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Books
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…if University education were universally available and availed of, the country would collapse in one generation
Tweet The words of Brian O’Nolan, variously Brian Ó Nualláin, Myles na gCopaleen, Myles na Gopaleen and, of course, Flann O’Brien. That O’Nolan was referencing his own dissolute student days at UCD only mildly distracts from the prophetic undertone of his words: I paid no attention whatsoever to books or study and regarded lectures as [...] read our review »
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The Written World
Tweet Here’s something to keep you occupied over the weekend. [Will there be a quiz? - Ed] Possibly… The BBC magazine has an short and interesting, but un-embeddable, audio slide-show of Melvyn Bragg’s Radio 4 five-parter, In Our Time: The Written World. The British Library has more online information about the texts and technology featured in [...] read our review » -
What is history for again?
Tweet A growing row over Michael Gove’s proposed new history curriculum for England may well spark a bout of Brit bashing in Slugger and other places. Anything that seems to encourage the “great man theory ”( History p 165 et seq)” of British history will be dumped on, but not only on this side of the [...] read our review »
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Comment on At the current rate of progress, gender equality of MLAs at Stormont will only take another 65 years
on 25 January 2013 at 6:28 pm
Scath thanks for that detail which I didnt have time to input earlier.
Murphy and maskey were replaced by females so SF do were possible try to push for more representation from females although there needs to be a balance if young male talent may lose out when in individual cases maybe better placed to do the job.
Its definitely a difficult balancing act.
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Comment on At the current rate of progress, gender equality of MLAs at Stormont will only take another 65 years
on 25 January 2013 at 12:38 pm
”But of the 14 opportunities for co-option in the NI Assembly between 2007 and 2012 “to replace MLAs who had resigned or died, including to three seats previously held by women” the parties “decided in every one of these fourteen instances that a man should fill the vacancy”.
This is not true, at least were SF is concerned. Martina andersons, paul maskey, Michelle gildernew and conor murphy were all replaced by females within this time period.
It is very stark when comparing SF and the various unionist parties how much unionism is still an old mans club, obviously unionist supremacy exist also within their parties as to who goes forward for election. Once again shows that unionists dont understand the word equality.
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Comment on Micheál Martin – opportunism and cynicism of the very worst kind
on 20 January 2013 at 7:02 pm
Alias,
So being a member or supporter of SF makes you a sheep or does this apply to all other parties and anyone who supports or follows anything for that matter.
Your perception of SF strategy is so far removed from what it actually is that you really need to remove your hatred for that party to actually see what’s really going on.
You say SF knowingly removed the flag in the knowledge that everyone would see it as a sectarian move, why would they be so stupid to do that, it just doesn’t make sense.
SF supporters believe that removing flags etc is akin to removing the British from Ireland, are you listening to yourself, that’s just nonsense.
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Comment on Micheál Martin – opportunism and cynicism of the very worst kind
on 20 January 2013 at 4:36 pm
Should read
**SF completely peaceful protest
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Comment on Micheál Martin – opportunism and cynicism of the very worst kind
on 20 January 2013 at 4:34 pm
Concubhar,
Firstly to my knowledge SF have been working away on the issue of street signage as gaelige for a long time now so I dont see you point.
Secondly, while the union flag isnt thr most important item on the agenda it sends a message to unionism that times are changing and Republicans want equality or neutrality.
Thirdly I find it absolutely amazing that martin tries to equate a SF completely protest outside psni headquarters for 1 hour on 1 day against political policing to the violence from unionist thugs against a democratic decision and you agree with this point.
Maybe you should ask the people of the short strand what they think of micheal martin and his politicking while his fellow countrymen and women have to endure a sectarian supremacist violent onslaught from unionist death squads.
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Comment on Micheál Martin – opportunism and cynicism of the very worst kind
on 20 January 2013 at 2:55 pm
Not now john,
It should not have been controversial given the Dup and Uup voted for the designated days policy in Lisburn and that policy applies to stormont. It was the actions of the unionist parties who decided to up the ante and make it controversial plus the so called flag outrage is more to do with other issues which Eoin has already mentioned.
Comrade,
He hasnt hurt the shinners feelings but rather f*@ked off a lot of nats/repubs because of his politiking over this issue while short strand bore the brunt of violent unionism. Hes a joke of a political leader in a corrupt party
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Comment on Micheál Martin – opportunism and cynicism of the very worst kind
on 20 January 2013 at 12:57 pm
Eoin,
Excellent piece which is well written and to the point.
Once again the failure of political unionism in working class loyalist areas is in the news and they direct all their sectarian hatred towards Republicans as if somehow its their fault.
I keep hearing loyalist/unionist talk about their communities not benefitting from the ‘peace dividend’ and it all went to them there fenians. The question they should be asking is why when any money came in did the UVF & UDA syphon it off for gambling or drugs etc.
As for Mr Martin he just proves that he is out of his depth both in and out of government and see the north as nothing more than the occasional whipping stick for Sinn Fein should any issue so take his fancy, and they have they audacity to call themselves a Republican party.
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Comment on We could be entering an era of referendum politics. Will it be destructive or creative?
on 20 January 2013 at 8:50 am
There is a lot of talking and debating to be done around a united ireland and a border poll for that matter but one thing is for sure, unionisms responses to this issue will be like that of dealing with other issues, FEAR, FEAR, SECTARIANISM & FEAR.
Although different in nature I think the referendum in Scotland will give a taste of the Fear Game that unionism will play and as much trouble and violence will be stirred up by Ulster Unionists as a taste of things to come.
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Comment on Border Poll: On the one road, maybe the wrong road, on the road to god knows where?
on 18 January 2013 at 10:36 pm
Ultimately the SOS holds the power to call it but SF has been not behind the door on a UI or a border poll and this coming more to the fore now is part of a project started a few years back to promote the UI agenda both at home and abroad.
There are many unknowns about a UI but the purpose of this by GA is to start that debate, years before a debate will be called so everyone can engage in that debate and many of the unknowns should become clearer.
Lets be honest, it will be a few years before the SOS will call the poll but as slugger is evidence of, the debate is already started on this forum and others and between different people of various backgrounds
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Comment on Do Unionist councils need to learn the ‘trick’ of using nationalist mayors as a majoritarian cover?
on 18 January 2013 at 10:24 pm
Firstly well done to Chris and Gerry lynch.
Nationalist and Republicans share power in councils where they have a majority genuinely in the name of equality, believe it or believe it not.
Unionism on the other hand demonstrates on councils what many Nats/Reps already know, that unionism believes in some god given or birth right to be in charge in this part of Ireland and that manifests itself in their supremacist sectarian mentality whereby they can’t even make small gestures to the ‘other’ side because of the old adage of not wanting a Fenian about the place. That’s not every elected unionist but seems to me most of them have this mentality.
Unionism needs to realise that the days of the orange state are gone and stop fooling themselves and their electorate that they still hold their noses when reluctantly engaging with SF. MOVE WITH THE TIMES UNIONISM!
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