The whole time I was growing up there was only one Scooter. That was Phil Rizzuto, former Yankee shortstop and member of the Yankees' broadcast team for 5 or 6 decades (or so it seemed). And, although I thought it was bizarre that everyone referred to a 60+ year old man as Scooter, I accepted it as just part of baseball. You weren't meant to take him too seriously.
Now there's a new Scooter on my television screen. Only this man's not in baseball, but working in the White House (or, should I say, worked in the White House?). This is just too much. And, hearing the President talk, in all seriousness, about a man known as Scooter is beyond the pale. Come on. Call the man Irving or Lewis, if he prefers, but not Scooter.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Ferns Report
To be honest, I've paid almost no attention to the Ferns Report. Part of me just hated the whole story and I guess I felt like I had already absorbed enough of the details to get the gist of it. Yet, there's this nagging feeling that I should really learn more about what went wrong in the Church.
Today at Mass the priest started his homily saying that now he "has some idea how the German people must have felt at the end of the second world war". He said he felt he was "guilty by association" for abominable acts against society's most defenseless people. While most people who make NAZI analogies are pointing the finger at others this man was pointing the finger at himself and his church, to which he has dedicated his life. His distress was obvious.
Now I feel I should make a better effort to learn what the report says. I have a stack of newspapers to read and I also found a copy of the report online (not easy) and I downloaded it. It's over 200 pages, which is a lot of reading, but I'd like to imagine I'll eventually read it.
Today at Mass the priest started his homily saying that now he "has some idea how the German people must have felt at the end of the second world war". He said he felt he was "guilty by association" for abominable acts against society's most defenseless people. While most people who make NAZI analogies are pointing the finger at others this man was pointing the finger at himself and his church, to which he has dedicated his life. His distress was obvious.
Now I feel I should make a better effort to learn what the report says. I have a stack of newspapers to read and I also found a copy of the report online (not easy) and I downloaded it. It's over 200 pages, which is a lot of reading, but I'd like to imagine I'll eventually read it.
Prince of Wales
According to this morning's Sunday Telegraph, Prince Charles
Over and over again, even in the immediate aftermath of September 11, the President has stressed that the terrorists do not represent the truth about Islam. Perhaps Prince Charles could start here. {I haven't reviewed this site in any detail, but a quick skim of what's here looks reasonable and there are links to the White House's web page for more details.}
In fact, it seems to me that European politicians are much more likely to bad mouth Islam, particularly what to Europeans are its 'regressive' views, then are American politicians.
will try to persuade George W Bush and Americans of the merits of Islam this week because he thinks the United States has been too intolerant of the religion since September 11.I think before he goes to the US, it might be a good idea for Prince Charles to get hold of some of the speeches the President has been making rather than making his assessment of US policy based on what the Independent says.
. . . It is understood that Prince Charles did not - and does not - believe that the actions of 19 hijackers should tarnish the reputation of hundreds of millions of law-abiding Muslims around the world.
Over and over again, even in the immediate aftermath of September 11, the President has stressed that the terrorists do not represent the truth about Islam. Perhaps Prince Charles could start here. {I haven't reviewed this site in any detail, but a quick skim of what's here looks reasonable and there are links to the White House's web page for more details.}
In fact, it seems to me that European politicians are much more likely to bad mouth Islam, particularly what to Europeans are its 'regressive' views, then are American politicians.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Bush's worst week
Almost anywhere you look today, you can find references to "Bush's worst week", etc. The Libby indictment, the Miers fiasco and the fact that the 2000th military fatality was recorded in Iraq this week do add up to a pretty bad week, but I don't think this was the President's worst week by a long shot. That was the week following Hurricane Katrina.
