In transit
I spent today in transit between London and Belfast. During the day, though, I noticed a couple of interesting developments.
Members of the Stormont Culture Committee expressed their concern about the threat of job cuts at UTV. More than that, the Committee is also seeking information about establishing a local broadcasting commission. Although broadcasting is not devolved, it's obvious that our local politicians have strong and often divergent views on programming.
Scotland and Wales have already been down this route before so it will be interesting to see whether Stormont follows suit.
Tonight a different kind of commission, the Parades one, allowed a Sinn Fein counter protest to the Army Homecoming Parade due to take place in Belfast city centre on Sunday November 2nd. The Parades Commission noted with concern that, besides Sinn Fein's event, there are plans for other, illegal gatherings in Belfast on the day, all of which will prove a headache for the police.
The assembly is in recess next week and I am determined to beat them to it, by taking leave starting on Friday. My colleague Gareth Gordon is looking after Inside Politics this weekend, whilst Martina Purdy promises to blog sit. I will be back blogging from Friday October 31st, when Peter Robinson will be preparing for his first DUP conference since succeeding Ian Paisley as leader.
I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~35~RS~)
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Mark,
I think Peter's key note speech needs to be aimed at the ordinary people on the street. He needs to re-engage with people otherwise he will melt. It is clear on all political blogs (although this is the best), all newspapers and right across N. Ireland that everyone and I mean everyone is fed up with our MLA's. People need help from the Government not overpaid people doing nothing and worst still taking the money for it. His party is tasked with looking after Culture Arts & Leisure, Enterprise Trade and Investment, Environment and Finance and Personnel. What have any of them done to affect people's way of live?
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Mark,
I meant to say enjoy your break. Listening to our MLA’s must give you head pains.
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Wahey! Martina's coming back! Make sure they put that wee picture of her on the BBC NI page again before you go please Mark.
Now I can go to sleep with sweet thoughts in my head, rather than the grating voice of some Malcolm Glazer lookalike shouting "there's no-one as Irish as Barack Obama."
What a night that was.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Martina
Welcome back.
The downside of your deputising for Mark is the unsettling effect you have on RJ (see post 3 above). You will know by now that he has a penchant for moderately attractive middle-aged women. For goodness sake, he even thinks Sarah Palin is gorgeous (see post 4). And he's certainly a changed man when you're at the helm. So, one wee favour, please discourage his fawning and flattery which are no more than childish attempts to curry your favour. Don't believe a word of it.
Be firm with RJ, Martina, be firm.
Susie
Carryduff
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Wow, good effort there from zzz_Derek_zzz.
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DOZEY DEREK!
I suspect that the zzz means that Derek is a bit 'dozey' when it comes to blogging!
Three in a row of rejected entries - I have a feeling he has broken your record RJ!
And RJ - I am so glad that you will be in seventh heaven with Martina's return, although I think you have scared her off, as she has not signed in yet!
Pandora
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aye suze, less of the "moderately attractive" and "middle aged", if you don't mind. Purdy's a honey.
and please don't compare our --rj-- to that derek with the zzzs spam guy.
--rj--'s posts are periodically blocked because he tells it like it is and "the man" doesn't want us to see the big picture lol. either that or his spelling and grammar sometimes aren't up to accepted bbc standards.
i have no sympathy for the utv. they have been on so-called ceasefire for ages now and still no sign of disbanding.
i am curious about the other illegal gatherings in the city on the 2nd of nov. i am undecided myself. i'm just going to go into town and join whichever, march, parade, protest or demonstration that has the best band or most humorous slogans (or whichever is being covered by ms purdy, obviously)
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The moderators are far too harsh. Whenever people tell it like it is the moderators here take offense. On one occasion I posted 2 comments to Nick Robinson about his interview skills. One was approved the other wasn't. Inconsistent.
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