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Muriel and her staff for being very cerning who they let in.

Neda Soltan, the 26 year old who was shot dead in June 2009.

If the internet is to be believed, she was on her way to protest against the Iranian election result.

Leaving aside any internal politics, there are at least two reasons to honour her. First, the shocking sight of a beautiful young girl bleeding to death in the arms of others created a sense of empathy in the West which cooled talk of military action against Iran. Second, the fact that she was a philosophy student provides a shocking contrast to the barbarous violence of her murderer, and illustrates the importance of education in troubled areas such as Iran. In this respect it may also serve as a sober rebuke to countries such as the UK in which the integrity of pure research is being risked by the introduction of measures that would judge the merit and quality of academic work by attempting to quantify its "impact". The Queen's College of the University of Oxford has done well to establish a Graduate Scholarship in her name, with the first recipient being a young woman of Iranian descent who is now studying philosophy of physics.

Long may Neda's memory help inspire, heal, and unite.

I would nominate all the victims of child abuse.

Tempted to say that Sammy Wilson should be in with a shout given his ability to generate headlines no matter which department he occupies (and his ability to take the climate skeptic stuff on the chin and robustly - and humourously - reply).

But my heart votes with mccamleyc that the victims of abuse across Ireland who have been fighting to have the crimes against them recognised and the perpretators and those who obfuscated held accountable should surely be the ones in the spotllight. The story is nowhere near over, with lots of investigations and skeletons not yet underway or uncovered, and yet those who were abused still carry the hurt regardless.

In the spirit of Rage Against the Machine's unprecedented victory yesterday against the "thought favourite...."

I nominate Pastor James McConnell. No one has come near to creating the length of W&T threads he has!!

Missed the abuse victims nomination. I would support anything in their remembrance and to help their cause, just not sure this is the most appropriate way.

I just feel Pastor James McConnell has had the biggest and unprecendented numerical influence in terms of the thread postings on Will and Testament, with many cultural, theological and social issues debated in said threads.

In short...arguably...[like it or not] the biggest personage on W&T 2009.

Hello LucasDevine,

It depends on whether you look at person of the year as a positive accolade to be won or as a 'for better or for worse' the way Time magazine has featured a couple of tyrants and mass murdering dictators in the past. McConnells horde of protestant nutbars (does anyone remember the claim by one of them of god helping to put up a website? My FSM, they were far gone in the brain department. Sigh) is what most regulars here think is what brought about pre-mod for the entire blog. Many here think is was those loving good christians with threats of legal action and the venom pouring from many of their posts that brought it about. Apart from being very dumb these man and women in christ were also by far the most vicious, vindictive, and nasty people ever to post here (check the threads, although most of the really bad stuff has been removed in a record moderating effort on those threads, hundreds of posts removed in all). It seemed at times as if the venom level was directly proportional with the number of Holy Babble verses quoted as substitute for thinking. And yes, you may well suspect that proportionality to be causal a causal correlation. The numerical weight of their verbal spitting did little for the discussions.

On a personal note, I had to go without making some mild ad hominems against Graham for a while. He was driven off the blog entirely for several months by his fellow good believers in christ, for fear of what trouble they might cause him in real life if that 'message of love' ever reached his own church.

So yes, the WW debacle has been the top story of the year for this blog, but I don't think there should be awards for the main players of it. The only positive thing about it is that it showed what a complete load of nonsense the supposed love, morality, etc coming from christianity is. Very dumb and very nasty is what most of them were. As far as McConnell is responsible for promoting that state of mind, he has quite a bit to answer for.



I'd have to think a little about who should be person of the year. No obvious choice springs to my mind at the moment.

I propose A N Wilson for his article in the New Statesman (2nd April 2009) -



I don't always agree with everything he writes, but this article is a breath of fresh air.

The key sentence for me is: "Read Pastor Bonhoeffer's book Ethics, and ask yourself what sort of mad world is created by those who think that ethics are a purely human construct."

