Seirbhís Chuimhneacháin

Memorial Service

by | 2025/05/07 | Current Affairs, Personal, Opinion, Obituary

Memorial Service

Parents suffer terribly when their child dies. They never recover. My friend, Michael, recently lost his adult child. I hadn’t seen Michael at the gym for a month or two. I didn’t know why, but I thought he was on vacation. Unfortunately, he wasn’t.

Michael’s friend sent me a text last week, with a link to an obituary. At first, I was confused, because I didn’t understand why I was getting that notice. Then I saw that Michael was the father of the young person who died. But that’s just the beginning.

Invitation to the memorial service

Often, there is no big funeral when people die in California. However, a month or two later, a memorial service is held for them. Family and friends attend this celebration of life, and there are usually food and drinks available. I received an invitation to the service via another text, and I replied that my wife and I would be there. On Saturday, we dressed up for the occasion, and drove to the service venue - a golf course. We went there and a sign directed us to the ballroom. There was a table just inside the ballroom door, which had a screen showing photos from Áine's life there, and other mementos on the table as well. She had only been 22 years old when she died.

Micheál, Máire and Pádraicín were with her, and they welcomed everyone as they came in. Áine's parents - Micheál and Máire, have been divorced for a few years, and Padraicín is his current partner. A staff member then directed us to our seats. There was a leaflet on each seat for us, with a photo of a man (Liam) on the front page and a photo of a woman (Áine) on the back page, and a program on the center pages.

Áine was a male-to-female transgender person. She had gender reassignment surgery a few years ago when she was 20 years old. She grew up as a boy named Liam.

There were many people mentioned on the programme: Micheál at the beginning, Áine’s sister, Áine’s friends, her uncle and aunt, Padraicín and Máire at the end.

Celebration of Áine/Liam’s life

Micheál thanked us all for being there. It gave him and his family support and comfort, he said. He had fond memories of Áine and the relationship between them, and Micheál broke down crying from time to time during his speech, because it was very difficult for him to be up on stage, talking about his child like that. He said that it was difficult for him, his ex-partner, and his partner to accept it when Liam (at the time) told him what he was thinking. But they accepted him, and gave him their full support. When Liam had changed to Áine, Micheál admitted that he had never seen his child so happy before. She did not live at home at the time, but she went there often, because the university she attended was not too far from home. Micheál then said that things are not easy in America right now, but especially if you are transgender or an immigrant. The government targets all kinds of attacks on vulnerable people like that, he said. I was in tears and so was everyone listening to him, because this is an incredibly tragic story.

Áine’s sister, Emma, then came up on stage. She told us funny stories, because Liam was definitely a character, as they grew up together. There was devilment in his jokes. When someone was on the side of the road fixing a hole in their wheel, Liam rolled down his window and shouted at the poor guy, saying they weren’t allowed to park there. Emma said that Liam was also very smart, and that it was easy for him to learn science and maths. He enrolled in an engineering course at university without any problems, as he got great results in the entrance exams.

Everyone else praised Liam/Áine highly, both family and friends, and they had lots of stories to tell. At the end, Liam/Áine’s mother came up, and she also told a story or two. Then, she recited a poem by Robert Burns. The heartfelt speeches touched us all emotionally. Everyone was exhausted by the end.

Food and drinks were available afterwards. Most of the people at our table - all of us Michael’s friends from the gym - were leaving. So, we went home too, because we didn’t know anyone else, except for Micheál, and he was already very busy.

Conclusion

The suicide attempt rate among transgender people worldwide is between 32% and 50%. The main risk factors influencing suicidal behavior among transgender people are gender-based victimization, discrimination, bullying, violence, rejection by family, friends and the community; harassment by a personal partner, family members, the police, the community and the government, and discrimination and abuse in the health care system.

We will never know all the factors that formed a major influence on Áine, but the cultural and political environment were likely a few of them. In any case, it is a great sadness to her family, her friends and all of us, that Áine lost her life by suicide in the prime of her life, – eternal peace to her soul.

Ó Ceanada!

O Canada!

by | 2025/04/30 | Current Affairs, International News, Politics

O Canada!

O Canada!

