The Bad Sex Award Goes To…..
The Bad Sex in Fiction Award has been awarded to Norman Mailer. This award, now in its 14th year, goes to a literary passage with the most awkward depiction of a sexual encounter. Mailer, who passed away earlier this year earned the award with this gem from his novel The Castle in the Forest;
“His mouth lathered with her sap, he turned around and embraced her face with all the passion of his own lips and face, ready at last to grind into her with the Hound, drive it into her piety.”
Now that award was deserved.
Sources: BBC
To Whom it May Concern
“I write to you today not in the hopes of changing what is in your heart, but rather to provide a face and voice to those you could, with the power providence has chosen to bestow upon you, assist. Historically government, in its main function, has sought to propagate itself rather than to raise its people to freer air. In the modern world, specifically in the United States, government has sought to raise its citizens, adopted and natural, to a higher potential. To place with in the hearts of men a greater purpose; a purpose intended to foster within each individual the belief that through participation in society we can better ourselves as human beings. The United States has long stood as a symbol, a symbol of freedom, of opportunity. Since its foundation the United States has welcomed peoples as diverse as night and day, each with hopes, dreams, and passions of their own. The United States was, and continues to be, a sum of the dreams of those seeking within a nation the optimism and foresight within their own spirits. All nations, since the beginning of human civilization have been built upon the foundation of the lowliest in fortune, upon the toil of those that provide the nation with the basis for growth; those who work the land and provide basic services.
The basis of each nation has always been subjected to the most hardship, the most injustice, and indeed this continues today. I have said the United States is a symbol of freedom, and I believe this to the core of my being. But it pains me to see a nation I love so well, continue on ill founded trends of old. When the lowly are repressed in a land that benefits from their industry and idealism: it is a far cry from freedom.
Government, of the variety that raises its people towards the light of freedom, is a new construct, and as such has flaws within its foundation that must be remedied through its processes. That the United Stated currently has overlooked a certain portion of the populous is undeniable and has become more visible in recent weeks.
Yet one must ask-how can those with no voice within the system better it? How can those who cannot speak be heard? Is it possible that freedom is not for all? Should the dreams of the silent be crushed by the refutation of the mighty in their seats of power? I cannot attest to what was in the hearts of those who built freedom in this land, nor those who are its proponents today; all I can speak to is what I have known and come to see in the hearts of those who wish to call this great land home.
I have heard in reports that those in power would like to offer partial rights to those who have come here for freedom. I have heard great men say that because the law was disregarded, that those who did so must accept their fate, however unjust. I propose to those who take this stand to look into their pasts and see their forefathers. It is called lawlessness, but we all must ask ourselves, what the cost of freedom is. Is freedom for our children worth the risk of crossing an invisible boundary? Is freedom worth suffering in the lowliest of tasks?”
Towards a United Ireland
Northern Ireland’s 18 MPs were allowed to attend committee meetings in the Irish parliament from Thursday. Meeting in the Dail committee room the group on Irish and Northern Irish MP’s met to discuss the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to date. The offer to attend the Dail committee sessions was extended to all Northern Ireland MPs, however all unionist MPs declined the invitation while all republican MPs readily accepted. While the Northern Irish MPs will not have voting rights within the Dail the are invited to participate in discussions. Northern Ireland Agricultural Minister Michelle Gildernew said:
“We would like to see further work ongoing in Dublin to give us and our constituents in particular the right to be represented in our national parliament,” she said.
This very well may be a first step towards a united Ireland.
Sources: BBC
Unionist MP Accuses Sinn Féin politician
David Simpson, a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP has accused Sinn Féin politician Francie Molloy of informing on Sinn Féin and IRA activities to the British Government for almost 30 years. Both Mr. Molloy and Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness state the claims to be “unfounded and untrue allegations”. Mr. Molloy says is not worried, he states:
“Unionist death squads in the past never stopped me going about my work representing Sinn Fein and the people who elect me. A unionist MP standing up in the British House of Commons will not succeed in this either.”
Regardless of the veracity of Mr. Simpson’s statements they are dangerous. Lets all hope no one take these unverified comments to heart.
Sources: BBC
And the Raven Shall Not Fly
After weeks long exchanges the loyalist group known as The Pride of the Raven has withdrawn their application to march on the Donegall Pass Saturday. Objections had been raised about the march route through a predominately Chinese community in south Belfast. The march is largely viewed as a means to intimidate the minority residents inhabiting the loyalist area in south Belfast. The group states that the march has no racist intentions and the group looks forward to the days when “… parades are not subject to the prejudice of such a discredited, ineffective and malicious body.”
Sources: The NI Parades Commission The Irish Times
A Spoonful of Sugar
Today The Independent continues to report on journalist Justine Delaney Wilson’s claim that many within the Dail are habitual cocaine users. The journalist’s new book High Society contains an quote from an unidentified minister within the Dail who states:
“Yes, I do take drugs . . . just coke though . . . regularly enough. I’m certainly not the only one around here [the Dail] that does.”
On 11 November of this year RTE confirmed the existence of the taped interview but today the journalist says she no longer has the recording of the admission. Does she or doesn’t she? The questions remain and as the Gardai, ministers within the Dail, and the public get involved I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of this.
Sources: The Independent Sunday Tribune
An Odd Couple
Although it’s natural for heads of government to travel together, when I read this article I burst out laughing.
In early December Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness will travel to the United States together to meet with President Bush where the American President will be “congratulating the two leaders on overcoming years of violent conflict, and for taking the historic path toward a peaceful and prosperous future for all the people of Northern Ireland.” The pair will also travel to New York during their visit.
It’s a very good thing these two men who are quite representative of The Troubles are cooperating and moving forward side by side. Despite all the historical significance of the event and my better angel the first thing I thought was “That is going to be the most awkward flight on the planet.” Fair thee well boys, and do play nice.
Sources: BBC
Brasil’s AIDS Policy Sets a Benchmark
In the early 1990s Brasil became a world leader in the fight against AIDS. While the virus has spread through much of the world the infection rate in South America’s largest nation is similar to that in the United States. Today the BBC reports on the ‘remarkable’ success of Brasilian AIDS policy in thwarting the spread of the deadly disease. The AIDS drug policy in Brasil was strengthened by a 1996 presidential decree which guaranteed all citizens infected by HIV would have access to all essential medicines to combat the disease. As the first nation to break a patent on AIDS medication Brasil has taken the power away from pharmaceutical companies who tend to inflate the costs of medication by at least 40%, enough to make the drugs inaccessible to those who need it most. Health Organisations around the world hold the policies as an example but no nation has followed suit yet despite the fact that the aggressive health policy has actually saved the lives of many citizens and saved the nation more than US$1bn between 2001 and 2005 alone.
Sources: BBC BBC Archives Brasilian Government
The A Pint for Thought
Today the BBC reports on the formation and initiatives of what is being called the Alcohol Health Alliance.The twenty-four organisation strong initiative are calling for much more active government participation in public awareness of alcohol disease. Many doctors are concerned about the normalisation of habitual heavy drinking which may lead to a lost generation of a different kind. The AHA cites the shift in demographics among patients with alcohol related sickness as evidence of increased abuse among young people. Professor Ian Gilmore of the Royal College of Physicians states:
“If you look at the burden of damage to society, it’s hugely greater for alcohol than for drugs, but the majority of money has always gone on drugs, partly because of the strong link to crime.”
The AHA is certainly on to something here: sometimes that extra pint may cost you more than just some cash.
Sources: BBC
