-
Continue reading →: Macca goes back to the Cavern
Sir Paul McCartney tweeted “It was fabulous and brought back loads of beautiful memories and reminded me of where we started” after yesterday’s gig at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Here’s one of my favourite Beatles songs written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1967: When I’m 64 When…
-
Continue reading →: Tamil National Identity
The Sri Lankan government has opposed efforts by Tamils for national recognition. This brought about 30 years of armed conflict between the government and the Tamil Tigers. Three years ago a national unity government was elected and it was hoped that reforms would address the grievances of the Tamil people…
-
Continue reading →: Ireland is now a nation state
Ireland’s parliament has passed into law a controversial bill that defines the country as an exclusively Protestant state. The “Protestant nation-state” bill downgrades Irish as an official language and says advancing Protestant settlement is a national interest. It also states that the “whole and united” Dublin is its capital. Ireland’s…
-
Continue reading →: Newness on 2 wheels – heaven
Oh, the joy of a shiny new bicycle! No longer the tired struggle uphill on an old scrapper, but the easy changing of gears and the pleasant realisation that I have crested the slopes without effort. I have bought a Ridgeback commuting bike through a cycle to work scheme. For…
-
Continue reading →: Rare archaeological find
A farmer in County Tyrone has unearthed a ‘potus’ of exceptional quality. This Roman chamberpot is largely intact. Archaeologists have discovered a mosaic marble floor nearby showing figures dancing around an odd looking goatlike character with horns playing pan pipes. The farmer was lifting a crop of giant potatoes with…
-
Continue reading →: Palestine is now a Muslim state
Palestine’s parliament has passed into law a controversial bill that defines the country as an exclusively Muslim state. The “Muslim nation-state” bill downgrades Hebrew as an official language and says advancing Muslim settlement is a national interest. It also states that the “whole and united” Jerusalem is its capital. Palestine’s…
-
Continue reading →: Great Lyricist bowing out
Paul Simon’s first farewell tour has been announced. Here’s a taste of his writing, I am a Rock written in 1965 A winter’s day In a deep and dark December I am alone Gazing from my window To the streets below On a freshly fallen, silent shroud of snow I…
-
Continue reading →: Nationality
Brexit had a lot of Irish people North of the border rushing to get their Irish passports. Although only about a quarter of people in Northern Ireland identify as Irish, according to a 2011 census, no-one wants to lose out on the benefits of being an EU citizen. The Good…
-
Continue reading →: Schadenfreude
It is a sad fact that human beings are capable of taking pleasure in the misfortune of others. This was an opinion expressed by François de La Rochefoucauld in the 17th century in a book of maxims. It counters the suggestion that people are naturally compassionate and eager to help others.…
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
odespinner 