Susan Hated Literature

And so, of course, we are all entitled to our own points of view. But^[1] sometimes don’t you think it’d be easier if we all thought the same way^[2] Wouldn’t it make life so much easier? Think about it. No more contentious issues such as “who should we vote for” never mind “whose god is better” because we’d all agree^[3] Think how many wars and deaths we’d prevent if we all just got along, or at the very least pretended to get along. For the sake of the children^[4] But alas, and indeed alack, this future of agreement, harmony and living happily every after is probably^[5] never going to happen.

You only have to look at the passions being raised over the Ireland V England rugby match to realise that peoples don’t agree with peoples.

I know, you^[6] are thinking, sure it is only a rugby match, what is there to disagree over? The quick answer is a bloody lot.

First off there is the whole idea of anything but GAA being played at Croker. Where else would you have an amateur sporting organisation coming to the aid of the two main professional sporting bodies and letting them use its venue. But this can pretty much be ignored. This argument was had before the French came and stole our thunder. No, this argument rests squarely with the fact that it is damned English that are coming.

After all we all recall the Martin Johnson incident, don’t we? Where he and his ebil henchmen came and stood in the wrong position. Breaking protocol and forcing our president to walk off the red carpet, and on to the grass!^[7] Imagine that. Her excellency forced to walk on the green sod itself. Horrific.

We have long memories here in Ireland, so we do. That’ll never be forgotten. You hear Mr^[8] Johnson, never!

But of course the real reason for objections is the fact that the anthem God Save The Queen will be played. In the very grounds where the british army shot dead 14 Irish people, including one of the players^[9] Don’t forget that Hill 16 was built out of the rubble of the 1916 destruction. It is sacred ground, because the GAA is much more than a sporting organisation. It is a way of life, and a cultural identifier^[10] and to have the “enemy’s anthem” played there shows a serious lack of respect.

According to some people.

Me, I tend to disagree. After all isn’t rugby one place where we have a united Ireland? And isn’t it said that sport is war by other means^[11] so surely some people should see it as a good thing. Ireland united against the English.

I’m going to be totally honest here. I don’t like the English anthem. And I don’t like the Union Jack. And I cannot give you a rational explanation for that, I just dislike them. Cultural hatred or summat. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t stand for both. Or for the English Queen.^[12] because just like our president is a representative of Ireland, so is the Queen a symbol of England. And in this day and age, surely we can be mature enough to respect the English anthem as it is a symbol of the English people of today. Not of 10 years ago. And not of 800 years ago.

A sense of history is important. No denying that. But so too is learning from the past and moving on.

Course, we don’t live in my personal dictatorship^[13] so you can have your own opinions and express them too.

Edited to add:
elsewhereblogs are saying:

Luna Nina says:

1. Incomplete ::
2. Bobby ::
3. Chopstick ::
4. Trauma ::
5. Hesitate ::
6. Leap ::
7. Magnify ::
8. Yards ::
9. Alexander ::
10. Fracture ::

mine’ll be under the cut.

I’m all caught up on Heroes now, and have to wait until Jan 22nd for the next episode, but its no big deal because while I’m liking it, I’m not loving and needing more and more of it. It is, in many ways, quite predictable and I hate the previously voice-over man sections. They are just bad.

I took Manny to back to the shop yesterday, but while they are willing to replace him they don’t have any in stock at the moment, so I’ll be heading back next week. Luckily I live just round the corner so don’t have far to go.

I’ve just finished reading A year in the centre by Brian O’Driscoll which I enjoyed more than I thought I would. It is a diary of the year he was Lions captain, so plenty of bits of interest to any rugby fans.

Over at Crooked Timber they are marking the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls. This was when the Irish aristocracy fled the country after an unsuccessful rebellion against the ebil invading Englanders. It’s an interesting whatif article, as it takes a quick look at how Irish history might have been different with an established native aristocracy in place. Reckon it was probably for the best in the long run, but then again, I am anti-aristocracy, so no real surprise there. Although I do kinda wonder how on earth there are still titles such as Earl of Longford^[1] that are inherited by posh British folks. Surely after the War of Independence we should have gotten rid of all those peers? Not that I know anything about how they are organised or whatever. I merely object on moral grounds.

When I was reading A Year in the Centre BOD describes how Prince William turned up and he seemed like a nice fella, but I was thinking how if I met any royalty^[2] then I would probably resent using their formal titles. I’d make exception for the head of state, because I’d expect any citizen of any other country to have respect for our Pres, but any of their family members? Like whatever!

Continue Reading »

And the Intelligence Operations of Michael Collins
Author: T.Ryle Dwyer
ISBN: 1856354695
DDC: 941.5082
See also: Library Thing; Google Scholar; The Bureau of Military History

Michael Collins is frequently cited as the originator of modern urban terrorism. The British characterised his Squad as ‘the murder gang’ and had they knowingly captured members of of the Squad they would almost certainly have exectued them.

Irish history is full of revolutionaries and failed rebellions, of informers giving information to the English, and spies infiltrating Irish organisations. Michael Collins recognised the importance of the intelligence network and so in 1919 he formulated a plan to blind the eyes of Dublin Castle by ensuring that the police force were as terrorised and demoralised as possible.

