things to ponder over...
If you dig a tunnel straight through the earth, will you come out with your feet first?
Are zebras black with white stripes, or white with black stripes?
If Pringles are "so good that once you pop, you can't stop" why do they come with a resealable lid?
What came first, the fruit or the color orange?
Why is it called lipstick when it always comes off?
If quizzes are quizzical then what are tests?
Why do they sterilize needles for lethal injections?
Can you be a closet claustrophobic?
Really makes you think...
If you dig a tunnel straight through the earth, will you come out with your feet first?
Are zebras black with white stripes, or white with black stripes?
If Pringles are "so good that once you pop, you can't stop" why do they come with a resealable lid?
What came first, the fruit or the color orange?
Why is it called lipstick when it always comes off?
If quizzes are quizzical then what are tests?
Why do they sterilize needles for lethal injections?
Can you be a closet claustrophobic?
Really makes you think...
Ban SF from government - Fine Gael
I see the opposition has called on all political parties to make a public pledge that would see Sinn Féin excluded from future Governments.Senator Brian Hayes of Fine Gael put forward the suggestion and wants the ban to come into effect after the next election.
He said the Sinn Féin party must not be allowed into government until such time as the IRA is totally disbanded.
I agree with Mr Hayes and welcome his suggestion. Sinn Fein shouldn't be allowed into government until the IRA removes itself from the political equation. They are an illegal organisation and Sinn Fein cannot expect to be in government while they are tied to an organisation which is an affront to this State.
Hopefully all the parties will agree to this proposal. The Irish people don't want criminals in power.
Pass the sick bag...
Have you heard the news? Irish people have a very positive view of the European Union, according to a report published today by the European Commission's Irish office.
Oh joy!
The report said 87% of Irish respondents to a Eurobarometer poll earlier this year believed the country had benefited from EU membership.
Seventy-five per cent also said they believed EU membership was a good thing.
First of all, I think these questions give pretty obvious answers. Even I would concede that the country has benefited from EU membership. As for believing EU membership is a good thing, well that depends. In what context? It's not good if it involves eroding our national sovereignty which is currently what they're trying to do with their EU Constitution. Why didn't the European's Commission's Irish office ask Irish people for their opinions on the rejection of the EU Constitution in France and Holland?
Interestingly, just 27% of respondents said they were aware of the contents of the proposed EU constitution and 50% said they had no opinion on the document!
Hmm. How can they make judgements on the EU without having an understanding of the constitution or an opinion on it?
The EU Constitution will bring about the destruction of Irish independence if it comes to fruition. It must be fought tooth and nail as it was in France and Holland. The reality is, it should be dead already.
Fun Irelander Feature-Irish luck my arse
"If you have the luck of the IrishYou'd be sorry and wish you were dead
You should have the luck of the Irish
And you'd wish you was English instead!" - John Lennon
The luck of the Irish - what a load of bollocks! John Lennon understood that the whole luck of the Irish thing is one big joke. So why is it I constantly hear this phrase?
'Ooh, that must be the luck of the Irish'!
What luck? Surely anyone with even the most basic understanding of Irish history can understand that we're far from lucky? Time to refresh people's memory...
Invasions, war, oppression, land taken, failed rebellions, oppression, failed rebellions, oppression. Hmm. Spotted any luck yet? Wait, I'm not done...more oppression and...oh, a famine. Millions dying or emigrating, language slowly evaporating, religious intolerance, another failed rebellion, a bit more oppression, more division, oh hang on...Home Rule! At last! Ah wait...a war. Many killed, more division, talk of partition...another failed rebellion. Death, destruction, looting...ah wait maybe it didn't fail. Hey things are looking up...ooh partition. Not nice. Ah sure let's have another war. More fighting. Oh wait maybe things will improve now that this guy has got the Treaty...oh. They've shot the guy who got the Treaty. Damn. What's this? Civil war? Right so. Ah, the civil war's over. Oh, people getting harassed in both parts of the island. Ah well maybe things will pick up...aw no, another war. We'll try and keep out of this one but we'll help in secret...ah no, they bombed us. Ah well, we'll be praised eventually by the Brits...ah no, that Churchill fellow just laid into us. Ah well things will get better...ah no. War in the North. Bombings, murder, alot of dirty business. Oh good, the Sunningdale Agreement. Ah no...the unionists aren't happy. More violence. Oh wait, the Good Friday Agreement! Ah no, it's not doing too well...oh wait, the IRA are to decommission...ah no, they're not. Oh good, the IRA are going out of business...maybe. Oh no, the unionists still aren't happy...oh good, at least we'll make the World Cup...ah no, Thierry Henry...the prick.
Wow, how lucky we are! Fiddle-dee-dee! Begorrah and so forth. Luck o' the Irish my arse.
Friday Fun-News in Brief
In football news this week, Mexico's national coach Ricardo La Volpe apologised for referring to recent opponents the United States as a little team his grandmother could play for.
There's no word yet as to whether his grandmother has accepted the apology.
In other news this week, Welsh singer Charlotte Church said she is trying to quit smoking, because her boyfriend Gavin Henson has a deep-rooted hatred of the habit.
Now if only we can convince Gavin Henson to start hating her pop career...
And finally, this week it was revealed that Michael Jackson was 'undergoing a major make-over'.
Michael C Luckman, who wrote Alien Rock: The Rock 'N' Roll Connection, claims the 47-year-old is working on a more macho appearance which has seen him working out, wearing shorter wigs and using less make-up.
I've managed to get hold of a picture of this new look. Yes, he's gone from this, to this.
There's no word yet as to whether his grandmother has accepted the apology.
In other news this week, Welsh singer Charlotte Church said she is trying to quit smoking, because her boyfriend Gavin Henson has a deep-rooted hatred of the habit.
Now if only we can convince Gavin Henson to start hating her pop career...
And finally, this week it was revealed that Michael Jackson was 'undergoing a major make-over'.
Michael C Luckman, who wrote Alien Rock: The Rock 'N' Roll Connection, claims the 47-year-old is working on a more macho appearance which has seen him working out, wearing shorter wigs and using less make-up.
I've managed to get hold of a picture of this new look. Yes, he's gone from this, to this.
They've got alot of love to give...
Oh those people over at the Love Ulster site! The love just keeps on coming. I find it heart-warming. Clearly I'm not the only Irish blogger touched by their warmth, Deaglan over at Res Publica has an interesting post highlighting their wonderful caring nature. I thought I would post up an example of their magnificent loving attitude myself. This is from a thread entitled 'TWO IRELANDS OR ONE' and the comment is by 'Baz':"ULSTER IS BRITISH AND WILL REMAIN SO! IF THE BRITISH GOVERMENT SOLD US OUT THERE WOULD BE CIVIL WAR.I FOR ONE WOULD NOT SIT BACK AND WATCH MY BELOVED ULSTER BEING RUN BY A THICK BUNCH OF REPUBLICAN SCUM FROM DUBLIN OR ANYWHERE ELSE.CANT THEY SEE THAT THERE BETTER OFF UNDER BRITISH RULE,IRELAND COULDNT AFFORD TO RUN THIS COUNTRY,LOOK AT THERE OWN IT A COMPLETE SHIT HOLE!"
