Proof that Channel 4 really were doing it for (the) show..

Yes, due to unemployment, I started watching big brother.

They got lots of news coverage, because a housemate used a racial slur (”the N word”), and was almost immediately removed from the house…

Watching today’s coverage, another housemate used a different kind of slur (”the P word”), and from what I can see nothing is being done about it.

Is this because the original eviction was designed purely to make up for ‘the Shetty incident’ in January? Or because it’s okay to mock someone’s sexuality but not to use racial slurs??

I’m glad to see someone is picking up on this, but why isn’t Channel 4? Or the media in general, considering that this happened on yesterday?

The only redemption is that the contestant in question - Laura - is up for nomination. Go here for details of how to get her out of there, since Channel 4 apparently can’t be bothered.

I really didn’t think I could respect him less…

Much as I would rather not repeat him, I will, because people deserve to know who they’ve re-elected as our taoiseach:

“Sitting on the sidelines, cribbing and moaning is a lost opportunity. I don’t know how people who engage in that don’t commit suicide”

Apparently a half-hearted apology gets him off though - doesn’t it always? Not to mention the fact that the phrase “I’m very involved with the suicide action groups” stinks of the “I have lots of [insert minority here] friends” syndrome.

Dan Neville has been fantastic in reacting and responding to this all day. Right now, I wish he was Taoiseach.

This is just the kind of story that phone-in radio shows thrive on,  since half the country will ring in wondering what the fuss is about, and the other half actually have a soul…

The thing about it, is the flippancy. The thing is, the head of the government thought it was okay to make a joke about it - and worse still, ICTU members in the audience laughed along with him!

For a long time it has seemed like the government didn’t quite get it. We have an emergency on our hands, particularly in terms of young men, and the government just aren’t doing enough. At least now we know why.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, though - if you want to be really cynical about it (and for argument’s sake I will be).

What do all a$$h*le politicians do when they mess up on an issue like this? Throw money at the problem!

Come on Bertie,  buy our forgiveness…

Will the Irish Save Civilization?

So, we’re facing an energy crisis, being glad that oil is under $73 a barrel but still depending on it, and then some crazy Irish lads decide, wait a sec, we’ll just defy the laws of physics.

Excellent work.

Better yet, then they throw down the gauntlet: prove us wrong before we take over the world.

Today, they show us how it’s done…