tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-115944312024-03-07T04:16:12.824+00:00Stephen Spillane's My OpinionThe blog of a Technophile and Political Junkie with too much time on his handsStephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.comBlogger1061125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-3798763218785950112009-03-20T12:41:00.005+00:002009-03-20T16:44:18.095+00:00Good Bye!No do not fear, I am not stopping blogging, I am simple moving the blog. Blogger has been very good to me for the last number of years, but it is time I moved on from this little blog of mine and it is moving on bigger and better things (hopefully). <br /><br />So where can you find me?<br /><br />Its easy! At <a href="http://stephenspillane.com">StephenSpillane.com</a>!<br /><br />My new RSS Feed is <a href="http://stephenspillane.com/blog/index.php/feed/">here</a>.<br /><br /><br />Blogroll and few other things still need to be added, but we will get there!<br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/2c7d7269-12d3-40cd-84ad-b007d2c0a2ef/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=2c7d7269-12d3-40cd-84ad-b007d2c0a2ef" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-4705464814919132782009-03-18T20:17:00.003+00:002009-03-18T20:25:37.827+00:007th Think Post: Finding Your Candidates Online<span style="font-style: italic;">Below is my 7th Thinkaboutit.eu post. I have posted it in full so dont forget to <a href="http://www.thinkaboutit.eu/2009/03/finding-your-candidates-online/">rate it</a> on the competition website!</span><br /><br />A problem for me during the last European Elections in 2004 was finding out about candidates running for election. Although I couldn't vote and was sitting my <a class="zem_slink" title="Leaving Certificate" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaving_Certificate">Leaving Certificate</a> I was interested in who was running and finding out more about the candidates in my constituency. In my constituency, Ireland South, there were ten candidates running for three seats. Of the ten, four were independents and not all of them campaigned in Cork so it was hard to find out much about them.<br /><br />This year elections will be different thanks to two websites based and set up in Ireland. The first is <a title="Eurvote.org" href="http://eurvote.org/" target="_blank">Eurvote</a>, which is just aimed at Irish voters. Eurvote have pages on all the candidates in the Irish Constituencies. Of course they are a bit behind as they already are missing Sean Kelly from the list for Ireland South, but they do have Declan Ganley on the list for Ireland North-West. Eurvote has a page on each candidate (here's <a title="Marian Harkin MEP - Eurvote.org" href="http://eurvote.org/candidate.php?candidate=14" target="_blank">Marian Harkin</a>'s (Ireland North-West) page as an example) with a link to their website which is handy. They also plan on doing <a title="Events - Eurvote.org" href="http://eurvote.org/calendar.php">events</a> and are looking for constituents to write <a title="Analysis - Eurvote.org" href="http://eurvote.org/analysis.php" target="_blank">analysis</a> in each constituency. Unfortunately I don't know who runs EurVote.org, as their <a title="About - Eurvote.org" href="http://eurvote.org/about.php" target="_blank">about page</a> is blank!<br /><br />The second website is <a title="miCandidate.eu" href="http://micandidate.eu/" target="_blank">miCandidate.eu</a>, which hasn't launched yet, but will in the next month. This is based on the MyCandidate.ie website which ran during the 2007 General Election here in Ireland, that website now redirects to miCandidate. MyCandidate.ie was described as "an exciting and crucial addition to democracy by putting useful information at the fingertips of citizens young and old." by Joe Zefran a News Editor with <a title="RTÉ.ie" href="http://rte.ie">RTE.ie</a> (received via email), so they are hoping that their European venture will have a big impact. MiCandidate.eu are currently putting together their database on candidates in all 27 member states, but not all seams to be right with them. According to <a title="Micandidate.eu cranks up pressure on candidates - Mamanpoulet.com" href="http://www.mamanpoulet.com/?p=1236">Suzy of Mamanpoulet</a> miCandidate.eu are putting pressure on candidates to sign up and pay up to have their information on this website. This is an example of an email sent to candidates.<br /><blockquote>We are very concerned that you are one of only a few remaining candidates who has not completed the information form that we sent you. Your profile will appear across dozens of Ireland’s busiest websites from RTE to the Irish Times. Failing to return this form to us in the next 48 hours may result in your profile being entirely empty. Given that candidates profiles were viewed nearly 4 million times in 2007 on RTE and the Irish Times you are giving your competitors in your constituency a huge advantage over you.<br /><br />This is a free service, but we cannot stress the urgency that we need you to fill out your details. Seats are won and lost by a handful of votes, your competitors profiles will be viewed tens of thousands of times. Your profile will be empty.</blockquote><br />Will the web have this type of impact on the European Elections? I don't think so. So should miCandidate be the top of your priority, probably not. Of course there is a paid version, which the Irish Green Party have signed up to for their candidates. Will it be worth the mone only time will tell and I hope that Fine Gael candidates wont spend money which could be spent on leaflets, which as Suzy points out can have the url to your blog/twitter/whatever and get people that can actually vote for you to engage with you. miCandidate are hyping up the net a bit too much in my opinion.<br /><br />So there you have two websites one free and one free for us the voter, but possible not for the candidate, trying to inform us about the elections. Will they succeed? Will they actually inform people and get them to vote in the European Elections? Will they have an big impact or will they just be link farms to candidates websites, blogs, facebook/bebo pages and twitter accounts? Only time will tell.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thinkaboutit.eu/2009/03/finding-your-candidates-online/">Dont forget to rate it</a>!<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://iaindale.blogspot.com/2009/03/libertas-to-stand-in-euro-elections-in.html">Libertas to Stand in Euro Elections in the UK</a> (iaindale.blogspot.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://cedarlounge.wordpress.com/2009/03/15/chairman-ganley-limbers-up-for-the-european-elections-or-lets-play-the-establishment-card-twice-over/">Chairman Ganley limbers up for the European elections... Or, let's play the establishment card... twice over</a> (cedarlounge.wordpress.