The Writing Life and Other Absurdities.

Blogashed

2012-02-09T00:04:00.003Z

I started the New Year with one aim in mind. To become more organized. Clamp down on what needed doing, tidy things up, move things along. During the course of doing that I damn near threw three years work - unpaid as it is - down the Blogger gutter.
I decided to delete a certain email address I hadn't been using at all. Big mistake! With its deletion went the blog. It took me days to realize what had happened - and over a week to rectify a situation that looked to be a lost cause.

Thankfully tonight though, it came back online again. Back-up is definitely on the Booker agenda after this.
Worst case scenario would have been the loss of the material here. I've been in the process of serializing it month-on-month, but there's a drove of material to get through. It was important if for nothing else than to provide a timeline of the economic catastrophe to befall Ireland in recent times. People know they get it called as it is around here. And should some misfit off into the future decide to read up on what went down in Ireland as she fell from grace, well who knows what they might stumble upon. Maybe even the ramblings of an attic recluse.

A lots been happening since the shutdown. But it's much too late to be writing about it. Tonight's for sighs of relief. Thanks to a Google God. There is one you know - but that's another story.

Cheers L.

Earthworms

2012-01-29T10:19:00.002Z

Grand soft morning here on the Emerald Isle, thanks to The Buddha. The earthworms will be rising, giving the sparrows and robins something to slide down into them after the frost of the night before. They cautiously look around for an imminent attack by their distant cousins, the scavenging crow.

I wonder how these slithery megadriles, so valuable to the earth's Eco-system, are doing down there. I imagine where I'm living they're doing OK.
The excess of the Celtic Tiger came here - but not in the crazy way it did in other parts of the country. Places where ghost estates not only de-value small towns and rural settings, but provide a daily reminder of how far Ireland came, before having to leave it all behind.
Having been a site worker for half my life and seeing the way the thinking never swayed much into Eco-systems off into the future, and all that goes with that, I sometimes wonder about scandals. For instance, what's happening to the residents of Priory Hall or the unfortunate sprinkle of residents on abandoned estates littered throughout the country.
An RTE once-yearly half hour 'special' into such things hardly amounts to doing what a national broadcaster should be doing. Surely shaming and shaping has to be part of their remit. It is. It's just rarely gets done - and less so, never seems to make much of a difference. Specifically in the short-term. Lots of Ireland's past shames have had to be dealt with in silence. Generations of it. Passed down to be dealt with by other generations. Scandals - too many to mention.

Years ago I remember working on apartments on Sheriff Street in Dublin. A regeneration project. Dublin was beginning to boom. These apartment blocks were flying up. Property was beginning to become the name of the game. Cowboys and Indians came. the cowboys stayed.
Cardboard boxes with walls like paper. A great environment for the writer who had no ideas, but being able to listen to everything going on next door would soon have become a living nightmare to many who wished they hadn't been so naive.

Take things like sub-soil acting as topsoil. Little to cling to but the broken bits and pieces of materials that didn't quite make it on to some of the most expensive builds in Irish mortgage history.
Surely, if the earthworm thinks, they must be thinking we are a vandalizing lot. We'll chant 'progress' but surely progress has to be measured over our understanding of time, and not just in the instant. Grabbing desperately for any currency note available to work for the common good of the shareholder who benefits most all this.
When weighed up against time again, I wonder if Darwin was about today, he might be having his doubts. Particularly at the human end of evolution. While we are the only species to have to pay for the privilege of living on the planet, we do seem at times hell-bent on making sure it ain't going to be worth paying for a hundred years down the road.
I doubt even humans will be stupid enough to pay stealth taxes on toxic air rations. Or poisoned foods. Assuming we make it that far at all. At least there's genetic modification to be played around with.

I wonder how earthworm survive in Switzerland?
Enda Kenny scooted off to Davos this week to attend the World Economic Forum beneath the powdery snow of the Swiss Alps. No Ryanair flights or cheap train rides this time. But then, even we Irish, can't be having our state leader-in-name thumbing lifts on European highways and going cross country on skies.
Among the lavish surroundings Enda looked well. Doing Ireland justice after the lack luster style years of the anorak wearing Bertie and the disheveled Ollie Reed years of Brian. Nothing against the guys. I've worn anoraks. Dishevelled too.
Enda was allowed to talk in some of the media set-ups and may have even at times spoke well. But he is an earthworm in a sea of crows. They all know that. Even the maids and porters.