Almost nobody in America knows who Scooter Libby is and if he remains as the sole indictee, then the political damage to the White House will be minimal. The Miers nomination was a "mistake" because it undermined Bush's support with his base, many of whom have spent 3 decades working for this one moment: Republican President and Republican majority in the Senate. However, a Machiavellian reading of the Miers nomination was that she volunteered to be publicly skewered (nominated and, predictably, investigated and attacked) so that Bush could "give in" to his base at exactly the moment that Fitzgerald was about to deliver his report. And, although 2000 is something of a milestone, I'm not sure it's politically much more significant than 1950 or 1900 or 2050 or 2100. If you believe in the war, then each death is tragic, but hardly politically earth-shattering. And, if you don't believe in the war, then each death is one too many.
No, in fact, I think Bush's worst moment was that week after Katrina and this week actually provides some solid footing for Bush to begin rebuilding the momentum.
Almost nobody in America knows who Scooter Libby is and if he remains as the sole indictee, then the political damage to the White House will be minimal. The Miers nomination was a "mistake" because it undermined Bush's support with his base, many of whom have spent 3 decades working for this one moment: Republican President and Republican majority in the Senate. However, a Machiavellian reading of the Miers nomination was that she volunteered to be publicly skewered (nominated and, predictably, investigated and attacked) so that Bush could "give in" to his base at exactly the moment that Fitzgerald was about to deliver his report. And, although 2000 is something of a milestone, I'm not sure it's politically much more significant than 1950 or 1900 or 2050 or 2100. If you believe in the war, then each death is tragic, but hardly politically earth-shattering. And, if you don't believe in the war, then each death is one too many.
No, in fact, I think Bush's worst moment was that week after Katrina and this week actually provides some solid footing for Bush to begin rebuilding the momentum.
The Plame Truth by Oliver Stone?
I never imagined I'd see the day when Republicans are muttering about a CIA dirty tricks campaign to undermine the administration and Democrats are talking about the agency's operatives' selfless devotion to the country. A friend of mine who comes from what is roughly the Sandinista wing of American politics sees no malevolence in anything done by anyone in the CIA in this whole affair while those (like me) who reside on the 'God and country' end of the political spectrum believe something about the CIA's part in this just stinks.
I keep hoping to read that Oliver Stone is going to make a movie about the CIA plot to undermine the elected government in 2003. At least that would offer some reassurance that the whole world hasn't been turned upside down.
I keep hoping to read that Oliver Stone is going to make a movie about the CIA plot to undermine the elected government in 2003. At least that would offer some reassurance that the whole world hasn't been turned upside down.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Franchise ownership
Today's Boston Herald has a column on a "smear" campaign being conducted by the Boston Red Sox against their own GM, the 'Boy Wonder' Theo Esptein.
It's probably only interesting to Red Sox fans other than this little note in the column:
I don't even know if this is a common situation in professional sports. It wouldn't work in New York, where there are just too many newspapers. However, in smaller cities and towns (like Boston! - just kidding) this is an effective media strategy. Get the most powerful newspaper on your side through ownership and then tie up the t.v. and radio stations by dangling the broadcast rights before them.
It's probably only interesting to Red Sox fans other than this little note in the column:
In the interest of disclosure, let us rewind for a moment. In the last few days, most recently in the Globe (which has more invested in the Red Sox than anyone but John Henry), it has been reported that Epstein rejected the Sox' latest contract offer, though the sides continue to talk and are expected to have some resolution in the next day or so. The latest proposal was for three years at $1.2 million per, which is the kind of information that comes out when real negotiations have given way to mud-slinging and damage control.The city's other newspaper, the Boston Globe, owns a big chunk of the Red Sox. When the Sox want to do down a member of their own organization they have a pretty reliable 'friend' in the Globe to parrot the company line. And, they can use broadcast rights to keep the t.v. and radio stations in line too. I always thought of print as the location for truth about my sports teams.
I don't even know if this is a common situation in professional sports. It wouldn't work in New York, where there are just too many newspapers. However, in smaller cities and towns (like Boston! - just kidding) this is an effective media strategy. Get the most powerful newspaper on your side through ownership and then tie up the t.v. and radio stations by dangling the broadcast rights before them.
Conspiracy theories
I haven't seen much online as far as Liam Lawlor conspiracy theories go. Frank touches on this topic in a post about how Lawlor made a "cadaver eccellente" for some people here. That's true; he does.