Moving stuff I'm sure you'll agree. But wait, hold back your tears. I want to post one more comment from 'Donald Ferguson' on a thread entitled 'Ireland ranked as second wealthiest country'. Get ready for the love:
"I couldnt care less if that disgucsting priest ridden hole was the wealthiest country in the universe! I am far happier if I was poor and free and had my freedom under our glorious majesty in our beautiful province then if I was dripping with riches in a Sinn Feinn/IRA catholic hole!"
What a charming fellow! So much love to give!
We're so lucky to have such a group of loving loyalists spreading good will around the land!
Mullen on the money again
In his latest column in the Irish Examiner, Ronan Mullen (one of my favourite journalists), gives his thoughts on Hurricane Katrina and how it revealed the good and the bad in various people. Once again, he's right on the money.
"More federal money spent on the levees might have prevented flooding and a more determined evacuation strategy adopted by the authorities locally would have got people out of harm's way.
"But we don't know to what extent a different approach from the federal government would have saved lives. Bush's Federal Department of Emergency Management arrived too late to the conclusion that the emergency required a national response. Bush's decision to stay on at the ranch reflected this bad advice."
I recommend you read the rest of the article. It's well worth a read.
"More federal money spent on the levees might have prevented flooding and a more determined evacuation strategy adopted by the authorities locally would have got people out of harm's way.
"But we don't know to what extent a different approach from the federal government would have saved lives. Bush's Federal Department of Emergency Management arrived too late to the conclusion that the emergency required a national response. Bush's decision to stay on at the ranch reflected this bad advice."
I recommend you read the rest of the article. It's well worth a read.
Caption Time
Seeing as football is still on all our minds, can you come up with a caption for the picture to your left?Let's hear your suggestions...
Separated at Birth?
One has made a career out of whining incessantly, the other is Jeffrey Donaldson.Daniel O'Donnell and Jeffrey Donaldson - separated at birth?
You decide.
Friday Fun's Fascinating Fact
Under extreme stress, some octopuses will eat their own arms.
Well I suppose they have a few to spare...
Well I suppose they have a few to spare...
UI's Celtic Mythology - Macha
Macha was one of the Irish war goddesses, often identified with Badb, Morrigan and Nemain. She first married Nemed, a Scythian ruler who defeated the Fomorii, the sea gods who slew her second husband Nuada and herself at the second battle of Magh Tuireadh. A later Macha laid a curse on Ulster after her boastful husband said that, though heavy with child, she could outrun all the king's horses and chariots. When the king of Ulster threatened to execute her husband if she did not race, Macha cursed all Ulstermen to suffer the pain of childbirth for five days and five nights whenever the kingdom was in danger. Macha won the race and gave birth to twins, which is said to be the reason for calling the fortress of the Ulster kings Emain Macha ("Macha's Twins").
Let that be a lesson for all of you - never make your pregnant wife race against a load of horses.
Let that be a lesson for all of you - never make your pregnant wife race against a load of horses.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Hurricane aftermath
I haven't commented too much on the way the American government handled Hurricane Katrina though I imagine my views on it are similar to yours - they handled it disgracefully. It's amazing to think a superpower like America could be so inept. My thoughts and prayers are with the American people, particularly those in the affected states.
I think the American admistration has let the people down. Here is a man who thinks the same. (difficult to watch)
I think the American admistration has let the people down. Here is a man who thinks the same. (difficult to watch)
Moving on
I welcome today's announcement of €15m for a new visitor centre at the Battle of the Boyne site.A visitor and exhibition centre, new walkways and a peace garden will be built over the next three years, bringing total spending on the project to date to €30m.
The site on the banks of the River Boyne near Drogheda was developed under the auspices of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and local TD Dermot Ahern said the Government recognised the historical importance of the Battle of the Boyne for many in the unionist community.
"In the Good Friday Agreement, the Government committed itself to actively promoting and developing respect, reconciliation and mutual understanding between the different traditions on the island of Ireland," he said.
"The preservation and appropriate development of this historic battle site is a powerful and tangible expression of that commitment."
Mr Ahern said it was vital that the battle’s political legacy was fully understood by all traditions on the island.
I agree with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Battle of the Boyne is not only an important moment for unionists, it's important for all Irish people North and South.
I think this is money well spent and shows that we are finally moving on and acknowledging our history. A visitor centre such as this would not have gone ahead thirty or forty years ago.
We're moving on. It's good to see.
RIP Noel Cantwell
Ireland captain Noel Cantwell shakes hands with Olivella of Spain in a World Cup Qualifier at Dalymount park on the 5th May, 1965. (pictured left) Ireland won the match 1-0.I'm very saddened at the news that former Manchester United and Ireland captain Noel Cantwell has died at the age of 73 after a battle against cancer.
The Corkman cost United £29,500 when he joined from West Ham in November 1960.
He was captain of the team that won the 1963 FA Cup and helped the club win the 1965 and 1967 league titles.
In total, he made 144 appearances for United, scoring eight goals and he was capped 36 times for his country, scoring 14 goals and narrowly missed out on leading the team to the 1966 World Cup finals in England.
He also represented Ireland in cricket.
RIP Noel Cantwell. You were a great servant for Irish football and sport in general.
There are many Manchester United fans in Ireland and I'm sure they have many fond memories of Noel Cantwell, one of the few Irish players who was really successful in that era of football.
A sad day for Irish sports fans.
Thursday Thoughts: Treason?
I came across this letter in the News Letter from 'BE' in Belfast and I felt compelled to answer some of the points mentioned as I think it raises some important points for those like myself who want to see a United Ireland. Permit me to answer some of the points raised..."Irish nationalists seem to think that they have some kind of legitimate and divine right to demand and achieve a so-called united Ireland. However, they do not have such a right."
We may not have a 'divine' right, but we have a legitimate right to demand a United Ireland, in the same way unionists have a legitimate right to oppose the idea.
"A united Ireland is in fact and reality the annexation of Northern Ireland into an all-Ireland Irish republic."
This is an important point raised. I don't agree with this. Many people, both unionists and nationalists, seem to think of a United Ireland as the Republic simply swallowing up the North. We've heard some unionists say '6 into 26 won't go'. The reality is however, a United Ireland means the end of 'Northern Ireland' and the end of the 'Republic of Ireland' and the establishment of an entirely new State - Ireland.
"Moreover, Northern Ireland's annexation into an all-Ireland Irish republic would be a blatant act of ethnic cleansing perpetrated on the British people of Northern Ireland, because it would involve the removal of British citizens from their own country into another country."
No, it wouldn't be ethnic cleansing nor would it involve 'the removal of British citizens from their own country into another country'. These British citizens would live on the same road as they always have and go to the same schools and jobs that they always have. There would be no 'ethnic cleansing'. The right of Britishness to exist in Ireland would have to be guaranteed without question. That is why I favour the Republic rejoining the Commonwealth - to prove that we acknowledge and respect the Britishness that exists on the island.
