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Talking to a brick wall: how to make politicians listen?
It took me a long time to warm to advertising agencies. The first time I worked with one I was working in sales management on Fairy Washing Up Liquid. I was due to attend a meeting at which I was to be told what consumers really thought of the brand. I remember my reluctance to [...] read our review »
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A poem for the day – Launching the Whaler Juan Peron
A Belfast epic, and one of my oldest poems, the opener of my first collection, Grub. The gist of the story was found in Moss & Hume’s Shipbuilders to the World: 125 Years of Harland and Wolff, Belfast, 1861-1986, which tells how Eva Peron was due to launch a huge whaling vessel in Belfast, built [...] read our review » -
Titanic: was it all right when it left here?
Not according to metallurgists Tim Foecke and Jennifer Hooper McCarty whose research has suggested that dodgy Harland and Wolff rivets were at fault for allowing the Titanic’s hull to be ripped apart by the pressure of the iceberg impact. With six of the hull’s chambers exposed to the Atlantic waters, the “unsinkable” ship lasted less [...] read our review »
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Comment on de Brun resigns as MEP
on 3 May 2012 at 6:30 pm
UTV reports Martina Anderson as the favourite.
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Comment on Chuckle Brothers reunite to warn local unionists over Scottish intervention
on 23 January 2012 at 11:16 pm
“Every time I see Elliot debate any issue, he seems to be in a blind panic.”
Corrected that for you.
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Comment on Londonderry’s bid for All-Ireland Fleadh in 2013 to go ahead
on 19 January 2012 at 1:34 pm
Is Derry the only bid for this? Shouldn’t Martina have been “hopeful of looking forward to staging….” or does she know something different?
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Comment on Godot arrives: Compton Review delivers
on 13 December 2011 at 11:03 pm
Tinman,
Thanks – I did as you suggested above and drew a blank also.
Much appreciated.
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Comment on Godot arrives: Compton Review delivers
on 13 December 2011 at 10:38 pm
Cynic,
A number of questions:
Have you ever driven from Newry to Craigavon on the shortest possible route? Even with sirens blaring and traffic control in place, 25 minutes is a no-go. More like 35-40. Besides, I asked about travelling from Kilkeel (with an eye to Jim Wells MLA). God help anyone who needs emergency care during July also given Portadown’s penchance for blocking roads regularly during the period.
Also, knowing an awful lot of people who work (and have worked) in both hospitals, they are all of the opinion that Craigavon, whilst favoured by the Dept of Health, is second rate compared to Daisy Hill on multiple levels (hygiene, patient care etc). All this despite the Trust endlessly favouring it in terms of resources.
So IMHO, my choice would be to retain the acute status in my local hospital and live than die in a chintzy little local hospital in north Armagh whose sole qualification seems to be that previous maldaministrations at Stormont built a town there to as a monument to their own xenophobia to the other lot
Tinman,
Since the meeting occured, I have tried to access the minutes both on the old site and the new with no success. If I was a conspiracy theorist, I would surmise that maybe that was intentional?
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Comment on Godot arrives: Compton Review delivers
on 13 December 2011 at 7:16 pm
“most health analysts have suggested that those five would be the correct ones to keep. The arguments are clearly going to be whether there should be another two and if so which ones: the most likely would probably be Erne and Causeway (in that order of likelihood of survival)”
Which health analysts and what are their vested interests? And why should either of Erne or Causeway befavoured instead of Daisy Hill? Daisy Hill provides a service to large parts of County Louth, who pay for the privilege – I can’t imagine the Causeway laying any similar claims. And why should Belfast retain three hospitals?
Where, for example, is an emergency patient from Kilkeel to go to? Craigavon has piss poor roads leading into it from most of it’s proposed catchment area (if Daisy Hill is downgraded) and the only decent road into it comes from the direction of Belfast who will have ample facilities anyway. Expect a major fight from down these parts: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dont-let-Daisy-Hill-be-run-down-in-favour-of-Craigavon-Area/218323971539683.
BTW, your link to the health Committe minutes is not working as it hasn’t been working since the actual meeting itself. I’m interested to know just how much the one local MLA on the committee actually protested.
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Comment on Former R.O.I. boss acknowledges ‘picking’ National allegiance is unfair…
on 10 August 2011 at 8:25 pm
Why this endless debate goes on and on and on is beyond me. Two words (or one name)……Neil Lennon. End of story.
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Comment on Worthy goes for Bruce, signals end to eligibility hostilities
on 2 July 2011 at 10:18 pm
It’s unfortunately easy to see that this thread will probably descend into the usual whataboutery but in essence Danny defined the whole issue at the very start of his blog thread:
“No disrespect to Northern Ireland, but I would rather be playing for my country.”- Shane Duffy.
“It’s the best honour you can get to represent your country; it’s always been a dream of mine to play for Ireland.”- Marc Wilson.
“It was unbelievable, you know, making the debut for your country. Everyone from Derry wants to play for Ireland. I grew up supporting Ireland, so it was a natural choice for me.” – Darron Gibson
Regardless of anyone’s interpretations or reinterpretations of FIFA laws etc. CAS judgments etc. it all boils down to the above three simple statements. All politics aside, those of us born in Northern Ireland who declare themselves as Irish define our country as Ireland. Simple as………………….regardless of anyone else’s interpretation. Sorry, but c’est la vie.
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Comment on Great. British team beat Irish. Royals rampant. GAA (mostly) delighted.
on 26 June 2011 at 7:29 pm
I think the exiles will fancy their chances again at home to Waterford. And as for me, after a poor showing yesterday against Clare, I’m pleased we drew Leitrim at home in Newry – hopefully we can kickstart our campaign for this season.
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Comment on They think it’s all over, it’s not quite…
on 23 January 2010 at 9:45 pm
So, once again the Shinners demonstrate that they haven’t the balls to collapse the whole charade.
The Dupers have them exactly where they want them (again).
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