Society

The Newsletter has got wind of a proposal in the forthcoming report based the widespread A Shared Future consultation, for “the removal of the likes of Ulster and Union Flags and loyalist emblems from major roads and interface areas”. A sensible calming measure, or (dare I say it) political correctness gone mad? 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 …

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Clarence House has announced Charles and Camilla to marry . It will be interesting to see the reaction at home and abroad. If the heir to the throne is to marry a divorced woman, should the Royal position in respect to the Anglican church be reassessed? And is it not time to reassess the exclusion of Roman Catholics ? Ambrose Uprichard

It was only a matter of time before a journalist as outspoken as Kevin Myers trod on more toes than he could manage and it looks like his reference in an Irishman’s Diary in the Irish Times Tuesday (subs needed) to single parents as “mothers of bastards” could be the toe too far, especially as this was the edition being sent free to Ireland’s schools. He even manages to resurrect the term “unmarried mothers” from its grave.Myers was reacting to …

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Whether it’s Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday, Mardi Gras (if you’re really lucky), or even, as those clever ad people used to tell us, Jif Lemon Day, in your household – Eat (and drink) up!! – meanwhile the BBC helpfully point us to the RoSPA warning of the dangers of pancake tossing… What can you say? Pete Baker

Historian and author of The Transformation of Ireland 1900-2000, Diarmaid Ferriter, writing in the Irish Times, argues that present-day political sensibilities should not be the basis for demanding apologies from contemporary politicians for the perceived sins of their political ancestors – Apologies for past not the answerWhile his focus is on the recent comments by Irish President Mary McAleese, he is less interested in the more publicised remarks than the question of to what extent she, as current President, should …

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THE vigil held in memory of murder victim Robert McCartney was much larger than I expected, with well over 1,000 people in attendance. Clearly, Mr McCartney’s death has caused tremendous hurt to the Short Strand community.It was a short, dignified ceremony, and the family of the victim obviously have the support of a large section of the community in their area. There were a few politicians there, amongst them the Lord Mayor, Alliance’s Tom Ekin, and his Deputy, Joe O’Donnell, …

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For the second day in a row I’m tipping my hat to John of Irish Eagle fame for this piece of absolute genius. Guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face – hey, it worked on me! Pete Baker

CHILDREN in Belfast are organising riots in internet chat rooms, according to the News Letter. The PSNI said they were monitoring several sites. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

THE BBC’S News science and technology writer Ivan Noble has been keeping an online diary of his battle against a malignant brain tumour. Sunday was his last entry. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

Ruth Dudley Edwards argues that the controversy over Mary McAleese’s comments and her subsequent acceptance that in Northern Ireland hatred was inculcated in Catholics as well as Protestants may have unearthed an opportunity for Northern Ireland’s nationalists to finally recognise their own prejudices against Prods (sorry, that should obviously read: Protestants).As an aside, I note that the reading at Mass yesterday was from Matthew 5:1-12, otherwise known as the beatitudes. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written …

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Aha, Hollywood lurks in the wings waiting to ‘cash in’ on the story around the Northern job. Author Cliff Goodwin may have his work cut out to create a plot that’s ‘acceptable to all sides’ of the debate around whodunnit, by the time set for its due publication date next summer. 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 …

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CONGRATULATIONS to Ulster Unionist adviser Steven King, who recently married his partner in Canada, according to the Mirror (no link). In the same story, the DUP’s Ian Paisley Jr has strongly criticised the whole concept of a civil partnership – something King defended on the BBC’s Hearts & Minds not so long ago.Paisley Sr was so incensed by the idea of legislation on ‘gay marriage’ being extended to Northern Ireland that he demanded and got a postponement of the vote …

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The Newsletter attacks the promised £70 Million for Loyalist paramilitaries. It quotes David Burnside who questioned whether the Government would “be prepared to set up a British taxpayers’ fund for the widows and orphans of members of the RUC, UDR, regular Army in the Prison Service who fought against the IRA and loyalist paramilitary groups for 30 years?” Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider …

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A probe into the employment policies of Down District Council has discovered that 80% of the workforce were Catholic. The DUP is demanding an inquiry. 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

Cabin Hill School, the prep school for Campbell College is at the centre of a row over its handling of a sex abuse case: “It was six years later that the horrific level of abuse emerged after the boy who suffered worst underwent psychiatric treatment at a specialist adolescents unit, aged 17″.It begs the question, how many other individuals have had to endure this kind of situation? Northern Ireland is not good at producing reliable whistleblowers on any topic, never …

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Sometimes the BBC seem to completely ignore the comic potential of their own reports “Women don’t just sit and do nothing, they have to have something in their hands.” *ahem* They even keep a straight face for a dubious celebrity mention.. Oh, you want some politics too.. well, Martin might need a new sweater for his next David Frost interview. And there may be some stressful times ahead for certain party leaders.. Pete Baker

It’s the ‘most depressing day of the year’, according to Dr. Cliff Arnall, of the University of Cardiff, Wales that is. And he has a formula to ‘prove’ it!.. although that formula is reported a little differently here.. hmm.. Anyway, to cheer yourself up, read Giles Coren’s reaction to this news in the Times, as he says “I didn’t have to read on to know that this research had been carried out at Cardiff University. It wasn’t going to be …

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On a more positive note (Mondays.. sheesh), RTE, UTV, the Irish Times and others all report that negotiations on the Bewley’s Oriental Café premises in Grafton Street are at an “advanced stage” with emerging lead contenders the partners in the Cafe Bar Deli restaurant chain, “which began with the redevelopment of the old Bewley’s on George’s Street” – it’s being reported that the plan is to redevelop the Oriental Café premises as a “wine bar café”, jointly operated with the …

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In an interesting, and pertinent, article in today’s Irish Times John Waters marks what he describes as “a thaw in the consciousness of this society, dulled and wearied by 25 years of slaughter”. “The eaves are now dripping”, he argues, and charts his own thawing consciousness as part of that process. If accepted, his analysis is likely to have an impact on the decision that the Irish Government still faces.Those concluding paragraphs read – Many of us who offered succour …

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The horrific murder of 11-year-old Cork boy Robert Holohan – my deepest condolences to his, family, friends and loved ones – has invariably led to discussions to how we can best protect children in society.The mayor of Midleton Ted Murphy calls for the return of the death penalty for child killers while district court judge Michael Patwell believes electronic tagging should be used for convicted sex offenders as well as petty criminals although he did make his comments without knowing …

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