More worrying though perhaps is our leaders recent problems with memory. Who remembers his 5-point-plan at Irish salvation just over a year ago.

Point One - Protecting and creating jobs - Fail. The only reason there has been stagnation is because 50,000 are heading off the island each year. Expect that to double this year as more and more make a better lifestyle choice.

Point Two - Introducing better, fairer budgets to keep taxes low - Epic fail. Taxes are low alright. For the rich or bankrupted - depends on how you view it.

Point Three – we will create a completely new health system. Hard to call this one. If he meant 'new' in the sense it's going to be twice as bad, then they have achieved here. Your call.

Point Four - smaller, better government with the people’s money spent wisely on vital public services. The government, either locally or nationally is no smaller. The Séanad still exists. People's money is going into Zombie banks, but yeah to some they are a vital public service. Again it's up to you to decide.

Point Five - a political system that achieves more and costs less, with the Government leading by example. Epic is too small a word to describe the failure of this one.

However, Enda's dementia seemed to take on some new dementia this week. Just 6 weeks ago, Enda broadcasted himself to the nation. You all remember -
'This is not your fault,' he told a hopeful public - before taking €4billion off them the next day.

This week in Davos he changed his mind. It actually turns out - it is our fault. We got greedy he said. Wealth created from cheap credit. And now we must pay for that. Some unfortunately with their lives. 30 suicides in Ireland to the middle of January. Defies believe.
Enda's playing the medium term here. He's looking to get a 'fairer' deal from the bailout. Maybe even have it's repayment put off so economic worries can be addressed. Give the island a chance at least. If he succeeds it's a noose taken from our throats. For now. The interim period between such a deal and its payment could define Ireland once and for all.
I'm still of the opinion all this is a nation grab. Soon the family jewellery will be sold. If Europe and America come to some 'arrangement' cheap money could be available again. EC grants for infrastructure. Ireland's going to need it for all the oil and gas tankers to take our natural resources out of the county.
'It's jobs', they'll chant. We'll probably cheer. And the Diaspora will sigh relief that they got out in time.

The media had a field day on Enda's flip-flop. I'm not going into it much. The only people seemingly being blamed for our economic woe is the Irish public. Because cheap arrest gestures to coincide with unsecured bondholder payments is not putting any firm blame on those few people - and they are just a few - who bankrupted us back to the 1980's.
If we're playing the blame game there may be reasons. Particularly when you have capitalist cheerleaders like Bertie Ahern telling citizens to top themselves if they talked down Bertie Economics. Why shouldn't a nation trust their leader?
Let's lob a quarter off everyone's debt and be done with it. OK, it may only save me about 500 quid - which is about how much this weeks bondholder payment will eventually cost me - but I'm sure it will benefit lots more people a whole lot more.
This unfortunately now is costing people their lives in worrying proportions and the longer the issue goes on, the more blood the banks have on their hands. Another thing capitalist junkie's are not held to account for.
Enda's home now to work on how to avoid a referendum on the upcoming treaty changes. Early polls on that subject suggest an even split. Once the fear machine goes into action that will sway it. Even if it goes to the polls, he's safe on that. At least he won't have to worry about a leadership challenge from Leo Varadkar anytime soon. I had a little comment on that one. Tired from calling it for what it is - I changed tact and decided to support Leo. A cheap wit that componded to me only one thing. Ireland's still in serious trouble.

The speed up to save the Euro gathers pace, with wording on the new treaty expected this week. The only way Europe can save itself now as a fiscal union is to print money - and fast.
That will be done if countries sign up for it - meaning further erosion to national sovereignty. The United States of Europe will be here.
Controlled by the ECB - Europe's own Federal Reserve system. Working toward a common currency with America even? Must have been plenty of Fed money went into the old Marshall plan at the end of the last world war. I'm sure they have their suckers firmly implanted in the ECB too.
Austerity is the only game in town right across Europe. Driving down living standards in an effort to compete globally with the emerging superpowers of China, Brazil and China, to name but three. But put in simple terms - it's impossible. Europe would go to war long before they would subject themselves to conditions these countries subject some of their employee's too. That's just the reality now. People are seen as a natural regenerate-able resource. A corporatist commodity - there to be used and abused as long as the shareholder don't have to see it or be subject to it.
In return for a dividend, Capitalism may have created the illusion of a progressive society - the real story is rarely broadcast or carried - no advertising money in that. Consumerism for the sake of it is not progressive. Wait for the years to come.