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/938d536f-046d-4692-9968-2a978ffdbb60/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=938d536f-046d-4692-9968-2a978ffdbb60" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-59658763664796679632009-03-17T18:56:00.002+00:002009-03-17T19:00:15.877+00:00Yea, another think post<p class="zemanta-img" style="margin: 1em; float: left; display: block; width: 212px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:EPP-ED_logo.svg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/EPP-ED_logo.svg/202px-EPP-ED_logo.svg.png" alt="European People's Party–European Democrats" style="border: medium none ; display: block;" width="202" height="179"></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:EPP-ED_logo.svg">Wikipedia</a></span></p>Yup, I've gone on posted my 6th post over on <a href="http://www.thinkaboutit.eu/">thinkaboutit.eu</a>. This one is about the EPP-ED and their new tag-line..<br /><br /><blockquote>I got a press release today from the EPP-ED Group of the European Parliament. In it they inform me of an event to launch their new tag-line. The tag-line is “Europe’s Driving Force” (now you see why the UK Conservatives left them).</blockquote><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thinkaboutit.eu/2009/03/epp-ed-claim-to-be-europes-driving-force/">Read Full Post</a>, dont forget to rate it! Thanks! :)<br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/0e844e60-27da-412e-896a-e7b53514a660/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=0e844e60-27da-412e-896a-e7b53514a660" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-87611233339018080992009-03-17T16:46:00.003+00:002009-03-17T16:57:37.965+00:002009 European Young Journalist AwardThe European Commission's DG Enlarement is running the <a href="http://www.eujournalist-award.eu/your-award-2009.html">2009 European Young Journalist Award</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>From 2 February 2009 – 31 May 2009 young journalists aged 17 - 35, citizens or residents of the 27 member states of the EU or the candidate and potential candidate countries, are invited to participate in the 2009 European Young Journalist Award</blockquote><br /><br />So what do you have to do? <br /><br /><blockquote>The 2009 European Young Journalist Award invites print, online and radio journalists from the 27 EU member states, the candidate and potential candidate countries to participate and share their vision of the European Union’s enlargement</blockquote><br /><br />The rules?<br /><br /><blockquote>Entries should be or should have been published or aired between 2007 and 2009. The main editorial office of the media in which the entry was published must be based in one of the above mentioned countries. All entries should be written in the author’s native language as long as it is an official EU language or language from the candidate countries and potential candidate countries. The article can be a maximum of 2.000 words. An abstract of 200 words needs to be provided in English.<br /><br />The article must be written in a journalistic style and represent the personal perspective of the writer in the context of his or her country.</blockquote><br /><br />The Prize?<br /><br /><blockquote>All national winners of the 2009 European Young Journalist Award will be invited to an all paid for cultural and historical trip to the capital of Germany, Berlin, at the end of August / beginning of September 2009.</blockquote><br /><br />You can submit <a href="http://www.eujournalist-award.eu/your-award-2009/entry-form/registration-award.html?no_cache=1">your entry here</a>! Good Luck if you enter!<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://olago.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/european-young-journalist-award-premio-europeu-para-jovens-jornalistas/">European Young Journalist Award | Prémio Europeu para Jovens Jornalistas</a> (olago.wordpress.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/463c8c06-b2b8-492b-91ca-528d8b1ee357/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=463c8c06-b2b8-492b-91ca-528d8b1ee357" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-28204913098685313602009-03-17T15:25:00.003+00:002009-03-17T16:46:05.077+00:005th Think Post - "What Women Want"<p class="zemanta-img" style="margin: 1em; float: left; display: block;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31568996@N04/2966794753"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2966794753_0cba490de9_m.jpg" alt="EU Flag + Gay UK" style="border: medium none ; display: block;"></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31568996@N04/2966794753">stephen.spillane</a> via Flickr</span></p>Well I seam to be getting used to blogging over on the thinkaboutit.eu blog becuase I just published my 5th post on it! Its on women and European politics. <br /><br /><blockquote>Eurobarometer recently did a Flash survey on Women and Politics in the EU. It found that 79% of Irish Women and 78% of women in the United Kingdom think that politics is male dominated.</blockquote><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thinkaboutit.eu/2009/03/what-irish-and-british-women-want/">Read Full Post</a>, dont forget to rate it!<br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/73eb7c4c-c133-47bd-9ac7-a22349e4a5b0/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=73eb7c4c-c133-47bd-9ac7-a22349e4a5b0" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-50477517985070744122009-03-17T14:47:00.004+00:002009-03-17T15:19:32.556+00:00Lá Fheile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!I hope you are all enjoying your St. Patricks Day. I for one have spent most of the actual day in bed. I had to get up early this morning and bring the Macoaimh (Cub Scouts) to mass. So I went back to bed afterwards.<br /><br />So whats the point of this post? I was going to do a post like <a href="http://alancostello.com/wp-trackback.php?p=220">this</a> but then decided, why should I be posting about that on what is our National Day as well as being Lá na Gaeilge? <br /><br />We Irish have a stereotype, of being drunk on St. Patricks Day, but something the priest said at mass today had me thinking. Today is day we celebrate the acheivments of forefathers, the acheivments of the Irish Nation, which we we can be proud of. Ireland can stand tall has a modern, diverse country. It is progressive and (slowly but surely) moving forward. While he went on a bit about religion and faith (I zoned out, the boys must thing Im an awful heathen but Im not bothered) I couldnt get those points out of my head. Why are we as a nation going out and getting drunk on a Tuesday? We have work tomorrow people! Let us instead look at teh acheivements of our ancestors and think, right if thay can do that, we can do more!