Author Archives: Gerry Lynch

Copernicus’ “Google Doodle” and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Gerry Lynch

Crossposted at Slugger O’Toole… Sunday past was the 413th anniversary of the execution of Giordano Bruno (burned at the stake for heresies such as proposing that the Sun is a star and that the other stars in the sky are … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe | Comments Off

House Prices Rise 43-fold since 1971 – Cui Bono?

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Gerry Lynch

The Daily Telegraph highlights a report by Shetler indicating that house prices have risen by 43 times since 1971. This is over six times the rate of inflation for basic weekly groceries in the same period. The report comes with … Continue reading →

Posted in UK | Comments Off

Home Rule, Rome Rule and Gay Marriage

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Gerry Lynch

Crossposted at Slugger O’Toole… Last September, Unionists paraded in their tens of thousands through Belfast to celebrate the centenary of the Ulster Covenant. From the days of Lilibullero in the 17th Century, Ulster Protestantism has always had a particular genius … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Northern Ireland, UK | Comments Off

The Silence of Lost Worlds and the Fate of the Middle East’s Christians

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Gerry Lynch

Crossposted at Slugger O’Toole… Monasteries are very quiet places indeed. Garrulous as I am beyond the normal Irish capacity for such things, I am not someone obviously identifiable as a great lover of silence. At the Community of the Resurrection, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Europe, LGBT, Middle East | Comments Off

A First Commandment Issue?

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Gerry Lynch

Crossposted at 8aNoWay.com… During a recent social media discussion on homosexuality ensuing from Steve Chalke’s recent – and potentially game-changing – announcement of his support for marriage equality, I was confronted by one conservative member of the Presbyterian Church telling … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, LGBT | Comments Off

A Return to Force Majeure as a Criterion on Parading?

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Gerry Lynch

Cross-posted at Slugger O’Toole… The current parades-related legislation is cumbersome and deeply irritating to many in Northern Ireland. Every procession with the sole exception of the Salvation Army must go through the process of filling out an 11/1 form and … Continue reading →

Posted in Northern Ireland | Comments Off

Leadership That’s Working?

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Gerry Lynch

Crossposted at Slugger O’Toole… 48, 48, and 48 – those are the nightmare numbers for Unionism. Not necessarily for the Union, but for Unionism the political ideology as we have understood it for the past century or so. In the … Continue reading →

Posted in Northern Ireland | Comments Off

The politics of The Karate Kid…

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Gerry Lynch

The Karate Kid is an evil pinko Hollywood propaganda film (and I mean that in a good way). Daniel, son of a Noo Joisey single-mum transplanted to blue-collar Reseda, falls in love with a rich girl whose family sneers at … Continue reading →

Posted in General Wibble | Comments Off

Come let us adore him – thoughts from a disillusioned Christian about to attend Midnight Mass

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Gerry Lynch

Crossposted at 8aNoWay.com… A few hours to kill at home before I go down to St. George’s to make sure the heating has come on at its appointed time for Midnight Mass. Some thoughts waft into my mind from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity | Comments Off

Time for an End to the Convenient Lies of the Peace Process

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Gerry Lynch

Crossposted at Slugger O’Toole… People in Belfast like to be blasé about riots, as if they aren’t a big deal. Our gallows humour spawns #flegmovies memes on Twitter. But it’s OK to be frightened by riots. People in London are … Continue reading →

Posted in Northern Ireland | Comments Off