Blogs

‘CULTURAL ACTIVIST’: ALL COUNTRIES LARGE AND SMALL SHOULD SPEAK OUT - WILL THEY?

In the Isle of Man we live in a world where ‘cultural activism’ can it seems be divorced from politics but for some the reality is more harsh

Tashi Wangchuk a Tibetan activist who wants to promote his countries language has recently been sentenced to five years in prison - he could yet face harsher penalty.

The issue of so called ‘legacy killings’ is once again on the agenda in N Ireland as two soldiers - members of the parachute regiment - have been committed for trial over the death of Joe McCann in April 1972 (link):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-44334966

McCann was unarmed when he was killed and a large number of security forces shell cases were found close to his body.

I understand that Spain currently has extradition requests before the French Courts in relation to a number of members of the ETA nationalist movement however it is unclear at this stage if they will be implemented.

The French courts on the basis of the last account I read were uneasy about the treatment that the detainees would receive if returned to Spain.

One of the detainees Iratxe Sorzabal has already been subject to torture when she was held by the Spanish almost two decades ago.

It’s no wonder the Russians are ‘tetchy’! Looking South and West they see nothing but military alliances. There is NATO of course and then the various EU institutions including the Partnership for Peace. The UK and Ireland recently signed a military accord over training which was denounced by the Celtic League and then Britain and France old historical enemies signed some years ago their own Entente Cordiale.

I mentioned the IOM TT Race yesterday and as usual - that being my predilection - I was critical. Of course immediately there were cries of ‘he’s at in again whinging year after year’. But when I thought about it I’ve actually been ‘singing this tune’ for decades as I realised when I stumbled on an old recording I made over twenty years ago with Channel 5. Indeed I’ve probably been a critic since some of my critics were crawling around in nappies!

The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) 2018 road racing event is underway on the Isle of Man (Mannin). This week the qualifying rounds have been taking place on the 37.73 mile public road course, with the races scheduled to commence on Saturday 2nd June to Friday 8th June. Described as the world's ultimate road race, no other motorcycle race is held on such a challenging track as the Isle of Man Mountain Course. There is little to rival the skill, bravery and concentration levels needed to race in the TT.

The decision on whether to build a proposed £1.3bn tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay is likely to be announced next week. It has been reported that the UK government is set to reject the plans. Tidal Lagoon Power (TLP) who are behind the scheme said it could provide power for 120,000 homes for 120 years and that the unit price of power from a pathfinder project at Swansea Bay need cost no more than the unit price of power from Hinkley Point C [nuclear plant], which has already received government backing. 

A number of important Pictish artefacts has been discovered in the remains of an ancient fort near Burghead (Scottish Gaelic: Am Broch) on the Moray coast (An Cuan Moireach). The building is thought to have been destroyed by fire in the 10th century during the Vikings invasions. As well as a complex layer of oak planks in a wall, archaeologists have uncovered jewellery and animal bones. Samples of the well preserved wood found at the fort is being sent for carbon dating.

Even the press in Cornwall have been reporting on the fate of 'Tommy Robinson' but many in the Duchy have different views when it comes to this glorification of a criminal and what he really stands for.

A Cornwall Live article, no matter how well intentioned, has caused much offence.

A number of readers of the website which describes itself as "the leading news, sport, entertainment and information website for Cornwall, bringing you everything you need to know about our wonderful 'county' (sic) live and as it happens. It’s the online home of the West Briton, Cornish Guardian and Cornishman newspapers and Cornwall Today magazine..." were horrified to read the following headline: