The Ban That Bombed

Today, an international agreement reached in Croke Park to ban cluster bombs will take effect. Over 100 countries agreed not to use these horrific weapons, and destroy stockpiles within eight years. Notable exceptions include the USA, China, and Russia. American and British troops used over twelve thousand cluster bombs during the invasion of Iraq. Five… Continue reading The Ban That Bombed

A Judicial Separation

The Catholic archbishop of Dublin has offered his two cents on the Lisbon treaty debate. Diarmuid Martin said it was regrettable that while Christian humanist values lay at the heart of the treaty, it was regrettable that it contained no explicit recognition of Europe’s Christian heritage. I have to disagree. Europe’s Christan heritage contains such… Continue reading A Judicial Separation

fre spch nt so gr8

Despite yesterday’s 200 words, I have to confess I’m wary of text feedback on current affairs programmes. Time was, news editors occasionally commissioned a vox pop to get a quick sampling of public opinion on an issue. For a complex debate like the Lisbon treaty, with implications for economic policy, sovereignty, and neutrality, a vox… Continue reading fre spch nt so gr8