Category: news

Belfast, christian, LGBT, news, Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment

Christmas Past, Present, and Future

Michael McFarland Campbell
And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.

From Twitter I learn that most people have already opened their presents, their stockings, and parcels – before lunch!

with my parents when I was young

Before we set off for the service on Christmas Eve night, we set up the Christmas tree unlike many of our friends who had had theirs up since December 1. The most we got during Advent was usually an Advent Calendar or in latter years an Advent Candle.

Since my brothers and I were in the choir at the local Anglican parish church – we were allowed to open one present upon our return from Midnight Mass, then bed quickly. Then Santa came round on his second trip* round the UK. Then in the morning we were allowed to see what Santa had left in the stocking.

Something every child could get

Continue reading “Christmas Past, Present, and Future”

Ballymena, Blogging, newsLeave a comment

the parents’ annual ramble (not in the snow thank goodness!)

Michael McFarland Campbell

Every year for at least the last twenty years my parents have issued a Christmas letter with what we have all been up to. Now sitting in their dining room, opposite my little brother Duncan who is reading about why does E=mc²?, and having just seen the other one Peter who is off playing taxi driver for some neighbours, I reproduce the letter that has been sent out – with some editorial from me in purple.

Although plenty seems to have been happening this year there’s not a vast amount of any significance to report; so here we go on the annual ramble. Continue reading “the parents’ annual ramble (not in the snow thank goodness!)”

APNI, Belfast, Blogging, Enniskillen, Lib Dems, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics, SDLP, UUP8 Comments

Anna Lo: an update… a rather liberal take on what I was saying

Michael McFarland Campbell
Icon for use on Template:Politics of Northern ...
Image via Wikipedia

A Pint of Unionist Lite has commented about a post of mine* about the reaction of Anna Lo MLA to the story from Fermanagh about Social Democratic and Labour Party Councillor John O’Kane’s comments on creating a centre ground grouping, I would like to confirm that I made my statements full in the knowledge that some could try to twist my words into saying what they do not.

This can happen to anyone who makes any public comment on any issue.

But, to go back to the original issue that I had then – and still do have – with what Ms Lo was saying, let me be clear about my thoughts on this important issue. Continue reading “Anna Lo: an update… a rather liberal take on what I was saying”

Belfast, Blogging, Lib Dems, London, news, politics, Tuition Fees7 Comments

The 27 betrayed their Party – Shame on them!

Michael McFarland Campbell
The Palace of Westminster at night as seen fro...
The Palace of Westminster wherein the 27 Rebel MPs betrayed their Party, led by Rebel Leader Nick Clegg MP Image via Wikipedia

On another Lib Dem blog we read that

Today’s tuition fee vote is a milestone for the Liberal Democrat party. It is the first time the party has had to seriously consider the wisdom of a policy designed for permanent opposition from the perspective of government. Continue reading “The 27 betrayed their Party – Shame on them!”

APNI, Belfast, Conservatives, DUP, Labour, Lib Dems, London, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Police, politics, PSNI, SDLP1 Comment

violence in Belfast as the vote loomed – reaction

Michael McFarland Campbell
Protestors and police clash as Translink Metro is broad to standstill during Protest on Tuition Fees. Pic © 2010 Michael Carchrie Campbell
Protestors and police clash as Translink Metro is brought to standstill during the protest on Tuition Fees in Donegall Square, Belfast on December 9th, 2010. Pic: © 2010 Michael Carchrie Campbell

This afternoon, I happened to be in Belfast City Centre as the protest on tution fees was taking place at the gates of Belfast City Hall.

Earlier this evening as Northern Ireland Liberal Democrat Chair I issued a press release. I said: Continue reading “violence in Belfast as the vote loomed – reaction”

Belfast, gay, LGBT, Media, news, Pink PaperLeave a comment

Final push for Pink Paper Readers Awards

Michael McFarland Campbell

We’re into the last 24 hours of voting in this year’s Pink Paper Readers Awards. Earlier in the autumn as the awards nominations opened, it was impossible to log that you came from Northern Ireland in the awards. As one of the people that pushed Tris Reid-Smith, Editor of Gay Times and the Pink Paper to include Northern Ireland, this year, I urge all in Northern Ireland to vote for their favourite LGBT venues – and show the rest of the UK and the world that we do have a lively and healthy gay scene, with the largest community Pride … Continue reading Final push for Pink Paper Readers Awards

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Ballymena, Heraldry, London, newsLeave a comment

Paisley; a Borough; no respect for Crown authority; and a city…

Michael McFarland Campbell

Diamond Jubilee of HM The Queen We’re coming up on a milestone in the reign of our Sovereign Lady, Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and of her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, &c.*. The last milestone was Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee – the forthcoming is the Diamond Jubilee in 2010. Jubilee Cities With these milestones often comes a race among various towns in the United Kingdom to be the three in 2000 (or four five† in 2002) that become cities in what … Continue reading Paisley; a Borough; no respect for Crown authority; and a city…

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Belfast, Blogging, Health, HIV, news, Northern Ireland life, politics, SDLP, Volunteering3 Comments

ending the stigma: guts needed to tackle it head on

Michael McFarland Campbell

cross-posted from positive hivblogger World AIDS Day 2010 It’s World AIDS Day 2010 today, another year has gone past, those of us living with HIV are still here – and still the stigma is being broken by some of us that are courageous enough to tell our friends, our family, and other people that we are here, living with HIV. “Coming Out” That’s right – telling others. So, today, I’m ‘coming out’ publicly on this blog as to I am. Complete with photo. Unsurprisingly given my job and other interests, I was at a political conference a few weeks ago. … Continue reading ending the stigma: guts needed to tackle it head on

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APNI, Conservatives, DUP, Fairer Votes, Labour, Lib Dems, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics, SDLP, Sinn Féin, TUV, UUPLeave a comment

It’s a small change – but it will make a big difference

Michael McFarland Campbell

The most ambitious voter contact programme in British political history will be getting off the ground this weekend. The first wave of a total of 50 phonebanks will be open in cities across the United Kingdom. The cause
? The campaign for Yes to Fairer Votes for the Referendum on May 5th on the voting system used for Westminster elections. 140,000 already signed up Saturday 4th December will go down in history as the day it started. Already 140,000 people have signed up to help the campaign. I am proud to be one of them. This campaign truly is one from … Continue reading It’s a small change – but it will make a big difference

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