<br /><br />Cheannaigh mé Buntás Cainte Cuid a hAon agus Cuid a Dó sna Eason de hAoine seo caite agus tá sé ar fheabhas! Foghlaim a lán rud a fágach mé i na bliana seo caite. I do recommend it for people who want to learn a smattering of words that can be used everyday day! It does need updating though as it goes on about Pounds, Shillings and Pence!<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.mulley.net/2009/03/13/if-a-yank-can-do-it-get-your-irish-out-for-la-na-gaeilge/">If a yank can do it - Get your Irish out for Lá na Gaeilge</a> (mulley.net)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/436cfa6f-1df5-4941-8fd7-82d0dd1755e5/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=436cfa6f-1df5-4941-8fd7-82d0dd1755e5" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-43715433026307059432009-03-16T18:11:00.004+00:002009-03-16T18:23:48.413+00:00The Running Order<p class="zemanta-img" style="margin: 1em; float: left; display: block; width: 212px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Eurovision_Song_Contest_logo.svg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3a/Eurovision_Song_Contest_logo.svg/202px-Eurovision_Song_Contest_logo.svg.png" alt="The modern logo was introduced for the 2004 Co..." style="border: medium none ; display: block;" width="202" height="79"></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Eurovision_Song_Contest_logo.svg">Wikipedia</a></span></p>The Draw for the running order for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest took place today in Moscow and the results are as follows.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The first Semi-Final</span> (May 12th)<br /><br /> 1. Montenegro<br /> 2. Czech Republic<br /> 3. Belgium<br /> 4. Belarus<br /> 5. Sweden<br /> 6. Armenia<br /> 7. Andorra<br /> 8. Switzerland<br /> 9. Turkey<br /> 10. Israel<br /> 11. Bulgaria (chosen with a wildcard)<br /> 12. Iceland<br /> 13. FYR Macedonia<br /> 14. Romania<br /> 15. Finland<br /> 16. Portugal (chosen with a wildcard)<br /> 17. Malta (chosen with a wildcard)<br /> 18. Bosnia & Herzegovina<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The second Semi-Final</span> (May 14th)<br /><br /> 1. Croatia<br /> 2. Ireland<br /> 3. Latvia<br /> 4. Serbia<br /> 5. Poland<br /> 6. Norway<br /> 7. Cyprus<br /> 8. Slovakia<br /> 9. Denmark<br /> 10. Slovenia<br /> 11. Hungary<br /> 12. Azerbaijan<br /> 13. Greece<br /> 14. Lithuania<br /> 15. Moldova<br /> 16. Albania<br /> 17. Ukraine (chosen with a wilcard)<br /> 18. Estonia (chosen with a wildcard)<br /> 19. The Netherlands (chosen with a wildcard)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Final</span> (May 16th)<br /><br /> 1. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 2. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 3. France<br /> 4. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 5. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 6. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 7. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 8. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 9. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 10. Russia<br /> 11. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 12. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 13. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 14. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 15. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 16. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 17. Germany<br /> 18. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 19. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 20. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 21. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 22. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 23. United Kingdom<br /> 24. Semi-Final qualifier<br /> 25. Spain (chosen with a wildcard)<br /><br />The draw for the running order of the voting in the final also took place. Spain, Belgium, Belarus, Malta, Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, Iceland, France, Israel, Russia, Latvia, Montenegro, Andorra, Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Bulgaria, Lithuania, United Kingdom, FYR Macedonia, Slovakia, Greece, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Ukraine, Turkey, Albania,Serbia, Cyprus, Poland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Portugal, Romania, Ireland, Denmark, Moldova, Slovenia, Armenia, Hungary and finally Azerbaijan.<br /><br />Ireland has been drawn in the "unlucky" number 2 slot in the second semi. The last time we started at that position was in 1995 with Eddie Friel and we ended up 14th. Though both countries in the number 2 slot qualified from last year, one was from televoting alone (Israel) and the other was by Jury (Sweden). I wonder will it be unlucky for us.<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/01/43-countries-to-take-part-in-eurovision.html">43 countries to take part in Eurovision</a> (stephenspillane.blogspot.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/e6999b8d-464b-4047-a457-a29b34c49a26/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=e6999b8d-464b-4047-a457-a29b34c49a26" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-24868139728443365102009-03-15T21:38:00.003+00:002009-03-15T21:49:19.212+00:00An opportunity not to be missed!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iky8q5TmbesJKFf_iQEVEsGVOCTdMAhnKFVlwZyr6QGO8hWhv7S9X6qHmgfz1-E87JT2OEpyqPXMir9TEB8t9gX3Ednds1k4IgGHRUFiOfbAcWNxDhdOE5x_sFJIfHcFNd-hvg/s1600-h/congressEPG09.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iky8q5TmbesJKFf_iQEVEsGVOCTdMAhnKFVlwZyr6QGO8hWhv7S9X6qHmgfz1-E87JT2OEpyqPXMir9TEB8t9gX3Ednds1k4IgGHRUFiOfbAcWNxDhdOE5x_sFJIfHcFNd-hvg/s320/congressEPG09.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313533432413396994" border="0"></a><br />Do you blog? Are you free on March 27th and 28th? Fancy covering the European Greens Congress in Brussels and have it all paid for? Then check out <a href="http://europeangreens.eu/menu/blog/blog-single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=817&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=17&cHash=f4856e1acd">their blog</a> and find out how!<br /><br />(H/T: <a href="http://blog.jan-seifert.eu/?p=380">Jan’s EUblog</a>)<br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/ba882be5-6af4-4e46-bd04-57bc44a2d150/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=ba882be5-6af4-4e46-bd04-57bc44a2d150" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-88546643841842246952009-03-15T21:08:00.003+00:002009-03-15T21:15:58.922+00:00Changes are comingWow, Did you know I started blogging nearly four years ago? Well I did. I started blogging on the 21st of <a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2005_03_01_archive.html">March 2005</a>. On that day I had two posts, one about <a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2005/03/is-china-threat-if-so-how-and-who-does.html">China</a> and one about the <a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2005/03/what-more-should-be-done-to-protect.html">Environment</a>.