In the topsy-turvy paradox that is Northern Irish politics we have constitutional republicans (in the wider European sense) that are called 'nationalists' (the SDLP), nationalists pretending to be republicans (Sinn Fein) and, most strangely, 'unionists' (the DUP) who possess arguably the strongest sort of nationalism on the island- Ulster Nationalism. This point is demonstrated most clearly in recent weeks by Iris Robinson's comments regarding homosexuality and her attack on secularism. Iris's political development seems not to have embraced any Enlightenment thinking whatsoever and is stuck solidly before the epoch-making French Revolution of 1789- maybe stuck even as far back as 1690! Her views and those of the DUP have no place whatsoever in modern Britain except...
I'd just like to wish Stuart Wheeler good luck with his court case for a judicial review of the Prime Minister's decision to refuse to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution. I've no idea of the legalities involved, but according to Mr Wheeler's web site a ruling is expected tomorrow morning.
This comes a day after a poignant comment on Slugger O'Toole, regarding the Republic of Ireland's impending referendum on the constitution, which deserves to be highlighted.
...how can a "good European" vote in conscience for Lisbon when it is a rehash of the Constitution that was shot down already by the electorate in France and the Netherlands then pulled before it when down any further? Do we not owe loyalty to our fellow Europeans before the institutions of Europe? Should we not reject it,...
Everyone’s favourite unelected legislator has had an idea.
I can't drive. I've just never bothered to learn. So lets say I get my licence next month and I drive to my girlfriend's parents in south Down. Alastair Ross will be very upset if I leave for Belfast much after 8pm. Who is he to have an opinion on what time I drive home at? What right does the state have to extend the fairly reasonable restrictions on driving to such an extent? He also wants to ban me from driving my girlfriends sister anywhere for the first year. Total ban on alcohol, perhaps, but the reason zero tolerance on this doesn't work, is that small amounts of blood alcohol are (as far as I remember) naturally occurring!
Lisburn man/Larne MLA Alastair Ross really has let it go to his head. If he wants a...
I was recently required to do an analysis of an academic research paper. A colleague I was working with chose this one, which I hadn't read before. There are some fascinating things in the responses.
Page 6 of the PDF shows the huge swing in support for the agreement before finally resting where it started. I'm a bit dubious about the unexplained sharp rises towards the end of the campaign, but maybe I'm just forgetting something. Page 8 highlights the fact that the republic had a vote one third larger than in the north, but 10 times more spoilt ballots.
On page 11 we get into the really interesting stuff. Only half of Protestant no voters objected to power sharing. Two thirds of them supported the establishment of an assembly. 86% of catholic nationalists supported NI remaining...
Downing Street have issued a non-response to a petition calling on them to prevent GP surgeries from using expensive, revenue-generating 084 and 087 phone numbers.
The government has said that the patient shouldn't be expected to pay more than a local call but companies have traditionally lied/manipulated their way around this using the vague definition of what constitutes a local call charge (something I've discussed previously).
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Constitutional Reform is afoot. In the upper house, recent reports suggest Michael's longing for an elected Lords or UK senate may eventually be satisfied . Meanwhile, Michael himself has flagged up rumours that elections to the House of Commons may be shifting towards an Alternative Vote system (think STV for single-seat constituencies).
Elected Lords and Commons Legitimacy
I think I've come round to the idea of an elected Upper House as a 'least worst' option, despite the prospect of the extension of party politics, career politicians and the associated traits that tend to go along with these to be an extremely strong counter-argument. Despite that, I can't see those self-same parties and career politicians being put off by my fears so lets assume it's a goer. The debate then moves on...
It seems to be a constant theme that when people are surveyed about the news they complain there's not enough positive news reported, so here goes.
Belfast is one of the top 10 safest cities in the United Kingdom (also in the Tele) in which to live according to a survey from Endsleigh insurance. It landed in at number 7th safest for household accident claims and 10th safest from claims arising from theft.
That list in full (courtesy of the Daily Record):
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Nearly two years ago I wrote a piece outlining why I believe that the House of Lords is undemocratic and untenable in a modern democracy. I'd be interested to hear what EU's readers think. Rather unfortunately, Charter88's Elect the Lords campaign seems to have stalled last August.Powered by...
