Somewhat Cool for cats…
By admin | February 18, 2010
First song i’ve gotten 100% and 5 stars on rock-band. 
Haven’t really gotten around to doing a serious update for this in a while, been working a lot.
I promise that I’ll really get back to this.
Back in work on nights tomorrow, Stupid Nights. Grrr
In other, slightly interesting (to me anyway) news, Swedish people don’t have pancakes Tuesday. Yep. I know! who would have thought!
Anyway, Better post in the next few days, Promise!
Also, Finally, after like… 4 months, I present a Picture of my room!
(hope you like the new look site!)
Topics: Personal Interest, Site news | No Comments »
Guest post from Cllr Dr Bill Tormey – Open letter to George Lee
By admin | February 10, 2010
*note*
This post has be added with thanks to Cllr Bill Tormey
Dear Mr Lee,
Unfortunately, I don’t think we have met so I will not reduce this letter to false bonhomie and pseudo-familiarity. So Mr Lee, it is.
In your resignation statement you cite your limited role in the party and “no input to economic policy formation” and your desire to contribute to economic policy as a primary motivation and purpose. I listened to you for a while on “Joe Duffy’s Liveline”, again on RTE 6 o’clock news and again on TV3 with Vincent Browne. My first reaction, on listening to you, was one of surprise, shock and empathy. I began to think that “Jasus, Enda, you screwed up there” (excuse my French). But the longer I listened to you Mr Lee, the more the gargantuan the size of your ego and your all encompassing self-belief and hubris intruded into my consciousness. I then thought, “This guy is a bit of a prat”. What magic wand of economic wisdom do you possess that points us mere mortals in the direction of economic salvation?
Have you won a Nobel prize for economics? Am I missing something here? Or were you just a guy who regularly told us on tv that Fianna Fail screwed up, merely confirming the OECD and later ESRI reports to that effect. Then you described the blindingly obvious to all except Cowan and Co – economic undertakers of Clara.
I am an economic neophyte but not so in medicine. I have watched medical specialities progress from being largely diagnosis only to being transformed by newly discovered treatments across most of the major disciplines. The improved outcomes can be measured and proven. In economics, I always admired the dry analysis of the late Paul Tansey. Paul always wrote about what it is, how we got here and what should be done.
Diagnosis without treatment is nearly useless. I am not aware of a road map set out by you for this state and its economy. Your comments and answers in your interview with Vincent Browne bordered on the anodyne. They reminded me of Momma and Apple Pie. Anyway Mr Lee, Professor Morgan Kelly of UCD has moved into the Paul Tansey spot in my brain. Read him, I have heard nothing from Brian Lenihan that remotely deals with his analysis.
I know that compared with your superstar status, I am merely a hidden carbuncle on the backside of the body politic but I do not like been ridiculed. You might say that you have not done this to me but you have sir, you have!
From the age of 5 years old, I have been interested in politics and current affairs. My first political memory is the Hungarian revolution in 1956 and the feverish discussions at home by my mother and father. I remember reading the descriptions in the Irish Independent back page at the time (the news was on the back page then) – my old man being FG and my mother a rabid dev devotee.
Well Mr Lee, like you I was drawn to politics to try to change society and make things fairer. John Kennedy, Supermac, Harold Wilson, Sean Lemass, John F Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Lindon Johnson, Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, Donogh O’Malley, Pierre Trudeau, Willy Brandt, Helmut Schmidt, Francois Mitterand, Pope John 23rd , Indira Ghandi, Jomo Kenyatta, Michael Okpara, Justin Keating, Brendan Corish, Declan Costello, Garrett Fitzgerald, Ruairi Quinn, Dick Spring, Peter Barry, Fergus Finlay, Pat Magner, Nelson Mandela, Michael Gorbachev, Anthony Wedgewood Benn, Ted Kennedy were all significant influences on me. James Reston, Dick Walsh, Olivia O’Leary and many other journalists also played key roles in my formation. However, I have never been a mere fan, more a critical admirer of each.
I list these influences Mr Lee to let you know that influences are ingrained deeply in people like me over decades. Dogged commitment to a philosophy is important if you truly believe and are not a mere dilettante.