<br /><br />Four years is a long time to dedicate something, granted at times this blog has fallen to the wayside, but I do always come back, and now I am nearly blogging daily! <br /><br />To Celebrate four years of blogging look out for anniversary posts running up to Saturday and (hopefully!) on Saturday this blog will take a new turn!Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-77538579709282672972009-03-15T20:54:00.004+00:002009-03-15T21:05:41.219+00:00Offical Video - Sinéad Mulvey & Black Daisy - "Et Cetera"The official video for the Irish Eurovision entry is online and the song is really growing on me! Check it out! <br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9WkqkbLBEc4&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9WkqkbLBEc4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />To quote <a href="http://alancostello.com/">a friend </a>who just heard the song "Holy crap, that song is awesome!" (He does mean in comparison with previous years!)<br /><br />In other news <a href="http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13491?rss">Georgia has withdrawn</a> from the Eurovision Song Contest this year. It was claimed that the lyrics infringe the rules of the contest.<br /><br />I think most of the songs have now been been chosen and that means the running order will decided shortly and that means preview time for me! I am looking forward to that.<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://r.zemanta.com/?u=http%3A//www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/mar/11/georgia-eurovision-song-contest-2009&a=3705369&rid=b9850b53-8d00-4fca-a9f9-9b7dd6c1e16e&e=7b08005a92a3caf76a005e8afdd16288">Eurovision 2009: Georgia pulls out of contest over 'Putin song'</a> (guardian.co.uk)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/02/irish-euovision-entry-2009.html">Irish Euovision Entry 2009</a> (stephenspillane.blogspot.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/b9850b53-8d00-4fca-a9f9-9b7dd6c1e16e/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=b9850b53-8d00-4fca-a9f9-9b7dd6c1e16e" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-73694953134631524192009-03-12T21:39:00.003+00:002009-03-12T21:45:24.091+00:004th Think Post!So yea I just stuck up my fourth post on the <a href="http://www.thinkaboutit.eu/2009/03/how-the-eu-helped-shape-my-politics/">Think About It Blog</a>. This one is on how I got involved in Politics and I have given it an EU slant. It was inspired by a converstaion at Cork OpenCoffee so do please check it out and rate. I have reprinted the first paragraph as a teaser:<br /><br /><blockquote>I am a rare one, I mean among my peers, that not only am I interested in politics but I am actively involved in politics. The EU and European Politics has played a large role in this, especially in me becoming aware of politics, both nationally in Ireland and in the EU of 15 member states as it was then.</blockquote><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thinkaboutit.eu/2009/03/how-the-eu-helped-shape-my-politics/">Read the rest</a> and let me know what you think!Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-14458758725744736292009-03-12T18:01:00.002+00:002009-03-12T18:15:36.887+00:00Taoiseach Answers Our Questions<p class="zemanta-img" style="margin: 1em; float: left; display: block; width: 135px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Brian_Cowen.jpg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/09/Brian_Cowen.jpg" alt="European Council" style="border: medium none ; display: block;" width="125" height="145"></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Brian_Cowen.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></p>Well, Brian Cowen did answer some of the questions posed by the public to him in his <a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/03/ask-brian-cowen.html">online Q&A</a>, try and keep your eyes open during the video's. I think that is the harder task, I didn't realise he was that boring, and people give out to me that Enda is boring (he is but Cowen is worse in these videos). And if you are wondering, he didn't answer my "loaded" question. The videos are all below.<br /><br />Welcome and Thanks<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YeeBVJmjXOg&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YeeBVJmjXOg&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The Economy<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BsPtq1DnFUs&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BsPtq1DnFUs&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The Pension Levy<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mUP9-rILYTs&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mUP9-rILYTs&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The Political Situation<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qR0PXbfKBEs&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qR0PXbfKBEs&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The Smart Economy<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AjMd47Wjhk4&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AjMd47Wjhk4&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Are you still awake? Fair play? I wonder will they try this again?<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.politics.ie/fianna-fail/49636-why-brian-cowen-unopposed-fianna-fail-leader.html">Why was Brian Cowen unopposed for FF leader?</a> (politics.ie)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/03/ff-split-on-joining-eldr.html">FF split on joining ELDR??</a> (stephenspillane.blogspot.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.irishelection.com/03/is-the-government-planning-an-election/">Is the Government planning an election?</a> (irishelection.