Category Archives: Uncategorized

Strictly Come Journalism (The View)

Posted on April 15, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

“The View” (Thursday night 10 40 pm) is the flagship politics programme on BBC Norn Iron. I never watch it of course. It represents all I do not like about local politics…DUP, TUV, UUP, Greens, Alliance, Sinn Féin. And commentators … Continue reading →

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Decade of Half Centenaries: Deaths March 1972

Posted on April 13, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

There were as far as I understand 35 Troubles-related deaths in March 1972. As far as I can work out, four on duty British soldiers were killed. Ten members of the IRA were killed, some in premature explosions. Four members … Continue reading →

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Assembly Election 2022: Upper Bann

Posted on April 12, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

Upper Bann is a constituency comprising towns like Portadown, Lurgan and Banbridge as well as villages like Waringstown, Aghagallon and Derrytrasna. Currently there are five MLAs…DUP (2), UUP (1), Sinn Féin (1), SDLP (1). Previous to 2017 when it was … Continue reading →

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Decade Of Half Centenaries: Direct Rule

Posted on March 30, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

As I have said many times, the Decade of Half Centenaries is much more relevant than the so-called Decade of Centenaries that the Conflict Resolutionists obliged us to commemorate in a futile attempt to tell us that we have a … Continue reading →

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Chris Rock

Posted on March 29, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

I had only vaguely heard of Chris Rock before the Oscars incident where Will Smith went on stage and slapped him. Mr Rock seems to be one of those “roast comedians” like Ricky Gervais who says outrageous things while his … Continue reading →

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The Oscars

Posted on March 29, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

So “Belfast” was nominated for seven Oscars and one just one…Best Original Screenplay for “Sir” Kenneth Branagh, our very own actor/director/writer “luvvie”. Being nominated for seven Oscars and winning just one is an anti-climax. Officially the category is “Best Original … Continue reading →

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Irish Neutrality And…Irish Neutrality

Posted on March 17, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

Almost twenty years ago, I was part of a discussion on a History “discussion board” on MySpace. The subject was Irish Neutrality in the Second World War. This is often a sore point for Irish people. Not so much for … Continue reading →

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Decade of Half Centenaries: Deaths February 1972.

Posted on March 6, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

There were 28 Troubles-related deaths in February 1972. As far as I can make out; Five British Army were killed by the (Provisional) IRA. Two off-duty members of the Ulster Defence Regiment were also killed by IRA. Seven members of … Continue reading →

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Journalism In A War Zone

Posted on March 6, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

About twenty years ago there was a British sitcom called “Drop The Dead Donkey”. It was set in a Television news room. It was topical with scenes often written just hours before transmission. One of the running gags was that … Continue reading →

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Dr Johnson and Boswell…Norn Iron Style

Posted on March 4, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

I have always been surprised by the number of times, Mick Fealty quotes Newton Emerson. But oddly today, I was thinking of James Boswell and his old mucker, Dr Samuel Johnson. Has Mick Fealty quoted Emerson more times than Boswell … Continue reading →

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