January, 2010

Yesterday provided a rare sight on TV: a politician not personally under pressure standing up and saying he thought the media, or some sections of same, were reporting an issue in a reprehensible manner. The politician was Martin McGuinness and he made no bones about his opinion of the coverage around the alleged abuse involving […]

Yesterday provided a rare sight on TV: a politician not personally under pressure standing up and saying he thought the media, or some sections of same, were reporting an issue in a reprehensible manner. The politician was Martin McGuinness and he made no bones about his opinion of the coverage around the alleged abuse involving […]

Now that the air is thick with mud being lobbed in Gerry Adams’s direction, it’s easy to forget what the Sinn Fein project is. Long-term, the party has one central objective: a re-united Ireland, governing itself free from British intervention. Since that is in the hands of the majority in the northern state, it might […]

Now that the air is thick with mud being lobbed in Gerry Adams’s direction, it’s easy to forget what the Sinn Fein project is. Long-term, the party has one central objective: a re-united Ireland, governing itself free from British intervention. Since that is in the hands of the majority in the northern state, it might […]

Yesterday in the changing room at the UU Sports Centre I eavesdropped on two men. (Actually they were talking so loudly, it was more a case of eaveasassault than eavesdrop.) They were talking about the Robinson affair and their particular contempt was directed at the hypocrisy of those who’d preach about sin while themselves merrily […]

Yesterday in the changing room at the UU Sports Centre I eavesdropped on two men. (Actually they were talking so loudly, it was more a case of eaveasassault than eavesdrop.) They were talking about the Robinson affair and their particular contempt was directed at the hypocrisy of those who’d preach about sin while themselves merrily […]

In today’s Observer newspaper, there’s a reference to Martin O’Neill, the manager of Aston Villa, as ‘the Northern Irishman’. Why is that, I wonder? If I was talking about Arsene Wenger, I don’t think I’d refer to him as the ‘South of France man’ (or whichever region he’s from) or to Rafael Benitez as the […]

In today’s Observer newspaper, there’s a reference to Martin O’Neill, the manager of Aston Villa, as ‘the Northern Irishman’. Why is that, I wonder? If I was talking about Arsene Wenger, I don’t think I’d refer to him as the ‘South of France man’ (or whichever region he’s from) or to Rafael Benitez as the […]

The present Mrs Collins and myself were on our way into the new George Clooney movie last night (‘Up In The Air’ – seven-and-a-half-out-of-ten movie – some thought, much pleasant mulch) and the woman at the ticket desk asks for £11. I’ve given her £10 so we’re rooting for the extra coin when the present […]

The present Mrs Collins and myself were on our way into the new George Clooney movie last night (‘Up In The Air’ – seven-and-a-half-out-of-ten movie – some thought, much pleasant mulch) and the woman at the ticket desk asks for £11. I’ve given her £10 so we’re rooting for the extra coin when the present […]