However, here's my own conspiracy theory (and, no, I don't put much stock in this and this is my own piece of fiction).
Lawlor is up to his neck in crooked property deals, helping major criminals launder their money. The state leans on Lawlor to name names, but he knows he'd be in a very bad spot if he did that. So he refuses. The state wants to offer him a witness protection option, but giving Lawlor immunity in a witness protection program is politically infeasible. The Irish public would not accept this.
So, the state offers to arrange his death so that the Irish people are convinced that Lawlor is dead. The state arranges this in Moscow, a place where the media presence is very light and where getting cooperation is easy (read affordable). Now everyone 'knows' Lawlor is dead and he can go with his new identity and start a new life somewhere. And, the state gets his books and other records and can start bringing down some of the major crime gangs that seem to be untouchable at the moment.
However, here's my own conspiracy theory (and, no, I don't put much stock in this and this is my own piece of fiction).
Lawlor is up to his neck in crooked property deals, helping major criminals launder their money. The state leans on Lawlor to name names, but he knows he'd be in a very bad spot if he did that. So he refuses. The state wants to offer him a witness protection option, but giving Lawlor immunity in a witness protection program is politically infeasible. The Irish public would not accept this.
So, the state offers to arrange his death so that the Irish people are convinced that Lawlor is dead. The state arranges this in Moscow, a place where the media presence is very light and where getting cooperation is easy (read affordable). Now everyone 'knows' Lawlor is dead and he can go with his new identity and start a new life somewhere. And, the state gets his books and other records and can start bringing down some of the major crime gangs that seem to be untouchable at the moment.
The vanishing of Julia Kushnir
Someone told me that there was a photograph of Julia Kushnir in yesterday's Star. If there was, then I missed it.
Julia Kushnir is slowly disappearing from our radar screen. I can only find her name in one article in today's papers. I half suspect she's just as happy about that. She got some apologies and she'll probably get more this weekend. I sincerely doubt there will be any libel proceedings. I also doubt we'll even get that statement we are supposed to get next week, but if the Sunday papers do provide sufficiently contrite (that is, front page) apologies this weekend, then I would assume Ms. Kushnir's statement to be something along the lines of 'I was wronged, but I accept the apologies'. And that will be it for the media here. And, I guess, for me too.
However, I still would like to believe the Planning Tribunal will ask her over to answer a few questions. Maybe the Gardai too.
And, if I was Nick Paton Walsh of the Guardian, I'd stay on this until I was SURE that everything we NOW know is true because if not, then Mr. Walsh would, I believe, have good grounds for pursuing libel actions himself.
Julia Kushnir is slowly disappearing from our radar screen. I can only find her name in one article in today's papers. I half suspect she's just as happy about that. She got some apologies and she'll probably get more this weekend. I sincerely doubt there will be any libel proceedings. I also doubt we'll even get that statement we are supposed to get next week, but if the Sunday papers do provide sufficiently contrite (that is, front page) apologies this weekend, then I would assume Ms. Kushnir's statement to be something along the lines of 'I was wronged, but I accept the apologies'. And that will be it for the media here. And, I guess, for me too.
However, I still would like to believe the Planning Tribunal will ask her over to answer a few questions. Maybe the Gardai too.
And, if I was Nick Paton Walsh of the Guardian, I'd stay on this until I was SURE that everything we NOW know is true because if not, then Mr. Walsh would, I believe, have good grounds for pursuing libel actions himself.
"a lazy Walloon, a slave and an inferior creature"
Is the above a "racist" description? A Belgian woman, I should say, a Flemish woman was arrested on charges of racism yesterday. "The 48-year-old husband filed a complaint for racism against his spouse for scratching him and calling him "a lazy Walloon, a slave and an inferior creature", De Standaard daily said".
First of all, this Walloon husband is a loser. Second, I don't see how that's "racist" at all, but it probably does rate as insensitive. Third, do the Belgians have so little to worry about?
First of all, this Walloon husband is a loser. Second, I don't see how that's "racist" at all, but it probably does rate as insensitive. Third, do the Belgians have so little to worry about?
