November, 2011

Peter Hain and the horrible hackers

The Germans have a word for it – schadenfreude.  Loosely translated, it means taking pleasure in the misfortune of others. So how did you feel when you heard about Peter Hain this morning? Apparently bronzed Peter’s computer, which may have contained “sensitive security information” was hacked by people working for newspapers while he was British […]

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Peter Hain and the horrible hackers

The Germans have a word for it – schadenfreude.  Loosely translated, it means taking pleasure in the misfortune of others. So how did you feel when you heard about Peter Hain this morning? Apparently bronzed Peter’s computer, which may have contained “sensitive security information” was hacked by people working for newspapers while he was British […]

Continue Reading

The BBC, a woman in a shower and your head’s cut

I once knew a woman who talked aloud in the shower. Her husband said she did it to rid herself of the torment of l’esprit de l’escalier.  Which means literally ‘the staircase wit’. It’s when you are on your way home, or just before you fall asleep or, yes, going down the stairs from somebody’s […]

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The BBC, a woman in a shower and your head’s cut

I once knew a woman who talked aloud in the shower. Her husband said she did it to rid herself of the torment of l’esprit de l’escalier.  Which means literally ‘the staircase wit’. It’s when you are on your way home, or just before you fall asleep or, yes, going down the stairs from somebody’s […]

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Catholics voting for the union

Compared to television, radio is a discussion-friendly medium. That’s  because you don’t have to have interesting pictures to go with every word spoken. But only when it’s compared to TV. When compared to real-life, radio discussion is thinner than Twiggy.  An example. On Monday last I was on The Stephen Nolan Show on BBC Radio […]

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Catholics voting for the union

Compared to television, radio is a discussion-friendly medium. That’s  because you don’t have to have interesting pictures to go with every word spoken. But only when it’s compared to TV. When compared to real-life, radio discussion is thinner than Twiggy.  An example. On Monday last I was on The Stephen Nolan Show on BBC Radio […]

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Arlene Foster – What fracking interest?

I once went to a movie called Giant in the County Cinema in Omagh. It starred Rock Hudson and was all about Texas and ranchers and cowboys and oil and stuff. I’ve forgotten everything in it except one moment where Rock is in a field on his own. Looking very soulful, he bends down and […]

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Arlene Foster – What fracking interest?

I once went to a movie called Giant in the County Cinema in Omagh. It starred Rock Hudson and was all about Texas and ranchers and cowboys and oil and stuff. I’ve forgotten everything in it except one moment where Rock is in a field on his own. Looking very soulful, he bends down and […]

Continue Reading

Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich – a life well-lived

I don’t know what sins the late Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich was guilty of, but I feel certain his good qualities will easily outweigh them. TG4 aired  an excellent documentary on his life last night and somebody used the word “ebullience” of him. Good word. He had a life-giving energy, a warmth that not all Irish cardinals […]

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Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich – a life well-lived

I don’t know what sins the late Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich was guilty of, but I feel certain his good qualities will easily outweigh them. TG4 aired  an excellent documentary on his life last night and somebody used the word “ebullience” of him. Good word. He had a life-giving energy, a warmth that not all Irish cardinals […]

Continue Reading