|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
You are here Home | Topics | Government
SOS - Save Our Slugger!
Help fund Slugger's new software: Or mail it direct to Slugger! You are here Home | Topics | Government |
October 27, 2005
When democracy gets in the way..
In the absence of an operational NI Assembly, the announcement of a smoking ban in all public areas can be made by NIO Minister Shaun Woodward to an invited audience at the Waterfront Hall. Alas, when it comes to a functioning polity, such proposals must negotiate the trickier waters of democratic politics. In this case resulting in a partial smoking ban, described as unworkable in this report, which also notes Tony Blair as being against a total ban.. in England. Harry adds his thoughts here. [more] Lisburn City Council facing legal action on access to Cherry Room The decision by Lisburn District Council to deny the use of the Cherry Room to same-sex [civil] marriage ceremonies, a motion proposed by Alliance Party Councillor Seamus Close, and initially passed by the Council, caused discord among councillors when the issue gathered media coverage. It has also prompted a protest at Wednesday's council meeting by the Gay Rights Association and they may take the council to court to challenge the decision. October 25, 2005
liberty, equality and solidarity
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern faces criticism in the Irish Times today - from two different angles. Ronnie Kasrils, the South African Government Minister for intelligence, and South African Communist Party member, who is visiting Northern Ireland as a guest of Sinn Féin, is reported to be shocked that the Taoiseach has been talking about reclaiming republicanism from those who have "debased" and "abused" it. While Fintan O'Toole argues that "The only way to reclaim republicanism, for Fianna Fáil and for everyone else, is to give it meaning by taking liberty, equality and solidarity seriously." [more] October 22, 2005
Nuclear kite-flying?
The debate on if, or rather when, nuclear energy is to be seriously considered as an option has barely begun here in Ireland, but, arguably, there are signs that the UK government is much more convinced. In yesterday's Guardian, the UK government's chief scientific advisor, Sir David King, indicated that new nuclear power stations would have to be included in future energy production. [more] October 21, 2005
Guardian journalist to tell his story
The Guardian's Newsblog is trailing Rory Carroll's own account of his abduction and subsequent release, with, for now, an extract and a brief audio report[mp3 file].. and it's worth pointing to the brutal contrast with Saadoun Sughaiyer al-Janabi, defence lawyer for one of Saddam Hussein's co-defendents, abducted and murdered yesterday, and Muhammad Haroon, 37, the editor of al-Hakeka newspaper, who was killed by unknown gunmen on Monday. Update From the Newsblog. Read Rory Carroll's full account here, also available seven minute audio file[mp3] October 20, 2005
Review of planning permission for John Lewis
NIO minister Lord Rooker's decision, announced in June this year, to grant planning permission for the proposed retail superstore by John Lewis Partnerships at Sprucefield now faces a judicial review by the High Court following the decision by Mr Justice Girvan today. The planning permission announcement in June, opposed in the review by 6 groups including Belfast City Council, and the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, came after John Lewis threatened to abandon plans for their only retail development scheduled for 2006. October 19, 2005
7th IMC report published
The 7th IMC report has been made public, assessing paramilitary and criminal activity from 1 March to 31 August this year. Available here [pdf file]. Its general tone could be accurately described as cautious.. maybe, at a stretch, even cautiously optimistic. But the same [cautious, that is] could not be said for Secretary of State, Peter Hain. [more] October 18, 2005
More corrupt than last year?
