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Anti-Empire >>
Indymedia Ireland is a volunteer-run non-commercial open publishing website for local and international news, opinion & analysis, press releases and events. Its main objective is to enable the public to participate in reporting and analysis of the news and other important events and aspects of our daily lives and thereby give a voice to people.
Fraud and mismanagement at University College Cork Thu Aug 28, 2025 18:30 | Calli Morganite
UCC has paid huge sums to a criminal professor
This story is not for republication. I bear responsibility for the things I write. I have read the guidelines and understand that I must not write anything untrue, and I won't.
This is a public interest story about a complete failure of governance and management at UCC.
Deliberate Design Flaw In ChatGPT-5 Sun Aug 17, 2025 08:04 | Mind Agent
Socratic Dialog Between ChatGPT-5 and Mind Agent Reveals Fatal and Deliberate 'Design by Construction' Flaw
This design flaw in ChatGPT-5's default epistemic mode subverts what the much touted ChatGPT-5 can do... so long as the flaw is not tickled, any usage should be fine---The epistemological question is: how would anyone in the public, includes you reading this (since no one is all knowing), in an unfamiliar domain know whether or not the flaw has been tickled when seeking information or understanding of a domain without prior knowledge of that domain???!
This analysis is a pretty unique and significant contribution to the space of empirical evaluation of LLMs that exist in AI public world... at least thus far, as far as I am aware! For what it's worth--as if anyone in the ChatGPT universe cares as they pile up on using the "PhD level scholar in your pocket".
According to GPT-5, and according to my tests, this flaw exists in all LLMs... What is revealing is the deduction GPT-5 made: Why ?design choice? starts looking like ?deliberate flaw?.
People are paying $200 a month to not just ChatGPT, but all major LLMs have similar Pro pricing! I bet they, like the normal user of free ChatGPT, stay in LLM's default mode where the flaw manifests itself. As it did in this evaluation.
AI Reach: Gemini Reasoning Question of God Sat Aug 02, 2025 20:00 | Mind Agent
Evaluating Semantic Reasoning Capability of AI Chatbot on Ontologically Deep Abstract (bias neutral) Thought
I have been evaluating AI Chatbot agents for their epistemic limits over the past two months, and have tested all major AI Agents, ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, Perplexity, and DeepSeek, for their epistemic limits and their negative impact as information gate-keepers.... Today I decided to test for how AI could be the boon for humanity in other positive areas, such as in completely abstract realms, such as metaphysical thought. Meaning, I wanted to test the LLMs for Positives beyond what most researchers benchmark these for, or have expressed in the approx. 2500 Turing tests in Humanity?s Last Exam.. And I chose as my first candidate, Google DeepMind's Gemini as I had not evaluated it before on anything.
Israeli Human Rights Group B'Tselem finally Admits It is Genocide releasing Our Genocide report Fri Aug 01, 2025 23:54 | 1 of indy
We have all known it for over 2 years that it is a genocide in Gaza
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem has finally admitted what everyone else outside Israel has known for two years is that the Israeli state is carrying out a genocide in Gaza
Western governments like the USA are complicit in it as they have been supplying the huge bombs and missiles used by Israel and dropped on innocent civilians in Gaza. One phone call from the USA regime could have ended it at any point. However many other countries are complicity with their tacit approval and neighboring Arab countries have been pretty spinless too in their support
With the release of this report titled: Our Genocide -there is a good chance this will make it okay for more people within Israel itself to speak out and do something about it despite the fact that many there are actually in support of the Gaza
China?s CITY WIDE CASH SEIZURES Begin ? ATMs Frozen, Digital Yuan FORCED Overnight Wed Jul 30, 2025 21:40 | 1 of indy
This story is unverified but it is very instructive of what will happen when cash is removed
THIS STORY IS UNVERIFIED BUT PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO OR READ THE TRANSCRIPT AS IT GIVES AN VERY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT A CASHLESS SOCIETY WILL LOOK LIKE. And it ain't pretty
A single video report has come out of China claiming China's biggest cities are now cashless, not by choice, but by force. The report goes on to claim ATMs have gone dark, vaults are being emptied. And overnight (July 20 into 21), the digital yuan is the only currency allowed.
The Saker >>
The BBC?s ?1 Billion Pension Bailout Sun Sep 21, 2025 19:47 | Richard Eldred
The BBC has poured over ?1 billion into its gold-plated pension scheme, gobbling up nearly ?850 million of licence fee money ? and it looks like the bill could keep climbing.