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.politics.ie/current-affairs/48280-brian-cowen-ard-fheis.html">Brian Cowen and the Árd Fheis</a> (politics.ie)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/51631ea5-f3a2-47f9-afe5-647c3c8d504f/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=51631ea5-f3a2-47f9-afe5-647c3c8d504f" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-3736694613948904672009-03-11T19:14:00.003+00:002009-03-11T19:53:13.686+00:00My Use of Irish - Úsáid na Gaeilge<p class="zemanta-img" style="margin: 1em; float: left; display: block;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88746300@N00/8488944"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/5/8488944_bc4b7e7c15_m.jpg" alt="Salachar Madraí" style="border: medium none ; display: block;"></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88746300@N00/8488944">jimmycurn</a> via Flickr</span></p>Today those on twitter and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen_Spillane/649110634">Facebook</a> would have noticed a rise in my use of Irish online. This is due to two things. One is catching a bit of Ryan Tubridy on Saturday Night where they were encouraging people to use Facebook as <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_language" title="Irish language" rel="wikipedia">Gaeilge</a> and my last two Facebook Updates have been as Gaeilge. The second is my radio listening. This morning I tuned into Raidio Rí Rá and <a href="http://twitter.com/spiller2/status/1309790261">mentioned that on twitter</a> and guess what? They engaged with me on twitter (<a href="http://twitter.com/RaidioRiRa/statuses/1309815197">Anseo</a> agus <a href="http://twitter.com/RaidioRiRa/statuses/1309815197">anseo</a>). <br /><br />Now we all know of <a href="http://www.rte.ie/rnag/">Raidio na Gaelteachta</a> and its boredom inducing programing (for me it is anyway) and it basically does not encourage young people to use Gaeilge. Raidio Rí-Rá on the other hand is a great change and uses Gaeilge is a fun way and I must say I loved listening to it during my breakfast this morning. While I didnt understand everyword said, I caught the idea of what the presenters were saying and I think it will be my station of choice in future. I think it is only on FM for <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seachtain_na_Gaeilge" title="Seachtain na Gaeilge" rel="wikipedia">Seachtain Na Gaeilge</a> but hopefully it will be for much longer, mar tá sé ar fheabhas!<br /><br />Tá Raidio Rí-Rá ar fhail i Baile Átha Cliath (100.3FM), Corcaigh (106.7FM), Gallimh (99.1FM) agus Luimneach (105.5FM). Tá <a href="http://www.raidiorira.ie/">Raidió Rí-Rá</a> ag craoladh ar-líne 24 uair a chloig sa lá 365 freisin.<br /><br />I hope to increase my use of Irish on the internet, so watch out for <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23gael">#gael tweets</a> and Facebook updates as Gaeilge from me!<fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.politics.ie/media/45256-ar-muin-na-muice-gaeilge-programme-near90fm-podcasts.html">"Ar Muin na Muice"- Gaeilge programme Near90FM podcasts</a> (politics.ie)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://sluggerotoole.com/index.php/site/irish-language-activist-dumps-on-sinn-fein/">Irish language activist dumps on Sinn Fein...</a> (sluggerotoole.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/b3336068-f81f-48fe-bd1f-89ebddb3fef7/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=b3336068-f81f-48fe-bd1f-89ebddb3fef7" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-85365881403896853832009-03-11T18:06:00.003+00:002009-03-11T18:51:02.334+00:00FF split on joining ELDR??<p class="zemanta-img" style="margin: 1em; float: left; display: block; width: 212px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ELDR_logo.svg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/85/ELDR_logo.svg/202px-ELDR_logo.svg.png" alt="Logo of the European Liberal Democrat and Refo..." style="border: medium none ; display: block;" width="202" height="205"></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ELDR_logo.svg">Wikipedia</a></span></p>According to John over at <a href="http://semper-idem.eu/?p=515">Semper-Idem</a> splits seam to be developing between the National Party and the MEP's in Brussels. I wonder why that is? <br /><br />This of course was announced with great fanfare at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis by an Taoiseach Brian Cowen. He said in his opening speech the following:<br /><br /><blockquote>Given the changing role of the Parliament and the new structures of its groups, Fianna Fáil has no alternative but to reconsider current arrangements. We need to strengthen our work with others who share our basic approach while insisting on the right to vote in accordance with the views of the people we represent. To that end, we will soon advance a proposal to join, for the first time, a pan-European party - the European Liberal, Democratic and Reform Party. Our representatives have been part of that party's group in the Council of Europe for some time and this has worked out well - particularly because it is a group which works hard to respect the views of smaller countries.<br /><br />Following June's election, should everything progress as expected, we will then consider joining the parliamentary group to which the ELDR is affiliated. I am confident that we can negotiate a position that will strengthen our voice and that of all people who believe in a Europe of states working closely together.</blockquote><br /><br />Yet in <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0310/1224242572448.html">yesterdays Irish Times</a> Brian Crowley MEP insisted that ""no deal had yet been done" on whether the FF MEPs would join the ALDE Group in the parliament. I wonder why he said that? Is it because he knows that he will lose many of his perks if FF leave the UEN? What perks you ask? Well as co-president of the UEN (A position he is unlikely to attain in the ALDE Group) he is entitled to a car! He doesn't seam willing to give that up.<br /><br />All know that my prediction of the <a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/01/will-2009-see-end-of-uen.html">end of the UEN being in 2009</a> seams to be accurate enough.<br /><br />This is posted on the <a href="http://www.thinkaboutit.eu/2009/03/ff-split-on-joining-eldr/">Thinkaboutit.eu website</a> aswell! Do read and rate it there!<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://sluggerotoole.com/index.php/site/fianna-fail-to-join-european-liberal-democratic-and-reform-party/">Fianna Fáil to join European Liberal, Democratic and Reform Party</a> (sluggerotoole.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/01/will-2009-see-end-of-uen.html">Will 2009 see the End of the UEN?</a> (stephenspillane.blogspot.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.politics.ie/lisbon-treaty/50937-liberals-offer-fianna-fail-dosh-swing-lisbon-two.html">Liberals offer FF dosh to swing Lisbon Two.</a> (politics.ie)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://julienfrisch.blogspot.com/2009/03/quick-news-irish-meps-change-from-uen.html">Quick news: Irish MEPs change from UEN to ALDE</a> (julienfrisch.blogspot.