Intrepid Ibex. It sounds like a cartoon character from CBBC, but it’s the codename for the latest Ubuntu distribution, released today. This afternoon, I installed it on two computers, although I must admit that the news that it came packed …
Monthly Archive: October 2008
Oct
30
End Of The Road
The Planning and Payments tribunal isn’t quite over yet. There are still a few loose ends to be tied up, questions that retired country manager George Redmond has to answer in cross-examination. Then there are the final reports, which will …
Oct
28
For Richer For Poorer
A religious think-tank has criticised the Ombudsman for pointing out that Irish tax laws discriminate against unmarried couples. The Iona Institute describes itself as ‘a pro-religion and pro-marriage organisation’. Institute director Davis Quinn said it would be a ‘serious mistake’ …
Oct
27
On The One Road
How long can you stay angry? Old age pensioners marched on the Dáil last week to protest against budget cuts, as did students. Teachers are planning demonstrations this week. Army families are upset at plans to close several regional bases, …
Oct
24
Chutzpah
The definition of chutzpah used to be the murderer who killed his parents, then appealed to the court for mercy during his trial because he was an orphan. That definition may have to be updated in light of the lawsuit …
Oct
23
End Result
Cops planted fake bombs, then ‘discovered’ them, in order to get promotion. A cop was involved in blackmail. Cops coerced a man to make a false witness report. As a result, twelve innocent people were arrested for murder. Several of …
Oct
21
Climbdown
Biffo blinked. As I write, I’m watching live coverage of the Taoiseach’s press conference to announce the government is backing down from the decision to remove free medical cards from all citizens over the age of seventy. By increasing the …
Oct
20
Where’s Wally?
Somehow, I can’t but feel a tinge of schadenfreude at the government’s dilemma as it tries to dig itself out of the hole it has created with the decision to end free medical care for citizens over the age of …
Oct
17
A Stake In The Future
Within the next few weeks, I get to vote on the latest national pay deal, Towards 2016. The first paragraph speaks of ‘a dynamic, internationalised and participatory Irish society and economy, founded on a commitment to social justice and economic …
Oct
16
Word Power
Let’s call a spade a spade. It’s not an income levy, it’s a tax increase. Depending on your income, Brian Lenihan just delivered you a tax increase of between up to two percent. The minister is faced with a hole …