There are things I could not do to people, Mr Lee, because I could not look at myself in the mirror if I did. It took me 19 years from 1985 to 2004 to first get elected to Dublin City Council and I felt really privileged by the people of Finglas for the honour. I had many near misses in elections but I have an internal driving reason for persevering. By comparison, you had it easy electorally. Like you, I believe that I have something to contribute. Unlike you, I do not sulk and throw the rattler out of the pram when I feel slighted or ignored. And Mr Lee, I have been ignored by Fine Gael. In 2003, “A Cure for the Crisis – Irish Health Care in Context” was published by Blackwater Press. It was written entirely by some guy called Bill Tormey and launched appropriately by George Hook. The 50 year festschrift edition of Administration, the academic journal of the Institute of Public Administration in Lansdowne Road, carried an article by Tormey on the “Two speed Public and Private Health Service” here. That Tormey is the same Tormey who is a lowly councillor for Fine Gael on Dublin City Council. That Tormey has only been a consultant in Irish hospitals for 28 years. I also have a few Publications listed at PUBMED at the Library at the National Institutes of Health at Washington DC. But Mr Lee, I was ignored by Dr Liam Twomey, Fine Gael Health Spokesman in the last Dail! The consequences were immediately obvious to me at the press conference on health during the election. Check out the medical card for the under fives and you will see what I mean.
So Mr Lee, recently as you know, Fine Gael set up a group to develop their health policy. Alan Dukes was involved. I was not. The health plan “FairCare” emerged and is based on the Dutch model. The plan is flawed, in my opinion. I will point out this when I am ready and have the time but suffice to say that the Lancet published a critical editorial on the Dutch health system in 2009. Health insurance will not deal with the step-down and nursing home beds issue in the Dublin area unless there is a large investment made. Where will the money come from and who will pay? You can take it, Mr Lee, that I will address that issue and report to Enda Kenny and Dr James Reilly what I find and make suggestions including a prescription for cure. By the way, no health system in the world is without serious flaws. I might see Dr James Reilly as a rival in Fine Gael and I do. But he is doing a far better job than I could in opposition because I would be far more preachy and constructive. Fine Gael also has Dr John Barton, a cardiologist from Ballinasloe, on board. He would, if given the chance, be probably the most innovative health minister the country could have right now. I am not going to claim that I would be better because such an assertion is unprovable and denigratory. I know I have serious limitations.
You must have known that your actions would sound a klaxon of no confidence in Enda Kenny. Now Mr Lee, I am biased by the experience of canvassing with Kenny on the street. He is really good with people and I admire him and like him for that. I am not a sycophant and I recognise that the Bertie debate at the last general election may have dumped on me in votes’ terms but I may be wrong. It may well be that I might just be a lousy candidate.
Ray Kavanagh, ex general secretary of the Labour Party, wrote so. I have told Enda that he should get a few real Dubs as advisers and back-watchers to deflect the knives. Sometimes Enda drives me mad when he lets the stress of interviews get to him. He does drop the ball at times. If you had a problem with isolation, why not phone Enda and talk to him and tell him you wanted to see him? I have his mobile and he always answers me.
However, Mr Lee, from your comments on television, I conclude that you have a problem with Richard Bruton, Leo Varadkar and Limerick O’Donnell because they are key people in the genesis of Fine Gael’s economic policy. I never regarded you as a heavy economic commentator because I never read you in the Irish Times or other broadsheet. I rarely watch TV news. I read newspapers by the tonne. Sad B……d amn’t I?
Fine Gael would be much better with you in the Lindon Johnson position inside the tent. I wish you all the best with RTE and challenge you to publish your prescriptions for Ireland in peer reviewed academic journals.
You could start your renewed career by chairing a tv series on how to save Ireland. Your point about export driven recovery is prescient. We must get services going but selling services at home as well as overseas is crucial.
I would love to get Professor Morgan Kelly as your replacement. If I am ever elected and get ignored, I will shout from the rooftops if necessary.
I write what I think here to a tiny audience of hits. It gets frustration off my chest and sedates me. You had a major audience for your every word on TV. You could have issued press statements and continued as an unofficial analyst for Joe Public and barracked in the Dail and challenged Cowan, Lenihan, O’Dea and the others to debate with you in the open but you chose to quit sitting on your stool like Sonny Liston.
Have a good life but don’t fool yourself!
Bill is not for quitting.
Beir Bua
Bill Tormey
167 Glasnevin Avenue
Dublin 11
Still a Dublin City Councillor for Fine Gael.
Topics: Personal Interest, Political Stuff | No Comments »
Live free or die….
By admin | January 24, 2010
No, I’m not in New Hampshire, But I love the state motto.
“Live free or die”
Anyway, still here in the United States, Currently Sitting on the balcony of our place, overlooking a lake.
