The view from Dublin...

Apologies for the long "silence." I've been busy taking care of family business since arriving here in Dublin.

I continue to be amazed at the level of interest over here in the American presidential election. There is extensive news coverage...and most citizens are very informed. I have the impression that the race for the Democratic nomination will be over next Tuesday. Hillary will likely bow out.

The view from Dublin..

What amazes me on this visit to Dublin is the level of interest in the American Presidential Election. And everyone seems familar with all the details of the contest.

Last time I visited Dublin (December '07) there was lots of pro-Clinton sentiment. I attributed this to the fact that President Bill Clinton has played a most constructive role in helping resolve the Northern Ireland conflict. This time the sentiment seems to be pro-Obama. Some of this has to do with the belief that he'll usher in a new foreign policy.

As I indicated above, people on this island are following the American election very closely. Many watch the latest updates on American cable television networks. We are really becoming a global village!

Obama has momentum...

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama won all weekend Democratic nominating contests going away. In Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington state, Maine and the US Virgin Islands it was Obama with decisive wins, giving him momentum going into the Chesapeake Primaries on Tuesday.

This should be an interesting race for the next few weeks. I'll be observing developments from the other side of the pond...as I'm planning on spending four weeks in Dublin. I hope to post my comments on an occasional basis.

(Photo: Scott Galindez / t r u t h o u t

From Superbowl to Super Tuesday...

A lot of Patriot fans are wearing long faces this morning. All the hype about "perfection" on TV and radio these past two weeks didn't help. Fortunately, I'm one of those fans that doesn't loose any sleep when the Patriots are defeated. It's just a game!

I must confess that I'm much more interested in the outcome on Super Tuesday. Tonight I'll be heading into Boston for the rally in support of Barack Obama at the World Trade Center. (200 Seaport Blvd.) For those interested: doors open at 8:00 pm. Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and Deval Patrick will join Obama for this rally. I plan to post some comments late tonight or tomorrow morning.

No surprise...

New Orleans's Canal Street is one of many streets that was inundated by water pouring through breaches in the levees surrounding the city. A class-action suit, filed by hundreds of thousands of people against the Army Corps of Engineers, was issued a judgment this week absolving the Corps of liability in the flooding of New Orleans after the levees broke during Hurricane Katrina.

My understanding is that the judge was critical of the Corps...but still absolved them of responsibility. I guess I would have been surprised if he held them liable.

(Photo: National Geographic