Monthly Archives: April 2011

 

On today’s RTE R1 Mooney show, Brenda Donohue reported from the first public same-sex civil partnership ceremony between Barry Dignam and Hugh Walsh. The reaction from listeners was on the whole positive with a few exceptions…

Mooney: “Well it seems not everyone is happy with what we’re broadcasting today. This one says, from Ian: ‘I’ve always enjoyed listening to your programme but, Derek, now you are pandering to political correctness and glorifying homosexualists’ – whatever they are, anyway. ‘Thousands of people like me are disgusted having this pushed down our throat. Let them do their thing in private but don’t be their lobbyist and publicist and forcing this horror on us.’

“Oh my God the world is going to end, Ian. Ian, I don’t know, really don’t know what to say to you. All I can say to you is, do you remember the Afternoon Show – if I’m not mistaken it was back in 2007 – had a competition, the wedding of the year, where couples would write in and say why they wanted to get married live on television – the entire ceremony – and they’d win all sorts of prizes. We’re not even covering the thing live. In fact we weren’t even allowed, and can I just say we wanted to, but we weren’t allowed.

“I don’t see a problem. This is a moment in Irish history, a moment in my opinion, to be welcomed. You’re entitled to your opinion but there is no illegality here. I think, you know, there are times when we have to move on and accept life as it has changed, and life has changed in this country, thank God, and will continue to change. But thank you for your message, nonetheless, and I read it out for you.

“Another one says, ‘Dear Mr Mooney, I’m appalled and disgusted to hear this ungodly and immoral event being given airtime on national radio. I won’t be listening to your show any time in the future,’ says Michael Flood in County Dublin. Thank you very much indeed for that, Michael.”

(Photocall Ireland)

 


POLICING of the Corrib gas dispute has amounted to over € 14 million to date.
This huge sum is set to rise sharply over the coming months with expected protests increasing as Shell builds the longest raw gas pipeline tunnel in western Europe.  The subsea tunnel, which is through a Special Area of Conservation,  will take over two years to build and will involve around 472 truck movements a day, along the narrow, winding roads in this rural area.
A number of complaints about aspects of policing have been made to the Garda Ombudsman.

A report by the Frontline human rights defenders’ organisation last year expressed concern about some aspects of policing the Corrib gas dispute by both the Garda and the private security firm employed by the developers.

The report, by barrister Brian Barrington, recommended that gardaí who had been involved for long periods on the dispute should be deployed to other duties, such as community policing.
It also suggested that the Garda Siochána should appoint a trained lawyer with relevant experience in human rights issues  to review police policies and practices.

Garda In CorribGate Scandal (Mayo News)

(Photo:IndyMedia)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ4_TZQTj3Y&feature=player_embedded#at=106

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY84MRnxVzo

The original Wikipedia synopsis of Baby Got Back by Sir Mixalot – long since removed ‘by Wikinazis’, but still alive and well in screen-grab and transcript form for teh lols.

The song opens with two young females discussing the physical appearance of a third female, in particular her buttocks, which they find unfathomably large.

In the opening verse, Sir Mix-a-Lot professes his affinity for large buttocks and his inability to disguise this fact from others. He goes on to describe other desirable physical attributes, such as a trim waistline, tight-fitting garments, and unblemished skin. Though the song does not contain a distinct narrative, the author does visit recurring themes, such as female body image as depicted in media, male attitudes toward dating and relationships, and the author’s own sexual prowess.

In later verses he expresses his exasperation with the entertainment industry’s portrayal of the ideal female form. He soundly rejects the notion promulgated by fashion magazines that diminutive buttocks are more desirable. His critique of the women who appeared in contemporary music videos is particularly scathing, likening their appearance to those of prostitutes. To further illustrate his point, he stipulates that the purported ideal proportions of 36-24-36 (measuring the bust, waist, and hip circumferences respectively) would only be pleasing on women with a standing height no greater than 63 inches.

Mix-a-Lot also briefly touches upon the roles that ethnicity, nutrition, and physical fitness play in determining the shape and size of the female buttocks. He recommends that any exercises performed should be limited to the abdominal area. He cautions against a fitness routine strenuous enough to diminish the heft of the gluteal muscles. Though he offers no broad dietary guidelines, Mix-a-Lot contends that the dish “red beans and rice” is an important food staple for maintaining healthy buttocks.

Various lyrics address the fact that some men find no intrinsic value in large buttocks and consequently express a lack of interest. Mix-a-Lot makes clear that he would eagerly strike up relations with any woman overlooked or discarded by such men. The remainder of the vignette is fleshed out by the author’s attempts to entice women into enjoying a ride in his luxury automobile.

reddit

Carlsberg is ditching its signature ‘Probably’ claim in a major revamp of the brand’s advertising.

Global marketing will now carry the strapline ‘That calls for a Carlsberg’, positioning the beer as a reward for drinkers who “step up and do the right thing”.

Advertising for the Danish beer has looked to position Carlsberg as ‘Probably the best lager in the world’ since the 1970s, with countless adverts offering variations on the ‘Probably the best…’ theme.

Carlsberg Ditches ‘Probably’ Claim In Global Revamp (The Grocer)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAisoe5sU8

Youtuber Wendy Cobb sez;

This really happened to a friend of my cousin’s as the person drove to work on Hwy 74 near Shelby, North Carolina. The person happened to be using the camera phone because the truck and trailer in the video were sort of racing, not letting either pass, and the person thought the 2 vehicles might have an accident.

Apparently, the driver wasn’t hurt, merely scared shitless.

via

MOST SURVIVORS of rape have a positive experience of the Garda but it is critical that they feel confident they will be treated with dignity and respect at every stage of their journey.

That is according to the support group Rape Crisis Network Ireland which said research showed the attitudes of gardaí can have a strong influence on whether the survivor stays within the legal framework.

The network said survivors of sexual violence attending rape crisis centres are choosing to report these crimes to gardaí in increasing numbers.

The network cited latest research concluded in 2009 which it said showed 38.4 per cent of survivors of adult sexual crimes attending rape crisis centres did report the crimes to the Garda.

The network noted the figure has been increasing and was at just 19.2 per cent in 2006.

Garda Attitude To Rape Crucial (Irish Times)

Previously: Corrib Garda: “Give Me Your Name And Address Or I’ll Rape You.”

 

“This week sees the first civil partnerships between same sex couples becoming official under legislation passed last year. That provides gay couples with with nearly all necessary legal provisions. many of us know people who are benefiting from this or may well in the future. To borrow a cliche, this would be a good time to declare victory and go home.

“Instead the demand now is for gay marriage on top of this, which the programme for Government commits to exploring. This is not only unnecessary, but verges on selfishness.”

A wealth of research demonstrates that the marriage of a man and a woman provides children with the best life outcomes , that children raised in marriagees that stay together do best across a whole range of measures. That is certainly not to cast aspersions on other families but it does underscore the importance of marriage as an institution.”

Richard Waghorne. Irish Daily Mail (full article here)