Monthly Archives: December 2012

Census: A Decade Of A Decade

Posted on December 11, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

We talk about a Decade of Centenaries. I talk about a Decade of Half-Centenaries. But today is a Decade of ……..a Decade. Today the Census 2011 figures are announced and we must pretend that we are interested beyond the headline … Continue reading →

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Alliance: Decision Time?

Posted on December 11, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

The Alliance Party are too angry to act logically at the moment. They have a right to be angry. There seems no end to the viloence…..”pogrom” they have called it……and the hyperbole is understandable. The Stormont Debate yesterday will not … Continue reading →

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Protests About Protests

Posted on December 10, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

Interesting to hear that Joe Jordan, Chair of Belfast Chamber of Commerce thinks that the “Flegs” Debate should have been held in March or April. And as Belfast traders count the costs of the protests, Jordan blames the three parties … Continue reading →

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No One Side Owns A Day

Posted on December 10, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

I have been out all day (Christmas shopping) and I cant reply to all the comments……..Mrs Fitzjames is dragging me out again after she has fed me. But the stand-out comment of the day (take a bow Mick Fealty) about … Continue reading →

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Sinking Ship?

Posted on December 10, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

An amusing thread over on Slugger O’Toole. “Take Alliance seriously. They represent what most people want, the politics of compromise”. Its not the most catchy headline that Brian “Dimbleby” Walker has come up with. But Walker, who might be styled … Continue reading →

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Aussie Rules?

Posted on December 9, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

There was a time when pranks were harmless. A rite of passage in most offices. You get back to your desk after work and there was a message slip with a phone number. “Ask for C Lyons”. Belfast Zoo could … Continue reading →

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Ruthie Does It Again

Posted on December 8, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

DUP Councillor Ruth Patterson cannot bring herself to condone or condemn the burning of the Irish National Flag outside the City Hall in Belfast today. Which is par for the course. But her claim that Republicans often burn their own … Continue reading →

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Census And Censusability

Posted on December 8, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

Ardmajell and indeed others have raised the prospect that it might all be about the census figures next week. Certainly it is safe to assume that the First Minister, Deputy Minister and others have seen the Report. Ardmajell points out … Continue reading →

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“We Are All Alliance Now”?

Posted on December 7, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

I am boycotting newspapers…Leveson reaction. But I am not boycotting them enough to not notice the headline in tonight’s Belfast Telegraph. “We Are All Alliance Now”. Notwithstanding the sympathy we all feel at the brutality of this week, the headline … Continue reading →

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That Was The Week That Was

Posted on December 7, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

A bad week……but what exactly happened? Belfast City Council meet to debate the Big Flag…..the British one which flies over the City Hall. Belfast is no linger a unionist citadel. There are fifty councillors. Sinn Féin have sixteen. SDLP eight. … Continue reading →

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