27 January 2010

Norn Iron is addicted to violence

British television personality, Esther Rantzen said, last year, that people in Northern Ireland were addicted to violence. Whether a Unionist or Nationalist party prevails, the intolerance and bitterness of a broken society will continue. Brian Cowen and Gordon Brown, two of the least charismatic politicians one could encounter, will have their hands full negotiating the boring political life in Ireland's northern province.

Some of the most awful violent acts ever committed by 'humans' have happened in Ulster and this needs to be challenged by everyone.

Armed men recovering in Belfast hospital

Belfast - Four men armed with baseball bats, iron bars, hatchets, knives, hammers, machetes, pickaxes, cricket bats and Hurleys are in hospital this morning after being viciously assaulted by an unarmed 14 year old boy.

The teenager has a history of walking, talking and breathing air and it is feared that he may strike again if he continues to mind his own business.

One of the injured, who doesn’t want to be named, has blamed the local police force for not acting more responsibly and says that society needs to be protected from unarmed individuals.

The police have warned that further violent attacks on paramilitary gangs by children, the elderly or disabled can be expected.

25 January 2010

A year of Barack Obama




What a year it has been for Barack Obama. Before he was elected as president of the most powerful nation on earth, the former Chicago senator was popular but one of the few criticisms of him was his inexperience. Now, a year into his term of office, he has become undoubtedly more knowledgeable. But those high ratings have been steadily falling as American public opinion wonders if putting him in the white house was such a good idea. Going by the recent election to replace the late Senator Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts it seems Obama can no longer walk on water – he’s human after all.

The US president reacted in surprise when given, perhaps prematurely, the Nobel Peace Prize last year. This was a way of expressing support for Obama, almost like saying: ‘we like you but please don’t follow your predecessor in starting fires that cannot be put out.’ The truth is they needn’t have bothered. Obama is far more concerned, currently, with the American economy as well as other domestic matters.

One of these matters is his healthcare plan. Americans prefer the dollar to the dole and the president is finding it hard to win supporters on this issue. His determination to force this through has damaged his popularity but nonetheless he shows no sign of compromising. Obama has the political will, something many leaders around the world do not exercise (our own government would be an excellent example).

In Illinois, 20th May 2006, Mr Obama made a speech on healthcare in which the following quote was taken: “I ask you to be advocates for a health care system that is fair, that is just and that provides every single American with the best your profession has to offer.” Obama has made healthcare the cornerstone of his presidency. He cares not a bit for his ratings. He’s there to serve the people, every American.

However healthcare is not the only big policy change the first black American president wants to bring in. The US economy has been battered by the credit crisis and Obama’s administration wants to challenge the banks. He says they “took reckless risks in pursuit of quick profits and bonuses” (Guardian, January 2010). The anger is palpable. Wall Street will have to take a hit.

“If these folks want a fight, it’s a fight I’m ready to have”, says the president (Guardian, January 2010). With one banker reportedly getting paid $9 million, Mr Obama may be able to recoup some popularity in fighting huge payouts such as this. He’s in no mood for compromise with the largess going to some business executives. Change is in the air. Would we see this with a republican in the white house? Probably not. Obama has fire in his belly and a marked disregard for his, and his party’s poll ratings.

Later in the year I hope to examine the president’s form on foreign policy. For now though it is too early to make pronouncements. The president is a year in office and is doing some heavy lifting. He’s banging through policy with remarkable determination and resilience. For that he must be praised. However Obama will act only in the best interests of those that put him where he is now – the American people. The rest of us will follow.

18 January 2010

Functioning well with only one Kidney





Ireland’s international rugby squad created history, last year, by winning the Six Nations championship. Outright victory had eluded Ireland in the past, despite winning the ‘Triple Crown’ several times.

Along with a selection of tougher than tough players, one man stands out as having a strong bearing on Ireland’s Grand Slam success. That man is Declan Kidney. The quietly spoken Corkonian has spent a lifetime devoted to rugby and can point to considerable success. In the late 1990s he was involved with Munster and coached them in the Heineken Cup where they reached two finals.

In 2002 Kidney moved away from Munster rugby and worked with the Ireland management, alongside Eddie O’Sullivan, but left after only two years. From 2005 to 2008 he returned to coach Munster where they won the Heineken Cup in 2006 and 2008. No doubt those in the top echelons of the IRFU had faith in his skills when, following the departure of O’Sullivan in 2008, Kidney was named Ireland coach.

Leaving Munster in 2008, especially given their success, must have been hard but Kidney doesn’t let emotion cloud his judgement. “That might sound cold. I’d hate to say it’s a skill. It’s a necessity. You have to do it. It’s a facet of life – how do paramedics keep their cool at accidents, for instance?” *

Kidney feels that Hurling and Gaelic Football has helped some of the players he’s coached. Physically Irish rugby sides may not be as bulky as other nations but they are undoubtedly extremely fit and this Irish coach is able to get optimum value from the players. Denis Leamy is cited as benefitting from a GAA background.

Positive encouragement of his players is Kidney’s approach to games and that seems to have worked well for Ireland. Like a Wenger or a Ferguson, Declan Kidney has immersed himself in his sport. He has lifted Irish rugby to lofty heights and is modest and genteel in accepting the praise that comes his way: “It’s all about the team and the players. They’re the ones doing all the work.” *

With this year’s Six Nations only weeks away it is heartening that Ireland’s rugby squad have a coach as clever as Kidney. The stakes are high in 2010 and we mustn’t fool ourselves that we’ll be at the top forever. But if anyone can keep us at this level it is Declan Kidney. So before you start giving out about Ireland this year, take some time to consider the input from a man with an impeccable record and ask yourself: ‘Could I achieve as much as that?’