Thursday, October 27, 2005
A hundred and eighty!
My obsession with Liam Lawlor nearly caused me to miss this, far more important, story. ESPN is going to start televising Darts in 2006. Well it's about time, isn't it?
I can still remember the first time I saw Darts on the BBC. Stunned amazement probably best sums up how I reacted. I was both horrified and enthralled all at once. Frightening, beer-swilling men throwing Darts in a beer hall atmosphere conveyed by crowd shots revealing tables full of half-drunk pints of lager. It was riveting. And, I have to admit, I was stunned that these guys could down so many drinks and still hit that triple twenty 3 straight times (180! is the excited PA man's response) when the money was on the line.
I mean, what other athlete competes at the highest level in a state of inebriation? I've had trouble hitting a softball after a few sociable drinks and that was always in a minimal pressure situation.
Not everyone is excited for the American viewing public, however. Lionel Shriver derides the athletes who grace the professional Darts scene and thinks this is more evidence of the decline of American culture.
I can still remember the first time I saw Darts on the BBC. Stunned amazement probably best sums up how I reacted. I was both horrified and enthralled all at once. Frightening, beer-swilling men throwing Darts in a beer hall atmosphere conveyed by crowd shots revealing tables full of half-drunk pints of lager. It was riveting. And, I have to admit, I was stunned that these guys could down so many drinks and still hit that triple twenty 3 straight times (180! is the excited PA man's response) when the money was on the line.
I mean, what other athlete competes at the highest level in a state of inebriation? I've had trouble hitting a softball after a few sociable drinks and that was always in a minimal pressure situation.
Not everyone is excited for the American viewing public, however. Lionel Shriver derides the athletes who grace the professional Darts scene and thinks this is more evidence of the decline of American culture.
Abundantly overweight, Andy "the Viking" Fordham is 29 stone [ehm, that's 406lbs, if anyone's counting -- IE] and fond of the odd sip of lager. Even on television, the game is played in a tavern and its fans are no more abstemious, and no more given to an excess of press-ups, than its icons. In all, darts is as cheerfully lowest-common-denominator as you can get, and the direction in which American popular culture seems to be diving is right under the horizontal line of the simple fraction.
Lawlor obsession
Every new day I think I'm over the Lawlor thing, but it's eating away at me. And, what's really confusing me is that I didn't really care much about his scandals when he was alive. The Irish media has (rightly) moved on to the Ferns report, but I can't seem to let go of this thing.
Next, am I the only person who's curious about the fact that nobody in the media seems to have been able to meet or even speak to this woman yet? I don't think there's been a photograph of her. And, isn't it also a bit strange that a woman who provides legal and translation services for clients from abroad doesn't have any form of web presence? At least there was none I could find. I searched google and all the listings for her name are thanks to the current newspaper articles and two references in New York State, unrelated to anything to do with this Julia Kushnir.
And, still no photograph of the car that Lawlor died in. What about an update from the Moscow police on their investigation. Anything? Do I just have to accept that I'm never going to know everything about this?
- Lawlor's funeral attracted hundreds of people.
- The Guardian today apologized for its error in their October 24 article on Lawlor's death.
- Julia Kushnir's lawyers say their client may pursue a libel action "against several newspapers who falsely branded her a prostitute". And, she won't now be issuing a statement until next week.
Next, am I the only person who's curious about the fact that nobody in the media seems to have been able to meet or even speak to this woman yet? I don't think there's been a photograph of her. And, isn't it also a bit strange that a woman who provides legal and translation services for clients from abroad doesn't have any form of web presence? At least there was none I could find. I searched google and all the listings for her name are thanks to the current newspaper articles and two references in New York State, unrelated to anything to do with this Julia Kushnir.
And, still no photograph of the car that Lawlor died in. What about an update from the Moscow police on their investigation. Anything? Do I just have to accept that I'm never going to know everything about this?
Cold Turkey
Happens every year. The season ends and that's it. It's just ... over. No more baseball until March, when the World Baseball Classic will be played (for the first time despite the "classic").
