links for 2009-11-18

Me Casa is sue Casa?

Window Media LLC, the nations largest publisher of newspapers for the gay and lesbian community, has closed and plans to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, according to published reports.

There has been little debate on how EU commissioner candidate Maire Geoghegan-Quinn ran a private justice system while minister, writes FINTAN O'TOOLE

MAIRE GEOGHEGAN- Quinn is in many respects a worthy candidate for the job of EU commissioner. She is capable, intelligent and articulate. She showed courage, compassion and leadership in decriminalising male homosexuality in 1993. She was a pioneer for women in Irish politics.

Former Fianna Fáil minister Máire Geoghegan-Quinn has been nominated by the Government to the incoming European Commission.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen confirmed the decision following a Cabinet meeting today.

GIVE ME A BREAK: REMEMBER BACK when the big media stories were driven by “it”? You know – sex, divorce, teen pregnancy. How delightful it was to debate morality rather than the economy. How thrilling to be outraged at the close-minded ignorance of our parents. Isn’t it great that we are so open now?

We don’t need to talk about “it” much any more, not because we’re too stressed out to be having “it”, but because – according to a new study by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency – we don’t think our teenagers are having “it” either.

“Parents know that teenagers are starting sexual activity earlier than they did at their age, but everybody says ‘I don’t think my child is having sex’,” says Abbey Hyde, who conducted the research.

AS A high-profile convert to Islam, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens is used to controversy, but even he hadn’t reckoned with elements of an Irish audience in a foul mood. Incensed fans booed, jeered, slow handclapped and walked out of Yusuf Islam’s comeback concert at the O2 in Dublin on Sunday.

A 40-minute interlude promoting Moonshadow , a new West End musical based on his songs, provoked their ire. Though he flagged it in interviews ahead of the concert, many just wanted to hear old Cat Stevens material.

Ireland is moving toward increasingly low levels of corruption, according to a survey for 2009 published today by Transparency International (TI).

Ireland’s score has improved from 7.7 to 8 out of 10 since last year on the Corruption Perceptions Index, with a score close to 10 indicating extremely low levels of corruption, according to Transparency International Ireland.