Todays musical tidbit is brought to you by Silversun Pickups, with the track Panic Switch. Enjoy.

Barman says “Sorry we don’t serve time travellers in here.”
A time traveller walks into a bar.

Poor joke but it touches on the contents of this post.  So if you’ve checked the news recently you’ve probably seen that…

The speed of light, is no longer the speed limit of the universe.  Scientists at CERN found a neutrino particle travelled faster than 299,792,458 m/s by a minuscule fraction however, it if agreed to be correct disproves some theories of Physics that have been around for generations now.  You can say goodbye to Einsteins theory of reletivity (E = mc² ), and hello to, E ≠ mc² how’s that for a modern discovery?

More information check out these two links;
Sky News
BBC News
CERN

Oh yeah, and just incase it was an anomalous result, they repeated the experiment 15,000 times (not a long process when your experiments are conducted faster that the speed of light ) and received the same result each of the 15,000 times.

Today my music pick is Into Dust, by Mazzy Star.

With the new university academic year starting, and many of us at HB towers sharing a common past or present affiliation to student radio, I felt the need to post this video.

It gives an overview of some of the special broadcasting activity in the 2010-2011 academic year from Storm FM.  Incredibly impressive stuff, and something I hope they manage to live up to this year.

Video made by Dan Ellis.

Far be it from me to criticise but some things just really piss me off. I have always been very proud of my Irish heritage, I love the reaction I get from people when they pick up on my accent. However there is a major drawback to living in Northern Ireland; the bigoted sectarian attitudes of some people, and I dont just mean people have have these views out of ignorance.

In the Northern Ireland News this week there has been a story that has made me absolutely disgusted. Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliot and Danny Kennedy are two prolific figures in the Protestant community. In April this year they attended the funeral of Constable Ronan Kerr, a Catholic police officer who was murdered in a car bomb attack outside his home. The majority of people in the province commended the men for attending the funeral, showing that sectarianism has no place in a modern Northern Ireland. However the historical bigotry reared its ugly head this week. Both Kennedy and Elliot are members of the Orange Order, and as such are forbidden to take part in Catholic Masses; the single most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. My great uncle was a member of the Orange Order and he passed away in June this year; myself and my mum attended the Protestant funeral service, and they were nothing but welcoming. I fail to see how two people showing support for people grieving the loss of a loved one can been seen as and I quote “embarrassing”.

It was announced yesterday that Elliot and Kennedy are now to face disciplinary action after a complaint from a lodge in Sandy Row was made against them. The cowards who made the complaint declined to be named (surprisingly) but claims that the men “have sold their principles for political expediency and that they should have known better”. Bullshit. This had nothing to do with principles or political advantages, this was two men attending the funeral of a police officer who had vowed to protect and serve both sides of the community. I honestly worry about how the political leaders of today expect a society of respect and tolerance when ignorant bigoted people who ban Protestants from attending Catholic masses are in positions of authority.

Many people have spoken out against the decision to punish these men. One voice in particular has made a lot of noise through the media, that of Kate Carroll; widow of PSNI Officer Stephen Carroll. He was mrudered by the Continuity IRA in March 2009, the first officer to be murdered since the formation of the PSNI. Tom Elliot and Danny Kennedy also attended Mr. Carrolls funeral, however no disciplinary action was brought against them for attending. So why now? When interviewed by BBC Mrs. Carroll spoke of her admiration for the two men for attending the funeral and showing solidarity in the front against sectarianism, she described them as “noble and brave”; and I think the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland would tend to agree with her.

Over the last number of years the Orange Order has attempted to distance itself from its old appearance and promote itself as a cultural organisation. I can safely say that they have failed miserably. Holding on to ancient, bigoted, sectarian and quite frankly despicable traditions will only hold the Order back from obtaining a place in a society that is evolving into acceptance and tolerance. Undoubtedly this story is going to stir up a lot of emotions in people and I will be updating this story as it develops.

Ed Miliband is peculiar. Since his Labour leadership victory almost a year ago, he has been persistently dull, unflinchingly bland, distinctive in his brand of average offensive each week in PMQs. The show has grown more disappointing with each nasal performance, and as predictable as Ed’s look of hurt incredulity with each passing question.

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Having spent a few days in hospital, I am now finally free of my gall bladder and on the mend. Having been a frequent visitor to hospital in the last few months I thought it was high time I wrote something about the amazing people who have been treating me over the last few months.

Last week it was announced that the Assembly had decided to close the Accident and Emergency department at Belfast City Hospital due to a shortage of senior staff. 42,000 people were treated at this department last year, including myself. This announcement came mere weeks after the Southern Health and Social Care board decided to close the A&E at Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn from 8pm to 9am because of a shortage of junior doctors. These closures have put the lives of thousands at risk, all for the sake of cutting costs to the NHS. I am completley outraged and totally disgusted by this decision from the assembly. I would like to know how those who closed these A&E units can sleep at night? They claim that these measures are only temporary, however there does not seem to be any sign of the closures being overturned. If the assembly are so keen to save money on the health trusts, I suggest cutting the fat, starting with their ridiculous salaries. The blame for these closures rests soley with the government and unfortunately it is the dedicated healthcare professionals and patients who must pay the price for their mistakes.
Having been admitted to hospital on Thursday for keyhole surgery I cannot heap enough praise on the staff of the Mater Hospital in Belfast who looked after me. I went in by myself, and having never had surgery before I was understandably nervous. The surgical nurses, junior doctor, surgeon and anaesthetist who took care of me were first class; despite a few wobbly moments and a lot of tears, they really reassured me and made me feel completley comfortable and I had full confidence in the care that I was given. A special mention had to go to my junior doctor Daniel, despite the fat that he was two months younger than me (not something I particularly wanted to know about the guy who had my life in his hands) he put me completley at ease and even managed some well timed comic moments! He’s a junior House in the making.

So after having spent a few dasy in one of the busiest hospitals in Northern Ireland I have nothing but the grestest respect and admiration for the healthcare staff who against all odds, and with everything from staff shortages, closures and interfering governments making their jobs damn nearly impossible; they still provide first class care. I particularly got on well with my ward nurse Patricia, who while cleaning up after an elderly incontenent patient, not the nicest of jobs, was still cheerful enough to be singing Christmas carols on the ward. Aware that it is only September, but I say whatever gets them through their days. Despite working an exhausting 14 hour shift, she went out of her way to ensure she had spent time chatting to every patient on the ward. She even waited with me after her shift had ended until my dad came to pick me up.

I am under no assumption that anyone from the Healthcare Services will read this but I want to make a point that I think they should be aware of. Should the misfortune happen that they have to be admitted to hospital, I only hope that they have not made so many cuts and closures that they miss out on witnessing the tenacity, dedication, and genuine concern that the clinical staff of our hospitals have for the people they are responsible for taking care of.
And finally Andrew Lansley is a twat. Just thought I’d point that out too.

This song has been annoyingly wrapped in my head for the last few weeks, and it sounds largely in parts like Avril Lavigne, and also Hayley Williams (Paramore).  Nevertheless I quite like this song and hope you do also

Christina Perri – Jar of Hearts

For anybody that’s ever played portal,

A video about Chell’s first realisation of being trapped in Aperture Science Labs