The Black Eye

Firstly, get well soon, Martin. I'm sorry I was so mean! We are just finished this weeks live podcast and it was packed! Caroline, Linda and I were joined by Environmental Law Officer, Attracta Uí Bhroin and Irish Examiner Journalist, Cianan Brennan to discuss the week that was. We extensively cover the revelation that the Government are set to ratify the CETA (EU and Canada) "free trade" deal this Tuesday and open Ireland up to some very serious problems in terms of corporate power. Please follow Attracta on twitter @attractaub and let's tell our TD's that this vote needs to be postponed until it can be given the relevant scrutiny! We also discuss Cianan's story about unused ventilators and PPE, as well as this weeks events in the PAC, relating to the Prison Service and Whistleblowers. We also talk about the recent Symphysiotomy ruling and what it says about access to justice for women in Ireland. Finally we talk polarisation online, where Linda tells us about her own experience with accounts that also hounded Roman Shortall recently. Finally, finally, we have our Q&A and we were joined by Saoirse McHugh and Lorcan Sirr. (members podcast) Please do tweet, call, contact your TD and let them know that the vote needs to be postponed so we can discuss it democratically. More information HERE To attend these live podcast and get access to hundreds of exclusive posts (including the full version of this podcast) please join us: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

We are doing another season. Ewan talks with Tony about why he felt compelled to bring back the Black Eye and the need now more than ever to pull at the loose threads of thinly covered narratives. Martin McMahon of the Echo Chamber Podcast joins us for what is a combative, but respectful debate on Covid-19, the Government response, NPHET and the health of our health service. It does get a bit heated. Remember to support this work and get lots of extra content join us at: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

What a week. This week Caroline West of Glow West took the lead and led Linda, Martin and Tony through some of the stories of the week and on into others that flew a little under the radar. We were Joined by Jacob Woolf to discuss Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism and Saoirse McHugh to discuss the Village Magazine story about the Leo Varadkar leak. We then opened the mics for a "not for public" Q&A. To support these podcasts, access lots of additional content and attend future events like this join us on: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

All eyes and minds may be on Covid but the world carries on, much of it speeding up as the cliff face approaches. This week we wanted to delve into those other issues and raise some vital awareness. The WWF has just released a report and it turns out humans have outdone themselves, wiping 68 per cent of populations from the face of the planet in a mere 50 years. The group's director of global campaigns, Zach Abraham, joins us from Switzerland as we talk the sociology of it, whether we'll ever really care, what can be done, what will be done, and what if nothing is done. From there we return back to Ireland as, believe it or not, there are other illnesses going unchecked and untreated as the hyperbole of the pandemic has become a disease in its own right. John Wall, a terminal prostate cancer sufferer and patient advocate tells us about what's been happening and more importantly not happening in that area, while clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy discusses the mental health effects and remedies for all the chaos. From there it's onto sport and this week we're going Stateside in the company of arguably the greatest sportswriter on the planet today, the incredible Wright Thompson of ESPN. With him we'll be looking at the landscape and state of society in his neck of the woods through the prism of sport be it nooses in Nascar, LeBron's latest stand, college sports pushing ahead, Trump's golfing exploits, and even how horse racing reflects so much of their history and their present. That's all before we get near the monologue featuring Ewan's love of the Late Late Show, Ryan Tubridy and NPHET, and the news of the week with Tony Groves. Time Stamps: From 28.57 - The monologue featuring RTE's long streak of average, Ronan Glynn's move to celebrity, the business of Covid, and the utter hyperbole being used to carve out power and a place in the future. From 44.47 - Zach Abraham from the WWF on our epic destruction of so much around us and what happens if we keep on keeping on. From 1:14.05 - John Wall, cancer patient advocate, and clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy on the other illnesses and concerns that aren't Covid but that are being driven by Covid. From 2:11.47 - Wright Thompson of ESPN looks at American life today through the lens of sport. Support Us On Patreon

On this edition of The Black Eye, we revisit the United States madhouse with Reecie Colbert of Black Women Views Media and the #KHive. Melania's denouncing bullying while her husband bullies right beside her, the race war carries on, and while a paralysed black man is chained up by police they offer water to a cold-blooded killer. Is there any sense? Is there any hope? Is there any humanity? From there we go to where there is no sense or hope - namely to Irish politics. The government is tearing itself apart and taking chunks of the country down with it. Phil Hogan and Darragh Calleary are the latest representation of all that, and to defend the performance and arrogance of the ruling class Bernard Durkan, Fine Gael's TD for Kildare North and Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fail's representative from Clare, are with us. Then it's onto the sports show where editor of the Blizzard, Jonathan Wilson, and chief football writer at the Independent, Miguel Delaney look at Barcelona's demise, Lionel Messi's next destination, Neymar's direction, Pep's reputation, Manchester City's glass jaw, and preview the Premier League as well. That's all before the news of the week and the monologue. TIME STAMPS: 2.50 - News of the week featuring a call to arms if alcohol is banned, the fools in NPHET who can't count to six, the fear of numbers that aren't doing much harm in Europe, and why celebrity spats should be settled with brutal violence broadcast live for our entertainment. 27.07 - The monologue looks at the gravitational pull of Phil Hogan's undercarriage, and how he comes from you, is just like you, thus you're to blame rather than him. 34.00 - The USA, black lives and white supremacy with Reecie Colbert. 1:09.14 - Let's all go to the circus of Irish politics. Cathal Crowe and Bernard Durkan join to discuss and defend the government. 2:15.58 - The Sports Show. Jonathan Wilson and Miguel Delaney talk Messi, Neymar, Manchester City and PSG, the Champions League just gone and the incoming Premier League season. Support This Podcast