Now you may entertain suspicions that all politicians are liars, but if you’re looking for some form of confirmation through body langauge, you could do worse than go to the BBC for some guidance on what they really saying when planted firmly in front of the cameras. Thanks to David Steven for the link. 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 …
There are few ‘external’ bloggers writing on Irish subjects this week. Chris Bertram’s Crooked Timber lateral piece is worth a quick read on how different the Republic is. And Peter Cuthbertson is angry at that recent suggestion that the criminal records of all former IRA volunteers be scratched. 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 …
Reports indicate that there will be a meeting of the Unionist party early next month, to discuss action against Donaldson, Burnside and Smyth Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Members of the travelling community have been awarded compensation after they were refused entry to a Co Tyrone golf club. The Equality Commission chief states that ‘no-one should be excluded from playing sports….just because they belong to a particular group or community’ Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
SDLP councillor, Carmel Hanna, urges the British government to get all parties back to the negotiating table to resolve the deadlock in the peace process. She and Pat Doherty also call for the UUPs recent in-fighting to be ignored and for the government to show its commitment to the implementation of the Agreeement Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Well, I’m not sure there are any NI politicians on the list, but someone’s got some proof that being a politician doesn’t mean all work and no play…. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
The murder of Danny McGurk at the weekend has inevitably dominated local headlines, at the end of a summer that many have recognised as the quietest for many years. The Andersonstown News turns its editorial fire on the dissidents, arguing that simple purity of principle is no justification for political killings in Northern Ireland. 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 …
Irish blogger Sean McCann relates his experiences of witnessing an Apprentice Boys march back in 1986. Whilst his choice of language is crude at times, his view is substantially one that is shared by Nationalists of all stripes. One interesting question he raises is if the loyal institutions were effectively to quieten the more raucous elements which take part in the parades, would they lose their popular appeal as cultural events in the long term? Mick FealtyMick is founding editor …
Chris Thornton in the Belfast Telegraph believes that what underlay the killing of Danny McGurk at the weekend is an attempt by the dissident Real IRA to goad the provisionals into breaking its ceasefire. 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
Although Malachi O’Doherty’s dislike and mistrust of the Sinn Fein political project is palpable in virtually every line of his column this week, there may be a serious point underlying the polemic here, although, to be fair, it’s really one that faces all parties in Northern Ireland not simply Sinn Fein. Are they ready to make the leap towards mundane political life away from the international spotlight? Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the …
It looks like the PSNI have moved extraordinarily quickly in the case of the murder of Danny McGurk, with three men being arrested in connection with the case. 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
Tyler Cowen, one of the team of bloggers at the US based Volokh Conspiracy, left Belfast recently in particularly sanguine mood, and notes one message coming from West Belfast he would like to see repeated on the West Bank of the Jordan. Thanks to Frank McGahon for the link. 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 …
In the last four or five months, the comments fields here have become a key element to the dialoging aspect to Slugger – but only insofaras it adds substantially to the content of the site. We’ve deliberately provided few formal rules of engagement to encourage easy flow in the conversation. However, to prevent the editing or removal of contributor’s work, ad hominem attacks should be avoided. Or in soccer terms; play the ball, not the man. It makes for better …
Many thanks to the guest bloggers who kept the home fires burning here at Slugger – not least to the most industrious Elementary Wharton and Aaron Scullion. I am also indebted to all of those who found the time in busy lives to write for Slugger. This was a first experiment in opening the blog out to other writers and probably not the last. We’ll be taking stock over the next few weeks and looking at how we might incorporate …
Back to Slugger after two weeks in the rare sunshine of the west of Ireland. We’ve even managed to return with something approximating a tan. It was a complete break so apart from some of the Irish language papers, I’ve not been following events in Northern Ireland too closely. Highlight was a day spent on Cape Clear Island in West Cork. Lowlight, was getting back to listen to the Best of Clubsound CD – a compilation from the 70s NI …
Christopher Lydon is a seasoned US journalist who has been logging a number of interviews with various bloggers in the US and beyond. Just before I headed west we recorded this interview, which may give a greater insight into whys and wherefores of Slugger O’Toole. 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 …
There’s a new campaigning weblog supported by the Guardian newspaper called KickASS – or kick all agricultural subsidies. The primary objection is the unintended effects these have on the thrid world, but there is also the more conventional idea that whilst agricultural subsidies are benefit individual farmers in the short term, it will lead to a long term crisis for an economically unfit sector. This is a particularly live issue in the rural and border areas of Northern Ireland. Many …
Belfast Gonzo has noted some of the Dodds/Farren debate that has taken place here on Slugger over the summer time, and suggests that pro-Agreement party’s should look at some of the improvements in a positive light. There’s plenty of other good informed opinion there too – just keep scrolling! 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 …
The Herald reports the decision of British armed forces minister Adam Ingram (late of this parish) to keep convicted murderers James Fisher and Mark Wright in the British army and the fact that one of the two has been promoted. No, please, don’t pretend to be shocked – this is the British army we’re talking about… Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and …
Police officers are to start patrolling trains in Belfast and North Down in an effort to increase safety. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
