Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - delboy

#1
Quote from: Oraisteach on February 04, 2011, 08:00:15 PM
Evil Genius, I ask this in earnest.  As things stand today, in your opinion, what percent of the descendents of Planter stock would label themselves as Irish?  And what percent would opt for the term Ulster-Scots or British?  I certainly consider them Irish but wonder if they themselves do.  In my young day—I know I sound antediluvian—I hazard a guess that the vast majority of them would have been unabashedly British, but I sense a movement away from that characterization.  Maybe I'm wrong. 

On a separate note, I watched the show, found it enjoyable for the most part, but was a little unsettled by a couple of things.  First, the segment about O'Neill and Carrickfergus Castle intimated that the Plantation occurred at the behest of the native population, a sort of latter-day Dermot McMurrough/Strongbow, implying that the natives willingly surrendered their lands, rather than a land grab.  Second, Senator Webb lauded the Scots Presbyterians for their spirit of independence, and their belief in freedom of worship, equality and democratic principles.  How I wonder, did they justify/rationalize casting off those latter two principles in ignoring the election of 1918 in Ireland and subsequently denying those two qualities to the minority population of Northern Ireland.  I write this not to be incendiary but to reflect on Sen. Webb's description of the Ulster-Scots ethos.

Im a prod and i certainly consider myself an irishman, much to the chagrin of a few of the bigots on here i might add.
I watched the show, thought it was very simplistic and sweeping to be honest, i suppose a two hour documentary covering such a lot of ground was always going to suffer from this though.
I have to say i had a different take on the carrick castle story, simplistic yes, but the 'natives asking for it' no, just a person with power/wealth doing whatever it takes to hang onto some semblance of it, its been repeated through history ad infinitium.
#2
General discussion / Re: Red or Dead?
January 19, 2011, 10:43:46 PM
Quote from: lawnseed on January 19, 2011, 10:05:43 PM
be careful some modern diesels with computer fuel management systems have sensors that detect poor quality or incorrect fuel then they set of an alarm and they go to "limp home mode" this will scare the bejesus out of you. your car will not rev out and may not do any more than 30mph bells will ring and in one case i heard of the fukn car kept shouting "you have filled incorrect fuel take me to the nearest dealer" the car continued this until the guy took the car to the dealer even though he drained the red out. 110stg to have the alarm reset on computer and warranty questions

With respect that doesn't ring true, the dyes don't affect the quality of the fuel one ioata, its not poor quality and it doesn't damage the engine, what does screw the car up is 'laundered' fuel which uses acid to remove the colour so it can be sold on as bona fide fuel, fine for making criminals money, not so good for your engine though.
#3
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
~Winston Churchill


I suppose its easier to believe that sort of thing when you are born in to the ruling class as churchill was.
#4
Quote from: Tyrones own on January 15, 2011, 12:27:18 AM
QuoteWell for one let me introduce you to the internet, its a handy little tool (im sure its going to catch on) that allows for the easy and rapid dissemention of information by real people experiencing real situations who can broadcast that news without going through the prism of a potentially biased journalist,
You mean like myself and my experiences ???  Or is it only you that gets the unbiased stuff online?
And what are the sites/blogs that you frequent..so that I too could become as smart if not as condescending as you are ::)
Quotebe aware of 'fundamentlists' who are there to push one perspective regardless of the facts, but they are reasonably easy to spot as they target the same people over and over
Like those relentlessly attacking Palin on this thread you mean?
QuoteBTW i still don't get it even on the third time,
I know sure I told you ye wouldn't ahead of time cause that's what suits ;D

To be fair you have to take the rough with the smooth even biased opinions on both sides of any arguement are worth listening to, they are unlikely to be representative of the truth but it can give you a better understanding of the degree of animosity and misinformation that exists between the rival positions, you then look for more temperate unbiased middle ground voices in my experience.

Smart doesn't come into it, being well informed and keeping an open mind does, the rest usually falls into place itself. Do you really want a list of blogs/internet sites etc name an issue you are particulary interested and i'll certainly try to supply you with some apt sites covering a range of diverse opinions if i can, i suspect thought that you don't really want to engage at that level.

