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Reply to A Nation Ordained in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

Really good stuff.

Reply to Renting Life in Misc JoeUser Forums

Finally, something not about baseball! Good stuff, Meghan. I think the sort of thing you describe is quite common these days since more of us put off the whole settling down/career thing for as long as possible. Not to sound like too much of a hippy: if it feels good do it. Sometimes I'm jealous of my friends who have mortgages and "real" jobs. And sometimes I'm not.

Reply to Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book? in Blogging JoeUser Forums

Welcome back.

Reply to Like A Fungus, Kerry Is Growing On Me in International JoeUser Forums

Dr. Guy, I'm an Irishman living in Korea, so I won't be voting for anyone next Thursday. Jeffrey Dahmer? Please.

Reply to Like A Fungus, Kerry Is Growing On Me in International JoeUser Forums

sgsmitty, I think it's sad that you feel that way. Mr. Kerry (call him what you like, doesn't bother me) said in his answer that his own personal attitude to abortion was based on his Catholicism. He went on to note that he legislates for everyone, Catholic or otherwise. Don't see anything spineless about that at all. Seems like common sense to me.

Reply to Like A Fungus, Kerry Is Growing On Me in International JoeUser Forums

No, not enthused by the man, never have been. Hope to god he wins next Tuesday though.

How Willing Is This Coalition? in International JoeUser Forums

I heard someone (can't remember who) making a good point about the US presidential debates. The person in question piointed that Bush and Kerry's exchange on the "coalition of the willing" in Iraq had a Freudian undertone. The Democratic nominee took great pleasure in pointing out that "this president's father" assembled a much more impressive cast for his production

Like A Fungus, Kerry Is Growing On Me in International JoeUser Forums

Along with most of the planet's population, I am not enthused by John Kerry. He is hardly an exciting politician, not the type whose rhetorical flights of fancy make the heart beat a little faster. What's more, on a ideologicla level, he would not have been my choice as Democratic presidential nominee (I much prefered that angry doctor from Vermont). I hav

Reply to Manners in Misc JoeUser Forums

Thanks all for your comments. You know who I am, No I don't. Come on, give us a clue.

Politics: Yesterday, Today, Always in International JoeUser Forums

The equation, film plus Northern Ireland, has not usually equalled accuracy. Some of the cinematic offerings on Ulster have been laughably wide of the mark. One notable exception to this trend is the excellent In The Name Of The Father , the story of the Guilford Four who were wrongly imprisoned for a bombing in England in the early 70s. The scene were Daniel Da

Manners in Misc JoeUser Forums

A few years ago I made the acquaintance of a man who seemed to be insufferably arrogant. On the first few occasions that we met, I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, hoping that his haughtiness was just a front which would dissolve once we got to know each other a little better. I can remember the exact moment when I realised that my first, negative

Reply to Bush Should Have No Chance in International JoeUser Forums

Madine, I didn't talk about anyone getting a majority. The Dems got more votes than the GOP in 1992, 1996 and 2000. Messy Buu, Thanks for your kind words but I'm not "objective" and I don't pretend to be. Patriot, You can obviously use the caps lock button. Well done. But can you make an argument without name-calling?

Reply to Left Or Right: Which Is More Difficult? in International JoeUser Forums

Thanks all for your comments.

Bush Should Have No Chance in International JoeUser Forums

A few weeks ago I considered writing a blog asserting, some two months from polling day, that George W Bush was certain to win the US presdential election. I like to make bold predictions. When they don't come off, they make you look like a fool, but when they do, it's a marvellous excuse to be smug. I'm glad though that I was retcicent in this case. After

Left Or Right: Which Is More Difficult? in International JoeUser Forums

I enjoy reading the work of those with whom I fundamentally disagree. I've just finished Yoram Hazony's "The Struggle for Israel's Soul", an impassioned defense of the tenets of traditional Zionism. I always enjoy Stephen King's articles and the thoughts of Pat Buchanan. I find that reading things from the opposite side of the political spectrum helps to take me out o

Bland Of My Fathers in Misc JoeUser Forums

The skillful but egotistical footbaler, David Ginola was once asked if he minded that being the target of so much ire from opposing fans. "Not at all", the Frenchman replied, "it's better to be booed than ignored". By the standards of footballing answers, Ginola's remark was positively Chomsky-esque in its profundity. Fair play to him, he had a good point. Ginola was

Time For Peace, Time To Go in International JoeUser Forums

It's not quite nailed down yet, but it seems that a new agreement may soon be reached between the DUP and Sinn Fein (SF) over the governance of Northern Ireland (NI). There is now much speculation in the north that part of this deal will involve the standing down of the Provisional IRA. If all goes according to plan, the organisation, which in my not-too-d

Reply to The case for a united Ireland: Part 3 in Politics JoeUser Forums

Thanks for that, Paul. I rmember in the 80s and, even the early 90s, the Republic was considered a bit of a joke in the community in which I grew up. Thankfully that's all changed. Unity is at least concievable now in economic terms. Compared to the economic costs of unifying the two Koreas, Irish unity would be a cakewalk. One step at a time though, first of all, this absurd currency partition has to end. It really is pointless. Do

Reply to Koop's Birthday Blog Bash in Personal Relationships JoeUser Forums

Very belated happy birthday, Larry. I'm sure it'll cheer you up to know that you're very nearly twice my age

Reply to One China, One Myth in International JoeUser Forums

How many people realise that, far from being on the Security Council, Taiwan is not even a member of the United Nations? Every year some of its 30 odd diplomatic allies put forward the island for membership and every year it gets voted down because of Chinese pressure. So a Chinese dictatorship is a permanent member of the Security Council but a Chinese democracy isn't even allowed in.

Reply to One China, One Myth in International JoeUser Forums

Thanks for your comments everyone. Machiavelli, I never said that the Taiwanese weren't Chinese. In an ethnic, linguistic and cultural sense, all Taiwanese (except the aboriginals) are Chinese. The point is, does this mean that they have to be part of a Chinese state run from Beijing? I would say no, it doesn't. I would also say that the Taiwanese themselves should be free to decide their fate - and I mean free from Chinese threats an

Reply to A Name And A Mother in International JoeUser Forums

Glad to know you missed me As I understand it, as of now, Mr. Bigley is still alive. But regarding your point about the beheadings in general, I agree with you, though (of course) with caveats. Any sane adult is responsible for their actions. Whoever slits hostages' throats in Baghdad is responsible for these awful crimes. But who is reponsible for the conflict general

One China, One Myth in International JoeUser Forums

I've just returned from a few days in Shanghai, my second of hopefully many trips to China. On my first visit, to Beijing last year, I was bitten by the China bug. Those of you reading this who've visited the country may know what I mean. It's the condition whereby you see a tiny part of China and you want to see a whole lot more. You leave the country thinking about

A Name And A Mother in International JoeUser Forums

It would take a heart of stone not to feel sorry for Lil Bigley, mother of British hostage, Ken, who collapsed after a press conference last week. Like everyone else, I hope that she makes a full recovery and that she will yet see her son alive again. But why is it that I know her name and that of her son? Because, even here in far away Korea, a lot of the m

Reply to Kerry 1, Bush 0 in Politics JoeUser Forums

No Bush fan myself but I thought he won the debate. Maybe I was expecting such ineptitude from him that I'm over-impressed by mere competence.