Went for a beer with my dad last night. went to a Bar called the Lucky Leprecan. its as much of an irish bar as my left tes thumb is.
The place was covered in republican shite and celtic jearseys. it had 1 ireland jearsey, and a scottish girl behind the counter. very disapointing all together.
Anyway, i’ll Try and keep you posted more soon. I’ve added photos to the facebook page, link in the sidebar.
If you’d like your page added to the blogroll, please just let me know.
Joe
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Life in these United States….
By admin | January 19, 2010
good afternoon! its curently 12:54 here in Orlando, Florida and its about 26 degrese or so. Nice and warm.
We Got in on time from Dublin, Landed in orlando at 5pm, But saddly Had to do immergaration in florida. Now for anyone who’s ever had to do US immergaration, Its not a fun thing to do. Its Long, Boring and you have to listen to a TSA ad on repeat for about an hour.
We got threw, and Got our stuff. I went outside for a smoke, and a Very cute girl from virginna Came over and asked me for a light. I kindly oblighed and we got talking. Now, whats different about the US is that its not that uncommon to see 22-23 year olds married. Anyway, her husband came over and told her that they were ready. she made her excuses, and left.
We are staying in the enclave again. nice and homely. We are overlooking the pool, and the sun comes straight onto the balcony here. Kinda making this a little bit hard to read.
We havent done any of the major touristy stuff yet, Disneyland tomorrow (i will have pictures, i promise!)
I do have a picture of my dinner from the golden correl. its a kinda steak house where you can take what you want. americans love that. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, there are some fat fucks in this country. serriously!
Anyway. i’d be lying if i said i loved you all, so i wont. i love some of you’s…..
Joe
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First Applicant to be my slave/intern
By admin | January 15, 2010
“My first thought was “this is perfect!!”
Followed by “wait a minute…how can Joe afford an employee”
to “stephen, you are retarded”"
With thanks to Stephen Fitzpatrick of Error – Positive Infinity
Topics: Personal Interest | No Comments »
Slave / Intern Required
By admin | January 15, 2010
Hi everyone
I’m offering an position for an intern at Josephdelaney.ie
The person must be able to work Monday to Friday, however hours are very very flexible
An interest in current affairs and technology would be a distinct advantage, Also if they either could make coffee, or could bring me coffee, Either is acceptable.
If they bring biscuits, That would also be great.
Joe
Where It aint about the ideals, it’s about the money stupid!
Topics: Personal Interest | No Comments »
Its Christmas….
By admin | December 25, 2009
Topics: Personal Interest | No Comments »
Beer, Vodka, Beer,Hennessy,beer Long Island Ice-tea and More beer.
By admin | December 13, 2009
Seemingly I’ve survived the 5 day binge. The result of Paul Curran, My sister, Aisling McAvoy, CPL Managed services and Boards.ie
Day 1.Dinner at the Dail restaurant with Dublin South Fine Gael on Tuesday (yes i know I’m not a member, but i was invited!) Great laugh with the FG guys and the like. Mary harney was at the table beside me. who would have thought! had a few pints in the Dail bar after.
Day 2
Paul called over on Wednesday, we watched TV and Had some beers after the budget, the lightest night of drinking all week I’d say.
Day 3
Now this is the interesting night. I was in work Friday morning for training at 9am. so the original plan was to go to bed at ten, to get up and get the 6:30 dart to leixlip (out in mammy’s atm). Ended up having 1 drink with Ciarra and Aisling her friend, which turned into 8 bottles, Shots of Aftershock and more vodka. got home at 4am, and was back up at 6am to go to work
Day 4. The Work party.
One thing my job does, is organise a good party. we took over the basement of break for the boarder in town. myself and Francis “the badger” Melia ended up getting far too drunk on beer, hennessy and vodka. Highlights of the night include Avril Turning up handing us extra drinks vouchers (she gave me 6, i must be her fave), The Cute Swedish girl calling me big daddy, and the kebabs that me and the badger got. You must remember, that this was after 2 hours sleep from Thursday morning
Day 5.
All in all i was in pretty good shape for someone who doesn’t drink that much. Admittedly i stayed in bed most of the day. I had to do a job for someone, then headed out to the boards.ie night out. Fantastic night where Long island iced tea’s are 5euros, and they will do some serious damage to your liver. we were the last people to leave capitol. I think the smartest thing I’ve ever done was stop in some pizza place Just before arriving and getting some pizza to go, cause if i had gone out without anything in my stomach, I wouldn’t be here typing this drinking coffee in my mothers house.
