wayback

Henry McDonald says despite pundits peddling an illusion of peace, there’s ‘little or no chance’ of the restoration of power prior to the next general election in the UK. Aaron_Scullion

GAA fansite An Fear Rua, inspired by the sight of an Antrim GAA jersey at the top of a bonfire, examines the role of the association in the North. Aaron_Scullion

When searching for Slugger material, there’s one type of story that crops up again and again – the piece on NI kids visiting a small town in the USA. There’s a classic example in the Great Falls Tribune – featuring a Draperstown kid talking about all the rioting in his hometown.. Aaron_Scullion

The ceremony in central London was clipped, to the point and professional – with the possible single exception of a massive BBC camera plunked right in the middle of the audience. They’d turned up in the vague hope that keynote speaker and Leader of the House of Commons Peter Hain was going to say something embarassing/interesting about the Butler Report. He didn’t; so none of us will be on the Beeb today! In awarding us with the fine trophy (my …

Read more…

So… are we to see an NI team win in Europe this year? It hasn’t been a bad showing for Glentoran or Portadown, but those away goals will be hard to overcome in the second leg. Linfield were unlucky to concede at the death, by all accounts. Is there any chance of a win over two legs? Win or lose, Europe’s club competitions are still failing the smaller clubs, despite UEFA tinkering with the format. Aaron_Scullion

I meant to bring this up last week, but forgot. Roy Greenslade in the Guardian’s media section has had a go at the London media for failing to highlight the ‘unjust activites’ of Lisburn council (extract within). “Take a bow, the Daily Mirror. It was the only London-based national newspaper to mention the unjust activities of Lisburn council in Northern Ireland. No other paper saw fit to report that the council’s unionist majority has ensured it will not share power …

Read more…

The full list of award-winners has now been published on the New Statesman’s web site. Aaron_Scullion

Ian Paisley appeals for David Trimble not to obstruct his party’s negotiation for a new deal. 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

Another review of the Trimble biography well worth reading. The is one of the most informed and well written from the Watchman, at The Electric Review. 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

Slugger O’Toole has won the Community and Information award at the New Statesman New Media Awards! This is the only link out there confirming it so far… Don’t want to rain on Mick’s parade too much, but I thought you’d all like to know. He’ll fill in the details tomorrow I’m sure. Aaron_Scullion

Fuair Stadas an tacaíocht as an tAire Éamon Ó Cuív doibh chun Gaeilge a chur ar chomhchéim leis an bhfiche teanga oifigiúil eile san Aontas Eorpach. 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

Alex Kane believes that given the hetrogenious nature of New DUP, the party may have to come to terms with the apparently rapid progress of the last two years cannot be relied on to continue. By Alex Kane The DUP has become the largest party in Northern Ireland by attracting more votes than any other party. Self-evidently true, you are thinking to yourselves, and hardly the most profound piece of political analysis. But, like many other self-evident truths, all is …

Read more…

The UN has declared Ireland the 10th best country to live in, Britain rates 12th. Spending on education and health slip to 21st and 23rd respectively and it is 16th on the human poverty index. Meanwhile Minister Willie O Dea TD has criticised Sinn Fein proposals of increased spending in the failing areas and possible tax increases to pay for them. UPDATE : For the statistic lovers, the report. Blank

BELFAST’S disastrously ill-conceived bid to be City of Culture 2008 has been slammed by the Auditor for its lack of control over spending. Suzanne Breen hits the nail on the head on why the campaign was doomed to fail from the start – an elitist-run, half-hearted, ill-thought-out campaign combined with a total lack of vision for the city by those who run it. We clearly couldn’t care less about our architectural heritage, there is no cafe culture outside Botanic Avenue, …

Read more…

GERRY Adams today calls on the British Government “to make a new strategic alliance with Irish nationalism and republicanism”. Writing in the Irish Times, he warned that the parades issue had “sent a very bad signal about the prospects of agreement in September”. Adams adds: “I put it to Mr Blair that the best way to secure all of our futures is for the British to make a new strategic alliance with Irish nationalism and republicanism. Unionism’s future, and this …

Read more…

THE Dubliner has an interview in which the Ku Klux Klan has congratulated the people of Ireland for voting to restrict Irish citizenship in the recent referendum. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

BILL Clinton has been reminiscing about his involvement in the peace process, as he promotes his new autobiography. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

WHILE the United States has now classified Continuity IRA as a terrorist organisation, thus legally limiting its ability to fundraise in America (in theory), the UK is still trying to decide if the ‘Real’ IRA is an illegal organisation. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

FORMER British agent ‘Kevin Fulton’ worked against loyalists as well as the IRA, according to this interesting leaked document on Cryptome. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

AS recriminations over the Ardoyne parade continue, it was today reported that Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly saved the life of a Para during the riot! Kelly, who has a terrorist conviction, is apparently reluctant to accept the plaudits. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com