28 December 2009
2009: Lowlights & Highlights
LOWS
Arsenal not winning the premiership
Death of acclaimed sound engineer, Bob Jones
Dearth of good new music releases
Continuing human rights abuses worldwide
The recession and its implications for us all
Failure of the national team to qualify for next year's World Cup in South Africa
***************************************
HIGHS
Getting some of my work published (thanks are due to Catherine Reilly at Metro Eireann)
Pat Kenny being bawled out of it on his television programme
The great taste of Czech beer, courtesy of Lidl supermarkets
Launching my new blogsite which is specially devoted to retail issues:
www.thesensitiveseller.wordpress.com
The inauguration of Barrack Obama - the thrill of watching the event still hasn't gone away. A tonic for the troops!
The relative joys of Salsa dancing in central Dublin
To all those who have viewed my blogsite over the past year, have a happy new year!
22 December 2009
Learning Loving In Listowel
http://www.krsac.com/
About 18 months ago I was at an evening function in a central Dublin hotel. As the night wore on I joined a group of ladies (roughly my age), and we all were getting on fine. When proceedings were winding down I noticed that one of the girls had, well, an attraction towards me. Naturally I was feeling excited at the possibility of 'getting off' with her. But that's not what happened.
Instead of a night of passion my erection was not wanted in her direction. When later, at a club, I tried to kiss this gorgeous lady she told me not to proceed.Of course, like the gentleman I am, I backed off - I would NEVER force the hand of anyone, especially a woman.I know when to respect a lady's wishes,no matter how dissappointing it may be. Any bloke who removes consent from the arena should know better. I do.
So it is with great sadness when I hear of rape. No woman should have to wear particular clothing or not go out at night and get pissed. Aren't women as entitled to a life as much as a man? Well 50 locals in Listowel obviously don't want to hear that question.
The appalling way these people, Fr. Sean Sheehy among them, treated the victim of the recent rape case, was compounded by them lining up to shake hands with the convicted rapist, Danny Foley.
The issue of rape, of course, is global but young boys (and girls) need to be educated in respect. When sex education is being taught to schoolchildren, it ought to be accompanied by teaching respect for each others bodies.
It is important that when boys grow to adulthood they know that an erection need not be forced on a person. Young people must be made realise that, despite some sections of the media, sex should not be on demand. The importance of relationships, formed by true love, needs to be stressed.
Showing mutual respect for each other may go some way to reducing the terrible, unnecessary violation and trauma caused to a vicim. Respect needs to be put top of the agenda. Those 50 people should be ashamed for their attitude to the outrageous violation of the defenceless woman, in this case.
If they knew the true meaning of respect this story may not have risen to national prominence. The media have played a blinder in alerting us to this story and allowing us to show support to the victim of what is a horrible crime.
About 18 months ago I was at an evening function in a central Dublin hotel. As the night wore on I joined a group of ladies (roughly my age), and we all were getting on fine. When proceedings were winding down I noticed that one of the girls had, well, an attraction towards me. Naturally I was feeling excited at the possibility of 'getting off' with her. But that's not what happened.
Instead of a night of passion my erection was not wanted in her direction. When later, at a club, I tried to kiss this gorgeous lady she told me not to proceed.Of course, like the gentleman I am, I backed off - I would NEVER force the hand of anyone, especially a woman.I know when to respect a lady's wishes,no matter how dissappointing it may be. Any bloke who removes consent from the arena should know better. I do.
So it is with great sadness when I hear of rape. No woman should have to wear particular clothing or not go out at night and get pissed. Aren't women as entitled to a life as much as a man? Well 50 locals in Listowel obviously don't want to hear that question.
The appalling way these people, Fr. Sean Sheehy among them, treated the victim of the recent rape case, was compounded by them lining up to shake hands with the convicted rapist, Danny Foley.
The issue of rape, of course, is global but young boys (and girls) need to be educated in respect. When sex education is being taught to schoolchildren, it ought to be accompanied by teaching respect for each others bodies.
It is important that when boys grow to adulthood they know that an erection need not be forced on a person. Young people must be made realise that, despite some sections of the media, sex should not be on demand. The importance of relationships, formed by true love, needs to be stressed.
Showing mutual respect for each other may go some way to reducing the terrible, unnecessary violation and trauma caused to a vicim. Respect needs to be put top of the agenda. Those 50 people should be ashamed for their attitude to the outrageous violation of the defenceless woman, in this case.
If they knew the true meaning of respect this story may not have risen to national prominence. The media have played a blinder in alerting us to this story and allowing us to show support to the victim of what is a horrible crime.
