Letters from the Ego

I don't mean to be down on the DUP all the time but...

2006-09-16T15:18:00.000+01:00

Home attacks self-inflicted - DUP

This news item reminded of a debate about the Good Friday Agreement between Jim Wells of the DUP and Alex Attwood of the SDLP which I attended a few years ago when I had just started at Queens.

At the time I took a decidely pro-agreement stance but didn't feel qualified to challange the DUP's position. The above article makes me think of the DUP's attitude since becoming the largest party at the 2003 Assembly elections. It seems unwilling to do anything to usher in an new era in Northern Ireland. I sincerely hope the views expressed in the article aren't representative of the DUP's position but it is these views which could hold back the peace process should the DUP remain the provinces's largest party.

It's possible that there is a policy split within the DUP considering these blatently sectarian comments were made after Gregory Campbell said that ex-prisoners could join the PSNI if they have "repented". Although he seems to be a lone voice on that one.

Hope for the Left?

2006-04-08T16:06:00.000+01:00

Last week Channel 4 showed 3 episodes (why only 3 episodes?) from Morgan Spurlock's excellent series 30 Days and this got me thinking that "liberal" America has had a kind of Renaissance during the Bush presidency and it is the result of post-9/11 hysteria. People like Morgan Spurlock and Michael Moore have seen the need to speak out against what they see as being wrong with America but in different ways. Michael Moore is much more "in your face" whereas Morgan Spurlock is subtler, using the 30 Day technique to highlight Americans' predjudices and sometime insane practices

I think we see a lot of "liberal" America via TV and Film but the unfortunate thing is that it seems to be only media elite, people like Spurlock, Moore and George Clooney who seem to be prominant. Ordinary America still has the image, despite anti-war protests, of being very conservative and ignorant.

Dennis Donaldson, Decommissioning and the Peace Process

2006-04-07T13:53:00.000+01:00

On the last edition of Hearts and Minds, Malachi O'Doherty asserted that the murder of Denis Donaldson was not the last straw for Sinn Fein and the IRA but the Northern Bank robbery was. This view reiterates the lack of trust Unionists show towards Republicanism and maybe rightly because no-one I have spoken to believes (and I don't even believe) that when the IRA decommissioned in September last year they decommissioned 100% of their weapons. If it turns out that the IRA was involved with the murder of Denis Donaldson, this will be fodder to the DUP in particular. They will say that this proves that full decommissioning did not occur and the episode will be used to push the peace process back a couple of squares.

My feeling about the situation is that if decommissioning was the stumbling block to progress before the last suspension of the Assembly then it is a stumbling which no longer exists. While it is probably wise to assume that 100% decommissioning didn't occur, it's probably also a good idea to take last September's decommissioning as a benchmark to further the peace process. The same can be said in regard to the DUP's demand that the IRA now disband and IRA criminality cease. Both these things will be incredibly hard to verify. If the IRA was to announce to tomorrow that it was disbanding, of course people would be sceptical but would it not be sensible to accept such an announcement and push ahead for a settlement before November 24?

The same can be said about criminality. Let's assume that a lot of IRA members are involved for political reasons. If the IRA disbands there will be no reason for these people to be violent or do anything illegal but every organisaation of this type has members who are only in it for the money. It is these people who will be robbing banks and murdering people and just because it's been revealed that X was once a member of the IRA, could that not also be used as an excuse to push the peace process back a few squares?

Is this the way to The City of Dis?

2006-02-26T10:20:00.000Z

Hat tip to Jo for this. Apparently, I'm a heretic and belong in the Sixth Circle of Hell:

Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis

You approach Satan's wretched city where you behold a wide plain surrounded by iron walls. Before you are fields full of distress and torment terrible. Burning tombs are littered about the landscape. Inside these flaming sepulchers suffer the heretics, failing to believe in God and the afterlife, who make themselves audible by doleful sighs. You will join the wicked that lie here, and will be offered no respite. The three infernal Furies stained with blood, with limbs of women and hair of serpents, dwell in this circle of Hell.

Like a lot of internet tests, I've done this one before and usually come out in purgatory or as lustful (second circle). The more I do these tests, the more I think it depends on how you feel at the time. For example, today I'm feeling a bit crappy so I appear a wee bit more evil. If I were feeling good, maybe I'd be a bit more virtuous.