"Ireland is an integral part of the British Isles and as such is part of the territory of all the inhabitants of the British Isles and is not the sole and exclusive territory of the inhabitants of Ireland alone"
The author of this letter doesn't see the irony in this statement. Earlier he/she attacked nationalists for seeking to 'annex' the North, yet here the author has effectively annexed the people of the Republic. To say 'Ireland...is part of the territory of all the inhabitants of the British Isles' is both inaccurate and unhelpful and part of the reason why I dislike the term 'British Isles' and why I would favour the term 'IONA' - Islands Of the North Atlantic. The future of this island will be determined by the people on this island which is what the Good Friday Agreement has ensured.
"The setting up of a breakaway separatist republic of Ireland was in fact an act of high treason to which the British government of the time turned a blind eye.
"It still seems to be turning a blind eye to the threatened act of high treason contained in the persistent demand from Irish nationalists for a united Ireland."
To use the logic of the great Sir William Wallace, how is it an act of treason to want a United Ireland when nationalists do not acknowledge the right of the British to determine Ireland's future? Surely the only treason for nationalists would be to abandon the aim of a United Ireland? Besides, it's a non-issue now. As mentioned, the GFA means that the people of the island alone will determine the future of the island which makes sense.
"Some would try to argue that the issue could be settled by some kind of head count in the form of a referendum. However, this would still involve the process of ethnic cleansing."
I don't understand this point unless the author feels that a United Ireland would lead to unionists being intimidated or killed. I don't see this happening. Yes, unionists suffered terribly in the Irish Free State in what became one of the State's dirty little secrets but Ireland is radically different now and has become multi-cultural. As well as that, the right of Britishness in Ireland will have to be respected before unity can come about, so I don't see a problem as happened in the twenties with the Free State.
"Would any British government dare hold a referendum to, for example, decide if all Muslims or all coloured people should be expelled from the UK? Why then, should a referendum be held to determine if British citizens living in Northern Ireland should be expelled from the United Kingdom?"
The analogy here used by the author is deeply flawed. No one will be expelled from Ireland if the Irish people North and South vote for unity. To suggest that would be the case is scaremongering of the worst kind. A referendum on Irish unity would be about determining whether or not the people of this island would be governed by a single government or not, not about 'expelling' people.
Overall, I think this letter is a good example of the mindset of many a unionist - fearful. And who can blame them? Perhaps I'd be fearful too if I grew up in a society where I was in danger on a daily basis.
The key thing for Irish nationalism is not to dismiss people like the author of this letter. The onus is on Irish nationalism to prove that it has evolved to a point where it can acknowledge and appreciate views such as these but to find a way to accomodate these views in a new united Irish State.
This all-Ireland State must respect people like the author of this letter. It must respect Britishness. It must offer as little change and disruption as possible. People must go to the same schools, workplaces, parks, pubs etc as they always have.
It's time to pave the way for this all-Ireland State by working towards removing all remnants of anti-Britishness from Ireland. Britishness exists. Deal with it. If you want the border gone, you must. For it too exists. It is a constant reminder of the failure of people on this island to move on.
Removing the border shouldn't be some great struggle, some mighty effort...instead it should come off smoothly, as simple as a woman removing her scarf.
It's time to move on from archaic notions of territory and treason and do what's required - evolve.
President cancels Shankill visit
I see President McAleese has had to abandon her plans to visit the loyalist Shankill in west Belfast because of recent rioting in the area. A spokeswoman for the president said Thursday's visit to Edenbrooke Primary School has now been rearranged.
The president will meet school pupils and staff at a Belfast hotel instead.
It's a pity she's had to cancel her plans. The comments coming from the DUP are also a pity. Here's what Ian Paisley Junior, son of the man who claimed Catholics "breed like rabbits and multiply like vermin", had to say:
"All sense of protocol has been abandoned and all to assist a visit by someone who has done her best to insult the majority of people here by likening them to Nazis."
Actually she didn't liken people to Nazis at all. But why let the truth get in the way of your hypocritical rantings, eh Ian?
The stench of hypocrisy that emanates from the vile putrid pores of the DUP is almost overpowering. Would they enjoy it if nationalists were to put Britain's Head of State in danger and disrupt her plans on a visit to the Republic?
Sacre Bleu! Bollocks anyway!
Ah feck. They'll be guzzling back the frog's legs in France tonight. Beaten 1-0 by a magic moment from Henry. Probably the only good thing he did all night but that's football for you. Ireland can still qualify for the World Cup but France are in the driving seat and we'll have to hope for a play-off spot. Losing Keane, Reid and Morrisson through suspension doesn't help though as they miss the next game against Cyprus. Still, we must keep hope alive. I thought I'd rate the performance of the Irish players in tonight's game. So without further ado:
Shay Given (8/10) - Didn't have that much to do, although he did make a wonder save to keep out a free kick from Zidane. I don't fault him for Henry's goal.
Stephen Carr (6/10) - Not a great game and didn't do much attacking-wise which is presumably why he's in the team ahead of Steve Finnan.
Richard Dunne (6/10) - Had a bad start to the game with Henry causing him problems. Did better as the game went on but should have closed Henry down for the goal.
Kenny Cunningham (7/10) - The captain was Ireland's best defender on the night and kept tackling right until the final whistle. Solid display.
John O'Shea (5/10) - Gave the ball away far too often and looked exposed at the back. Not his greatest display in a green shirt.
Andy Reid (6/10) - Showed alot of heart and spirit and had perhaps Ireland's best chance with a free kick, but his distribution was not as good as it should have been and he rarely threatened. He also got himself booked for a stupid challenge and misses the game against Cyprus.
Roy Keane (9/10) - Alot was made of the battles he would have on the pitch, Keane won the battles...but France won the war. Keane had a dogged display and was quick to close down Zidane and Vieira. A pity that his teammates couldn't match his performance.
Kevin Kilbane (4/10) - Terrible game. Passing was poor, tackling was atrocious. As the pundits said in the studio, Keane was left all alone in the middle of the park.
Damien Duff (6/10) - Not his best game. Never really had a chance to have a go at the French defense. The French did their homework on him and never gave him enough space. Showed glimpses of the magic but nothing more. Disapointing.
Clinton Morrisson (6/10) - Showed alot of passion and got stuck in early in the match. Had two good goal-scoring chances but didn't get either on target.
Robbie Keane (6/10) - Worked hard but didn't really have alot of chances. Service to him was poor, in fairness. Had a strike on target from way out and also had a penalty appeal rightly turned down.
Subs:
Ian Harte (6/10) - Brought on late. Couldn't exactly make a mark on the game.
Gary Doherty (4/10) - Why he is even in the team is a mystery. Was shoved on in the last ten minutes as Ireland played route one football. He looked out of his depth. He is.
