The Irish Times is undergoing a blogblurt at the moment, growing a new one ever fortnight or so. The trio of Conor Pope, Shane Hegarty and Jim Carroll have now added pollie Mark Hennessy to their number to become a rounded quartet.

It’s to be applauded, and I’d recommend a sift through all four at the start of your day. Grab your coffee, use a reader and replace your chocolate muffin with some blogs. It’s good for the thighs as well as the brain. Back in my heady college days (all of 24 months ago, now) we put out a magazine called Furnace, in which I railed at the NUJ attitude to new journalism.

To quote myself:

“Rather than protesting against how changes are going to affect what they do, perhaps it’s time to encourage the 36,500 NUJ card-holders to embrace new technology rather than sticking their heads in the sand. Journalism is moving from scoop to sift, and it’s up to those within the trade to change their ways or fall by the wayside.”

Part of me wonders, however, what reward those that do embrace it are getting for the extra workload they take on?

Trying to keep up a blog and write your normal workload is, no matter what way you look at it, an added burden. So what are the lads getting paid?

Could anyone out there share rumours or unattributable hogwash to see what bonuses they’re offering multitaskers in the ivory tower these days? Was it a matter of the four men concerned offering to take it on, or was there a decree from on high? Answers on a comment page…

I’ve only met Miriam Lord the once, on a freezing Meteor Awards red carpet, but she was a delight. Kind of like your favourite auntie, she asked me who some of the more obscure young starlets were that tottered along in front of us into the Point Depot. “I don’t know, Miriam,” was all I could tell her most of the time. When it comes to generating C-list celebs, Ireland makes it onto the A-list. But the point is this: Miriam Lord – lovely lady.

And a cracking writer too. Read her colour bit on the Ranelagh Rumble here.

Sucker punch:

His [John Gormley's] blood was up and he would stand for no more “nonsense” from Michael McDowell. “Calm down, John. Calm down,” urged the Minister.

Talk about a red rag to a compassionately reared organic bull.

Interesting bit on Counterpunch about the anti-American sentiment in Bolivia, which doesn’t lie far below the surface.

“The road to a healthier lifestyle starts here at Club Markham“

The Rumble in Ranelagh – it’s all anybody’s talking about today (er – was talking about yesterday – damn time zones).

Michael McDowell tries to re-hash his last election stunt, going up a pole while sliding down the polls.

Greenie John Gormley, looking eminently sensible in his breathable anorak,  shows up to pose a few ‘questions’ about McDowell’s interpretations of Green policy, which he claims are utter lies.  Cue massive political bitchfight, which the assembled journos lap up like cats that got the custard.  Moments like this confirm Election 2007 as Ireland’s most entertaining in decades.

For more see RTE’s coverage – see if you can spot the look of sheer glee on the face of RTE political correspondent Fergal Keane as the camera pans past him during the media melee.

From Norway’s Aftenposten comes news of a Norwegian-Iranian man who received 130 lashes in public from police while on holiday in Iran. His crime? Drinking two beers. Even McDowell would have to admit that’s a little harsh.

Hat tip: Lex Icon