Plus ça change…

Plus ça change…

by | 2023/10/17 | Current Affairs, International News, National News

Plus ça change…

The more things change the more they stay the same, or as they say in French: "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose!" Although that statement is true in the sense that human nature does not change, it is not true in the way that changes are happening now that have never been seen before. Exceptional crises are underway now and we cannot take the chance of failing to find solutions to them. For example, global warming is taking place, due to atmospheric pollution, and we can no longer ignore that problem. Often, changes, both good and bad, start in one place, and then spread to other places. Global warming started primarily in the United States with the proliferation of cars, and then as other countries became richer, they followed suit.

In the article I wrote last week, I toured back memory lane, remembering a few criticisms that my mother expressed to me on her first trip to California. She was absolutely right about the problems she focused my attention on, and her keen insight has stayed with me ever since. The amazing thing about that is that most of the same problems happened in Ireland later, starting in the reign of the Celtic Tiger and continuing to the present day. I well remember the bar man in "Tynan's Bridge House Bar" - he may have been the owner- telling me when he heard I was living in California, "We only take the good stuff from the United States, son!” I didn't have a sharp answer on the tip of my tongue, but now I have the answer. "Keep dreaming, son!" If I were to meet that guy again, I would have a lot to say to him and I would recommend he read this article! Anyway, here are a few examples of the problems that I first saw in America, but which can be seen in Ireland today.

Housing Crisis

As strange as it may seem, it is true that there are certain problems that become worse when countries become richer. The housing crisis is one of them. When countries become richer, house prices increase. Between 1996 and 2006, prices in Ireland quadrupled! The country was then divided between the rich and the poor, on the basis of home ownership. Buying a new home has not been easy for people and especially first time buyers. Sometimes, they could not afford to buy a house at all, and therefore, they were left homeless and had to sleep on the streets.

Poverty and Immigration

Up until the time of the Celtic Tiger, the Irish used to migrate in waves with every bad economic recession in the country. Not many wanted to come into the country. Things changed completely with the arrival of the Tiger, and the waves began to move in the other direction – into the country, including refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom were destined to spend years in Direct Provision Centres. Many people also landed from other countries in the European Union, looking for work. Those numbers put a lot of pressure on the country's infrastructure, which wasn't very good in the first place. Housing matters became worse, and the Health Service Executive was also under additional pressure.

Health Care

Everyone knows that the Health Services Executive (HSE) has big problems. It is a shame that the hospitals are always overcrowded and have been so for a long time, with no viable solution yet in sight. A few months ago, there were around 85,000 people waiting for inpatient beds and almost 500,000 people waiting for an appointment at the outpatient clinic!

Drug Epidemic

Everyone has seen the headline recently: "Cocaine worth €157 million in 'biggest drug bust in state history'". The drugs came from cartels in South America and organized crime gangs from Ireland and Britain came together to share and distribute the drugs, some of them in Ireland. There is a big cocaine problem in Ireland now - even in the Gaeltacht. This is a headline in a recent tuairisc.ie article: "50-year-old man arrested and €105,000 worth of cocaine found by Gardaí". Those are just a few examples, but without a doubt people have the money to buy the cocaine, and this problem is not only in the cities, but throughout the country.

Violence and Guns

Compared to the United States, there is not a big problem with guns or violence. But it is necessary to keep a close eye on it, because the murder rate doubled last year.

Conclusion

I think certain problems arise in rich countries. There are still those who deny that we are a rich country, but I read in 'Forbes Magazine' recently that Ireland is the richest country per person, in the world! The United States is only in 9th place!!!

Unfortunately, to my knowledge, our government has not done much for a long time to address the above mentioned problems. But big changes are coming in the political sphere and Mary Lou McDonald and Sinn Féin are well-positioned coming into the next general election. If they are elected, they may be able to take a step forward, in terms of those big problems. Failing that, one day guns will be readily available in this country too!

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Trioblóid ar Neamh!

Trouble in Heaven!

by | 2023/10/10 | Current Affairs, International News, Personal

Trouble in Heaven!