You'll have to take your issues with palin up with others i haven't mentioned her once in my comments on this thread, you on the other hand seem to be fixated by her though. I will say though that trying to paint some of the contributers to this thread as left wing fundamentalists on the basis of a few comments about palin is pretty weak to be honest, you really think people on a gaa board forum are fundamentalist about american politics, i think you've lost the run of yourself to be honest.
#5
Quote from: Tyrones own on January 14, 2011, 09:28:27 PM
QuoteI'll say something for you you're 100 % right about me not reading newspapers, i don't garner my opinions from them, after all they are essentially the propoganda playthings of the super-rich you might think they are the font of all information but i can assure you there is other means of finding out about the world around you and forming opinions, you should try it some time you might find it an enrichening experience to think for yourself once in a while.
What would they be...I'd be very curious to know? and what part of the fact that I experience business destructive regulation and the erosion of freedoms here in Liberal California on a weekly basis, and so don't need to base opinions on what I hear or read was too much for you to comprehend?

QuoteDon't quite get you on the 'rolling out of the fox news' thing, have you got deja vu or something i don't recall ever having had a conversation about fox news before, or are you alluding to the fact that others may have in the past made references to fox news as an example of whats wrong basically wrong with the right wing media. If more than me has already made this point then it should tell you something should it not?
Speaks volumes actually...  ::)

QuoteYou also seem to be labouring under the impression that i know something about what you do for a living what with the wittering about the belly of the beast, should i  ??? are you a celeb or something or just another deluded soul that things his postings on a forum are in some way remarkable or memorable  to other members
See above again..maybe you'll get it the third time around..though I doubt it!

Well for one let me introduce you to the internet, its a handy little tool (im sure its going to catch on) that allows for the easy and rapid dissemention of information by real people experiencing real situations who can broadcast that news without going through the prism of a potentially biased journalist, you can then take that information on board and the opinions of others who may have conflicting opinions and with your own brain form an opinion on the matter. Of course you have to attempt to sift the chaff from the wheat of course and be aware of 'fundamentlists' who are there to push one perspective regardless of the facts, but they are reasonably easy to spot as they target the same people over and over, they use rhetoric and all almost entirely negative.  Using your own mind to form an opinion is a novel idea and not something that some people would recommend i know but honestly try it you may just find you grow to like it.

There are of course other means of obtaining the information the medium isn't the fundamental part really, what is critical though is listening to a range of opinions, try not to fall into the trap of just looking for opinions that concur with your own, if you follow these guidelines hopefully you won't have to depend on the editoral staff of a newspaper to form you opinions for you. 

BTW i still don't get it even on the third time, let me in on the big news im behind the times obviously are you a anchor man for one of the big networks or something, surely your sole qualifaction can not merely be that you happen to live in what you perceive to the liberal hell hole that is california  ::) , it can't just be that so in the meantime you can assume im thick for not knowing anything about you and i'll assume you have a massively inflated sense of your own importance and your posts on this forum.
#6
General discussion / Re: Are you leaving?
January 14, 2011, 09:58:20 PM
Quote from: ONeill on January 14, 2011, 09:26:27 PM
I suppose there are two ways to look on it.

You could live a very fulfilling life in your own parish. Immersed in what interests you, your family, culture etc.

Or you could take the chance to explore the planet before you croak it.


Thats a good point its horses for courses, someone else mentioned the marco polo gene earlier you either seem to have it or you don't, family, friends, shared cultural experience thats what makes me happy, others see that as stifling and parochial and wish to see more of the world and experience new cultures.

Im happy to do the two weeks hols somewhere, see the local sights, eat the local grub, drink the local beer and come home satisfied, unlike others i have no desire to attempt to immerse myself into new cultures im happy with the one i have to be honest.

I suppose we should do what makes us happy, as a homebird i know that if i was to go away i would be lying on my deathbed and regretting seeing less of my family, if however i had itchy feet and didn't go away i might be lying on my death bed and regretting not having seen the world. I guess we need both from a historical and anthropolgical viewpoint those that are happy to stay and those that go off to colonise new shores, if we all were homebirds like me we would never would have made it as far as ireland in the first place  :)

#7
Quote from: Tyrones own on January 14, 2011, 08:35:17 PM
QuoteYou're easily amused if a couple of typos has you rolling in the aisles  ??? Have another moment of hilarity on me 'liberity' hope that didn't cause you to soil yourself or anything  ::)
No not to worry...it didn't, The smilies were actually in relation to your innocence in thinking that just because the likes of Obama and his ilk fall
under the banner of Liberals that they actually in earnest have the true definition of Liberty and freedom at heart  ::)... do you actually read a newspaper at all
with the regulation and total destruction of individual freedoms in this country?
QuoteWhat is laughable is the demonisation of the word 'liberal' by the right wing to the point that its used by the to describe the exact opposite of its original meaning.
See above and yes that's why I was laughing at you! 
QuoteFortunately the rest of the civilised english speaking world still use it in its proper manner rather than the assbackwards fox news version.
:D Ah the auld rolling out of Fox news again as usual when caught light on substance... I live, work and try to do business in the belly of the beast remember and unlike some of ye, don't need to rely on cable network news for my opinion  ::)

Well i suppose it takes all sorts when it comes to a sense of humour (what ever rocks your boat) but i think you need to brush up on your smiley placement if your intention was to express hilarity at my 'naivety' rather than the typos then you failed dismally.

