Macrolog
60 Macrolog entries tagged with ‘currentaffairs’
Now That Ireland's SOPA is Law, What Next? Thu 01 Mar 2012
So the proposed legislation dubbed ‘Ireland’s SOPA’ has been enacted into law by Statutory Instrument, despite vociferous opposition from that section of the public clued in to such things. And now the junior minister responsible, Seán Sherlock, has launched a...
Going Dark in Support of a Free Internet Thu 19 Jan 2012
Update: The web censorship bills have been shelved for now, but as Marco Ament writes, they will no doubt return in this or some other form — unless there is an aggressive push for campaign finance reform in the US....
Explosions in London Thu 07 Jul 2005 | 3 Comments
Every news channel here is reporting on a series of explosions in central London this morning. There are reports of blasts in a number of stations along the Metropolitan Circle and Piccadilly underground lines, as well as an explosion on...
Cruel... but Usual Tue 01 Mar 2005
Gary Younge’s thoughtful commentary in today’s Guardian takes Britain’s foreign policy to task, comparing the abuses at Camp Breadbasket — Britain’s Abu Ghraib — with the British Empire’s long history of colonial oppression, highlighting the refusal of the establishment to...
Election Response Roundup Thu 11 Nov 2004 | 1 Comments
In an appendix of sorts to last week’s US election rant, here’s a roundup of related commentary that caught my attention (and might otherwise have been lost in the Linklog): Simon Schama: Onward Christian soldiersHistorian Schama sees the US as...
Obligatory Election Response Wed 03 Nov 2004 | 3 Comments
Unless you’ve been living under the proverbial rock till you began reading this sentence, then you’ll know by now that the Republicans have won the US presidential election. I’m disappointed, certainly. But I’m not surprised. Why? Because you have to...
The Voting Conundrum Sat 12 Jun 2004
Yesterday, polling stations across Ireland were opened for a triple-header of local council elections, European Parliament elections, and the citizenship referendum. And for the first time in my enfranchised life, I’m ashamed to admit, until I got my ballot papers...
No, Anti-Zionism is Not Anti-Semitism: Redux Fri 19 Dec 2003
In a further appendix to my recent postings on the anti-Zionism/anti-semitism confusion, here is an opinion piece by Emanuele Ottolenghi which illustrates perfectly the infuriating obstinateness of the right-wing viewpoint on this issue. As a whole, the article is not...
No, Anti-Zionism is Not Anti-Semitism Fri 12 Dec 2003
As an appendix to my two recent postings on the subject (here and here) I have unearthed from my blog-fodder links folder this commentary from December 3rd’s Guardian, presenting a liberal Jewish perspective on the Middle East crises: We should...
A Deadly Poison Thu 27 Nov 2003
As a companion to yesterday's piece, here is an example of the kind of thing that the current Israeli administration (and a sizeable xenophobic tranche of the Israeli population) would like to get away with; the kind of thing that...
On the 'New' Anti-Semitism Wed 26 Nov 2003 | 3 Comments
There's a thought-provoking piece in yesterday's Guardian regarding the 'political correctness' of anti-semitism supposedly spreading throughout Europe. I've read it a couple of times, and I have to say, a lot of the charges I find difficult to accept. Not...
The Antichrist of North Carolina? Thu 14 Aug 2003
She may not be the Antichrist of North Carolina, but there seems little doubt to me that Barbara Ehenreich loves to bait those right-wing Christians (c/o (woolgathering)): I was getting into my new role as North Carolina’s premier amateur philosopher...
Windows, Mirrors and Walls Thu 26 Jun 2003
(An appendix of sorts to On America’s Imperial Delusion) Last night whilst reading Naomi Klein’s collection of articles on the globalisation debate, Fences and Windows, I came across the following paragraph from The Brutal Calculus of Suffering, her speech to...
A Right Royal Shame Mon 23 Jun 2003
So there's been some major controversy surrounding the Royal birthday party that took place over the weekend. And no, I'm not talking about the gatecrasher. I'm talking about the party guests, those posh toffs in all their pseudo-savage, blackfaced glory....
On America's Imperial Delusion Sun 22 Jun 2003 | 3 Comments
In a thought-provoking comment piece from last weekend’s Guardian, Eric Hobsbawm attempts to answer the question surrounding America’s supposed drive for world domination. It seems fair to assert that the United States sees itself politically as the big boss man,...
Natural's Not In It Sat 07 Jun 2003
In a commentary in today's Guardian US law professor Philip Bobbitt -- whilst ultimately defending the American government's politically expedient approach to the defense of human rights -- makes some valid observations about the humanitarian justification for military action, and...
The Morality of Dissent Mon 02 Jun 2003
[Views] that offer an informed critical analysis of the Bush administration’s foreign policy, particularly with regard to the Middle East, are not part of the national conversation in the United States. And until Americans can have that conversation with...