O Canada!
Land of the just warriors
A crown on your head, with leaf of red and gold
From coast to coast, with sweet song
Your renown we are praising
Under the protection of your shield
Is bright freedom
Our enemies will not pull us apart
O Canada!
The hope of our hearts
Happiness, peace and the grace of God for our land,
Happiness, peace and the grace of God for our land.

Canadian Election 2025

Canada has reacted strongly to the hostile stance taken by Donald Trump and his administration. The reaction was clearly reflected in the dramatic results of their federal election on April 28, 2025. Just three and a half months ago, the Liberals were 25 percentage points behind the Conservatives in popular opinion polls. After nearly 10 years in power and under the increasingly unpopular leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, it seemed the Conservatives were ready to deal them a fatal blow.

Then Donald Trump returned to the White House and very quickly, everything changed.

Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, citing concerns about immigration and drug trafficking. These measures threatened key sectors, including steel, aluminum, and the auto industry, and posed the risk of a recession, with projections of a 2.5% decline in gross domestic product (GDP) and job losses for about 150,000 workers by early 2026.

To add insult to injury, Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada would be better off as America’s 51st state.

Last week (as I write this) he said: “if it weren’t for us (the United States) there would be no Canada, indeed (it wouldn’t exist) as a country.”

Suddenly, Canadians realized that the strong, long-standing relationship between them and the Americans had been broken. It was hard to believe, as the Canadians had long been friendly neighbors, who had gone out of their way to help the Americans. They went to war with them, gave them sanctuary when necessary (in the Iran hostage crisis of 1980, for example), and they have cooperated frequently and with little disagreement between them – until now. Trump began threatening them without any basis when he was elected president.

“Up until then, the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, were on track to win the largest majority in government in Canadian history, but it all fell apart in three, four months,” said Kory Teneycke, a leading Conservative strategist.

Carney’s campaign emphasized economic stability and resistance to US interference, which resonated strongly with voters who were concerned about Canadian leadership. Conversely, public support for Poilievre, whose rhetoric matched Trump’s, and who did not address Trump’s threats to Canada, waned. In addition, a large share of supporters of other parties shifted their support to the Liberals – mainly the New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois.

Trump meddles in Canadian affairs

Trump made things worse on election day, when he posted on social media, on Truthsocial.com, suggesting that Canadians might vote for Trump himself, which is not allowed, as he is not on the ballot. Here is what he wrote:

“Good luck to the Great people of Canada. Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, to increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the world, have your car, steel, aluminum, lumber, energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE IN SIZE, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st. State of the United States of America. No more artificial lines from many years ago. Look how beautiful this great land would be. Free access with NO BORDER. ALL POSITIVES AND NO NEGATIVES. IT WAS MEANT TO BE! America can no longer subsidize Canada with the Hundreds of Billions of dollars a year that we have been spending in the past. It makes no sense, unless Canada is a State!”

Trump received this response from Pierre Poilievre: “President Trump, stay out of our election. Only Canadians will decide the future of Canada at the ballot box. Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will never be the 51st state. Today, Canadians can vote for change so that we can strengthen our country, stand on our own two feet and stand up to America from a position of strength.”

Tar éis do Mark Carney an bhuachan a bhaint amach mar phríomh-aire, d’athdhearbhaigh sé a sheasamh maidir leis na Stáit Aontaithe, nuair a dúirt sé: “Mar atá á rá agam anois le míonna anuas, tá fonn ag na Stáit Aontaithe ár dtalamh, ár n-acmhainní, ár n-uisce agus ár dtír a ghabháil,” a dúirt Carney lena lucht tacaíochta. “Ní maíomh na mogail folamh é seo. Tá an tUachtarán Trump ag iarraidh sinn a bhriseadh ionas gur féidir le Meiriceá seilbh a ghlacadh orainn. Ní tharlóidh sé sin choíche… choíche.”