BackSeatDriver Dick O'Brien taunts [some] of his co-bloggers with Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index for 2005. But, as I noted this time last year [has it really been that long? - Ed] Ireland was rated as 17th least corrupt at 7.5 in 2004. A year later the perception is that Ireland has become slightly more corrupt - now 19th with a rating of 7.4, and as equally corrupt as Belgium, more corrupt than the US or the UK or France, and only slightly less corrupt than Chile. Take a bow, Iceland!.. just beating last year's least corrupt country, Finland. [more] Why society needs 'degenerate' changemakers... Or why a healthy society thrives on dissent. And even, who will save us from the stupidity of endless, repetitive order? Fascinating thesis from that most excellent political dissenter John Lloyd, which he kicks off with a seminal quote from Nietzsche: [more] a combination of historical ignorance and monumental self-pity Also in the Irish Times, Fintan O'Toole was in the Polish city of Wroclaw when Fr Alec Reid's comments hit the newswire. As he says, he didn't discuss them with his Polish hosts, he was too ashamed "..that this combination of historical ignorance and monumental self-pity is far from rare" and he wondered "How could you possibly explain that Irish nationalists, who are thought to be so steeped in the past, know so little about the recent history of the continent they inhabit?". [more] October 17, 2005
Smoking ban affects workers' health
According to two key pieces of research staff in pubs and clubs in the Republic have shown signs of improved health since it came in 18 months ago. "...concentrations of cotinine - an indicator of exposure to nicotine found in saliva - fell more dramatically among bar workers in the Republic (80pc) compared with those in the North (20pc)". It's not known what factors account for the smaller drop in Northern smokers, but a total ban is due to launch here in 2006. October 16, 2005
Big Fella whiskey on its way to United States
Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s last remaining independent whiskey maker, has signed a deal to supply a Michael Collins-branded Irish whiskey to Sidney Frank Importing, a US drinks distributor, according to the Sunday Times. Cooley expects to supply 50,000 cases of whiskey to the company in year one of the deal, quite ambitious given that 550,000 cases of Irish whiskey are sold in America each year. It would make the company Cooley’s biggest customer. Universal, existential, international and cosmopolitan Just about all of the Sunday papers tackle Fr Alec Reid's comments in one way or another, and Henry McDonald, in the Observer, takes issue with "The Irish conceit - the belief that 'we' are the most special, gifted, talented, put-down and oppressed people to walk upright on this planet", and points to the interview on Radio Ulster's Arts Extra with John Banville.. who's clearly enjoying his 15 minutes - listen to the interview here - [first 10 minutes on the show - Ed].. and his comment, on the international guild of writers, that "We think of ourselves as writers.. it's a cosmopolitan business" reminded me of an earlier post on taking a similar approach to the political process. October 14, 2005
Where has the love [Ulster] gone?
According to United Irelander, You've got to hide your love away.. and he seems to be correct.. although, personally, I prefer - Where Has the Love Gone? Update The answer is nowhere, it would seem. Move along. Nothing to see here. October 13, 2005
Loyalist identity: post modern engagement with music
Professor Stephen Howe looks at music within Loyalism and notes firstly its absence from mainstream music channels, contrasting it strongly with music espousing Republican sentiments and values, which have on occasions found expression in some popular music. Indeed he notes it has only been the subject of one serious intellectual study, the findings from which were decidedly hostile.
Previously: simultaneous progress and retreat
[more] A further response to Stephen Howe's Mad Dogs and Ulstermen essay at the openDemocracy site. This time from the director of Belfast-based Democratic Dialogue, Robin Wilson, who argues that Cosmopolitanism, as discussed here by David Held, holds the only way forward for a deeply divided society that "is not simply amenable to a political “fix” at the level of a deal between the political (now, ironically, including paramilitary) elites." [more] Ssshhh, don't mention the research... Newton Emerson casts a sceptical eye over serial charges of inequality (subs needed) emanating from both of Northern Ireland's two main parties. [more] Father Reid's Nazi remark... Father Alec Reid (one of the two churchmen who oversaw the dismantling of the IRA's armoury) has gotten himself into a spot of bother with his comparison of Unionists to Nazis remark. He has apologised for making the remarks in a heated exchange with members of an audience in Fitzroy Presbyterian Church. It's clear Father Reid is not a politician and that he made the remarks in the heat of an argument. But someone really ought to have warned him about Godwin's Law. It remains to be seen whether this incident will damage his repution as an honest broker. October 12, 2005
Political dimension essential to identity
I noted Stephen Howe's excellent essay Mad Dogs and Ulstermen previously, and Mick will continue to focus on some of the many points it contains. Meanwhile, at the openDemocracy site, Graham Walker responds to Stephen Howe's arguments - Loyalist culture, Unionist politics. Perhaps unsurprisingly for a Professor of Politics at Queen's University, Belfast, Graham Walker argues that Stephen Howe has not given sufficient weight to the debates "around Unionist politics in Northern Ireland (what might be called “capital 'U' Unionism”) and those around the reformed and reforming United Kingdom (“small 'u' unionism”)". [more] October 11, 2005
Loyalist identity: simultaneous progress and retreat
In the time since the first ceasefires of the early 90's Howe detects a break between the 'post modern heaven' of the rejuvenated (largely middle) Belfast of the "nightclubs or shopping malls", and the self concious pursuit of authentic local cultural norms of the two communities which puts both at odds with the actual pre-occupations of the rest of the UK on one hand and the rest of the island on the other. He comes up with some interesting conclusions.
Previously: demographic retreat is generic
[more] The demographic trend throughout the western world is towards an ageing population. In Northern Ireland Protestant communities have cohered to this norm much earlier than their Catholic counterparts. This, Professor Howe argues, created a particularly problematic dymnamic for Loyalist working class communities.