I'll say something for you you're 100 % right about me not reading newspapers, i don't garner my opinions from them, after all they are essentially the propoganda playthings of the super-rich you might think they are the font of all information but i can assure you there is other means of finding out about the world around you and forming opinions, you should try it some time you might find it an enrichening experience to think for yourself once in a while.

Don't quite get you on the 'rolling out of the fox news' thing, have you got deja vu or something i don't recall ever having had a conversation about fox news before, or are you alluding to the fact that others may have in the past made references to fox news as an example of whats wrong basically wrong with the right wing media. If more than me has already made this point then it should tell you something should it not?

You also seem to be labouring under the impression that i know something about what you do for a living what with the wittering about the belly of the beast, should i  ??? are you a celeb or something or just another deluded soul that things his postings on a forum are in some way remarkable or memorable  to other members :-\
#8
General discussion / Re: Are you leaving?
January 14, 2011, 08:24:10 PM
Quote from: The Iceman on January 14, 2011, 07:57:41 PM
Friends and family is definitely what I miss most delboy. It certainly isn't the same over here, at least where I am. That feeling of disconnectedness is always lurking. When you marry someone from outside your home county in Ireland, though, it's either you or them. For us the option was a no-brainer.
We definitely would not have the quality of life in Ireland that we enjoy here and as a person I am better off for moving away and seeing a bit of the world.

I think based on your example the working class family would be happier, but then isn't everyone who doesn't know any different?

Having lived over here and having all the opportunities, to go back to Ireland would make us happy on many levels and miserable on many more.

If I could I would have all the important people in my life over here with me. Unfortunately that can't happen. I'd say the way things are going we should be in good shape to move back at some point but I know it would only be on a part time basis and mostly so that Granny and Granda get to enjoy the kids. 3-4 months a year at home would suit me alright.

Sounds like you are in a very similar position to a couple of my mates that live in the states, they married local girls, have good jobs, and a good lifestyle, they miss friends and family, the sense of humour and the sense of community in ireland but at the same time they are happy where they are in their lives.

My little example about the working class and middle class family model was just some musing by me and wasn't meant to reflect at all on your circumstances, i just tagged it on to my reply. To be honest though i think the parents left behind in many ways feel it more acutely than those that have moved abroad as they are busy with their lives and rearing their young families. I just find it interesting that some people will bend over backwards and make all sorts of sacrifices to educate their children and give them all the opportunities that they can and that often it results in them seeing less of their children and grandkids.
I realise thats its probably very selfish of me but when I get old i hope to see as much of my children and grandkids as possible, i think I would a happy chappy if it worked out like that.
#9
Quote from: Tyrones own on January 14, 2011, 07:22:56 PM
Quote from: delboy on January 14, 2011, 07:06:36 PM
Quote from: Tyrones own on January 14, 2011, 02:09:42 AM
So we're scurrying away from Palin now all of a sudden  :D
Sure the hatred in ye lads liberals is like a bottomless pit..it simply doesn't stop  :o

Only in the assbackwards world of american right wing politics could the term liberal be used in a derogatory manner, do these people not even understand the root of it, liberity, individual freedom etc, most of the things the right wing actually purport to support, numptie heads.
:D :D sure ye can't even spell the word right let alone know the meaning of it
Prior to Woodrow Wilson rolling into town you may have been on to something...Ideals long since forgotten with modern day liberal politicians unfortunately ::)
Do catch up Numptie head

You're easily amused if a couple of typos has you rolling in the aisles  ??? Have another moment of hilarity on me 'liberity' hope that didn't cause you to soil yourself or anything  ::)
What is laughable is the demonisation of the word 'liberal' by the right wing to the point that its used by the to describe the exact opposite of its original meaning.
Fortunately the rest of the civilised english speaking world still use it in its proper manner rather than the assbackwards fox news version.
#10
General discussion / Re: Are you leaving?
January 14, 2011, 07:31:21 PM
Quote from: The Iceman on January 13, 2011, 03:32:08 PM
There will always be a deep "yearning" to go back and I don't think you can ever fully explain to anyone, even yourself, what exactly causes that yearning or what it is you yearn for. I have spent many's a night over a few pints trying to figure that one out.
What I have learned now about being away is there is a bigger world out there and I'm a better man for it and I'd imagine you are too. I'm a big believer that wherever you are in life is exactly where you are supposed to be.

