Author Archives: Bodger

This afternoon.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil published a joint document (above) to facilitate negotiations with other parties to form a coalition.

The document can be read in full here

Thanks Kevin Deegan

EARLIER:

Fianna Fáil leader Mícheál Martin and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar during the final TV leaders’ debate of Election 2020 in February; from a joint framework document containing 10 key ‘missions’ published by FF and FG for potential coalition

This afternoon.

Jennifer Bray, in The Irish Times, reports:

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have published a joint framework document for potential coalition which contains 10 key “missions” and says the “overriding focus” of the two parties is to improve the “wellbeing” of Irish people and society.

The 10 pillars are: Reigniting and Renewing the Economy; Universal Healthcare; Housing for All; A New Social Contract; A New Green Deal; A Better Quality of Life for All; Supporting Young Ireland; Opportunities through Education and Research; A Shared Island; At the Heart of Europe: Global Citizenship.

“To assess the performance of a new government, we must look beyond economic indicators,” it says. “We will create new, credible, quality-of-life measures of individual and societal wellbeing and progress.”

More as they get it.

FF and FG publish joint framework for potential coalition (Jennifer Bray, The Irish Times)

Covid-19 crisis tops agenda in FG-FF policy document on new govt (RTÉ)

Pic: Gavan Reilly

UPDATE:

This evening.

We’re uber alles all in this together.

FIGHT!

This Afternoon.

Lansing, Michigan, USA.

The protest was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition, who says Gov. Whitmer’s strategy for keeping Michigan residents safe is costing those same residents money in the process.

Meshawn Maddock, a spokesperson for the group, says there has been no action from Gov. Whitmer to promote both physical and economic health while the stay-at-home order is in effect.

“There is no reason why she can’t be looking at some safe ways to be opening up businesses. Instead of talking about what’s essential and nonessential, let’s talk about what’s safe and not safe,” Maddock said. “Safe businesses and safe workers need to get back to work.”

“Operation Gridlock” protest underway at State Capitol (WILX10)

Old Ireland in Colour writes:

By the end of 2001, her likeness was being used as the watermark on €4.3 billion worth of Irish banknotes

Here is Lady Hazel Martyn Lavery (1880-1935) dressed as Flora in Botticelli’s painting, The Spring. November 18, 1925….

On the money, in fairness.

Money.

Suit yourselves.

Top pic: US Library of Congress

Meanwhile…

‘Sup?

This afternoon.

At Diageo Ireland, St James’s Gate, The Liberties, Dublin 8.

Mark Kinsella tweetz:

Hi Diageo Ireland. I think you may have a robber in your kegging yard! Be warned, he’s very foxy!

Previously: A Single Fox Was Given

Stepping Out

 

This afternoon.

Finglas, Dublin 11.

Residents enjoying an outdoor disco while maintaining social distancing mainly from a sedentary position.

No slow sets!

Leah Farrell /RollingNews

Meanwhile…

January 14, 2020

 

January 16, 2020

 

US President Donald Trump at yesterday’s White House Covid-19 press briefing

Last night.

According to Mr Trump, WHO prevented transparency over the outbreak and the United States – the UN body’s biggest funder which provided $400 million last year – will now “discuss what to do with all that money that goes to the WHO.”

He said that the WHO had not sent experts into China quickly enough when the outbreak first emerged and took the assurances from that country’s leaders “at face value”.

Mr Trump said had the WHO “done its job” by getting experts into China swiftly then “the outbreak could have been contained at its sources with very little death”. The US president suggested thousands of lives could have been saved by such action.

Coronavirus live news: Trump suspends WHO funding as Denmark begins to reopen schools (The Guardian)

Getty

Meanwhile…

Meanwhile…

Bill Gates’ Instagram.

Come for the cuddly sweater, stay for the blistering comments.

This afternoon.

Assistant Professor and Ad Astra Fellow at the School of Politics and International Relations in University College Dublin Stefan Müller tweetz:

“Yesterday, Aidan Regan noted that the compass of Irish politics has moved to the centre-left.

“I merged the Irish National Election Studies between 2002 and 2020 (The Comparative Study of Electoral Systems) with the UCD Politics and Ireland Thinks online poll. Indeed, drastic changes over the past 18 years.”

Anyone?

Aidan Regan