Manager:
Brian Kerr (6/10) - I think he got it wrong tactically tonight. France were there for the taking but we didn't go at them in the way we did against Holland in 2001. We didn't test them enough. His substitutions at the end were poor also. Doherty is not good enough to be a striker, never mind playing against the French! He should not have replaced Morrisson. A far better substitution for the last ten minutes would have been to take Kilbane off and put on Stephen Elliott and switch it to a 4-3-3 which is what they tried in the last game against Italy. At least that way we would have had three strikers on the pitch as opposed to one striker and one defender who thinks he's a striker! With that being said, I'm not calling for Kerr's head. The group isn't over yet.
Overall, it was a bad night. It was harsh to lose the game when both sides seemed so even but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and congratulate a moment of magic and that's what Henry's goal was. World Class. Unfortunately.
On another note, well done to the NI team for beating England. I've always felt the England team is way overrated with all this guff about winning the World Cup next year etc. When they're up against teams who bring the fight to them, as the battling Danes did a few months back, they look average. I imagine the North's players showed plenty of passion on Wednesday and clearly their spirit is far superior to their English counterparts. I imagine the only people happier than the North's fans right now are the British tabloid journalists. Poor Sven!
So, in closing, well done to the French team. You beat us. But just remember this France - there's one thing you'll never ever be able to beat us at - hurling. Not even you guys can qualify for that...
Shay Given (8/10) - Didn't have that much to do, although he did make a wonder save to keep out a free kick from Zidane. I don't fault him for Henry's goal.
Stephen Carr (6/10) - Not a great game and didn't do much attacking-wise which is presumably why he's in the team ahead of Steve Finnan.
Richard Dunne (6/10) - Had a bad start to the game with Henry causing him problems. Did better as the game went on but should have closed Henry down for the goal.
Kenny Cunningham (7/10) - The captain was Ireland's best defender on the night and kept tackling right until the final whistle. Solid display.
John O'Shea (5/10) - Gave the ball away far too often and looked exposed at the back. Not his greatest display in a green shirt.
Andy Reid (6/10) - Showed alot of heart and spirit and had perhaps Ireland's best chance with a free kick, but his distribution was not as good as it should have been and he rarely threatened. He also got himself booked for a stupid challenge and misses the game against Cyprus.
Roy Keane (9/10) - Alot was made of the battles he would have on the pitch, Keane won the battles...but France won the war. Keane had a dogged display and was quick to close down Zidane and Vieira. A pity that his teammates couldn't match his performance.
Kevin Kilbane (4/10) - Terrible game. Passing was poor, tackling was atrocious. As the pundits said in the studio, Keane was left all alone in the middle of the park.
Damien Duff (6/10) - Not his best game. Never really had a chance to have a go at the French defense. The French did their homework on him and never gave him enough space. Showed glimpses of the magic but nothing more. Disapointing.
Clinton Morrisson (6/10) - Showed alot of passion and got stuck in early in the match. Had two good goal-scoring chances but didn't get either on target.
Robbie Keane (6/10) - Worked hard but didn't really have alot of chances. Service to him was poor, in fairness. Had a strike on target from way out and also had a penalty appeal rightly turned down.
Subs:
Ian Harte (6/10) - Brought on late. Couldn't exactly make a mark on the game.
Gary Doherty (4/10) - Why he is even in the team is a mystery. Was shoved on in the last ten minutes as Ireland played route one football. He looked out of his depth. He is.
Manager:
Brian Kerr (6/10) - I think he got it wrong tactically tonight. France were there for the taking but we didn't go at them in the way we did against Holland in 2001. We didn't test them enough. His substitutions at the end were poor also. Doherty is not good enough to be a striker, never mind playing against the French! He should not have replaced Morrisson. A far better substitution for the last ten minutes would have been to take Kilbane off and put on Stephen Elliott and switch it to a 4-3-3 which is what they tried in the last game against Italy. At least that way we would have had three strikers on the pitch as opposed to one striker and one defender who thinks he's a striker! With that being said, I'm not calling for Kerr's head. The group isn't over yet.
Overall, it was a bad night. It was harsh to lose the game when both sides seemed so even but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and congratulate a moment of magic and that's what Henry's goal was. World Class. Unfortunately.
On another note, well done to the NI team for beating England. I've always felt the England team is way overrated with all this guff about winning the World Cup next year etc. When they're up against teams who bring the fight to them, as the battling Danes did a few months back, they look average. I imagine the North's players showed plenty of passion on Wednesday and clearly their spirit is far superior to their English counterparts. I imagine the only people happier than the North's fans right now are the British tabloid journalists. Poor Sven!
So, in closing, well done to the French team. You beat us. But just remember this France - there's one thing you'll never ever be able to beat us at - hurling. Not even you guys can qualify for that...
UI's Celtic Mythology - Lleu
Lleu, named Lleu of the Skilful Hand, in Welsh mythology was the son of Arianrhod. His mother laid a series of curses upon him, including the promise that he was to have no name unless she gave him one, no weapons unless she provided them and no wife of the human race. With the help of his uncle Gwydion, who raised him, Lleu overcame all these taboos, though the wife conjured by Gwydion and the magician Math was nearly his undoing. For this woman, Blodeuedd, fell in love with another man and plotted Lleu's death. When the guilty lovers struck him, Lleu rose into the air in the shape of an eagle. After a long search, Gwydion found him hiding in the forest wounded and starving and restored him to human form and healed his wounds.Wednesday, September 07, 2005
'What If'? Wednesday - Irish victory
As I write this, there's just over 17 hours to go until Ireland play France at Lansdowne Road. Can you believe it? It's only hours away. I can't remember the last time I was so excited about a football match. Think of the players that will be on show. Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira, Damien Duff and Zinedine Zidane, Robbie Keane and Thierry Henry and so on. What a match it will be! I hope to God that Ireland pull off the victory. I would rank it up there with the great victory over Holland in 2001. And with that being said, I must ask myself the question - what if Ireland are victorious?
Well obviously we top the group but I mean here on United Irelander, what will happen if Ireland win? Well, here's what you can expect...
- Patriotism to be cranked up - The Oirishness will leap off the screen!
- Analysis of the victory - I will try to suppress the desire to gloat.
- Analysis of why France failed - I'll try and be gentle.
- A song in tribute to the team - You heard me right!
- Pictures of sexy Irish women - I'm not really sure why...but it will happen!
And if we lose? Dún do bhéal! Hopefully that won't happen.
Don't expect any more posts from me today because if Ireland win or draw, I'll be consuming alot of this. And if we lose, I'll be consuming alot of this.
So I guess there's nothing left to say except...come on Ireland!
Well obviously we top the group but I mean here on United Irelander, what will happen if Ireland win? Well, here's what you can expect...
- Patriotism to be cranked up - The Oirishness will leap off the screen!
- Analysis of the victory - I will try to suppress the desire to gloat.
- Analysis of why France failed - I'll try and be gentle.
- A song in tribute to the team - You heard me right!
- Pictures of sexy Irish women - I'm not really sure why...but it will happen!
And if we lose? Dún do bhéal! Hopefully that won't happen.
Don't expect any more posts from me today because if Ireland win or draw, I'll be consuming alot of this. And if we lose, I'll be consuming alot of this.
