Sorry it's been so long, hi mom, hi dad. That's my readership covered.
Over the last few weeks I have watched with great amusement as this country has gone into meltdown. It's been compulsive viewing to say the least. A lot of birds have come home to roost.
Did anyone really believe that American corporations were going to wait here long term when things started to go bonkers? Yes you did because you're morons. 98% of the population in this country are. Thankfully, I'm in the minority in this case.
If anyone has been paying attention to my blog, you'll have noticed that I have predicted the future on more than one occassion now.
It's a gift I guess.
Anyway, screw the lot of ye. You're getting what you deserve.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Hunger Striking with an end in sight?
When one applies for planning permission in this country (when an individual without masses of money, I mean), they may ask a politician to put in a good word. Last year I managed to gain a meeting with a planner to discuss an application I submitted with my wife. She also asked some local politicians for some help but after the meeting with the planner we were assured all was ok. Imagine our surprise then, when some months later, the two local eejits came back and said they had dropped a few kind words for us and we would be successful. After we already were. After I had talked to a planner who hadn't even been approached at that stage anyway.
My point is that politicians often come out to speak about issues or talk of topics when they know they're on the way to being solved.
A few decent politicians came out yesterday along with Ken Loache to ask Shell to move the Solitaire along so that Maura Harrington might be allowed come off her hunger strike.
Therefore, I would imagine that the ship will move in the next few days and some less noble politician will come out and claim responsibility.
With any luck it will move but please do not believe any politicians from the main parties other than current supporters of Shell To Sea when they say they had an input.
My point is that politicians often come out to speak about issues or talk of topics when they know they're on the way to being solved.
A few decent politicians came out yesterday along with Ken Loache to ask Shell to move the Solitaire along so that Maura Harrington might be allowed come off her hunger strike.
Therefore, I would imagine that the ship will move in the next few days and some less noble politician will come out and claim responsibility.
With any luck it will move but please do not believe any politicians from the main parties other than current supporters of Shell To Sea when they say they had an input.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Bomb Scare at Shell HQ
Publicity in Ireland and indeed worldwide for Shell at the moment is pretty bad.
The company is directly responsible (along with our government) for a woman being on hunger strike.
The captain of a pipelaying vessel due to lay your pipeline grew a concsience and turned back.
What do you do?
Who were the only ones to benefit from a bomb scare outside Shell HQ today?
Shell To Sea perhaps?
Maura Harrington?
The Erris people?
No, didn't think so.
The only ones who may gain from this is of course Shell themselves.
Conveniently, one of their police (I think they're called Gardai) found it. Probably after he put it there.
Anyone who thinks that anyone other than Shell or some wing of the government did this is quite foolish (Donegal anyone?).
Wake up and smell the coffee people.
Think about it just for one second before you digest your RTE news or the bog roll that is the Indo.
There's only one culprit here
The company is directly responsible (along with our government) for a woman being on hunger strike.
The captain of a pipelaying vessel due to lay your pipeline grew a concsience and turned back.
What do you do?
Who were the only ones to benefit from a bomb scare outside Shell HQ today?
Shell To Sea perhaps?
Maura Harrington?
The Erris people?
No, didn't think so.
The only ones who may gain from this is of course Shell themselves.
Conveniently, one of their police (I think they're called Gardai) found it. Probably after he put it there.
Anyone who thinks that anyone other than Shell or some wing of the government did this is quite foolish (Donegal anyone?).
Wake up and smell the coffee people.
Think about it just for one second before you digest your RTE news or the bog roll that is the Indo.
There's only one culprit here
Hunger strike in Mayo
Hi,
Since I last wrote on this a lot has happened.
It is not quite on the scale of Padraic Pearse saying that
"All has changed, changed utterly."
However, things have changed.
Firstly, I find it hard to delight in the decision by Maura Harrington to go on hunger strike.
I believe that the woman is intelligent and probably did not take this decision lightly.
I also believe that her family would be destroyed if she is allowed to die of hunger on the side of the road, ironically in a village where she sat in a bucket of a digger back 6 years ago.
