May, 2024

                I read in today’s paper how:-   Britain’s Veterans’ Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer, who himself served with the British Special Services on three tours in Afghanistan and had the rank of Captain “gave evidence to the SAS enquiry* but refused to give the names of the soldiers who […]

Arrogance v Humility in the Catholic Church by Joe McVeigh There are two kinds of Church – the Arrogant Church and the Humble Church. The arrogant church is authoritarian and legalistic. The humble Church is listening (synodal), inclusive and accommodating. I have experience of both churches at different times during the last 50 years. Prior […]

    Sir,   Sean Ilmari McLoughlin (12th July), having completed mandatory military service in Finland, suggests Ireland might consider allying herself with that country, which has abandoned its almost eighty year tradition of neutrality.   I myself am older than Finland’s tradition and clocked up enough years to earn a long-service hold a long-service […]

Is the SDLP in Derry showing the way, by having a woman from Kenya, Lilian Seenoi-Barr,  made Mayor of Derry? And does the fact that two SDLP council members chose to show their disapproval by resigning matter? PLUS, we have veeerrry interesting news about Lilian’s election director. In the Middle East, Netenyahu is having leaflets […]

In this morning’s Irish Times, there’s an article about the economic benefits – or problems – that would accompany Irish unity.There is also a reference to the reunion of East and West Germany, which cost a serious amount of money. But are Germans glad they did it? You betcha. So what kind of bean-counters are […]

I’m reading a book called ‘The Revenge of Power’ which studies the rise of autocratic political figures throughout today’s world.  It’s interesting but I have a few quibbles with it, not least that it takes as given that our present form of government – democracy, we’re told – is something we need to cherish. I’d […]

      I’ll content myself with one Obstacle, for the moment.     DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER.   British Statesmanship is just as consistent,   Like Mae West’s Diamond’s diamonds, of which the actress said :-   “Goodness had nothing to do with it.”    In 1904 Britain and France entered into a conspiracy to […]

There are reports this morning about how at least one prominent US newspaper is reporting events in Gaza. On a site called ‘The Intercept’ they tell us the instructions under which New York Times journalists are working. They have been instructed to restrict their use of terms such as “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing.” They should […]