Above the Internet - Latest Comments

Re: Election 2010 – talking to the candidates

Stuart Gibson — Sun, 09 May 2010 19:05:17 -0000

When I first sent the emails they weren't listed as standing. Then they didn't put any posters up in Bangor, so I still didn't know. Then I found out they were, emailed them and got no reply.

Not exactly a big loss though. What would the conversation have been? "What are your plans if you get elected?" "Oh, to stay here and not bother doing anything in the position I was elected for." Not much of a policy for their position in helping govern the UK.

Re: Election 2010 – talking to the candidates

a real neutral — Sun, 09 May 2010 18:33:10 -0000

What about the North Down Sinn Fein candidate? Vincent Parker is the only party candidate which you left out, why is that?

Re: Questions for the politicians?

denisdownes — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:15:32 -0000

First, will the Tories grant a referendum on Europe if elected? We were cheated of the chance by Labour.
Second: Do the Tories plan to repeal the legislation banning fox-hunting if they are elected?

Re: Questions for the politicians?

Andrew Gribben — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:46:19 -0000

Here's one for the TUV if you can get in touch:

The second of their four principles is
"Desirous of devolution compatible with democratic principles and precedents prevailing elsewhere in the UK, thus causing us to reject the present undemocratic mandatory coalition model which puts Sinn Fein in government;"

And I would ask does this mean that if elected that they will be trying to cause a collapse or suspension of the Assembly. Or will it be through working within the system and by forging relations with other parties so that the republican electorate will choose, alternative candidates at the next election?
Secondly is their problem with Sinn Fein itself or with certain member (eg convicted criminals). If it's with Sinn Fein itself then how do they feel about the SDLP?

Re: Why Sylvia Hermon didn’t vote in the Digital Economy Bill

Stuart Gibson — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:09:09 -0000

I wasn't really clear exactly what the emergency issues she was dealing with were. I'll be sure to ask her when I get a proper time to chat.

Re: Why Sylvia Hermon didn’t vote in the Digital Economy Bill

alananderson — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:09:02 -0000

Being a fellow North Down resident, and have tried to contact Lady Hermon myself to ask that question with no luck, its good that someone has been able to corner her and put her on the spot.

One thing I don't understand is she is now and independent, tied to no party whip, and also is it the DUP's Ian Paisley (senior) who was the ONLY Northern Irish politician to actually show up and vote in the Digital Economy Bill last week, and he voted 'no' (just for a change).

I agree with your point that we are getting caught up on the single issue point, but there were hundreds of letters sent to her to do something, taking one night out is not going to stop violence towards the elderly, however I don't see her out on the streets of Bangor actively doing something about 'hoodies.'

I've approached the main parties and Lady Hermon tonight as part of Creative Boom Belfast to see if we can get them to express what they will do for the creative industries as a whole, I don't know how many will take part, the next couple of days will tell, but I'm interested in seeing the results, hopefully Lady Hermon will take part.

Re: Why Sylvia Hermon didn’t vote in the Digital Economy Bill

maehara — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:04:40 -0000

Interesting.

I voted for Lady Hermon at both the last general elections, not because of any party loyalties (her pro-Labour leanings are a matter of record, and I'm very much not a Labour supporter) but as a "least worst option". I had initially planned to do the same at this election, until DEBill reared its head and gave me cause to think.

Means I'll be interested to hear what she has to say, either through you if the recording goes ahead or should she drop 'round my way.

Re: Why Sylvia Hermon didn’t vote in the Digital Economy Bill

cimota — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:01:50 -0000

I'd agree with you (and Lady Sylvia) if I hadn't bothered writing to her.

If her single vote doesn't do anything amongst the tiny population of MPs then mine will count for even less in her constituency. And it stands to reason that when we actually try to engage with our politicians and they utterly fail to do something, on something this important, we are essentially put off from engaging in future. This is why I'm not voting.

And someone should tell her that we have the police for dealing with hoods on estates. She's hardly qualified to face down a group of really tough 14 year olds.

Re: Why I don’t want background tasks on my iPad

Wes — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:55:51 -0000

I would have to disagree. Currently it's impossible to keep Pandora open in the background, or maybe to keep an IM client in memory so you stay online. I wouldn't get any more distracted by being able to switch tasks easier. I know this because I use backgrounder on my iPod and it doesn't kill my productivity in any way. If anything, it improves it by allowing me to pick up my work after I need to access another application quickly. Often I'll switch over to iKeePass, grab my password, and switch back to what I was doing. I would have to restart whatever it was if it weren't for my Backgrounder/Kirikae setup.

Re: Why I don’t want background tasks on my iPad

matt stevens — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:13 -0000

Good point - not thought of that before. But not everyone has a macbook pro....

Re: Liveblogging (sorta) the Apple Store opening

asansorkiralama — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:29:24 -0000

very good...

Re: The H1 Debate

DebbyBruck — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:11:49 -0000

ps Thanks for twitlonger. Just found it today.

Re: The H1 Debate

DebbyBruck — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:11:28 -0000

You are a smart cookie. Also read you blog on traveling 25 miles for a product they didn't have. I guess life is a lesson in patience and work arounds. Taking that iPod for company on the trip to nowhere. Asking customer service to check availability before stepping out of the house and probably much more.

What lesson are we learning from all this on personal, industrial, business and communal levels?

Re: Talking to politicians - Pt1

Lee Munroe — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:28:39 -0000

Great idea Stuart. Good to see you're getting a good response to this. Since I basically live online, what the candidates get up to on the web will have a strong impact on me so it's good to see that they are engaging.

Re: Talking to Politicians - Part 4: Niall Ó Donnghaile, Sinn Féin

Niall Ó Donnghaile — Wed, 06 May 2009 08:56:13 -0000

Sorry for not having a great deal of time yesterday Stuart, as you saw yourself, it was a pretty hectic afternoon up in the Assembly yesterday.

Good luck with the project and again, sorry I didn't have a great deal of time but hopefully it was ok for you.

Ádh Mór

Niall

Re: Talking to Politicians - Part 2: Steven Agnew, Green Party

Steven Agnew — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:32:36 -0000

Cheers Stuart.

Good to an interview that isn't cut to 20 seconds.

Re: Talking to Politicians - Part 2: Steven Agnew, Green Party

Russell McQuillan — Tue, 05 May 2009 04:47:35 -0000

interesting article - well done !

Re: Talking to politicians - Pt1

Lesley — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:50:09 -0000

I'd love a Santa Fe but i couldn't park it. Oh, and it would be bad for the environment

Re: Talking to politicians - Pt1

Stuart Gibson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:59:35 -0000

I've been here for 31 years and I still don't get it. I think it might be interesting to try and get them to talk about why I should vote for them *now*, without them relying on the past as a reason for election. With it being the European parliament I'm hoping that local politics will be slightly less relevant, ease myself in gently.

If it goes well, I would think of making it a regular occurrence for each type of election. Mostly worried that my complete naivety will mean I just sound like an idiot when talking to them.

Re: Talking to politicians - Pt1

braziel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:53:59 -0000

Fascinating project Stuart, Im looking forward to seeing how it pans out.

Ive been living in Northern Ireland for nearly 15 years now and Im ashamed to say Ive never voted here. Politics in this country is so complicated by the past and by tribal loyalties that as a blow-in I've never felt confident enough to participate.

Maybe you will inspire me to take the plunge.

Re: Talking to politicians - Pt1

Sarah — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:31:25 -0000

LOL @ the fact they both end their e-mails by introducing themselves.
Also - Awesome idea

Re: Talking to politicians - Pt1

KeithBelfast — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:23:47 -0000

Awesome Stuart. Looking forward to your reaction. Sometimes its very easy to get swept up in the political jargon used a lot by "these people". Try and cut through it and understand how they can help change your day to day life.

keith

Re: Talking to politicians - Pt1

Stuart Gibson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:53:02 -0000

Yeah, I think it will be interesting.

My comment on cars still stands though :)

Re: Talking to politicians - Pt1

Lesley — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:33:29 -0000

That's fantastic. So glad you have taken this step. Your response to me yesterday was such a middle-aged conservative line that i knew it had come straight from your parents. My view is that if we, the youth, don't care enough to get involved , then what hope is there? We are a different generation from our parents and i was shocked to hear you held the same views. We have to take an interest, for our children.
Well done you for taking this initative to educate yourself and others.
Kudos.

Re: Talking to politicians - Pt1

Stuart Gibson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:04:06 -0000

I'm thinking that too. Which will be an interesting story in itself