Was Bradley Manning right? Was he justified in passing to Wikileaks classified files showing what American foreign policy was really up to? Many if not most of us would be tempted to respond with a firm ‘Yes’. But if we were American would we be as firm in our approval of the US soldier? He’s […]
July, 2013
Bradley Manning and doing the right thing.
Was Bradley Manning right? Was he justified in passing to Wikileaks classified files showing what American foreign policy was really up to? Many if not most of us would be tempted to respond with a firm ‘Yes’. But if we were American would we be as firm in our approval of the US soldier? He’s […]
GAA games and Ulster teams
I’ve just checked and I note that, of the eight teams in the All-Ireland Football quarter-finals, four are from Ulster. That’s quite an achievement and not one that’s received a lot of comment from the media. Maybe that’s because three of the teams – Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal – are from Ulster but not from […]
GAA games and Ulster teams
I’ve just checked and I note that, of the eight teams in the All-Ireland Football quarter-finals, four are from Ulster. That’s quite an achievement and not one that’s received a lot of comment from the media. Maybe that’s because three of the teams – Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal – are from Ulster but not from […]
Reports from a phony war
Did you know there was a war on? I don’t mean somewhere else in the world (there are always several wars raging somewhere) but right here in our own little wobbly-lined corner? It’s a culture war, apparently, with the winners being those who produce evidence of a stronger, more appealing culture. Now that the ceasefires […]
Reports from a phony war
Did you know there was a war on? I don’t mean somewhere else in the world (there are always several wars raging somewhere) but right here in our own little wobbly-lined corner? It’s a culture war, apparently, with the winners being those who produce evidence of a stronger, more appealing culture. Now that the ceasefires […]
Sectarian bigots and repentance
Once more, Sunday Sequence on BBC Raidio Uladh/Radio Ulster kick-starts my thinking today. Rev Gary Mason of the East Belfast Mission was on and drew a parallel between alcoholism and sectarianism: “I am a recovering sectarian bigot” he told listeners. Good line. Somebody tweeted in that this was a marvellous example of leadership. Sorry. Can’t […]
Sectarian bigots and repentance
Once more, Sunday Sequence on BBC Raidio Uladh/Radio Ulster kick-starts my thinking today. Rev Gary Mason of the East Belfast Mission was on and drew a parallel between alcoholism and sectarianism: “I am a recovering sectarian bigot” he told listeners. Good line. Somebody tweeted in that this was a marvellous example of leadership. Sorry. Can’t […]
The Irish Seanad: another way to screw the poor
Would it be a good idea for the south to get rid of its Seanad? That’s a debate that’s running with some energy on the other side of the border these days. There’s talk of how much it would save were the Seanad abolished, much talk about the Seanad holding politicians to account, and the […]
The Irish Seanad: another way to screw the poor
Would it be a good idea for the south to get rid of its Seanad? That’s a debate that’s running with some energy on the other side of the border these days. There’s talk of how much it would save were the Seanad abolished, much talk about the Seanad holding politicians to account, and the […]