You wait 85+ years for the Sox to win a World Series and then two come along in consecutive years. First it was the Red Sox and now the White Sox, the second city's generally unloved second team. They're celebrating their first championship since 1917.
UPDATE - 12:50pm: I presume this Irish fan was happy about Chicago's big win (& tired if he stayed up for all of Game 3, which ended around 7:40am here).
You wait 85+ years for the Sox to win a World Series and then two come along in consecutive years. First it was the Red Sox and now the White Sox, the second city's generally unloved second team. They're celebrating their first championship since 1917.
UPDATE - 12:50pm: I presume this Irish fan was happy about Chicago's big win (& tired if he stayed up for all of Game 3, which ended around 7:40am here).
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Catching Galloway
Either Senator Norm Coleman now has George Galloway dead to rights or he just loves being slapped around.
Whatever happened to, "I admit I didn't show my wife the respect she deserves," which he said last May when she first filed for divorce?
"The additional evidence gathered by the Subcommittee links George Galloway to the Iraqi regime'’s scheme to manipulate the U.N. Oil-for-Food program," said Coleman. "Records obtained indicate that Dr. Abu-Zayyad, the wife of George Galloway, received a $150,000 payment and Mariam Appeal, the political campaign led by George Galloway, received at least $446,000."Galloway seemed as defiant as ever last night on the news, although I really enjoyed the way he was putting clear blue water between himself and his soon-to-be-ex-wife. "I am not responsible for my wife". How gallant.
Whatever happened to, "I admit I didn't show my wife the respect she deserves," which he said last May when she first filed for divorce?
A little more baseball
Last night on Newstalk I heard the most anti-Castro commentary I've ever heard on an Irish radio/television show. During their sports program they had an interview with Enrique Espinoza, who they described as a Cuban sports historian. They were talking to him about the fact that the Cuban government has blacked out coverage of this year's World Series because two of Chicago's players - Jose Contreras & Orlando Hernandez - are Cuban defectors.
In the few minutes he was on, Espinoza was able to get across that the Cuban people were able to follow their beloved baseball stars despite the ban and that Cuban sportsmen are denied basic human rights. Essentially, Espinoza let us know that the Cuban government is both stupid and cruel.
In the few minutes he was on, Espinoza was able to get across that the Cuban people were able to follow their beloved baseball stars despite the ban and that Cuban sportsmen are denied basic human rights. Essentially, Espinoza let us know that the Cuban government is both stupid and cruel.
Baseball on the God Channel
I haven't had a chance to watch last night's Game 3 of the World Series yet, so I don't know what happened (and I'd like to remain ignorant until this evening so I can watch it then as if it was live). However, I did get to see quite a few Astros and one member of the White Sox last night on the God Channel.
I was just scrolling through endless channels of nothing last night, as I usually do just before I turn it off for the night, when I recognized Houston's Chris Burke, who was being interviewed. None of the questions were about his hitting or fielding, however, but about his relationship with Jesus. Then we saw Andy Pettite, Dustin Hermanson (Chicago), Lance Berkman, one or two others and we ended with Adam Everett, who said that Jesus loved him unconditionally.
From what I saw of the uniforms, the interviews all took place before Game 2. I just found it so surprising that these guys made time during the pre-game preparations to discuss their faith. They all emphasized that God doesn't care who wins, but they thanked Him for having blessed them with their talents.
I actually found it pleasant, even though it's not my way. {I suspect that had it been the Mets in the Astros' shoes - down 2 games to none - a few unworthy thoughts might well have entered my head as I stared in at these ballplayers giving off an aura of peace and love.}
I was just so surprised. It's not the kind of thing you see often over here and, even if I was in the US, I think I'd have been surprised that it was right in the middle of the World Series.
I was just scrolling through endless channels of nothing last night, as I usually do just before I turn it off for the night, when I recognized Houston's Chris Burke, who was being interviewed. None of the questions were about his hitting or fielding, however, but about his relationship with Jesus. Then we saw Andy Pettite, Dustin Hermanson (Chicago), Lance Berkman, one or two others and we ended with Adam Everett, who said that Jesus loved him unconditionally.
