Mark Penn is Clinton's adviser who's had to step down. He runs a consultancy firm for both politicans and companies. I haven't read Microtrends (Penn's book), but do these terms (ones he uses) sound familiar to any Irish people?
"Shy Millionaires, Mildly Disordered, and Uptown Tattooed"
And, in other news, as I'm sure you've seen over the last while, this hasn't been updated. This is because my organisational skills are being tested to the max at the moment. I will be back in full flow around mid June. There might be an occasional update, you never know...
Adios for now!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Rather bizarrely...
There's a piece in the NY Post, written by a Fox correspondent, complaining about CNN's anti-Obama coverage...
Saturday, March 22, 2008
And speaking of RTE...
I think we may have a contender to rival The Roaring Twenties for sheer awfulness. I can't even bring myself to watch one episode...
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Ticket and Radiohead
The Ticket today managed to get a whole two page spread out of a fabricated quote concerning Radiohead. Here's the offending aricle*, and here's the background.
Could we see an Oxford boycotting of The Sun to run alongside the Scouse one?!
*Note - the reference to the quote appears to have been taken out for the online edition, which shows that those over at The Ticket Towers online section are earning their money!
Could we see an Oxford boycotting of The Sun to run alongside the Scouse one?!
*Note - the reference to the quote appears to have been taken out for the online edition, which shows that those over at The Ticket Towers online section are earning their money!
Rico's Corner
One of the major disappointments of not having Damien Richardson as Shamrock Rovers manager any more is not getting to read his programme notes (a particular favourite of mine was the "Long Day's Journey Into Night" piece about coming back down from Monaghan after a defeat). However, there is cause for rejoicing as RTE have given him is own online column. I'll be throwing it up here every week. It's worth a read, the man's a legend.
Rovers to win tonight against Cork!
Rovers to win tonight against Cork!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
From today until the 16th - Winter Soldier
There's something remarkable happening in Washington for the next couple of days. It is Iraqi veterans speaking about their experiences in a war situation, openly, including speaking about atrocities commited against the Iraqi public. It is being run by IVAW (Iraq Veterans Against War).It can be viewed on the web, and seeing as it doesn't seem to be getting much coverage over here, I thought i'd highlight it. Please watch it, it shows what ordinary people are reduced to in horrendous circumstances.
The first Winter Soldier event took place after the Vietnam War, and was moderated by John Kerry. They got the name from the Thomas Paine article written in the winter of 1776, during the American War of Independence. The first line reads:
"These are times that try mens souls."
The first Winter Soldier event took place after the Vietnam War, and was moderated by John Kerry. They got the name from the Thomas Paine article written in the winter of 1776, during the American War of Independence. The first line reads:
"These are times that try mens souls."
Mad Men
I wanted to reserve judgement on it, and give a more measured opinion, than one just based on a single (the first) episode. I was going to wait till at least five episodes, but after the second on Tuesday (it's on on a Sunday on BBC 4, and Tuesday's on BBC 2), I can't hold my silence any more. Go, clear your telly viewing schedule on one of the days, and watch it. The writer/creator brought it David Chase (The Soprano's) a number of years ago, he liked it so much he told him that he wanted him to work on his own programme. It's only getting broadcast now. It's dark, funny, and works on a number of different levels; race, feminism, masculinity and other issues in the place of work and 1960s America. What more than that do you need? Oh, how about every single male in it constantly smoking? The programme is single handedly making smoking cool again (think about how so few programmes/films made over the last number of years feature people smoking). Here's a taster:
Fergus Finlay and social inequality
The former Labour advisor (for advisor read 'spinmeister') Fergus Finlay is now the head of Barnardos, he also has a weekly column in the Irish Examiner, in which he pontificates on various topics, while generally managing to avoid the usual cliches that Irish columnists fall into. Here's the one he had last Tuesday. Election promises, who needs em, eh?!
(As an aside, there's truly nothing better than spendin your day off listening to the radio and drinking tea while it's raining outside...)
(As an aside, there's truly nothing better than spendin your day off listening to the radio and drinking tea while it's raining outside...)
Monday, March 10, 2008
The least surprising news of the month (any month)...