15 December 2009
Labour v Conservative 2010
In the middle of the Labour party's annual conference in Bournemouth, earlier this year, The Sun newspaper announced their support for the Conservatives at next general election (widely tipped to be in May or June of next year).
Although not painted from with the same brush as Tony Blair over Iraq the current British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has proven to have had a calamitous time at number ten. As his government are set for a walloping at the polls, Gordon Brown has become more and more unpopular with voters.
Indeed the opinion polls are showing historically low ratings for the government and many are wondering if there will even be a Labour party in 12 months time? Tony Blair communicated in a much more effective way than his Scottish colleague and undoubtedly this has caused Brown to lose momentum with the public.
The newspapers continue speculating on Brown's style of leadership and the conjecture has not been halted. A number of resignations, most sensationally James Purnell's, have contributed to the gloom affecting the Labour party and many feel that Brown is not the right man to lead. Brown's saving grace is the refusal of anyone to stand against him.
The problem for Labour is that they have now been in power for over 12 years and they have become steadily less popular. Depreciation has come about and,like anything that depreciates in quality over time, it is bound for the bin. There is little or nothing that can be done to change this reality.
In just a few months time the Conservatives could be back in office and Labour will be consigned to opposition for what could be a long spell. However The Conservatives are the ones that need examination. As an Irish citizen I want to see a new incoming British government deciding how to co-operate in Europe.
Observing British politics, I sense that Labour and the Conservatives have come closer together on economic matters. Both are now committed to a low tax base and the main difference seems to be that Labour will borrow to invest in public services. The Conservatives are keen to reduce spending and they undoubtedly will try to resume the privatisation policies that characterised the Thatcher/Major years in the 1980s and 1990s.
However no matter how large a majority David Cameron gets at the next election, his party will be forced to pay attention to public services and the vulnerable in British society.
Labour has failed and, whilst not an admirer of the Conservatives,I would be happier with this new brand of Conservatism.Cameron knows that an uncaring, neglectful government, will not get support. That will help determine how successful his government will fare in office.
An exciting year ahead in British politics. It'll be interesting to see how things pan out.
Although not painted from with the same brush as Tony Blair over Iraq the current British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has proven to have had a calamitous time at number ten. As his government are set for a walloping at the polls, Gordon Brown has become more and more unpopular with voters.
Indeed the opinion polls are showing historically low ratings for the government and many are wondering if there will even be a Labour party in 12 months time? Tony Blair communicated in a much more effective way than his Scottish colleague and undoubtedly this has caused Brown to lose momentum with the public.
The newspapers continue speculating on Brown's style of leadership and the conjecture has not been halted. A number of resignations, most sensationally James Purnell's, have contributed to the gloom affecting the Labour party and many feel that Brown is not the right man to lead. Brown's saving grace is the refusal of anyone to stand against him.
The problem for Labour is that they have now been in power for over 12 years and they have become steadily less popular. Depreciation has come about and,like anything that depreciates in quality over time, it is bound for the bin. There is little or nothing that can be done to change this reality.
In just a few months time the Conservatives could be back in office and Labour will be consigned to opposition for what could be a long spell. However The Conservatives are the ones that need examination. As an Irish citizen I want to see a new incoming British government deciding how to co-operate in Europe.
Observing British politics, I sense that Labour and the Conservatives have come closer together on economic matters. Both are now committed to a low tax base and the main difference seems to be that Labour will borrow to invest in public services. The Conservatives are keen to reduce spending and they undoubtedly will try to resume the privatisation policies that characterised the Thatcher/Major years in the 1980s and 1990s.
However no matter how large a majority David Cameron gets at the next election, his party will be forced to pay attention to public services and the vulnerable in British society.
Labour has failed and, whilst not an admirer of the Conservatives,I would be happier with this new brand of Conservatism.Cameron knows that an uncaring, neglectful government, will not get support. That will help determine how successful his government will fare in office.
An exciting year ahead in British politics. It'll be interesting to see how things pan out.
07 December 2009
Progress on Zimbabwe?
It has nothing to do with the philosophy of communism, which is foreign to us black people. What appealed to us most over our induction into communism was the firm instruction that: ‘Once you had become the government, you remain in government for ever.’ – Robert Mugabe
The economy is forecast to grow by seven per cent next year. This is, of course not a reference to Ireland’s current economic fortunes, but Zimbabwe’s. The land-locked southern African state has had to face long periods of isolation by the western world due to the tyrannical leadership of Robert Gabriel Mugabe.
