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I haven't mentioned the Iris Robinson story thus far because, wow, is it ever complex (briefly: Robinson, the homophobic wife of Northern Ireland's Unionist First Minister and an MP in her own right, attempted suicide after the revelation of her affair with a 19-year-old to whom she had loaned about $80,000 that she had solicited from businessmen-see?) but Anne Enright's piece on it in the new LRB is amazing and you should definitely read it.
Playgirl is already trying to get the boyfriend, Kirk McCambley, to pose.
Playgirl's director of marketing Daniel Nardicio told the Belfast Telegraph that McCambley was "very attractive".
He said: "He's Irish, he's good-looking and the toppling of a political dynasty is just great."
If Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein hadn't been covering up his brother's pedophilia they'd be enjoying this a lot more.
Northern Ireland, always struck me as retarded, claustrophobic, time capsule. This article only re-enforces that opinion.
Of course, the indivisuals I met from Northern Island were always the loveliest, most intelligent, articulate people imaginable.
You met these wonderful people…OUTSIDE of Northern Ireland? Not a coincidence. I actually know a pretty sensible farmer up there. But then one of his friends said to me "You should understand, you're American, it's the same as with the blacks."
NI is all you say and kind of spooky.
My husband's family live in Belfast and I love it there very much. It's a very beautiful place.
People are much the same everywhere. Some of 'em you love and some you can't stand, no matter what.
I first noticed this story when it was reported that her husband knew about the loans and failed to disclose it before or after the town council had approved the lover/teenager's new business application.
And yet the husband continues to lead Northern Ireland? Or has taken a short "leave of absence" but not resigned or been impeached or, for fuck's sake, BEEN REMOVED BY HIS BELOVED QUEEN? Worked back in the Seventies when Elizabeth removed the Australian government and called a new election.
Shhh, unless you want me to start writing about my Gough Whitlam obsession.
Yes, please.
The last time someone suggested I read Anne Enright's writing I was stuck reading The Gathering for what felt like a year.
I don't care how cute they are,
never give $80K to a teenager!
I know, you can get them for a lot less. Even the really hung ones.
Why is Iris Robinson like IKEA?
One dirty screw and the whole cabinet falls apart.
– Popbitch
I've been reading about this since it was rumours, but I still don't get the outrage. Sure, Irish people hate the idea that anyone's having sex for any purpose other than to give the Pope more little soldiers (I'm Irish, I know what I'm talking about) but…this seems a little extreme.
Did she claim to be collecting them as political donations? In that case, charge her with fraud and theft and be done with it. As for her husband, he's guilty of dimness or milquetoastiness, neither of which has ever cost a politician his job.