Conclusion

There is no excuse for Trump’s outrageous behavior. He should not threaten Canada, and he should not interfere in its election either. The 2025 Canadian election demonstrates the profound influence of international politics on domestic affairs. Canadian voters were angered by Trump’s tariffs and hawkish rhetoric, and they stood shoulder to shoulder against Trump’s threats and strongly for Canada. That is why they put Mark Carney and the Liberals in power – they understood that the Liberals would stand up for them. Mark Carney and his new government will face significant challenges as they chart a new course for the country – a more independent course and a more formal and cooler relationship with the United States. Other countries may well learn from what happened in Canada. The world will never be the same again, and we all need to understand that, and our governments need to act accordingly. 

 

Ag freastal ar rang filíochta!

Attending a Poetry Class

by | 2025/04/23 | Personal

Attending a Poetry Class

The writer’s life can be a lonely one—especially when you’re buried in your keyboard. It’s important to make an effort now and then to break out and connect with others. It’s become clearer in recent years just how essential social connection is for our well-being. A vibrant social life often means less stress, better health, and even a longer life. We were all cut off from society during the COVID-19 pandemic—we had no choice. That level of isolation was never healthy, and it took a long time after the pandemic to relearn how to mix with people again. I’m still seeking out opportunities to talk and connect with others.

So when I read about a poetry class happening in my area, my interest was piqued. Here’s the blurb I saw:

"Writing can sometimes feel like a solitary effort, but a reading and critique group can offer support and feedback, boost your confidence, and open new insights into your work. The class begins with a close reading of poems by contemporary poets to spark fresh ideas. Then we’ll share pieces of our own efforts and offer comments to each writer."

Even though I was quite nervous about it, I signed up. I had already written a poem that I planned to share in the class.

I was a little late to the first class, as parking had been hard to find. The other writers and Anna, the instructor, were already seated around a table. I pulled out a chair and sat down.

Then we all introduced ourselves. I noticed that, except for Anna, we were all around the same age. She was at least ten years younger. Most of the group already knew each other from previous classes with Anna. It didn’t take long for me to realize she was an excellent teacher and facilitator—warm, friendly, and genuinely good at conversation.

To start, she handed out a few contemporary poems. One of us read one aloud, and another read the next. Then she asked us questions about each poem such as:
“What did you think of the poem?”
“What is the poet saying, in your view?”
“What aspects did you like best, and why?”

We had a lively discussion about the poems, and I found it fascinating to hear everyone’s views, including Anna’s. I had to gather my own thoughts and share them with the group as well. I hadn’t read these poems before, and I discovered a new appreciation for contemporary poetry. I learned about poets I hadn’t encountered before—like Derek Sheffield, Sharon Olds, and Mike Saye. Their work had a clarity and emotional depth that impressed me. They conveyed so much in so few words. That’s the magic of poetry—something deeply inspiring.

As the saying goes, a good start is half the battle—and it was true in this case. In the second part of the class, the focus turned to us students. One by one, we read our own poems aloud and listened to the group’s feedback. Before the class, I had assumed I’d be mortified to read my poem aloud to strangers—let alone listen to them critique my precious work.

But it wasn’t like that at all. Anna was excellent at guiding the discussion, keeping everything constructive. She praised what we’d written while also gently pointing out weaknesses and problems—without making anyone feel bad. She modeled how to critique positively, and we followed suit. Anna fostered a safe, open atmosphere, and we were able to be honest with each other.

I read my poem aloud and got some incredibly helpful feedback. I revised the piece based on the input, and I’m very happy with the result. No doubt about it, I’m getting huge value from this class, and I’m glad I overcame my reluctance to join. If you ever get the chance to go out, meet people, do something together, and share—don’t hesitate. Don’t overthink it. Just go!

In that same spirit of openness, I’ll finish by sharing the poem I wrote and revised. I hope you enjoy it!

I Write

Tapping away on his old Olivetti,
Dad's keystrokes were the heartbeat of our childhood,
with silences and Tippex smells
syncopating the background music
of our mundane life rituals.

Mum fed the short breaks in her long day
with library-fueled visions
of a kinder, grander world.

From this fertile, dream-fed soil
sprouted a pen in my eager young hands.
I wrote and wrote and wrote until
form followed function
and parchment revealed
the writer inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Litir ó Mheiriceá – An troid in aghaidh na holagarcachta!

Letter from America - the fight against oligarchy!

by | 2025/04/17 | Current Affairs, International News, Opinion

Litir ó Mheiriceá – An troid in aghaidh na holagarcachta!

