Doc

In today's Irish Times is a snarky and condescending editorial apparently responding to some political movement for the Republic of Ireland to rejoin the British Commonwealth. Although I try to follow Irish politics fairly closely, this is the first I've heard that such an idea was even being considered. Needless to say, I was appalled. Whose idea is this? Surely it doesn't have much political traction, especially since Ireland is a member of the European Union and the U.K. is not. I'll research the matter a bit myself, but I'd appreciate your opinions on the matter.

I'm American, but I've visited Ireland twice. My wife and I did see some Traveller camps near Kildare and near Ennis...and yeah, they really did look pretty filthy and trash-strewn. Certainly there were many that came in for Market Day on Thursdays to Kildare, many with merchandise that had that "fell off the back of a truck" look to it.

There are American communities of them too, although they are of course more rare here; I did encounter one in Dallas, Texas.

It is difficult for me to cast a group into a cultural stereotype, and so I'm curious as to your perceptions and thoughts regarding the Travellers. I'd like to know more, although my own observation so far is that they seem best regarded at arms-length. I apologize if I offend.

Any Travellers, if you happen to read this, I'd like to hear from you too!

Does it seem reasonably free of political bias in its hiring practices and attitudes toward both religious/political communities?

Does it seem reasonably free of political bias in its hiring practices and attitudes toward both religious/political communities?

Hmm...I think I'll post this question in the U.K. section a bit later on as well.

I've seen it suggested that the cultural and social differences between the Republic and the North are too great for reunion to happen. I know there isn't any sense of urgency to end partition, although there are several cross-governmental bodies that are slowly tying the states together.

What are your opinions...will Ireland ever actually reunite? Is it necessary? Is it even desirable? Does the inclusion of the Republic in the EU make reunion more or less likely, or even relevant?

Now that the Senate Intelligence Committee has found that the Bush administration exaggerated claims of Iraqi WMDs, what now? It's great that they finally finished up the report that they started in 2005, then let sit for years while political games stalled it.

The Democrats aren't pushing for impeachment, because they certainly don't have the votes to bring it off, and it would admittedly be a waste of effort to try.

So what repercussions could there be at this point? Can any sort of censure or prosecution be brought after Bush and Cheney leave office in any case? Or are they simply home free once January 20th gets here?

I have no experience with acting; but I have a friend who has recently finished up a run with an extremely tragic play based on the fall of Troy. It affected her emotionally, especially as the play progressed in its four-week run. Fortunately, now that the run is finished, she's taking steps to cast off that emotional burden.

I think my question is this--does acting come from one's true self, or just a very carefully built kind of secondary self? Is there a way to insulate or separate oneself from a character, in the way that an office-worker leaves work at work at the end of the day?

What about the emotions themselves--real, or artfully feigned? I guess I'm curious about the basic nature of the art of drama.

My own perspective is what I call "Pagan-agnostic"; I have my set of spiritual (but not religious) beliefs regarding the Creator/Creation (I believe them to be synonymous); but at the heart of it, I believe that our understanding and perception are limited, and our names and concepts for such a Creator are merely ways we understand and attempt to relate to it. That belief set works for me, though I'm not trying to convince anyone else that I have the One True Way (tm).

Can atheism be considered a matter of faith as well...faith that there is no Creator?

Unlike so many here, I ask with respect; I am curious as to how those of you who are atheist have arrived at your position.

Is it anything like the Irish celebrations of St. Patrick's Day, either in Ireland or America?

And how about you Cornish? Do you do anything fun for St. Piran's Day coming up?

I've heard it said (I wish I could remember the attribution) that Americans really do not appreciate how ingrained the concept of class structure is in the British psyche. What is your opinion of the truth of this?

What else can you think of that might be such proof (I ask facetiously)? I consider that cooking might also fit! We don't just absorb nutrients--we can enjoy flavour and aroma, texture and satisfaction that comes with a good meal.