It is difficult to exchange views when one member, let's call him.. I don't know, Keith, for the sake of giving him a name, tries stifling debate by continually finding snippets, often out of context, on websites that support one view or seem to, and use that to try and stop debate by applying a "this is right, therefore you are wrong" perspective.

Debate is debate. Web crawl Top Trumps is subjective at best and boorish at all times.

Oh, and putting the words of others without qualification and then trying to say you haven't expressed a view doesn't help your credibility or lack of.



I can confirm that potatoes are abundant in Ireland again. I had hash browns as part of my breakfast this morning at Bewleys in Leopardstown. Still got a thick head from last night in Templebar, but got to get a bit of work done today before spending the next few days here with my lad, who flies in tomorrow morning. Beer to drink, spuds to eat and old friends to catch up with. (Also, rather excited about doing a turn at The Oliver St John Gogarty Wednesday night. A bit of an honour.)

Still, waffling on about me being in Ireland is at least more on topic than claiming the opinion of a historian is different to the same opinion and historian when you first mentioned her, eh Keith?