Friends and family would be the answer i would have thought iceman, its certainly what I would miss. I often wonder if the middle classes haven't got it wrong, the average middle class person with the opportunities open to them is much more more likley to end up educated and living and working in some far flung corner of the world with only virtual contact with their family (skype just isn't the same as popping in for a cup of tea and a chat). The parents end up boasting about how their son/daughter is making such a sucsess of their life in such and such country but really you can't help feeling they'd be happier if they lived local and could see their children and their grandchildren as often as they wanted rather than once every few years.
The average working class family is much more likely to end up living down the street or within a few miles of the rest of the family, whose happier, those with the opportunities or those without, i wonder.

But i digress, if i was going anywhere i'd be heading for one of the resource rich english speaking countries like canada or oz which should do well in the future despite the emergence and potential dominace of the BRIC nations which could spell scary economic times for the western world (including even the USA).
#11
Quote from: Tyrones own on January 14, 2011, 02:09:42 AM
So we're scurrying away from Palin now all of a sudden  :D
Sure the hatred in ye lads liberals is like a bottomless pit..it simply doesn't stop  :o

Only in the assbackwards world of american right wing politics could the term liberal be used in a derogatory manner, do these people not even understand the root of it, liberity, individual freedom etc, most of the things the right wing actually purport to support, numptie heads.   
#12
Quote from: Maguire01 on January 11, 2011, 07:19:06 PM
Chilling photo in the media



Poster boy for the gun lobby.
#13
Quote from: pintsofguinness on January 07, 2011, 06:39:41 PM
a 98 year old with mortgage/loan payments?

That was the first thing i thought when i read it.
#14
General discussion / Re: Unemployed & Benefits
January 05, 2011, 10:51:58 AM
Quote from: illdecide on January 04, 2011, 12:09:58 PM
I will soon be unemployed (haven't been told yet but i know it's coming) and i was wondering what benefits i would be entitled too, i have 2 kids and a wife who only works 16 hours a week (small wage). I have been in constant employment for 21 years...

The Southern Brethren can add to this to compare what North get compared to South

There may well be a thread similar to this so sorry in advance...

P.S. I work in Civil Engineering (Consultants) and the construction industry is dead (you already know this) but apparently manufacturing has picked up? Can this lead onto the Construction Industry improving or not?

Im an a very similar position job wise (getting the push come feburary) hope you find something soon.
#15
General discussion / Re: Are NI Water Fit for Purpose?
January 04, 2011, 12:20:18 PM
Quote from: MW on January 01, 2011, 07:18:09 PM
Quote from: delboy on December 31, 2010, 12:14:28 AM

I could have swore the rates was made up of the district rates which is the council basically and the regional rates which amongst other things pays towards water and sewage.

Heres a quote from a local council website

"Regional Rate - what is it used for?

The Regional Rate is set by Central Government and local Councils HAVE NO control over this. It is the same for all 26 Councils and is used to contribute to the cost of providing a range of services such as: - Education, Housing, Social Services, Roads, Water and Sewerage."

It would at least seem that there might still be some confusion on the matter.

The regional rate simply goes into the NI Executive's "pot", and it only makes up 5% of the total of the Executive's "income". As it's not hypothecated it could be said to be a contribution towards any of the services funded by the Executive.

QuoteAlso metering strikes me as highly regressive, despite being a small family that would probably not suffer from it my natural sense of fair play would be irked by seeing a struggling large but low income family paying a large proportion of their income to pay for a fundamental commidity and human right (i don't think thats fair).

I think paying for a utility based on the amount of useage is inherently fair.

Would you expect some people to have their electricity, or oil, or gas subsidised by other people who are using less?

So in reality we don't know who much of the rates is going towards the water, there is confusion on the matter which is all i claimed.

You already have social energy tariffs for vunerable people who suffer from fuel poverty. Water is a special case as its a basic human right as stated in UN regulations, payment should be based also on the ability to pay not just a regressive tax on usage end off, try to think beyond your own wallet, you might find it more rewarding in the long run.