Israeli Settlements U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has been forthright in his condemnation, first yesterday and again today, of the Israeli announcement that permission has been given for a whole lot more illegal homes to be built in East Jerusalem. This is very welcome. For far too long America has stood coyly to one side during […]
Transfer of Powers Well its done and what a blessing. As predicted the Ulster Unionists, these dodgy partners of the Conservative Party, voted against on the basis of an argument which was the usual self fulfilling Unionist obstructionism which has bedevilled the history of Ireland for generations. The Conservative Party now looks foolish. It supported […]
The Generals The latest inquest into the deaths of four brave soldiers, including the first woman, has revealed weaknesses in training and poor equipment as well as a lack of technique in using what there was. This is not the fault of Ministers. Neither is it a shortage of money since we now know that […]
Patient Records It is reported that doctors are asking for the setting up of the much needed database of patient records which can then be accessed from any hospital anywhere to be slowed down because patients do not understand it. I disagree. The complete inadequacy of the transfer of key information between doctors and hospitals […]
Trade Deficit This turned out to be bigger in January than anyone expected and the biggest for seventeen months. It may be the weather, but if not it is very bad news indeed. If there is no improvement in the next month for which figures will become due, it underscores the futility of trying to […]
U.S Congress and Cameron The all party Congressional leaders of the Irish American community have, it is reported, written to David Cameron expressing their hope that he will exercise all possible influence over his new dodgy friends in the Ulster Unionist Party to ensure that they vote for the transfer of police powers at Stormont tomorrow. […]
Opinion Polls Looking at these over the weekend and studying independent analysis of them, suggests that the big issues of last week, Ashcroft, Brown at Chilcot etc., have had little effect on voting intentions. The Conservatives remain ahead by as little as 2% to as much as 8% depending on the poll, Labour is holding its […]
Iraq Elections It really is a dreadful thing that over thirty people have been killed in attacks on polling day, but it is also a wonderful thing that undeterred by the risk many millions of Iraqis have braved the violence to cast their votes. It is not right to celebrate this as some kind of […]
The Ulster Unionists I see these annoying people are trying to hold up the transfer of policing powers to Northern Ireland and Martin McGuinness has expressed irritation. No small wonder. Even the DUP is signed up to it. Apparently Sir Reg Empey is trying to use the issue as a bargaining chip to get the […]
Military Equipment. This issue has gained traction because of the allegation that parsimony at the Treasury under Gordon Brown meant there was not enough cash to buy boots, bullets, body armour, helicopters and proper armoured vehicles. Troops lives were lost as a consequence. This last doleful truth is the only unchallenged fact of this very […]