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://golez.net/2009/03/04/fianna-fail-needs-to-call-a-snap-election-and-lose/">Fianna Fáil needs to call a snap election and lose</a> (golez.net)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/e64644d2-dc61-4c52-9d96-d3fc9620b935/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=e64644d2-dc61-4c52-9d96-d3fc9620b935" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-78590131377846927432009-03-11T17:44:00.004+00:002009-03-11T18:04:10.483+00:005 things UK Conservatives need to learn about European ParliamentThis is inspired by yet another post on <a href="http://conservativehome.blogs.com/torydiary/2009/03/the-conservativ.html">ConHome</a> where they get things wrong. Not sure if this would qualify as one off <a href="http://joescanlon.net/five-things/">Joe</a>'s Five Things?! would it Joe?<br /><br />Number 1: They are not members of the EPP.<br /><br />Number 2: They are members of the ED - European Democrats, who are seperate to the the EPP.<br /><br />Number 3: Because of this distinction they do not take the EPP whip.<br /><br />Number 4: They sit as part of the EPP-ED Group in the Parliament which is completely seperate to the EPP apartus as a political party.<br /><br />Number 5: They can leave quite easily and the EPP wont miss them that much, I would say.<br /><br />This as also been posted on <a href="http://www.thinkaboutit.eu/2009/03/5-things-uk-conservatives-need-to-learn-about-european-parliament/">thinkaboutit.eu</a>. Please rate it over there! Thanks<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/01/will-2009-see-end-of-uen.html">Will 2009 see the End of the UEN?</a> (stephenspillane.blogspot.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/7aeee42f-e5b1-48dc-9f21-8ae907701c5c/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=7aeee42f-e5b1-48dc-9f21-8ae907701c5c" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-90936906179602670732009-03-09T09:59:00.002+00:002009-03-09T10:04:13.684+00:00FG Ard FheisThe Fine Gael Ard Fheis will be taking place on the 3rd-4th of April in City West in Dublin and as I said on twitter last week, Bloggers will be given Media Accreditation. I have no information about who to contact specifically at the moment about it, but when I do I will post it. All I can suggest is calling the Fine Gael HQ at (01) 6198444 and asking them about it.<br /><br />I found out via the National Youth Officer on Thursday Night as she was attending a YFG AGM in UCC (which I have a post in draft about which (hopefully) will be done by the by end of week)<br /><br />i have booked the time off work for Ard Fheis so hopefully will be there!<br /><br />(PS Blogging has been light as himself is up!)<br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/aa1bc368-e85c-45fc-834b-ae6c737c7673/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=aa1bc368-e85c-45fc-834b-ae6c737c7673" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-59841377599848967722009-03-06T20:39:00.002+00:002009-03-06T20:40:34.804+00:00Don't<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><object height="350" width="425"><param value="http://youtube.com/v/Y0iXrtMm3s0" name="movie"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://youtube.com/v/Y0iXrtMm3s0" height="350" width="425"></embed></object></p><p>Just found this on youtube. It is a novel and simple HIV/AIDS video. I think its a really good one. I hope it does effectr some people</p></div><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/bb29409b-7822-48fb-ae96-34768a3edb00/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=bb29409b-7822-48fb-ae96-34768a3edb00" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-4485600720931743622009-03-06T19:18:00.005+00:002009-03-07T12:36:20.092+00:00Paddy's Day JunketsSo <a href="http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0306/stpatricksday.html">RTÉ</a> have the list of <s>visits</s> junkets for St. Patricks Day. Because of cut backs, some Ministers have to visit two or even three places. Don't you feel so sorry for them. This of course does not include Local Councillors heading off for it. Here is the full list.<br /><br />Taoiseach (Brian Cowen) and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Micheal Martin) – New York and Washington D.C.<br /><br />Minister for Finance (Brian Lenihan) – London<br /><br />Minister for Agriculture and Food (Brendan Smith) – Munich, Berlin & Dusseldorf<br /><br />Minister for Transport (Noel Dempsey) – Toronto<br /><br />Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Eamon Ryan) – San Francisco and New York<br /><br />Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív) – Sydney, Brisbane & Melbourne<br /><br />Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Martin Cullen) – Houston<br /><br />Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Hanafin) – Philadelphia and Atlanta<br /><br />Attorney General (Paul Gallagher) – Seattle<br /><br />Minister of State Pat Carey (Chief Whip, Defence, special responsibility for Active Citizenship) - Boston<br /><br />Minister of State Barry Andrews (Health and Children) – Mumbai and New Delhi<br /><br />Minister of State Trevor Sargent (Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) – Paris<br /><br />Minister of State Jimmy Devins (Education and Science, Enterprise, Trade and Employment) - Chicago<br /><br />Minister of State Peter Power (Foreign Affairs) – Birmingham<br /><br />Minister of State John McGuinness (Enterprise, Trade and Employment) – Edinburgh and Glasgow<br /><br />Minister of State Billy Kelleher (Enterprise, Trade and Employment) – Rome and Milan<br /><br />I hope to find out what local reps are off for St. Patricks Day Junkets as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/974e0a6d-ce24-4e2f-8cec-53ac70b97181/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=974e0a6d-ce24-4e2f-8cec-53ac70b97181" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-68742497172159875262009-03-06T19:02:00.002+00:002009-03-06T19:12:36.895+00:00And we are off!So I have just finished dinner and am now officiallt fasting for the next 24 hours. So far I have raised €100 and am delighted!<br /><br />Dont forget you can still <a href="http://www.trocairefast.org/modules/system.php?pageId=REP300726">donate online</a> and increase the amount I rasie.<br /><br />Thank you to all who have donated! Dont forget to follow the <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%2324fast">#24fast</a> tag on twitter to see how im getting on!<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/03/im-doing-trocaire-24hr-fast.html">Im doing the Trócaire 24hr Fast</a> (stephenspillane.blogspot.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/493bca1e-0399-49c4-9ab4-cb0c30a40cfb/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=493bca1e-0399-49c4-9ab4-cb0c30a40cfb" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-67128274243984430752009-03-06T13:12:00.003+00:002009-03-06T13:29:30.454+00:00I am annoyed! - Gov't to cut Sucide FundsI just read a piece on <a href="http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=15177">Irishhealth.com</a> that points out the the Government are to cut funds to the National Office for Suicide Prevention by 12.5%. The cuts will come to funds availible to mental health support groups. <br /><br />This is a terrible time for this. Mental Health is underfunded in this country and the fact that the government is to do this is highly annoying. This is aswell a highly stressful time for people with job losses and wage cuts and higher taxes meaning people are under pressure and things will only get worse.