So I guess there's nothing left to say except...come on Ireland!
Qualifier Countdown - Crunch time!
Wednesday - Crunch time! Yes, it's finally arrived. Today Ireland and France do battle at Lansdowne Road in the match we've all been waiting for.The time for talking is over. It's time to settle this on the pitch!
So, with that being said, there's only one thing left to be answered - who will win? Let's hear your predictions!
Here's mine - Ireland 2 France 1
De-recognise the ceasefire, Blair!
The Independent Monitoring Commission has forwarded a special report on the loyalist feud to the British government.The UVF has been behind four recent murders and it orchestrated violence on Monday and Tuesday, with the PSNI claiming that children are being recruited by text message to riot and that youngsters have been urged to leave their classrooms by loyalists orchestrating the violence.
The SDLP has been urging the British government to de-recognise the UVF ceasefire.
It said that it was sending the wrong message to Loyalists by continuing to recognise the ceasefire.
The party added that this was giving them a green card to continue with murders and rioting.
I agree with the SDLP. It's a farcical state of affairs when a paramilitary group which has murdered and maimed over the last few weeks and months is recognised by the British government as being on ceasefire!
The UVF must be laughing their heads off. They're attacking Protestants and Catholics as well as the PSNI and the British government continue to maintain that they are on ceasefire!
Do the right thing Mr Blair and de-recognise the ceasefire. Then, after you do that, make it perfectly clear to these loyalists that the British government will not tolerate such anarchy and mayhem on the streets of Ireland's north.
Innocent civilians are being terrorised by loyalists and the British government don't seem to be doing anything! Have you learned nothing from history, Mr Blair?
That's not so super...
This is the new Superman costume worn by Brandon Routh, who will play both Clark Kent and his heroic alter ego Superman in next year's movie, Superman Returns.The suit has been altered from the one worn by the late great Christopher Reeve.
The S insignia is slightly smaller and higher on the chest and instead of being painted on, it's more of a 3-D plate.
The insigia has also been added to the belt, which has been made more golden, while the cape is now scarlet.
What do you think of it? Personally, I prefer the old one.
UI's Celtic Mythology - Laeg
Laeg was Cuchulainn's charioteer. The Celts were renowned in the ancient world for their skill in handling chariots on the battlefield, and Laeg's skill was crucial to many of Cuchulainn's victories. He was also a great friend and companion. When Fand invited Cuchulainn to the Land of Promise, he sent Laeg before him to survey the place. During Cuchulainn's final and mortal combat, Laeg threw himself in front of a spear aimed at his master. Id, Laeg's brother, was charioteer to Conall Caernach.Just a thought, but wouldn't it have been more heroic for Cuchulainn to have surveyed the Land of Promise himself? You have to feel a bit sorry for Laeg being sent to check if everything is alright for Cuchulainn!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Is Bertie too scared to debate?
I'm disgusted at the news that the Government is planning to table a motion that would absolve the Taoiseach from taking unexpected questions from opposition leaders.
The matter is expected to come up tomorrow during a meeting of party whips, which will discuss Dáil reform and Chief Party Whip Tom Kitt will propose that questions should be submitted in advance.
Labour is furious about the proposals.
It said that it undermines tradition and sensitive questions will be appropriated to other ministers instead of the Taoiseach.
I'm furious at the proposals myself. Is Bertie scared of being brought to task on key issues?
Well done to Tom Kitt for his glorious proposition! You have a (brown) nose for good government!
Reel in the era of Herr Bertie!
The matter is expected to come up tomorrow during a meeting of party whips, which will discuss Dáil reform and Chief Party Whip Tom Kitt will propose that questions should be submitted in advance.
Labour is furious about the proposals.
It said that it undermines tradition and sensitive questions will be appropriated to other ministers instead of the Taoiseach.
I'm furious at the proposals myself. Is Bertie scared of being brought to task on key issues?
Well done to Tom Kitt for his glorious proposition! You have a (brown) nose for good government!
Reel in the era of Herr Bertie!
A new low for loyalists
School children are being recruited by text message to riot on the streets of Belfast, security chiefs said tonight.One as young as five has already been warned by police as loyalists petrol bombed and stoned police.
Youngsters have been urged to leave their classrooms by paramilitary thugs orchestrating the violence in the north of the city, senior officers believe.
Details emerged as the British and Irish Governments were handed a new dossier by a ceasefire watchdog on a loyalist terrorist feud involving the Ulster Volunteer Force – the organisation bringing new chaos and violence to badly scarred neighbourhoods.Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey has urged the authorities to undertake a radical policy review in loyalist areas before the heightening trouble causes a total collapse in confidence.
Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said: "There are text messages being sent around schools telling people there’s going to be trouble tonight and telling them to come out. It’s been clearly orchestrated."
Police chiefs strenuously defended their tactics for controlling the mayhem which erupted in the Woodvale district yesterday as officers raided homes following a UVF show of strength.
A machine gun and clothing believed to have been used by the paramilitaries as they flaunted their presence were seized, while another four men were arrested on suspicion of serious terrorist offences.
Police believe the recovery of a treasured weapon enraged loyalists into an onslaught of violence that involved hijacking seven vans and lorries and setting them alight.
Even though order was later restored, rioting erupted again overnight and Mr McCausland disclosed just how young some of those involved were.
"We approached a five-year-old on the Crumlin Road," he said.
"His so-called friends were running too quick and that’s how we caught him. He had been throwing stones.
"He was taken home to his parents and handed over with a strong telling off."
How evil is this? Chldren being recruited through text messages by loyalists? Disgusting. Something is seriously wrong when children as young as five are being initiated into violence.
When are unionists going to come together with nationalists to fight back against these depraved individuals? Unity is required to defeat these thugs.
Qualifier Countdown - 1 day away
Well we're now only 1 day away from the crunch match at Lansdowne Road between Ireland and France.In the French camp, Patrick Vieira has spoken of the respect he has for Roy Keane:
"I know him well and there has been quite a lot of tension between us on the pitch, but we respect each other.
"It always ended with us shaking hands at the end of the match. I know he will be tough with me and I will be tough with him too.
"He is a very determined man, like me."
Meanwhile in the Irish camp, Andy Reid has questioned the French team that Ireland will face:
"I watched parts of France’s game (against the Faroe Islands) on Saturday, and not being disrespectful to them, I don’t think they are the team that won the World Cup.
"There have been a lot of changes, and the fact Zidane is back does not change anything for me.
"France still have a lot of quality players and if even Zidane was not there then there would be another quality player to come in and take his place.
"We just have to go about our job and do the best we can. I am sure if we do that then we will be happy."
"They won’t be looking forward to coming to Lansdowne Road and playing against us. They will look at our record and see there are not many teams that get a good result," he added.
"We have turned it into a fortress, so they know they are going to be in for a tough game.
"Everybody’s going to be working their socks off, and on top of that we have a hell of a lot of quality players ourselves, and that will frighten them as well."
As well as that, Ireland manager Brian Kerr has said he does not feel under any pressure over the match:
"I don’t feel under any undue pressure.
