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The Saker
A bird's eye view of the vineyard

offsite link Alternative Copy of thesaker.is site is available Thu May 25, 2023 14:38 | Ice-Saker-V6bKu3nz
Alternative site: https://thesaker.si/saker-a... Site was created using the downloads provided Regards Herb

offsite link The Saker blog is now frozen Tue Feb 28, 2023 23:55 | The Saker
Dear friends As I have previously announced, we are now “freezing” the blog.? We are also making archives of the blog available for free download in various formats (see below).?

offsite link What do you make of the Russia and China Partnership? Tue Feb 28, 2023 16:26 | The Saker
by Mr. Allen for the Saker blog Over the last few years, we hear leaders from both Russia and China pronouncing that they have formed a relationship where there are

offsite link Moveable Feast Cafe 2023/02/27 ? Open Thread Mon Feb 27, 2023 19:00 | cafe-uploader
2023/02/27 19:00:02Welcome to the ‘Moveable Feast Cafe’. The ‘Moveable Feast’ is an open thread where readers can post wide ranging observations, articles, rants, off topic and have animate discussions of

offsite link The stage is set for Hybrid World War III Mon Feb 27, 2023 15:50 | The Saker
Pepe Escobar for the Saker blog A powerful feeling rhythms your skin and drums up your soul as you?re immersed in a long walk under persistent snow flurries, pinpointed by

The Saker >>

Public Inquiry
Interested in maladministration. Estd. 2005

offsite link RTEs Sarah McInerney ? Fianna Fail?supporter? Anthony

offsite link Joe Duffy is dishonest and untrustworthy Anthony

offsite link Robert Watt complaint: Time for decision by SIPO Anthony

offsite link RTE in breach of its own editorial principles Anthony

offsite link Waiting for SIPO Anthony

Public Inquiry >>

Human Rights in Ireland
Promoting Human Rights in Ireland

Human Rights in Ireland >>

Lockdown Skeptics

The Daily Sceptic

offsite link Covid Vaccine Critic Doctor Barred From Medicine Sat Jan 11, 2025 09:00 | Dr Copernicus
Dr. Daniel Armstrong has had his name erased from the U.K. Medical Register and been barred from practice for making a video in which he argued that the Covid vaccines are unsafe, untested and cause harm.
The post Covid Vaccine Critic Doctor Barred From Medicine appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Miliband Picked the Wrong Week to Boast That Wind Power is Britain?s ?Biggest Source of Electricity? Sat Jan 11, 2025 07:00 | Ben Pile
Ed Miliband picked a bad week to trumpet wind power becoming Britain's "biggest source of electricity", says Ben Pile, as a cold snap sent costs spiralling and brought gas-starved Britain to the brink of deadly blackouts.
The post Miliband Picked the Wrong Week to Boast That Wind Power is Britain’s “Biggest Source of Electricity” appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link News Round-Up Sat Jan 11, 2025 02:10 | Toby Young
A summary of the most interesting stories in the past 24 hours that challenge the prevailing orthodoxy about the ?climate emergency?, public health ?crises? and the supposed moral defects of Western civilisation.
The post News Round-Up appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Is Facebook Really Committed to Free Speech? Fri Jan 10, 2025 18:25 | Rebekah Barnett
Depending on which echo chamber you get your news from, this week Mark Zuckerberg took steps to either save democracy or to end it. But how far is he really going in his new commitment to free speech, asks Rebekah Barnett.
The post Is Facebook Really Committed to Free Speech? appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Reform Candidate ?Sacked? by Housing Association for Reposting ?Racist? Daily Telegraph Cartoon Fri Jan 10, 2025 15:10 | Will Jones
A housing officer was sacked for being a Reform UK candidate and reposting a Daily Telegraph cartoon after being told Reform?s policies on immigration and Net Zero were "in direct conflict" with his employer's "values".
The post Reform Candidate “Sacked” by Housing Association for Reposting “Racist” Daily Telegraph Cartoon appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