Mugabe’s control of Zimbabwe is absolute and many human rights abuses have ruined and divided the once ‘bread basket of Africa’. In March 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections were held and they resulted in Mugabe and his party, ZANU – PF, losing power…
That was the initial outcome but, no official result was announced until nearly six months later, (September 2008). The period between March and September 2008 was used by those ruling the country to intimidate, attack and ultimately to try to ‘correct’ the result. Mugabe and ZANU – PF would not be happy until his forces had beaten the people into complying with his orders.
Many were either left to die or become displaced and the majority of Zimbabweans had their democratic rights trampled on by state-sponsored thuggery. How anyone could suggest that Zimbabwe was democratic is unbelievable. As if the political and human rights abuse was not enough to despair about, an awful disease, Cholera, became widespread ushered on by desperate sanitary conditions. Zimbabwe had a humanitarian crisis to contend with.
Eventually Morgan Tsvangirai, Movement Democratic Change leader, carved out an agreement with his bitter foe, Mugabe, and his henchmen. A national government was established, in February 2009. Theoretically it would return the country to economic and social prosperity but it was fundamentally undemocratic with the key roles still gripped by ZANU – PF.
This ‘unitary’ style of government never allowed true democracy to flower: the treatment of Roy Bennett, an MDC member, was another example of the failure of the ‘partnership’. Mr Bennett, a white Zimbabwean, was due to be made deputy minister of agriculture and was jailed on trumped up charges. Eventually progress was made and he was released, but only after strenuous efforts were made on his behalf.
So it is nearly a year in government and the ‘unitary’ administration is showing signs of economic progress, something many countries around the world would envy. However everyone wants an end to the human rights breaches in Zimbabwe. If and when there is true freedom in the land of the Victoria Falls, we can then say that real progress has been achieved. A great, proud nation will be restored to its rightful place but, one senses, we’re not at that stage yet.
There are many friends of Zimbabwe around the globe and we will stand together for a better future, a future where respect and tolerance of difference will prevail. That is what most Zimbabweans want and they should not be prevented from living in a democratic, accountable state, free from the whims of a dictatorship.
03 December 2009
Calls for Bishop Murray to resign
Yesterday, while doing research on the crisis of clerical abuse I heard Andrew Madden's story of how he was abused by Fr Ivan Payne. Mr Madden, sadly, is not alone and the twisted way some priests acted in the past is now out in the open. These so-called religious men were guilty of the most awful behaviour towards young children. Listening to what Madden was subjected to was sickening and heartbreaking -his childhood has been trashed.
However the tidal wave of anger towards the clergy needs to be rationalised urgently. The Bishop of Limerick, Donal Murray,is being blamed for the appalling abuse that people such as Andrew Madden had to endure. Is this fair?
It is not. Dr Murray should shoulder a certain amount of the shame that the Catholic church in Ireland is now experiencing. But is the best outcome for him to resign? Notwithstanding the good work of people such as Mary Raftery and the decency of Archbishop Martin,the bishop should not resign.
He has not directly been responsible for any child sexual abuse, despite being in a position of authority.The victims have lost their youth and nothing can bring that back to them. A high profile resignation will not wipe away the terrible things that were done. This Bishop is not without blemish, sacking him would not change things for the better.
Little can be done to change the past, although a code of conduct for all members of the clergy is needed to eliminate any possibility of abuse being repeated.It must be rigorously heeded. In the meantime Bishop Murray ought to speak to the media so we get a clearer picture of his role. Any rush to judgement should be avoided.
However the tidal wave of anger towards the clergy needs to be rationalised urgently. The Bishop of Limerick, Donal Murray,is being blamed for the appalling abuse that people such as Andrew Madden had to endure. Is this fair?
It is not. Dr Murray should shoulder a certain amount of the shame that the Catholic church in Ireland is now experiencing. But is the best outcome for him to resign? Notwithstanding the good work of people such as Mary Raftery and the decency of Archbishop Martin,the bishop should not resign.
He has not directly been responsible for any child sexual abuse, despite being in a position of authority.The victims have lost their youth and nothing can bring that back to them. A high profile resignation will not wipe away the terrible things that were done. This Bishop is not without blemish, sacking him would not change things for the better.
Little can be done to change the past, although a code of conduct for all members of the clergy is needed to eliminate any possibility of abuse being repeated.It must be rigorously heeded. In the meantime Bishop Murray ought to speak to the media so we get a clearer picture of his role. Any rush to judgement should be avoided.
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