Word: aherne
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...update to a dormant blasphemy law that had been included in Ireland's 1937 constitution but proved too vague to be enforceable. A parliamentary committee set up to overhaul the constitution issued a report in 2007 recommending that the old law be dropped altogether. But Justice Minister Dermot Ahern led a campaign to clarify the law instead, defining blasphemy as any statement "grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion" and adding a fine of up to $34,000 for offenders. And despite public protests against the updated measure, Parliament passed it last year. According...
...Because of the stinging criticism, the Irish government may now be reconsidering the move. Complaining that he has been the victim of "a sophisticated campaign, mostly on the Internet," Ahern last month proposed holding a referendum on the law, insisting that this was always his "preferred choice." However, with no date set for any referendum, opponents are keeping up the pressure. In May, Atheist Ireland will organize a 25-day walk across the country to hold public meetings on the statute, while the Museum of Contemporary Art is planning further one-off anti-blasphemy law events, as well...
North America's largest building-trades union, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters is a half-million members strong. For tens of thousands of its members, and the millions of Americans who depend on the construction business to make a living, it is a winter of anxiety and discontent. Tim Ahern of Carpenters Local 210 in Fairfield, Connecticut sums up the plight of the construction trades across the nation. "I only worked 20 hours the whole year...
...lost for Blair. Here's one fulsome tribute: "Tony Blair has all the right credentials." Unfortunately, that endorsement comes from Italy's embattled leader Silvio Berlusconi. Another supporter is Ireland's former Premier, Bertie Ahern. "Tony's a good friend of mine, and I'd like to see him get [the job] if he really wants it. I'm positive that he does," says Ahern, adding, "Tony is not going to walk into this without a lot of stuff going on in the background. There will be games going on." (Read a Q&A with Bertie Ahern...
...Bertie Ahern: The Autobiography is out now in the U.K. and Ireland...