THIS WEEK WE TRAWL THROUGH EXAMPLES OF GROSS MISMANAGEMENT AND THE REASONS FOR IT FOCUSSING PARTLY ON THE UK POSTAL SERVICE SCANDAL WHICH IS VERY CURRENT. WE ALSO HAVE A VERY SHORT INSERT (ABOUT 20 SECS) OF FOOTBALL; AND MOMENTS OF THE WEEK INVOLVING THE POTENTIAL TORY ELECTORAL MELTDOWN AND THE IRISH STARRING ROLE AT THE UN.

APOLOGIES FOR THE SLIGHTLY IFFY SOUND ON JIM’S NEW MIKE. WONT BE USING THAT ONE AGAIN, WE’LL GO BACK TO THE INDUSTRY STANDARD SHURE, DON'T KNOW WHY I CHANGED IT.

WELCOME TO OUR SECOND SEASON.

With much bonhomie around Ciaran and Jim spend quite a lot of time talking about what fun they had at Christmas and the New Year before delving into a complex and heartfelt debate about whether in this year of elections the first past the post voting system is best; or whether proportional representation holds the moral high ground.

A roundup of the high points and low points of the year....not too many high points. We chastise politicians of all colours, denigrate international policy but give a big shout out to George Orwell and the GAA All Ireland winners Dublin (Football) and Limerick (Hurling). in order to lighten the tone we have retained a few bloopers at the beginning. After 26 consecutive weekly podcasts we are having a week off next week. So set your alarms for 7.00am on 11th January 2024. We wish all our listeners and very Happy New Year.

This week Ciaran interviews Jim about his lifelong friend Santa Claus otherwise known as Father Christmas. If you have ever had any questions about FC this is where they get answered.

Please note that although this podcast is suitable for all ages it is aimed at our younger listeners so please make sure your juniors get to hear it ! This podcast is especially deciated to three of FC’s biggest fans, Billie-Rose, Lolly and Reggie and is shorter than usual.

There’s only 5 seconds of football this week. Ciaran and Jim meander through Christmas Tree dressing (again) starring young Reggie, Cork traffic, the Ibiza Marathon starring Lily Casey and the burgeoning career of Jack Casey in Irish/American music; before settling down to the raw meat of Immigration and the policy of cynical misdirection over Rwanda. They end up with Affpuddle, Benburb and the Bastards of South Devon.

This week Ciaran and Jim set off with a visit to Ikea and discover what Despondo means. We have a planning meeting to establish the best way to get lights on to (into?) a Christmas Tree. Then we have a few minutes of football mainly about Spurs and Liverpool followed by the meaty stuff, around the half hour mark, which is a discussion of the new "Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022”.

Is it the thin edge of an anti-free speech wedge or does it prove that hard cases make bad law?

This week Ciaran and Jim disagree about Leo Varadker’s lost child comment, take a sprint through a bit of football, then attack Eastenders and mainstream telly with venom. Finishing up with an anecdote about Queen Elizabeth and more around the Meaning of Liff....what is a Berepper ?

This week Ciaran and Jim take a canter through a number of issues: how to improve the Irish National Football team...and no its not the manager; Why the Everton points deduction is only the beginning; the awfulness of the GAZA War and the breaking news of a possible pause in the fighting; The new Cold War; US Presidential matters; The drabness of the Cheltenham Festival and no...its not because Ciaran lost his shirt; and finally to brighten us up we fall into hysterics around

The Meaning of Liff......

This week Ciaran and Jim truly cross the bridge with their shared versions of modern history. Passchaendale, The Blitz, Cromwell, The Famine, 1916, Lord Cameron and Suella Braverman not to mention Jim in tights..... it's all there in a reasoned manner.

Perhaps this episode should be called ‘Cummings and Goings’ Ciaran and Jim focus on the early failings of the venal UK COVID Inquiry.

There is some lighter stuff at the beginning but no football...make the most of it!.