Eoin Butler: writer, journalist and Mayoman of the Year
Tripping Along The Ledge
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Ireland to Israel: “If any harm comes to any of our citizens, it will have the most serious consequences.”
Wow, Ireland is flexing it’s muscles on the international stage. Our Taoiseach is throwing his weight around, if you will. To observers in some quarters it could seem bizarre, comical even, that a nuclear-armed Middle Eastern superpower would be threatened in such a manner by a remote island nation whose armed forces consist of a man, a rife and a sheep dog.
Let’s not forget, however, that Israel has crossed this country once before in recent months. The Dubai assassinations in February were carried out by Israeli agents travelling on fake Irish passports. Well, Israel, there’s an old saying in Ireland… Actually, it’s a saying in Mayo, but it’s probably in Ireland too: Read the rest of this entry »
Faith Alive
1. Just as I was almost tiring of this segment… This story relit my fire!
2. Ugandan pastor has done some research on homosexuality. Long story short, STOP EATING DA POO POO!!
3. Three Jesuses living in one house and its 1957 – why the fuck isn’t this a reality show? Read the rest of this entry »
This is Funny
Holmes and Watson are on a camping trip. On their first night away, they lie in their camp beds looking upwards. “Look at the cosmos, Watson” says Holmes. “What does it suggest to you?”
“To me,” replies Watson, “It suggests the insignificance of man and the infinite power of an Almighty who created such a wondrous universe… What about you old boy?” Read the rest of this entry »
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations. [UPDATED]
The American political consultant Roger J. Stone Jr. is often credited with coining the embattled spook’s mantra, “Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations”. As P.R. strategies go, it’s combative. But if your job has you frequently trying to defend the indefensible, it may be as good a credo as any.
See, I have a grudging respect for the Israeli government’s press operation. Mark Regev is almost always dealt a shitty hand of cards. But he’s the T-1000 of public relations men. He’ll make the case, however preposterous: Up is down. Black is white. Even when, say, a film crew captures Palestinian children mown down on a beach by Israeli shells, he’ll still somehow grind out a score draw. (Hamas forced us to kill those kids. This is exactly what Hamas wanted etc. etc.) Read the rest of this entry »
Take Care of All My Children (1984)
Mind That Child!
Life’s no picnic for a mild-mannered, self-deprecating, sound as a pound, suburban stay-at-home Dad… Just ask old muggins here! When our two were born, I decided to opt out of the rat race and become their full time primary care giver. Somehow, it just felt right. Also, I’d been stealing large quantities of office supplies over a number of years, so it seemed prudent to quit while I was ahead. Read the rest of this entry »
Bloody tourists…
Look, I’m delighted they’re here. I’m delighted they’re clogging up the footpaths. I’m even cool with the leprechaun hats, if they absolutely have to. What really offends me though, as the years go by, is the way tourists still, to a man, refuse to ask me directions.
They’re here each summer, these nice American (and French and German and English) people, standing helplessly on the street corner, mouths and maps hanging wide open in the breeze. They’re lost. I’m on hand and willing to help. But who will they turn to? For reasons unclear, the answer would be anyone but me. Read the rest of this entry »
Nothin’ on You (2010)
Okay, I’m outing myself. I fucking love this track. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. My favourite couplet from the song has to be “Baby you’re the whole package / and you pay your taxes!” (See, that’s why I could never date Lester Piggott…) Read the rest of this entry »
Miscellaneous Amusing Items I’ve Come Across #37, 38, 39
The Sarah Jessica Parker headline has to be one of the greatest of all time. Read the rest of this entry »
Play with the ball, Lexus
Jaysus, I almost forgot. Last weekend I visited the set of the new Hardy Bucks series in Swinford. Three thirty-minute episodes will air on RTE this autumn. (Look out for me as the last man standing in the 17-hour pint drinking contest. It’s the role I was born to play.) I’m also writing a feature about it for the Irish Times, to be published in September. Read the rest of this entry »