Comments on: Portugal can keep Lisbon

By: Grandad

Grandad — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:33:57 +0000

Kirk M – An excellent point. I am the first to admit that I am ashamed of the current ‘Irish’. For centuries, we were a downtrodden, poor country but we had a fire in our collective belly. Then we discovered the power of the hand-out [Europe again!!] and became a nation of shallow money lovers who can be bought even by the lowest bidder. When the continentals have a gripe, they take to the streets in a flash, but we just sit in our crumbling mansion and complain.
As for the alternative? You’re right again. The two main parties here are essentially identical and the rest are too small to consider. The one thing that does set Fianna Fail apart is their party loyalty. That should be admired, but what it leads to is a party that is always right even when it’s wrong, and people will vote for them even though they secretly know they probably shouldn’t. It leads to a philosophy of Party before Country, so that even though the party was virtually annihilated in the last elections, they still grimly cling to power.

By: Kirk M

Kirk M — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:07:31 +0000

Of course being the old shit stirrer that I am I’ve had to ask myself that if you (the Irish) managed a successfull NO vote and shortly thereafter got rid of Biffo and some of his ilk…um…

…then what?

What would you folks be able to put in his place that would actually be better? For those who know me will realize I mean absolutely no offense when I say that by the gist of some of the posts/comments by various Irish bloggers and commenters that I’ve read, one might feel that you don’t really think that much of yourselves in general anyway. Of course several posts and associated comments do not show the truth in the majority’s opinion of themselves as a people but it would seem to me that despite all the faults of any “peoples” anywhere (Americans as a whole have plenty of faults and we know it. Still, it’s our country and we’ll strive to have the best for it despite that) you have to think well enough of yourselves as “The Irish” in the first place before any real improvements can be had.

I’m only writing this here because there’s plenty of intelligent and aware folks who hang around this blog who might offer some insight on this.

Respectfully yours…
.-= >> Kirk M´s latest brainfart .. Lacking posts but accomplishing more? =-.

By: Paddy Bloggit

Paddy Bloggit — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:25:12 +0000

Another ‘No’ vote here.

By: Grandad

Grandad — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:02:57 +0000

Frank – Spectators are always welcome, even at bloodsports.

By: Frank B Smith

Frank B Smith — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:25:45 +0000

I had to look it up, and was surprised to find that the US Constitution was not ratified by a popular vote. It was ratified by elected conventions of representatives. However, this is an issue for the Irish People and the Irish People alone. I shall remain a spectator.

By: Grandad

Grandad — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:17:17 +0000

Kirk M – That bloke’s arrogance is unbelievable. It does parallel that of Europe though who never considered we would reject it in the first place.

Jedrzej – It is extremely unlikely I will change my mind. It would take a guarantee of a Europe-wide referendum to do that!! Of course they are going to pump a fortune [that we cannot afford] into it, and I fear they will succeed. The Irish are so easily bought!

By: jedrzej

jedrzej — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:33:38 +0000

So very well said, GD. I hope you’ll keep up your small NO campaign going.
Although, I am seriously concerned that this time the treaty will pass. They were taken by surprise previously, this time they will pump much more money into obtaining the oh so democratic yes.

I wonder if I can vote in the referendum – afraid I can’t (as I am a proper registered voter now, but not for everything).
.-= >> jedrzej´s latest brainfart .. double portrait on the rock =-.

By: Kirk M

Kirk M — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:57:01 +0000

I’ve been waiting for this to show up and have been following closely once it did. I noticed that your Biffo stated for the public that he was not ready to accept NO for an answer. Personally, and for all the reasons that Grandad stated plus a few of my own, I’d love to see you folks shove a NO vote right down his lying, fork tongued throat. As was said above, you might even rid yourselves of him and perhaps a few of his ilk in the process.

Keeping my eye on the news and always hoping for the best…
.-= >> Kirk M´s latest brainfart .. WordPress 2.8.1 fixes 2.8 auto upgrade bug =-.

By: Grandad

Grandad — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:07:23 +0000

TT – We have Rabbio in Europe too, but we have vaccinations [or is it Rabies I'm thinking of?]

Conor – I completely agree. There is a temptation to use this as another chance to have a swipe at the government, but this is not the time.

Roosta – I frankly don’t think Brussels can be more democratic. It is just too big, so that even if the entire population of this island voted unanimously on some item, we would still represent a mere 1% of the total voice. This in turn is another of my objections – while economic cooperation is eminently feasible throughout a continent, political accord isn’t. A Superstate of 450 million is just too big.

If we vote No, then why the hell should we withdraw? That makes no sense whatsoever. You say that ‘they’ want to go another way, but who are ‘they’? You can’t include the people of Europe in that as they haven’t been given a voice.

If all the people of Europe vote on this treaty, and the result is Yes, then I have no problem accepting it, because I believe in democracy. The fact that 99% are rendered mute makes a total mockery of all that Europe purports to stand for.

By: roosta

roosta — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:52:49 +0000

We are being told that this treaty is merely a tidying exercise, to make Brussels more democratic and accountable. If that is all it is, then why is it so fucking important that it be passed?

Because it is important that we make Brussels more democratic and accountable. Surely if that’s all it merely is, then we SHOULD do that?

If we vote No, then Ireland should do the honourable thing and withdraw from Europe. If they want to go one way, and we don’t time and time again, then we should let them be, and stop wasting their time.

Incidentally, I am a Yes man, and still am.