Six degrees of separation #1

I'm a bit addicted to the Kevin Bacon game. To the extent that my fiance built me a version! So I'm going to do one every week and give a shout out to whoever gives the best answer in the comments. No cheating though!

#1: Aidan Quinn to Jason Biggs.

Good luck!

Shameless Ken, absolutely shameless.

I must say I was absolutely disgusted to see that Ken Bates successfully bought Leeds United back from administrators KPMG. I have already stated my opinion of the situation in what was my first ever post ('Robbing the poor to pay the Bates'', 15/5/2007).

It seems as if no one care about the fans, who collectively, are a significant creditor to the Yorkshire club and - as with all clubs, lest we forget - its most valuable asset.

For Ken it's just one big game. Football would be better off without him.

End of the road for the PDs?

After over twenty years in the Irish political landscape the writing looks to be on the wall for the PDs, following Tom Parlon's resignation from the party . The party has been through a tumultuous time in the past few months. The general election in May saw the party lose six of eight seats - most notably that of Tanaiste Michael McDowell and senior minister Liz O'Donnell. Both of these figures have since hung up their political boots.

The decision of Mr. Parlon has come as quite a shock as he had been widely tipped to be the next leader of the party. His addition to the PD line-up in 2002, was seen as a major coup and he romped to a seat in Laois-Offaly before taking up a position as Minister for State in that government.

Former leader and founding member Mary Harney is acting leader at present, but one has to wonder if re-merging with Fianna Fail - the party from whom they split in 1985 - is the most likely scenario. It would certainly make sense given that Harney has retained her position as Minister for Health, but there may be personal or historic reasons which mitigate against this.

It is evident from the past three coalition governments that the PDs and Fianna Fail are politically compatible. So why not?

One step forward, two steps back!

The nuclear proliferation debate has been pretty much omni-present in the news for the past few years. I was delighted to see North Korea change their stance on the admittance of IAEA inspectors. While I don't think the nuclear question in Korea is going to be solved in a hurry, I do think it's an important step forward.

Unfortunately this improvement in relations has coincided with further complications in Iran, where satellite images suggest a large tunnel is being built next to a key nuclear complex. A tunnel based nuclear complex would greatly reduce the impact of a preemptive air strike against the state's burgeoning nuclear capabilities.

It is still to be established whether there is need for military action against Iran (at present you would have to say no), but if this tunnel complex is for nuclear development purposes, maybe they do have something to hide.

What Law? He's the President.

George W. Bush in his infinite wisdom has chosen to commute the prison sentence of former White House aide, Lewis Libby. If only we all had as influential friends when we did something wrong. This is an outrageous decision by Mr. Bush and one that will not be soon forgotten. I suspect the Republican primary candidates are less than pleased at this latest act, which I'm sure will only serve to unify the left come election time.

The statement which I find most interesting was Mr. Bush's comment that: "I respect the jury's verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence is excessive." Yes sir, perjury is a mere misdemeanour. What else does he think is beyond punishment - drink driving!

I find this a convenient time to make judgement calls surrounding the law. A couple of years ago a college classmate of mine left Shannon airport for a holiday in Boston. He was a fun-loving chap and sometimes a bit overly boisterous, but law abiding none the less. His 'crime' of going on holiday earned him an arrest on the tarmac in Logan, 12 hours in a holding cell, interrogation by US customs officials and a police escort back to Ireland.

Do you think that was fair treatment, Mr. President? Don't worry (as if), no one has been holding their breath for an apology.

Au Revior Thierry

Yesterday's news that Thierry Henry was definitely leaving Arsenal signalled the end of an era for the north London club. No matter who you support on Saturday afternoons, his talent is undeniable and his departure is a loss to the Premiership.

For the past 8 years Henry has tormented defences and scored goal after goal of sublime quality. As a Liverpool fan I know better than most the damage this man could do.

I must admit to not liking him however. Part of that is down to wanting him playing for my team, but mostly it was his arrogance, which he wore without apology. The same high nosed Frenchness which made me hate Cantona before him.

His departure could be an ominous start to the season for Arsenal. They are now in a similar position to Liverpool in that they have to buy big. Most likely they will be competing for the same players. If they do go head to head I suspect the team that wins out will be the one hanging on the coat-tails of Chealsea and Man Utd.

For the other, there could be a very long season ahead.

They're watching us all!

Does the CIA think me a threat? Will my phone be bugged? Have my bank accounts been red-flagged? Just a few thoughts which come to mind when your blog tracker includes a viewing from falcon4.langley.af.mil. (See my previous post: "No more war!")

I have to wonder at the extent to which the words Iran and Iraq are being tracked in the blogosphere - and on the web as a whole. Surely the relevant authorities have more sophisticated methods of tracking potential threats than jumping on Technorati to see mentions of Iran, made by every Tom, Dick and Harry.

Oh well! I guess this post will earn me another hit tomorrow.

No more war-mongering!

Will someone please tell the people of Connecticut that their senator - Mr. Lieberman - is an idiot! How any senior US political figure could promote the idea of another military intervention is beyond belief. Iraq is still in chaos and American mothers don't want to see more of their sons dying in foreign lands. You should be putting your energy behind the IAEA and give them the full support they need to do the job.

Bertie: the cat who got the cream.

Bertie Ahern put the icing on his election victory forming a majority government with both the Green Party and the PDs last week.

I still don't quite believe the turn around from the run up to polling. However, it is the formation of the three party government which will have a more lasting effect on the political landscape. The Green Party's first venture into government will tell a lot about the future of the party. Will they over-emphasise the green card or will they try to expand their manifesto. Or will Fianna Fail allow them to venture into all aspects of governance.

Unless the pending coalition with Fianna Fail and the PDs is a complete disaster, the Green Party may not be a potential coalition partner for Fine Gael next time out. If this was the case it's difficult to see Fianna Fail failing to win a fourth term. Maybe it's a bit early for that kind of prediction, it's not beyond the bounds of the imagination. We'll have to wait and see.

Oh please no!

I think I speak for all Liverpool fans by saying how appalled I am at the suggestion we are to splash out £16 million on Diego Forlan.

This tool proved in his time at United that he couldn't hit a barn door from five yards. May I present exhibit A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJBgN-0SvUI&NR=1. True, he has been a consistent performer in Spain, but over recent years there is plenty of evidence that this is no guarantee of success in the premiership. Newcastle's signings of Luque and Cordone are two particularly vivid examples, but I could spend hours listing the names.

This aside, his signing would be a major step back for a club which announced such ambitious plans at the tail end of last season. If it was a choice between buying Malouda and Forlan or Samuel Eto'o, I can see only one course of action. Eto'o is a match winner. This is the one thing missing from the Liverpool squad and he'll score 30 goals a year for you.

Lets hope Messrs Hicks and Gillett see sense and give Rafa the money he needs. If they fail to live up to their previous promises, I can see Rafa walking and that will cost them a lot more in the long run.