Blog Feeds

The Saker

Indymedia ireland

Indymedia Ireland is a volunteer-run non-commercial open publishing website for local and international news, opinion & analysis, press releases and events. Its main objective is to enable the public to participate in reporting and analysis of the news and other important events and aspects of our daily lives and thereby give a voice to people.

offsite link Fraud and mismanagement at University College Cork Thu Aug 28, 2025 18:30 | Calli Morganite
UCC has paid huge sums to a criminal professor
This story is not for republication. I bear responsibility for the things I write. I have read the guidelines and understand that I must not write anything untrue, and I won't.
This is a public interest story about a complete failure of governance and management at UCC.

offsite link Deliberate Design Flaw In ChatGPT-5 Sun Aug 17, 2025 08:04 | Mind Agent
Socratic Dialog Between ChatGPT-5 and Mind Agent Reveals Fatal and Deliberate 'Design by Construction' Flaw
This design flaw in ChatGPT-5's default epistemic mode subverts what the much touted ChatGPT-5 can do... so long as the flaw is not tickled, any usage should be fine---The epistemological question is: how would anyone in the public, includes you reading this (since no one is all knowing), in an unfamiliar domain know whether or not the flaw has been tickled when seeking information or understanding of a domain without prior knowledge of that domain???!

This analysis is a pretty unique and significant contribution to the space of empirical evaluation of LLMs that exist in AI public world... at least thus far, as far as I am aware! For what it's worth--as if anyone in the ChatGPT universe cares as they pile up on using the "PhD level scholar in your pocket".

According to GPT-5, and according to my tests, this flaw exists in all LLMs... What is revealing is the deduction GPT-5 made: Why ?design choice? starts looking like ?deliberate flaw?.

People are paying $200 a month to not just ChatGPT, but all major LLMs have similar Pro pricing! I bet they, like the normal user of free ChatGPT, stay in LLM's default mode where the flaw manifests itself. As it did in this evaluation.

offsite link AI Reach: Gemini Reasoning Question of God Sat Aug 02, 2025 20:00 | Mind Agent
Evaluating Semantic Reasoning Capability of AI Chatbot on Ontologically Deep Abstract (bias neutral) Thought
I have been evaluating AI Chatbot agents for their epistemic limits over the past two months, and have tested all major AI Agents, ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, Perplexity, and DeepSeek, for their epistemic limits and their negative impact as information gate-keepers.... Today I decided to test for how AI could be the boon for humanity in other positive areas, such as in completely abstract realms, such as metaphysical thought. Meaning, I wanted to test the LLMs for Positives beyond what most researchers benchmark these for, or have expressed in the approx. 2500 Turing tests in Humanity?s Last Exam.. And I chose as my first candidate, Google DeepMind's Gemini as I had not evaluated it before on anything.

offsite link Israeli Human Rights Group B'Tselem finally Admits It is Genocide releasing Our Genocide report Fri Aug 01, 2025 23:54 | 1 of indy
We have all known it for over 2 years that it is a genocide in Gaza
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem has finally admitted what everyone else outside Israel has known for two years is that the Israeli state is carrying out a genocide in Gaza

Western governments like the USA are complicit in it as they have been supplying the huge bombs and missiles used by Israel and dropped on innocent civilians in Gaza. One phone call from the USA regime could have ended it at any point. However many other countries are complicity with their tacit approval and neighboring Arab countries have been pretty spinless too in their support

With the release of this report titled: Our Genocide -there is a good chance this will make it okay for more people within Israel itself to speak out and do something about it despite the fact that many there are actually in support of the Gaza

offsite link China?s CITY WIDE CASH SEIZURES Begin ? ATMs Frozen, Digital Yuan FORCED Overnight Wed Jul 30, 2025 21:40 | 1 of indy
This story is unverified but it is very instructive of what will happen when cash is removed
THIS STORY IS UNVERIFIED BUT PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO OR READ THE TRANSCRIPT AS IT GIVES AN VERY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT A CASHLESS SOCIETY WILL LOOK LIKE. And it ain't pretty

A single video report has come out of China claiming China's biggest cities are now cashless, not by choice, but by force. The report goes on to claim ATMs have gone dark, vaults are being emptied. And overnight (July 20 into 21), the digital yuan is the only currency allowed.

