A Day for Ireland, its History and the future of our Children

We Saw A Vision

In the darkness of despair we saw a vision,

We lit the light of hope and it was not extinguished.

In the desert of discouragement we saw a vision.

We planted the tree of valour and it blossomed.

In the winter of bondage we saw a vision.

We melted the snow of lethargy and the river of resurrection flowed from it.

We sent our vision aswim like a swan on the river. The vision became a reality.

Winter became summer. Bondage became freedom and this we left to you as your inheritance.

O generations of freedom remember us, the generations of the vision

It is a sad day when the history of a nation is not remembered. Too often we look to the our forefathers for lessons on where we have gone wrong.  It is only a few generations when the words of French Revolutionaries were used to envoke a  sense of revolution, in many nations of the world.

To get to a place we are now at times saddens me when as a nation few remember the struggles to gain the right to our own parliament, the struggles of our nation to attain self determination.  To where we are now with the curse of modern democracy, APATHY feeding into all aspects of life.  The recent acceptance of the constitutional right for a foreign nation to enforce and write laws that over write the laws of our state is but one example of this and how far a nation can travel when it does not remember and learn from its past.

Modern Ireland sees many divisions between north and south thankfully there are many more cross border groups that refuse to be segregated by archaic laws of division.  We as a nation must ask each politician for what they are doing for the next generation to admire and look to as they guide us through this recessionary time.  My own  area has a long historical involvement with the Nations politics.  Founding of the Labour Party in Ireland,  tradional family home of Thomas Francis Meagher, John Mitchell‘s electorial area, Thomas Addis Emmet and many more who have influenced the National and world stage of politics and law.

An yes as a Nation we began the fight for our Independence this day 90 years ago and we have failed as a nation to recognise this fact.. So my congratulations go to our Govt, for another failure to acknowledge the struggles of the past, look to the future from the lessons of the past, and choose the road to write their own rules of history to negate those of the past.

It was the mark of the welcome change in modern Ireland that we saw the Queen of England arrive and the seeds of reconciliation were firmly seeded for future generations with her visit to the Garden of Remembrance

Wisconsin – Union Act – Republicans should hang their heads in shame..

Following the passing of the Act in Wisconsin, it is a sad day for democracy when the rights of the worker is denied by legislature, the Act in Question was enforced after the certain laws had to be amended to take into account the 14 members who were absent in protest.

I think what is probably more worrying is that as Global news travels faster we get to hear less and less of what we should and a more concentrated news on certain stories is often the way of news networks in Europe
so I have to admit I was amazed on browsing onto Al Jazeera to see what was happening in Saudi Arabia that I came accross this .
What we should worry about, is the fact that state law was amended to further the goals of the state Yes we are in a recession, Yes Rural areas are depleting fast and feeding into the cities, but is that any reason why we put democracy in the bin. It should be noted that the Republican Party who were founded out of Lincoln are now the party that invoke laws that restrict the rights of the worker.

Polarising groups like the Tea Party are also involved ..

and a simple search will show the right wing polic that is embedded into this movement

and if you thought this story was unique .. how about this from Rhode island.

and remember that as part of these cutbacks a school deemed as under preforming has had its principle and majority of staff fired..
so Congratulations to Rhode Island for finding an excuse to remove education from those that cannot afford it

Department of Finance Report..

I dont post as often as I should, so firstly apologies for the essay, but after the last Decade of political antics here in Ireland I had to post this as it it really puts the cream on all the actions of our past Fianna Fáil govt , I should mention that I was raised in a family that supported this political party but at an early age I veered against the family political flow, with the Final blow for me, in being in the presence of a group of children, where one was accosted by one of this parties faithful.

to Quote Breaking News.ie  A damning report has found that advice from the Department of Finance, which raised red flags over the danger of Government economic policy over a 10-year period, was consistently over-ruled by Cabinet.
The independent review has found the Department provided clear warnings on the over-reliance on the property sector, increased spending and tax cuts, and the economy’s vulnerability in the event of a downturn.
This report, complied by independent experts from Canada and the Netherlands, examined the performance of the Department of Finance over a 10-year period.

Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/cabinet-ignored-department-advice-on-economy-report-finds-495577.html#ixzz1FNwti8iH

What is Ironic the outgoing Minister of Finance whose actions were dammed in this report is stated as follows

The Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Lenihan TD, today welcomed the recent report of the Independent …..

