Monthly Archives: August 2010

Miriam O’ Callaghan For President? (Nope)

Posted on August 31, 2010 by

According to the Sunday Tribune, she’s being pushed as a candidate. According to today’s Irish Times, she’s not interested. Ouch Tribune. Try to get your front page verified a bit more next time, eh? Though the sources that the paper used were … Continue reading →

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To Ourselves, Articles Eighteen and Nineteen

Posted on August 31, 2010 by

Oh, the Seanad. What can you stay about it? 1.    Seanad Éireann shall be composed of sixty members, of whom eleven shall be nominated members and forty-nine shall be elected members. Plenty of Senators for one thing. Too many really. … Continue reading →

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The Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan

Posted on August 30, 2010 by

Fascinating text, that gives an analysis/narrative of one of the most destructive conflicts of the ancient world. Kagan might be the foremost living authority on Ancient Greece. This book is actually a condensed version of his four part academic series on the … Continue reading →

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It Is Not War #5: Michael Collins

Posted on August 30, 2010 by

A nice short one this time. Neil Jordan’s biopic of the iconic revolutionary is rightly lauded as a fine piece of filmmaking. Neeson, simply put, is Collins for those two hours and the supporting cast (even Julia ‘This is my Oirish accent’ … Continue reading →

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Battles, Battles, Battles: Addendum The Second

Posted on August 29, 2010 by

Ok, the last four: Medina (627) – The failure of the Meccans to capture the city (a clash more popularly known as ‘The Battle of the Trench’) meant that Muhammad’s power within Medina was secured, leading to his further conquests. Islam’s rapid rise … Continue reading →

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Football 10/11: vs West Ham

Posted on August 29, 2010 by

Another doddle, which was exactly what you need after failing to get 3 points against Fulham. The result is important but equally so is the fact that Rooney has finally ended his goal drought as many expected him to. United … Continue reading →

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“Belligerent Imbecility”

Posted on August 28, 2010 by

Very nicely put in this post here. I’ve turned big-time on this story. Before I was willing to give both sides the benefit of the doubt. But a few weeks later, I can’t take it anymore. The hate. The sheer mindless … Continue reading →

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Battles, Battles, Battles: Addendum

Posted on August 28, 2010 by

I had 24 down previously and I’m adding two more to that and replacing another: Breitenfeld (1631) – The key battle of the Thirty Years War, and the Christian Wars of Religion in general. Ensured the religious freedom of German Protestant States … Continue reading →

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Death Smiles On Us All

Posted on August 28, 2010 by

I wrote the following in response to what I have seen mostly in online discussion. It is not a reflection on any people I know personally. This article contains significant spoilers. It was originally written for Pigment, the newsletter of the … Continue reading →

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Battles, Battles, Battles

Posted on August 27, 2010 by

There is a lot of them isn’t there? I’m trying to do what Creasy did and narrow down what I think are the most decisive battles in history. As you can imagine, a lot of problems with that process. Am … Continue reading →

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