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North Down DUP Assembly Member, Peter Weir, has called upon, Senator John Kerry, to “get real” on Northern Ireland. In the article Mr Weir describes Kerry as “out of touch” with politics here, after the Presidential hopeful called for “the full implementation of the Belfast agreement.” Yet again the DUP seem intent on demonstrating, that despite every major nation recognising the GFA as the only way forward, they continue to demand “a new, fair agreement.” It begs the question is …

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NEWTOWNABBEY SDLP representative Tommy McTeague believes councillors in Northern Ireland are being “treated like niggers”. He said: “I hope that coloured people will realise it is not a slur on them but a comment on how councillors have been treated by this Government.” His remark comes at a time when racist attacks are happening on a regular basis. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

UNIONIST Assembly members Jeffrey Donaldson (DUP) and Dermot Nesbitt (UUP) ventured into ‘hostile territory’ the other day – the MacGill Summer School in County Donegal. Both put forward ideas on ‘How Northern Ireland should be governed in the 21st Century’, published on their respective party websites. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

SOMETIMES the Sunday tabloids are spot on months before the mainstream media, but can anyone tell me the point of stories like this? The only purpose seems to be to elevate a convicted terrorist and give him the publicity that he so obviously craves, but the graffiti death threat daubed on a Belfast building “last week” has been there for months, possibly even years. Does anyone really expect Michael Stone to come to Belfast and clean up this graffiti? Another …

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The renewed summit/renegotiation meeting is to be held at Leeds Castle, effectively on the road from London to Dover. A beautiful and historic building; which at around 800/900 years old will have resonances for some of those attempting to divine the solution to that age old potato, the notorious Irish Question. W. C. Sellar, 1066 and All That: “British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone spent his declining years trying to guess the answer to the Irish Question; unfortunately, whenever he …

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De bhrí Lá “Tá Uachtáran na hÉireann agus Ambasadóir Shasana in Éirinn ar bheirt de na mic léinn is fearr dá bhfuil ag Líam Ó Cuinneagáin ar chúrsá foghlamtha Gaeilge Oideas Gael i nGleann Cholm Cille, an tseachtain seo”. Seo é an dara bhlain a bhfuil Stewart Eldon ag caitheamh am sa Gaeltacht Conailleach – agus blas deas Ultach ag fás go mór leis – tá súil againn. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on …

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Tá an tUasal Durkan agus leascheannaire an SDLP, Alistair McDonnell, i mBostún faoi láthair do Chomhdháil na nDaonlathaithe. Ach ní chreideann moran aontachtaithe go bhfuil meas mór ag John Kerry ar a chuid dearcadh polaitiúil. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

That’s where we are on the international scale of blogs, according to the Blogosphere Ecosystem – though apparently we’re on the verge of transforming into a Marauding Marsupial. Our current status: Our suspicion is that a lot of blogs that do link to Slugger just aren’t registered with the Ecosystem. Technorati, for instance, documents 212 blogs linking to Slugger compared to their 65. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet …

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The News Letter has seen fit to report that Gregory Campbell is very upset that the Fifa’s World Cup 2006 website says Gaelic is an official language in NI. They also say that Lurgan is a major city… Aaron_Scullion

JIM Wells of the DUP is spot on with his assessment of the Planning Appeals Commission. Planning Service ruled that two unauthorised buildings should be torn down after the developer went ahead without planning permission. This was subsequently overturned by the PAC. Of course, there is no right to third party appeals of such daft decisions, with the result that the PAC appears to sanction lawbreaking developers. The South Down Assembly member said: “This is a dreadful decision, I’m beginning …

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THE format of the September talks will mean initial discussions at Stormont from 1 to 3 September, with Strand One being discussed on day one, and Strands Two and Three on day two. Both Governments will be represented, although the intensive discussions will take place (at Leeds Castle?) between September 16-18, when Blair and Ahern will become involved. Secretary of State Paul Murphy says September is ‘crunch time’, although no-one pays much attention to deadlines any more, as a somewhat …

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The impact of the border upon those who lived around is to be researched by a team from the University of Ulster. Aaron_Scullion

The Telegraph is very worked up at the news that Joseph Magee could be free in less than a year, despite having been found guilty of the murder of an Army recruiting sergeant in 1992. If you agreed with the release of prisoners at the time of the agreement, does news like this affect your thinking? Aaron_Scullion

Alex Kane, with an accute reckioning of the chances of a positive outcome to the review talks in the Autumn, and of getting that fair deal that will finally clinch a peaceful settlement to Northern Ireland angst-ridden grievances. So, does the Prime Minister really mean it? Is it all over for the peace process if the parties fail to cut a deal in September? According to Mr. Blair, addressing the monthly meeting of the Press in Downing Street, “…the alternative …

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For the first time bloggers are being let into a major presidential convention as the US Democrats prepares to deliver the foregone conclusion that John Kerry and John Edwards will run for office in November. Some mainstream journos are wondering why they want to be there! For blog coverage try: Daily Kos; Wonkette, Atrios, Matt Welch, OxBlog or Aussie blogger-on-tour Tim Blair (a wily latter day Mick Dundee?). Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on …

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Michael McDowell hints that some of the Republic’s interests in the EU could in future be devolved to the North South institutions and pooled with those of the UK. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

Clare Regan reports on an innovative approach to dealing with paramilitary flags. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

A fortcoming report by police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan could contain some difficult material for the PSNI regarding their high profile raids on Sinn Fein offices at Stormont. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

As reported on the BBC the Electoral Commission have published the Statement of Accounts (2003) for political parties. The SDLP (PDF) are facing a shortfall of £93,147 and will be asking their members to cover the deficit. Blank

Garvan’s Thoughts is a personal blog kept by Garvan Ellison. He’s from Northern Ireland but living in England now. He’s only been going since May it seems, but it’s good example of how a personal online diary can become fascinating reading very quickly! Thanks Mark. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK …

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