The post The BBC?s ?1 Billion Pension Bailout appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Education Secretary Launches Fresh Attack on Private Schools Sun Sep 21, 2025 17:13 | Richard Eldred
In a fresh raid that could force more closures and squeeze parents' wallets, Bridget Phillipson is hitting private schools again, this time tripling Ofsted inspection fees.
The post Education Secretary Launches Fresh Attack on Private Schools appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Keir Starmer Confirms Britain Will Ignore US and Israeli Anger and Recognise a Palestinian State Sun Sep 21, 2025 15:00 | Richard Eldred
Keir Starmer has sparked fury by pledging to recognise a Palestinian state even though critics say it rewards Hamas, angers Israel and the US and won't help hostages or feed Gaza's starving.
The post Keir Starmer Confirms Britain Will Ignore US and Israeli Anger and Recognise a Palestinian State appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
North Sea ?Has Three Times More Oil and Gas? Than Government Claims Sun Sep 21, 2025 13:00 | Richard Eldred
Britain's North Sea could have 14 billion barrels of oil and gas ? three times what the Government reckons ? but sky-high taxes and drilling bans are leaving it in the ground while jobs and cash go begging.
The post North Sea ?Has Three Times More Oil and Gas? Than Government Claims appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Met Office Staff Given Record Bonuses Despite String of Forecast Failures Sun Sep 21, 2025 11:00 | Richard Eldred
The Met Office might struggle to predict the weather, but it seems staff can always count on a downpour of cash: they walked away with record bonus payments of ?8.1 million last year and ?31.5 million over five years.
The post Met Office Staff Given Record Bonuses Despite String of Forecast Failures appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Lockdown Skeptics >>
Voltaire, international edition
Will intergovernmental institutions withstand the end of the "American Empire"?,... Sat Apr 05, 2025 07:15 | en
Voltaire, International Newsletter N?127 Sat Apr 05, 2025 06:38 | en
Disintegration of Western democracy begins in France Sat Apr 05, 2025 06:00 | en
Voltaire, International Newsletter N?126 Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:39 | en
The International Conference on Combating Anti-Semitism by Amichai Chikli and Na... Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:31 | en
Voltaire Network >>
national |
politics / elections |
news report
Thursday April 01, 2004 12:42
by YOP
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Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30What are the left going to do about it? Do you want them to storm the USI offices?
Ben was democratically elected at the USI Congress.
This is yet another example of the SWP/SP contempt for democracy. A tiny gathering of trots believe that they have the right to decide who should be elected as USI officers.
I'm right wing. I think it's funny...........
Seriously, this better not be true.......
Hearn believes in a one party Leninist dictatorship. He didnt admit that during the campaign.
This is actually true look at the website
www.conservativefuture.com
It's no April fool
It's great that we have someone from the unionist tradtion as USI pres but a member of Thatcher's party. Some stance must be taken about this by activists and ordinary members of USI. The organstion was bad in the days of FF and Colman Byrne and it has now sunk back to those depths - not lower.
This is quite hilarious. I cant stop laughing. If the Left cant win a USI election, what hope have they got of taking control of the country. None! But, then they never had. They're just to dumb to realise it.
Archibald went in front of UCDSU and said that he was not a member of the Tory party. This is the real contempt for democracy, I have my differences with the SP but at least all their memebrs who go for elections in the SU are honest about their membership.
I'm coming out on indymedia to be very clear about my relationship with the Conservative Party, to ensure that there is no mistake about my recent past and current political affiliations.
The reason is very clear: I addressed UCDSU and TCDSU and answered questions on politics, to which I answered that I am a former member of the Conservative Party. Inaccurate information has been presented on the Conservative Future Website. In the interests of openness, and notwithstanding my right to a private and family life, freedom of conscience and expression, I wish to make the following points very clear:
I am not now a member of the Conservative Party.
I have not renewed my membership of the party since 2002, when I was elected Convenor of NUS-USI.
On July 1st 2004 I will cease to be a member of NUS, and therefore will be unable to attend NUS meetings. As a result, I will not be able to perform any service (which was always in a personal capacity) to the CINUS group. I will not seek to do so.
On July 1st 2004, I will become normally resident in the Republic of Ireland, which would make membership of any UK political party either unlawful or impractical; possibly both.
I will not seek to join any political party during my time in office as USI President.
I hope this will end speculation; It must be pointed out that these are the simple and undeniable facts of the case.
