John Keyes

For some reason, professional footballers behaving badly continue to be held up as some of moral compass about how there is a general decay in society, lack of decorum, a dumbing down and dwindling standards relating to how human beings treat each other.

In other sports such as cricket and rugby union, where the participants and spectators, generally attract a lesser earthy and more niche middle class crowd, some may say a smattering of snobs, old money and the nouveau riche, drunken antics are viewed as a touch of high jinks.

That quote is from the latest Early Doors post on Eurosport.

The misdemeanour doesn’t have to be so grand either. Don’t blame the sport blame the player. Don’t judge the sport judge the incident.

Why isn’t New Orleans Mother’s Day parade shooting a ‘national tragedy’?

American tragedies don’t occur on the southside of Chicago or the New Orleans 9th Ward. They don’t occur where inner city high school kids shoot into school buses or someone shoots at a 10-year old’s birthday party in New Orleans. Or Gary, Indiana. Or Compton. Or Newport News. These are where the forgotten tragedies happen and the cities are left to persevere on their own.

So, once again, New Orleans will survive. And move on. Because, really, we’ve been here before.

Media bias alive and well.

Fifteen firms banned from JobBridge work scheme

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton revealed the figures as claims were made in the Dáil of “widespread abuse” by private companies who displace existing employees and take on unpaid interns whose social welfare and an extra payment of €50 a week are paid by the State.

Deafened by the muted screams of thousands who said “I told you so”.

• Father and Son (Cat Stevens)
• Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan)
• Summertime (Ella Fitzgerald)
• Stand By Me (Ben E. King)
• Piano Man (Billy Joel)