IntenseDebate - Scientist101

10 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Cancer drug can treat ... · 0 replies · +2 points

Yes, Lucentis is currently being used to treat patients with wet AMD across NI (and the rest of the UK).
However, the essence of this article is that Lucentis is very expensive and with AMD on the increase it is a massive drain on the NHS budget. Using Avastin has potential to get the same vision-restoring outcomes with less cost.
There is a lot of research being conducted at QUB to develop better treatments for wet and dry AMD and many other blinding conditions.

11 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Justin Bieber\'s taste... · 0 replies · +5 points

You are right about Anne Frank not being a "resistance heroine". Visiting her house in Amsterdam is a deeply moving experience. The terrors faced by the Frank family and other Jews is something that a lot of our young people should spend more time studying.
With respect to young Mr Bieber, it provides further insight into a rather narcissistic young man!

11 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - AWOL politicians shoul... · 0 replies · +6 points

Wise-up Jonathan Bell. The DUP have done nothing worthwhile for the people they represent and even less for NI. Can you not see? We are sick and tired of sectarian politics and want (need) leaders who are 100% focused on the important issues such as prosperity, education and health. Our current economic predicament demands nothing less from political representatives.

I recognise this article for what it is ..... a dig at the Alliance party who have tried to show some leadership and gained support in recent months.

11 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - All parties have to sh... · 2 replies · +4 points

I completely agree.
We need to be able to choose representatives who have a broader view and recognize the real priorities for our country

11 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - All parties have to sh... · 4 replies · +14 points

Ed is right about one thing: the responsibility of the media in reporting and debating our ongoing flag fiasco. Despite myself, I watched the infamous Nolan show last week and it made depressing viewing.

It did reinforce one thing for me. Quality of life, excellent healthcare, top-notch education and prosperity for all who want it are much more important than tit for tat tribalism. We need to get beyond all this current nonsense ...... and fast.
We ALL deserve better political leaders; plain and simple.

11 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Editor\'s Viewpoint: I... · 0 replies · +14 points

I fully agree with this editorial view and some of the follow-up comments.
Many moderate people who would traditionally see themselves as British were hoping for dynamism, charisma and fresh ideas from Mike Nesbitt but have been sorely disappointed. What did he hope to achieve by snuggling up with the DUP? Does he not realize that he has alienated many pro-union voters who need a non-sectarian, non-fundamentalist voice?

We need proper visionary leadership towards a fully functional (read: shared) Northern Ireland.

I, for one, support the stance taken by Basil McCrea, not only on the flag fiasco but also other important issues. He has the perspective that Nesbitt lacks and many "unionist moderates" agree with his position.

Basil, leave the UUP as soon as possible .... it is a slowly sinking, rudderless ship!

11 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Skin-deep peace proces... · 2 replies · +11 points

I agree completely with you Noranell.
The education and employment opportunities are there and have been for the last 40 years for those that need them. Many of NI's current. so-called middle class came from down-at-heel areas in a single generation.

As you say, the protestant areas in particular now seem to undervalue education. Some have speculated that this is a throwback to once mass employment in heavy industry (for protestants) and a blinkered aspiration to do a skilled apprenticeship. Whatever the cause, you are completely spot-on, kids need role models and many families are not providing this. Perhaps our government / politicians should look carefully at this and offer suggestions about how to provide leadership, role models, inspiration (call it what you will) for the next generation in all our communities.

11 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - Skin-deep peace proces... · 0 replies · +10 points

There can be little doubt that not enough was done to address the deep-seated divisions in our society while there was a feel good factor from the Good Friday Agreement and the economy was strong. A massive opportunity was missed by NI. I agree that some areas were left to "fester" and the core issues were not dealt with.

Perhaps we need look no further than the fact that our integrated schools remain such a small component of our education system. If we are really serious about removing the prejudice within society our kids need to be educated together within high-achieving, top-quality schools. Maybe this is where the root of our issues lie?

Gail depicts a hopeless, state-dependent, dickensian poor. While I don't completely buy this profile (we do not have third-world ghettos from which people can never escape) - these deprived communities do need urgent attention. I'm pretty sure, however, that they will not get the help they need from our current SF/DUP leaders (despite their working class roots).

11 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - First Minister Peter R... · 0 replies · +6 points

I would say that the Alliance councillors and MP (Mrs Long) are amongst the few politicians to show real courage in the last 6 weeks. Along with Basil McCrea, they are the ones that have retained credibility.

11 years ago @ http://www.belfasttele... - First Minister Peter R... · 7 replies · +80 points

6 weeks after his party deliberately whipped-up loyalist emotions with an ill-considered tribalist leaflet drop, Peter Robinson now calls for flag protests to stop as they are “synonymous with violence”.

I'm afraid you're much, much too late First Minister. You and your party have been irreparably damaged by your own self-destructive actions. A poorly conceived attempt to win back your East Belfast seat has now left you in a worse position than after Iris's dalliance and your own shady property deals.

Roll on the next election and watch the Alliance party gains at the expense of UUP and DUP.....

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