Yes, somebody actually involved in the Norn Iron peace process has come out and told us that the Pope is a Cath...sorry, that Hillary didn't actually participate in the process. That is, as you or I would understand participation. The Telegraph has the details. The campaign to get Buddy elected starts here!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
State Magazine
Before we start (and seeing as lack of coming clean in journalism/blogging bugs the hell out of me), full disclosure...I know people working on the magazine. So, this is just a general post to mark the launch of State Magazine. I haven't seen it yet, but I intend buying it later. It is, apparently, a glossy in the vein of Uncut, Q, etc (funny how Hotpress redesigned into a similar format a few weeks back, no?!Oh, and how their front cover this week is Michael Stipe, the same as [the monthly] State Magazine)which makes a change from the usual products released in the country (with the honourable exception of Foggy Notions). So, in short, competition is good and congratulations to the guys in State for aiming high.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Democratic race again...short one, promise!
One thing I've noticed about the race between the two presumptive nominees, is that everytime, win or lose, be it a caucus or a Primary, Obama acknoledges Clinton, and mentions how it was a "good fight" (or words to that effect), and asks the crowd to give her a round of applause. Not once has Clinton done the same. To the Clinton team it may look like she's being strong by not even acknowldging her fellow Democrat, and looking forward to the race against McCain. From this standpoint, it simply lacks class , and plain manners...
The Glass Menagerie
"The play is memory, and being a memory play, it is sentimental, it is dimly lit, it is not realistic."
The problem about writing about the theatre is the danger of sounding...well, like a "luvvie" i guess. So, starting off, we're going to counter that possibly by being swift and brutal. Francesca Annis chews the scenery like there's no tomorrow in The Gate's version of Tennesse Williams' play. It's not pleasant to watch, by any stretch of the imagination. If you like to keep your ham for your Sunday lunch, then stay away from D.1. The flip side of this is that the quiet understatement of two characters; Laura and Tom, shines through as a result these histrionics.
The most interesting aspect of this production are the allegories that can be drawn with modern America. The fork roads that was 1940s USA that is represented in The Glass Menagerie has its parallels in the reign of George Bush Jr. over the last eight years. Jim (The Gentleman caller) can be seen to represent big business, and the expansion of the economy: despite working in a position not much higher than Tom, he still harbours hopes of striking out on his own, and setting up a successful company. It is this spirit of entrepreneurship that has underpinned the "American Dream", and which America is going to have to rely on in the future, as large multinationals leave the country for China, or other places of cheap labour.
Tom, on the other hand, is also searching for the adrenaline rush associated with the American dream, but his search is taking him away from commerce, and into a dilemma. Tom's nickname in the factory where both he and Jim work is "Shakespeare". He admits himself that not only is he is consistently writing, but that there is a "fire inside him". Towards the end of the play, he feels that literature is not the way to quench the fire, but joining the army.
Therefore, Williams leaves us with three questions, that in an election year, seem all the more pertinent:
Art,commerce, or military?
To return to the start, and a reminder. The Glass Menagerie is a memory play, it is sentimental. Tom can't decide which of the three choices he wants to go with, and instead becomes a drifter. As a result we see him at the end of the play pining for the sister he had left behind in an idealised home (country?) that now only exists in his memory.
The problem about writing about the theatre is the danger of sounding...well, like a "luvvie" i guess. So, starting off, we're going to counter that possibly by being swift and brutal. Francesca Annis chews the scenery like there's no tomorrow in The Gate's version of Tennesse Williams' play. It's not pleasant to watch, by any stretch of the imagination. If you like to keep your ham for your Sunday lunch, then stay away from D.1. The flip side of this is that the quiet understatement of two characters; Laura and Tom, shines through as a result these histrionics.
The most interesting aspect of this production are the allegories that can be drawn with modern America. The fork roads that was 1940s USA that is represented in The Glass Menagerie has its parallels in the reign of George Bush Jr. over the last eight years. Jim (The Gentleman caller) can be seen to represent big business, and the expansion of the economy: despite working in a position not much higher than Tom, he still harbours hopes of striking out on his own, and setting up a successful company. It is this spirit of entrepreneurship that has underpinned the "American Dream", and which America is going to have to rely on in the future, as large multinationals leave the country for China, or other places of cheap labour.