And its been a while since i put up a video, so please enjoy the video Below.
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Anglo-Irish Treaty, 6 December 1921 (88 years ago today)
By admin | December 6, 2009
Anglo-Irish Treaty, 6 December 1921
1. Ireland shall have the same constitutional status in the Community of Nations known as the British Empire as the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa with a Parliament having powers to make laws for the peace order and good government of Ireland and an Executive responsible to that Parliament, and shall be styled and known as the Irish Free State.
2. Subject to the provisions hereinafter set out the position of the Irish Free State in relation to the Imperial Parliament and Government and otherwise shall be that of the Dominion of Canada, and the law, practice and constitutional usage governing the relationship of the Crown or the representative of the Crown and of the Imperial Parliament to the Dominion of Canada shall govern their relationship to the Irish Free State.
3. The representative of the Crown in Ireland shall be appointed in like manner as the Governor-General of Canada and in accordance with the practice observed in the making of such appointments.
4. The oath to be taken by Members of the Parliament of the Irish Free State shall be in the following form:-
I ……. do solemnly swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the Irish Free State as by law established and that I will be faithful to H.M. King George V., his heirs and successors by law, in virtue of the common citizenship of Ireland with Great Britain and her adherence to and membership of the group of nations forming the British Commonwealth of Nations.
5. The Irish Free State shall assume liability for the service of the Public Debt of the United Kingdom as existing as the date hereof and towards the payment of War Pensions as existing at that date in such proportion as may be fair and equitable, having regard to any just claim on the part of Ireland by way of set-off or counter claim, the amount of such sums being determined in default of agreement by the arbitration of one or more independent persons being citizens of the British Empire
6. Until an arrangement has been made between the British and Irish Governments whereby the Irish Free State undertakes her own coastal defence, the defence by sea of Great Britain and Ireland shall be undertaken by His Majesty’s Imperial Forces, but this shall not prevent the construction or maintenance by the Government of the Irish Free State of such vessels as are necessary for the protection of the Revenue or the Fisheries. The foregoing provisions of this article shall be reviewed at a conference of Representatives of the British and Irish governments, to be held at the expiration of five years from the date hereof with a view to the undertaking by Ireland of a share in her own coastal defence
7. The Government of the Irish Free State shall afford to His Majesty’s Imperial Forces
(a) In the time of peace such harbour and other facilities as are indicated in the Annex hereto, or such other facilities as may from time to time be agreed between the British Government and the Government of the Irish Free State; and
(b) In time of war or of strained relations with a Foreign Power such harbour and other facilities as the British Government may require for the purposes of such defence as aforesaid.
8. With a view to securing the observance of the principle of international limitation of armaments, if the Government of the Irish Free State establishes and maintains a military defence force, the establishments thereof shall not exceed in size such proportion of the military establishes maintained in Great Britain as that which the population of Ireland bears to the population of Great Britain.
9. The ports of Great Britain and the Irish Free State shall be freely open to the ships of the other country on payment of the customary port and other dues.
10. The Government of the Irish Free State agrees to pay fair compensation on terms not less favourable than those accorded by the Act of 1920 to judges, officials, members of Police Forces and other Public Servants who are discharged by it or who retire in consequence of the change of government effected in pursuance hereof. Provided that this agreement shall not apply to members of the Auxiliary Police Force or to persons recruited in Great Britain for the Royal Irish Constabulary during the two years next preceding the date hereof. The British Government will assume responsibility for such compensation or pensions as may be payable to any of these excepted persons.
11. Until the expiration of one month from the passing of the Act of Parliament for the ratification of this instrument, the powers of the Parliament and the Government of the Irish Free State shall not be exercisable as respects Northern Ireland, and the provisions of the Government of Ireland Act 1920, shall, so far as they relate to Northern Ireland remain of full force and effect, and no election shall be held for the return of members to serve in the Parliament of the Irish Free State for constituencies in Northern Ireland, unless a resolution is passed by both Houses of the Parliament of Northern Ireland in favour of the holding of such elections before the end of the said month.
12. If before the expiration of the said month, an address is presented to His Majesty by both Houses of the Parliament of Northern Ireland to that effect, the powers of the Parliament and the Government of the Irish Free State shall no longer extend to Northern Ireland, and the provisions of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, (including those relating to the Council of Ireland) shall so far as they relate to Northern Ireland, continue to be of full force and effect, and this instrument shall have effect subject to the necessary modifications. Provided that if such an address is so presented a Commission consisting of three persons, one to be appointed by the Government of the Irish Free State, one to be appointed by the Government of Northern Ireland, and one who shall be Chairman to be appointed by the British Government shall determine in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants, so far as may be compatible with economic and geographic conditions the boundaries between Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland, and for the purposes of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, and of this instrument, the boundary of Northern Ireland shall be such as may be determined by such Commission.
