Not so grumpy anymore
Did you ever notice that those politicians on the left who preach about “fee-paying schools” don’t seem to have a problem pocketing salaries of €97,000 a year plus a minimum of €2,400 a month in tax free allowances plus €750 every 18 months for a new mobile ‘phone plus free parking, free post, subsidies for … Continue reading Covid policy in the Department of Education smells of begrudgery
I don’t know if you caught Eco Eye on RTE on February 25th last. It was about Bus Connects. The blurb for the programme on the RTE website said all the stuff about how big a deal it was. And it said Bus Connects was “divisive” and had been met with “stiff opposition.” So being … Continue reading An Eco Eye programme plugging Bus Connects was fair according to the BAI – which hasn’t upheld a complaint for TWO YEARS!
Dublin’s “Leafy Suburbs” have been looking more like “Weedy Suburbs” recently. But there’s actually a good reason, even if they look dire. It’s due to the Council’s decision to stop using chemical weedkillers. The decision was taken some months ago after several reports suggested that weedkillers containing Glyphosate were dangerous. While some scientists maintain the … Continue reading Why Dublin’s suburbs have become more “weedy” than “leafy” in recent times.
It gets more frightening every day. No. Not Covid-19 – though that it terrifying. I’m talking the United States and its infantile, narcissistic, spoiled, dishonest, corrupt, incompetent, oafish, bullying, stupid president Donald Trump. When you put Covid-19 and Trump together, it is truly alarming. Do you remember when he told us last April that the … Continue reading I’ll say it once more. Sure, our guys aren’t perfect but I still think we’re very, very lucky.
Have you ever heard of someone being called an ABU? An ABU is a person who hates Manchester United and wants every competition to be won by Anyone But United. ABU. Well, when I turned on the television this morning in the vain hope of some live rugby, I was reminded that, 57 years … Continue reading It was fifty-seven years ago. But I still remember the day I was ABUsed by a priest.
Guns and America. It’s a kind of love affair. Right now there’s lot of angst among the owners of the 400 million or so guns legally held in the United States. Why? Because New York’s Attorney General is taking action against the National Rifle Association – because of its corruption. She’s trying to close it … Continue reading Guns and the States. I could buy an assault rifle – but not a handgun – in that crazy country.
Covid-19. Isn’t it an extraordinary thing that, no matter how many new cases we’re told about every evening, no matter how many surges we hear about around the world, like Leicester, Manchester and Aberdeen – and that’s just next door. It’s worse in Spain and of course the United States. Why? This might explain it. … Continue reading The tragedy of this pandemic is, that stupidity is contagious as well…
The weather has been a bit of a disappointment. I’d say most of us are glued to the forecast every evening hoping for some good news. And, in fairness, the Met Eireann lads and lassies do a great job. But, of course, it’s not always possible to watch or listen. So here’s a forecast you … Continue reading If you can’t catch the weather forecast, here’s one you’ll enjoy every day no matter what! See
I have one memory of John Hume which, I think, says a lot about him.. It was back in the 90s sometime. We were attending the annual award ceremony for the Press Photographers Association of Ireland (PPAI). This particular year, the event was being held in the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham. And John Hume was … Continue reading The night John Hume silenced a room full of journalists – by whispering.
I know, from experience, that any little criticism of cyclists can bring down something considerably worse than the wrath of Khan. And indeed (this bit is compulsory if you’re writing about cyclists) I am genuinely in favour of more cycling lanes, wider cycling lanes and segregated cycling lanes. As it happens, I am also in … Continue reading We’re all for more cycling and safe cycling. But beware of the cycopathsi