Tom, on the other hand, is also searching for the adrenaline rush associated with the American dream, but his search is taking him away from commerce, and into a dilemma. Tom's nickname in the factory where both he and Jim work is "Shakespeare". He admits himself that not only is he is consistently writing, but that there is a "fire inside him". Towards the end of the play, he feels that literature is not the way to quench the fire, but joining the army.
Therefore, Williams leaves us with three questions, that in an election year, seem all the more pertinent:
Art,commerce, or military?
To return to the start, and a reminder. The Glass Menagerie is a memory play, it is sentimental. Tom can't decide which of the three choices he wants to go with, and instead becomes a drifter. As a result we see him at the end of the play pining for the sister he had left behind in an idealised home (country?) that now only exists in his memory.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Gig of the Week
Late notice I know, but Chequerboard is playing 'The Living Room' (upstairs in Whelans) tonight to launch his album. Beautiful Sunday music, well worth dropping into if you happen to be about town...there's an example of his music on his myspace...
Friday, February 29, 2008
Hot 8 Brass Band, Whelans last night
So, last summer (or thereabouts) i was driving over to/home from Niamhs. As it was past midnight, I had Donal Dineen on the radio. Now, sometimes you hear something on the show that knocks you out and makes you want to pull over. And sometimes stuff goes over your head. And then sometimes you hear something that makes you turn the radio up as far it can go, roll down the windows and dance as much as drive, hoping that the people you are passing can hear it, and hear how great it is. This is what happened when Dineen played Hot 8 Brass Band's version of Sexual Healing. Since that night it has picked me up on several occasions, kept me entertained on long walks and ensured crowded dancefloors at various house parties. Last night (thanks to the lads at Choice Cuts they finally came to Dublin. And by god were they great. They came out at half nine, and barely stopped till they finished at approximately 11. They played their own (sterling)compositions, but the two highlights of the night were undoubtedly Sexual Healing (which was played as an encore), and a gospel song whose name evades me at the minute. If they come back, you've really got to go see them....
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Lookout
There's a couple of clichés and a couple of plot holes, but enjoyable overall. One of the more mainstream movies I've seen at DIFF, but that doesn't mean that it's any less worthy of praise. So the praise is going to get lavished on Matthew Goode as Gary Sprago, the "baddie" who rips up the screen in a completely unhammy way.
Bands of Horses, Tripod, Wednesday
They were slighyly underwhelming to be honest. We got in just as they started the gig ,and they walloped through the majority of their two albums and a couple of covers to boot. However there was never a point where it took off and left you going "wow". As a band they were obviously competent, and seemed to enjoy themselves. It's just a pity that the gig never got lifted onto the next level...
Oh Bertie..."A political donation for my personal use..."
You couldn't make it up.
That's it, I quit. I give up in the face of Bertie's unique Teflon-ness.
That's it, I quit. I give up in the face of Bertie's unique Teflon-ness.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Going negative, and how to do it properly...
1) Obviously, you have to have a certain level of subtlety. Of course you can attack yourself (see here), but it helps if you have other avenues too. This leads us on to...
2) How to go about things the old - school (or, if you prefer, Swift Boat) way. The article is here, and this is the relevant section:
"Clinton’s camp has been circulating stories criticising the “cult” of Obama in the hope of portraying “Obamania” as a mass delusion. Media Matters, a watchdog organisation sympathetic to Clinton, compiled a report headlined, “Media figures call Obama supporters’ behaviour ‘creepy’, compare them to Hare Krishna and Charles Manson followers”.
It was forwarded by Sidney Blumenthal, a top Clinton adviser, to select reporters."
And the outcome to this? Well, see here for an example. Look familiar?
And the outcome to this policy? Well, it appears to be a continuation of Hillary's losing streak. If she keeps up this negativity, the legendary Republican attack machine that she keeps going on about will have no work left to do come the election proper if he becomes the Democratic nominee, as she will have done all the work already.
2) How to go about things the old - school (or, if you prefer, Swift Boat) way. The article is here, and this is the relevant section:
"Clinton’s camp has been circulating stories criticising the “cult” of Obama in the hope of portraying “Obamania” as a mass delusion. Media Matters, a watchdog organisation sympathetic to Clinton, compiled a report headlined, “Media figures call Obama supporters’ behaviour ‘creepy’, compare them to Hare Krishna and Charles Manson followers”.
It was forwarded by Sidney Blumenthal, a top Clinton adviser, to select reporters."
And the outcome to this? Well, see here for an example. Look familiar?
And the outcome to this policy? Well, it appears to be a continuation of Hillary's losing streak. If she keeps up this negativity, the legendary Republican attack machine that she keeps going on about will have no work left to do come the election proper if he becomes the Democratic nominee, as she will have done all the work already.
More films from the Film Festival
So then...
1) Return To Gorée - A documentary following Youssou N'Dour as he "jazzes up" his music, and tries to examine his roots, and the routes that slaves might have taken. It's slightly overlong, but the sheer proffessionalism of the musicians sparks some intense moments. There's an interesting clash between N'Dour and a accapella group from Atlanta, concerning religion (N'Dour is Muslim, the group are Christian). However it's not developed and explored in the manner it could have been.
2) Comrades In Dreams - A lovely lovely documentary examining a cinema in each of India, America, Burkino Faso and North Korea. The discrepencies and parallels that are highlighted are both touching and insightful. The two most interesting strands were the Burkino Faso story and (perhaps obviously) the North Korean one. The group in Burkino Faso were practising an almost communist form of self-reliance and bartering which was uplifting to watch. The belief in North Korea of the power of movies to uplift the farmers (comrades) and workers was remarkable to watch. The cult of Kim Jong-Il was extremely prevalent but not in the expected manner, the depth of feeling concerning "dear leader" was slightly breathtaking. And North Korea looks like a beautiful country.
3) Irish Film Board Shorts - There were two things to take from this showing of shorts, namely that the Irish pysche is still as twisted and dark as it used to be when it came to story-telling, and all the interesting films being made in Ireland are as Gaeilge. Mainly the films I saw were overlong, and could have done with some serious editing, but Rolla Saor (Free Roll) and An Creatúr were probably the stand out efforts. The Short Shorts were better overall, their shortened time perhaps focusing the minds of the directors. Considering that Declan Conlon and Marcella Plunkett were in it, Basket Case was a dissapoint, Owen O'Neill didn't seem to know what kind of movie he wanted to make, apart from the fact that he knew he wanted to borrow heavily from Pat McCabe. Also, the above two actors aside, some of the casting jarred.
1) Return To Gorée - A documentary following Youssou N'Dour as he "jazzes up" his music, and tries to examine his roots, and the routes that slaves might have taken. It's slightly overlong, but the sheer proffessionalism of the musicians sparks some intense moments. There's an interesting clash between N'Dour and a accapella group from Atlanta, concerning religion (N'Dour is Muslim, the group are Christian). However it's not developed and explored in the manner it could have been.
2) Comrades In Dreams - A lovely lovely documentary examining a cinema in each of India, America, Burkino Faso and North Korea. The discrepencies and parallels that are highlighted are both touching and insightful. The two most interesting strands were the Burkino Faso story and (perhaps obviously) the North Korean one. The group in Burkino Faso were practising an almost communist form of self-reliance and bartering which was uplifting to watch. The belief in North Korea of the power of movies to uplift the farmers (comrades) and workers was remarkable to watch. The cult of Kim Jong-Il was extremely prevalent but not in the expected manner, the depth of feeling concerning "dear leader" was slightly breathtaking. And North Korea looks like a beautiful country.
3) Irish Film Board Shorts - There were two things to take from this showing of shorts, namely that the Irish pysche is still as twisted and dark as it used to be when it came to story-telling, and all the interesting films being made in Ireland are as Gaeilge. Mainly the films I saw were overlong, and could have done with some serious editing, but Rolla Saor (Free Roll) and An Creatúr were probably the stand out efforts. The Short Shorts were better overall, their shortened time perhaps focusing the minds of the directors. Considering that Declan Conlon and Marcella Plunkett were in it, Basket Case was a dissapoint, Owen O'Neill didn't seem to know what kind of movie he wanted to make, apart from the fact that he knew he wanted to borrow heavily from Pat McCabe. Also, the above two actors aside, some of the casting jarred.