“I welcome the Panel’s report. It provides a very fair and thoughtful assessment of the Department’s performance over the past ten years. While a number of recommendations are matters for the new Government and require further consideration, a significant number relate to organisation, skills set and work practices – many of which are being implemented without delay.  The implementation of these proposals will assist the Department in taking on the complex challenges arising in the coming years. I have no doubt but that the Department will address the issues highlighted in the report with vigour and enthusiasm.”

Some Items of note

2.6.8 From 2000 onwards, the Irish economy began to lose competitiveness. This reflected both currency movements and wage and cost developments.  Because growth was driven by domestic factors, the loss of competitiveness did not register sufficiently with policy makers despite repeated warnings by the National Competiveness Council.

The underlying dangers were either missed or ignored.  Ireland was by no means unique in this, but the size of the hidden imbalances was greater and the subsequent correction more severe.

“Fiscal policy heightened the vulnerability of the economy.  At the macroeconomic level, it should have done more to dampen the powerful monetary and liquidity impulses that were stimulating the economy.  Budgets that were strongly countercyclical could have helped to moderate the boom, and would also have created fiscal space to cushion the recession when it came.  But budgetary policy veered more toward spending money while revenues came in.  In addition, the pattern of tax cuts left revenues increasingly fragile, since they were dependent on taxes driven by the property sector and by high consumer spending.  Ireland was also unusual in having tax deductibility for mortgages, and significant and distortive subsidies for commercial real estate development, yet no property tax.”

to read more on this or to read this your self here is the PDF Document , sadly if this minister had read this I am sure he would be have been more aware of its content

Considering this is directed at 2 former Taoiseach (Irish PM) and to add to this the final actions of a dying party to sign the rights final pipeline agreement with Shell,  it is not surprising to see one of the newest TD’s (members of  the Irish Parliament) comparing the eradication of FF from irish politics to that of a gardener removing a Dandelion but sadly not fully rooting it out completely.

Interview with this Breath of Fresh air in the Halls of Dail Eireann

Google .. Caught in the Act?? Court case due

anyone who knows me .. knows I am sceptical over the power big companies like google control the way we use the net..

what with Google Docs, gmail, even their toolbar.. all Great but its what lies behind is what is more worrying ..

and then when I came to read the article below I said .. POST POST POST

As Google prepares to defend itself against allegations of Wi-Fi spying, it has said very little about exactly what kind of personal data it gathered as part of its Street View project. Last week, Google also declined to provide executives willing to speak on the record about how one of the most monumental oversights in its history occurred: the inadvertent gathering of “payload” data by Wi-Fi sniffers mapping hotspots while recording street scenes for Google Street View.

to Read more .. click here

Happy Birthday Pacman

30 years young . and still one of those games you return to ..

Google as you may have noticed have a flash version signalling this great event

but the real creator .. Toru Iwatani is interviewed here

TimesOnline : “WE ARE in a cheerless office-block on the edge of a bleak, rain-swept industrial estate in the greyest corner of Yokohama, waiting to speak to a visionary whose lurid colours changed the world. We are expecting someone extraordinary to break through the dreariness. With a single stroke of genius, our man created the most recognisable icon of the computer age, shifted the global landscape of entertainment, and spawned an industry that is now worth more than $30 billion (£17 billion) a year.”..

So happy Birthday Mr Pacman.. and look after Ms Pacman.. will be her time soon enough..

South East Search and Rescue..

Came across this on facebook and well worth the read and response

SIGN THE PETITION NOW!
http://www.petitiononline.com/sar01/

On 15th March 2010, the Irish Government put a price on peoples heads…. €1m euros.
They decided it was better to have lives lost at sea and save €1m euro, than to have one of the most vital Rescue services in the country operating 24hrs a day…
– Two days later they spent the equivalent money travelling around the world in the Government Jet for St.Patricks day and filling their stomachs at the Taxpayers expense…
WHAT A SICK AND TWISTED WORLD WE LIVE IN!

They are planning to downgrade the Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter service in the southeast of Ireland – a service which has saved the lives of countless people over the years. Tragedies such as the Maggie B, Pere Charles and the Honeydew II, all happened off the south Wexford Coast.