Love Ulster at it again

2006-02-25T19:25:00.000Z

I don't really have the time nor the inclination to delve into what drives the Love Ulster mob (maybe not the right word to use after today's scenes but... meh) but from an outsider's point of view I have to ask why these people feel the need to profess their love for a province which we know they love (because they're unionists). However, I don't want to get down on Love Ulster - this is how they choose to show their "loyalty" so fair enough. (However, one wonders why they chose Dublin for the rally.)

Republican Sinn Fein, however, are a disgrace in my eyes. No one would expect them to agree with the march and having a cauntermarch - fair enough, but the fact that some RSF marchers (from what I here) instigated the violence won't endear that organisation to unionists, loyalists, the British government, the Irish government or even possibly to mainstream Republicanism.

James Blunt wins again!

2006-02-24T18:44:00.000Z

This time, however, it was for worst album at the NME awards. I'm not sure if he was there to pick up the prestigious middle finger, but after the year he's had, does he care? I wouldn't.

Other winners included Kaiser Cheifs, Oasis, Kanye West and The Strokes. But the biggest winners were Arctic Monkeys who won Best New Band, Best Track and Best British Band.

The Return of Dual Monarchy?

2006-02-24T15:24:00.000Z

Last night on Hearts and Minds Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd and the DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson had a nice wee chat about the talks that broke down last week. Or rather the talks which didn't even begin last week. I don't remember much about the "debate" (Jeffrey blockage) but John O'Dowd mentioned "joint authority" which reminded me of early Sinn Fein.

Arthur Griffith's vision was of a dual monarchy based on the Austro-Hungarian model. "Joint authority," if that is Sinn Fein's policy, seems like a return to that model but obviously without the monarchy bit. Kind of an advanced advanced nationalism. I'll tell you when I figure out what that means.

The (dis)unity of Irish football

2006-02-24T14:27:00.000Z

The Setanta Cup is an annual competition between four teams from Northern Ireland four teams from the Republic which was first played last year when Linfield won it with a 2-0 win over Shelbourne.

It's not the first attempt at an all-Ireland football tournament but I think it is a significant tournament because it's the first post-Troubles attempt to do this. It's also in the news because Linfield played Derry City on Monday for the first time in 34 years. This has led to speculation about an all-Ireland football league with Derry City (who currently play in the League of Ireand having left the IFA in 1972 because of safety fears) supporting the idea and the IFA opposing the idea.

Presumably it would make economic (and geographic) sense for Derry City to play against northern clubs but I agree with IFA president Jim Boyce's argument that UEFA and FIFA currently recognise two Football Associations on the island which gives more teams the opportunity to play in Europe. If there were just one league, half these would lose out. (Currently there are four places available in the north and four in the Republic.)

Jim Boyce does not oppose the idea of an amalgamated league stucture to the Setanta Cup but an all-Ireland football league, he feels, is unworkable.

Please put your hands together for your host ...

2006-02-23T18:21:00.000Z

...Pathetiiiic Sod! Otherwise known as Chris Logan.

I don't know why I keep whinging about my lack of oomph but I have an oopmh defect. Seriously, I go on the computer in the morning and, more or less, I'm stuck there for the rest of the day. Of course, I'm not stuck, I have the free will not to sit in front of the computer all day but the repellent of my university work is far stronger. Or it could be the pull of the interent and the promise of gratuitous nudity. It's wrong (but only in that it prevents me acheiving anything), and I've promised myself less of it but it's as if the little voice in my head (the one that says "Do fuck all all day") is in charge.

Heeeeres me!

2006-02-22T18:44:00.001Z

I'm back.

After nine months of not really being arsed I've decided that this blog needs resurrected. I could have used this as a personal blog and created a new one for my political musings but my political musings are a lot more interesting than my personal life (and my political musings are not very interesting) so here we have a fusion of the two, along with any other crap that comes to mind.

I intend to use this blog as practice for any journalistic work I may undertake in the future. But it's more than that. There will be creative writing and I may use it as a kind of confessional but I hesitate to do this. Do I really want to bare my soul to God knows how many millions of people - not that that many people will be interested in the whingings of a 22-year old student from Northern Ireland. Just in the off chance - you know?

Woopee-Goddamn-doo!

2005-06-10T16:03:00.000+01:00

We're in. Was there any doubt that UEFA would cave in and let us play with the big boys? Okay, we have to enter in the 1st Qualifying Round but that shouldn't be a problem. The best thing I think as a general rule is that (according to the BBC) from now on the Champions will automatically be in the tournament no matter where they finished in their domestic league.

It makes me soooo angry!

