Where's that bandwagon?
Call me cynical if you like, but Sinn F Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Slugger O'Toole
A letter from Dev…
Nice personal link to Dev, the Irish Press, the tensions that led to the formation of the PDs and the current (female) editor of the Irish Times. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Another Ahern for Northern Ireland Role
As widely expected Dermot Ahern appointed to Foreign Affairs in Irish Republic. No huge surprises in new cabinet. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Bertie finally gets to do the shuffle
Chris at Alt-Tag with her own blog suggestions for Bertie Ahern on the day he announces a reshuffle that was first heralded in June. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Charter debate: why have one at all?
We’ve had a few good starters to the e-debate, raising questions about the precise nature of any proposed instrument. There is some scepticism over the workablity/desirablity of an enforceable document. Over the next fortnight we’ll be examining four general questions, which will help frame the discussions to be initiated at the Seminar in UCC this Saturday. And, in turn, we’ll be bringing you informed perspectives that arise from the seminar next week. From Colin Harvey Slugger O'TooleA general account used …
Charter e-debate: an argument for a Charter
Brice Dickson wrote a think piece (pdf) for the Irish Law Society last autumn when an initial public consultation was still in train. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Citizenship bill closes loophole
Michael McDowell has announced a bill that will enforce new citizenship regulations aimed at closing a loophole by which any child born on the island was guaranteed citizenship. A three year residency requirement will not apply to people born in Northern Ireland and Britain. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Cois Locha
The Irish News today carries a story that Newry and Mourne councillors have voted to name a new block of flats Cois Locha, which translates as Waterside, despite being informed that to so do would be breaking the law. As it stands the flats should be named in English and an Irish sign can subsequently be erected if a majority of residents wish to do so. Sinn F Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Death of a socialist(ism)…?
Johann Hari interviews Chris Hitchens, one time hero of the international left, who since 11th September 2001 has found it impossible to hold a consistent political line that cuts across a bundle of issues. An excellent and sympathetic insight into an individual whose stance perhaps symbolises the increasing fragmentation of political agendas in what’s left of the ‘West’. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Gerrymandering US style…
It seems so much a part of Northern Ireland’s recent past that it’s hard to remember that the term Gerrymander originates on the other side of the great sheugh. It was the subject of an excellent piece of radio journalism (sound file) from the BBC last night. The situation appears chronic in the US. In part it’s because all states are under a legal obligation re-draw boundaries every ten years, and that the officials charged with the drawing of the …
Murphy: is plan B new legislation?
After getting a look at Paul Murphy’s intended speech from last night, it looks like plan B may be simply to enact legislation that may not be agreed to by one or other of the two contending parties. Sinn Fein is not happy. However such a hopping movement has been a theme of the process so far (think IMC). It’s an not entirely left field proposal. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Payment will be due
Se Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Peace process: slow burning success
The peace process is slow and frustrating, but the Jimmy Burns at the FT reckons that the two governments have set their sights on Christmas as a target for political agreement. Of course there is no promise on a timeframe for restoring institutions, but that may emerge as part of a deal done by Christmas. As one seasoned observer told Slugger recently, “we’re looking at September, next year”! Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
'Scoop' den l
Agus David Trimble ag caitheamh am lena cairde saibhir i Meirica. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
The politicians' consciences…
TWO politicians from very different backgrounds are looking back to the past this week (although that’s a common habit in NI politics), and examining their consciences. Former civil rights leader Austin Currie reveals how he questioned whether he had done the right thing during his Caledon ‘occupation’, given the horrific yet unintended consequences of his actions. Anti-Agreement unionist Jeffrey Donaldson’s struggle with his conscience on the eve of the Agreement’s publication is today’s extract from biography ‘Not By Might’ – …
The strange scarcity of post modernists
What really gets Marc Mulholland’s wick is… Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
New American route from Belfast…
Continental Airlines have agreed in principle to start a transatlantic service to Newark Airport in New York from Belfast International. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Opening Pandora's box…
THE Government is set to announce an expanded role for a police unit to investigate the unsolved murders – including 200 RUC officers – of the Troubles. It would seem that a combination of re-opening criminal investigations, inquiries and the possibility of a ‘Victim’s Forum’, with a possible role for a museum at the Maze Prison site, is how we intend to bring ‘closure’ to the conflict. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission now appears less likely than ever. Slugger O'TooleA …
Republican solidarity diluted by Coke…
SINN Fein’s newspaper An Phoblacht has consistently and strongly criticised Coca Cola’s human rights record, and many Sinn Fein members have supported a call by the republican paper to boycott the soft drink. But what would have happened if the boycott had been successful? Sinn Fein Councillor Michael Ferguson provides an insight below. As Coca Cola reveals that it is to rationalise operations in Ireland (that is, close one of the two plants, one of which is at Lambeg, Lisburn), …
Real journalism means precision with words
Stewart Purvis, former Chief Executive at ITN in today’s FT (subs needed) says that mainstream journalism is being undermined by what he calls nearly journalists like Michael Moore, Morgan Spurlock and various playwrights. He asks: “Where is the value-add in ‘real’ journalism as opposed to ‘nearly’ journalism? This is a commerical question as much as a cultural one. If a key part of the brand and raison d’etre of news porviders is not quality, then what distinguishes them from the …