It makes for a fascinating headline: ‘Mensa challenges Bulgaria’s MP candidates to take IQ tests – and only four out of more than 4000 agree’, The Sofia Globe (March 11) in Bulgaria. To be honest, I am surprised that so many agreed to the challenge.
The Sofia Globe report that ‘none of those who accepted this time around, about two weeks ahead of Bulgaria’s March 26 2017 early parliamentary elections, were major political figures’.
It got me thinking whether Mensa should issue the same challenge to other legislatures and organisations around the world?
Locally, I wondered whether the Northern Ireland Assembly would accept the challenge. And who would have the brightest MLAs; the DUP or Sinn Féin, the UUP or SDLP, Alliance or People Before Profit, and what of the TUV? The Irish News, Belfast Telegraph or News Letter?
How about a face-off between Stormont and Leinster House? Who would win? The Gardaí or PSNI? BBC or RTE?
Nationally, who would come out on top; Westminster, Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament or NI Assembly? Conservatives or Labour? Army, Navy or Air Force? The Met, Yorkshire, Birmingham or Manchester police?
Internationally, which legislature is brightest; the Russian parliament? Ukraine? China? Japan? South Korea perhaps? What about Brasil, Chile or Argentina? The US or Canada? Germany or France?
In the US , Senate or Congress? New York Times or Washington Post? Time Magazine or New Yorker? NYPD or LAPD? Again, Army, Navy or Air Force?
Cracking stuff, eh?
Perhaps we should throw the gauntlet down to see whose up for the challenge.
BERNARD J MULHOLLAND
Belfast BT9
North’s stroke services lagging behind rest of UK
As many Irish News readers will know stroke is devastating and affects more than 4,000 people each year in Northern Ireland. Stroke is a leading cause of disability but unfortunately many stroke survivors and their families struggle to access the services and long-term support
they need.
At the Stroke Association we believe every stroke patient should have access to the best possible treatment and care. Despite the substantial progress which has been made and the many dedicated health professionals in Northern Ireland, our stroke services are lagging behind other parts of the UK.
Independent reports have found that Northern Ireland has no seven-day stroke therapy service and inadequate rehabilitation and long-term support in the community. Too many stroke survivors tell us they struggle to access services such as physiotherapy, speech therapy and emotional support and that this hampers their recovery.
Stroke patients living in Northern Ireland deserve better.
Over the last two months Health and Social Care have been asking stroke survivors, families, carers and the public to share their ideas and concerns on how to reshape our stroke services.
This is an opportunity for everyone to have their say and help create a new model of stroke care that will reduce disabilities, save lives and enhance life after stroke for everyone.
There will be a public meeting on September 7 in The Stormont Hotel, Belfast from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and we would like to encourage people to get involved. For further information go to: www.hscboard.hscni.net/stroke
The Stroke Association provides services, support and grants for everyone affected by stroke in Northern Ireland. To find out more visit www.stroke.org.uk/ni or telephone
028 9050 8020
BARRY MACAULAY
NI Director, Stroke Association
Concerns over design of proposed integrated transport hub
The Irish News article – ‘Protesters criticise proposed demolition of historic Boyne Bridge’ (August 9) – reports a spokeswoman for Translink stating that following a consultation of almost 2,000 people “the overwhelming majority (88 per cent) supporting the principle of the new integrated transport hub”.
At a public presentation by Chris Conway, chief executive of Translink, in Belfast on the February 23 2017, 18 of the 19 people who spoke and responded were not supportive of the detailed plans and expressed strong concern about the success of the proposals. These included the removal of the Boyne Bridge.
One contributor commented on the proposals as being a “flawed project in its present form”.
The majority of people support the concept of the integrated transport hub but not the detailed design proposed by Translink and its consultants.
We moved the central station in 1974 and got it wrong. Let’s not get it wrong again. We all know the saying:
If you make the wrong decision once it’s a mistake. If you do it twice?
DECLAN HILL
Belfast Urban Studio cic
Belfast BT1
The issue of slavery
Fionnuala O Connor (August 2) in reference to the American Civil War states that the “quarrel over slavery was its root cause”. However, in the book Slaves No More it is stated “With President Abraham Lincoln in the fore federal authorities insisted that the nascent conflict must be a war to restore the national union and nothing more.” In an Independence Day oration Lincoln “pointedly omitted any mention of slavery in his discussion on the Northern War aims and assured the South that he had not altered his views on the rights of states within the federal government”. Congress echoed his view, “asserting that the North only fought to preserve the Union and posed no threat to the Southern institutions”.
The book makes the point that it was the slaves and former slaves who re-made the war for the union into a war for freedom.
The above quotes and other ample evidence given by the five US historians who contributed to the book shows that the real root cause of the quarrel was the secession of the Southern states not the issue of slavery
ERNEST WALKER
Belfast BT15
Demise of Catholicism premature
Congratulations to The Irish News – sales better than the other Belfast daily papers. One of those morning papers featured the Knock Novena from August 14 to 22.
It made divine reading – more than 100,000 (yes 100,000) pilgrims were expected. The demise of the Irish Catholicism seemed premature.
There are several groups of volunteers who come year after year to organise and help the sick.
Heavy rain or wind does not dampen spirits and everyone is gracious and helpful.
There is a vibrancy and irrepressible spirit and Knock’s message is one of hope and love.
OLIVER McKAVANAGH
Lurgan, Co Armagh
Clarification
The letter ‘Grief and anger don’t fade with time’ published on Monday (August 28) was not submitted by businessman Denis Lynch of Park, Co Derry