What I find truly shocking about the whole situation is the fact that it had to come to this.
This country did not protect its' citizens but rather the workers of a multinational company with quite a poor record of health and safety (for locals not themselves). Police stated that they were there to protect both sides while they park their vehicles in Shell compounds in the area.
They chat with the Shell workers while shouting abuse and laughing at locals.
The army, police and navy were brought in huge numbers to ram this project down the throats of locals.
The mainstream media won't report on it unless Shell tell them to. Countless hours of footage of Irish people being kicked and beaten will not be discussed by the mainstream media.
The state broadcaster will not show it but will report stories of the most popular babies names of the year.
Not one state agency with responsibility for the environment has helped the locals.
Shell have gone across several SACs in their quest to bring this ashore. If you or I erected a hut on a SAC, we would be jailed.
So a woman goes on hunger strike to bring the issue to the attention of a nation, which has too many credit cards to care.
A woman goes on hunger strike to bring to the attention of the nation, the shameful giveaway of our oil and gas.
Maura, you are a heroine. You are a woman beyond reproach. You are a woman with morals that no Shell dollar can buy. I salute you for this. But I hope you do not die.
Since I last wrote on this a lot has happened.
It is not quite on the scale of Padraic Pearse saying that
"All has changed, changed utterly."
However, things have changed.
Firstly, I find it hard to delight in the decision by Maura Harrington to go on hunger strike.
I believe that the woman is intelligent and probably did not take this decision lightly.
I also believe that her family would be destroyed if she is allowed to die of hunger on the side of the road, ironically in a village where she sat in a bucket of a digger back 6 years ago.
What I find truly shocking about the whole situation is the fact that it had to come to this.
This country did not protect its' citizens but rather the workers of a multinational company with quite a poor record of health and safety (for locals not themselves). Police stated that they were there to protect both sides while they park their vehicles in Shell compounds in the area.
They chat with the Shell workers while shouting abuse and laughing at locals.
The army, police and navy were brought in huge numbers to ram this project down the throats of locals.
The mainstream media won't report on it unless Shell tell them to. Countless hours of footage of Irish people being kicked and beaten will not be discussed by the mainstream media.
The state broadcaster will not show it but will report stories of the most popular babies names of the year.
Not one state agency with responsibility for the environment has helped the locals.
Shell have gone across several SACs in their quest to bring this ashore. If you or I erected a hut on a SAC, we would be jailed.
So a woman goes on hunger strike to bring the issue to the attention of a nation, which has too many credit cards to care.
A woman goes on hunger strike to bring to the attention of the nation, the shameful giveaway of our oil and gas.
Maura, you are a heroine. You are a woman beyond reproach. You are a woman with morals that no Shell dollar can buy. I salute you for this. But I hope you do not die.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Drugs In Ireland
Last year represented the greatest amount of drugs seized, in monetary terms, In Ireland.
This was not due to the competence of the Gardaí or the Navy. No, this was due to the incompetence of some drug runners. Yet, we hailed it as a great blow in the war against drugs.
Well done lads. Pat yourselves on the back and take a long gracious bow. Did anyone know that a sniffer dog has found more drugs this year than the rest of the force put together?
What's worrying about all this is the fact that the value of the amount "found" last year in Cork shows how much was getting in past our dozy navy and cops anyway.
The drug dealers must be laughing now.
The government decides to send three navy vessels to police a few protesters in North Mayo. Also send in 200 or so of our finest plods in their boats. 3 out of 8 navy vessels available to this country are in north mayo being used against its' own people instead of doing their job and protecting this country.
Who is gaining from this? Why are the government so desperate to push this through that they use the navy and guards to beat their own people into submission at the behest of an Anglo-Dutch Company?
It's quite obvious someone somewhere got money. Ray Burke, Bertie Ahern, Frank Fahey, etc. But it still fails to answer the questions. Why do the government use the media to slur ordinary decent people in fear of their lives and intimidated and beaten by our police force?
Whatever the reasons, it is shocking to see this happen. Maybe official government papers released in twenty years time will tell us the truth. By then it will be too late for the people of Erris in Mayo, choking to death on poisonous fumes.
