Jeremayakovka

Hillary Generates Buzz

I gotchya "spirited debate" -- right here. H/T Kesher Talk

When Irish Eyes are ... in Tennessee

Glenn Reynolds and Helen Smith interview two Irish journalists who are on tour in the U.S. to cover the midterm elections. Their guests, Mark Little and Ken O'Shea, are candid about many of their inclinations, such as: the undying Irish affection for Ted Kennedy, appreciation for Bill Clinton (for brokering the disbanding of the IRA and peace), their fascination with black Democratic stars Barack Obama and Harold Ford; their questioning of the relationship between 7/7 and the war in Iraq; and their wish that America would "do more" for a peaceful settlment in Palestine (I don't think I heard them say "Israel"). 

Mark and Ken offer some refreshing perspectives on the transformation of Ireland from one of the weakest to one of the strongest economies in Europe, one that has become a magnet for immigrants from Eastern Europe and North Africa. I wish Glenn and Helen would have followed up some of their guests' answers more pointedly, but this 23-minute podcast is still a little gem. I guess I'll have to come up with my own follow-up questions.

Two lines from the interview that give cause for pause:
What does it mean to be Irish? I don't know.  and
We have a Muslim community that is growing exponentially.