Undoubtedly, the person who has most influenced this blog in 2009 is the moderator. In fact with their all knowing, all powerful persona and their tendency to arbitrary deletion they have come to represent for me, a sort of metaphor of the type of God that a lot of the contributors to this blog seem to believe in.
Happy and peaceful mid-winter festival to everyone connected to this blog (Even, bah hunbug, the moderator)

C'mon, isn't it clear that it is Barack Obama? First African Ameican President of the United States, Nobel Peace Prize winner, a man who walks on water. Only Jesus Christ himself could top President Obama. And look at how much he's done for us all already. Made peace with Iran, peace with North Korea, brought peace to the middle east, ended the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, rescued the US economy, has a secret plan for universal health care in America which will be unveiled by Senator Reid in the next few days and he just solved the problem of climate change. Is there any doubt? I give you "The Messiah" President Barack Hussein Obama. He's the reason America again has god on its side.

Tiger Woods? Hmm, not relevant. Okay.

Marcus - But surely having prematurely won the Nobel Peace Prize, that excludes him from the second most arbitrary important award of the year! (PS: Bet he wins.)

I think mccamleyc and alaninbelfast have a good case in suggesting victims of abuse. This could encompass both victims of clerical child abuse (and people like Gerry Adams' niece Aine Tyrell)and and victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

Victims got our attention at the start of this year with the controversy over the proposed 'recognition payments' for victims of the Troubles.

But I think there's a danger of victims' perspectives getting lost in the shuffle. Regarding victims of the Troubles, the Report of the Consultative Group on the Past (Eames-Bradley) seems to be getting put on the backburner. The House of Commons NI Committee, at least, wants to get as far away as possible from footing the bill for most of the proposals.

Victims of clerical abuse seem wholly dissatisfied (with good reason) on the response and recognition they have gotten from the Catholic hierchy. I have written more about some public ways the Catholic Church might recognise victims and atone for abuse on my blog,

Acknowledgement of suffering is essential for many victims' personal healing. (There is a thread about this on Slugger O'Toole, . Public acknowledgement of wrongs perpetrated by one group against another can also be helpful in wider processes of social healing, whether its between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland or even the Irish Catholic Church and its angered laity.

Victims' perspectives are not always heard in a media preoccupied with prominent and powerful public figures like Gerry Adams or the bishops. But making room for their voices in the public sphere is an idea whose time has come.

Good grief, Gladys, don't you know the number one unwritten rule on Will and Testament? Never mention Slugger O'Toole. William likes to think his blog is where it's all happening.

I think bringing in victims of the troubles is too broad - I would stick with "all victims of child abuse".

I have to say, I thought Gerry Adams talking about his brother and father was the closest to a brave or good thing he's ever done.

Though I still couldn't stop myself laughing when the referred to "The Adams Family". Then I had an image of people in West Belfast suppressing their laughter for thirty years every time he mentioned the Adams Family, like the Biggus Diccus scene in the Life of Brian.

I would vote for Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger the Airline Captain who landed the Airbus A320 with a textbook emergency landing on the Hudson River, saving all 155 people on board.I think we could call him a Hero.

Hi mccamleyc -- I know people from West Belfast who can't stop themselves from humming the Adams Family theme song at such appropriate (or inappropriate, as the case may be!) moments ...

I think I might nominate Peter Tatchell. I was sorry to learn he has had to stand down as a Green candidate in next General Election owing to the effects of brain damage occasioned by the vicious beatings he has received during his life of campaigning for respect, justice, and equality. His dedication is an example to us all.

You should also consider, William, what a wonderful gift you would be giving OT if you were to concur with my suggestion. Christmas spirit and all that...

Parrhasios

I actually have a lot of time for PT.

He believes in freedom of speech and debate on the issue of homosexuality, he is very sceptical about the idea that sexuality is fixed, he acknowledges that straight people can become gay and that gay people can become straight.

Although we differ on sexual ethics I do believe that to a large extent he properly assesses the facts before making his mind up - and he respects freedom of discussion about the conclusions.

Just for the record, P, the reason I think it is an important discussion is not because I have any desire to spoil anyone's fun or freedoms. Peolple are free to live as they like.