Now those Kardashians on the other hand. Sunday afternoon. Little gathering. Leave Bruce Botox out of the equation. Multiple camera angles. Them, being directionally driven for Eco-profit - of course.
Who'd be an earthworm?! Or a crow!

Bloodlines

2012-01-21T20:30:00.006Z

I had the honour of being pulled up yesterday by an American. Luckily it wasn't a family gathering or even at a debate, but a comment made under a posting of my last blog post, involving members of the Republican Party looking for their party's nomination and the chance to run off against Barack Obama in November for 'face of Wall. St' duties.

The comment proclaimed a love for the Irish based out of some multi - Celtic bloodline (Scott's, Irish & Welch ?) that saw ocean's crossed, before settling on the lands of the Native American people, an epic journey that seems to pay off with a form of arrogance I'm still trying to figure out. I have to admit, I let me get the better of ... me, and picked him up on the mis-spelling of his heritage which he dearly loved. He was multi - tasking which was fair enough, I'm a ridiculously bad one myself.
It was suggested that I figure out how to clean up things here on the Emerald Isle before making myself an 'expert' on all things 'politic' in the U.S.
Now it should have been enough to see me fly off in a huff - it wouldn't be the first time - particularly having spent over two years chronicling Ireland's own Shock Doctrine - Phase 1 - as honestly as I could, in language I think most people can understand. I mean it's not like I don't suggest things from time to time around here.
I am also pretty sure, and I don't mind being stood corrected, but I don't think in my entire life I have claimed to be an expert on anything.
It appeared that some Americans have bridged something some of the rest of us are unaware of - an arrogance of thinking which does not even allow for a debate - but would sooner suggest that an Irish opinion on anything is just sheer nonsense and that the mouth - or fingers in this case - would be better kept shackled. It's a level of superior intellect I have not managed to reach myself yet, but I can't wait until it comes. It's bound to save me time and make me feel just dandy about myself.

I'm not sure why opinions sometimes seem to offend other people. Maybe it's the way I write it. But isn't the world served well enough by those paid hacks from the world of media willing to spew out any rubbish once it pays?
Every one of the Republican guard in this race, with the exception of Ron Paul, have turned my stomach with their sick brand of politics.
I didn't have to think twice when I asked the enlightened American if he was a fan of these ' neo-conservative, homophobic, war and environmental hate spewing Wall St. whores.'
In fairness the guy bowed out pretty quick declaring himself a 'registered undeclared.' Well I suppose it's better than being a Republican supporting this current shower.
I've been there myself at times. Ireland's own 'Republican' Party, the disgraced Fianna Fáil who bankrupted the nation and then sold her cheaply down the Danube. They got my vote on plenty of occasions. Some misguided belief that they were the ones best equipped to lead Ireland into the future.
They ended up equipped for nothing, but heaping misery on another generation or ten. An Irish populous that seemed to finally get a taste of that freedom we'd fought over 800 years to ascertain. Didn't quite work out that way though, did it?

Ireland - Land of Saints & Scholars. Where most are raised to ask no questions, put faith in what is blind, say your sorry now and again, and wings would be granted while all the evil-doers would burn for all eternity in the fires of hell - a karma leveler for the shite the majority of human-beings have had to put up with during the course of human existence. I guess that sort of mentality has its worth, somewhere, on some fucked up backward planet out there in the cosmos!
I had my doubts pretty early that it was a deal that was worthless. My schooling was at the tail end of the corporal period in education. Where a good old beating was part of the day. Canes and leather straps were popular among the Christian Brothers favored implements. Usually dispensed in a public arena to allow for maximum humiliation.
I was close to my teenage years when they banned their uses. Little did many of us know that other segments among the moral high-grounders were taking a less violent approach to forming thinking. Thousands had their lives destroyed due to sexual abuse by a Catholic Church that still to this day fails to make proper restitution to victims - not just here in Ireland, but right across the globe.

