Category Archives: Civil society

No country for old men

Posted on September 10, 2017 by rjmackin

This week it was radio presenter George Hook’s turn to be pilloried by the liberal Irish compassionazis. He had the temerity to suggest that young girls should take more personal responsibility for their own welfare and not knowingly place themselves … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism, Civil society, Culture, Ireland, journalism, Media, Opinion | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

March Madness

Posted on January 22, 2017 by rjmackin

It’s been hailed as a triumph of democracy, but we have to wonder how worldwide demonstrations against a democratically elected President, who has just taken office can indeed be deemed anything but sour grapes by a bunch of sore losers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil society, Culture, Opinion, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“. . . but! i don’t want comfort! I WANT GOD! i want poetry, i want danger, i want freedom, i want goodness, i want sin . . .”

Posted on March 24, 2016 by rjmackin

I remember the day Nelson Mandela was released from prison, I think it was the weekend and for sure I was in my Grand Uncle’s house just two minutes from where I lived.  It was a sunnie day in Cavan and … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil society, Culture, Europe, Justice, nanny state, Opinion, Poetry, Politics, Quotes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

It is harder to fight against pleasure than against anger.

Posted on March 22, 2016 by rjmackin

“. . . There’s a battle outside and it’s ragin’, it’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls, For the Times they are a’Changin . . . ” . . . wrote Blind Boy Grunt sometime in Autumn sixtie … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Business, Catholicism, Christmas, Civil society, Culture, Dublin, Economy, Europe, Feminism, Homelessness, IMF, Ireland, journalism, Justice, Media, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Guilty as Charged?

Posted on September 13, 2015 by rjmackin

I used to like weekend radio on RTE Radio One, especially Sunday mornings, although eyem changing my mind as there’s just too much misery porn being peddled on the shows, and this weekend was a great example, as Marian Finnucane … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil society | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing.”

Posted on March 3, 2015 by rjmackin

Over the past two months or so i’ve been letting things get on my nerve, stuff that ordinarily annoys me but which i try and ignore, such as Una Mullally, The Irish Times, Broadsheet, The Guardian, Ivana Bacik, Clurr Daly … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil society, dail eireann, Dublin, Europe, Ireland, Opinion, Poetry, Quotes, socialism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Champagne capitalism

Posted on December 2, 2014 by rjmackin

Michael Noonan’s pronouncement that some Irish people earning €70,000 are also struggling financially was met with vitriol and derision by the majority of commentators on the Independent.ie. How dare he suggest that this cosseted and entitled elite may have been … Continue reading →

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The Last Post

Posted on November 9, 2014 by rjmackin

II  The end of Cromwell opened out into the Downville estate.  The barking of dogs hovered in the air and the autumn chill took occasional nips at Mike’s ears.  The high-rise flats cast a shadow over the terraced housing and … Continue reading →

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The Last Post

Posted on November 7, 2014 by rjmackin

I The stillness of the dawn amplified the few signs of waking on the quiet street.  The glow of a solitary bedside lamp burned bright against the murk, and behind the dimpled glass of a front door a distorted figure … Continue reading →

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EVERY OTHER DAY’S, QUOTE OF THE DAY

Posted on July 31, 2014 by rjmackin

16 ) Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman philosopher, politician, lawyer, orator, political theorist, consul and constitutionalist from Italy. “A tear dries quickly when it is shed for the troubles of others”

Posted in Catholicism, Civil society, Culture, Europe, History, Politics, Quotes, Religion | Tagged | Leave a comment