I will not now seek to contribute any further to discussion on my political beliefs; I set out my beliefs and ambitions for USI in my manifesto, which was endorsed by Congress, and I stated my wish to unify the organisation against the threat of cutbacks and fees.
We have much work to do; I hope we can all work together to achieve a great USI.
Ní neart go chur le chéile
Ben Archibald
Why exactly do you feel you need to explain yourself to a bunch or wet idealists and reds who would'nt spit on you if you were on fire?
Just because you don't renew your membership doesn't stop you being a Tory. The website clearly congratulated you for being elected as a Tory candidate. Also currently there is a manifesto doing the rounds in British colleges calling for a vote for you to some finance position in NUS which clearly has printed on it that you are the 'Conservative First' candidate.
You can't leave you party our your politics just because you cancelled a standing order we are not that stupid. You stil consider yourself a Tory, the tory's still consider you a Tory and everyone else considers you a Tory. Therefore you are a Tory. Why not just be honest and admit it instead of citing technicalities and semantics.
Apparently, Archie was livid withe the article, and demanded changes to it; these changes were made, and now the headline is "Former CF officer elected as president of Irish students."
And another thing;
Is being a tory less valid in theory than being a socialist in the national student movement? Surely his actions and words have proven his fitness to be Úachtarán?
Sys
Tories are against unions and want to see them smashed or at least turned into ineffective organisations that exist to put a break on real action and as kindergartens for the future political elite.
Socialists are in favour of unions and want to see them turned into bodies that will fight effectivly in the interests of its members.
they are two completely different outlooks.
its always funny seeing Unionists trying to cover up their true fundaments by throwing a few cupla focal to soften the blow.
what difference does anyone's political beliefs make? just because someone believes in a party does not necessarily mean that they will do a bad job.
lets be honest, each candidate for USI President had political beleifs so you would be bitching no matter what the outcome! Ben has clearly stated that he is no longer an active member of the Tory's so just leave it out will ye?
To say that being a Tory or being a Socialist is no difference is utter ludicruois shite.
Political beliefs make a hell of a difference. As a result of Ben's politics he looks upon the USI as an organisation that is primarily there to lobby and engage in partnership with the government. This is shown in the fact that in his years as an SU officer he continually engaged in this ineffective strategy. Contrast this to Rory Hearne, who is a socialist. He believes USI should be there to fight in the interests of the members and that USI should use its resources to activate and mobilise students in opposition to the government. He rejects the partnership approach or thecurrent USI. These differences are there because of political differences. USI officers are not just apolitical neutral actors that obey the will of the various mandates. USI officers can't implement every mandate fully, they also are able to take up issues that they are not mandated to do, so the politics of the officers is very relevent.
"Ben has clearly stated that he is no longer an active member of the Tory's so just leave it out will ye"
Do you really think anyone can just abandon their politics when they stop paying a subscription and throws out his membership card?
What motivated him to join the party? He obviously has political beliefs close to the party. He will still hold them whether or not he is formally a member of the party. These beliefs will effect how he does the job, therefore I thin people have a right to know what the political background of officers is.
and has anyone tried to find out what political beliefs Heledd, Layne and Emma are? alot of decisions will be made by officer board as a whole, not just Ben. are they are Tory's?
A slight correction to USI member; Ben, because of his political beliefs, will engage in discussions with government and civil society to a advance the aims of his union and its members. Rory, would have enaged in publicity seeking tantrums to gain publicity for himself and his insignificant politcal party.
Ben will never run for public office in southern ireland, and probably won't be stupid enough to do it in NI either. Therefore he has no motive to advacne his own image above that of the UNion.
Rory's delusions that socialism is popular, even his kind, will mean that he'd have used his position to advance himself in order to set himself up for a public eleciton.
Heledd is a member of Plaidd Cymru. She is reputed to be on the right of that party.
There is a myth that the only career one can get out of politics through elected office. Being a political hack and being elected in SUs are used as ways of publicising yourself within the party ranks which opens up jobs all over the place, civil service, private sector, legal profession, medical profession, in the sports organisations.....
Rory and other socialists can't do this. Socialists do not have members in these powerful positions in society so can't really use their party affiliation to get up any greasy pole. Actually their membership of a socialsit party would actually be a disadvantage to them. So I would say that socialsits can't be careerists but Tory's can be, even in the South.