Trying to juggle all that whist doing bad impressions of Ollie Reed and Alfie Alkins at weekends didn't allow much time for some much thought. It sort of skewed it in ways. Down nihilistic avenues - all of a personal nature.
There was definitely a sense during those years of anger - perhaps at ones own naivety to many things. For putting faith in the words of people we were brought up to trust and respect. For coming to the realization that perhaps there is no life-leveler off in the never-never. That maybe perhaps people behave the way they do because they know that already.
And then things started making a little more sense. It was still a tough thing to come to terms with. To realize that you've been taken in - to admit to stupidity - something no human-being is ever comfortable with.

Giving up my impressions at weekend made for a lot of time. Gave me a chance to catch up on how things were out there. Lot's and lots of reading. A lot of that was about America - it was what we, even here in the 'old country', were brought up on.
That 'freedom' they spoke about, that dream they wanted for all of humanity. I've read at least one bio of every American President since WWII and a few more from further back. Many, many accounts on American history. If I have an opinion, it certainly ain't derived from the lips of America's best paid propagandists.
I don't blame Americans for being brain-washed half the time. It's national policy. But America lost its way. The acceleration downward is actually beginning to become startling, particularly when weighed up against the road they have gone down raging illegal wars where ever it suits their empirical national interests.
The bunch of candidates the GOP of America managed to assemble this time round is a new low in American politics. Everyone of them appealing to folk who draw opinion from the neanderthal jargon spewed out by the likes of Bill O' Reilly and many, many more. Taking it all in without so much as a clue to any real facts about anything.
Just spin, no care for fact. Even lies, if it serves the purpose of the junkie capitalism they promote that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands worldwide.
Their course is one with God. Many deny evolution. Many deny science. Yet, and here's the real fucked up part - they believe in survival of the fittest, evolution down at its most primitive form. Is that the ultimate oxymoron? Or should we just drop the oxy?
But America shouldn't feel to bad. Over here in Europe we have NATO - another shower of murdering tyrants. I say we, as Ireland herself voted to be European, and I think most neutral values set out for us by those who lined the wall of Kilmainham Jail in 1916 have been tarnished by allowing stop over of American planes on worldwide tours of torture.

It's hard enough trying to understand what it means to be Irish anymore, so I guess it's a small blessing in some way I don't have all that to deal with. I went to New York in 1999. A city of wonder, culturally diverse. An energy I never experienced before. Going through JFK, my accent giving me away to a warm welcome and a smile by those that man the borders.
Just six years later and a trip to Florida and those smiles were gone. Replaced by a four hour long queue which led to multiple questions, an eye and fingerprint scanner for everyone and a feeling that the welcome wasn't quite there anymore.
I laugh when Americans talk about their freedoms while The Patriot Act and the recent NDAA could never be considered acts of a state that preaches freedom. The wake-up call started in America last year with the Occupy movement. It's still going strong despite the beatings and the arrests.
We don't hear much about it these days. Best if the public think it is not happening at all.

America was hijacked in the early part of the last century when they handed over control of their currency to the Federal Reserve. Its been at war practically since the end of WWII, but it's outings in Iraq and Afghanistan this century that have thrown light on America foreign policy and it's a dark and corrupt place to go. They are not what many of America's people want - Many are equally dismayed about how they have fallen.

164 members of the American military committed suicide in 2010. Thousands dead in combat zones. Many thousands more left crippled. Many scarred mentally.
Unemployment among ex-servicemen is among the highest in America. That unfortunately is how America treats her heroes. It shouldn't be a surprise really. They didn't do much for Korean or Vietnam vets either when they returned.
In many ways its out of the hands of the American people at this time. Like here in Ireland and in a lot of so-called democratic societies, a vote is an illusion of democracy, and furthermore a delusion in terms of freedom. Look at Obama. All his promises largely empty lies. Who would have thought it as he delivered that speech on the day of his inauguration back in 2009? The last day there seemed to be a chink of light appearing again after the tyrannical Bush years.

At the end of the day, no nation, Ireland included, escapes episodes of our past which we would rather forget. The human race of which we are all part - I think - doesn't escape either. Be it through action or just plain ignorance, we haven't come so far if we are willing to let it all just continue on its current path - killing people for control of countries be they national or otherwise.
I sort of like the current idea that all man came from Africa and somehow populated the globe. Of course most ignorance laughs at such folly. It will probably be humankind's undoing some day. For all the potential is nothing if all the goal is a pointless chase for obscene wealth at any price. The only planet we know about that can sustain life and all we do is destroy it. Sort of demeans someones effort somewhere, don't you think?

I remember not so long ago as Fine Gael swept to power in Ireland. I make it sound historical, don't I? What I mean to say is were swept into Dail Eireann to preside over a heist of all things Irish, including its people. Never thought I'd see that day, but then again there are many things at play that most people wouldn't be aware of.
A guy ripped into me when I said Fine Gael would be no better than the crowd exiting. OK, maybe I jumped the gun just a little bit, but what the heck, I bloody knew it. Same guy sent me a message not long after. 'Think you may be right.'
A lot more have come out and said the same since. It's to be expected though. Us humans, down here at the shallow end of things where we're not allowed an opinion, are quite the hopeful bunch. At times it's all some people have. Maybe people have to see beyond hope for a change. I seriously wonder why there's no will to address Ireland's problems. All the ingredients for some level of decent debate is there. The hindrance unfortunately seems to be government. They've messed it up, and all things considered with a logic, they don't appear to have a clue how to get us out. Grab a coat-tail and hang the fuck on. Where's there leadership in that? For all of America's woes, she's managed to stand on her own two feet in no time at all. For the many we scattered to the four corners to make the world what she is, it stands to another logic that if they'd stayed Ireland we mightn't be in the bog-hole she finds herself in now. Certainly at least be capable of standing on our own two feet.
We still stand for good things. Like Palestine. Wasn't it an Irishman that founded Amnesty International? Haven't the last three presidents done us proud on the global sphere?

The Irish should be careful this year. Choose how she reacts to everything wisely. It's difficult choices whatever way we, the Irish, look at it. There's a payment next week of €1-25 billion to unsecured bondholders - gamblers who lost basically. The government is paying it - though it has no legal requirement to do so. The amount of lives that could save in our health care shambles. Or the jobs it could create to get people off our welfare shambles. Or the special needs assistants it could employ. A bit of relief for full-time carers who save the state close to €5 billion a year. How many worthwhile services could that keep open? Our predicament economically at least is similar to the one in America. Ordinary decent folk left with shattered lives because government in their esteemed wisdom decided to side with outright and blatant corruption within the financial system, then setting out on a course to crush those shattered lives a whole lot more. If anyone can provide a moral or any other justification for that, please tell me? I'm at a strain to know. To make a little sense of it. It's almost impossible to do. Because anyway I view it, it's theft in broad day light. Our responsibility as a people shouldn't extend beyond the fiscal woes we create for ourselves within our society. They should not include the debts of financial vultures - those modern day demons who tick every box in the make-up of the modern psychopaths. What went on in Anglo Irish Bank needs to be got to the bottom of. But it doesn't look great when you read this kind of thing.
Our own human cost will be far reaching and probably will never be fully known. The omens are not positive. 30 suicides so far this year according to this. And the impact of December's scavenge on the Irish people hasn't even been fully felt yet.

Article 45 of the constitution states amongst under things

"justice and charity" must "inform all the institutions of the national life".
Everyone has the right to an adequate occupation.
The free market and private property must be regulated in the interests of the common good.
The state must prevent a destructive concentration of essential commodities in the hands of a few.
The state must supplement private industry where necessary.
The state should ensure efficiency in private industry and protect the public against economic exploitation.
The state must protect the vulnerable, such as orphans and the aged.
No one may be forced into an occupation unsuited to their age, sex or strength.

Too bad it's largely forgotten about when it comes to our own government decision making at this time. It's always helpful to find guidance from those who sacrificed for a land especially in a national crisis. Or at least I thought that would be the case. But, as with so much I tripped across over the past number of years, that case has often times proved difficult to solve. In fact, in this day and age, it's safe enough to say, damn near impossible.

