As some of you are aware I am now (re)employed by Boots. Now union employees have voted for strike action and there could be possible pickets on stores. So I face a dilemma, to cross the picket or not. What would you do?
Social Commentary
Armstice Day
Image by Martin LaBar via Flickr I am not sure if many people i Ireland are aware of the promises made by people today attending Rembrenance Day and Armstice Day Services make a very poignant promise during the service. Maybe we should all make this promise. Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service Will you strive for all that matters for peace? We will Will you work seek to heal the wounds of war? We will...
On Today’s Union “Protest”
So right now “protests” are taking place around the country at the expense of many people trying to go about their daily business. Is that really all the unions can do? Grand stand? All the unions seem to be doing, to me anyway, is wasting money. They are putting up ads, sending out letters and all that, which really isnt going to help anyone. Especially those that actually need the help. This is the issue that Ireland faces, protect...
Getting rid of the Junior Cert?
Today’s Sunday Tribune has an article suggesting that the Junior Certificate exams could be “axed to save €30″. Is that really a good idea though? While the Junior Cert isn’t really worth much on its own, it is a valuable testing ground for students and a practice for the Leaving Cert. I know the tests and that are shoter for the Junior Cert, but if we abolish it, students wouldnt have a clue what to expect going into the...
Zero Tolerence?
Image via Wikipedia As most of ye are most likely aware there is a debate going on with the Fianna Fail Parliamentry Party on whether or not to lower the blood alcohol level for drink driving from 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to 50mg. These are often reffered to as 0.8 and 0.5 limits Now the way it is at the moment you can basically have one pint or one unit of alcohol and still pass a...
Jan Moir
I wasn’t actually going to blog about that Jan Moir article in the UK Daily Mail (they had more sense not to publish in the Irish version) but a statement released by Jan Moir claims that we are all over reacting and there is a ‘heavily orchestrated internet campaign‘ against her. (Link via @Glinner) It is amazing that someone with views like that are allowed print them. It is crazy and it is offensive. To be honest, I wasn’t...
A Gay Weekend in Ireland
There were two events held over the weekend involving the Gay Population in Ireland. One was a great success, the other a waste of time. Lets start with the success, Northwest pride held an event in a town called Easkey. The village in Co. Sligo has a population of 250 and it went gay for the day with local people and businesses taking part in the event. Reading the coverage in the Guardian though really brought it home for...
The Middle Class Do Exist
Image via Wikipedia In a recent blog post Stephen Kinsella has the following to say about the Middle Class in Ireland: When you look closely, you see the middle class just doesn’t exist. While I would agree in principle that on paper and using accepted definintions the middle class in Ireland is very small, but thats not what matters. It is self perception. When I read his post, I could see myself agreeing but then realising, hang on, thats...
Argh Strikes!!!
So we were informed today in Class that our teachers are going on Strike next Tuesday. It turns out that teachers in Further Education Colleges, like Cork College of Commerce, are represented by the Teachers Union of Ireland, so they are going on strike for the day as they have handed notice into the VEC. They will be joining the other unions taking part in the National Strike on Tuesday 24th. Also clerical staff who’s union is one of...
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