13. For the purpose of the last foregoing article, the powers of the Parliament of Southern Ireland under the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, to elect members of the Council of Ireland shall after the Parliament of the Irish Free State is constituted be exercised by that Parliament.
14. After the expiration of the said month, if no such address as is mentioned in Article 12 hereof is presented, the Parliament and Government of Northern Ireland shall continue to exercise as respects Northern Ireland the powers conferred on them by the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, but the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State shall in Northern Ireland have in relation to matters in respect of which the Parliament of Northern Ireland has not the power to make laws under the Act (including matters which under the said Act are within the jurisdiction of the Council of Ireland) the same powers as in the rest of Ireland, subject to such other provisions as may be agreed in manner hereinafter appearing.
15. At any time after the date hereof the Government of Northern Ireland and the provisional Government of Southern Ireland hereinafter constituted may meet for the purpose of discussing the provisions subject to which the last foregoing Article is to operate in the event of no such address as is therein mentioned being presented and those provisions may include:-
(a) Safeguards with regard to patronage in Northern Ireland.
(b) Safeguards with regard to the collection of revenue in Northern Ireland.
(c) Safeguards with regard to import and export duties affecting the trade or industry of Northern Ireland.
(d) Safeguards for minorities in Northern Ireland.
(e) The settlement of the financial relations between Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.
(f) The establishment and powers of a local militia in Northern Ireland and the relation of the Defence Forces of the Irish Free State and of Northern Ireland respectively, and if at any such meeting provisions are agreed to, the same shall have effect as if they were included amongst the provisions subject to which the powers of the Parliament and the Government of the Irish Free State are to be exercisable in Northern Ireland under Article 14 hereof.
16. Neither the Parliament of the Irish Free State nor the Parliament of Northern Ireland shall make any law so as either directly or indirectly to endow any religion or prohibit or restrict the free exercise thereof or give any preference or impose any disability on account of religious belief or religious status or affect prejudicially the right of any child to attend a school receiving public money without attending the religious instruction at the school or make any discrimination as respects State aid between schools under the management of different religious denominations or divert from any religious denomination or any educational institution any of its property except for public utility purposes and on payment of compensation.
17. By way of provisional arrangement for the administration of Southern Ireland during the interval which must elapse between the date hereof and the constitution of a Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State in accordance therewith, steps shall be taken forthwith for summoning a meeting of members of Parliament elected for constituencies in Southern Ireland since the passing of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, and for constituting a provisional Government, and the British Government shall take the steps necessary to transfer to such provisional Government the powers and machinery requisite for the discharge of its duties, provided that every member of such provisional Government shall have signified in writing his or her acceptance of this instrument. But this arrangement shall not continue in force beyond the expiration of twelve months from the date hereof.
18. This instrument shall be submitted forthwith by His Majesty’s Government for the approval of Parliament and by the Irish signatories to a meeting summoned for the purpose of the members elected to sit in the House of Commons of Southern Ireland and if approved shall be ratified by the necessary legislation.
(Signed)
On behalf of the British Delegation,
On behalf of the Irish Delegation.
D. LLOYD GEORGE
ART Ó GRIOBHTHA
AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN
MICHEÁL Ó COILEAIN
BIRKENHEAD
RIOBÁRD BARTÚN
WINSTON S. CHURCHILL
E. S. Ó DUGAIN
L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS
SEÓRSA GHABHÁIN UÍ DHUBHTHAIGH
HAMAR GREENWOOD
GORDON HEWART
6th December, 1921.
Topics: Personal Interest, Political Stuff | No Comments »
Its Christmas! (well almost)
By admin | November 30, 2009
As Advent is starting, I’d just like to share my fav Christmas song.
Be this played by a brass band, or sung by a 200 Strong choir, I’ve yet to hear a version i didnt like.
Another great Christmas track, which is not so mainstream is Chris Cornells Version of Ave Maria
I remember discovering this randomly, on some christmas album on my ipod back in march (!) but i kept it and listen to it ever so often.
Anyway, for my wishlist, i’d like a nice new bike please. That would be awesome!
Till next time.
Joe
Topics: Personal Interest | No Comments »
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