Slugger O'Toole Langerland with the rap version of the return of the Colombia Three. The best is at the end: To commemorate the deal, Mr Adams gave his annual Wolfe Tone oration in Gaelic, English and Jive. The Colombia 3s eagerly awaited debut single, produced by Eminem and Dr Dre, is due out in Autumn. Entitled The Real Sinn Fein-y, it pays homage to Eminem with its catchy chorus: Will the Real IRA please stand down, please stand down, please stand down …
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has again called for a complete evacuation of New Orleans. The move comes as the risk from fire and disease increases and while 60% of the city remains under water – which may take another 80 days to pump clear. This time, however, rather than relying on compliance from the citizens of the city, he has ordered the evacuation, by force if necessary, of the estimated 10,000 remaining residents. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for …
Local [chimpanzee] community representatives accused police of a heavy-handed response – “They didn’t shoot at the monkey!” Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Interesting story arising from the BA Festival of Science gig in Dublin. Irish Times science writer Dick Ahlstrom notes that Elephant Grass (Miscanthus giganteus), which made a dramatic entry into Irish gardens in the 1970s, could provide an important source of Biomass energy. Indeed Prof Steve Long, of the University of Illinois argues that by putting 10% of Republic’s arable land under Elephant grass, it could produce as much as 30% of the country’s energy needs! We wonder if this …
After yesterday’s IMC ad hoc report on the non-existent cease-fires, and a meeting today with SDLP leader Mark Durkan, Peter Hain’s comments, no official press release yet, are reported by the BBC and more fully by the Press Association, “My concern is to stop the murder and this awful violence which has just stained communities in Belfast and elsewhere. You do not necessarily do that by quick procedural fixes.” – At the risk of repeating myself.. again.. a quick-fix??? Slugger …
This the first of two pieces I’d like to post back to back. Tommy McKearney argues that Unionism shows not the slightest interest in attracting Nationalists to its cause and is therefore doomed to a long term and possibly terminal decline: After years of insurrection, you might imagine that even the dimmest unionist would understand that the very existence of Northern Ireland is threatened by nationalist/republican alienation. Surely enlightened self-interest would dictate to them that every effort should be made …
The Sunday Business Post reports on the launch event of Love Ulster in Larne, which involved both Loyalist Paramilitaries and Robert Saulter, Grand Master of the Orange Order: The Orange Order’s grand master has consistently refused to enter into negotiations with nationalist residents’ groups over contentious loyalist parades. Saulters has argued that the groups are a front for terrorism’. Saulters said he was unaware of the presence of loyalist paramilitaries at the Larne event and refused to comment further. The …
Dublin City Council has finally decided to give Bob Geldof freedom of the city – ie to graze his 17 Kentish sheep (or is that ‘sheep of Kent’?) on Stephen’s Green. He first heard about it when Ryan Tubridy’s researcher texted him this morning. Still, he gave a marvellous impromptu interview on how Dublin has changed from the mean streets of his youth. His one liner on the US government response to the New Orleans disaster: ‘sheer muscle bound incompetence‘. …
One of the better features of RTE’s Morning Ireland (though it depends on the subject matter) is the length of time they give a subject to talk. It provides a more discursive interview than its UK counterpart the (often time strapped) Today programme. This morning they took advantage of Robert Putnam’s visit and spoke to him on his mobile as he was returning to the US on his theories of social capital (sound file). Slugger O'TooleA general account used for …
Brian Crowe over on the Young Unionist blog has been mulling over the politics surrounding the New Orleans tragedy, and reckons that contrary to the classical libertarian view a free civil society relies on strong activist government, particularly in times of crisis. PS: if you’ve seen something we should be blogging, just drop us a line! Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
UTV are reporting that the IMC have confirmed to Secretary of State, Peter Hain, who seems to be back from his holidays, that the UVF were responsible for 4 murders over the summer months.. as I’ve been noting over those same summer months, this shouldn’t be any surprise to Hain as the IMC have been saying that “the UVF remained active and violent and that it continued to be involved in organised crime” for some time.. whether Hain will finally …
First the American essential reading: Instapundit, Kausfiles, Jeff Jarvis, Daily Kos, Andrew Sullivan, Atrios, Josh Marshall and Kevin Drumm. More personally, read Sheila’s biog just for the brio. Rob at Crab Apple Lane is okay, but his blog tells the story right up to when Katrina hit. There’s also Coalition of the Swilling with some close up stories of the aftermath. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
ATW is the epicentre of its own storm at the moment, around the theological implications of Hurricane Katrina and the flooding of New Orleans. Peter, who comments on the blog, alluded to an erudite piece by Scottish born Harvard historian Niall Ferguson, in which he raids the historical reactions to the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, contrasts the non religious outlook of Voltaire and those of John Wesley and other contemporary religious leaders of the time. He sides with the former. …
Factotum, the publishers of the controversial magazine The Vacuum, have been chosen to represent Northern Ireland at the prestigeous Venice Biennale. The magazine will also be appearing in the Belfast High Court next Tuesday 13th September as a result of a year long dispute with the Belfast City Council over its demand for an apology for offence caused in previous issues. The High Court hearings start at 10.30am but if you want to witness proceedings you are advised to arrive …
Harvard Professor Robert Putnam (Bertie’s favourite academic) has spent the last few days in Ulster. At Fianna Fail’s think-in in Cavan as it happens. His big idea is the concept of ‘Social Capital‘: from his seminal work on the disintegration of working class communities. However Robin Wilson thinks there’s a gap between Ahern’s advocacy of Putnam’s ideas and his government’s policies. Not least in the country’s enthusiastic espousal of capitalism: Translated on to the international arena, Putnam’s social-capital scale places …
The BBC report that NIO Minister with responsibility for Regional Development [and anything else that comes along – Ed] Shaun [I used to work with Ester Rantzen] Woodward has announced that the previously stated date for the introduction of water charges, April 2006, via the creation of a government owned company to run the Water Service, has been put back to April 2007.. whether they expect the Assembly to be up and running again by then is currently unknown.. although …
OWEN and the England crew have arrived in Northern Ireland. They haven’t been here for a while, so Healy will, I hope, make the best of the opportunity. Realistically, we can’t hope for much, but – despite the good result against Azerbaijan and poor English performances of late – it’s still important for Lawrie Sanchez’s future here that the team is seen to do its best. Beckham isn’t the only player that can take a decent free kick, right?. When …
A war of words follows a minor riot after police attempted an arrest in one of the most beautiful and tranquil corners of Northern Ireland – Cushendall. Sinn Fein councillor Oliver McMullan is making a complaint to the police ombudsman, whilst DUP MLA Mervyn Storey excoriates rioters for sending one policeman to hospital. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Despite a fine show of football against Armagh, the current Irish News poll on Tyrone’s prospects has a slight majority of pessismists (also reflected in Eastwoods current odds). Check out last night’s Sports Call (sound file) for good natured criticism of the referee in last Sunday’s semi final. One Armagh caller suggests that the Kerry Cork semi was like a county vs a club team in comparison, and hopes Ulster football has proved its class to the doubters and begrudgers. …
I thought we’d lost this one to the distinctly inhospitable Daily Ireland archives. Thanks to Newshound, it has been recovered for the wider world. Jude Collins argues that there is no such thing as an impartial media. He recounts restrictions of space, ownership, and self censorship as sources of bias and finishes with the paradoxical proposition that objectivity in reporting is a myth that should be both dispelled and aspired towards: Media people are human beings and each sees the …