I was out early last weekend on my bicycle and on my Vespa. As I went through the small hamlet of Kilshanroe, near Johnstownbridge, Co. Kildare, I saw a couple of election workers walking down the footpath with election posters looking for the most suitable location for their placement. And it struck me that it… Continue reading The essential, democratic work on Sunday morning
Category: Society
Go back to where you came from
“Go back to where you came from” is what Derek Blighe, the President of the Ireland First party, told Mr Gomez at the Abbeyville House, Fermoy, Co. Cork in December 2023. Last Friday, Blighe was found guilty of threatening behaviour under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 and ordered to pay… Continue reading Go back to where you came from
The changing culture
Maybe it is the birth of two grandchildren in the last few weeks that has me concerned about the changing culture in Ireland. The culture of hatred of difference-whether on the grounds of ethnic origin, sexuality, religion-seems to have taken root in the last few years, aided and abetted by the use of social media.… Continue reading The changing culture
The comments would wear you down
The comments you read online would wear you down. The constant, drip-drip effect of misinformed, ignorant, racist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynist comments would turn your stomach. Sometimes yo wonder about continuing to publish videos on topics outside of a narrow, legal area of law. But narrowing down my focus would not work. Because many of the… Continue reading The comments would wear you down
The only thing I do without distraction
I put my Vespa scooter up for sale some time ago but it didn’t sell. And I am glad about that. I had an offer or two but I decided not to accept. In fact, I had an offer of the full asking price but I dragged my heels and ultimately declined the offer. When… Continue reading The only thing I do without distraction
The brutal influence of your news sources
It is easy to underestimate how the news and media sources you consume influence and determine your view of the world. The problem nowadays is there are so many from which to choose, with wildly varying degrees of inaccuracy and misinformation. I noticed it in my own world in the coverage coming up to the… Continue reading The brutal influence of your news sources
The worst aspect of Trump’s re-election
The worst part of the success of Trump in the United States Presidential election is how it affects the culture, everywhere. It emboldens intolerance, racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, sexism and virtually everything that is base and vile in a human being. We will see its full effects as the next year unfolds. We will see… Continue reading The worst aspect of Trump’s re-election
A mother’s pride in her child’s refusal to include
I read a tweet on Twitter/X this morning which I find profoundly depressing. It was the mother of a young child telling about how proud she was about her little child in school refusing to participate in a LGBTQIA+ inclusion exercise in the classroom as part of the SPHE topic. The child objected and refused… Continue reading A mother’s pride in her child’s refusal to include
Trump looks set for victory
It is early days yet in the counting of votes in the United States Presidential election. But it looks almost certain that Trump will regain the Presidency of the United States. The New York Times puts his chances of victory at 95% as I write this. I feel nauseous, to be honest. I cannot believe… Continue reading Trump looks set for victory
The comments on the assault on Roderic O’Gorman
I published a video the other day about the assault on Roderic O’Gorman, a Minister in the government, while he was out canvassing his neighbourhood for the upcoming general election. I expected a good deal of comments along the lines that he had it coming, he was not assaulted badly enough, and so on. But… Continue reading The comments on the assault on Roderic O’Gorman