But hey, at least the drugs business will still be flourishing, eh?
This was not due to the competence of the Gardaí or the Navy. No, this was due to the incompetence of some drug runners. Yet, we hailed it as a great blow in the war against drugs.
Well done lads. Pat yourselves on the back and take a long gracious bow. Did anyone know that a sniffer dog has found more drugs this year than the rest of the force put together?
What's worrying about all this is the fact that the value of the amount "found" last year in Cork shows how much was getting in past our dozy navy and cops anyway.
The drug dealers must be laughing now.
The government decides to send three navy vessels to police a few protesters in North Mayo. Also send in 200 or so of our finest plods in their boats. 3 out of 8 navy vessels available to this country are in north mayo being used against its' own people instead of doing their job and protecting this country.
Who is gaining from this? Why are the government so desperate to push this through that they use the navy and guards to beat their own people into submission at the behest of an Anglo-Dutch Company?
It's quite obvious someone somewhere got money. Ray Burke, Bertie Ahern, Frank Fahey, etc. But it still fails to answer the questions. Why do the government use the media to slur ordinary decent people in fear of their lives and intimidated and beaten by our police force?
Whatever the reasons, it is shocking to see this happen. Maybe official government papers released in twenty years time will tell us the truth. By then it will be too late for the people of Erris in Mayo, choking to death on poisonous fumes.
But hey, at least the drugs business will still be flourishing, eh?
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
J'accuse
For some time I have, unlike the mainstream media in Ireland, tried to be objective on the issue of our (their) oil and gas. I have tried to give a balanced view on the beatings conducted by our so called Gardaí of ordinary decent citizens from a rural part of Ireland, where the crime rate was low at best before this project began. I still do not believe that any crime has taken place by protesters since but crimes can be invented - Donegal anyone?
The last straw for me came when the government sanctioned the use of the navy against its' own people. A despicable act in a truly disgusting country. This country is rotten to the core.
It is full of corrupt politicians who idiots continue to vote for. It is full of obnoxious morons whose greatest achievements are getting absolutely plastered on any given night.
Our towns and cities are rotten cesspools of drugs where rich and poor alike are united by common addictions.
Our transport infrastructure and health system are the joke of many a pub in Ireland (those that are still left in business).
But you know what? Irish people deserve everything they get.
They deserve the recession they receive where cutbacks of millions are called for when a trillion euro has been given away. Who shouts to complain? Just a few brave souls with the morals not to accept a few euro to shut them up in one of the most beautiful areas of the world.
To all you morons who have accepted money or jobs from Shell to build a murdering gas refinery - well done, may the money comfort you when your lungs can no longer breathe the air around you. Maybe you can sell your land and get out? But that house you built that should be worth €250000 can not be given away when that is built. Where do you go then in a time of recession? The bank for another mortgage with no collateral? Do the math.
I'd also like to give a big hello to the Greens in government, Gormless and Ryan. What a legacy to have left when you don't get voted in again - failed attempts to introduce new toilet and lightbulb initiatives.
Ireland, you make me sick.
No longer can I stand and support our soccer team or shout for our olympians. The Ireland I once was so proud of is long dead.
It's not just romantic Ireland that is dead and gone - The decent people on the island of a thousand welcomes has been replaced by ignorant morons who slap change down on shop counters and grunt at you when you try to get past someone in a crowded pub.
Ireland, I am an Irishman by virtue of my passport only because the Irishness I believed in is gone and gone forever.
Slán go Fóill
The last straw for me came when the government sanctioned the use of the navy against its' own people. A despicable act in a truly disgusting country. This country is rotten to the core.
It is full of corrupt politicians who idiots continue to vote for. It is full of obnoxious morons whose greatest achievements are getting absolutely plastered on any given night.
Our towns and cities are rotten cesspools of drugs where rich and poor alike are united by common addictions.
Our transport infrastructure and health system are the joke of many a pub in Ireland (those that are still left in business).
But you know what? Irish people deserve everything they get.
