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editorial

This tag is associated with 10 posts

Occupy Wall Street movement reopens foreclosed homes

From Reuters Dec 10, 2011:
Empty homes were the target of this latest protest by the Occupy Wall Street Movement. In this case their attention was focussed on four homes abandoned or foreclosed in an area of New York they say is among the worst hit by the financial crisis. SOUNDBITE: Senia Barragan, protest organiser, saying (English): “The foreclosure and underwater rates in this particular community is three times higher and any other region of Brooklyn and five times higher than New York state and so really we’re bringing the Occupy movement to ground Zero.” Alfredo Carrasquillo and his family were among the protesters. They’ve taken up residence in one of the district’s vacant properties. The protesters threw a housewarming party to press home their demands for fewer repossessions and more affordable housing. SOUNDBITE: Alfredo Carrasquillo, protester, saying (English) “We took matters into our own hands and claimed back property that was taken away from the community.” Some of the residents in this Brooklyn neighbourhood were happy to see the protesters. SOUNDBITE: George Herivaux, resident, saying (English): “I think it’s great, I love it, I think it’s great. Yes, more often because we need it out here. People are losing their homes, the cops are out here dogging us, we need it out here.” The Occupy Wall Street movement began staging demonstrations in September in a backlash against the billions of dollars given to banks. They say the banks are raking in huge profits again while average Americans have no relief from high unemployment and a struggling economy. Paul Chapman, Reuters

Will Ireland concede on Irish corporation tax? Interviewed on BBC World Service “World Business Report”

BBC World Service “World Business Report” asked me “What will Ireland say if EU leaders insists it increases its corporation tax rate in line with other European countries?” BBC World Service “World Business Report” (mp3)

Tween a rock and a hard place

Nine-year-old Noah Cyrus? Had anyone actually heard of her until a tidal wave of righteous indignation engulfed the recent launch of her clothing range? Miley Cyrus’ (of Hannah Montana fame) kid sister and her parents allegedly signalled clear clothing line intent at a Halloween party last year when Noah appeared decked out in a black [...]

Writing in clear English: top ten tips

Want to write clearly, right from the start? Then you need to plan, write and edit in equal measure. Here are Clear Ink’s top tips for getting your message across.  www.clearink.ie Writing and speaking are tools for communicating a message. That’s it. Yet so many things – jargon, legalese, academic-speak, overly formal or informal language, [...]

Assisted suicide: a right to choose?

Assisted suicide: a right to choose?
In everymonday.ie’s new “Getting Notions” column, journalist Margaret E. Ward asks if you legally take away a person’s right to die then, as a society, shouldn’t you take responsibility for the dignity of their natural death?

Is marketing making our kids fat?

Health claims are a feature of food marketing but legislators are biting down hard on “better for you” sugary and fat-filled foods writes Margaret E. Ward

9/11 article: New Yorkers unite to help own in time of need

Eight years ago, New York, Washington DC and airplanes flying above the United States were attacked in the largest terrorist atrocity to take place on American soil. It was 9/11. Thousands died. Many were heroic. No one who witnessed, or lost someone, or watched it unfold on the telly will be the same again.

Losing faith in the church’s business methods

Originally published as a business column in The Irish Times, May 5 , 2009 PLATFORM:Catholicism’s senior management must explain and atone for its questionable actions, writes MARGARET E WARD   It’s a multi-billion euro business with properties and offices throughout the world. The company’s services are used by a huge percentage of the global population and [...]

Name that party

I’ve been thinking about the name for the new political party that must/ will/ might overthrow the government in a few days and was wondering if you have any suggestions?

Wanted: a maverick gunslinger to save us from the cowboys

WANTED: MAVERICK gunslinger to cut down enemies of the State. Year 2010: Tumbleweed blows through the empty streets of the International Financial Services Centre. The once proud little place in the wild west of Europe is almost abandoned. A few nervous survivors squint through cracked glass at the young, fair-haired woman outside. She is wearing [...]