Kevin Carter
1960-1994

************

Congrats to Newt Gingrich on his win in South Carolina. If Santorum bends over now, 'Ging' have a great shot against the ever dreary Mitt Romney.
I'm going to order a bumper sticker. ''Have You Gone With Ging?'' (c) Don Booker.
Great to see a womanizer who condemns another mans womanizing doing so well - and he being a Catholic and all. We won't go into lies and ethics. It's Sunday.
I know I know - sort my own island out first.

Go Ging!

Three Planks & Ron Paul

2012-01-20T15:59:00.004Z

The South Carolina primary goes ahead tomorrow with just three planks and Ron Paul left in the field. It doesn't bare thinking about the possibility that one of the three planks may actually be the next President of the United States.
No sooner had Jon Huntsman entered the race, he was packing his bags and heading home, daughters in tow. Giving his endorsement to Mormon Mitt in the hope of securing future favours, Huntsman took his final bow de-crying politics as a 'toxic' environment. No lies there then, Jon.

Rick Perry, the executing-lovin' homophobic Governor of Texas also took his final bow. Perry, who's gaffs in live debates will live fondly in the memory of American political satirists everywhere, said as he parted, that the roads to the nomination was not possible for him, before giving his endorsement to Newt 'The Womanizer' Gingrich.
The move is seen as a last ditch attempt by sections of the Republican Party to stop the Mormon Mitt bandwagon rolling toward a showdown with current President, Barack Obama. Mitt Romney currently neck and neck in the state, but the gap, both in South Carolina and nationally is closing, as pressure on Romney to release details on his taxes fall on deaf ears. What you hiding, Mitt?

The campaign has now turned into the customary candidate bashing - advertising frenzy it is designed to be. These people belong to the same political ideal - long hijacked by junkie capitalists, Ronnie Reagan and the Bush's - but all is fair in love and war, and with the nuke button at stake - it's open season.
Gingrich, who is neck and neck in South Carolina after Perry's withdrawal, had the indignation of having his ex-wife broadcast on national television that Newt once wanted an 'open marriage.'
Hardly conservative, is it?

Gingrich, in his wisdom has reached out to Sarah Palin fans, by saying he wants to make Palin a part of his government. And who could blame him?

Sarah Palin on a recent bear shoot.

It looks as if Rick Santorum and Ron Paul will fight it out for the minor placings. Paul, who easily won the Fox debate this week, despite a hostile crowd drunk on war.
A potential ace in the Republican pack - but they too dumb to know it. Peace ain't on any of their agenda's. There's dollars to be made. Women and children to be bombed. For a God called Oil.

Ron Paul has not ruled out a run as an Independent candidate should he, as expected, come up short. I would make it something to behold.
The only reason the race is still open is because of Perry's withdrawal. Santorum might go next. He should endorse Gingrich and that will make the Florida primary a little more interesting - well the ads anyway!
If Gingrich can clinch South Carolina and Florida, and hold his own until Super Tuesday in March, then it's game-on. Anything less and he's be hightailing back to Washington to consider his future.

We'll know soon enough. Imagine it going all the way. A tie at the Republican convention. What then?
Jeb Bush?

An Open Letter to Brian Hayes, TD.

2012-01-14T16:45:00.004Z

Dear Brian,

Im Shifty Doyle. Im ten years old. Nearly. My mammy Denise brought me up by herself. She's an artist. shes pretty cool. mammy says that if you call some mister you should no them and respect them. i dont know you so i hope its ok. and uncle don says your no good with money.
Me uncle Bamber is like me dad. I like him but there is something quare about him. i can't figure it out but im working on it.

Ive a load of aunties that I never see. They had to go away. couldnt find jobs. Mammy gets pictures all the time. They seem happy but it makes Mammy sad. Me Da left years ago, Mum said she will tell me about it when i'm older. He was a ladies man uncle bamber says. That much I know.
My teacher says I'm too lippy. Something bout having opinions. I think i get that from uncle don. Though he's not really my uncle.
Just take yesterday. I was telling teacher that Columbus never was in America. But she insisted. I protested and landed myself in detention all next week. I know shes under pressure. The class used to be smaller. but a week for telling the truth? now come on. is that fair?