They deserve the recession they receive where cutbacks of millions are called for when a trillion euro has been given away. Who shouts to complain? Just a few brave souls with the morals not to accept a few euro to shut them up in one of the most beautiful areas of the world.
To all you morons who have accepted money or jobs from Shell to build a murdering gas refinery - well done, may the money comfort you when your lungs can no longer breathe the air around you. Maybe you can sell your land and get out? But that house you built that should be worth €250000 can not be given away when that is built. Where do you go then in a time of recession? The bank for another mortgage with no collateral? Do the math.
I'd also like to give a big hello to the Greens in government, Gormless and Ryan. What a legacy to have left when you don't get voted in again - failed attempts to introduce new toilet and lightbulb initiatives.
Ireland, you make me sick.
No longer can I stand and support our soccer team or shout for our olympians. The Ireland I once was so proud of is long dead.
It's not just romantic Ireland that is dead and gone - The decent people on the island of a thousand welcomes has been replaced by ignorant morons who slap change down on shop counters and grunt at you when you try to get past someone in a crowded pub.
Ireland, I am an Irishman by virtue of my passport only because the Irishness I believed in is gone and gone forever.
Slán go Fóill
Friday, June 6, 2008
Lisbon et al
Hi,
sorry it's been so long. Various apologies and excuses can be peddled by me but the main one is laziness.
There are a number of issues irking me this week, political and otherwise but i shall stick to the political ones if i can.
I read with interest the poll in today's Irish Times showing massive gains in support for the NO side in the Lisbon treaty.
It strikes me that there has been very little in the way of informed argument for either side coming my way in the last few weeks.
I have also noticed that the arguments that are put forward for both sides seem to be merely putting down the argument of the other side.
However, wading through all that garbage, i tried to look at both sides of the tale by actually reading the treaty.
One thing struck me quite immediately when faced with the literature.
The documents put out by the Referendum Commission was almost, to a word, identical to that of the Fianna Fáil party. In an alleged democracy that is either disgraceful or shows that Fianna Fáil were being very neutral and honest. I'll let you make up your own minds as to which one of those is true.
I, personally will be voting NO. My arguments are long winded and many. I am not a nut, a Sinn Féiner or a leftist extremist.
I am an Irish citizen who would put the welfare of my country before that of Europe.
Selfish? I don't think so.
Let's be clear here, this treaty will bring no extra benefits to this country or its' people. Read the ACTUAL treaty, not the propoganda from either side. It is quite clear that this treaty is a means to consolidate the power of the bigger EU states.
I believe that the European Union has not been as good for Ireland as people would have you believe.
Ireland has lost more money in fishing rights alone than it has ever gained from the EU from all the CAP and ERDF and ESF monies that came our way.
That is a FACT.
It is indisputable and correct.
Ireland should have taken the road of Norway, being part of a European Trade Zone and keep control of all its own affairs.
However, doing this would mean your politicians would have to be somewhat honest.
Consider again, the fact that the Irish government, in 2006, gave away the rights to 10 billion barrels of oil (their own figures) to that great ethical bastion of Shell and co. Today's oil prices hover around the $150 mark. That amounts to over a trillion euro worth of our resources given away for nada, zilch, nothing.
So maybe the Norway model wouldn't work in Ireland after all.
I spoke to an ardent Fianna Fáil supporter the other day about the Lisbon Treaty and asked him what way he was voting. We had a conversation where I put forward my reasons for voting no. When I asked him why he was voting yes, his response was "I don't think it's in our interest to vote no." Genius. I asked him to elaborate as to why exactly he wants to vote yes but that was the only argument put forward. No thought, just tow the party line. I then asked if he was going out at the weekend but the party hadn't given an official statement on that so the pints are on hold til he gets the go ahead from headquarters.
Reading today's Irish "not good enough to serve as toilet paper" Independent was also an interesting waste of my time that I could have done without but only made me semi-angry.
