Comments on: Life’s a beach for Ireland’s latest ‘Generation Exodus’

By: PMC

PMC — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:27:33 +0000

Living in Ireland is a bit like playing one big game of “follow the leader”. The shift in mindset since the economic woes has been utterly incredible.
The same people who now moan and groan about their lot, were the very same folk who’d dish out the cold shoulder treatment when questioned about how on earth we were going to sustain and rely on building over-priced houses, half of which were being rented by immigrants who had no intention of staying…! Whether its owning a second home, spending a holiday in a particular guesthouse or location, having your wedding in the “in” place with the “in” crowd, going to the “in” festival, watching the “in” television shows; the list goes on and on… we are a nation of bum lickers and don’t rock the boat merchants until the bloody thing has sank to the floor.
Before I left for Australia, where I am now; nothing was as galling as the “I never saw the Celtic Tiger” line that was being bandied around. There appeared to be this notion that unless you were now the owner of a Merc, had a second home, extensive renovations on your main residence, and plenty of cash for private schools and foreign holidays, the Celtic Tiger hadn’t scratched you with his paw.
This diatribe was particularly prominent in the Public Sector, who in the main, appear to leave the business of actually finding out the facts to a certain few, who then spin them as they like, only to present their cosy version to the baying masses who either can’t see the wood for the trees, or simply refuse to, to protect THEMSELVES.
In my humble view, I think a good dose of honesty and thought for others would do our toxic little island a fair bit of good. There’s a twisted, begrudging, backward little frame of mind that should be weeded out for the good of all. High society in Ireland, or our version of it at least, is so bloody small and incestuous; who would have the balls to speak out after all the manure they had to chew on to actually take their seat in the first place….

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:08:39 +0000

Folks, just a typical example of the way we are being misled by our media-spin. Michael Taft tried to stop himself from taking the bait of countering the spin, but just could not help himself on this one, about spinning to reduce the minimum wage.

Like wills, myself and others have said here before, once the public-sector wage-cuts succeed, the “race to the bottom” will gain momentum until all workers lose and the “profit-up-wages-down” brigade win the war, battle-by-little-battle.

http://www.progressive-economy.ie/2010/01/finding-facts-in-fantasy-land.html

By: southofdub

southofdub — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:00:26 +0000

This is well worth watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1b__MdtHY

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:39:58 +0000

Folks, so far, there have been 28 revisions saved to the 5s here:

http://etherpad.com/OwNzsgQpSa

Thanks to all and let’s keep at it.

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:31:53 +0000

Folks, ok, now, this might make you angry, but is worth reading; how Kenya is trying to learn a lesson in “how-not-to” from Ireland:

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539444/835246/-/t151x7/-/

But, you see, we can actually learn something from them.

They have something called “Vision 2030″.

See that?

A vision for their future in 20 years time.

Remember my story about the cabinet Minister’s reply to me when I begged for investment in education and children for our future and he said, “I don’t give a shit about 20 years time; I have to get re-elected in 5!”

Where is our “Vision 2030″?

By: Furrylugs

Furrylugs — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:47:30 +0000

Tim,
I’m still trying to figure out the page you set up but in the meantime……..

The Five Meritocratic Principles from the UK Meritocracy Party
http://www.meritocracy.org.uk

NO NEPOTISM

1) It’s not who your parents are, it’s who you are.

NO CRONYISM

2) It’s not what others can do for you, it’s what you can do.

NO DISCRIMINATION

3) Sex, race, religion, age, background are irrelevant. Talent is everything.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

4) You start from the same point as everyone else, and you go as far as your talents take you.

REWARDING MERIT

5) The highest rewards for the highest achievers.

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:31:41 +0000

“Please don’t whip me, Massa? I’ll be a good Nigga!”.

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:30:28 +0000

wills, David calls that out in his book. With the change in defamation laws instituted today, he may be able to tell more (just don’t say “Jehovah”, “Mohammed”, “Budda”, or “Jesus”).

God help us all! (Ooops, sorry Minister Aherne!)

By: Deco

Deco — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:12:29 +0000

Eamonn Ryan, are you a lightbulb changer or an eco warrior?

Answer – actually – he is another opportunist looking for a ministerial pension. It is just that the current fashionable thing for political opportunists to do is to be environmentally concerned.

Rate them on their applied intelligence. I seen a program concerning 1979 – with details of Jack Lynch versus CJ Haughey. Never assume that the good guy always wins out in the end. Lynch had a plan to reduce corporate tax to get investment into the country. Haughey on the other hand was more interested in playing the hard man over the North and using state funds to buy sections of the electorate. Unfortunately, CJH got rid of Lynch. This resulted in economic calamity. But, at least he got to expand and feed the national requirement for self importance with Haughey’s Pride infused comments concerning the Falklands.
Fifteen years later it was Reynolds versus Ahern.

History does not repeat itself – but it sure does rhyme (Mark Twain).

The GP are just doing like the PDs and the ILP before them. All sorts of pronouncements to sound high minded, and then grabbing the ministerial chair with both hands at the first opportunity.

By: Shane Dempsey

Shane Dempsey — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:51:16 +0000

Thanks for the link Tim. Made a contribution.