Change. What does it really mean? At the beginning of every year people are full of personal resolutions in an attempt to change direction in life. These changes (or at least the promise of them), are usually intended to put people on a journey of self-enhancement or improvement. Let’s have […]
I remember having a debate with a history teacher from a school in Dublin. He was dead set against conflating events from the past with the ones we are living in. I respectfully disagreed. History is not consigned to the past. For me, the past is a continuous force that shapes […]
One of the most fascinating insights I ever got from American politicians was watching a documentary about Trump’s first run for the White House. One of the many ordinary voices interviewed was a humble blue collar worker from Detroit. Detroit used to be called ‘Motor City’ but years of under-investment […]
When Ronald Reagan began his 1984 election campaign it was to the backdrop of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the USA’. He wanted the song to reflect his patriotism and in a ‘Trumpian’ manner, conjure up the theme of American greatness. Just like in his days as a Hollywood actor, Reagan […]
It’s very difficult to change a perception of anything once it becomes established in popular culture. It always seems to me that Irish people like that we have some link and heritage with the Vikings. They come from an era that was pre Anglo-Norman, who of course became the permanent […]
Following on from last month’s issue, Kieran Doyle reflects further on a road trip in the USA. In the previous issue, I explored my perception of American patriotism, which was very much aligned to their military past and indeed present. Their role as kingmakers in the foreign policy of other […]