Compare and contrast:
"The four British associations will not lose the rights and privileges acquired back in 1947. They will play with one team but it is up to them how they do it. It can be a mixed team, it can be from just one of the home nations, whatever they want to do."
Sepp Blatter, FIFA President, 1st September 2005
"They should enter only a team composed of players from England. This will then not provoke a long and endless discussion of the four British associations."
Sepp Blatter, FIFA President, 9th March 2008
Err... What?
I, like many, had only accepted a combined GB & NI team for the Olympics based on Blatter's original promise. Many fans warned at the time that this wasn't worth the paper it was written on and it turns out they were right.
There should be no...
The traditional view of Americans participation in the "Peace Process" here is generally seen as "cynical playing to the green Irish vote" by taking the side of nationalists and/or republicans. This was particularly true under the Clinton years.
With the new presidency race I think the best some of us were hoping for was that any new administration would have more important things to worry about than the rather tedious affairs of Northern Ireland, yet still its hard to shake the feeling that the votes of 36 million "Irish Americans" may prove too tempting to ignore.
That's why I was so surprised to read today that President Bush's special envoy to Ireland, Mitchell Reiss, has criticised Tony Blair for giving too much to Sinn Fein/the IRA, who he said became used to the government...
This really pissed me off. I heard on Radio 5's Drive programme in the car on the way home from work today that Prince Harry has been in Afghanistan, fighting on the front line, for 10 weeks. The media knew this and said nothing. Obviously this was necessary to protect Harry and the other soldiers working with him from becoming walking bullseyes for the Taliban.
There were complaints about the media doing a deal with the government to keep this secret. The deal was they get fairly up-close and personal to Harry in exchange for not reporting it until after he's back home. I'm not one to praise the media very often, but the fact that the whole of the British media kept this secret, I think, demonstrates that they do actually have the ability to recognise that there are one or two things...
There's plenty wrong with copyright laws in this country. Instead of fixing those things though, the government want ISPs to do their dirty work, monitor everything you download and ban users from the internet if they download copyrighted material. There are so many things wrong with this I don't know where to start!
1. It's an invasion of privacy. This is the most immediately obvious problem. That's fair enough if you're one of those downloading illegal content, but it's essentially treating everyone as guilty (by stripping them of their right to privacy) until proven innocent. There isn't even a "reasonable grounds for suspicion" protection.
2. It's not technologically feasible. Discussing this very issue, one ISP that monitors the types of traffic on their network quite closely...
The Assembly has rejected any suggestion that the IRA's sectarian murder campaign was a war. A good thing, and fairly unsurprising.
I've always liked Danny Kennedy, but his performance since devolution has impressed me, and he is clearly im proving as time goes on. I enjoyed this contribution during the debate:
Mr McCartney: The Member made an intervention and stated that Ireland was only ever united under the British Crown. Is that an acceptance that uniting Ireland is a worthy cause?
Mr Kennedy: Yes — under the British Crown. If the Republic wants to rejoin the British Commonwealth and renegotiate the terms and conditions for the union, I would withhold any objection.
Here here. Unionism should never be afraid to espouse Irish unity, it should probably be Unionism's...
The Assembly has rejected any suggestion that the IRA's sectarian murder campaign was a war. A good thing, and fairly unsurprising.
I've always liked Danny Kennedy, but his performance since devolution has impressed me, and he is clearly im proving as time goes on. I enjoyed this contribution during the debate:
Mr McCartney: The Member made an intervention and stated that Ireland was only ever united under the British Crown. Is that an acceptance that uniting Ireland is a worthy cause?
Mr Kennedy: Yes — under the British Crown. If the Republic wants to rejoin the British Commonwealth and renegotiate the terms and conditions for the union, I would withhold any objection.
Here here. Unionism should never be afraid to espouse Irish unity, it should probably be Unionism's...