A long time ago, when my father had just retired from his job at Kieran’s College, my parents came to visit us here in California, for three weeks. We drove along the coast, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and through many places along the way. Both of them were surprised because what they saw in California did not match their preconceptions. We were all impressed by the beauty and diversity of the landscapes that could be seen throughout the length of the State. My parents were also surprised at how friendly and well-mannered all the people we met were. They don't complain about the Mediterranean climate, either.

While their trip got rid of most of their worries about where we were staying, it also gave them a few new worries, or at least a few questions.

Homeless People

When we were walking in the heart of Los Angeles, we had to walk on the road sometimes, because there were homeless people lying on the sidewalk. We couldn't not see them. When we were safe and sound at home again, drinking a cup of tea, my mother asked me: “Why are there homeless people here? It makes no sense. Ours is not a rich country, but you wouldn't find many homeless people there. What's going on?" "There are no strong social policies in America," was my reply, "unlike in Ireland! And housing prices are also very high in this country, so it's hard to buy a house!” But I had to admit that it was a strange thing!

Poverty and Immigration

Another time, we crossed the international border into Tijuana in Mexico. Mexico was and still is, a very poor country. Rubbish was everywhere, and many half-finished buildings could be seen. There were only a few paved roads to be seen, and it was mostly dirt roads. All you saw on the road was an old jumble of cars and trucks falling apart. There weren't many shops or restaurants in the city, either. My parents were stunned. They thought they themselves grew up in a poor country, but after seeing the poverty of Tijuana, they realized that they were never as poor as people in third world countries. When my mother noticed how easy it was for us to come back across the border to America, when it was very difficult for Mexican citizens to do the same, she asked me another question. “Those poor people are in dire need of help. Why wouldn't the richest country help the people of the neighboring country ?" Her question stuck with me, because there was a complicated subject to discuss - immigration control. I said that I didn't know much about immigration policy in the United States, but that it was a difficult process to enter the country legally, and it was expensive to do it. The American officials were concerned about letting any Mexicans into the country, for fear that they would stay there illegally, and millions of people were already living in America without permission.

Health Care

Another time, when we were talking together at lunch, the topic of health care came up. My parents couldn't believe how expensive it was to go to the doctor, or to the hospital. But when my mother heard that you would be sent home from the hospital as quickly as possible, without any time for you to recover, she was furious. "What kind of medical system is that - it's cruel and too expensive - aren't we lucky enough to live in Ireland!" I made a weak attempt to defend the medical system, saying that you need to have health insurance, and then things weren't too bad. But you need to have a job to qualify for health insurance. “But what about the unemployed? What can they do if they get sick?” My mother’s question disoriented me, and I had no answer.

Drug Epidemic

Bhí eipidéim chócaoin ag réabadh na Stát Aontaithe ag an am sin, agus níorbh fhéidir an teilifís a chur ar siúl gan cloisteáil faoi ar an nuacht. “Cén fáth atá fadhbanna drugaí chomh mór sin ar siúl i Meiriceá, agus gach saghas duine ag mí-úsáid drugaí, ní hamháin daoine bochta éadóchasacha?” Arís, bhí mé sáinnithe ag mo mháthair!

Violence and Guns

Horrific mass shootings used to happen in the United States almost every day (and, unfortunately, still do), and my mother told me that it was much more dangerous in many parts of America than in Northern Ireland itself, where a war was going on at that time. She didn't even have to ask me, in that case, because she knew there was no answer to that insanity!

Maybe she was trying to lure me back to Ireland and she made a strong case, but I had no intention of doing that because, to tell the truth, things were going well for us and it would therefore difficult to return home. But my mother's questions have stayed with me ever since and are more important today than ever. My parents would be disappointed to learn that many of the aforementioned problems have now come to Ireland. I'll have more to say about that next week!

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Tuairisc ó Mheiriceá – ‘Déjà Vu’?

Report from America -‘Déjà Vu’

by | 2023/09/27 | Current Affairs, International News

Report from America -‘Déjà Vu’

The Presidential election will take place in the United States next year. In all likelihood, the same candidates will be chosen as there were last time - Donald Trump and Joe Biden. If such a thing happens, it is difficult to say who would win this time. They are trying to promote themselves shamelessly but at the same time, the two candidates are bitter enemies. You would think that the emphasis would be on the important issues that would have a major impact on the people of the country.

The economy is the biggest issue on the American people's radar regarding the country's future. After that, they worry about the health care system and immigration control. But the media is not focused on those big issues, unfortunately. It would be appropriate for them to pay attention to these questions, analyze them, and develop recommendations based on their research. But they don't seem to care, because they're making a big deal out of other things altogether.

Maybe the media is right about Donald Trump, because everyone knows that it is Donald Trump himself and everything he does that always attracts the public's attention - we saw that even when he was in office as President. It is the things he said or joked about that exploded on the media almost every day. Despite that, he also did things that his fans really liked, no doubt. Lowering taxes has been a Republican objective, and Trump has succeeded in doing so. Trump has also had a major impact on the nation's highest court. He appointed three Supreme Court justices – Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett – the most in nearly 40 years. You would think that the illegal things, the undemocratic things he did could whitewash him. But Trump's image is as strong now as it was before the ongoing lawsuits and even before the 2021 Rebellion. His followers remain very loyal to Trump, and they believe everything he says – including that he has not lost the presidential election in 2020. Trump is a political exception, no doubt!

As for Biden, he has been doing pretty well as President so far, with a few exceptions. He signed three landmark Bills to spend $2 trillion over the next ten years on his Party's (Democrats) key priorities, such as massive infrastructure renewal, clean energy research, environmental protection, semiconductor research and development and STEM investment (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). He started rebuilding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which was very important when Russia invaded Ukraine last year. Biden has repaired most of the damage Trump has done to the United States' international reputation, although much more remains to be done. Biden is also working hard to rebuild public confidence in the United States' democratic system. So, President Biden has done a lot of positive things at home and internationally.

Biden became an object of derision when he messed up the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Undoubtedly, there were great similarities between that operation and what happened in the early seventies in Saigon.

Pattern of slander!

But the emphasis is not on the above-mentioned important things they did or on the things they promise to the American people in the future. Instead, the candidates and the media are focusing public attention on their smear campaigns against each other. Usually, one criticism, whether true or not, can hurt a candidate so much that he or she often loses the race as a result. For example, in 2016, Hilary Clinton was heavily criticized for the private email server she used for government business emails. Or maybe you remember the controversy over Barack Obama's birth certificate in 2012!

This round, the biggest concern of the American public about Joe Biden, including Democrats, is his age! It would be better to emphasize what he has done as president so far, and what he intends to do if he is elected for a second term. His age is a red herring. Although Donald Trump is only three years younger than Joe Biden, there is not much talk about his age at all. By the way, Trump, as the President of America, would be able to do a lot of damage to democracy in America and around the globe, no matter what age he is!

It's time for the American public to focus on the real issues, and ignore the hype being spread in the media. The future of democracy itself depends on that, and they cannot afford to have Donald Trump as president again, regardless of the age of the candidates. Trump would start out as president, perhaps, but he would finish his term as a dictator, no doubt. Americans cannot afford to be complacent now, when such an important decision about their system of government is in their own hands!

Tuairisc ó Mheiriceá – Teorainn Fiachais!

Report from America - Debt Ceiling!

by | 2023/05/31 | Current Affairs, International News, Politics, Opinion

Report from America - Debt Ceiling!

When the United States Congress put a policy in place regarding the national debt limit long ago, they never intended it to be used as a political bone of contention. But that is exactly what happened! And on account of that, there is great uncertainty about the economic situation in the United States and around the world.

The national debt

Every year, the United States government has to borrow to meet its commitments. There are three spending streams in the country's budget:

Compulsory spending: The government is obliged to pay for social security, health care and retirement pensions for people who are entitled to them by law, including people over 65 and military veterans. The government would have to change the laws to reduce this expenditure. These programs are very popular with the majority of the public, so it would be controversial and politically difficult to make such changes. Compulsory spending is the largest part (63%) of the national budget.

Discretionary spending: Each year, the government (the Appropriations Committee) has to review this spending and then approve it. Half of this spending goes to the American military, and the other half to various programs such as: homeland security, education, transportation, research, food safety, science and space programs, disaster relief, environmental protection, public housing, and enforcement of the federal law. Discretionary spending uses around 30% of the national budget.

