The Stickiest Situation Since Sticky the Stick Insect Got Stuck on Sticky Bun

This bitch is called Condoleezza Rice...



...and this is Sean Garland, back in the '60s when he was almost good looking...


...anyway, as one of her last acts as Secretary of State, Ms. Rice signed an extradition warrant against Sean. It seems that Mr. Garland was trying to bring down the US economy by distributing forged $100 bills that come out of North Korea.

Only thing is there is no hard evidence against Sean. Sean is 75 years old and suffers from diabetes and cancer. Sean is ex-president of the Worker's Party of Ireland. He is a true patriot who served several jail sentences for (official) IRA activities when it was neither profitable or popular. He has also been shot and seriously injured twice in the course of his eventful life.

This situation makes my blood boil. It brings out the inner sticky in me. Ms. Rice is a vindictive bitch and only signed the warrant to make life awkward for president Obama in his dealings with both Ireland and North Korea.

There is an on-line petition to the Irish government calling for the withdrawal of the extradition warrant that can be signed here.

Your support would be much appreciated.

(Thanks to Rowan Atkinson and the Black Adder crew for inspiration for the headline).

Ted Kennedy - An email from President Obama

Rory -- Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy. For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education's promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me. In the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy. I personally valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom. His fight gave us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today -- to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family. Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still. Sincerely, President Barack Obama

Is this the mysterious Amillennialist?

Is this mysterious Amillennialist? Mr. Hugh Fitzgerald of Chino Hills, Califorinia.



Yes, he who posted such loving, Christian, tolerant comments on my post, Show and Tell #2 Home town. He who threatened to set the FBI on my ass? (Well that WAS funny).

I think so. Hmm, he sure looks mean enough. Then again, he looks old, I expected him to be about 12 years old to be honest.

Futility by Wilfred Owen

Move him into the sun -
Gently its touch awoke him once,
At home, whispering of fields unsown.
Always it woke him, even in France,
Until this morning and this snow.
If anything might rouse him now
The kind old sun will know.

Think how it wakes the seeds, -
Woke, once, the clays of a cold star.
Are limbs, so dear-achieved, are sides,
Full-nerved -still warm -too hard to stir?
Was it for this the clay grew tall?
- O what made fatuous sunbeams toil
To break earth's sleep at all?

This is my favorite anti-war poem. Wilfred Owen was killed in action on 4 November 1918, a week before the signing of the Armistice. Futile is the word.

Gratuitous Photograph of Yogi

We'll say it's to celebrate his upcoming second birthday. (I am already planning the festivities, expect a bumper special edition post).

The Clash - Complete Control and Safe European Home

To end my 1970's music trip, the greatest rock band that ever existed, sorry if it's a bit rough and the language is not so proper, but it is punk rock after all.

Show and Tell #3 - A Wexford Pikeman

This is the Pikeman in the Bullring in Wexford Town, it commemorates the 1798 rebellion. For the story of this rebellion, listen to the last post!

Luke Kelly - Kelly The Boy From Killane

Old Graycrow Stuff

Old Graycrow stuff for the curious.

What is happening to the great Liberal Democracy that was the USA?

The New Colossus by Emma Lazerus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless,tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Thanks Moonlitewine for the inspiration!

Show and Tell #2 - Home Town

These are some pictures of my town, Wexford taken on this sunny August afternoon. Click on any image to enlarge it.



Above is the town from across the harbour. As you can see there are a lot of churches. The two tall ones that kind of book mark the town center are the twin catholic churches, in Rowe Street and Bride Street. They were built in the 1850's in a neo -gothic style. The large dark block in the center is the new Wexford Opera House, completed last year. I live very near this, which is pretty much the middle of the town, which is nice, I can walk everywhere, so I don't own a car.

The other three photos were taken from the balcony of the cafe high up in the Opera House, it gives a nice view of the town and the surrounding countryside.

Above, looking southeast from the opera house, out to sea.


Looking northeast from the opera house, the elegant spire is that of St. Iberius (Church of Ireland). It is the oldest church being used in Wexford and the only one situated on the main street. On the horizon you can see the estuary of the Slaney River which flows to the sea at Wexford.
Looking north from the opera house, my neighborhood. You can see the east gable of Rowe Street church. On the horizon you can see the Blackstairs mountains on the border of County Wexford and County Carlow.

I am not a mad churchgoer to be honest but they are interesting buildings and serve as good landmarks.

So that's our town, I like it.

Dog Days Full Moon 2

In Irish legend King Sweeney was so enraged by the sound of Saint Ronan's bell that he threw it into a river. Ronan took his revenge on Sweeney by cursing him and driving him mad, Sweeney went to live in a tree like a bird.

Yogi hates bells and today on the dog day full moon the neighborhood church campanologists are putting on a show, driving poor Yogi mad.




That weird moaning sound at the end of the video is Yogi.

To conclude:
1. Yogi is a pagan.
2. He better not touch them bells, because he can't climb trees.
3. Even saints can overreact sometimes.

Dog Days Full Moon

My dog is acting the gonk for the last 24 hours, I wondered why, then I saw the moon.



The entire blog-o-sphere has been acting the gonk recently too...I think whitey is getting to feel oppressed, some day in the non-existent future that white cop who bravely stood up to that arrogant college professor is going to be feted by the NAAWP (The National Association for the Advancement of White People) much the same way as that woman who sat in the front of the bus is celebrated by the NAACP.

Personally all I can think is that we are DOOMED, DOOMED!!!