The rag has put forward some really bad editorials in the past but this was up there with the best. It amounted to little more than a begging letter telling all you people to get up off your asses and vote (thought it was supposed to be a quality paper). However, it wasn't telling everyone to vote. No, the Irish Indo was telling the people who might be inclined to vote YES to get out and vote. Not too much independent about that!
The Mahon Tribunal threw up some interesting lies from Bertie again.
Just consider this. The last person in a high profile case in this country to go before a judge and swear that money he got illegally actually came from horse racing was who? The answer is a person quite akin to Mr Ahern. He is a scumbag who has lied and cheated his way to wealth. He is Gerry Hutchison, maybe better known to most as the Monk.
Just think about that when you try to make excuses for fat man in the Louis Copeland suit again.
God Bless
sorry it's been so long. Various apologies and excuses can be peddled by me but the main one is laziness.
There are a number of issues irking me this week, political and otherwise but i shall stick to the political ones if i can.
I read with interest the poll in today's Irish Times showing massive gains in support for the NO side in the Lisbon treaty.
It strikes me that there has been very little in the way of informed argument for either side coming my way in the last few weeks.
I have also noticed that the arguments that are put forward for both sides seem to be merely putting down the argument of the other side.
However, wading through all that garbage, i tried to look at both sides of the tale by actually reading the treaty.
One thing struck me quite immediately when faced with the literature.
The documents put out by the Referendum Commission was almost, to a word, identical to that of the Fianna Fáil party. In an alleged democracy that is either disgraceful or shows that Fianna Fáil were being very neutral and honest. I'll let you make up your own minds as to which one of those is true.
I, personally will be voting NO. My arguments are long winded and many. I am not a nut, a Sinn Féiner or a leftist extremist.
I am an Irish citizen who would put the welfare of my country before that of Europe.
Selfish? I don't think so.
Let's be clear here, this treaty will bring no extra benefits to this country or its' people. Read the ACTUAL treaty, not the propoganda from either side. It is quite clear that this treaty is a means to consolidate the power of the bigger EU states.
I believe that the European Union has not been as good for Ireland as people would have you believe.
Ireland has lost more money in fishing rights alone than it has ever gained from the EU from all the CAP and ERDF and ESF monies that came our way.
That is a FACT.
It is indisputable and correct.
Ireland should have taken the road of Norway, being part of a European Trade Zone and keep control of all its own affairs.
However, doing this would mean your politicians would have to be somewhat honest.
Consider again, the fact that the Irish government, in 2006, gave away the rights to 10 billion barrels of oil (their own figures) to that great ethical bastion of Shell and co. Today's oil prices hover around the $150 mark. That amounts to over a trillion euro worth of our resources given away for nada, zilch, nothing.
So maybe the Norway model wouldn't work in Ireland after all.
I spoke to an ardent Fianna Fáil supporter the other day about the Lisbon Treaty and asked him what way he was voting. We had a conversation where I put forward my reasons for voting no. When I asked him why he was voting yes, his response was "I don't think it's in our interest to vote no." Genius. I asked him to elaborate as to why exactly he wants to vote yes but that was the only argument put forward. No thought, just tow the party line. I then asked if he was going out at the weekend but the party hadn't given an official statement on that so the pints are on hold til he gets the go ahead from headquarters.
Reading today's Irish "not good enough to serve as toilet paper" Independent was also an interesting waste of my time that I could have done without but only made me semi-angry.
The rag has put forward some really bad editorials in the past but this was up there with the best. It amounted to little more than a begging letter telling all you people to get up off your asses and vote (thought it was supposed to be a quality paper). However, it wasn't telling everyone to vote. No, the Irish Indo was telling the people who might be inclined to vote YES to get out and vote. Not too much independent about that!
The Mahon Tribunal threw up some interesting lies from Bertie again.
Just consider this. The last person in a high profile case in this country to go before a judge and swear that money he got illegally actually came from horse racing was who? The answer is a person quite akin to Mr Ahern. He is a scumbag who has lied and cheated his way to wealth. He is Gerry Hutchison, maybe better known to most as the Monk.
Just think about that when you try to make excuses for fat man in the Louis Copeland suit again.
God Bless
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