With so many friends who are American, I am very aware of the general view in relation to the Kennedy family. About a year ago Senator Kennedy was taken ill and later diagnosed with a brain tumour; constant questions remained over his health and ability to work. During the Barack Obama campaign Senator Kennedy appeared to endorse Obama as his candidate of choice to be president of America and to be honest he was visibly unwell at that juncture. . Regrettably, less than a month ago Eunice Kennedy Schriver too passed away. Her input and energy can be seen in the organisation which is the Special Olympics. As an Irish person, I know the high esteem in which the Kennedy family are held here. I believe that they and especially Senator Kennedy have assisted the plight of Irish citizens in the US, some of whom may have immigrated improperly. Additionally, Senator Kennedy played a pivotal role in maintaining US support for the Northern Ireland question. The Kennedy family are the Royal family that the American nation never had, and I believe the US nation would possibly agree. Rest in peace.
In recent days the debate over tanning equipment and the regulation of it in Ireland, has come to the fore. This was thanks to Lance Armstrong and his www.livestrong.com cancer campaign. I suggest that it is impossible to effectively regulate the market for synthetic or light based tanning products in Ireland. Commentators have remarked similarly and that tanning services could not be properly stated to be the root cause of skin cancer. It was most likely that the national penchant for getting sunburned raw red or beetroot colour might be more or equally weighted in the blame game. During one particular interview, a representative of city based tanning parlours mentioned that the intensity versus timing of lamps had already been regulated by the European Commission. The weaker the intensity of the lamp, the longer the tanning time takes, the higher the revenue for the retailer. Surely, disclosing such a common sense business model was a faux pas. Where tanning and burning are recognised factors in the development of carcinogenic illnesses common sense should really prevail. Off with you now, to buy your fake bake! Mind you, looking at some of the articles we have on the streets who are caked in fake bake, streaked fake tanning should also be banned!
Do academics not have the wherewithal and intelligence to draft an opinion piece to a national newspaper within the boundaries of commonsense and plain English? To see a ministerial advisor come out and slap down academics so openly is embarrassing and it is hard not to take issue with the construction of the original piece. While the man on the street may not appreciate the vagaries of ‘the dismal science’ it is very clear that something needs to be done, NAMA however appears a fait accompli. Banks could have been run until the 11th hour, before a ‘jump on the bandwagon’ government guarantee scheme was formulated, nationalisation plan allowed or rescue plan put in place couched in rationale which was “to secure the national banking systems”. There are at least two financial institutions that regret taking up the guarantee scheme at this stage and frankly are seeking to exist the Irish market. Their exit strategies are currently playing out in court. What’s most interesting is that the current legislation, as drafted, is also destined to be occupying the courts and the minds of lawyers for some years to come.
The views expressed are mine and mine alone. Disclaimer will be added to the site at a later date.