The Saker >>

Public Inquiry
Interested in maladministration. Estd. 2005

offsite link RTEs Sarah McInerney ? Fianna Fail?supporter? Anthony

offsite link Joe Duffy is dishonest and untrustworthy Anthony

offsite link Robert Watt complaint: Time for decision by SIPO Anthony

offsite link RTE in breach of its own editorial principles Anthony

offsite link Waiting for SIPO Anthony

Public Inquiry >>

Lockdown Skeptics

The Daily Sceptic

offsite link Labour Sinks to Lowest Ever Poll Rating ? as Andy Burnham Fuels Starmer Challenge Rumours Fri Sep 19, 2025 17:00 | Will Jones
Labour has sunk to its lowest ever poll rating as Andy Burnham fuels rumours he is preparing to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership by refusing to commit to serving a full term as Greater Manchester Mayor.
The post Labour Sinks to Lowest Ever Poll Rating ? as Andy Burnham Fuels Starmer Challenge Rumours appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Oxford and Cambridge Drop Out of Top Three in University Rankings Because of ?Misguided Attempts at ... Fri Sep 19, 2025 15:00 | Will Jones
Oxford and Cambridge universities have?failed to get into the top three in the Times's prestigious annual university ranking for the first time, with experts blaming "misguided attempts at equality".
The post Oxford and Cambridge Drop Out of Top Three in University Rankings Because of “Misguided Attempts at Equality” appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Jeremy Corbyn?s New Hard Left Party Descends into Chaos as Zarah Sultana Says She?s Been ?Frozen Out... Fri Sep 19, 2025 13:16 | Will Jones
Jeremy Corbyn's new hard Left party has been plunged into chaos as his co-founder Zarah Sultana claimed she had been "frozen out" from the "sexist boys' club" and Corbyn threatened her with legal action.
The post Jeremy Corbyn’s New Hard Left Party Descends into Chaos as Zarah Sultana Says She’s Been “Frozen Out” of “Sexist Boys’ Club” appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Sadiq Khan?s Officials Suppressed Report Showing LTNs Don?t Cut Car Use Fri Sep 19, 2025 11:00 | Will Jones
Sadiq Khan?s officials suppressed taxpayer-funded research that showed low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) do not reduce car use after the London Mayor spent five years baselessly claiming LTNs are good for the planet.
The post Sadiq Khan’s Officials Suppressed Report Showing LTNs Don’t Cut Car Use appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Europe?s Days of Carbon Colonialism are Numbered Fri Sep 19, 2025 09:00 | Tilak Doshi
The delusional EU believes it can wield carbon tariffs as weapons. But its grandiloquent Net Zero scheme is destined to collapse under the weight of the bloc's utter economic irrelevance, says Tilak Doshi.
The post Europe’s Days of Carbon Colonialism are Numbered appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

Lockdown Skeptics >>

Anyone know what happened to the bin tax motion at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis

category national | bin tax / household tax / water tax | opinion/analysis author Sunday March 13, 2005 01:20author by Just Wondering Report this post to the editors

Does anyone know if this motion was passed?

Service Charges
57. This Ard Fheis
• Reiterates Sinn Féin’s commitment to the principle of public provision of essential
services, to be paid for by means of a progressive system of taxation. In accordance
with this principle, it restates its opposition to domestic service charges in any form.
• Deplores the efforts of Dublin government to impose service charges on communities
by threatening to dissolve local authorities or privatise refuse services where they
are not adopted and calls on the government to adequately fund local services by dedicating
an adequate of the central funds to meet the needs of local authorities.
• Deplores the tactic of attempting to force councillors to adopt service charges with
threats of dissolving councils or privatising services.
• Calls on Sinn Féin’s elected representatives to implement party policy by voting
against any set of local authority estimates making provision for domestic service
charges and mandates the Ard Chomhairle to take disciplinary action, up to and
including expulsion, against any elected member who contravenes party policy by voting
in favour of service charges.
Martin Hurson (UCC) Cumann, Cork
Cork Chomhairle Ceantair
Stagg/ Kelly Cumann, Dublin
Cathal Brugha Cumann, Waterford

author by John McDermott - removefiannafailpublication date Sun Mar 13, 2005 04:04author email jmcd444 at yahoo dot comauthor address Spainauthor phone Report this post to the editors

Was not Mary Lou on a recent anti bin tax demo? so can we presume they are as one on this important issue which affects many of their supporters in the larger cities,and elsewhere.?

Related Link: http://www.soldiersofdestiny.org
author by Stephen Lewis - Irish Socialist Network (personel capacity)publication date Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:28author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Motion 58:
Regulation of prices in relation to service charges:

This Ard Fheis notes that, while Sinn Fein is totally opposed to the introduction of bin charges, if the Dublin government proceeds with its planned pay and weigh system, we are calling for a regulatory price to be set.This would mean an end to the current free for all system whereby householders in rural areas are left in the hands of private operators.

Bobby Sands Cumann, Louth.

From reading this motion it seems that not all members of Sinn Fein are opposed to the bin tax, as this motion clearly accepts that notion of its introduction and goes further and is willing to allow a price to be fixed in relation to its introduction.

author by John McDermott - www.soldiersofdestiny.orgpublication date Sun Mar 13, 2005 13:29author email jmcd44 at yahoo dot comauthor address Spainauthor phone Report this post to the editors

The people and Joe Higgins ,(& Mary Lou?)will no doubt be asking all those independents and party candidates where they stand and how they will vote when elected.
There are only three certainties in the world of politics :defeat,taxes, and betrayal.
Once they are in(90% of them) they kiss their supporters goodbye.!
Until next election time.
5 years often softens bad memories.

Related Link: http://www.soldiersofdestiny.org
author by Mike Novackpublication date Sun Mar 13, 2005 13:36author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"Reiterates Sinn Féin’s commitment to the principle of public provision of essential
services, to be paid for by means of a progressive system of taxation. In accordance
with this principle, it restates its opposition to domestic service charges in any form."

OK, that's a clear statement of the "red" position. But except for the fact that the "reds" wish to pretend that the environmental crisis isn't real (just an artifact of capitalism -- got to concentrate on what is important) there might be possible some sort of compromise here. The "green" position is of course that the people who actually end up making the reuse, recycle, or pitch decision are the only ones whose behavior matters and incentives help with that.

Look -- this is only an idea, just a "proof of concept" presentation that a compromise would be POSSIBLE (you can then look for a BETTER version). How about a system where the progressive taxation is used to fund the overall waste disposal program but at the same time you have the "pay per throw" incentive.

The (progressibe) tax is collected (you decide the source) but instead of simply being used to fund waste collection directly is used to issue "vouchers" distributed per capita (or whatever you consider fairer) good for a bin. Allow people who find they can't be bothered to segregate out their recyclables or to compact their waste to buy more if they run out. Allow people who find they have bin vouchers left over at the end of the epriod to redeem them for cash.

What do you say? Do you think that both the "reds" and the "greens" could support that? If not, why not? I'd particuarly like to hear from "anti bin tax" people if they would find this objectionable what their reasons were >

author by Helperpublication date Sun Mar 13, 2005 16:01author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The motion was passed but it was amended so as to remove its teeth. The following part was deleted:

"Calls on Sinn Féin’s elected representatives to implement party policy by voting against any set of local authority estimates making provision for domestic service charges and mandates the Ard Chomhairle to take disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, against any elected member who contravenes party policy by voting in favour of service charges."

This has the effect of allowing Sinn Fein Councillors to cut deals on councils which involve voting for estimates including the bin tax. In other words SF now have a policy of formally opposing the bin tax while being ready to indulge in what Gerry Adams called "pragmatic policies" while he was having his pleasant lunch at the Chamber of Commerce.

author by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice Activistpublication date Sun Mar 13, 2005 21:21author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The Bin Tax; the environment; privatisation; human nature, equity etc.

I found this site most interesting. We need to start thinking as individuals just what the Bin-Tax is about?

To me, I hadn't thought much about the issue until lately.

I grew up in Co. Meath in the 1960's and can remember well the problem with waste, the rats particularly. The bin (one's own) and the Co. Council collection system made a significant impact to a way of life.

Likewse, the City benefitted. It is always possible to find someone who can tell you what the reality was like, rich or poor backgrounds' of waste.

Then there are the illegal dumps. I recall helping out with locals on the road to Tara Hill a few years ago and you would not believe what people dump in the dark of night or in the light of day. Pure ignorance and selfishness is all I can say.

