The nature of Northern Ireland is that we have two communities, one looking to the future with growing optimism, the other with only pessimism. There is no argument that Nationalism is on the rise. The evidence is overwhelming, as seen in elections and polls, the past is being left behind and the association of Sinn... Continue Reading →
It won't happen of course. Probably for me too. That we don't get enthralled by British pageantry during the Coronation, but it might. People might, in 2023, watch on and be hit by the thought, "this is ridiculous." And it is ridiculous. The head of state of the fifth largest single economy in the world,... Continue Reading →
I complained about the language used by the host on the Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster. My son also wrote a complaint through their channels. Here are the responses we received. To Me Dear Mr McKane Editorial Complaint – BBC Radio UlsterI’m replying to your recent complaint about The Stephen Nolan Show (01 March).As you know,... Continue Reading →
Who are you? Are you male, female or other? Are you old, young or in the middle, and what is old anymore? 60,70, 80? Do you play a sport, or support a team? Do you say we when talking about your football or rugby team no matter where they are located? Are you Catholic, Protestant,... Continue Reading →
P The current Prime Minister is an ex-banker. He worked for Richard Sharp, the current Chairman of the BBC. In a bank. Now, these are not banks of the kind that you and I may know, either as users of personal banking services or small business owners. I pitched for and was successful in winning... Continue Reading →
Advertising doesn't work. I've been told that by hundreds of people over the years when I told them what I did. Except that they would be wearing branded clothes, driving a branded car, having branded groceries in cupboards and the 'fridge, travelling on branded airlines, using branded phones and making all sorts of choices based... Continue Reading →
Money, what is it? Why is it so powerful? Does it change us, our character and our personality? Strange stuff, this money. Until 1931 sterling was valued on the gold standard. You could bring a pound note to the Bank of England and it would have to give you actual gold. Now your Pound is... Continue Reading →
A film that leaves you better informed and thinking... I am lucky enough to have spent some time in the West of Ireland. Connemara, Westport, Achill and places in between. Margaret, my wife, introduced me to a beach that I couldn't show you, as it is hidden from the tourism tracks. I ask her to... Continue Reading →
"I think we have gone through a period when too many children and people have been given to understand ‘I have a problem, it is the Government’s job to cope with it!’ or ‘I have a problem, I will go and get a grant to cope with it!’ ‘I am homeless, the Government must house... Continue Reading →
It's a given. Tayto are the best, tastiest and most loved cheese and onion crisps on planet Earth. All across Ireland we know it, we believe it, and we take it very seriously. Tayto crisps are the taste of home, so much so that there are boxes flown around the world to Irish ex-pats. But... Continue Reading →
Thinking about Things... 