2005-06-07T17:54:00.000+01:00

Bush 'to pledge Africa aid cash'

Yes, it does actually. Sounds like a good deal doesn't it? Look at the amount: $674m, a pittance compared to the amount he spent bombing the shit out of Iraq. But not only that; it's simply more aid on which more interest can be added therefore condemning Africa to more debt.

All credit to Tony Blair for trying but he should have pressed harder as the U.S. really does owe Britain one. Which brings me to another matter, this morning I caught HARDtalk on BBC1 (I'll try and post the video when it's online). This edition was with the undersecretary of state at the U.S. State department. Honestly! The unmitigated arrogance of the man, claiming that Iraq was a better place now and then trying to pin the blame for Africa's problems on Africa. Jesus Christ!

He said something about only giving aid to 'democratic' governments. Fucking American liberal democracy.

Update

2005-06-02T12:15:00.000+01:00

Oh yeah, and I'm going to Tunisia in September.

The Death of Apathy

2005-06-02T10:41:00.000+01:00

All right. This is it. I swear that from today on I will update this blog if not every day, then a hell of a lot more than I have been. Although maybe not on Saturday as I plan to go to a Make Poverty History rally in Belfast. And maybe not tomorrow, because I have an exam and I may be knackered by the time I get back.

It always happens, I go away for a few weeks a shitload of stuff happens. First of all Liverpool win the Champions League. (and here) I read an amusing piece on Teletext that Milan Baros dropped the trophy on the floor of a hotel and dented it.

Secondly, we now know who Deep Throat was. A bit of background: A break-in occured at the offices of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate Hotel in 1972. The president at the time, Richard Nixon became implicated in the affair when a shady figure whom the Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein named Deep Throat (now known to be Mark Felt) leaked them information on the break-in. The result of this information was that Nixon was impeached and he resigned.

The biggest political news of the last two weeks is that France and Holland have both voted against the EU constitution. The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso has urged other countries to press on with their referendums but I would tend to agree with Neil Kinnock who says there is no point as the constitution is now dead.

I love optimism

2005-05-22T16:02:00.000+01:00

Latest news from Scotland. Ah stuff it, the only news from Scotland. Rangers have won the SPL at the last minute after Celtic went down 2-1 to Motherwell and Rangers beat Hibernian 1-0.

And more news on the Martin O'Neill story, there are reports that Gordon Strachan is being lined up to replace him should he leave in the summer.

I prefer to be optimistic (pt 2)

2005-05-20T18:41:00.000+01:00

Actually, why do I have to respect them for winning 3 of the last 4 SPL titles? It was either going to be us or them. Maybe not 3 out 4 but you get the jist.

Stem Cell Research

2005-05-20T17:49:00.000+01:00

The world woke up (and so did I but I'm only talking about it now) this morning to the news that British and Korean scientists have successfully cloned human embryos. The British effort comes from Newcastle University. The university has successfully cloned an embryo as part of research into a cure for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Diabetes. The South Korean research is, as far as I can tell, more closely linked to Stem Cell Research as the cells need for cloning were taken from those with spinal cord damage.

The Guardian's leader column today came out very strongly in favour of this research (both in England and South Korea) as am I.

There are two reasons why it is a good thing. Firstly, it gives hope to suffers of the aformentioned diseases, maybe not for this generation but maybe the next. If this research were to lead to repairing spinal injuries, I may be in my 40s before it's good to go and by that stage I might not be bothered - I'll be used to adult life in a wheelchair. But the generation of disabled after me will benefit.

The second reason for this being good is a practical reason. In 10 or 20 years time, the drugs needed to hold back the effects of Alzheimer's may be in short supply (don't quote me on that) and therefore cure would be the best approach.

I prefer to be optimistic

2005-05-20T14:12:00.000+01:00

The BBC reports that Martin O'Neill could leave Celtic this summer. This assertion hinges on him saying that next season he:

"definitely won't be going to another football club."

Granted, the beeb did say that he wasn't making a commitment to Celtic but the quote could be read as a subtle commitment. I, however, prefer to be optimistic.

It's not that I don't like the man. He's a good manager - worked wonders at Leicester - and he seems to be a decent bloke. It's not even that I hate Celtic. I wouldn't say I like them (I do support Rangers after all) but you have to respect (even it is grudgingly) a team that's won 3 out of the last 4 SPL titles. However, maybe it's time for O'Neill to move on. What more is there to achieve? He's won everything the Scottish game can throw at him, he took Celtic to the UEFA Cup final in 2003 and it's not as if they're going to win the Champions League and then there's the league. It would take them to have a very bad season to finish outside the top 2 in the SPL.

