Tuesday, Mar 16th 2010
There’s another angle on the George Lee saga that is as interesting to media watchers as any consideration of whether he was ‘frozen out’ of Fine Gael or a victim of his own ego. Let’s put aside too whether Enda Kenny wasted a brilliant talent or had simply expected Lee to take a little time to settle into politics [...]
Christopher Bickerton | No means no; yes doesn’t mean yes
Bickerton, in this Le Monde Diplomatique article, argues that Ireland’s final yes vote in Lisbon II, and the whole journey of the EU constitution from initial drafting to full ratification, illustates that Europe’s governments value the opinion of their peers more than that of their citizens. [...]
John O’Brennan | Lisbon: A Communications Failure Among the Irish Political Hierarchy
“The main source of this enduring pattern of communications failure is that European Union policy-making in Ireland takes place in a hierarchical system dominated by senior government ministers and a top echelon of civil servants.”
John O’Brennan, a lecturer in European politics and society [...]
The following is a statement from Lawyers Against Lisbon
We, the undersigned, have decided to vote “No” on Friday and recommend that our fellow voters do so as well.
We each have slightly different reasons for our position but are agreed on what now follows.
Contrary to a common argument from our opponents, the Treaty is about much [...]
Paul Ginsborg: Undermining Democracy - The case of Silvio Berlusconi
Paul Ginsborg is Professor of Contemporary European History, University of Florence and a frequent public commentator on politics and life in Italy. His books include A History of Contemporary Italy, Society and Politics 1943 - 1988 , Italy and Its Discontents: Family, Civil Society and the State , 1980-2000, and the bestselling biography Berlusconi: Television, [...]
There will be a variety of slogans on placards on the National Demonstration this Saturday:
There is a Better Way • Bail Out People, Not Banks • Punish the Corrupt, Not the Victims • Workers Unite
All catchy in their own way. But here’s the text for a placard that should be carried by thousands and memorised [...]
‘You do not get it. You are stupid. Do not demonstrate. Do not remonstrate. You are interfering in things you do not understand and you are making matters worse. Go back home. Sit down. Shut up. And let your betters sort things out.’
End communication from your Econo-Overlords VMT (Von Mises Tendency)
I am getting increasingly [...]
Si. Is the Future King of Lyon!
I am watching with disgust and pleasure the vaguely general striking in France yesterday. Did you see it? Was all most very amusing and also a big disgrace.
In general, as you know, I am always opposed to the insurrectioning by members of the lower classes, such [...]
Last weekend, the Sunday Times published an article by Brenda Power entitled: TD’s funeral shamed him about the recent funeral of Independent TD, Tony Gregory. The article has forced me to put together a few words in response, because it demonstrates that in fact her words shamed her.