Monday, February 18, 2008
The Sindo
It makes me cry. In between the defending of Bertie Ahern and the fawning piece with "Wesanna" (at least it wasn't Brendan O'Connor doing the "interviewing") they spend two pages complaining about Trappattoni. In a little box on one of these pages, they have an admission that basically states that they made up an article about the goings on in an FAI meeting. What was said, who was there, everything. Just plain made up. It baffles me as to how the paper still has a readership in the country.
Nightbus, The Band's Visit (DIFF post)
Saw these two films last night as part of my 12 film odyssey that is DIFF. The Band's Visit is a lovely little movie from Israel. Its glacial pace isn't a barrier to enjoying the movie, instead it enhances the attempt to portray the town it's set in as slow moving. The acting is superb, Sasson Gabai and Saleh Bakri stand out especially. Both of their characters are reserved, yet both characters manage to convey their feelings in an understated way. My only complaint would be with regard to the contrived nature of the composition of some of the shots, but overall the positives overwhelm any misgivings.
Unfortunately Nightbus is a different proposition. It's a juvenile attempt at portraying the affects of war that is poorly written and is salvaged (only somewhat) towards the end of the film.
Unfortunately Nightbus is a different proposition. It's a juvenile attempt at portraying the affects of war that is poorly written and is salvaged (only somewhat) towards the end of the film.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
In Bruges
Martin Mc Donagh is a legend, go see it when it comes out. As long as you're not easily offended that is. And you don't have anything against Colin Farrell. Who carries the film remarkably well.
Corrections and clarifications
So, on Trappatoni being the first non-national to hold the post. Geordies are Irish. Obviously.
And on the listening list, to make it a rather akward six..i forgot to include Sean O'Rourke, mainly to be found on RTE Radio 1's News At One. A proper hard hitting journalist, of too few there are left.
And on the listening list, to make it a rather akward six..i forgot to include Sean O'Rourke, mainly to be found on RTE Radio 1's News At One. A proper hard hitting journalist, of too few there are left.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
So, Trappatoni it is so...
And has anyone noticed how little soul searching there's been (either in the media or amongst the general public) in relation to his being the first non-national to hold the post? Compared to the angst displayed across the water when Capello was appointed, we've been positively mature about it? Is it maturity, or a weariness associated with anything to do with the FAI?
The Farreller, Shamrock Rovers, and hats...
Everytime we watch an old movie (case in point 'The Apartment'), me and Niamh bemoan the lack of hats in todays world. Not baseball caps, hats. Proper ones, that made men look even more manly. I'm talking trilbys here folks. Anyway, Farreller does his best to re-introduce them to society (but gets upstaged in the saratorial stakes by Letterman at the end) while talking about a missed opportunity - playing midfield enforcer for Shamrock Rovers. All this was on Letterman recently.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Gig Of The Week
Quite simply any of the concerts taking place around Arvo Part over the next week or so are unmissable. They're all sold out, so if you have a ticket, hang onto it...Living Music
Required Listening
To go hand in hand with the required reading post above, here are radio programs to listen to while perusing your papers...
The one thing I have discovered over my radio listening life is that I'm a sucker for Kerry accents, hence why the list is weighed heavily towards those from the Kingdom...
1) Small Hours, Today FM nightly 12-2am.
2) Failte Isteach, RTE Radio 1, Saturday nights, 10pm
3) South Wind Blows, RTE Radio 1, Saturday nights, 8pm
4 The JK Ensemble, Lyric FM, weekday afternoons, 2.30-4.30pm
5) For the weekend mornings its still the best, and her voice is still great...Marian Finucane, RTE Radio 1, Saturday/Sunday mornings 11am-1pm
So then, I'm sure Failte Isteach is going to be the one that either has people going huh, what's that? Or...why? Simply because Donnacha O'Dulaing is not a broadcasting legend without good reason, and secondly because there is a purity about the show that is unmatched by most shows across any medium. Give it a chance if you happen to be in some Saturday night.
