‘They diagnosed you as having the problem, when in fact you were pointing out a problem.’

blue orange green and yellow plastic toy

I came across this interesting post from the psychologist Naomi Fisher. From the post: I was listening to a podcast about something unrelated to parenting, or school, or any of the things that I usually talk about. The guest was talking about his experiences leaving a religion where the leaders were abusive. He raised the alarm as a teenager, thinking that others would act to protect young people. What happened was that he was called rebellious. The youth leaders told …

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Open sunday – politics free zone…

Street vendor with a suitcase

In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not …

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Open Sunday – discuss what you like…

open sunday sign, signage, open

The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not that interested in daily …

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The Covid enquiry exposes the dysfunction at Stormont….

red and white UNKs restaurant

In today’s Beltel, Sam McBride has a lengthy piece on the Covid enquiry. Some extracts From the article: After just four hearings of the Covid Inquiry in Belfast, already layer after layer of Stormont’s deep secrecy has been penetrated. The revelations are dismaying. As death swept towards us, ministers fought. As health staff risked their lives to treat Covid patients, just one civil servant out of 23,000 volunteered to sit in an emergency hub to coordinate the crisis response. As …

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Tories face heavy losses in English local elections…

It is not looking to be a good year for the Conservative Party. Heavy losses in the English local elections are an omen of what is to come in this year’s general election. Here are the results so far: I am sure you will all feel sorry for the poor aul tories. At least they have their millions to comfort them. "It's going to be very, very difficult for [Rishi Sunak] indeed to turn it round" Prof Sir John Curtice …

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Concerns Over Costs of Irish Unity Exaggerated, Potential Benefits Underestimated…

brown concrete bridge besides green plants during daytime

I know what you are thinking. Its been at least a whole day since we have had a post on reunification. But lest you get the DT’s Professor John Doyle and Professor Brendan O’Leary come along to kick their highly polished patent leather boots into the IIEA report from the other week. The last time I called it report tennis, with each side lobbing reports back and forward. But I prefer to think of this one as a WWE tag …

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2 Days Before Deadly Crash, Teen Campaigned to Improve Notorious A5 Road…

several vehicles on the road during sunset

Yet more deaths on our roads. This time with the horrendous twist that one of the victims featured in a campaign to improve the A5 road just 2 days ago. From the BelTel: The two young people killed in a crash on the A5 last night have been named. Kamile Vaicikonyte (17) passed away alongside Jamie Moore (19) in the accident on the Doogary Road near Omagh. Ms Vaicikonyte lived in Aughnacloy with her family and worked in the Supervalu …

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Historic Milestones: Belfast’s First Gay Lord Mayor, Derry’s First Black Lord Mayor…

brown and white concrete building under cloudy sky

At times, you do wonder if this place will ever change, but when you zoom out from the day to day, there have been some dramatic changes. It is not that long ago since we had the ‘Save Ulster From Sodomy’ campaign trying to valiantly protect the good citizens of Ulster from ‘the gays’. But times change. We now have our first openly gay Minister in Andrew Muir, and now his Alliance party colleague councillor Micky Murray to be the …

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Is Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf going to jump before he gets pushed?

There are reports this morning that Humza Yousaf will quit as First Minister of Scotland. This follows the Green Party’s removal of support last week and a planned vote of no confidence. He has called a press conference for 12pm today. Humza Yousaf: MSPs braced for announcement on SNP leader’s future ‘one way or another this morning’ – UK politics live https://t.co/UKSqu465QD — The Guardian (@guardian) April 29, 2024 Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the …

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SDLP councillor Jason Barr resigns from party…

Jason Barr

Jason Barr is a councillor on Derry City & Strabane District Council. This morning he resigned from the SDLP and plans to continue as an independent. He posted a statement on Facebook this morning: Today I have resigned from the SDLP and will continue my tenure as an Independent Councillor. This decision was not made easily. I simply cannot be involved in a party that doesn’t stick to party democratic processes. Values that the party was built upon is seemingly …

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Andrew Muir – State should apologise to the LGBT community…

white and red street sign

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has given a wide-ranging interview with Liam Tunney in the Beltel. Still, the bit that is being highlighted is his comments about the past treatment of the LGBT community. From the article: A recent BBC documentary —Blood on the Dancefloor — told the story of Darren’s life and murder. It also explored the attitude of the media and security forces towards the LGBT community. Mr Muir, who contributed to the programme, said the state should apologise …

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Open sunday – politics free zone…

Street vendor with a suitcase

In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not …

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Open Sunday – discuss what you like…

open sunday sign, signage, open

The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not that interested in daily …

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The world is just one big monopoly game for the super rich…

gold ring on white paper

I see in the news that Phoenix Energy has been sold to a Hong Kong billionaire. From the BBC: Phoenix Energy is being sold to a consortium associated with one of Hong Kong’s wealthiest businessmen. Phoenix owns and operates the largest natural gas distribution network in Northern Ireland, covering Greater Belfast, Larne and East Down. It is currently owned by the NatWest pension fund and an Australian infrastructure investor. They have agreed to sell it to three firms in the …

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Stormont agrees budget. UUP votes against…

From Ryan McAleer in the Irish News: Delivering a balanced budget was one of the Treasury’s three conditions for wiping a £559 million debt built up by Stormont departments overspending in previous years. Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald delivered that aspect on Thursday after securing executive approval for her 2024/25 budget, albeit with Health Minister Robin Swann dissenting. We knew from the briefing given to the finance committee last week that there was a shortage of around £2bn from what ministers …

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Alliance MLA Patrick Brown resigns his South Down seat…

From the BBC: The Alliance Party is to begin the process of finding a replacement for Patrick Brown after he unexpectedly quit Stormont. Announcing the news on Tuesday, a spokesperson said the resignation was due to “personal reasons”. The party now has seven days to co-opt a replacement for Mr Brown to the assembly. Under Stormont rules, Alliance can choose someone to fill the vacant seat without the need for a by-election. Those internal processes to find a replacement will …

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“If Disability Living Allowance went away and people had to get up in the morning and go to work…”

Not a great weekend for the UUP. With Robin, due to Swann off and leaving the health service drifting aimlessly towards the rocks, their great hope to take the North Down seat, Colonel Tim Collins, gave a disastrous interview to the Newsletter. It really is worth a read. Here are some of the best bits: was also scathing about his potential rivals, saying “they are concerned with potholes, parking and dog excrement on the pavement”. Mr Collins argues there “isn’t any …

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Robin Swann to abandon health service to chase votes in South Antrim…

Robin Swann is a popular politican. He won much public respect for his steady handling of the Covid pandemic, and people respect him for taking on the poisoned chalice of health when Sinn Féin and the DUP would not touch it. Unfortunately, it looks like much goodwill towards him will soon evaporate. Mr Swann told BBC’s Sunday Politics that once the election period begins, he would give up his seat in the Stormont Executive to canvas. While you can try …

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Open sunday – politics free zone…

Street vendor with a suitcase

In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not …

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Open Sunday – discuss what you like…

open sunday sign, signage, open

The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not that interested in daily …

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