* (Quotes taken from an interview: www.michaelmoynihan.wordpress.com c.2009)

11 January 2010

Money, Love and Integrity

“One of Britain’s youngest lottery winners has been found dead at his home after apparently becoming a recluse in his secluded cottage in the countryside.”

The above quote is taken from The Guardian newspaper (8th January 2010) and it informs us of the tragic ending to what should have been a life of endless delight. Stuart Donnelly (29) had become reclusive, one of the unhappy aspects to winning the lottery.

By staying in we often become delusional and perhaps self-centred. It’s easy for us to hide inside the home stuffing ourselves with unhealthy food, stretching for the TV remote or spending hours on the internet before drawing the curtains and switching on the heat. The comforts at home fill our heads, in many cases, with a warped understanding of life.

This is not a good pattern to follow. Everyone needs to get out of their cosseted environment for a while each day and this equips us with a truer perspective on life. It’s always simpler to stay static, but is much more beneficial to leave our comfort zones and venture out. By doing this we have a greater likelihood of meeting others of a similar mind. Charity or voluntary work can be of enormous value and helps us realise we’re not alone in this world.

In my own case getting out of the house is vital and may have improved my mental health. Sadly, reclusive people do not have this understanding and that is what may have led to Mr Donnelly’s death at such an early age.

In The Guardian, Severin Carrell reports that the young man died from natural causes. Mr Donnelly had been generous to his family and those around him when he won the lottery, valued at over £1.9m. He is quoted as saying he would do “…anything that involves not leaving the house.”

For him, winning this sum may not have led to happiness and might indeed have caused problems. Ironically, this unselfish fellow may have had a better life if he hadn’t won the lottery prize in the first place. His death should not go un-noted.


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The Revolting Robinsons




Throughout the 1980s, along with the vicious terrorist activity, Peter Robinson was often seen on television venting anger at each and every outrage perpetrated by the paramilitaries.

Mr. Robinson was known for his hard-line attitude and always had the backing of trenchant unionist opinion, which came to the fore whenever an atrocity was committed in Ulster. This impression of the DUP leader has remained through thick and thin, despite recent news of his wife’s mental health.

However the full picture is now emerging and the Robinson family, hitherto quite puritanical, find themselves embroiled in a scandal that could have a perilous outcome to the First Minister’s career.

He may not be directly involved with his wife’s financial mistakes but by standing by her, Mr. Robinson may have damaged his credibility among his, and his party’s, supporters.

With a general election, perhaps only weeks away, Mr. Robinson will have plenty to contend with. Whether he likes it or not, the voters will have the final say and the veteran NI politician will have a daunting task maintaining his reputation as a trusted figure in Ulster Unionism.

As an impartial observer it is interesting to note that Mrs. Robinson was even allowed become an MP, despite having problems surrounding her mental health. It is known that having a psychiatric condition bars one from taking a seat in the House of Commons.

Another example of pulling the wool over the eyes of those in authority – Iris Robinson has made a mockery of politics. The big question is: will this deceit infect her husband’s career?

04 January 2010

Leaving a sinking ship?



Sorry about the video (above). I know it's cheesy but was the only one I could get. It says nothing about Irish life, nice views though......



The Ireland of today is a much more prosperous place to be than in the past. Undoubtedly the influx of foreign workers has helped the country and fewer ‘locals’ are applying for jobs, that they would have taken 20 years ago. There is now ample choice to the shopper and items (luxury as well as necessities), meaning that leaving the auld sod is no longer a foregone conclusion for our sons and daughters.

But Robert Carry, ('Going down with the ship',Metro Eireann, 24th December 2009 – 6th January 2010), writes: “Us Irish are wedded to this wet little rock” (meaning Ireland). He cannot understand why it is that more of those living in places such as Ballybrack or Bantry don’t emigrate. I beg to differ.

There should be no shame in wanting to remain living here. Granted much of the country is currently mired in economic depression, but would I like to leave? The answer is no. For all its myriad of problems this ‘wet rock’ is my homeland and it would take a lot to make me emigrate.

Look at the madness across the world:

China killing those with poor mental health

Nearly every US citizen carries a weapon of some sort

FGM is commonplace in certain African countries

In the UK civil liberties are being steadily eroded by uber-tough police forces displaying less and less accountability (with the honourable exception of the PSNI)


I am happy to say that none of that is applicable to Ireland. The pace of life here is another bonus: No matter how sophisticated we are, there will always be those in Irish society who care. Busy Manhattan has nothing to offer except dollars $$$ and people’s welfare is of no interest. One example of that is the herculean efforts of the Obama administration to bring in healthcare reform; everything must be paid for in the land of Uncle Sam.

Ireland, of course, has many drawbacks but I love living here. Should Irish people be forced, King Herod-like, to get out of their native land once they reach a certain age? Of course not. However we must acknowledge that emigration is a personal matter and many will want to leave, that is their decision and is to be respected. I would rather stay on a ‘wet rock’ any day than move to an arid, dry country where chatter and craic are almost non-existent.

There are many positive reasons for residing here, even if we have rather dull weather most of the time. As a country we must create more reasons for people to stay than to go. Ireland has many strengths, strengths that Mr Carry obviously fails to recognise in the rush to get his passport stamped.
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