However I have concerns when people use misleading information to undermine the credibility of the bible in this area - and also when discussion is closed down, thus hindering people with same sex attraction from hearing differing perspectives on the matter.

So, PT person of the year? be my guest. He is alot more open minded and objective on his matter than most liberals.

My person of the year - think it has been great to see a black man in the white house but feel it is a bit early to canonise him.

I'd go along with mcc and the victims of clerical abuse - dont think we really know the full scale of this abuse in terms of how far back it goes and how widespread it is across the globe.

Just goes to show you, dont trust your salvation to an organisation.

OT

ps Parrhasios
if you really believe in equality in sexuality, you will note how one group of people in society are even more marginalised by gay folk - that is, those with ego dystonic homosexuality.

That is, people who have same sex attraction but who reject a homosexual identity and wish to live heterosexual lives.


OT

sorry.... should have said marginalised than - not "by"...

William

MAY I DIGRESS A MOMENT?

Having read today's ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's report that the Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, said:

"In recent times I have been talking to victims who had been involved in court proceedings.

"They would say their experience in court was much more traumatic for them that the original sexual abuse,"

I suggest that you run an end-of-year poll for "CRETIN OF THE YEAR".

If that guy is serious, he needs psychiatric help urgently, If he's putting a spin on the issue, he should be arrested.

Either way, he wins "CRETIN OF THE YEAR" hands down!

Susie
Carryduff

I'm no big fan of the bishop of Derry but why are you attacking him for quoting someone else. It's quite common for rape victims to say things along the same lines. Perhaps they're exagerating for the sake of effect but it is a valid point that the judicial process is not easy for victims - you've only to look at the Listowel case to realise that.

Ref Post 23

TRUST A BISHOP'S WORD? YOU'RE HAVIN' A LAUGH!

Let me quote Marie Collins, a survivor of clerical abuse, whose eloquent response to the Bishop says it all:

[She] "was appalled that any bishop could hold this point of view and could express it at this time" adding "the idea that maybe you shouldn't report cases, it's not going to do the victim any good... that sort of justification just has no place at the present time".

The Catholic hierarchy's greatest fear is exposure of their crimes in a court of law. That is what lies behind the Bishop's statement. He and his ilk will use any means to prevent survivors from getting the justice they so richly deserve.

The direct testimony of abuse survivors is what we should listen to and not sound bites from a Bishop whose Church allowed paedophiles a field day for scores of years.

The Bishop would do us all a favour if he were to go into permanent retreat.

Susie
Carryduff

I recommend the same for you, Susie of Carryduff. While there give any Rape Crisis Centre a call and ask them about the experience of people in court - how hard it is to get a conviction and how they can be treated. No one is saying people shouldn't go to court but they should know what the experience can be like. That's one of the reasons so many parents didn't put their children through it. I suppose in your world all the parents referred to in the Murhpy report are also guilty of cover ups as they didn't report to the police. Should they be resigning as well?

Remember, Mac. the reason so many cases had to go to court was because the abusers would not admit their guilt, even when the evidence was overwhelming. eg Brendan Smyth They would not spare their victims that trauma and the church hindered the path to justice at every turn. So Susie is right to be sceptical of any Bishops belated "concern" for victims peace of mind.

Hi William - Following the amazing interview today with Derick Bingham, I would like to nominate Derick for the person of the year award. As you said in the interview here is a man who has deeply inspired many people all his life, and as he has battled with cancer. He is one in a million.

Michael O’Brien. One of the most moving and startling pieces of television ever in the history of Ireland, both as a powerful voice of the abused and as a direct challenge to the Catholic Church's hierarchy in Ireland and the Irish State who colluded in years of abuse.

2 words: "Joanna Lumley" as simple as that.

I would like to nominate Derrick Bingham - a man who has had an examplary example and touched the lives of tbousands during the past years - locally and internationally

Jo Murphy of PIPS the inspirational and humble woman who reaches out to support families bereaved by suicide

OT - posts # 19-21

Apologies, it was a cheap jibe on my part. I accept that your postion is much more nuanced on this issue than that with which you are commonly credited.