Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

The Vodafone effect ? :

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-protest-works-just-look-at-the-proof-2119310.html

Here in Ireland we're getting even more draconian cuts in public services than the UK, thanks to the spectacular mess made by private businesses (specifically banks and property developers). In both countries the decision to bail out these failed businesses is nothing less than a massive expropriation of public funds by the private sector. It's robbery, plain and simple, and it staggers me that the public is accepting it with so little opposition.

Over here, the government have openly stated that the bulk of the "correction" will be achieved through "cuts not taxes". Given that the poorest in society depend upon the public sector to a far greater degree than anyone else; the implication seems to be that it's somehow right that the poorest should suffer for the greed and stupidity of private business.

I'm not saying that the country can continue to support the public sector in its current form now that the economy has been torpedoed by business, but the apparent unwillingness to make the business community shoulder a fair share of the burden created, in large part, by themselves is beyond shameful.

I know Jim, and it depresses and worries me. I'm an Irish citizen as well as a UK one, and I spend a lot of time In West Cork. I have personal concerns there, but luckily I am relatively unaffected. I follow it very closely indeed. Everything you have said is so succinct and incisive, sadly.

Off on a tangent, but what part of West Cork? My folks live near Skibbereen and I spend a good deal of time down there (when you have an excuse to visit West Cork, why wouldn't you?)

I've got a place a couple of miles outside Drimoleague. I go over a lot. I'm going out again for a week at the end of November, hopefully. I know Skibbereen very well. It's a lovely place. I've spent many good times there, and also Clonakilty, Bantry, Baltimore etc. Very good for the head!

Where are you based then, Jim ?

I was born in Dublin, Sea Cat, but spent most of my life moving around -- all over Europe, plus spells in North Africa, the Middle East, North and South America. Recently I returned home and I've been living just outside Dublin for the past few years.

Though as I say, my folks retired to West Cork (a lovely place on the coast about 10 minutes from Skibb) so I visit often and know the area pretty well. Drimoleague's a nice spot -- equidistant from Bantry and Skibb... truly God's Country.

Dead right. That's why the population have stopped using their cars in their millions, significantly cut consumption of products imported from areas where biodiversity is under threat and started to demand massive investment in sea-defences and the relocation of vital infrastructure away from low-lying coastal areas.

Oh wait, no they haven't. So how exactly is this "worry" manifesting itself, jshell?

EDIT: One more question, jshell... whatever about global warming; are you honestly suggesting that (a) biodiversity is unimportant to the health of humanity, and (b) industrial civilisation is not having a hugely negative effect on it?