Hugh Murnaghan

True.

The sort of famous person you could aspire to be like, without the disappointment of the mask slipping, as happens with too many.

Just a wonderful song writer.

It's easier to pick favourites from Flanders and Swann.

Poisoning Pigeons in the Park or The Masochism Tango for me.

...after the Civil War, in which many of them had served on the Treaty side.

They were undoubtedly influenced by the imagery of fascism, but they very quickly became just about as much of a threat as the Artane Boys Band.

As was mentioned elsewhere, the real powers in black were the clergy.

...though O'Duffy probably was. Most were subsumed into Fine Gael as a conservative/anti-Communist movement, because that what most members were supporting.

They saw themselves as standing against Sinn Fein/Fianna Fail & the IRA, it is hardly surprising that views were so polarised in the years...

I think that the Blueshirts (officially founded as the Army Comrades Association), rather than Blackshirts, had largely disappeared by the time of the Emergency (some ex-members had fought disastrously on the Francoist side in the Spanish Civil War).

Very few members were actually fascist,...

Always the most important achievement.

I'm amazed that nobody has suggested a series of gigantic solar powered Archimedes screws...

I almost expect the regime to claim that the fishing boats being attacked in the Caribbean are being used to lay Iranian mines.

Couldn't agree more.

Particularly in Northern Ireland, there are bodies that receive public funds where you would have to send in occupying forces to raise the Union flag.

I'm just delighted that the 1990s UK boy/girl group have found gainful employment, albeit somewhat awkward to defend to their compatriots.

You'd never guess that I think I'm funny (not only in the "peculiar" meaning of the word)...

I would have thought Cardinaling would do...

Accurate description though.

I have to admit that I find the Pickwick Papers virtually unreadable, almost any other Dickens is easier (for me) to read.

I think that Nicholas Nickleby might be the easiest read.

I feel seen...

Just going to say that, for reasons, this thread reads very differently in Northern Ireland...

Do you remember when Lotus has the best email software????

I'd prefer a more accurate name, something like "trying to be Department of Supremely Toxic Masculinity"...

The whole point of having the gloves on is to protect yourself from harm...

Is Trump looking to save the Russian economy?

Limiting the franchise to UK citizens only may be problematic in Northern Ireland (as well as unpopular with Irish communities across the UK).

Pieces, on the other hand, sadly...

Done

I think you'll find you "volunteered"...

By simply managing to be a sentient being.

As someone from Northern Ireland, maybe it would be a more acceptable line to take if UK Prime Ministers had shown concern about clearly evidenced sectarianism in politics here over the last couple of centuries...

Excellent Goodwhine...

I've generally pronounced his name as Goodwhine having heard him wittering on about politics on the telly..

Can I just say that I love Lebanon and Lebanese culture/food etc.?

The problems that it faces, be it with the constitutional settlement or foreign "interventions", have often been imposed on the nation by outsiders.

I'm guessing probably either drinks only tea or no caffeine.

International...