The one thing I have discovered over my radio listening life is that I'm a sucker for Kerry accents, hence why the list is weighed heavily towards those from the Kingdom...
1) Small Hours, Today FM nightly 12-2am.
2) Failte Isteach, RTE Radio 1, Saturday nights, 10pm
3) South Wind Blows, RTE Radio 1, Saturday nights, 8pm
4 The JK Ensemble, Lyric FM, weekday afternoons, 2.30-4.30pm
5) For the weekend mornings its still the best, and her voice is still great...Marian Finucane, RTE Radio 1, Saturday/Sunday mornings 11am-1pm
So then, I'm sure Failte Isteach is going to be the one that either has people going huh, what's that? Or...why? Simply because Donnacha O'Dulaing is not a broadcasting legend without good reason, and secondly because there is a purity about the show that is unmatched by most shows across any medium. Give it a chance if you happen to be in some Saturday night.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Adamstown
Where to start? At the beginning? The governmental ineptitude that leaves this FF led administration into the pockets of private developers? For instance, which section of Dublin City Centre has most recently finished its redevelopment? The section of the quays that Mick Wallace has turned into a little corner of Italy. (As an aside ,who remembers that Wallace was not adverse to take Dublin City Council's money and simultaneously promote his politics with the oversize banner on the then building site which read 'No to War, No to Nice, No to American Terrorism.'?) Who threw up a 5 star complex in the site that gave Wicklow it's reputation as the garden of Ireland, Powerscourt? Treasury Holdings. And what esteemed luminary opened this private development? An Taoiseach. These cases highlight the growing privatisation of the governments social responsibility.
So this brings us onto Adamstown, an SDZ. What, you may legitimately ask, is an SDZ? This is one of the Governments great ideas for using the space in the greater Dublin area in a more efficient way. The SDZ is planned by the local council (in Adamstown's case, South Dublin County Council) and then handed over to a developer, Castlethorn Construction. Castlethorn then got in six architectural firms to design Adamstown town centre, in a "rare example of joined up thinking in urban development"(1).
So we can see that the project was passed on a number of times - from governmental level, to local planning level, to development level, to architectural level to enable the project to achieve "joined up thinking". If we are to take the development's name at face value, we can assume that it is the first of many towns of its ilk, towns which highlight this governments continuing abrogation of its social responsibilities, something which is reflected also in its Education policy. That, however, is a topic for another time.
(1) Irish Times Property Supplement Jan 31st
So this brings us onto Adamstown, an SDZ. What, you may legitimately ask, is an SDZ? This is one of the Governments great ideas for using the space in the greater Dublin area in a more efficient way. The SDZ is planned by the local council (in Adamstown's case, South Dublin County Council) and then handed over to a developer, Castlethorn Construction. Castlethorn then got in six architectural firms to design Adamstown town centre, in a "rare example of joined up thinking in urban development"(1).
So we can see that the project was passed on a number of times - from governmental level, to local planning level, to development level, to architectural level to enable the project to achieve "joined up thinking". If we are to take the development's name at face value, we can assume that it is the first of many towns of its ilk, towns which highlight this governments continuing abrogation of its social responsibilities, something which is reflected also in its Education policy. That, however, is a topic for another time.
(1) Irish Times Property Supplement Jan 31st
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Required Reading
There are very few newspaper columns that I actively look forward to reading. My least favourite columns are those based on personal experience and the writers own day to day life. So surprise surprise, my two favourite weekly columns do exactly that. Michael Harding in The Irish Times features pages on a Friday, has, for a number of months now, managed to maintain an astonishingly high standard of writing. His columns leave me contemplating life in a way that very little writing in any genre has an ability to do. Unfortunately, the majority of the Irish Times website is subscription (including Harding's columns), so I can't link to them here.
The second column is perhaps even more surprising. Its one I stumbled across by chance - it's buried in the Family section of The Guardian on a Saturday, and it details the life of the mother of three teenagers. It manages to be reflective, humorous, and scarily accurate, all within the space of four or so paragraphs. Here's the most recent column:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/family/story/0,,2250686,00.html
The second column is perhaps even more surprising. Its one I stumbled across by chance - it's buried in the Family section of The Guardian on a Saturday, and it details the life of the mother of three teenagers. It manages to be reflective, humorous, and scarily accurate, all within the space of four or so paragraphs. Here's the most recent column:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/family/story/0,,2250686,00.html
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Celebrity Endorsements and Rhetoric
So this is what happens when The Black Eyed Peas and others decide to get behind your nomination campaign. Personally, I'd prefer this or this but maybe that's just me being a music snob. Though you can't really argue with having Scarlett Johannsen in your video, can you?
