John Mortell’s blog

Not a bad BBC article here about 2000ad…

The thing about history is that it can often be open to interepation. The story here tells a lot about this that you don’t get from the image. Obviously it’s wikipedia but even so it seems on the level.

This quote form Eddie Addams the photographer is certainly food for thought.

“The general killed the Viet Cong; I killed the general with my camera. Still photographs are the most powerful weapon in the world. People believe them, but photographs do lie, even without manipulation. They are only half-truths…What the photograph didn’t say was, ‘What would you do if you were the general at that time and place on that hot day, and you caught the so-called bad guy after he blew away one, two or three American soldiers?’How do you know you wouldn’t have pulled the trigger yourself?”

Not bad for a tv ad….

Anyone out there care to explain to me what the hell this is about? I mean I know modern music sucks but please tell me this hasn’t been number one or something…

‘I also bought and broke down the — and it remains hard to believe I’m typing these words — erotic underground toilet that later sprang up to the west of my land, where I found two peculiar Italians whispering to each other that they could “probe things here.”’

One of the lads directed me to this. Don’t know whether to take it seriously or not. Even if it isn’t true I know there are people who do think this way anyway… Some highlights.

‘If he aims a playful swipe at your backside during the clearing, respond with an “oh you!”, smile and continue to the kitchen to get his dessert’.

‘Do not complain or question if your Husband has plans for after dinner. He has the right to a private life. Never call to check up on him. Use your free time to bake more, or to do his laundry’.

Well, I finally have that damn Russian history essay done. It’s terrible and I can’t say I’m happy with its quality at all. But to be honest, after last night I’m just too tired to care.

It’s turning into a long day anyway – amongst other things I ended up with last night was a girls phone (not her number and don’t ask) so seeing as I can’t call her (rather unsuprisingly) to give it back, I rang her friend.

I’ve arranged to meet her friend in town at 5.30. I don’t know what she looks like (well, I remember her being blonde last night but that’s it).Most importantly, being rather dozy this morning, I turned off the phone. Lacking the pin code it is now completly useless to me as a means of communicating with this girl. This should be fun.

From the BBC. It’s still better than ‘The Day After Tomorrow’.

RTE News 15th February 2007 18.02PM

British & Irish Governments Plan Ceremony in Croke Park

Northern Ireland Minister Peter Hain has announced details of a joint ceremony before Ireland’s crunch game against England in Croke Park on the 24th February.

The significance of the game is not lost on GAA followers and republicans who remember the infamous shooting of 14 players and supporters by the British Army on the 21st November 1921. However according to GAA spokesman Ulick Magee a plan being devised by the GAA and the Northern Ireland office, will attempt to draw a line under the incident. “We’ve spoken to the British government and they understand the significance of the event back in 1921. Back then 14 people were killed by British forces so in the spirit of the peace process and friendship we’re proposing that we shoot 14 of their lot before the match. Then maybe have fireworks afterwards or something.” Said Mr Magee.

Government Reaction

The plan has had a mixed reaction from Downing Street. Prime Minister Tony Blair thinks the idea has merit but said that it needs to be done properly and with dignity. “Frankly I think its a small price to pay for progression in Anglo-Irish affairs, but I think the idea of getting Ray Houghton to do the shooting would be too much for many English fans to take particularly after his goal against us back in 1988. And he’s Scottish which is worse.”

Proposed Victims

According to informed sources, the GAA and Number 10 have already drawn up a list of names for those to be shot. The list, which is not yet agreed, is thought to be a compromise of people that both the Irish and English public dislike. Among the names are moaney-hole singer James Blunt, foul mouth idiot Jade Goody, Trinny & Suzannah, Man Utd donkey Rio Ferdinand, cream cake expert Vanessa Feltz, “comedian” Russell Brand and any of the blokes who do outside broadcasts for Sky News. But discussions took an ironic twist when both sides agreed on shooting Belfast singer Brian Kennedy, but neither side agreed on what nationality he was. GAA representatives claim he’s British with their Foreign Office counterparts claiming he’s Irish. The Irish claimed no Irishman should sing or dance in such a manner and the English saying he couldn’t be a Brit because he had no tattoos on his forearm and didn’t wear Ben Sherman shirts. However there was eventual consensus that he should be shot regardless of his nationality.

Plans Agreed

The shooting will be carried out my members of the 2nd Infantry Battalion from Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. The original idea to get the FCA to carry out the executions were dropped when they revealed that their rifles are in fact made of baked-plastercine. Similarly the Garda Emergency Response Unit was discounted for fear they’d shoot more innocent civilians then claim overtime for it.