Lockdown Skeptics >>

dublin / arts and media / opinion/analysis Thursday February 23, 2006 20:44 by An Feirsteach   text 1 comment (last - friday february 24, 2006 19:40)
The first ever Battle of the Bands ‘as Gaeilge’ or Cath na mBannaí as it was entitled, was held on Wednesday night, 22 February @ St. Finbar’s GAA Club in Cabra. Heavy Metal Band Pariah from Coláiste Eoin in Stillorgan were up against rival Indie Band, EBO from Coláiste Mhuire in Cabra. After a hard fought battle it was EBO who came out the other side, the triumphant victors. However, in true sportsmanship they applauded their rivals, Pariah and wished them well in the future.

The event which was organised by the Irish language youth organisation Feachtas, in conjunction with Na Gaeil Óga, who organised the protest outside Fine Gael Headquarters against Enda Kenny’s statement on the Irish language in the education system.

The first prize for the winning band included a trophy and an opportunity to play at CRAICFEST in the POD , on the 28th February. The event is organised by Na Gaeil Óga and USI.

CRAICFEST will consist of a Kick-Ass County Colours Céilí (county & club GAA jerseys recommended), the winners of Cath na mBannaí and the legendary, Belfast based Irish-language Reggae band, Bréag, followed by a funky DJ set.

Seán Ó hAdhmaill, Development Officer for Feachtas said that “We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the performances and the avid interest shown by local young people, to the mainly Irish Bands. On the phenomenal success of Wednesday’s event we plan to organise another bigger and, if possible, better Battle of the Bands before the end of the school year, with more bands and young people involved. We are planning on making this an annual event that will give young Irish musicians an opportunity and a platform to show off their talent”.

“I’d like to thank the Feachtas clubs in Coláiste Mhuire and Coláiste Eoin, the staff in both schools, Na Gaeil Óga, St. Finbar’s GAA Club for making this event possible.”

Feachtas, Óg-Ghluaiseacht na Gaeilge is a voluntary youth organisation, and is funded by the Youth Affairs Section of the Dept. of Education. Feachtas organises a wide range of recreational activities for young people through the medium of Irish throughout the year, including debates, table quizzes, trips, and arts and drama workshops through a national network of youth clubs and after-school groups.

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rebels1916.jpg
dublin / history and heritage / opinion/analysis Thursday February 23, 2006 15:46 by Andrew   image 1 image
The area in and around the Liberties and Portobello was the site of several rebel outposts during the 1916 insurrection and saw some of the fiercest fighting. The main rebel force under Ceannt was based in the South Dublin Union (now roughly St James Hospital) but there were also outposts in the Mendicity Institute (Ushers quay), Jamesons distillary (Marrowbone lane), Watkins brewery (Ardee st) and Jacobs biscuit factory. read full story / add a comment
international / sci-tech / opinion/analysis Thursday February 23, 2006 05:00 by Seán Ryan   text 4 comments (last - tuesday march 28, 2006 10:37)
The story continues.....