The interesting thing about the song, is how little they had to actually do to it to make it work musically. The Clinton attacks on Obama have focused on his verbosity and, as they put it, rhetoric. Obviously we are meant to focus on the negativity of the word rhetoric. We associate it with tub thumping and empty words. There is no doubt that at times, Obama's message can be vague. But in the heat of a nomination battle, what good is making specific promises going to be do for a candidate? There is a chance they might not be able to be kept (eg if the Republicans retake Congress), or, as we know all to well here in Ireland, they just might not be kept at all. What is wrong with talking to your audience and talking them up, instead of talking down to them, and hectoring them? Surely a country that believes in itself is more capable than one that has lost faith in its own abilities? Witness Ireland post Italia 90, 1960s America reaching for the moon. Feel the hairs stand on the back of your neck when you listen to the New Hampshire speech that the above song is based on, and contrast that to what happens to your body when you hear An Taoiseach attempt to speak in public. Do this and dare to believe that not all rhetoric is empty, and not all hope is false.
The interesting thing about the song, is how little they had to actually do to it to make it work musically. The Clinton attacks on Obama have focused on his verbosity and, as they put it, rhetoric. Obviously we are meant to focus on the negativity of the word rhetoric. We associate it with tub thumping and empty words. There is no doubt that at times, Obama's message can be vague. But in the heat of a nomination battle, what good is making specific promises going to be do for a candidate? There is a chance they might not be able to be kept (eg if the Republicans retake Congress), or, as we know all to well here in Ireland, they just might not be kept at all. What is wrong with talking to your audience and talking them up, instead of talking down to them, and hectoring them? Surely a country that believes in itself is more capable than one that has lost faith in its own abilities? Witness Ireland post Italia 90, 1960s America reaching for the moon. Feel the hairs stand on the back of your neck when you listen to the New Hampshire speech that the above song is based on, and contrast that to what happens to your body when you hear An Taoiseach attempt to speak in public. Do this and dare to believe that not all rhetoric is empty, and not all hope is false.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Super (Dooper) Tuesday Predictions
Neck on the line time here. In the democratic race I think that Hillary will win more states, but Obama will push her close on the delegate count. Added to that, I think he will cause an upset by winning one (if not both) of New York and California, thereby giving him "the big 'mo" for the final stretch before the convention.
On the Republican side, it's hard not to see McCain wrapping up his nomination bid.
Watch this space for humble pie eating come Wednesday...
On the Republican side, it's hard not to see McCain wrapping up his nomination bid.
Watch this space for humble pie eating come Wednesday...
The Sunday Business Post
The Sunday Business Post is probably the best paper we have in Ireland at the moment. A joy to read, it never attempts to simplify matters and covers a wide range of news items. Ditch your Sindos and your Sunday Times next week and give it a try...
Sunday, February 3, 2008
"..and when the damn things came down, I thought...
...I might as well write about them..."
So goes Mark Eitzel's reason for writing 'Windows Of The World', a song from American Music Club's new album 'The Golden Age'. It might seem like a blasé or even curt way to describe a song about the collapse of the Twin Towers, however for a large amount of people who love the band, it is this type of black humour they find so appealing. It is also one of the reasons that American Music Club should be considered a vital voice for America. It is a voice that rivals Frank Bascombe's as an outlet for examining a country's conscience, and taking account of America at a particular moment in time. Similarly to Richard Ford's creation, the songs of American Music Club do this with subtelty, wit, and, well...dark humour. Since AMC were reformed (for want of a better term) a number of years ago, they have released 'Love Songs For Patriots' (2004) and 'The Golden Age'. The anger that permeated throughout 'Love Songs...' (have a listen to 'Patriot's Heart' from the album for the best example) has been replaced with a more reflective tone, but none of the incisiveness has been lost in the meantime. What appear on first listen to be throwaway lines, reveal themselves over time as cutting dissections of American obsessions and aspects of its culture.