Warning: High Idiot Quotient Sat 10 May 2003
I happened to catch a news report the other day about some idiot who almost killed himself performing the most insane stunt imaginable, all for some stupid Jackass ripoff video he was making with his friends. (Here’s a link to...
Take This Bomb and Shove It Tue 06 May 2003
I _was_ going to go into town after the media screenings (see the previous entry) to run some errands, clear the cobwebs from being stuck in a darkened movie theatre for four hours. It's a good thing I didn't, though,...
What Will Happen Now? Fri 18 Apr 2003
I haven't been eminently vociferous with regard to the situation in Iraq as of late. My comments might even seem conspicuous by their absense, considering my previous writings on the matter. I could lie, use the old chestnut that anything...
Boxing With Shadows Wed 02 Apr 2003 | 1 Comments
This morning while reading a book review by Howard Zinn from the late 1980's (Plato: Fallen Idol, from The Zinn Reader, Seven Stories Press, p.457) regarding a work in critique of Socrates and Plato's writings by I.F. Stone which had...
More Words on the War Sun 23 Mar 2003 | 2 Comments
…anyone who is 100% sure of the morality of their position with regard to the war in Iraq probably hasn’t understood the issues involved. Be prepared to have your mind changed. Remain open to new ideas. Protest / Advocate...
Since We're There, Let's Do This Properly Sat 22 Mar 2003
On my frequent trawls around the blogosphere I almost always seem to find someone who puts into words what I'm thinking better than I do. As an aspiring writer, that cannot be a good omen. But at the very least...
Israel Under the Spotlight Wed 19 Mar 2003 | 6 Comments
Earlier this week I saw some pretty disturbing pictures of Rachel Corrie, an American student and peace activist, who had been literally run over by a bulldozer sanctioned by the Israeli military as she protested against the needless destruction of...
The Iraqi Problem Tue 18 Mar 2003 | 1 Comments
I haven't really posited anything here about the current situation in the Middle East. This is because, in part, I felt that most of what I could have said has been written elsewhere, but also because I still don't know...
Dog Owners Beware Sun 12 Jan 2003
Being a dog lover, reading this story made me sick to my stomach. It wasn't just the murder (and yes, in my book it was murder) that made me feel so nauseated, but also the fact that a family's...
To Hell With the Grecians Sun 08 Sep 2002
I first heard about this new Greek law banning all forms of video gaming a few days ago. I thought it was an elaborate joke at first. These things tend to spread like crazy in this day and age....
Dodgy Dealings Tue 03 Sep 2002
Salon.com: Israeli court approves expulsion of terror suspects' relatives Very dodgy dealings indeed. I mean, even if they did have prior knowledge of terrorist activity, is shunting them around the country like second-class citizens, like the animals the Israeli...
On World Youth Day Thu 01 Aug 2002
A thoughful and articulate piece about the World Youth Day in Toronto (sorry, Accordion City) last week....
Censorship Mon 22 Jul 2002
I just happened to catch this whilst browsing the headlines on the Google News page. This proposed deregulation of film censorship has its obvious benefits and flaws. Of course (assuming that the Irish Film Censors Office will follow suit,...
They Asked For It Mon 08 Jul 2002
They asked for it. When I saw the clips on the news yesterday, I cheered for the bulls. Especially that one, real cool, methodical one who rounded a corner, stopped, turned real slow, and aimed for the stupid humans...
Hooray For Nickelodeon Mon 17 Jun 2002
Hooray for Nickelodeon; they're actually not so shallow and evil and corporate after all....
Crossing the Line Fri 14 Jun 2002
I dunno about you, but if I were one of the people subjected to this so-called 'prank', I'd sue MTV too....
Election Results Sun 19 May 2002
It looks like Bertie is Taoiseach again. It doesn't matter much, the way the system is set up, the only parties with enough mass appeal to actually get into government here are the most boring and undynamic ones. I...
Coincidence Thu 16 May 2002
The clean-up at the site of the WTC will end with a ceremony on my birthday....
Great, Another One Wed 15 May 2002
Great, another one....
Like Waiting For a Bus Sun 12 May 2002
A few weeks ago there was this, then two days ago this happened, and now there's been another one. Why do accidents like this always happen in clumps? The real world scares me. I'm gonna go hide and study....
Why Is Everyone So Surprised? Tue 07 May 2002
The rest of Europe may be stunned by this assassination, but I can't say I'm really bothered. It goes without saying that murder is wrong, but - without making excuses for what happened - he was a racist who...
Need I Say More? Sun 05 May 2002
I cannot help but be cynical about things like this....
