Marking Time

The Dune of Pilat in the South-west of France, measuring 105 meters high, 2700 meters long, 500 meters wide and with a volume of 20 million cubic meters of sand.

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Plaza Mayor, Madrid, February 2004

Shannon Airport workers servicing military flights were in effect vindicated last week - by “anti-war” protesters. Two long letters from the “peace” lobby attacked American Ambassador James C Kenny and the Limerick Leader for defending the traffic. But the letters failed to substantiate the claims that the troops -and therefore the airport- are breaching international law.

Limerick Leader Editorial 19th May

A Pentagon probe into the death of Iraqi civilians last November in the Iraqi city of Haditha will show that U.S. Marines “killed innocent civilians in cold blood,” a U.S. lawmaker said Wednesday.

MSNBC.com 17th May

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• Informed Comment: “Wiping Israel Off The Map”
  This is interesting, not for highlighting Hitchens’ atrocious behaviour which, sadly has become par for the course, but more for the questionable source of the phrase “Wiping Israel Off The Map” which is a core part of the Iran war propaganda.
  (tags: Politics News)
• United Irelander: Words on Wednesday…with Joe O’Toole
  Good interview with some interesting insights into the life of a Senator. “Wipe Israel off the Map” even finds its way into it.
  (tags: Politics)
• Prints & Photographs Online Catalog - Bain Collection
  One of America’s earliest news picture agencies.
  (tags: News reference art)

With a high percentage of their inhabitants commuting long distances to work, rural villages like Connolly in County Clare are especially vulnerable to increases in the price of oil. It looks like some hard-pressed motorist just couldn’t take it any more, hence the need for the sign.

Ironically, the price of petrol in Connolly is among the cheapest in Clare. When this photo was taken it was 112 cents per litre which compares very favourably against the average of 118 cents in Ennis on the same day.

Meanwhile Limerick city centre could soon be without any petrol station. City centre filling stations are usually in prime locations. The property boom means that it makes more sense to sell the land to property developers rather than try to make money selling petrol. Public spaces are also under pressure. Damien Kiberd contemplates the consequences.