Continue Reading »

I’m bemused^[1] My eyebrows are raised in a very “wtf are you on” sort of way.

The thing is, I’m well aware that some people don’t know that Ireland isn’t part of Britain. And no offence to my American bloggers, but often those some people come from the US, so they have an excuse. Not like it actually matters to them when they come over on holiday, apart from the fact that we don’t share a currency. But you don’t need a passport to travel^[2] between Britain and Ireland, so you might think things that are wrong.

But when British people think it? I mean. WTF!^[3] But maybe it is just the listeners of Chris Moyle’s radio show? I dunno. But seriously, WTF?

One [learned listener] called in to say he always thought Ireland was in Britain and this was backed up with more texts from listeners who also felt the same.

Moyles hit back by saying: “It’s like saying the French are German if you say the Irish are British.�

*please insert your own version of my^[4] mini-rant about 800^[5] years of bloody struggle etc, violence, etc, blah blah blah. mention 1920’s. Not forgetting Treaties. Oh yeah, and actual independence. And the fact that we’re a republic*

So, people of Britain, let me assure you, Bob Geldof is not British. He is, in fact, Irish. You can be Irish and British.^[6] but only if you live in Northern Ireland. Which isn’t where Bob is from. He’s from Dublin. Which is in Ireland, aka Éire^[7] often refered to as the Republic of Ireland. Now concentrate, and then think again about whether Bob Geldof is British.

Maybe they’ve all been down the local library and been browsing through their Dewey Decimal system manuals, and discovered that Britain & Ireland are covered under the term The British Isles? And that is where the mistake comes from?

Story spotted over at Blogorrah

Histories, Identities, Issues
ISBN: 190455833X
Ed: Alan Bairner
Essays by: Thomas Carter, Paul Darby, Gareth Fulton, Neal Garnham, David Hassan, Tom Hunt, Katie Liston, Jonathan Magee, Paul Rouse, Louise Ryan, Peter Shirlow, John Sugden, Jason Tuck
DDC: 301.57

Although the word ’sport’ was used commonly in Ireland long before the period that is covered by any of the essays in this collection, it normally referred to hunting, fishing and other such activities enjoyed by the Irish gentleman. In addition were the games played by ‘ordinary’ people and rumoured to have their origins in Ireland’s historic and mythic past.

Another book that I picked up at work, although this is much more readable than the last. That was on the film industry in Ireland, and I didn’t finish it because of its overly academic wordiness. Despite being a sociological look at sport in Ireland, this book, Sport and the Irish doesn’t suffer from that problem.

Continue Reading »

An Informal History 1916-1966
Author: Peter Sommerville-Large
ISBN: 0712665323
DDC: 941.5082

Early on Easter Sunday 23 April 1916 in Liberty Hall, the painter Christopher Brady carried out his commission of printing the document that would proclaim the Irish Republic

As the subtitle says, this is a history of Ireland between the years 1916 and 1966, 50 years of change and turmoil. As the informal part of the title may indicate it isn’t the most official of accounts. More of a personal recollection of the history. Not of it all, the author wasn’t alive in 1916, but a great deal concerns his family and how they reacted to the events.

Continue Reading »

So y’all know what today marks dontcha?

Yup, that’s right, on the 28day of June in 1922^[1] the Irish Civil war broke out as the Free State government ordered the shelling of the Four Courts.

I guess it is in my mind because of TWTSTB, and of course, because of that film I have come to the conclusion that English^[2] people just cannot pronounce O’Donovan. So I want you all to practice, Oh Dun-uh-vun. Not Don as in a professor. That just aint wrong. dun, like he done his woman wrong. Got that? Good, it is quite important.

I’m returning to the issue of the World Cup, so switch off if you want

Only eight left in it now. And Anne, I have a confession. I was cheering for Spain last night. Still you should be happy, cause France won. And played well too, which was nice. by the end of the match I could even believe they might beat Brazil. But that’s getting ahead of ourselves.

I think it may be a sign of age, but didn’t the Spanish team look like group of kids? That Torres fella is so young and dotey looking. Not cute mind. Just a dote. The first time I saw them play I said “they look 12″ and okay, maybe I was exagerating a little, because one or two look 15 or 16, but overall. Young would be my impression of the Spainish.

Was at work, so didn’t watch the Ghana game. Poor Ghana. I didn’t have much hope that they’d beat Brazil, and I was right. But it would’ve been fun if they had.

I didn’t watch England play at the weekend, so maybe they’ve improved^[3] I was watching the hurling. Munster final so it was. Cork and tip. Again, I picked the wrong team and supported Tip, although I’m a big fan of Sean Óg’s, and Diarmuid O’Sullivan’s. And Donal Óg Cusack’s. But still, I spent too many summers in Tipperary not to support them when they are playing. Unless of course they are up against Limerick.

We’ve gone all quiet again in work. The American’s have their history tours this week so thay aren’t around, although I did have to help one student with his spelling yesterday as he wondered about Slainte and Dia Dhuit. Still, three day working week next week. Which will be ever so nice. We have the 4th off to celebrate the Fourth of July^[4] and as it is on a Tues, it seemed a bit silly to come back in on Mon, so I’ve taken the day off and will be in Sligo for a long weekend.

Mind you, I think that we should seriously consider introducing a three day weekend the whole year round. Anyone agree?