I am Irish, I am Northern Irish, and I used to be British. I was a European and still cling on to that because of the NI Protocol. I have always been middle class but moved to the left when I was a student, reaching the stage of being inclined towards a United Ireland, resulting... Continue Reading →

Nationalism. The love of a country? The love of your country. Above all others, because you were born there, or your antecedents originated in that geography. More than that. A belief that your country is better than others. Exceptionalism. You are special because your country is special. Yet that can't be right, because around the... Continue Reading →

There you go. That's what woke means. Yep, the same word that is now bandied about as an insult by people like Piers Morgan and Andrew Neil. Men who have platforms to promote their disdain for people who are aware of racism and social injustice. Here's what has happened in my lifetime, because of political... Continue Reading →

There is a driving force behind all of history. Wealth. As far back in recorded history, to Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, wealth has been the core engine that drives us forward. The tombs of the Pharaohs are adorned with wealth that they did think they could take with them. Democracy in Greece was accessible... Continue Reading →

Eton Boys Preparing for Government. There was a time during the 60's where the times they were a-changing. The old order was being broken down by the baby boomers. Young working class kids creating conversations with millions of other young working- and middle-class kids through music, movies, and television. Universities opening up to families that... Continue Reading →

The Northern Ireland situation is intractable. Yes, of course Nationalists see the future as a United Ireland, as that will be the end of it, but what if that is wishful thinking? Unionists will come round, they will have to accept it, they will have seats in the Dail, the Irish will introduce an NHS,... Continue Reading →

I've been around for 63 years now...and have lived in Belfast all that time. From a small semi at the bottom of Stockman's Lane before the M1 was constructed to the edge of East Belfast. From quiet political Unionism through the political turmoil of the Troubles to end up today with relative peace. I remember... Continue Reading →

Photo by Dan Burton on Unsplash It starts early. A broken plate. The last biscuit from the tin. A homework not done. "It wasn't my fault. It was my sister/my brother/the dog!" Blame. And so it goes for the rest of our lives. Learning to blame becomes a central part of our lives. Late for... Continue Reading →