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http://www.everythingulster.com/blogs/index.php/2008/02/15/downloaders_banned_from_the_internetThere's plenty wrong with copyright laws in this country. Instead of fixing those things though, the government want ISPs to do their dirty work, monitor everything you download and ban users from the internet if they download copyrighted material. There are so many things wrong with this I don't know where to start!
1. The most immediately obvious problem is it's an invasion of privacy. That's fair enough if you're one of those downloading illegal content, but it's essentially treating everyone as guilty (by stripping them of their right to privacy) until proven innocent. There isn't even a "reasonable grounds for suspicion" protection.
2. It's not technologically feasible. Discussing this...
I've been having an argument with Seamus here over legislators and who is qualified to be a lawmaker. I firmly believe that the salary of a legislator must be sufficient to attract those with sufficient expertise to be in a position to make good laws. Jim Allister, no matter that I disagree with him fundamentally on many key issues, is a good legislator, and the fact that he is probably taking a substantial pay cut to be in politics is not inconsequential. Many of his erstwhile colleagues in the DUP, are not doing my argument any favors.
One of the most effective and most civicly useful Acts on the statute book is the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I love it, I use it from time to time, and found it particularly useful during a dispute I had with a public body (who insisted they...
The Patten Commission was not a pleasant experience for Unionists. The abandonment of the historic name and symbols of the RUC GC was needless, insensitive, and damaging to Unionist confidence in the political process of the time. While this was not the only negative experience to come out of Patten, what we can say is a great many of the recommendations (PDF) in the report were good ones that have improved the already high standard of policing in Northern Ireland. One of these proposals, detailed at pages 62 and 63 of the Patten report, was the civilianisation of many tasks that were being undertaken by fully trained Police Officers. Police Officers are expensive to train and retain, this training is extensive and produces an excellent public servant for the betterment of the...
http://www.everythingulster.com/blogs/index.php/2008/01/28/no_room_for_britannia_in_browns_britishBritannia has featured on the tails side of 50-pence piece since the introduction of the coin in 1969.
I was driving home late last night when I heard Stephen Nolan's guests discussing Gordon Brown's public protestations about how he cherishes his Britishness, and the reason, it seems, is that he's approved plans to replace Britannia on the back of the 50p piece. She has occasionally made way for special commemorative editions but the reverse of the fifty-pence coin has been her home for nearly forty years.
The Daily Mail aren't best pleased, although apparently assurances have been received that Jade Goody will not feature on the new coin and the Royal Mint have promised Britannia will be...
http://www.everythingulster.com/blogs/index.php/2008/01/17/her_majesty_ftwApparently the Queen is quite partial to a bit of Wii Sports. Gamespot picked up on the story from the People, who reckon she's commandeered Prince William's Christmas present and is quite handy at the...
http://www.everythingulster.com/blogs/index.php/2007/12/31/catherine_tate_and_ulster_sensitivitiesDo we have a right to be offended by Ulster stereotypes?
According to broadcasting news site Digital Spy, Ofcom is set to investigate complaints made about the Catherine Tate Show's portrayal of a Northern Irish family as terrorists.
The site says that viewers "expressed anger" about a sketch in which a Northern Irish family were opening their Christmas presents, which included a balaclava, a knuckleduster and an apron adorned with a balaclava-wearing terrorist alongside the words "Remember Everything, Forgive Nothing".
It's purile and really not that funny but is it really surprising? She's not the first and I'm sure she won't be the last. In fact when we have equally un-funny shite...
http://www.everythingulster.com/blogs/index.php/2007/12/06/the_implications_of_separationWhat would a 'Divorce' of the United Kingdom mean for Scotland and for the rest of us?
In advance of a radio show on Radio 4 entitled "The Beginner's Guide to Separation", the BBC web site has a quick look at some of the implications of Scotland leaving the United Kingdom, some of which I wouldn't have necessarily considered.
Some highlights
Firstly, while Scotland would seek it's fair share of oil and gas, they would also be entitled to a population-based share of other resources (public property, essentially) and, on the other hand, their share of the national debt. They'd most likely have to re-apply to join the EU (and I'd guess this wouldn't be immediate). In fact, I wonder if the newly...
The shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2007 was announced last night. I'm really pissed off with this, mainly because David Healy is more or less ignored.