From what I saw of the uniforms, the interviews all took place before Game 2. I just found it so surprising that these guys made time during the pre-game preparations to discuss their faith. They all emphasized that God doesn't care who wins, but they thanked Him for having blessed them with their talents.
I actually found it pleasant, even though it's not my way. {I suspect that had it been the Mets in the Astros' shoes - down 2 games to none - a few unworthy thoughts might well have entered my head as I stared in at these ballplayers giving off an aura of peace and love.}
I was just so surprised. It's not the kind of thing you see often over here and, even if I was in the US, I think I'd have been surprised that it was right in the middle of the World Series.
Julia Kushnir
Today's Irish Times claims that Julia Kushnir will be making a statement today. The paper says she's still traumatized, which is understandable. The Examiner said she'd be making a statement yesterday, so we'll have to wait and see.
I wonder if she'll be a feature in the Irish news for some time to come. Now that we know her name and the fact that she has worked as Lawlor's legal assistant and interpreter in Prague on and off for years maybe she can shed some light on Lawlor's Prague dealings, which
I wonder if she'll be a feature in the Irish news for some time to come. Now that we know her name and the fact that she has worked as Lawlor's legal assistant and interpreter in Prague on and off for years maybe she can shed some light on Lawlor's Prague dealings, which
were the subject of extensive investigation by the Mahon Tribunal.The Examiner also tells us
In more recent years, as it became clear he could do little or no business in Ireland, Prague became a second home. He was involved, it seems, in property development, though as with much of his business dealings, it'’s not clear exactly what he did or who he was involved with.
[i]t is known Ms Kushnir acted as a translator and adviser to Mr Lawlor for some years. She was known to the family and met the former politician's wife, Hazel, on a number of occasions.She's obviously familiar with Ireland. I heard on the radio that she had other business contacts in Ireland. The Planning Tribunal will definitely want to talk to her.
Lawlor questions
There are a few questions about Liam Lawlor's death that still have me wondering. Such as:
- What year and model was the Mercedes he was traveling in when he died? Was he wearing a seat belt? Did the car have air bags and, if yes, did they deploy?
- Why was he in the front seat sitting next to someone he'd presumably just met and couldn't speak to while his interpreter rode in the back? I've traveled on business before, with men and women, and I can't ever remember traveling in the front while my colleague was in the back or vice versa. It's not a biggie, but still it's curious. Usually when you arrive at the airport and get in a taxi or car service you'll engage in some small talk about the day's events or the next day's schedule.
- Leaving aside the Observer's claim about the teenage prostitute, what about the other claims - that Lawlor visited brothels and sex clubs when in Prague or the far more damning "Lawlor was suspected of recycling cash for criminals into property across western Dublin and latterly into eastern Europe". The Observer has admitted it "erred", according to today's Irish Times. Is this related only to the bit about the woman in the car with Lawlor or the whole article?
- How did the Guardian's Moscow correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh, get it so wrong? He's been there for years. Surely he speaks the language and knows the geography, so it can't be simple confusion.
- Does the timeline make sense? The Irish Times says he died shortly after 1am not long after arriving in Moscow. There is only one direct flight from Prague that Lawlor could have been on and that's Aeroflot's SU0144 scheduled to arrive at 1:05am local time. Is it possible for the plane to land at 1:05 and Lawlor to die where he did "shortly after 1am"? The road on which the crash occurred is the road from the airport to the city center. Without any real knowledge of the geography, this sounds possible since we can assume that at 1am he was able to get off the plane and out of the airport quickly.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Blow in
How much sympathy do I need to feel for the Lawlor family? How badly has the press mistreated them since Liam Lawlor's death? There are times when I really feel like I'll never belong here.