<br /><br />According to Dan Neville TD, the Fine Gael Spokesperson with special responsibility for mental health said<br /><br /><blockquote>Research into suicide since the 1890s shows that there is an increase in suicide rates and mental illness during times of economic recession. The Minister for Health and the HSE should be responding to this need in the present economic crisis. They are doing the opposite and justifying it on the back of saving a relatively small amount of money</blockquote><br /><br />He hits the nail on the head when he says "Government cutbacks in this area at a time of financial crisis amounted to a decision to save money at the expense of lives."<br /><br />It is well known and documented that suicide rates increase during recessions, especially if foreclosures are on the increase. As deputy Neville says, <br /><br /><blockquote>The high rate and threat of home foreclosures is of concern. For most Irish, our homes are our primary investment and the locus of our identities and social support systems. When combined with the loss of employment, home loss or the threat of home loss, has been found to be one of the most common economic strains associated with suicides</blockquote><br /><br />Rising unemployment will see a rise in suicide rates, that is a well known and documented fact. Deputy Neville points out the Kelleher/Daly Cork Study in the 1980s, in which two thirds of the men who took their life, were out of work at the time.<br /><br />As usual the Government will blame the economic crisis for all this, but just like the attempted cut in the disability area in the budget was reversed because of the paltry savings, this should be reversed aswell!<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.mamanpoulet.com/?p=809">New report launched on LGBT Mental Health issues</a> (mamanpoulet.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/131067.php">Newsweek Web Exclusive Examines Suicide, Mental Health Issues Among Young Black Men</a> (medicalnewstoday.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://china.blogs.time.com/2009/02/27/asia-braces-for-spike-in-suicides/">Asia Braces for Spike in Suicides</a> (china.blogs.time.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/553bff23-d993-4bc1-9b6a-98a2c9edc7c9/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=553bff23-d993-4bc1-9b6a-98a2c9edc7c9" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-32392418084326114042009-03-06T08:56:00.002+00:002009-03-06T09:06:40.197+00:00Cork Blogger Tweetup!Are you a blogger or a tweeter in Cork? Then check out <a href="http://joescanlon.net/2009/03/05/cork-twitter-blogger-pints/comment-page-1/#comment-558">Joe's blog</a> as he is organising a little getogether next Thursday or Friday in the Thirsty Scholar.<br /><br />Do come along!Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-58642775468786632842009-03-04T18:01:00.002+00:002009-03-04T18:05:36.660+00:00Simon Harris - asking for Volunteers online<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><object width="425" height="350"><param value="http://youtube.com/v/z6YOr6vdEyw" name="movie"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://youtube.com/v/z6YOr6vdEyw" width="425" height="350"></embed></object></p><p>The above is a video by Simon Harris (FG Candidate for Greystones Town Council) asking for volunteers in Greystones to help out with his campaign. Would love to know how many sign up due to a video on youtube.<br /><br />Would it make you call him up and volunteer? I wouldnt, from the video alone. <br /><br />Also that Vote Harris number one sticker looks mightily familiar, I believe I wore one of those back in 2004 in Ballina when he ran for YFG Vice Presidency (Which he didnt win).<br /></p></div><br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/02/fine-gaelers-on-twitter.html">Fine Gaeler's on Twitter</a> (stephenspillane.blogspot.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/cf1b23a3-f4af-45f2-ad34-840986221665/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=cf1b23a3-f4af-45f2-ad34-840986221665" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-6605549028825866482009-03-03T22:03:00.000+00:002009-03-03T22:03:01.116+00:00Gender Parity? What about voters choice?<p class="zemanta-img" style="margin: 1em; float: left; display: block; width: 212px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Labourpartyireland.png"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b1/Labourpartyireland.png/202px-Labourpartyireland.png" alt="Labour Party (Ireland)" style="border: medium none ; display: block;" width="202" height="126"></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Labourpartyireland.png">Wikipedia</a></span></p>The Labour Party published its Electoral (Gender Parity) Bill today (See <a href="http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0303/labour.html">RTÉ</a> for details) which will cut state funding to party who dont put forward a certain percentage of female candidates. From what I see from my expeirence in political parties, that when women put themselevs forward for candidature they invariable get selected, not because women vote for them but because men vote for them! I attended conventions for three electoral areas for the upcoming local elections and a woman did not put herself forward for election.<br /><br />Its not for lack of support within Fine Gael, there is a strong womens group within Fine Gael and there is a large number of female officers on the various boards in Cork FIne Gael (As well as two female Councillors on Cork City Council) so to me there is very little political opposition to women candidates. The biggest downfall for women candidates is actually the female vote. Women dont vote for women, according to a study I read before Older Men are more likely to vote for women then women are!<br /><br />Gender quota's wont work, they lead to token women candidates who have no opportunity to get elected. Also bringing in a bill like this challenges how parties select candidates. For example in Fine Gael, it is members in the constituency that get to vote and choose the candidate, this bill will take that power away from locals and put in the hands of head office. Something which hasn't worked to great effect for Fianna Fail.<br /><br />Any gender parity is a no hoper in my opinion.<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.irishelection.com/03/labour-and-gender-parity/">Labour and Gender Parity</a> (irishelection.