Nominees were apparently selected based on votes from news papers, all of whom failed to deem Sir David worthy of a mention with the exception of the Belfast Telegraph (naturally) and Nuts magazine (fair play lads).
Imagine Wayne Rooney had broken the record for goals scored in qualifying. Now imagine he'd done that fronting an England team that began the campaign ranked 72nd in the world instead of 5th. Do you think he would have been ignored?
The full list reads:
Joe Calzaghe (considered Welsh but born in London)
Lewis Hamilton (English; abandoned the UK for a more tax-efficient country)
Ricky Hatton (English)...
The idea has been knocking around recently that an honours system could be introduced in the south- last week over on O'Conall Street they mentioned that Bertie Ahern had backed such a plan. As yet details have not been published on what form this scheme would take, but in principle I would be dead against it. How can a republic, which supposedly is the epitome of egalistarianism, reconcile itself with a honours system which elevates some citizens above others?Now I've no problem with medals or awards being granted for specific reasons, for instance if a member of the armed forces went beyond the call of duty to save civilians in a war situation, but granting someone a title which permanently elevates them above the rest of society smacks of monarchism. If someone does a good job in their...
This one's fairly straightforward. A possibly rather innocuous comment was made a few days ago at Unionist Lite but I've seen this incorrect claim used on Slugger O'Toole to bait unionist commenters on a number of occasions: something along the lines of "Sure you're all subjects up there, I'm much happier being a citizen... blah, blah."
Well, actually, no we're not. There did exist a class of person known as a British Subject and, while technically it still exists, for all intents and purposes it was abolished long ago.
=> Read...
Pudsey's new look for 2007. What have they done?
Tonight's Children in Need night on BBC, but what the hell have they done to Pudsey? It looks like some wise-ass graphic designer has been let loose on him and decided to assault the poor thing.
Classic Pudsey served BBC for Children in Need for 20 years.
The previous Pudsey logo had been used for nearly 20 years but for some reason the BBC have decided to "update" him this year. I'd let them away with the colour-tone change, but that red polkadot bandana-type thing was part of Pudsey, not to mention the fact that someone's butchered the poor bear's face.
Bring back classic Pudsey.
Images © copyright...
Yet again money talks, and all sense of justice and basic decency goes out the window- the UK has played host to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, spending our taxes on a lavish reception including a banquet with the Queen. This man and his regime aren't exactly reminiscent of Nelson Mandela or the Dalai Lama- the attention and expenditure being lavished on the Saudis is based wholly and solely on money, given that the theocratic middle-eastern regime has control of large oil reserves and isn't shy about splashing out on military hardware manufactured in the UK.Yes, everyone knows the importance of keeping other nations on your side, but there is a limit to what should be done. The UK may need Saudi oil and arms money, but likewise the Saudis need someone to sell their oil to and from whom...
It's been in the pipeline for what seems like years, but 03 numbers have finally launched. "So what?" I can already hear you say.
It might not seem that important, but 0844/0845 "local rate", 0870 "national rate" and more expensive 0871 numbers have been getting my goat for some time now. You've all seen them, practically all big companies use them. So why are they so bad? Because 0845/0870 numbers haven't been "local rate" or "national rate" for years now.
Just another consumer rip-off
Officially charges for 0845 and 0870 numbers are pegged to BT's standard rate, but BT's "standard" tariff was abolished in 2004. Since then, the de facto standard BT rate for local/national calls was 6p for up to an hour in the evenings and at weekends and 3p/min during weekdays. 0870 numbers on the...
The smiling gentleman above is Richard Sandling; winner of this year's 'So You Think You're Funny?' competition. As I was in town talent scouting for ConstantComedy.com I of course attended the various heats and watched the finals with interest....
Had the pleasure of working with Zoe Lyons a couple of months back for 'Project X' - great to hear she's just been nominated for the IF Best Newcomer Award at the Fringe this year! The IF used to...
Ok. Am still here. Running on 3 hours of sleep a night, espresso and comedy. Oh, so much comedy Dear Readers. I have many an anecdote to share with you but will save it for the Podcast. Ok. Here's...