Is this thing on? Right then. I’ll let Mick explain the unfortunate misunderstanding which resulted in our thankfully short [fingers crossed – Ed] absence.. should he wish to.. and normal service will resume as soon as we drag the rest of the crew out of teh pub *hic* Pete Baker
I hate to continue being boring and turgid about so light and throwaway a subject as humour, but reader Ryan, in response to a recent controversy on Slugger sends me this study from the Social Affairs Unit on Humour, and how a certain body of opinion with the liberal establishment regards “…jokes as promoting unacceptable political or social attitudes and that such jokes should thus be subject to censorship”. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers …
Continuing our theme on humour, here’s a great quote from Ken Dodd on the nature of the beast in last week’s Spectator: ‘Aristotle thought that comedy was like a buckled mill wheel, something that wasn’t quite right. I think that comedy is a perception of incongruities, something slightly off-centre’. Hmmm… 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 …
I cannot remember the last time I had so many requests to censure one of our bloggers, as in the ‘Overheard in Belfast‘ thread, regarding the placement a Hunger Strike poster opposite a pub, on the main Belfast – Derry Road past Derriaghy Bellaghy. That the row has kept up over the weekend, is perhaps an indication of the emotions it has touched off.Some thoughts on the matter: The first is that the sign in question is there for all …
“You are very familiar to me.. because of the BBC” – the Dalai Lama to Michael Palin. Not as off-topic as some might imagine. ANYway BBC2 is having a Monty Python moment, or two, tonight [more here – Ed].. although there was an unconscionable delay caused by 22 men kicking a pig’s bladder around some grass somewhere [*ahem* Ed].. including at 11.45pm Terry Gilliam’s excellent Brazil. Pete Baker
The Guardian’s NewsBlog has some useful advice that certain gatherings should probably note. The rules [] are simple: pyjamas must stay on at all times, there is no touching without permission, and participants should be “hygienically savvy”. Ewww Pete Baker
When it was still with us, I would only occasionally link to the excellent Portadown News. Someone, somewhere, from some fragile quarter would object and say it just wasn’t funny: even when it blatantly was. Well it’s gone, but not forgotten. It is amazing just how many non NI bloggers have it still on their list of favourite sites. The BBC online Magazine interviews Newt, and few other political satirists who walk the line between blowing up pomposity and just …
future (verb). Definition: (in politics) to speculate on what might happen, in order to encourage the belief that it already has. Example: “Well I think if you are convinced, and remember we are “futuring” here, if you make a decision and you believe that it is the right political decision to make, then you have to stand over it.” Pete Baker
Here’s an idea for Christmas. It’s not, the guy who invented it assures me, anything like Monopoly. But if you are as confused as I am about the rises and falls in the property market, you might do worse than get yourself a game of Propertunity! 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 …
The Langerland gang have a produced a new, definitive, animated History of Irish Music, from the Stone Age to the Future, including those difficult Eurovision years.. Warning, may will probably cause offence. Scandaliforous, indeed. Pete Baker
North Down Alliance councillor Ian (‘I won on the dyslexic DUP vote’) Parsley (aka IJP on Slugger) is now blogging. He confesses his secret, and is not afraid to produce the photographs to prove it. David Ford, presumably, has political immunity?! 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
Thanks to Dave Wood for the heads up on this facsimile of on the British PM’s personal blog… 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
Newton Emerson has a skit on some of the condescending commentary we’ve seen on Slugger and in the mainstream on ‘the culturelessness of Unionism’. Here, as they say on Big Brother, is some of his best bits the whole thing:By Newtown Emerson As another season of republican festivals, summer schools, workshops, concerts, recitals, readings, exhibitions and fire-bombings draws to a close, several commentators have observed that there are no unionist equivalents to these vibrant ethnic events. Some suggest this is …
Spotted on the big G’s Newsblog.. RyanAir has a suggestion for a rather strict new security procedure for airports [Is that Safe for Work? – Ed] Pete Baker
You’re Ulysses! by James Joyce Most people are convinced that you don’t make any sense, but compared to what else you could say, what you’re saying now makes tons of sense. What people do understand about you is your vulgarity, which has convinced people that you are at once brilliant and repugnant. Meanwhile you are content to wander around aimlessly, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. What you see is vast, almost limitless, and brings you additional …
Newt gets quote of the week (subs needed): Moves are afoot to brand the SS Nomadic as unacceptably Protestant. Research confirms that this entirely non-sectarian campaign is fully justified. The Nomadic was commandeered as an allied troop-carrier during both World Wars, thus supporting the Anglo-American imperialist hegemony. She was propelled by two screws, which is clearly a one-sided tribute to prison officers; and her last duty as a tender was serving the Queen Elizabeth. Down with this sort of thing …
I’m hoping to meet up with the notorious Guido Fawkes next week. He sent me this short account of a previous experience in our short email correspondence. It seems he has had a talent for wind-ups, long before his blogging days. If you were there, let us know!!From Guido Fawkes One of the reasons my Laois born wife fell in love with me is from the time when the Orangemen were marching down Whitehall. Something for which they had great …
It’s. Too. Damn. Hot… Life imitating art?.. World Saved/World Doomed? [on tinfoil hat] Pete Baker
Taking my cue from Paul Goggins, (would he be a TD or an MP, I wonder), I thought I would reflect on an aspect of the 12th as well. I hope you’ve all had a chance to see some of the magical contributions on Flickr from people like Moochin Photoman, Howard, Laurence Cooley and myself on the 12th coverage. (sorry if I missed anyone) I think the flurry is over now, but I thought it was reporting that my site …
UPDATE: Hmm, as of 9.40am, the site has now had 3100 hits. Marty has overtaken the Orange Arse by a hair, and Big Ian is striding out front with almost 400 views. I am finding my relationship with Flickr fascinating. From March 18th to yesterday, my pictures had been viewed about 500 times. Since I posted my phptographs yesterday on the parades and bonfires, there have been over 2,100 new views of the site. The top 3 photos are here, …