Uncalled For Fri 26 Apr 2002
It's primitive enough that the Israeli army seems to operate a 'shoot first, ask questions later' policy, but stuff like this is absolutely uncalled for. If the Messiah came down to Jerusalem tomorrow, I'm sure he'd bow his head...
General Election Thu 25 Apr 2002
The date for the elections has been made official - May 17th, which also happens to be the last day of my exams. Thankfully the polls are open 'til 10:30pm, since I won't have any time to decide who...
Chalk and Cheese Wed 24 Apr 2002
Kool Bobby left a note (unfortunately no longer archived) on my last post which, for me, answers some questions and basically sums up the distinct cultural differences between Europe and North America. Personally, I find it sad that someone can...
The Light at the End of the Tunnel is a Train Tue 23 Apr 2002
Another fatal rail crash in the States, the second in less than a week. Accidents like this are turning out to be a regular thing for Amtrack over the last few years. It seems the more the service gets...
Referendum Results Thu 07 Mar 2002
The results of the abortion referendum were announced this afternoon: 50.42% voted 'no', so the constitution will not be amended. I'm glad. I voted (if I can, I always do) and I did not vote 'yes'. But that is...
Making My Mind Up Thu 14 Feb 2002
I was going to post something about the abortion referendum that we'll be having here early next month, but to be honest I don't know anything about it. Oh yes, I've seen all the posters, with the 'Yes's and...
1991 Called; They Want Their War Back Tue 05 Feb 2002
Regarding this so-called 'axis of evil': Berlin's deputy foreign minister, Ludger Vollmer, said: "We Europeans warn against it. There is no indication, no proof that Iraq is involved in the terrorism we have been talking about for the last...
USIT Liquidating Wed 30 Jan 2002
USIT have gone into liquidation. I've been thinking about this a lot today. Money matters worry me. The more I add things up, the more I realise it's going to cost me a hell of a lot to go...
Mugabe Bad, Very Bad Wed 30 Jan 2002
As far as I'm concerned, in this situation anyway, condemnation just isn't enough unless you have the action to back it up. It seems to me that the Commonwealth is prepared let Mugabe get away with a lot of...
More Suspicions Sun 27 Jan 2002
The more I see articles like this, whether they tell the whole story or not, the more suspicious I get....
Suspicions Sun 27 Jan 2002
So, it seems I was right to be suspicious after all: even Colin Powell, who hasn't got the cleanest track record in human rights, wants the US government to change its position regarding the detainees in Guantanamo Bay....
Even More On Camp X-Ray Mon 21 Jan 2002
On the hot topic of the detainees in Cuba: I've been mulling over this a lot since yesterday, taking in arguments from both corners, regretting to an extent my 'outburst' yesterday afternoon (it's not something I'd want to use...
More On Camp X-Ray Sun 20 Jan 2002
The whole situation - the contrivances of the US government's handling of Afghani prisoners in Cuba - smacks of Old Testament-style eye-for-an-eye retribution. Call me cynical, but there is no way I would ever believe any 'official' report pertaining...
On Camp X-Ray Sun 20 Jan 2002
If this happened to Americans - any Americans, regardless of what they were doing - held captive in Afghanistan, nobody would stand for it. So how can they get away with it themselves?...
Bloody Sunday Thu 17 Jan 2002
I just followed a link on Mat's blog and it inadventently led me to this. Well, I mean, the Tories have a vested interest so of course they would denounce it as Irish propaganda, but the fact of the...
America Rewrites the Dictionary Mon 14 Jan 2002
When is a Prisoner of War not a Prisoner of War? When America says so....
Frustration Mon 14 Jan 2002
A 20 year old postman, Daniel McColgan, was shot dead on Saturday morning by Protestant paramilitaries (namely, the UDA, a worthless gaggle of cowards if there ever was one) simply because he was Catholic. In response, the Communication Workers...
The Thing About the Euro Sat 05 Jan 2002
I really should have mentioned something about this, seeing as it's a signifigant occurance, but I'm just a tad non-plussed about the euro. Sure, we've got funky new banknotes and coins, and everything seems more expensive than before (even...
Sabena Kaput Tue 06 Nov 2001
Sabena, the Belgian national airline, has gone bust. I'm flying to Brussels next month with Aer Lingus on a route it code-shares with Sabena. Aer Lingus is also in big financial trouble. Looks like I could be living in Griet's...
Appendix to 'Sellafield' Tue 06 Nov 2001
An appendix to my Sellafield rant last night: I may not have communicated what I was trying to say last night as I wished it to be construed, as I wasn't exactly of clear mind when I broadcast those thoughts....
Sellafield Mon 05 Nov 2001
I saw a poster on campus today, posted by the Kevin Barry Cumann (or rather, Fianna Fail Youth, UCD chapter) regarding an anti-Sellafield protest. That's the kind of thing that studenty political types get up to so I didn't...
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