Supplementary expenditure: This expenditure (7% of the budget) is used to pay interest on the national debt each year. In the year 2023, it will cost 460 billion dollars to service the debt.

Debt Ceiling

Like many countries, the United States has to borrow money, because the federal government spends more money than it receives. Unlike almost every other country, the government limits the amount of money they are allowed to borrow. Because the annual budget deficit is increasing almost every year, congress has to raise the ceiling frequently. You'd think the government wouldn't be able to spend more money (than the ceiling) in the next budget, and that would be that – wouldn't you? Unfortunately, it's not that easy.

A long time ago, the government had to approve the expenditure associated with each bill, one by one. Therefore, the debt limit was first established in 1917 and with a few changes in 1939, so that the limit applied to the budget as a whole. This was done to make the process simpler and that was all very well until 1995 when unintended consequences occurred that no one had thought of before. I will come back to that point but I have to explain one thing first. The debt limit applies to the past year and the money already spent! That is the fundamental mistake with that approach, because this system can be abused, with one party demanding certain changes to the budget in return for raising the ceiling. Without a new ceiling, the government would not be able to pay the interest on the national loan, and the country would be in default and in trouble.

Things were not like that until Republican Chairman Newt Gingrich started using the debt limit as a weapon in 1995. He said that a new ceiling would not be passed until President Clinton made certain changes in the budget. Although Gingrich eventually backed down, he had done the damage and established the precedent.

Flash forward to today, and you will see Gingrich's legacy clearly! Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy is using the debt limit as a bargaining chip to demand a major reduction in the new budget.

Russian Roulette!

The Republican Party is playing Russian Roulette, and that is a dangerous game. Without a new debt limit, a global financial crisis would be created. That is an unacceptable risk, without question. Therefore, it is high time for the United States congress to put in place a new strategy and a new system to balance the budget. Let's hope they do the right thing. Otherwise, that debt limit will cause us to lose sleep!

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Céimeanna móra chun tosaigh – ach…!

Big steps forward – but…!

by | 2023/05/24 | Current Affairs, Language Affairs, International News, National News

Big steps forward – but…!

 

A step forward in the South!

The Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers announced a new era for Irish language courses last year. According to the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, the government had an obligation to ensure that 20% of recruits to public bodies were competent in Irish by 2030. Minister of State Chambers said: "It is great to see that certification of the Irish language courses offered to Civil Servants. This certification now provides a great opportunity for learners and employers alike as we all work towards our common goal of achieving the ambitious targets set out in the Act.”

A step forward in the North!

At the same time in the North, Irish received official legal status at the end of 2022, when King Charles III signed the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill. Unfortunately, Westminster had to pass the bill, because the government in Stormont was not going to do it.

"This is another historic day for the Irish-speaking community that the bill is now an official Act and has been put into law from today onwards," said Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh, spokesperson for 'An Dream Dearg'.

A matter of Hope and Despair at the same time!

Despite the fact that the status of the Irish language is improving in law, other things are happening that go against the objectives of the same laws. Here are a few examples of recent steps back.

A step back in the South

The Minister of Education Norma Foley has announced that there will be a reduction in time, half an hour per week, for the teaching of Irish in English primary schools (most schools in the state) starting in 2025. An hour and three quarters per week will be spent on flexible time , and from Class 3 onwards, an hour on the teaching of modern foreign languages. Despite the facts Minister Foley claims that the new curriculum would "improve the acquisition" of Irish. Education expert Professor Pádraig Ó Duibhir examined all aspects of the story, and in particular the research carried out by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Council (CNCM) - part of the Department of Education itself. The Professor said that it was very clear from that research that there was a strong link between the reduction of teaching hours in Irish and the standard of Irish that the pupils achieve. "It makes me angry," said Professor Ó Duibhir referring to the Minister's statement on the matter. "I feel it is insulting to say that the time has been reduced but the students' abilities will improve. How is that acceptable?”

Minister Foley spent only 15 minutes in a meeting in Leinster House with advisers and representatives from the CNCM, to decide on all the changes planned for the primary school curriculum, both in Irish and mathematics. I have only one word to say about that: unacceptable!