Go on Marty! Quit now. It can't get any better.

Hmmmph!

2005-05-19T17:56:00.000+01:00

Sorry about the lack of posts recently but there is a very good reason.

I couldn't be arsed.

No, actually, it partly was apathy but partly that I have exams starting next week and I've been muddling through revision for that.

There's only one thing to talk about and that's (last) Monday night's Insight on ITV. It was an interview with David Trimble and it was asking what his legacy would be.

My own view is that for the next few years at least opinion on him will be split unfortunately down sectarian lines. Generally, Unionists will feel that he sold them out and Nationalist will see the positive side of his time as leader (GFA mainly). Over time, however, there will be a kind of revisionism within Unionism and Unionist will be more willing to accept that he acheived a lot and Northern Ireland is better off for having him around.

2005-05-19T17:23:00.000+01:00

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Nice one Tony!

2005-05-14T11:18:00.000+01:00

Tony Benn (hero of the left) has called on Sinn Fein to rethink their policy of abstentionism concerning their Westminster seats.

I agree with him but the pressure on them do this would have been greater if the SDLP had not done so well in the election. I think most commentators thought that the SDLP would retain South Down with Eddie McGrady standing again, Foyle would be a close call and they really had no chance in South Belfast.

If the SDLP had lost Foyle and not won South Belfast, then nationalism would only have one representative at Westminster. That would not have helped matters.

End of year screaming!

2005-05-10T11:19:00.000+01:00

So tired... can't wait till Friday... last day... exams... shit!

Death of a clown (well, almost).

2005-05-07T17:05:00.000+01:00

He's gone.

Election fallout

2005-05-07T15:21:00.000+01:00

The DUP ended up with 9 seats, Sinn Fein gained a seat (no real surprise, it was Newry and Armagh [south Armagh]), the SDLP are still alive after retaining both South Down and Foyle and gaining South Belfast. The UUP, however, are barely alive with only one MP (Lady Sylvia Hermon in North Down).

"Sources" says David Trimble will announce his resignation "at about teatime."

Not so much of a shock

2005-05-06T19:14:00.000+01:00

It's turning into a bit of a DUP rout. They've taken South Antrim and Upper Bann... off David Trimble.

Election Results update

2005-05-06T17:35:00.000+01:00

Wee Shammy has taken (as expected) East Antrim for the DUP. Danny O'Connor came in fourth behind Sean Neeson with 1,695 votes. So at least I know my vote wouldn't have counted.

Surprisingly, however, as far as I'm aware, South Belfast has elected Alasdair McDonnell of the SDLP.

In The End

2005-05-06T14:04:00.000+01:00

In the end, I did not vote.
In the end, Sunderland South did not break their record.
In the end, Labour finished up with a hugely reduced majority.
In the end, former GMTV totty Esther McVey did not get elected for the Conservatives but her boyfriend Ed Vaizey did.
In the end, the Liberal Democrats finished up with more seats than expected.
In the end, George Galloway won Bethnal Green and Bow for RESPECT.
In the end, Michael Howard said he would step down as Tory leader as soon as a review is done of the party's voting procedures.

Bloody FA.

2005-05-05T18:06:00.000+01:00

News just in, Liverpool won't be in the Champions League next season if they finish fifth but still win the bloody thing unless they can successfully lobby UEFA for a fifth place in the competition. Some bloody hope. Grrrr!

Okay then!

2005-05-05T17:16:00.000+01:00

I knew there wasn't a Northern Ireland election programme until tomorrow but I didn't realise that the votes won't begin to be counted until tomorrow. There are only 18 constuencies for Chrissake!!!! Sunderland South's hoping to get it's results in less than 43 minutes after the polls close.

Stewart's day.

2005-05-05T14:04:00.000+01:00

Who's Stewart, I hear you ask. Many moons ago (or even when Tony Blair called the election) I made a joke that went something like "Tony Blair has called the election, Stewart I think he's called it." Well, Stewart is finally here. And it looks as if he's bringing another Labour victory with. No surprise really when you consider that the economy's pretty healthy, Michael Howard's pretty crap, and the Lib Dems are, well...

Here in good old Northern Ireland however, it's more of the same. With our electorate split between Unionists and Nationalists there's no chance for "normal" politics and I'm sick of it. However, I believe we should all exercise our right to vote so as a member of a party outside the mainstream I wondered was it right to cast my vote in favour of the candidate I think would be best for the constituency (East Antrim). I've decided that is right and therefore I will be voting SDLP (If I vote).