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/01/first-canvass-of-09.html">First Canvass of 09</a> (stephenspillane.blogspot.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/d6109c24-a830-4291-85e8-ad4f3d9c70e7/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=d6109c24-a830-4291-85e8-ad4f3d9c70e7" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-3264324962612863322009-03-03T21:40:00.000+00:002009-03-03T21:40:00.320+00:00Yet another budget!<p class="zemanta-img" style="margin: 1em; float: left; display: block; width: 212px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Fianna_F%C3%A1il_logo.PNG"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/50/Fianna_F%C3%A1il_logo.PNG/202px-Fianna_F%C3%A1il_logo.PNG" alt="Fianna Fáil" style="border: medium none ; display: block;" width="202" height="42"></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Fianna_F%C3%A1il_logo.PNG">Wikipedia</a></span></p>So the <s>PR</s> early budget didnt work and it seams it is time we had a new budget. The current budget has only fully been in force for two months!!! If thats not FAIL I don't know what is.<br /><br />Fine Gael are calling for massive "<a href="http://www.finegael.ie//News/index.cfm/type/details/pkey/653/nkey/36874"></a>overhaul" - read cuts - in the public sector and they have a point that there is a lot of waste that does need to be cut out at the top not the frontline where Nurses, Teachers, and Junior Doctors (among many more!!) seam to baring the brunt of the strategies used so far (1% "Lenihan Levy" and Pension Levy) These onviously arent working and the Government need to look at this carefully to avoid an all out strike in our public services. <br /><br />In the same day we are told there will be new taxes (read new budget) and that we face a €20bn deficit, Mary Hanafin, Minister for Social and Family Affairs, axes the National Carers’ Strategy. Talk about trying to bury bad news. This actually goes against the Programme for Government which promises this exact strategy. I wonder how the Greens will react to that? Probably not at all.<br /><br />These figures, cuts and the talk of more tax rises do not bode well for Fianna Fail and will probably see them suffer at the polls come June. Also these deficits will see us in trouble with the EU as we are supposed to be taking actions to curtail the deficit and the opposite is happening! Some hope we have of getting out of this recession first.<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://sluggerotoole.com/index.php/site/fianna-fails-distress-labours-opportunity/">Fianna Fail's distress; Labour's opportunity?</a> (sluggerotoole.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://cedarlounge.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/polls-and-rumours-of-polls/">Polls and rumours of polls...</a> (cedarlounge.wordpress.com)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.politics.ie/current-affairs/49584-taking-off-gloves-kenny-post-june.html">Taking off the Gloves - Kenny post June</a> (politics.ie)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.politics.ie/economy/49863-pps-figures-february-have-been-released.html">PPS figures for February have been released</a> (politics.ie)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://stumblingandmumbling.typepad.com/stumbling_and_mumbling/2009/03/cuts-innovation-in-public-services.html">Cuts & innovation in public services</a> (stumblingandmumbling.typepad.com)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/90265e24-4a91-43df-8193-b88853c55fd7/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=90265e24-4a91-43df-8193-b88853c55fd7" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11594431.post-24552640689508158992009-03-03T21:20:00.000+00:002009-03-03T21:20:00.737+00:00FG Gains a Councillor<p class="zemanta-img" style="margin: 1em; float: left; display: block; width: 175px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:CorkCountycrest.png"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9d/CorkCountycrest.png" alt="Coat of arms of County Cork" style="border: medium none ; display: block;" width="165" height="164"></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:CorkCountycrest.png">Wikipedia</a></span></p>So Cork County Councillor Deirdre Forde (Carrigaline/Harbour Electoral Area) has switched from Fianna Fail to Fine Gael. She has many reasons to do so, but the on that isn't mentioned in the Press Release is her main reason for changing.<br /><br />In the PR she gives her reasons as follows:<br /><br /><blockquote>Over the last number of months I have sensed that the current Government were moving in a direction that I was not happy with. The Budget in October was the first time that this really struck me when I saw the attempt to take the medical card off OAPs. Subsequent decisions on education supports for special needs children and the provision of cervical cancer vaccination for teenage girls confirmed for me that the wrong people were being asked to pay the price for a faltering economy.<br /><br />"Having made numerous attempts to speak to senior Party figures about my concerns it became obvious to me that I was not going to be able to effect the type of change that both I, and others, would have liked to have seen.</blockquote><br /><br />But is that really the reason?? No.<br /><br />The real reason is that Fianna Fail have selected Michéal Martin twin brother (whos name escapes me) to run in the same ward. Cllr Forde felt that he was being goven more help and support by head office then she was. This boils down to her taking these personally and then seeing what way the wind was blowing and jumping ship.<br /><br />This has actual all been played out in the Cork Eveing Echo over the last few months and I was not surprised that she switched. I am surprised that it took this long! Any way best of luck to Cllr Deirdre Forde and to the other Fine Gael Candidates in that ward Cllr John Collins, Cllr Timothy Lombard, and Mr David O'Byrne.<br /><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles by Zemanta</legend><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.politics.ie/fianna-fail/49366-1st-major-fianna-fail-defection-way.html">1st major FF defection on the way</a> (politics.ie)</li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.mulley.net/2009/03/01/actually-political-parties-will-need-the-onliners-more-and-more/">Actually political parties will need the onliners more and more</a> (mulley.net)</li></ul></fieldset><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/0c9e6e1e-e020-46d2-b96e-0dc60ebeb900/" title="Zemified by Zemanta"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=0c9e6e1e-e020-46d2-b96e-0dc60ebeb900" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"></a><span class="zem-script more-related"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425555341439157265noreply@blogger.com1