Previously: reflecting a modern condition
[more] Howe goes on to examine a thoughtful analysis by Fintan O'Toole in which sees modern loyalists forsaking the ‘For God and Ulster’ of the past for "‘Simply the Best’, the title of Tina's gooey pop hymn to some standard-issue fantasy man. Over this T-shirt, Johnny's sweatshirt proclaims, not the dignity of Protestant Britain, but the virtues of Nike Athletic".
Previously: Reading the runes
[more] October 10, 2005
Northern Ireland at low risk from avian flu
I'm not quite sure how they worked this one out, but apparently Northern Ireland is only at low risk from a pandemic of Avian Flu. Although the risk of it ever breaking out is incalculable, overall, the UK is one of the best prepared countries in the world, with enough anti viral Tamiflu to treat 25% of the population, compared with 5% of the Canadian and 1% of the US populations. Thanks to David for the figures. A postmodernism of despair? The Guardian carries a heavily contracted version of Stephen Howe's detailed and fascinating essay, Mad Dogs and Ulstermen: the crisis of Loyalism, published in two parts at openDemocracy, [part one here], in which he argues that "the combative cultural and political worldview of Northern Ireland’s working-class Protestant communities is not an atavistic residue but part of a complex response to modern global conditions and national pressures." [more] October 06, 2005
Newton's modest proposal
Newton Emerson in excellent form, once again, in today's Irish Times, Ahoghill residents talk to TDs Residents from Ahoghill have shared their concerns over a prolonged campaign against Catholics in the area to TDs from the Dail. Documentary re-run in Dublin... Before it disappears out of mind, this piece from Morning Ireland a few days ago is worth a playback. It features a discussion of Peter Lennon's controversial 1967 documentary Rocky Road to Dublin. The Ireland under discription is part of a world that seems to have almost disappeared, although it might be argued that there is still some reluctance to question national orthodoxies. It comes out in DVD version at the end of the month. October 05, 2005
among the most conservative of men
The Irish Times' Religious Affairs Correspondent, Patsy McGarry, has a interesting article on the views of Pope Benedict XVI in which he argues "The present incumbent of St Peter's chair is among the most conservative of men to become Pope in modern times." The focus is on the expected introduction of new rules on who should be eligible for the priesthood, but other stated views of former-Cardinal Ratzinger, as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, are worth noting. [more] October 03, 2005
On other celestial bodies
The team that discovered 'Xena', as they are still insisting on calling the so-called "10th planet" *ahem*, have announced that it has an orbiting companion, called Gabrielle, of course. According to Professor Brown - "Having a moon is just inherently cool - and it is something that most self-respecting planets have, so it is good to see that this one does, too." Ignoring the implied slight to Mercury.. and Venus.. I'll just point out that Prof Brown's other recent discovery, the less glamorously named 2003 EL61 also has a moon.. and is also not a planet. September 29, 2005
Derry's bloomin' wonderful.. it's official
In spite of the naysayers, *ahem*, I say congratulations to Derry City - Derry wins City category in Britain in Bloom 2005.. and congratulations to Jeanette Warke too[scroll down to Outstanding Achievement award] Belfast Telegraph report here |
Slugger O'Toole records news, commentary and diverse opinion on Northern Ireland. Produced by Mick Fealty News, tips or crits here: mick.fealty -at- gmail.com Topics a long peace?books Britain Conflict Culture Economy Education election 2003 Election 2005 Enviroment environment Europe Gaeilge Glossary Government Highlights Human Rights Humour International Manifesto Media Nationalism Negotiations Parties Policing Soapbox Society Sport the south unionism
Highlights
Out with the crystal ball...Just a Mo... Commenting Policy A backgrounder on the McCartney affair Northern Bank raid and political fallout, so far
Readers comments
More corrupt than last year? - (4)Living on an island or in a state? - (31) a combination of historical ignorance and monumental self-pity - (42) Payout time... - (4) New Lansdowne revealed - (24) Far right 'imagination'... - (13) Nazi comments were a sectarian slur - (3) The price of peacemaking... - (17) belfast metropolitan area plan unveiled - (23) Why (or rather how) Alec Reid was right... - (37)
Archives
October 2005September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 July 2004 March 2004 October 2003 September 2003 May 2003 |
|
|
|
Design: River Path Associates Comments: Big Blog Co Powered:
Movable Type 3.15 Copyright © 2003 Sluggerotoole.com
All rights reserved.
|
