Tag: Northern Ireland

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A time for families to remember all their loved ones

Michael McFarland Campbell

I am so glad that I am lucky enough to still be in touch with my family. I know that I am one of the lucky ones. Others, like Lee, are not so lucky. I hope that all families will remember and love all their children for the people that they are – and not try to make them what they are not. Lee McCracken, a young lad from Belfast that I met during Belfast Pride 2011, has recorded a Christmas message to his family. As Lee says, Its been almost a year since my family decided to cut me … Continue reading A time for families to remember all their loved ones

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Lib Dems, news, Regional Development, Scotland, SNP1 Comment

Saving a Scottish Institution: what we all can do to save the Caledonian Sleeper

Michael McFarland Campbell

There was a time when travelling from Northern Ireland to London you could travel by sleeper from Stranraer Harbour to Euston – and indeed in the same manner in the opposite direction. Even as late as 1990 this was possible. However, sadly, this is now no longer possible, you have to take a train up to Glasgow to be able to connect with the sleeper. I know that I have enjoyed travelling using the services of the Caledonian Sleeper when I have needed to be in London fresh-faced for a meeting in the morning. But it seems that we may … Continue reading Saving a Scottish Institution: what we all can do to save the Caledonian Sleeper

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APNI, Belfast, DUP, HIV, news, Northern Ireland life, politics, poverty, SDLP, Sinn Féin, UUPLeave a comment

Is the Executive so tight that they cannot find £5000?

Michael McFarland Campbell

I was interested to notice that cancer patients in Northern Ireland are among those benefiting from a payment from the Northern Ireland Executive of a one-off winter fuel payment. Apparently this is because their immune systems are somewhat suppressed and they need to stay warm. £5000 is not much in the overall budget of the Northern Ireland Executive. At least you would not think that it is. Yet this relatively small amount of money is all that it would take to extend the payment of the winter fuel payment to one group of people who could really benefit from it. … Continue reading Is the Executive so tight that they cannot find £5000?

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HIV, news, News, Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment

Crosspost: #HIV statistics pose more questions…

Michael McFarland Campbell

How many people are living with HIV in Northern Ireland? It seems that that question brings different answers from different organisations. The latest figures from the Public Health Agency stated There are now 474 people living with HIV infection in Northern Ireland. However, Rob Anderson, Chairman of The HIV Support Centre said: In Northern Ireland there are approximately 1000 people living with HIV in Northern Ireland however it is estimated that this could be as high as 1250. It would be interesting to know what the true figure is. With a little bit of curiosity I found the following information… … Continue reading Crosspost: #HIV statistics pose more questions…

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Blogging3 Comments

Stephen has problems with language…

Michael McFarland Campbell

Stephen Glenn has made comment about the comments of others surrounding the use of language in the past few days. But perhaps we should question his own use of language… On LGBT+ Lib Dems Northern Ireland he says: In some countries like Spain for example the Priest is not apple to marry anyone (as such) that has been carried out by a government employee already. His sentence does not quite say what I think he meant. My understanding of his argument on this in the past suggests to me that what he may have meant to say is: In some … Continue reading Stephen has problems with language…

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Blogging, LGBT1 Comment

a mistake worthy of the Daily Fail…

Michael McFarland Campbell

According to a story on the Pink Paper‘s website, the North East of England has the largest proportion of straight people, with almost 96% of those living in the North East [saying] they were homosexual in response to the Integrated Household Survey published by the Office for National Statistics. I think that it is patently obvious that there is a missing ‘not’ in that sentence. Makes you think that it is always important to proof read though. Continue reading a mistake worthy of the Daily Fail…

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Blogging, Police, PSNI1 Comment

police officers – remembering those who serve all of us

Michael McFarland Campbell

We often hear of the numbers of police being cut, and of what the police are being asked to do by the Government as well as the public. But how often do we hear about it from the policeman’s own view. Minimum Cover is one way for us to do so. I’ve just read the latest post having been pointed there on Facebook by a Scouting friend. He looked straight at me through the smoke….mouthing words that had no sound…and then there was silence. So often our policemen and women face situations that most of us never want to see, … Continue reading police officers – remembering those who serve all of us

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