"Every match we play there’s pressure on us to get a good result, there’s expectancy, hope and people want to see us get to the World Cup.
"But every team I’ve managed, I’ve had pressure managing them and pressure to get results all along the way.
"That’s part and parcel of it, and one of the reasons you maybe get involved in it, but I know how to handle it and deal with it.
"So this is nothing exceptional. There have been plenty of pressure matches for the team and the staff before this fixture."
Kerr went on to speak about how unpredictable the group is:
"It’s very even and you can analyse it in whatever way you like.
"Switzerland are two goals better off, while you can look at Israel and say they’ve two handy matches left and are guaranteed – almost – to get 18 points.
"You can look at us and say we’ve two home games to go, with a difficult game in Cyprus in between.
"Then you can look at France and say they are capable of winning three matches with the fantastic players they have – and they would be expected to win the three.
"There’s angles for everyone, so I don’t think there is one team in the best position."
If Ireland defeat the French tomorrow however, we will certainly be in the best position. Victory is within our grasp with all players fit and raring to go!
Since I have not got tickets for the game, I imagine I will be watching the match in the next best place - the pub!
Come on Ireland!
Geldof to get Freedom of City
Anti-poverty campaigner Bob Geldof has said that he is thrilled to be receiving the Freedom of the City of Dublin after Dublin City Council voted to bestow the honour on him and Olympic gold medallist Ronnie Delaney last night."I feel very proud," Geldof told RTÉ today. "Where I live in England gave me the freedom of that place, and Newcastle and various cities, but if you are going to be honoured, then it's from your home town that you want more than anything else," he added.
Dublin's Lord Mayor, Catherine Byrne, made the proposal to honour the two men, but the move was opposed by the leader of the Fianna Fáil group, Maurice Ahern, on procedural grounds.
Councillor Ahern said his party had only formally learned of the plan at 6pm yesterday evening and needed more time to consider the issue.
A sharp exchange of views ensued, after which the Council unanimously agreed to bestow the honour.
Personally, I have alot of respect for Bob Geldof. I suppose he gets his fair share of stick from some quarters but he's done more than most for the starving people of Africa.
I think he's certainly befitting of this honour and it's nice that Maurice Ahern agreed...eventually.
Top Ten Tuesday - Irish matches
With the huge football match between Ireland and France on Wednesday coming ever closer, I thought I'd make football the theme of this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday by listing my ten favourite Irish goals. So, without further ado:
1. Jason McAteer against Holland - This World Cup qualifying game was hugely important and things looked bleak when Gary Kelly was sent off and Ireland went down to 10 men, but a Roy Keane-inspired display led to McAteer getting a great goal and helping Ireland win the game.
2. Ray Houghton against Italy at USA '94 - The whole country erupted when Ray got the goal which helped Ireland defeat Italy 1-0.
3. Alan McLoughlin against NI - Oh how the North's team wanted to deny us a place in the '94 World Cup! They almost did until Alan McLoughlin came on and scored a screamer. I can still hear George Hamilton - "Alan McLoughlin...it's there! Alan McLoughlin has done it!"
4. Robbie Keane against Germany - In this 2002 World Cup game, Ireland looked dead and buried...until Robbie Keane came up with a screamer. In a poll done in England, the English voted it their third favourite sporting moment of 2002!
5. David O'Leary against Romania - I suppose this technically shouldn't count but O'Leary's penalty after Packie Bonner's save was a great moment which helped Ireland to the Quarter-Finals of the 1990 World Cup.
6. Ray Houghton against England - Ray Houghton's goal against England in '88 helped Ireland defeat the English. 'Nuff said!
7. Matt Holland against Cameroon - Holland's goal against Cameroon in the 2002 World Cup helped Ireland grab a 1-1 draw and considering the whole Keane furore that was going on at the time, it was a great result.
8. Robbie Keane against Spain - Robbie Keane's penalty against Spain in the 2002 World Cup sent the country into ecstasy...but the joy wouldn't last long as we crashed out on penalties in the end. I was on the brink of tears after that match. Weren't we all though?
9. Matt Holland against Portugal - Matt Holland's equaliser in this qualifying game for the 2002 World Cup played a key part in Ireland making the finals at the expense of Holland.
10. Roy Keane against Portugal - This was the match at Lansdowne Road and captain Roy Keane grabed a big goal to give us the lead in the game much to the delight of the fans...sadly Luis Figo grabbed a goal back. Both teams made it to the World Cup in the end.
Alot of great memories there. Hopefully Wednesday will provide some more.
So there you have it. Feel free to comment on my choices or to offer some of your own.
1. Jason McAteer against Holland - This World Cup qualifying game was hugely important and things looked bleak when Gary Kelly was sent off and Ireland went down to 10 men, but a Roy Keane-inspired display led to McAteer getting a great goal and helping Ireland win the game.
2. Ray Houghton against Italy at USA '94 - The whole country erupted when Ray got the goal which helped Ireland defeat Italy 1-0.
3. Alan McLoughlin against NI - Oh how the North's team wanted to deny us a place in the '94 World Cup! They almost did until Alan McLoughlin came on and scored a screamer. I can still hear George Hamilton - "Alan McLoughlin...it's there! Alan McLoughlin has done it!"
4. Robbie Keane against Germany - In this 2002 World Cup game, Ireland looked dead and buried...until Robbie Keane came up with a screamer. In a poll done in England, the English voted it their third favourite sporting moment of 2002!
5. David O'Leary against Romania - I suppose this technically shouldn't count but O'Leary's penalty after Packie Bonner's save was a great moment which helped Ireland to the Quarter-Finals of the 1990 World Cup.
6. Ray Houghton against England - Ray Houghton's goal against England in '88 helped Ireland defeat the English. 'Nuff said!
7. Matt Holland against Cameroon - Holland's goal against Cameroon in the 2002 World Cup helped Ireland grab a 1-1 draw and considering the whole Keane furore that was going on at the time, it was a great result.
8. Robbie Keane against Spain - Robbie Keane's penalty against Spain in the 2002 World Cup sent the country into ecstasy...but the joy wouldn't last long as we crashed out on penalties in the end. I was on the brink of tears after that match. Weren't we all though?
9. Matt Holland against Portugal - Matt Holland's equaliser in this qualifying game for the 2002 World Cup played a key part in Ireland making the finals at the expense of Holland.
10. Roy Keane against Portugal - This was the match at Lansdowne Road and captain Roy Keane grabed a big goal to give us the lead in the game much to the delight of the fans...sadly Luis Figo grabbed a goal back. Both teams made it to the World Cup in the end.
Alot of great memories there. Hopefully Wednesday will provide some more.
So there you have it. Feel free to comment on my choices or to offer some of your own.
England or England Junior?
I came across this interesting piece by Robin Livingstone (hat-tip N.Irish Magyar) in which he writes of his hope that 'England give Norn Iron a good spanking'. Harsh words from a man who himself was born in the North!
