gdp's Comments

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Rathfriland in shock as crash kills pensioner - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 20:52:02 +0000

Couldn't agree more. The picture serves no useful purpose. Sincere sympathies to the family.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : DUP: new body needed for Protestant school \'failures\' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 18:39:00 +0000

Ach I got a job lot goin' cheap many years ago some of it works fine but some if it seems a bit old an frayed, been used too many times I suppose. I don't know if they still make it, doesn't seem so! :D

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Ralph McTell back walking the streets of Belfast - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 18:32:43 +0000

There were some good times right enough TJ. Didn't have much money but didn't seem to need much. Gigs were fairly cheap, had some good mates to knock about with, hard work, 42 hour week when we started but we made the most of our time off. It was all roses of course. I rather like this one: "It's great to reminisce about good memories of my past. It was enjoyable when it was today. So learning to enjoy today has two benefits: it gives me happiness right now, and it becomes a good memory later." George Foreman

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Ralph McTell back walking the streets of Belfast - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 15:14:27 +0000

Always very partial to Ralph McTell. Fairport Convention came to the Whitla Hall in the spring of '70, Zepplin first performed Stairway to Heaven at the Ulster Hall but I think the most faithful of all when it came to playing Belfast was the absolutely incomparable Rory Gallagher.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Ralph McTell back walking the streets of Belfast - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 15:11:11 +0000

Dang I wish I could go! 20 quid these days ain't bad. Early 70s he used to do the odd free gig on a Sunday evening in the 'Crypt' Folk Club under St Martin's in the Fields in London. The club supported a mission to the homeless who were regulars there as well. You paid 'what you could afford' at the door, about a half a crown for the most part. hearing 'Streets of London' in that particular venue was very poignant, lump came to the throat very quickly. Have a great evening! Full report when you get home!

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : DUP: new body needed for Protestant school \'failures\' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 14:05:15 +0000

(which basically made excuses for Mr Dowd's plans and encouraged me to support him! And this is the bit that really chaps my hide. What you are trying to do actually DOES support O'Dowd. You recognize a problem and you are supporting him by pointing it out and suggesting a better course. A good friend supports us by not just by telling us how great we are but also by helping us tackle our problems. The old "Emperors New Clothes" story comes to mind. Not only are you trying to offer support to him but also to your wider community. Telling someone, 'don't make this mistake' can be the kindest thing we can do sometimes. I can almost guarantee you a struggling school will listen to a group of head teachers, staff and parents who have 'walked the walk' before they will give any credibility to folk who have barely set foot in class room never mind actually teach.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Nurses drafted in as 100 patients left in Royal A&E - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 13:37:32 +0000

I have no doubt whatsoever you are right Ulysses. Why in the name of patience could Poots not have got the Agriculture portfolio at least its an area he might know something about? I know a little bit about health care and its really clear Poots doesn't. So I have very strong feelings about how the staff and patients have been betrayed by those in office and currently the blame must land heavily on Poots desk, from behind which Poots really ought to extract himself and hang around the hospitals for which he claims responsibility.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : DUP: new body needed for Protestant school \'failures\' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 13:18:00 +0000

Again many thanks for your insights. What seems to have evolved over the last couple of years at least, though I suspect the situation has been festering for much longer, is those responsible for determining and overseeing 'policy' seem to do so with almost complete disregard either for those who must implement those 'policies' or those most impacted by them. What is transpiring within the education community seems to mirror in many detrimental ways what is happening in health care. If Mr Storey has a problem with how the education or 'protestant boys' is supported then mobilize the community organisations he is involved with and DO something. The personnel, volunteers, are available if they really do feel there are issues to be addressed. There are Orange Halls and church halls that can be used to provide space and people for homework help etc. What is also disturbing is why you haven't received some response from Storey et al. One would indeed be forgiven for thinking there may be another agenda. I have long suspected there is another agenda for health cake, but we'll save that for a shared mug of Horlicks.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Nurses drafted in as 100 patients left in Royal A&E - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 12:06:44 +0000

The man has become positively dangerous. He transcends incompetence, but his worst failing has been to ignore advice he was offered nearly two years ago, instead he orders consultations and reports none of which seem to have had any positive impact on improving the lot of the staff or the patients they are trying to care for. And the staff can't even on depend on getting their correct pay? Dreadful.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Nurses drafted in as 100 patients left in Royal A&E - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 12:00:14 +0000