Search and rescue helicopter bases in Dublin, Shannon and Sligo are to remain with 24-hour cover, but the Waterford service operated from Waterford regional airport is to be reduced to a 12-hour, daylight only service. This would save the estimated €1m per year – regardless of the fact that Rosslare Port is classed as the “Gateway to Europe” and is on the busiest shipping channel in the country.

The Waterford base has been STATISTICALLY PROVEN to have had MORE callouts than the Dublin helicopter in the last 12 months – but HEY!, we can’t take the Dublin chopper off 24hr call – what if Mary Harney wants a Pizza after hours? Or the Government jet breaks down? (Which costs €7,100 per hour to run, and €2.8m per year).

Fishermen’s organisations, RNLI members, Politicians and the whole southeast have expressed outrage and absolute DISGUST at the downgrading of the service – which is another NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF THIS GOVERNMENT! – Roll on the next elections!

As the RAF helicopter base in Chivenor (Devon, UK) is also being reduced to 12hrs, the nearest cover is Dublin or Shannon – so basically, if your on a night Ferry from Rosslare to France and something goes wrong , you may as well be on the ‘Titanic’.

The Dublin (or Shannon) helicopter will take 20-45mins to get airborne – another 40-50mins to get to Waterford where it wiill have to refuel first (another 20mins) before it LEAVES for the scence, (which could be another 1.5 hours out) – leaving you in the cold night-time water for 3hrs+.
SO BASICALLY YOU COULD BE DEAD by the time you are reached….
(Thanks very much, Minister Dempsey – have you forgot that WE pay your salary?)

Maybe the French might come to your aid a bit quicker!

you know at this stage I could advocate using the vote in the next election but more than likely our current leader will be forced to leave and replaced by what I suspect will be the current leading member within FF who although recently demoted has shown in the past she is ready to cut welfare, education with out second thought ..

Over to facebook for more

Forced out of retirement ..

Well received a Mail over why the silence..

Having seen how 2009 following on the mess of 2008  went it is no wonder why I was silent ..

after all we suffered the Recession .. one of the hardest hitting since the 1950s recession and unlike then people had to re-define their methods of living .. what with the Celtic Tiger turning into the Celtic urinal .. with more business’s here in Ireland failing and the majority of Staff currently in work suffering under Shortened weeks and reduced wages.. Some up to 45 % of their 2008 wage..

So what has happened in Ireland .. well we did discover our Government are more interested in Taxing the elderly, children and the infirm.. Prevent Cervical Cancer halting medicines to be rolled out in Schools.  And what of the Ever increasing unemployment queues, well it is in the wisdom and acute insite of our government to decrease payments to all.  Reduce access to health care and why not widen the taxable income to include the underpaid of our society.

I may appear Angry and yes I am, when I see the infirmed surviving over a wooden fire as their pensions can not pay for the electricity, oil and they are forced to live in 2 rooms of their houses due to the extreme weather of 2009/10.  And what of this weather .. well as GW Bush is remembered for his silence over 911 we should not forget the Silence our sun seeking ministers let us have the pleasure of .  While Houses were firstly Flooded and some are still not inhabitable and then the Snow and Ice hit and the ministers preferred to keep mum .. not alone with words but worse still with actions.  In Ireland only under duress from the public and media were the Army called into service to aid people move out of their houses.

So what of Modern Ireland, to be honest after too many years of Self serving ministers from all sides of the house, it can be said that the only success I can honestly attribute to the members of the Dail over the last 20 years is to congradulate them on secularising the country and the demise of the Ireland that many look on in envy from foreign fields.  Some may call me sentimental and yes I am, I enjoy the lack of Urbanism when I am in a country town, I enjoy the fact that because the lights are out, I can rest assured that my wife wont get mugged, I enjoy the fact that My kids can go to school in a safe enviroment.  Sad to say as Urbanism is rife in the small towns of Ireland with people suffering severe lonliness in the Estate Driven nation we have become, Sad to say my wife was mugged in my local town, outside my local shop granted she had the upper hand but it is strange to see this arriving on your own doorstep, Sad to say under the Current regime we are seeing a rising number of suicides, missing persons ..

