Comments on: Joke of the year?

By: Emerald Islander

Emerald Islander — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:37:08 +0000

Sounds like you have been there yourself, Grandad. Or perhaps you have a specially trained fly on the wall of the Dail bar, one with a tiny microphone attached?

I have to meet some of these people from time to time, in the line of my work. And I can assure you that they are a lot worse in reality than they come across on TV and radio.

For the past 15 years I have been asking myself why it is that the Irish people send the most useless and incompetent people into parliament. There are some duds in other parliaments as well, but most nations still have some pride and some really capable people in their parliament and political system.

As we have plenty of bright people in this country, too, it really beats me why none of them are in politics. I don’t want to sound unpatriotic, but about 80% of our TDs are complete idiots and not capable of anything worth mentioning. However, it’s not really their fault that they are there. It is the fault of those who elect them.
And, as some wise old philosopher said more than 2000 years ago: “Every country has the government it deserves.”

Personally I had another thought recently. Could it be that the whole government has entered into a collective suicide pact?
Most people might not remember Jonestown (Guyana), but that was only 30 years ago and I remember the headlines very well.

But whatever happens, anyone who votes in future for Fianna Fail or the Green Party deserves to be taken out and beaten with a stick three times a day.

By: What happens on a night out with Geansai Gorm | Geansai Gorm Blog

What happens on a night out with Geansai Gorm | Geansai Gorm Blog — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:11:26 +0000

[...] my apologies. My head is ringing, and my mood is not the best. Maybe have a read of Grandad’s joke of the year, if might be something that will give you a smile on your [...]

By: Martin Burn

Martin Burn — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:33:06 +0000

brilliant big guy. in scotland they would cut the heating allowance, increase the prescription rates and raise oil and cigarette taxes. it would be done b an expensive think tank/quango who would gleefully spend time and money doing nothing as normal!!! my local council spent £250,000 paving half a street in granite from china. do u think they need any help to spend my money??

By: Baino

Baino — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:40:47 +0000

Ireland and Aus are more alike than I thought. We had tax cuts in June but they didn’t cover rising expenditure and anyone on ‘any’ pension will get a flat $1000 before Christmas to encourage consumer spending. I miss out but I’d have put it on my credit card anyway.

By: Dorothy

Dorothy — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:14:16 +0000

Good one! – Don’t forget the introduction of University fees & increase in VAT

By: Grandad

Grandad — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:09:37 +0000

Darren – Damnit! I’m begining to believe my own stories…

TheChrisD – The only thing I can draw well is Social Security.

By: TheChrisD

TheChrisD — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:55:12 +0000

You should start making a web-comic about the reality behind the scenes in the Dail

By: Darren

Darren — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:30:39 +0000

It would be funny if it didn’t sound so feckin’ likely. It would explain a lot.

By: Grandad

Grandad — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:36:02 +0000

Terence – I’ll have a counter bet here – €500 that the government will drop some kind of sweetener before the local elections?

Susan – It’s about the only thing that would make sense. It’s either a joke, or That Lot are the greatest bunch of idiots going?

Tony S – Welcome! It’s always nice to see new faces around.

By: Tony S.

Tony S. — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:49:30 +0000

Very funny ….

Terence, that’s what every political party in government does all the time, and it isn’t confined to ‘dopey old Ireland’

Still, to paraphrase Churchill, democracy is a terrible way to run a country, until one considers the alternatives