Some months ago Poots promised to increase actual staffing by 40 nurses. Can we assume this hasn't happened? Moving staff around to fill in gaps is fine in the short term for very brief periods but to rely on this method to deal with frequent crises exacerbated by permanent understaffing is madness. My heart goes out to you. And what must be so frustrating,, as you say, is the fact that back BEFORE the BCH ED was closed Poots et al were told this very scenario would very quickly develop and there was no contingency plan. I wonder what that area at BCH is used for now...it better not be administrative offices. And yes I agree, health care has become a 'numbers game', people (staff and patients) reduced to data points and numbers on a spread sheet. When a situation like this described develops Poots should actually show up to see what is happening for himself. And now you tell us that, just like the last time we 'spoke,' you haven't received your correct pay since NOVEMBER? Absolutely inexcusable. Poots would do well to consider that dedication, sense of duty, desire to render quality care and good-will such as yours can't last for ever. Very best wishes to you and your colleagues.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Boys, 10, spiked teacher\'s coffee - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Wed, 7 May 2014 00:41:11 +0000

Got me beat, but they do, you can get cute little pink rifles for girls! Remember the kid who shot his cousin with a shot gun? http://www.crickett.com/crickett_rifles.php Now ask if a responsible adult will give a child a gun and the answer must be no.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Peter Hain: \'I was sent a letter bomb by the security forces\' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Tue, 6 May 2014 20:43:37 +0000

Dead right TJ, couldn't have said it bester meself.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Peter Hain: \'I was sent a letter bomb by the security forces\' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Tue, 6 May 2014 19:45:02 +0000

Now, having said that, the collusion between corrupt African politicians and foreign business is staggering. This is exactly the sort of thing I've read about so I appreciate your own thoughts and insights. Thanks.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Debt-hit students\' desperate struggle to make ends meet - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Tue, 6 May 2014 19:34:39 +0000

Not entirely the case, self employed lawyers, architects, dentists, surveyors amongst others need a degree.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Peter Hain: \'I was sent a letter bomb by the security forces\' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Tue, 6 May 2014 19:18:30 +0000

I certainly understand you could only pay what you could afford I suspect there are however a great many who could indeed have afforded to pay more but chose not too certain of the fact that there would be a pool of people who could be relied upon to work for very low wages just so they could earn something. Many thanks for your frank and concise answer. Your own experience of SA mirrors that of folks I knew even 10-20 years before you were there.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : This is nuts... man who found worms in two separate bags of pistachios shellshocked - BelfastTelegra

Tue, 6 May 2014 19:02:17 +0000

"a chrysalis of navel orangeworm" Ah ha! get the little critter up to Twaddell Ave so it can be among friends for dear's sake!

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Peter Hain: \'I was sent a letter bomb by the security forces\' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Tue, 6 May 2014 18:48:21 +0000

I knew a few people from NI, the RofI and England who went to SA and found being in a 'privileged minority' very hard to cope with and came back, not after a month right enough, but after a few years. Based on your own experience, what was the unemployment rate amongst whites? What was the average monthly salary for whites? How many of them for example worked for 80UKP a month? How many whites worked as servants for non whites? 'Starving unemployed masses', one could argue that in such an environment when there is intense competition for low wages, those who pay the wages are indeed exploiting the situation. With respect, exploitation and reality aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Prescription charges would boost research - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Tue, 6 May 2014 16:05:16 +0000

Very few of our politicians across the whole political spectrum are fit for purpose Can't argue with that. How long do you suppose folk will put up with that? Who are the alternatives who might be fit for purpose? So long as voters are only energized by the same old Us vs Them garbage and the only issue is 'the Union' then there is absolutely no reason for the polticos to have any vision much less experience, experience or policy to effect any positive change in anyone's life.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : More Polish homes targeted by racist thugs in fresh bout of \'ethnic cleansing\' by UVF - BelfastTel

Tue, 6 May 2014 15:40:11 +0000

Hye boy I'd ask for me money back on those elephantroqution lessons. Ye'd stick out like a sore thumb at a Cultra garden party so ye would! ;)

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ : Top garda Derek Byrne in running to head the PSNI - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Tue, 6 May 2014 14:47:12 +0000

No sugar and I'll bring the Jaffa Cakes. " If the Garda man is up for the job, experienced..." Absolutely. No harm to the people from the Met as a rule but they have to spend their first couple of years getting acclimatized to NI and I very much doubt a Garda would have the same issues. It might be a bitter pill for some to swallow right enough but if one is really serious about having an experienced 'chief' then he could be the one. Further I would imagine he would have a very good grasp on organized crime as a 'whole Ireland' phenomena that might escape someone from an English constabulary. Very well worth serious consideration as would a nice bit of Barmbrack if you have any going! :D