A step back in the North

Widespread cuts to education services are taking place in the North, due to the UK government slashing its annual budget – or so it claims, anyway. Therefore, the Department of Education in the North intends to put an end to:

• Scéim Léargas (Derry). 1,600 children in Derry will lose their opportunity to learn Irish for an hour each week under this scheme.
• Glor na Mona (Belfast). Glór na Móna is a community center with 160 members, which operates through Irish in Uachtar Cluanaí in Belfast. Cultural events are organized services for the Irish community in the area.
• Ionad Uíbh Eachach (Belfast). This is a childcare center with 200 children receiving care through Irish, and it has 15 jobs associated with it.

It is scandalous that these cuts are taking place, with the Irish Language Act now passed. The government should make investments instead of cuts like that.

Conclusion

Just because an act has been passed does not mean it is in force. As Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh said: "Don't be fooled, this new act is just another milestone on that great journey. We have not reached any destination, and the enormous work of implementing the provisions of this Act begins.”

We all have to keep pressure on our political representatives to implement the new laws, both in the North and South of this beautiful island!

Óráid Mitchell!

Mitchell's Speech!

by | 2023/05/03 | Current Affairs, International News, National News, Politics, History

Óráid Mitchelll!

More than 27 years ago, many people began to work hard together for a few years, day after day attempting to find a workable solution to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It seemed like an impossible task, but they continued despite a long list of difficulties. Despite the different views of the participants in the talks, George Mitchell announced on Good Friday, 10 April 1998, that they had reached an agreement. Although it is not a perfect agreement, it is a practical agreement, which is still in place, which is still alive, and which is a world-class example of what you can do when you cooperate with your enemies to stop the violence between you.

Everyone who was involved in those talks took a chance, and some of them were undoubtedly badly affected for a long time. The Agreement was a very positive thing, concluding a bloody chapter in the history of the North. John Hume and David Trimble received a Nobel peace prize for their work later that year. Although George Mitchell was also nominated for a Nobel prize, he did not receive it. If I had to choose the most central person in the Northern peace process, I would choose George Mitchell. Without it, we would not have the Agreement and we are all greatly indebted to him. The Accord was a miracle.

Commemoration of the Agreement

It is also a miracle that former Senator Mitchell (who is 89) was able to attend the anniversary of the agreement which took place recently at Queen's University in Belfast. He was diagnosed with leukemia three years ago and this is his first major event since his diagnosis. It was a big anniversary, and other famous people attended it too, including: former American President Bill Clinton, former American Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. The President of the United States Joe Biden was also in the North for the anniversary, and he gave an inspiring speech there. Almost everyone mentioned above also gave a speech, but Mitchell's speech was my favorite.

Mitchell's speech

At the conference, recognition was given to the parties who showed courage in dealing with enemies. There was also indirect pressure on the DUP to return to Stormont and put Northern Ireland to work. Over the three days the themes were, 'Reflection, Renewal, Reimagining'. Mitchell kicked off the conference and with his rousing speech, and he set the tone for the rest of the commemoration.

"I say now, to the leaders of Northern Ireland now and in the future: There are many differences between you in your history and your politics. But there is also enough to bring you together, to continue what your predecessors started a quarter of a century ago!” said Mitchell.

He continued: “Resolving your differences in democratic and peaceful ways is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it is a sign that shows strength and wisdom. And it clearly reflects the will of the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland."

Recalling the day the parties agreed to the measure, he said: “On that day history opened itself to hope. The people of Northern Ireland rejected political violence as the way to resolve their differences. It is clear that they do not want to return to violence. Not now. Not ever,” he insisted.

"There are those who are never willing to compromise. For them, making any compromise is a sign of weakness. But I tell you that a principled compromise is necessary in divided societies, and that it shows faith in democratic values. Like it or not, we're all in this together. It takes strength, courage and vision to face the truth of the future, rather than clinging to the myths of the past. From the start of the Troubles to 1998, over 3,500 people were killed and 50,000 injured in sectarian violence. In the 25 years since the agreement was reached there have been about 164 deaths related to security,” the Senator said before asking his audience to stand in silence to remember all the victims.

Conclusion

Senator Mitchell and the conference itself had a clear message that the Good Friday Agreement was a historic ceasefire, but it was also made clear how much work needed to be done politically to ensure that there is no return to the dark days. It will be more difficult now without George Mitchell!

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