I cannot get over just HOW BIG A DEAL the radio stations (I haven't seen any t.v. reports) are making of the reports in some Sunday newspapers that Liam Lawlor died while accompanied by a prostitute. I already mentioned yesterday's luncthime program on Newstalk (& more today), but then yesterday evening on Today FM (Matt Cooper) and last night on RTE (Vincent Browne) it was more of the same (although, I have to say Cooper was less keen to do Independent newspapers down). Browne in particular used words like "disgraceful" when describing the reports over the weekend, although Browne is, perhaps, the most sanctimonious of Irish commentators. One of Cooper's guests said that the press reports were worse than anything Lawlor had done.
Am I missing something? Sure I feel sympathy for the Lawlors in so far as they have to deal with the death of their husband/father/brother, but that's about it. My sympathies don't extend to their having had to deal with the press's inaccurate reports about who was with Liam Lawlor at his death.
I have not paid a lot of attention to the planning tribunal, but I've picked up the general run of things and I don't think my sense that Liam Lawlor was up to his neck in corruption (a crime) is that far from the general view. So, why are so many people who believe Lawlor was corrupt so outraged about reports that he may have been with a prostitute?
If I die when I'm in my 60s and have to die amidst a scandal, I'd much rather it be that I was accompanied by a prostitute at my death rather than I had spent years accumulating vast wealth by corrupt means and left my family in the "morally confused" position of enjoying my ill-gotten money after I was gone. One sin can be excused as a temporary weakness or act of madness while the other is cold, calculated, devious, long-running and has the effect of corrupting the whole family.
I cannot get over just HOW BIG A DEAL the radio stations (I haven't seen any t.v. reports) are making of the reports in some Sunday newspapers that Liam Lawlor died while accompanied by a prostitute. I already mentioned yesterday's luncthime program on Newstalk (& more today), but then yesterday evening on Today FM (Matt Cooper) and last night on RTE (Vincent Browne) it was more of the same (although, I have to say Cooper was less keen to do Independent newspapers down). Browne in particular used words like "disgraceful" when describing the reports over the weekend, although Browne is, perhaps, the most sanctimonious of Irish commentators. One of Cooper's guests said that the press reports were worse than anything Lawlor had done.
Am I missing something? Sure I feel sympathy for the Lawlors in so far as they have to deal with the death of their husband/father/brother, but that's about it. My sympathies don't extend to their having had to deal with the press's inaccurate reports about who was with Liam Lawlor at his death.
I have not paid a lot of attention to the planning tribunal, but I've picked up the general run of things and I don't think my sense that Liam Lawlor was up to his neck in corruption (a crime) is that far from the general view. So, why are so many people who believe Lawlor was corrupt so outraged about reports that he may have been with a prostitute?
If I die when I'm in my 60s and have to die amidst a scandal, I'd much rather it be that I was accompanied by a prostitute at my death rather than I had spent years accumulating vast wealth by corrupt means and left my family in the "morally confused" position of enjoying my ill-gotten money after I was gone. One sin can be excused as a temporary weakness or act of madness while the other is cold, calculated, devious, long-running and has the effect of corrupting the whole family.
Levee update
I haven't worked out who this damages politically, but the Army Corps of Engineers certainly seems to have a few questions to answer. The Washington Post claims that what should have been a "routine hurricane" became "the costliest storm in U.S. history" thanks to design flaws in the floodwalls.
Investigators in recent days have assembled evidence implicating design flaws in the failures of two floodwalls near Lake Pontchartrain that collapsed when weakened soils beneath them became saturated and began to slide. They also have confirmed that a little-used navigation canal helped amplify and intensify Katrina's initial surge, contributing to a third floodwall collapse on the east side of town. The walls and navigation canal were built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency responsible for defending the city against hurricane-related flooding.The Corps is not ready to accept these preliminary findings, which indicate that the problem started many decades ago.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Fresh start in Belfast
One of the NHL's great players is now playing for the Belfast Giants. Theo Fleury is 37 and has been fighting alcohol and drug habits for a long time. These demons cost him his place on an NHL roster. Now he is "here in Belfast with my fiancée Jennifer determined to make a fresh start, doing something unique in my life that I can look back at with pride". I hope he makes it.
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