A look at probability and how logic can be created by it. At a more subtle level, this chapter begins to illustrate and tie together many of the sub-themes that have appeared so far. read full story / add a comment
national / environment / opinion/analysis Wednesday February 22, 2006 21:08 by Kathy Sinnott   text 5 comments (last - saturday february 25, 2006 07:42)
My father is a calm man, a good thing in a Dad. In the very few arguments I have had with him in my life, he only got upset once. The disagreement was about health and disease. Advancing health and curing disease had been his life's work. He had gratefully watched the dminishing of the old contagious diseases and here I was telling him they were being replaced by chronic disorders and new contagious diseases. But my Dad is an honest and inquiring man and he accepted my challenge. One evening he and my mother systematically reviewed our family medical history. read full story / add a comment
international / rights, freedoms and repression / opinion/analysis Tuesday February 21, 2006 22:01 by Gerbil 001
Don’t feel ashamed if you’ve never heard of the ‘Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill’ currently traversing the Commons. A newspaper database search reveals only 46 mentions of the Bill’s title for the past twelve months – several of which were in such popular journals as Cabinet Maker and Building Design. None of these 46 mentions, incidentally, is earlier than January of this year. The Bill was formerly known as the ‘Bill for Better Regulation’, the title under which it was announced in the Queen’s Speech of May 2005 (there are four additional mentions under this title). It is only in the last few weeks that the bill has had even scant attention in the press. This is something of a shame since, arguably, the Bill is the first step to abolishing the last remnants of parliamentary democracy in Great Britain. read full story / add a comment
dublin / arts and media / opinion/analysis Tuesday February 21, 2006 17:49 by J
Being a resident of the Liberties, getting accepted into the National College of Art and Design was a wonderful thing. Not only is it one of the top colleges of Ireland but it is a ten minute journey from my house each morning. NCAD has been one of the main landmarks of the Liberties since it moved there in 1980. However, if the plans of the college director go ahead it will be moving to the cultural wasteland of UCD's Belfield campus. The move to UCD is opposed by staff and students alike in both of the colleges. read full story / add a comment
national / anti-war / imperialism / opinion/analysis Tuesday February 21, 2006 16:32 by michael   text 1 comment (last - thursday february 23, 2006 12:56)
"Commentators might quite correctly point to the hypocrisy of a state proclaiming neutrality, and yet engaging in activities which do not appear to be on all fours with such proclamation." -- Ms. Justice Macken ('Dubsky v. Ireland' Conclusions) read full story / add a comment
What-are-you-afraid-of?
national / rights, freedoms and repression / opinion/analysis Tuesday February 21, 2006 16:29 by Tom Jones   image 1 image
Get the heat like they do in Nigeria. read full story / add a comment
national / rights, freedoms and repression / opinion/analysis Tuesday February 21, 2006 13:33 by Brendan Kelly   text 2 comments (last - tuesday february 21, 2006 21:10)
Difficulty with a legal injunction

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international / rights, freedoms and repression / opinion/analysis Tuesday February 21, 2006 10:13 by M.M. Mc Carron
Nigeria and the Niger Delta- the Oil Delta. read full story / add a comment
international / rights, freedoms and repression / opinion/analysis Monday February 20, 2006 18:59 by Consistency   text 20 comments (last - saturday september 30, 2006 17:51)
I HATE David Irving. He disgusts me. I feel physically sick when I encounter holocaust deniers but I do not want to crush their freedom of expression.
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international / sci-tech / opinion/analysis Monday February 20, 2006 03:51 by Seán Ryan
A look at the recent work of SETI. The creationism debate is rekindled by scientists enlisting the clergy in the US to keep God out of classrooms. A new version of creationism is discussed with regard to education and commercial media. The incompleteness of evolution is examined. The interesting theory of Panspermia is shown to be a likely addition to the theory of evolution. read full story / add a comment
international / anti-capitalism / opinion/analysis Sunday February 19, 2006 22:37 by hs
An interesting thesis by Alan Woods on the future of class struggle on a world basis.
Alan Woods was a leading member of the British militant tendency who split with the grouping over it's decision to break with the labour party and form the English and Welsh Socialist Party and Scottish Militant Labour, forerunner to the Scottish Socialist Party. He believes socialists should remain inside the labour party as it is the only vehicle to create change, even with the emptying out of the party under Blair. Although most activists would have little time for Blair's new Labour Wood's thesis is well researched and makes very interesting reading. Although personally I would fundamentally disagree with much of Woods ideas, especially those on the modern social democratic parties his thesis is an excellent basis for a debate on europe, china the usa and more. I think most would agree that the entering of China into the capitalist world market should have a few suprises along the way. And his comments on the Italian situation also makes interesting reading. hs read full story / add a comment
national / worker & community struggles and protests / opinion/analysis Sunday February 19, 2006 16:41 by Sean Crudden   text 1 comment (last - sunday february 19, 2006 17:58)
What is the Sunday Independent cribbing about in connection with recent appointment by Bertie Ahern of Mary Wallace as a Minister of State? read full story / add a comment
It happened in Charlies own constituency.
dublin / crime and justice / opinion/analysis Saturday February 18, 2006 22:23 by Katie mcDermott   text 2 comments (last - sunday march 12, 2006 13:19)   image 1 image
The 25th anniversary of the Stardust conflagration was chosen to open a new pub on the site of what was perhaps Irelands most horrific tragedy in recent times.

