Watching me, watching you

Another Earth Day has come and gone, and we're still spinning. At least that's what I'm seeing on my television. The satellite TV company, DISH Network have a camera set up on their broadcast satellite, 22,000 miles away in space. It is a strange phenomenon being able to watch the Earth 'live' on a television screen. Its even stranger when the network play easy listening music, James Taylor and such, whilst the Earth is there spinning in all its glory. As I sit here watching Ireland disappear into the Eastern clouds, and Hawaii comes into view, Van Morrison belts out his ode to a 'Brown Eyed Girl', and the World keeps on turning, and tuning in.

Obama and Gerry

As President Obama makes his way across the Middle East, I am wondering if he'll bump into Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, along the way. Mr Adams is on a trip to Gaza, and has spoken with the Hamas Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya. Unlike many of his Western counterparts, Mr. Adams has been open to dialogue with the Hamas leader, and "said he was encouraged by the dialogue. "Mr Haniya told me that Hamas wants a peace agreement" (BBC, 2009).
Meanwhile in Turkey, President Obama addressed the Turkish Parliament, and commented "In a speech to the Turkish parliament in Ankara, he said: "The United States is not and will never be at war with Islam"(BBC, 2009). So, now on his way to Israel with a unnanounced visit to Iraq, will the President encourage Israel to open dialogue with Hamas, so as to further Obamas's commitment to find a solution to the conflict? Maybe if Obama talks to Gerry, and finds out what Hamas are willing to do, then a broker of some sort could maybe bring Israel to the table.

BBC.(2009).Adams meets Hamas PM in Gaza. Retrieved April 9, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7991311.stm

BBC.(2009).Obama extends hand to Muslims. Retrieved April 9, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7985945.stm

Síocháin sna t-am ár?

Casadh an tUachtarán Obama leis an tUachtarán Rúiseach Dmitry Medvedev agus d'aontaigh siad le laghdaigh armlann núicléach. Ar an taobh eile, géaraigh an Tuaisceart Chóiré a tabhair amach a bhagairt do an tIarthar,roimh tá sé lainseáil roicéad i bfhad réimse más amhlaidh an tIarthar atá idiragairt sna lainseáil. "A statement from the North's official Korean Central News Agency warns "if hostile forces make any slight move to intercept" the planned launch, the North's military will retaliate with force" (VOA, 2009).
An rachaimid amach de phlab nó an rachaimid síocháin sna t-am ár?

Wear an Easter Lily

I wrote this poem a long time ago, and thought what better forum to share than this. I dedicate the poem to those who have died in the struggle for Irish freedom, and to those who are struggling to keep peace a reality in Ireland.

An T-oilean a Gcuireann Muid Eireann Air (The Island we call Ireland)

The day you were born the heavens rang with cheer,
they lamented when you died.
All Hell broke loose
FAMINE RAGED!
WAR DESTROYED!
POVERTY REIGNED!
DEATH TOLLED ITS BELLS!
But through it all,
through the barricades and boundaries,
the hate,
the lies,
the torture,
the sadness,
the weeping,
the senselessness,
you saw the beauty in your people,
and know that when you rise again, this pain will end.
With this hope they struggle on till that
day when Freedom comes.

Martin Devlin