Now we have another mentality. It links to the old greed mindset and it is irrespective of class or creed. Disused quaries, ditches, beeches are the repositors of waste that means lucre/airgead. It is about 'getting away with something' and for some it makes them extremely wealthy punters in Ireland.

These people are responding to being charged for their rubbish.....This problem will only get worse.......the mentality is what is wrong and getting away with the risk and money is the priority.....

Why did all those environmental committees over the last number of years not use some common sense....In health, as we have now seen, common sense is lacking and sadly also the most basic is lacking in Environmenetal practicalities.

I walk down Wellington Road - the Georgian bequest of a road of elegance in architecture daily. This is Dublin 4.

Scattered are the blue bins with protection bars to stop excessive waste being dumped. These are obvious about their message but for those with the mentality of Greed, these bars are another part of the game of let's beat the system!!!!!! (In some parts, bins have been set on fire; labels removed; broken; etc).

People stuff black bag contents into these bins with the City Logo and leave them overflowing and waste blowing in the wind.

Recently, I have been surprised by the post therein discarded yet the revelations are shocking to say the least. The last one I picked up was for a Chauffeur company bill to someone in Meath - the extended limousine cost of euro$400.00.

Does anyone know if one can send samples of the correspondence to the Environment so that they can effect the penalty perhaps!!!

The roads around here are noted for their laneways, the houses known as Mews ......well these have become another dumping ground. The latest finding here is an in-date Dublin Magazine - 2 boxes just left there.

If this is to lie ahead, what can we expect with the privatisation issue. Those who have labels and numbers can have their rubbish collected and those who have not well just leave it to the Rat Population down-under would suggest to me a high level of irresponsible behaviour at a political level.

Sorry this is not good enough.

Can someone please explain why the bins have no mention of the obvious i.e. no household rubbish. Believe it or not; some people innocently place their daily waste therein but it is the other organised lout mentalities that dump waste in the country, at the beeches and now in our streets and bins, that must be tackled.

Sinn Fein: Waste is a critical issue to be dealt with. Waste; pollution; incinerators; the Corrib Shell Gas programme concerns public health issues. It is about a managed society.

Do people realise that in the early 19th century while still a colony, a French company was hired to Clean the streets of Dublin? Public health is essential.

author by Jonahpublication date Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:07author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The debate was one of the more controversial during the Ard Fheis.

On the one hand, people argued that voting to collapse the Council when the power to set the Estimates had been taken away from it was pointless and tied the hands of our councillors. If the Council set the rate for the Charges, then fair enough, vote against them and collapse the Councils if necessary but they don't, so allow leeway.

On the other hand people argued that it was a matter of principle that the charges be opposed and that by not voting against them we might undermine a possible future campaign against the introduction of water charges.

Helper is close to being accurate with what he says, the motion was amended more than that, but councillors were also instructed not to engage in supporting the Estimates without guidance from the national leadership on a case by case basis.

Personally, having had mixed feelings on it, the notion of voting to collapse the Council because of a charge the councillors can't set struck me as pointless. I think the campaign needs to look at developing a new strategy to deal with new circumstances. When your opponent changes the battlefield, there's no point continuing to fight an old battle.

author by Michelle Clarke - Community Awarenesspublication date Mon Mar 14, 2005 21:11author address author phone Report this post to the editors

To the writer.

This is a good synopsis but lessons must be learned also.

I ask is the Bin Tax feasible or does it draw into the equation a new kind of let's beat the system mentality?

I wrote about Wellington Road yesterday. Today's news is that some undetected being chose the prominent nursery to defacate.

The children arrived a.m.with their parents to this unacceptable behaviour and a young woman on her knees with boiling water trying to clean and sterilise the area.

Why do we accept the behaviour.

Those magazines dumped are still on Clyde Lane.

This is about a Take Responsibility attitude....

Michelle Clarke

By the way; next time in a public park, just talk to the men responsible for the maintenance......you will learn a lot about people and what they expect others to tolerate......

Quotation that someone might like:

Gandhi
'You have to be the change, you want to see'

Number of comments per page
  
 
© 2001-2025 Independent Media Centre Ireland. Unless otherwise stated by the author, all content is free for non-commercial reuse, reprint, and rebroadcast, on the net and elsewhere. Opinions are those of the contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by Independent Media Centre Ireland. Disclaimer | Privacy