So goes Mark Eitzel's reason for writing 'Windows Of The World', a song from American Music Club's new album 'The Golden Age'. It might seem like a blasé or even curt way to describe a song about the collapse of the Twin Towers, however for a large amount of people who love the band, it is this type of black humour they find so appealing. It is also one of the reasons that American Music Club should be considered a vital voice for America. It is a voice that rivals Frank Bascombe's as an outlet for examining a country's conscience, and taking account of America at a particular moment in time. Similarly to Richard Ford's creation, the songs of American Music Club do this with subtelty, wit, and, well...dark humour. Since AMC were reformed (for want of a better term) a number of years ago, they have released 'Love Songs For Patriots' (2004) and 'The Golden Age'. The anger that permeated throughout 'Love Songs...' (have a listen to 'Patriot's Heart' from the album for the best example) has been replaced with a more reflective tone, but none of the incisiveness has been lost in the meantime. What appear on first listen to be throwaway lines, reveal themselves over time as cutting dissections of American obsessions and aspects of its culture.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Niall O'Dowd Update
In a surprise move, Irish Voice editor Niall O'Dowd has endorsed Sen Hillary Clinton as the paper's candidate for the 2008 elections. Not only that, she is, apparently, the Irish American candidate of choice.
Seeing as we're talking about films..Darklight Festival
The Darklight Festival is a festival for filmakers, artists and animators. It currently has a call for entries that will be open till the 14th of March. Those of you who are that way inclined, start getting your submissions together now...
DIFF - Any recommendations?
So, the Dublin International Film Festival website is up and running here,and apart from "the Farreller" opening the festival, I'm not familiar with any of the movies. So does anyone have any ideas on what I should go see? Or, indeed, avoid?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Gig of the week
..the first of a series (which in all probabilty will be infrequent) has American Music Club playing
Whelans on Saturday the 2nd February.
Hear a track from the new album here at the Merge Records website.
Whelans on Saturday the 2nd February.
Hear a track from the new album here at the Merge Records website.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Fired Up, Hillary
Anyone with an interest in the American elections can probably tell where my allegiances lie (and what sprang to mind when trying desperately to think of a pithy, witty title). And speaking of Hillary in the last post reminded me to perform my public service for the day. So, if you'd like to see tomorrow's mud-slinging today, this is the place go. Lovely title, no?!
Niall O'Dowd
This post is not going to get personal. I do, however, have problems with the ideological stance the editor of The Irish Voice takes on immigration in America, namely the privileging of Irish immigrants above any other country. That topic deserves a whole post of it's own, and will probably get one on another day. Today, however, my problem lies in his dual role as a member of Hillary Clinton's financing committee, and a commentator on the American primaries and caucuses in the Irish media. Now obviously, as a high profile ex-pat, O'Dowd ticks a lot of boxes for the Irish media in terms of someone who can be easily accessed, has a grasp of what's going on, and is a competent communicator. And I have no problem with him being a commentator, or indeed supporting a particular candidate in the afore mentioned race for party nominations. What I do have a problem with is the lack of transparency from both Niall O'Dowd and the Irish media that he appears on or in (RTE, the The Irish Times, and The Star spring readily to mind, and there are more than likely others that I haven't come across). I would have thought it prudent for a commentator/journalist to disclose any information that might compromise their article, however O'Dowd does not appear to follow this belief. Neither does The Star (who consistently omit the information), The Irish Times (who let one column go unchecked, but have subsequently acknowledged his role on Clinton's team) and RTE (who have, to the best of my knowledge never referred to the role when interviewing him). Is this the kind of case that the Press Ombudsman was set up for?
fired up and ready to go gets going
So, I've decided to start a blog. It's either that or Facebook and/or Second Life, and I'm all networked out at this stage. The blog is going to hold posts on various different topics, mainly music and politics and sport I would imagine. I promise there will be no creative writing on my behalf. I promise there will be probably be a shortage of photographs, mainly because I don't have the patience for uploading them. After that, anything goes I guess..
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