Ireland

(A message initiating discussion with fellow Green Party activist Dr Rupert Read:)

What do you think should/will happen after the Irish ‘no’ vote?

After the French and Dutch ‘no’ on the constitutional treaty, I thought they (the political élite) should drop ex-Part III (the neoliberal part) and demote the corresponding parts of the treaties into the acquis (which we can then work on/fight against with non-constitutional means, say in the European Parliament).

I suppose the corresponding thing now is to demote what would have become the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union into the acquis, and pass the Treaty on European Union (ex-Parts I and IV) plus the Charter of Fundamental Rights (ex-Part II).

I know that Daniel Cohn-Bendit wants a European Union-wide referendum: he said so at a speech in Oxford.

a batch of haiku
catalogues our journey – here
with some photographs

Irish health warning:
perspective limits paper
(necessarily)

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Northern Ireland: BBC Radio 4 Sunday Worship (2007-05-20): Celebrating Northern Ireland power-sharing: “From Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, Belfast, where Presbyterians and Catholics from the Clonard–Fitzroy Fellowship mark the return of a devolved power-sharing government to Northern Ireland. Led by the Very Rev Dr Kenneth Newell.” I met the Very Revd Newell on my trip to Northern Ireland in 2003.

Russia and abroad: The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia is formally reunited with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Yesterday there was a discussion on a motion on Darfur at the Transitional Assembly in Belfast. There was a remarkable and encouraging consensus on this issue in the chamber.

Here are the Commons (Westminster Hall) debate and the Dáil debate on a similar topic late last November, and the debate in the European Parliament last September.

Wow! The Pitstop Ploughshares were acquitted!

Back in 2003, these Irish activists damaged a US military plane. (P&C post #2 was about them. I’ve been told the AP has a story about this, but the only other reportage I find online is from Counterpunch.)

Pie and Coffee proudly presents: “The Real Saint Patrick” by The Duffy Brothers.

Download the movie (12.4MB, .mpg)

* SEE! Saint Patrick stickfighting with a leprechaun!

* HEAR! Saint Patrick talk about his life!

* FEEL! The history of Ireland in the popular .mpg format!

Share via blip.tv.
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Some say the only good things to come out of Ireland are James Joyce and Lucky Charms. Add to that reports of the Pitstop Ploughshares trial in Dublin. This trial combines antiwar activism, Irish constitutional law (should a neutral country help the US wage war?), and, from today’s reports, lots of arguments over what evidience is even admissible. Featuring reportage from both Irishmen and Americans.

Update: The trial ended in a mistrial. Now it’s up to the State to decide if they will be tried again.

1.
God,
our sustainer,
healer,
and comforter,
thank you for giving us
the gift of life
and the gift of time.

Thank you for giving us winter,
when we are most aware of our individuality;
when we remember how we are responsible for ourselves
and how we should take care of one another.

Thank you for giving us winter,
when we crave for the warm places
and the company of close friends;
when we remember friends afar
and want to get in touch with them again.

Help our immune systems in this season —
help us to care for ourselves and for one another,
so we may be strong to do your work.

Lord, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
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After the thanksgiving and intercession, we will close with the prayer of Jesus, the modern version, on the back of Rejoice and Sing. Now let us pray.

1.
Lord,
our sustainer,
healer,
and comforter,
thank you for this beautiful autumn,
for the maple trees and apple trees.
Lord, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
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