Author Archives: fitzjameshorse

Getting Shirty On Campus

Posted on April 10, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

Lets talk…Primary School. In my day 1957-1963, primary school children did not wear uniform. Some kids were better dressed than others. Nowadays primary school children wear uniform. Arguably a standardised uniform makes it more difficult to tell children from affluent … Continue reading →

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We Dont Need No Educashion!

Posted on April 10, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

Its almost a cliche that American academics who compare the American and Norn Iron Civil Rights struggles do not understand that Education (and access to it) was not a major issue here. Catholics and Protestants had (in American terms) “segregated” … Continue reading →

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At Last…An Answer For Carlos

Posted on April 8, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

Carlos has been on my mind a lot this past two weeks or so. He was one of the post-graduate students I met at Texas State University in February last year. I was lecturing on the Troubles with particular reference … Continue reading →

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Getting Shirty At The Shopping Centre

Posted on April 8, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

Walking around our local shopping centre(mall) on Sunday, I spied a large man wearing a blue Tshirt. Its not unusual to see folks wearing football “tops”. Many shopping centres and restaurants impose a dress code and I have often seen … Continue reading →

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Sam McAughtry RIP

Posted on March 30, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

Many of the Tributes which will be published and broadcast for Sam McAughtry who has died aged 90 will mention his working class Belfast background, his service in the British “Royal” Air Force during World War Two,his career in the … Continue reading →

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The Great Alliance Confidence Trick

Posted on March 26, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

If you get a reputation for getting up early…you can lie in bed all day. And the Alliance Party has this peculiar reputation for Decency in Public Affairs. It likes to present itself as the small party of moderation, squeezed … Continue reading →

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Musical Chairs In South Belfast

Posted on March 24, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

All Politics is local. And sometimes even a bit personal. There are times when the “moderate” Alliance Party has had a reputation for in-fighting and shafting each other. Thats an interesting dimension to the fall-out from Lo-Gate. BBC News is … Continue reading →

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Making Up

Posted on March 21, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

Raising £2 million for Cancer Treatment ….in just a few days is a brilliant achievement and am pleased to say that so many female friends were involved. Taking “selfies” without make-up…an excellent idea. I declare an interest here. My wife … Continue reading →

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# Tiochfaidh Ar Lo

Posted on March 21, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

As hashtags go…its pretty effective. Aliance Anna Lo MLA for South Belfast and the Party candidate in the European Election has grabbed the political headlines by saying that a United Ireland would be a pretty good idea. Thats a surprise. … Continue reading →

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When Bloggers Meet…

Posted on March 18, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

The Big Tweet Up…a meeting of Bloggers on the Belfast “blogging scene”….the MetroTextuals….took place last Thursday night in McHughs Bar in Custom House Square. It was a fitting venue, just across the square from The steps at tne Custom House, … Continue reading →

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