I can kind of see where Mr Lvingstone is coming from, though that is not to say I agree with his position. He writes of his hatred for the term 'Northern Ireland':
"I’ve mentioned before in this column that the dread words ‘Northern Ireland’ never pass my lips. Not only that, but I physically wince every time I hear them. Indeed, when the plane bringing me back from holiday landed at Belfast and the flight attendant with a Ballymena accent said that on behalf of the entire flight crew she’d like to welcome everybody on board to Northern Ireland, I looked up from my book and fired off a dirty look, but she didn’t catch my eye and the gesture went fizzing past her averted head like a badly-aimed RPG."
I too dislike the term 'Northern Ireland' mainly as I feel the Irishness of the term has been sucked out. It sounds far too British for my liking. That's why I prefer referring to 'Northern Ireland' as 'The North' or my own personal favourite, 'Ireland's north'. With that being said, I don't think I would 'physically wince' every time I hear the term. They're just words at the end of the day.
Here is what Mr Livingstone wrote on England's match with Ireland's north on Wednesday:
"So it should come as no surprise if I tell you that come Wednesday night, I will be cheering not only for an England win, but an emphatic England win; a trouncing, a rout, a spanking, a tanking, an embarrassment (but not a national embarrassment, of course)."
I think I ought to give my own views on the 'Northern Ireland' team - I do not support it. Those of you who have read this site since the start will be aware that I've said some harsh things about the North's team even labelling it 'England junior' much to the annoyance of some NI fans. I stand by that view though and will continue to stand by it until:
- They get rid of God Save The Queen as the national anthem.
- They encourage the flying of Irish tricolours alongside the red-hand rip-off of the St. George's cross
- They do more to reach out to nationalists and stamp out the singing of sectarian anthems
If this is achieved, I'll gladly root for the North in their matches, providing they're not playing the Republic of course. I want the team to be inclusive towards all communities in the North but I don't feel it is.
Ultimately though, like Irish football legend George Best, I want to see an all-Ireland team as is the case with the rugby team.
I suppose the key question though is, who do I hope wins between England and 'Norn Iron'?
And, in all honesty, I'm completely indifferent towards it. That's not a cop-out, I just don't particularly care what happens. If you've followed this blog over the last week you'll have noticed how excited I am about Ireland's clash with France. I haven't given much thought to the North's game. Only one game is on my mind.
Do I hope the North get hammered? No. Would I be unhappy if they defeated England on Wednesday? No. (I'm Irish so I hardly want England to do well!)
Ultimately, I want Ireland to beat France. That is all I want. If the North's team wins, fair play to them. But there's only one Irish side I'm concentrated on right now.
McAleese heads to the Shankill Road
I see President McAleese is due to visit the Shankill Road in Belfast this Thursday.
The president is expected to visit a local primary school and has other engagements in the area.
There is quite a bit of talk about this visit in light of the President's comments in January comparing anti-Catholic sentiments from some Protestants with anti-Semitic attitudes from the Nazis.
Hopefully she will be treated well up in the North but I have to say I find it ridiculous that unionists keep bringing up these comments as a way to berate the President.
She went on to apologise for her remarks shortly afterwards and she went way down in my estimation for doing so. She bottled it. She gave in to people like Paisley, who has said truly vile things about Irish Catholics over the years and she gave in to David Trimble, the guy who branded the Republic a "pathetic, sectarian, mono-ethnic, mono-cultural state" and who when speaking of the Republic said, "If you took away Catholicism and anti-Britishness, the state doesn't have a reason to exist."
These are the people who called on her to apologise and she did in the end. Her comments, which were made following the ceremony commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of the Auscwitz concentration camp, weren't even sectarian in my view:
"They( Nazis) gave to their children an irrational hatred of Jews in the same way that people in Northern Ireland transmitted to their children an irrational hatred, for example, of Catholics, in the same way that people give to their children an outrageous and irrational hatred of those who are of different colour and all of those things".
I can recall the vitriol that spewed from the mouths of unionists at the time and the amazing hypocrisy that was in evidence. For evidence of such hypocrisy, listen to these words from Ian Paisley Jnr, son of Dr Paisley:
"So much for bridge-building Mary.
"Her comments are completely irrational and are designed to insult the integrity of the Protestant community and damn an entire generation of Protestant people.
"Her mask as being a healer of divided peoples has slipped. She is spewing out hatred of the Protestant community, whilst accusing those same people of hating Catholics."
Garbage like this just insulted people's intelligence. This is September however and it will be interesting to keep an eye on unionist attitudes over the next few days.
Just one final thought though - I'm sure you all remember how unionists condemned the President after her remarks, do you think unionists have condemned the recent loyalist violence in anywhere near the same way?
Law will deal with Colombia Three - Ahern
The Taoiseach has said that the plight of the Colombia Three now rests with the legal process.Speaking in Co Cavan, Bertie Ahern was asked what he will do to assure Ian Paisley and DUP that the Government is not harbouring terrorists here.
"This issue has to be totally followed by a legal process in our international contributions. It will all be done as per the legal criteria," Mr Ahern said.
I commend the Taoiseach for his calm response to a farcical question about 'assuring' Ian Paisley and the DUP.
For years, Paisley has told the Republic to butt out of the North's affairs and now here we are in 2005 and this hypocrite is now himself butting in to the Republic's affairs!
Ahern is of course spot on. We live in a civilised society under a constitution and issues such as these must be followed by the necessary legal procedure.
We can't make a mockery of our justice system. We're not Colombia...
Poll Results - No to the Constitution!
I knew you really weren't in favour of the EU Constitution! I've now closed the poll which asked:
Are you in favour of the EU Constitution?
A staggering and overwhelming 83% of you voted 'Hell no!'
Democracy in action. You gotta love it!
Are you in favour of the EU Constitution?
A staggering and overwhelming 83% of you voted 'Hell no!'
Democracy in action. You gotta love it!
Loyalists go on rampage
More disturbances from loyalists I see.On Monday, a gang of loyalist youths went on the rampage in north Belfast around lunchtime, hijacking two vehicles including a soft-drinks lorry and setting them on fire.
The disturbance began as police officers moved in to search houses in the mainly loyalist Woodvale area at around midday.
PSNI officers and fire crews were also attacked with petrol bombs and stones during the violence.
On Sunday, up to 50 loyalist youths engaged in similar rioting as police conducted searches in the Enfield Street are of north Belfast.
Disgraceful stuff. Once again, unsurprisingly, no unionist politician was around to condemn the loyalist activity.
Dingle or An Daingean? Why not both?
I see that in the campaign to decide the name of Dingle in Co Kerry, residents of the town are displaying car stickers with the cliché: 'If it aint broken, why fix it?' in Irish in support of changing the title from An Daingean back to English.
Kerry County Council will hold a referendum in the area by the end of the year when locals will vote on the controversial name change.
The story has even crossed the Atlantic where it made the front page of the New York Times.
Why does it have to be one or the other? Why not go down the bilingual route? That way, everybody's happy.
I'd probably refer to it as 'Dingle' myself but I'm not sure what the locals would refer to it as...