“"When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak out. You have to say something; you have to do something."

-John Lewis (1940-2020) - American civil rights activist.

This is not the time to be silent here in America, with democracy in mortal danger. It is time for us to stand up publicly, to defend democracy against the imminent threat of oligarchy. The worst thing we can do is to be silent, to say nothing about what is happening before our eyes. Most Republicans are happy to sit back in government and do nothing, while President Trump and his colleagues permanently damage the federal government, and violate the constitution more blatantly every day. The Democratic Party or the Independents are not doing enough either – with a few notable exceptions. Independent Senator (Vermont) Bernie Sanders and Democratic Representative (New York) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) are currently on a major political tour of the United States, titled ‘Fight Autocracy’. They were not expecting the turnout they are getting across the country. A week ago, I attended another local protest in my hometown of San Diego County, and I was thrilled to be there, along with others who are not content to sit back and do nothing about the corruption going on in Washington, DC. When I heard that Bernie Sanders and AOC were coming to Los Angeles, it was an easy decision to attend this special event!

Fight Autocracy

On April 12th, my wife and I took the train to downtown Los Angeles (Union Station) early in the morning. After a short walk to Gloria Molina Park, we entered through security gates. We didn’t need to be there so early, as local politicians and guest speakers from various unions were on stage throughout the morning. We went out to find food after a while, as there were long lines waiting for the catering trucks and portable toilets. We were very lucky, as we found a food court near the park, and had a nice lunch before returning.

The main events really began at one o’clock in the evening, when Joan Baez took the stage. She opened with the country song “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around,” and the crowd cheered wildly as she sang new lyrics saying “I won’t let no white supremacists turn me around” and “I won’t let those ugly billionaires turn me around.” She followed with “There But For Fortune,” as well as a stirring cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

Baez expressed her disdain for the Trump administration last month when she appeared on John Mulaney’s “Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney” and said, “Our democracy is on fire!”

Singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers then took the stage, singing “Different Kind of World,” “Light On” and “Alaska.” Baez returned to the stage and sang “America the Beautiful” together.

Neil Young got his turn before AOC and Sanders, coming out with his electric guitar and mouth organ, singing “Take America back” to the crowd while playing power chords on his guitar. Young performed “Rainbow of Colors,” “Take America back,” again, and at the end of his set sang “Rockin’ in the Free World” with Baez.

AOC and Bernie

Then it was time for AOC to take the stage. She didn’t mince her words, calling it a scary time. “We’re seeing neighbors, students, and friends losing their jobs; they’re being harassed and even kidnapped by the government.” She also said that power, greed, and corruption are taking over the country like never before.

When Bernie Sanders took the stage, we were all excited. He told us that there were 36,000 of us in attendance, which Trump and Musk wouldn’t want to see. “This is an era where the Republican party has become a cult, giving in to Trump’s every whim,” Sanders told us, adding that the Trump administration is now “planning how they can give $1.1 trillion in tax breaks to the wealthy.” He also said that these are very dangerous times, and that our response will have a significant impact, not just on us, but on future generations. He said a few other things that really struck me. “I’m no longer saying we’re moving towards oligarchy, I’m saying we’re now living in an oligarchic society.” He also said “In our democracy, we need to stop billionaires being able to buy elections!”

Conclusion

Those are just a few examples of what AOC and Bernie Sanders had to say, but I tried to convey the essence of their speeches. I can’t explain the emotions to you, either. But we were up and down, laughing and crying, and emotions ran through all of us present. But overall, it was an inspiring experience for all of us who attended this rally. We are not alone, and we are not powerless. But we all need to stand up every time we see the government doing something wrong, and oppose it in every legal way we can. In particular, when we have the opportunity to vote in the midterm elections next year, it is our critical duty to use that power to throw Trump's cronies out of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and to put new representatives and senators in power – people who will fight for us, not for the oligarchs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is maith an aire an fhógairt…! (2)

Forewarned is Forearmed...! (2)

by | 2025/04/08 | Short stories, Opinion

Forewarned is Forearmed...! (2)

Fraud?

