International

Generations of Irish people of all pursuasions and cultural backgrounds have left their home and made it across the Atlantic to New York and beyond. Now the Irish are heading home in record numbers. According to Tom Conaghan, director of Philadelphia’s Irish Immigration and Pastoral Center, “if this trend continues, it will be a very rare commodity to hear an Irish accent in this country.” If you’ve been away and are planning to return or have returned to Ireland – …

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IN what way exactly? I realise that international considerations, and the sensitivity of the current situation, requires statements from Taoiseachs, Prime Ministers, Presidents etc to be couched in the language of diplomacy.. but, while Irish President Mary McAleese deploys a relatively standard response, when exactly did Arafat become a “friend to Ireland” as Bertie Ahern claims?Debate his role in the Middle East all you want – whether he was an obstacle to resolution, or a figurehead that unified increasingly fractious …

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Boris Johnson wakes up in a Tel Aviv and remembers he backed the contender who “only narrowly escaped selfassassination by pretzel”. 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

Sticking with the US theme for a moment, Danny Morrison looks at the same events from the other side, so to speak, and finds one bright spot on the horizon. The election for only the third time, an African American Senator, Barak Obama. The news filtering back to his Muslim family in Kenya is a reminder of the demographic connection that the US retains with many places way beyond its borders.By Danny Morrison “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a President …

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Alex Kane welcomes the victory of president Bush, but argues that the success of his second term will depend on how well he reaches beyond the limits of his own party and followership.By Alex Kane The happiest person on Capitol Hill on Wednesday afternoon was Hillary Rodham Clinton. Oh yes, she had waded through an ocean of crocodile tears to “share her profound sorrow” with John Kerry, but it was clear that her mind was fixed on February 2008, when …

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The Register has been running some tongue-in-cheek articles recently (here and here) with regards the recent election results in the USA. Outline plans for Southern “Jesusland” secessation being firmly on the agenda. On a slightly more serious note, James Webb, a distinguished Vietnam war marine has recently had a piece published in the Wall Street Journal with regards the GOP Scots-Irish vote. Mr Webb has also featured in a recent edition of the Newsletter. It is interesting to note the …

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The BBC’s Paul Reynolds on the parallel between the current offensive in Iraq, and the British Army’s Operation Motorman back in July 1972, which ended the so-called no go areas mainly in Belfast and Derry. 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

Now that it’s all over, as long as someone’s still sitting on the lawyers, the Guardian has an on-line quiz on memorable, or not, moments of the 2004 US Presidential campaign.Favourite question – 26. Who or what did John Kerry shoot to boost his appeal to rural conservatives? A) Rats B) Geese C) City folk D) Michael Moore It seems I may have blocked some memories to preserve my sanity – You scored 34 out of a possible 40 You …

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KERRY has just conceded the US Presidential election to Bush and will make a statement in about 25 minutes. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

SO who did you vote for, if you were voting in the US Presidential election? Which candidate would play the better role in NI? Bush has had a more ‘hands off’ attitude, delegating responsibilities to envoys like Richard Haass and Mitchel Reiss. Clinton took a keen interest, even too much, for some. Which approach works best, in your opinion? Or is it just ‘Nationalists for Clinton, Unionists for Bush’?I think Bush will take it, just. Ah well… we’ll know soon …

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Meme of the day, courtesy of Carrie at Broom of Anger… Alt Tag carries a breaking news story. Pete Baker

All over Lutheran Sweden tonight, many families will be following an old tradition and will visit the graves of close relatives to place a lighted candle there. It’s no longer celebrated in Denmark, when since 1686, all the old holy day’s were almalgamated into the Stor Bilde Dag, or the great prayer day. However the celebration of Santa Lucia on December 13th (Candlemas) is a largely secular hangover from an extremely distant Catholic past.Adds: This Candlemas (lit. the Candle Mass) …

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Howard Fineman on Newsweek, believes both US candidates may have made important mistakes in the closing chapters of the election campaign. For Bush, it was his choice of campaign grounds, but he also believes that Kerry’s focus on the Iraq war instead of US jobs and its economy may have serious consequences as he seeks to convert the still undecided. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and …

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A real treat for Belfast Telegraph readers (and all of us), Hunter S Thompson sets out his view of this year’s US election campaign.. and calls it for Kerry. As he says “I look at elections with the cool and dispassionate gaze of a professional gambler, especially when I’m betting real money on the outcome”. There are just too many great lines to quote. Every political commentator should read it.. read it and weep. Pete Baker

Bush could be in trouble. US Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio has released his final survey of twelve battleground states. The raw figures suggest a dead heat. But adjusted, they give Kerry a lead of just over three points. Of course, what better to get the Bush vote out, but a nice wee shock before the poll? Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and …

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Interesting mathematical piece on how Bush or Kerry might might win the election with the clever use of Game Theory. 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

Frank McGahon’s been hooked into foreign affairs for some time now. This blog piece on the Irish born hostage Margaret Hassan is well worth following. 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