Anyway, what being claimed is that Ben's politics are ight wing and therefore he will be a conservative influence on the USI, nowhere is anything really said about his motives for going for office
if anyone was around Becky Morgans (Fenian Street, the irony!) they may have heard Ben Archibald singing god save the queen at the top of his voice for around an hour! at least one irish republican stood horrified looking on. It was unbeleivable. he was quoted to say "if i had a vote, which i don't, i certainly wouldn't of voted for him" to which Ben replied "i've won now, its gone past the point of rescue!"
Ladies and Gentlemen....the future President of USI...Ben Archibald.
Nice touch, doing a kiss and tell on your mates after a night on the pints. You should be proud of yourself at the cutting edge of intellectual journalism.
He sang it once, m8. And he was hardly on duty. he was with his (sacked) friends and (sacked) girlfriend, whom he had come from Belfast to wish all the best, most of whom thought it was amusing.
And as eny fule kno, he's not averse to breaking into songs from around the world at the drop of a hat. His renditions of 'Fields of Athenry' are well known, and his 'Les Marsaillaises".
Let the guy sing his favourite song to his girlfriend. He'll have to learn Amhán Na bhFiann soon enough lol
as the republican in question i can assure you that i was not to horrified. i will get over it. i was more affected by my inability to get out of a taxi on my own. that was the real concern for me.
P.s Ben you have a lovely voice, you should use it when ever you want.
I heard that Ben has now joined the Monster Raving Loony Party. Out go the USI Rugby Shirts and in come the Top Hats, Clown Shoes and Flowery Jackets......Each National Council will begin with a rendition of Monty Pythons "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" and all Elections will now be held with a mandatory "Pie Throwing/Eating" Competition.
You have been warned....
A furore has begun amongst suited toffs at Conservative Central Office in London;
Ben Achibald has joined the SWSS.
Beginning his transformation from unrepentant right wing tory to lunatic lefty, the Northern Area Officer shouted "One Solution: Revolution'. Tearing off his Donna Karan jacket to reveal his Che Guevara T-shirt stained witht he sweat and blood of the workers, he attacked a Garda and smashed a number of small businesses, taking care to bludgeon entrepreneurs and other parasitic exploiters of the oppressed working class.
Senior tories are calling Ben all sorts of names; he has become variously 'that chap from Ulster', 'that tallish one with the funny accent' and 'that fucking left wing bastard'/
The move coincides with Brendon Ferron's somersault out of a taxi and his rendition, on Lower Mount Street, of 'The Red Flag My Gracious Queen Wore'
Swizzler
In a shock move yesterday, the Conservative Party have approached Rory Ahearne to join them. One Tory insider was quoted as saying "If they're gonna take one of ours, by God we will have to retaliate! For too long we have lost members to the left and we must, as the empire once did, strike back! We will recruit them on the streets at mayday, we will recruit them as they boycott some cafe for not having enough left handed mugs and are therefore are discriminating against a large group of individuals!! We Will recruit!".
Meanwhile the Monster Raving Loony Party have graciously accepted Ben's application for membership and celebrated by having a jolly good tea party with none other than the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit.
In a shock move, some believe prompted by the presence of quaaludes in his vicinity, Ben Archibald has been arrested for beating the shit out of a duffel-coat wearing socialist in the middle of a Snow Patrol concert.
Some have blamed the trauma of converting between three political parties diametrically opposed to each other, known by the medical profession as Headuparse Novascotiae; his recent membership of the SWSS and the Monster Raving Loony Party, coupled with his departure, apparently two thousand years ago, fromt he Conservative party, made him fire up with rage and clobber the poor Labour Youth member.
The member, a Bernardo Campalot from Chontae Ciarrai, was heard to exclaim "hit me harder, daddy! Hit me harder!" and then go off on a rant about how awful Fianna Fail are.
One Irish republican looked on, unaware that anythign was happening. "Would you like to buy an easter lily", he asked one of our reporters, before throwing himself on the cold, wet ground.
The night's fingers stroked the streets of dublin with their inky dark. Soaked to the bone, the rebel turned to the taxi driver.
"See you in hell, motherfucker' he said, throwing two primed grenades into the rusted Cheverolet.
The lights flickered as the big car burst into an orgy of flame and explosion; the scene seemed quite erotic to Archibald.
"I think this has all gone too far" exclaimed Will Priestley.
He was right.
'Hit me harder Daddy'. I was unaware that Ben was my Daddy. Actually I think that he is younger than me, so go figure and I have never had a Daddy fixation, so bit of an old problemo there.
Amusing though that in the end the whole thread descends to pure comedy. But than maybe student life is just comedy and student unions are the biggest comedy of the lot.
signing off (weary, but not beaten!)
Bernard