Month: May 2007

Categories
politics

McDowell’s last bow

I feel intensely sorry for McDowell. You see I’ve actually read many of his comments in the Dail, listened to what he has to say and admired the gusto with which he carried out his duties as Minister for Justice. Never an easy role! Over the years I’ve been impressed by a dedicated, hardworking, erudite and clever man who is not really suitable for Irish politics. I know many who feel delighted he’s gone. They believed hook, line and sinker the media representation of the man who dared to express tough and unpopular opinions in this land of milk and honey. Of course he wasn’t always right and his aloof nature and righteousness didn’t help. The hatred many invested in McDowell would have been better channeled elsewhere. I’d like to believe that they’ll retrospectively understand that he’s a sincere and good man (albeit endowed with a lawerly conceit) and perhaps contrast this with the even more arrogant and corrupt rogues of days gone by. A little corruption goes a long way at the polls, or so the Irish people proved on Thursday.
I share no sense of vindication in the passing of the PD’s into political obscurity. They have served this country well. They have been a vital part of the country’s current success and I’m concerned there are no fitting replacements for either Harney or McDowell in the next government. There are genuinely tough times ahead as the celtic cub emerges into ungainly adolescence under the watchful and often reproachful eye of Mother Europe. The electorate have spoken however and democracy will serve up the government they deserve.
Hopefully the Celtic teenager will eventually learn to overcome the peer pressure of the kids from the 4th estate and look more objectively at our political figures and their relative merits.

Categories
psychology

brimming with possibility

Much of modern media seems like background noise
An endless drone of marketing static. Selling me burgers, cars, movies
One catchy jingle mingles with another. I can’t tell the difference anymore.
I often feel media saturated, my brain soaked through with an incoherence of thoughts, images, sounds, pleas, intentions, subversions and inversions.
The words and images like an old friend, warm and inviting.
But they’re just passing by
& All I hear is static.
They’ve oversold.

Categories
politics

Putin’s Russia

Just seen a brilliant documentary of Channel 4’s More4 station. Death of a Nation is a compelling look at modern Russia. The documentary shows widespread disatisfaction with “Managed Democracy” which seems to be at odds with much of the freedom and civil liberties that we associate with democracy. It puts a lot of our (& my own) whinging about bipartate politics into poignant perspective. It also dismisses Putin’s presentation to the west and highlights a violent and authoritarian regime similiar to Western perceptions of the old USSR. Russia seems like a country on the brink of disaster, caught between the extremes of unchecked capitalism and dictatorial communism. No side truely in control.
The documentary was narrated by Marcel Theroux, Louis’ less sardonic and altogether more thoughtful brother. I won’t discuss it further as it really needs to be watched to be appreciated.

Categories
politics

Rambling on the radio

I’m still in a state of shock. Although it could be the antibiotics I’m taking for my throat infection. Someone from WLR called me this afternoon about my last political blog entry. Apparently I’m convincing the impressionable young voters of Waterford to spoil their votes. Well, I think I overdid the “it’s ironic of course” schtick in the interview but I’m still a little bemused that enough people are reading my blog to make it news worthy and that anyone thought it wasn’t a humorous if slightly jaundiced view of Waterford electioneering.
To give the post it’s context, it came about from many discussions with colleagues and friends about the upcoming election. It’s fair to say that most aren’t enthused about any of the candidates and even less impressed by their election claims and promises. There’s also the depressing feeling that if we don’t have a minister we’ll be ignored for another 5 years so needs must … All the evidence points to this being true and if WLR want to run a feature on this I’ll surely give them a hand. They should also give Cian “WellBoy” Foley a call as he’s sure to have an opinion or 20.
So why are “yoof” so jaded with the current elections? Perhaps it’s the essentially bi-partisan hegemony of governance in Ireland. To use an analogy it’s like saying we can have spaghetti on toast or beans on toast for another 5 years. We may liven them up with some red tomatoes or some green parsley. Even some mature cheddar. We’re not getting an omelette though no matter how much we plead. Personally, I’d like steak but there’s not a single party in Ireland that can offer me one 🙂
Equally we’re not afforded the right to vote for “None Of The Above”. Surely, in a democratic society we should be allowed to reject the election candidate list? Unfortunately our choice is to vote or not to vote (that is the question!).
On the grounds that we do have real choices in a proportional representation system like we have in Ireland it is our civic duty to have a good hard look at each candidate and their policies and rank them. If there are 7 candidates then list all 7 in order of preference. This is the closest thing you’ll get to “None of the Above” so take advantage of it!
It occured to me that my comments may have been construed as a genuine desire to run for public office. Someday I may do so. I also realise that blogging about blogging is the technological equivalent of eating yourself feet first. However, as was demonstrated in my radio interview I’m not averse to cramming both feet into my mouth 🙂