I drove home in my newly purchased car. My wife and I were very happy with it. But I had a nagging suspicion, and I didn’t sleep well that night. In the morning, after my breakfast, I examined the sales contract. The details were on the back of a page so that they were not easy to find. There was a line that caught my attention: Security system: $750. What the hell? I refused to buy that system from the start. There was another page – a sales contract for the security system – and my own signature at the bottom of the page. Ámharach didn’t say anything about the system again after I initially rejected it. But unbeknownst to me, he put his sales contract on the screen and lured my signature from me. He was probably telling me a story at that time, to distract me from the same form. Legally, I was sunk, and I was properly ‘screwed’. I was embarrassed to be tricked like that. I was also angry and not ready to let this pass me by without a fight.   

My Response

I called Perry, explaining that I had not agreed to buy the security system, but among all the forms, there was one in which the system was sold to me without my knowledge. It was a mistake, I said. Oddly enough, Perry had no argument about it.

“No problem! Lucky will contact you, to disable the system and give you your money back.”

I went back to Toyota the next day to meet Lucky. I saw him walking between two buildings, and I called over to him.

“I have a client right now, but come back to me in half an hour,” was the answer I received.

Half an hour later we were back in his office. He showed me the contract.

“You signed here for the security system!” he said, looking very worked up.

“You’re right, but I didn’t realize it. I turned down the system when you offered it to me at a discount.”

“I didn’t do that, I didn’t say anything about it!” said Lucky defensively, interrupting me.

“The system was already included with the car,” said Lucky, and he waved a few forms in the air. “Haven’t you seen this form?” he said, pointing his finger at one form.

“I’ve never seen that form!” I said.

“It’s a good thing I haven’t cashed your check yet!” said Lucky, attempting to change the subject of conversation. “We have to sign a new contract now!”

We went through the same ritual again, and this time there was no mention of a security system on any of the forms he pulled up on the screen! That done, I wrote a new check without the cost of the security system. I was pretty happy with myself, but there was a little voice in my head telling me that what happened to me shouldn’t have happened. I thought about it later, and here are my conclusions and suggestions. I hope they help you the next time you need to buy a car!

Conclusions

In my opinion, this is not the first time Perry and Lucky have pulled this trick – it wasn’t their first rodeo! They were used to this trick to steal money from their customers. That’s the bottom line!

Perry and Lucky used a few techniques in this trick:

  1. Put your customers at ease. It will then be easier to catch them unawares. The best way to do this is to tell them personal stories most of the time. You can make up sob stories to create a stronger bond. Because that’s the behavior of a trusted friend, and they are likely to feel sorry for you.
  2. Distract your customers from their work. Make sure you are talking at times when you don’t want them to pay attention to something specific. For example, Perry was talking the entire time when I was trying to test drive the car. Also, it was not easy to interrupt him to ask him a question while he was telling me a personal story. I am sure that Ámharach was also telling me a story when he put the form regarding the security system on the screen.
  3. Have a plan B as a team in case the customer sees the sales contract for the security system. It is clear that Perry and Ámharach were working hand in hand. When I asked Perry how that ‘mistake’ happened, he said that the security system must have been a default option in the contract, and that he did not include it in the contract. But Ámharach said that the security system was included in the contract he was given.

That’s plan B – back off and tell the customers involved that this was an internal misunderstanding. Don’t admit you did anything wrong. Put the customers on their guard through this process, and chances are they won’t complain, because didn’t they sign the contract confirming they bought the security system in the first place? Then, give them their money back immediately. You don’t want the same complaints to reach the management of the dealership, in case the fraud comes to light.

Recommendations

When a sales representative or financial representative is too friendly and talkative with you – beware! In my case, neither of them was too friendly or talkative the second time around! This shows that they weren’t genuine the first time but were working for their own benefit.

Read every page of the contract before you sign it, even if the financial representative is blabbering! If you don’t do this, you may end up unknowingly buying an option you don’t need, just like I did. Look carefully at the numbers too, and make sure there are no extra costs.

Examine the contract carefully one more time when you get home. If you see a ‘mistake’, go back and explain it to the sales rep. Chances are they have a plan B too and will fix the ‘mistake’ for you in no time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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