And so to surmise .. who is Responsible .. is it the Government who have consistently refused to chase down the billions owed by the few, to have a credible inquiry into the banking crises and to offer answers as to why nothing has been implemented to offer a sense of change over what has caused this.  Is it the Government who have lost all credibility and have consistently refused to implement disciplinary actions whether it be a backbencher who has been found drink driving or senior members of the house who have been implicated in questionable actions.  or maybe it is the responsibility of the voting public to force action through constant canvassing and requesting the retirement of house members who have been associated with actions not becoming a minister of state.

Or Should we expect a level of Ethics to be upheld within the corridors of power.

I did say I was angry so forgive the Rant , heres hoping that it will not be another year with out a post, where we can see positive pro-action out of our politicians, instead of Reaction often too late, Where the public do not have to show the government how to deliver relief services to those in need.  If these happen then it will make a change for all, Sad to say I suspect the powerful few will endeavour to guide the will of the nation in their favour and we will see more and more enter the poverty trap that is modern Ireland.

I will be Sitting on the Fence watching waiting for something inspirational to come from our government ….

After all when is the last time that the Irish Government has given more than the people of Ireland to any worthwhile cause.  whether it be Ethiopia or Haiti, or the Flood victims of 09 it is the Irish that do what their elected representatives can not.

and so to my hilight of Dail watching for 09..

 and yes you guess the joke in this .. nowhere is it listed that the “unparliamentary language” used in this clip is prohibited.. but it did hide the fact we had one minister tanning himself while people were wondering why there was no grit on the road, and why the minister for the environment failed to react until the media had to prompt him to.  and yes this member of the Dail is a member of Government, reassuring isnt it!!

US Presidential Election ..

Being Irish .. it is no surprise that I would show an interest in what is probably one of the main news items for 2008

that being the Presidential Election in the US .. so why post up .. well I know if I was stateside I would probably be more Democrat than Republican .. but I have to admit I am a wee bit torn .. Hillary and Barack do impress but I just cant put my finger on it .. but I have to be honest on it .. I am a Tad worried if either succeed in securing majority power along with presidential election .. Maybe it was the Oscar winning performance of Hillary before New Hampshire .. or the Victory Speech of Barack after the Iowa Caucus.. anyway enough opinions ..

heres the links ..

Barack on You tube.. Carefully managed list there.. and probably the real democrat candidate….

Hilary on You Tube … amazing to note the difference in media availability ..

McCain on You Tube did note that one on Iraq and being fine with spending a 100 years there.. Brilliant Political Acumen in a state that is leaning towards bringing back the troops..

Giuliani on you tube Too many Questions need answering .. so I doubt in the long run this candidate will survive

and the outsider vote goes to your favorite Movie Fbi agent/Law Enforcement (and who said hollywood typecasts..) and mine Fred Thompson also known as Fred Dalton Thompson as seen on Imdb

Excellent Article from Wiki ..

although the Atorney General of New Hampshire has declared there was not voter Fraud recently but on reading a few articles around the net it is questionable .. here is an excellent thread on this from Texan Republican candidate Ron Paul, do read all the comments on this .

Finally how should G Bush jr be remembered ..

I suspect his Fairwell will be nothing like Bills.. always a classic

Gadgets for your computer

I use Multiple monitor and Find it a dream .. then again my card can support it .. not to mention my 50″ tv.. makes a Great monitor.. 🙂

but for those with only one video connection what to do .. well here is a handy article on how to get around this issue.. Displaylink blogtalk ..and Displaylink.com link… does make for some interesting reading..

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so you like Linux and you like Gadgets then this is for you .. Bug from Bug-Labs .. basically a linux base with addons .. like gps camera etc that you can build together .. does sound limitless for what can be done with this

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I have been using Flock as a browser alternative to firefox (my alternative to IE) for some time .. and have to admit .. having seen it grow from the early betas to its current incarnation I have to admit I was rarely disappointed in having it as one of my utils

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Mac Airbook .. well is this the real deal .. you decide .. but no firewire .. no optical .. no ram expansion .. no gb network .. but on the plus side .. weight .. heres the video of the launch … nice blog on this..and from the horses mouth Apple Store

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CIA – FBI traced to Wiki posts

To sum this article up .. Wiki have traced edits on several posts there are on Wiki direct to terminals that are used by CIA and FBI employees..

These articles involved topics like Iraq war and the Guantanamo

but best to leave to the article in question

it may be best to leave the last word to Wiki on the clear definition of Free speech .. or will this too be edited!!