Away from politics, Liverpool are in the Champions League final. Who would have thought last May when we crawled into fourth place in the Premiership that a year later we'd be back in the final of Europe's top competition after 20 years. The sheen may be taken off our victory if we beat AC Milan on May 25th because it's looking increasingly likely that Everton will take fourth place, so with UEFA refusing to give England an extra place we may not get a chance to defend the trophy unless the FA nominate us instead of Everton to compete next season.

It's tricky this because as a Liverpool fan I naturally want us to play in the Champions League and we should be able to defend it. Everton, however, deserve it because their finishing fourth seemed less likely than us winning the Champions League. They may not get this opportunity again.

At last! Something sensible.

2005-04-26T17:47:00.000+01:00

David Frost interviewed Michael Howard on Sunday. The issue of immigration came up (as it always does with the Tories) and it struck me that while Tory policy isn't as rascist as BNP policy there is an element of xenophobia. (I'm not the first person to say this but it is the first time I have formulated a coherent view as to why this is the case.) Michael Howard has always said that it isn't racist to have a debate about immigration - and I agree - but it certainly borders on racism when, as David Frost pointed out, (I'm not sure of the accuracy of this) the Conservative candidate for Enfield North links immigration to MRSA.

However, what really annoyed me and got me thinking was when David Frost asked if students from Iran and China (using his examples) are welcome to study in Britain. Michael Howard said that if they were bona fide students they would be welcome but would have to go back to their countries as soon as their degrees were over. At this point the question occurred to me "Would he say the same thing to a student from the USA, Canada or western Europe? Or even Japan? (Heads up to Australia and New Zealand.)" Probably not. Because those countries are rich and therefore don't fall under the Tories' (and perhaps not even the BNP's) anti- and limited-immigration radar. Another thing against the other 200 odd countries in world are that most of them aren't native English-speaking countries.

On bloggers and blogging

2005-04-25T19:17:00.000+01:00

Personal bloggers are among the vainest people on the planet.

I thank you.

Oh deary deary me!

2005-04-25T13:12:00.000+01:00

Bit of introspection going on today. It began with Nicola texting me and saying she couldn't come in - that left me in the lurch (not her fault though) and I ended up sitting in Cloisters eating by myself. It occured to me that before I started college I was shit-scared of sitting by myself in a canteen incase either a) I was ignored or b) I stuck out like a sore thumb. It doesn't bother me so much now, which begs the question: am I more of a loner than I was four years ago or am I more confident than I was then? I asked myself the question then: Do I like my own company? The answer was yes but that led to the question: Do I prefer my own company? The answer to that was no because I would have welcomed company in Cloisters.

I think there is more than one type of everything - nothing being simple. Take confidence for example. Do I have the confidence to sit in Cloisters and mutter away to myself? (This happened and a girl looked at me funny -quite embarassing.) Yes I do. But do I have the confidence to air my views in a tutorial unless I'm asked? No. The only time I have volunteered my own views in front of actual people is at a SWP meeting before easter about Sinn Fein's role in the peace process after the murder of Robert McCartney and the Northern Bank robbery.

Boring

2005-04-24T17:55:00.000+01:00

It's been a slow day. I have done pretty much nothing and there's been very little news. The main news has been about the pope's inauguration. He has called for "Christian Unity;" I'm unsure if this means better relations between Christian churches or all churches amalgamating into one. I did find an interesting article about the press in Africa warning that the church has to soften its stance on condoms in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

I found yet another political test. This one told me I should vote Sinn Fein.

Darkly Muttering

2005-04-23T17:48:00.000+01:00

Grumble, grumble... Crystal Palace... grrr!

The actor John Mills died today - he was 97. I could have sworn he was 103 a decade ago. Is that a bit disrespectful? Probably. Condolensces to the family.

I was looking at the candidate list for all of Northern Ireland's constituencies today. Got mildly pissed off at the East Antrim list. The same old parties and there's nothing to get excited about. At least the Electoral Office has acknowledged Eamonn McCann in Foyle.

Firefox update: Has trouble downloading pdf documents.

Firefox Con?

2005-04-23T14:57:00.000+01:00

What is it with Firefox? It's supposed to to be the best browser ever, so I switched to it and now I spend half my day waiting for pages to load. Okay, that's an exaggeration. But it can be slow. It's more user friendly than Internet Explorer though.