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For all they laugh, they are wrong. It is possible to see, during the past 25 years in at least this country, a movement towards a new settlement in politics. This movement has continued regardless of who has occupied which office, and regardless of what party has won which election. It is clear that the ruling class - or that loose coalition of politicians, bureaucrats, lawyers, educators, and media and business people who derive wealth and power and status from an enlarged and active state - wants an end of liberal democracy. The desired new settlement is one in which those at the top or with the right connections can enjoy the most fabulous wealth and status, and in which their enjoyment of these can never again be challenged from below. We, the ordinary people, are to be stripped of our constitutional rights - no freedom of speech, no personal or financial privacy, no procedural safeguards in the criminal law. We are to be taxed and regulated to what counts in our own culture as the edge of the breadline. This is on the one hand to provide incomes for clients of the ruling class, and on the other to deprive us of the leisure that might allow us to understand our situation, and of the confidence that might allow us to challenge it. In any event, every organ of the ruling class is at work on promoting ideologies of boundless submission to the new settlement. read full story / add a comment
international / anti-war / imperialism / opinion/analysis Friday February 17, 2006 06:44 by anon   text 2 comments (last - wednesday march 15, 2006 01:08)
The DVD containing the material includes a June 6, 2004, CID investigation report written by Special Agent James E. Seigmund. That report includes the following summary of the material included: "A review of all the computer media submitted to this office revealed a total of 1,325 images of suspected detainee abuse, 93 video files of suspected detainee abuse, 660 images of adult pornography, 546 images of suspected dead Iraqi detainees, 29 images of soldiers in simulated sexual acts, 20 images of a soldier with a Swastika drawn between his eyes, 37 images of Military Working dogs being used in abuse of detainees and 125 images of questionable acts." read full story / add a comment
international / anti-war / imperialism / opinion/analysis Thursday February 16, 2006 14:19 by MichaelY   text 12 comments (last - saturday february 25, 2006 18:06)
Brace yourself for a big new war. And start workig now to prevent it. read full story / add a comment
national / public consultation / irish social forum / opinion/analysis Wednesday February 15, 2006 23:27 by Liam Mullen   text 2 comments (last - saturday february 18, 2006 15:45)
Perhaps, yes!

However, if Ireland is to establish a press council we should look elsewhere to see what lessons could be learned from such an endeavour. The British press introduced this form of self-regulation in 1953, but Commissions set up to examine the effectiveness of the council were critical.
In their book Power without Responsibility, Curran and Seaton, argue that the council should “embody and promote a professional culture among journalists.” This would be the ideal, but the reality has proved somewhat different. The press council has been criticised by a number of Commissions, which threatened “government legislation,” and brought much needed “reforms”. In 1977, the Commission imposed sweeping changes, which led to further reforms from 1989 to 1990. A new “code of conduct for journalists” was proposed, but the Calcutt Committee recommended that the press council be disbanded and replaced with a more effective body.
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international / rights, freedoms and repression / opinion/analysis Wednesday February 15, 2006 21:32 by Liam Mullen   text 1 comment (last - thursday february 16, 2006 11:26)
When Ireland introduced the Freedom of Information Act in 1998, it was envisaged that a period of greater transparency would ensue.
Revelations of corruption arising from the Beef Tribunal, and the subsequent Flood, McCracken and Moriarty tribunals, helped push Freedom of Information on to a political agenda that seemed to promise more openness, but which has failed to materialise.
Today it is widely recognised that Ireland has some of the more draconian rules on releasing documents into the public domain, and that Freedom of Information is tied up in mindless bureaucracy and red-tape. Information sought may in some cases cost the recipient up to 400 Euros.
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