Kerry County Council will hold a referendum in the area by the end of the year when locals will vote on the controversial name change.
The story has even crossed the Atlantic where it made the front page of the New York Times.
Why does it have to be one or the other? Why not go down the bilingual route? That way, everybody's happy.
I'd probably refer to it as 'Dingle' myself but I'm not sure what the locals would refer to it as...
UI's Celtic Mythology - Iubdan
Iubdan was a ruler of tiny people. According to Irish mythology, King Iubdan liked to boast alot; to put a stop to this annoying habit his court poet told him that Ulster was a land of giants. He even made King Iubdan and his wife, Queen Bebo, travel there in secret and try the porridge of the king of Ulster, Fergus Mac Leda. Unfortunately, Iubdan fell into the porridge and, along with his wife, was taken prisoner by Fergus. No ransom offer proved acceptable to the king of Ulster, although the tiny people offered him an abundance of corn. So they went on to the offensive: milk became scarce, rivers and wells were made foul and polluted, mills burned and during the nights the hair of men and women was entirely cut off. After a year and a day of this harassment Fergus Mac Leda eventually agreed to release Iubdan and Bebo, but only on the condition that in return he was given the king's most valuable possession, a pair of magic shoes. Whoever wore these shoes was able to travel across the surface of water as if walking on dry land, and when Fergus Mac Leda put them on they grew to fit his feet exactly. Echoes of the tiny people in this myth can be found in Jonathan Swift's novel, Gulliver's Travels.
I must admit I never came across this particular myth as a youngster but I think it is certainly one of the better ones.
I must admit I never came across this particular myth as a youngster but I think it is certainly one of the better ones.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Purrplexing
A west Devon couple are baffled by how their nine-year-old white cat turned pink after a weekend stroll.
Brumas, who was named after the first polar bear to be born at London Zoo, went out for a walk on Friday near his home in Bratton Clovelly.
But when he returned later, his white fur had turned pink, astonishing owners Philip and Joan Worth.
Personally, I think the cat is making a statement. It wants to move on to Sheba food if you know what I mean!
I'll let you make your own mind up. You can see it here.
A better response
I'm pleased to see a far better response by the Irish government towards our friends across the pond with regard to Hurricane Katrina which has devastated several southern states in America.About 30 members of the Irish Defence Forces are being despatched to the US to help out in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
The army is also to supply thousands of ready meals, tentage, blankets, water purification services and medical aid.
The Irish soldiers will be providing first aid kits, crutches and wheelchairs.
They will provide 3,000 ready meals and their tents will be able to accommodate 500 people.
The group will include about ten experts in stress debriefing and perhaps a specialist on infectious diseases.
Six of the troops will operate two water purification plants, and about 20 soldiers will distribute the meals and administer the tents.
Earlier, the Irish Government announced it is to provide initial funding of €1m for the victims of the hurricane.
In a statement, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said the aid will be directed to those most in need through the Red Cross and community-based organisations.
He added that the Government would also be contributing to the relief effort through the European Union.
This is a much more welcome response from the Irish government. I still think this aid should have been offered sooner but I suppose it's better late than never...
Qualifier Countdown - 2 days away
We're now only a mere 2 days away from the crunch game between Ireland and France at Lansdowne Road. On the injury front, France are sweating on the fitness of Lillian Thuram and Djibril Cisse. But there is great news on the Irish front as it's been revealed that Damien Duff will be fit to face France on Wednesday.
Both Duff and Matt Holland came through a training session successfully today.
"Damien got through the session so it looks like he will be OK" said Kerr.
"We had 23 players fit and training".
Fantastic news!
In other news, Ireland coach Brian Kerr and France coach Raymond Domenech have ended their war of words. Domenech was quoted as saying Ireland relied on long ball football against Israel which angered Kerr enough to claim the France manager was disrespectful earlier this week. But Domenech has now clarified his comments insisting he said that against Israel, Ireland did play long ball football but that that was unusual, though it shows that Ireland can resort to that tactic if the game requires.
"That's fair enough. We will not need Butros Butros Gali (former United Nations secretary general) to sort it out. I'll shake hands with him before the game," said Kerr.
As for the match itself, players on both teams have spoken of its importance. With Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham saying he believed Duff was Ireland's key man:
"We know about Zinedine Zidane’s ability to do the unexpected but we have Damien Duff. Hopefully he does it Wednesday night," said Cunningham.
"The days of him being a younger player with potential are over now. He’s a key component for us.
"When he first came into the squad he was very shy but we all knew the talent that he possesses. Now he’s matured as a person as well as a footballer and that can only be good for us.
"It takes time to bed into the international squad. I remember being told myself when I first came into the squad that it can take 10-15 caps to feel really part of the squad. Damien has now amassed over 50 caps and is a key man.
"He’s been a key player for us over this qualification campaign. It would be great for him personally to show the talents he has on the biggest stage in the world.
"Anyone who has watched our games over the last two or three years will have seen his development as a player, how he’s matured as a player and how big an influence he exerts over the whole team."
French striker Thierry Henry has also spoken of the match but has played down its importance:
"We are now concentrating fully on Ireland and this will be a very important match," said Henry.
"But on the other hand we should not try to score at any price because we are not obliged to win.
"Of course a victory would be better than a draw but we are not condemned to win.
"We will have to negotiate this match well with all the experienced players that we have.
"Of course we will try to go there to win even if this is not absolutely necessary. We will have to be patient and see how the match goes to strike at the right time."
What I found most interesting though was Patrick Vieira's comments on the match and the prospect of facing Roy Keane:
"He's their most important player and dictates play.
"Our meetings have always been heated but I won't be taking any backwards steps on Wednesday. I never give up."
Make no mistake Patrick Vieira, Roy Keane won't be taking any backwards steps either. And the same goes for all our players.
It's sure to be a great game. Hopefully all Ireland's players will be fit and ready. Victory IS within our grasp!
Come on Ireland!
Monday Madness - P.C. brigade
I'm fed up with it. I'm seriously sick and tired of the politically correct bullshit that we're having to put up with in society these days. I'm sick of the name-calling I've endured on this blog and elsewhere for merely putting across my beliefs which are in no way bigoted.But, on the bright side, it's been educational and it has confirmed a belief I have long held, though have been reluctant to acknowledge - arguing intelligently about key issues in this country is nigh on impossible.
Try and talk about immigration in a calm and reasonable manner, someone labels you racist.
Try and talk about gay marriage or gay adoption in a calm and reasonable manner, you're called a bigot or a homophobe.
Try and highlight that the war in Iraq might actually be justified in a calm and reasonable manner, you're called a war-monger.
It's such a pity. These are just some of the issues that ought to be discussed in this country and other countries, but the bleeding heart liberals just won't allow debate.
Let me bring up this post I made on Friday about gay adoption. This is a very controversial issue and I knew my views would be fiercely challenged by some people but I decided what the hell, I'll air my views anyway. Now my position on the matter was stated - I do not support it. This doesn't make me homophobic though. I have nothing against gay people. Indeed, I stated that in the original post: