Emma turns 1

We had a little get together for the 1 year old a couple of weeks back. On the one hand, the year has flown. On the other, I can remember most of it pretty well - it's been a challenging time for all of us. Whats weirdis that I was still with Virgin Blue when she arrived. Feels like I've been with CBRE forever. Some pics of the day... the giant Pig balloon is a gift from Godfather Ken.

I have to ask this question.

Who knew the extent of this? Did I just have a very sheltered upbringing in Malahide? Despite going to a Christian Brothers secondary school - pincipally staffed by lay teachers, I did not witness anything remotely comparable. I saw lads getting a thump - some more than others - but then they were going to turn into armed thieves and end up in Mountjoy anyway. Whether those thumpings contributed - who knows - but that was limited. I wasn't in the country when the "States of Fear" documentaries were aired. I thought incidents were isolated. Maybe it was hope. Very very naiive hope.

I've read some of the Commissions report, and I know there is absolute shock, horror, anger and the rest going on back home - especially with my generation and those I grew up with as we have similar "protected" middle class backgrounds. But come on. It's not that long ago and there is a couple of generations still out there that lived through this. That had these places right beside them. That were told by their children that this was happening but chose to ignore it. It's not an argument that "the times were different" back then. Not acceptable. I don't care where you live or what epoch you lived in - any form of child abuse is morally wrong. Whatever the role of the Church in peoples lives in the last century. Comparing the odd reactionary disciplined smack from a teacher to this shit. Not acceptable.

This has broken through the news over here - and around the world I believe. I'm unable to say anything. I'm ashamed. I know we're not the only country where its happened, but we've placed so much in the hands of the Church since independence, they control too much.

What's wrong with us as a nation? We're a small country - a land of saints and scholars. Yet we have managed to produce some of the most corrupt politicians and government officials the world has seen - including a former Taoiseach who, in some pockets (such as Dingle), is still hailed as a hero. Now many of our once revered Catholic institutions have been revealed as paedophile rings and organisers of systematic torture, guilty of running Nazi-esque concentration camps. What is wrong with us?

Is is our history of occupation? Surely that excuse is running thin a century on?

There's been so much material on this subject over the past week since the Commission's report being released that there's little else to say. Except to ask again. Who knew of this? How could anyone in all concience know this was happening and not act? How could parents not believe their children? How could a State department preside over the atrocities? How could 1 in 100 children go through these institutions and it not affect the entire generation?

Does anybody every read this guys blog http://bocktherobber.com/ ? Calls a spade a spade and restores faith somewhat. Time for people to act.

Emma's friendly nature....

So she's walking finally. A month before turning one she started - her birthday is next week. An interesting year we've had. She's mad as a fricken brush mind you. This poor boy scout was accosted on his day trip to the State Museum (dinosaur exhibition).

Now then. Other stuff. The pneumonia is passing finally for Alissa. Takes a while to shake it, but we're getting there. Of course, everyone is now coming down with little colds and there are runny noses aplenty. But, I seriously have to put this web site weather forecast report up - just for the word 'mild'. Ah yes, winter truly bites in this part of the world. That said, have had to switch off the old solar heating for the pool - no point anymore, it doesn't get above 25 degrees even on a sunny day. But, it did give us an extra couple of months in the pool and some very pleasant summertime swims. Now when we need a swim we just ask (well, we get Aibhe to "tell") Barb and Geoff that we're coming at the weekend and that they need to switch on the electrical heating in their pool. Costs a fortune to run, but sure we need the odd swim don't we.

As ye know, it certainly does rain here. This summer has been drought breaking. Further evidence to the left. That was just a few weeks back, all that grass is very quickly turning brown as its been pretty much bone dry since.

Everyone sick of talking about and hearing about the recession? Yeah, good. Us too. We're about to get our budget handed down tomorrow I think. Not as bad as back home, but still will be a dent in the finances. Thats enough about it now. We survive.

Other than that, not much news. Work is work. Actually managed a few straight weeks in the office for a change - amazing how much ye get to catch up on when not on planes interstate. For those that wish to see more of the crazy duo, a few more pics going up on www.aibhefoley.blogspot.com

I will get round to mailing people individually soon. Honest.