I dont like school much. a lot of the kids are angry. they weren like that when i started in school. My best friend elvis is from Lithuania. I like girls, war games and chess mostly. My hero is Bobby Ficsher. He played chess as well. before the world said he was mad. do you know him? Whos your hero?
In anyways, I wanted to write to you today. Its uncle Don. Hes very annoyed with you. He said last night you said that irish people were victims. I taught uncle dons face would explode. It was really red. Mammy says he wil have a heart attack soon. Hes minding me today. Mammys off doing a workshop with alcoholics. She does it for free. she says it makes her happy.

Don was really mad. He was hopping about the place and kept sayin victim. I asked him what was wrong. He didnt answer. Hes upstairs now in the jacks.
You know when don is in the jacks. lol
I do be bold sometimes. I looked at dons computer and saw apiece of writin about you. Do you not mind people writing about you? I dont tink id like it much. Uncle dons friend chester cocks is in jail. He's written about all the time. even on the internet.
Lie low as uncle mitch says. him and bamber are good friends. But again, theres something quare going on. Ill get to the bottom of it. I tink ill be a cop when i grow up. work for the fraud squad. maybe you can help me Brian?

I read the piece of writing Brian and i tink i agree with what uncle don says. I cant write what he said because that would be naughty but hes right. Hes not a victim and i no lots of people who try hard. Sometimes sad things happens here. Mammy says they happens everywhere. That I should count my blessings i dont live in baghdad. Where is that? in donegal?

I still tink its sad though. When people try hard and then nothing. When i see mammy crying after talking to her sisters on facebook. Im not allowed on facebook yet. something about bad people who pray with children. but im to old for Mashi Monsters now.
My best friend i said about earlier is a big boy but he still cries. for his daddy. He has to work somewhere else. I try to tell him its ok. I wouldnt say that to the big red haired boy. His daddy died and nobody knows why. Bobbi mallow had to move into his grannies house and his mammy and daddy dont even talk. Theres bullies in the school but im ok. elvis is the biggest in the school. I still dont like it though. Uncle don says i should start a blog about it.
Out those ______ uncle don says. It starts with f. not allowed to say it.
i wont though. i dont like writing. its boring. Uncle don writes though. He wrote a book. But no one would sell it. Loser. I tell him as well. to his face. lol

He tells good stories though. He says he cost people 50 thousand euro one time and it was a good thing and he knows people who make films and a man called dan boyle. he's from twitter or something like that. so maybe uncle don can be a writer someday.
I think i better go now. i hear the toilet flushing. hope he feels better. He's to quite when hes in bad form. and he won't play chess. I always take him down. what games do you like?

maybe next time when you talk be careful what you say. It gets me in trouble all the time. some people then say im a trouble maker. and im not. sometimes i just stay quiet now. just for some peace. Uncle bamber says im getting smart.
uncle don says if people are victims its because they have reasons to be that way. hes says thats your fault and people that you work with. i dont know what a puppet republic means. doesnt sound like a very good job. how much money do you earn? Sorry. I ask too many questions sometimes.

uncle don says you can talk out of your bum. I want to see that. Thats funny. I want to be a comedian someday. Sonny is going to help me. hes away at an ocupation now. whatever that means.

Have to go. sorry for mistakes. i hate writing. I hope you didnt mind me writing to you. it was the picture. You look scary. Like a menace from a comic. i love comics. and uncle don is wrong. you look nothin like a clown.
:) mor an pik ur wrds btr.

Thanx for reading,

Shifty Doyle
Victional Victim

*************

For foreign readers a TD is a member of the Irish Parliament. Where fortunes are made and squandered and made again...

The Great Aggression

2012-01-13T22:27:00.005Z

I finally got around to watching the film, The Age of Stupid last night. Hate to ruin your weekend, but by its account we will, as a race of people, be gone sometime in 2055.
With the spectacularly named Standard and Hoor's credit rating agency burning France, Austria, Italy and Spain tonight, as well as reducing Portugal to junk status, it may happen sooner than that. But let's whip up a storm of positivity for once around here and work under a 'kick the can down the road' assumption. We swim on, underwater, but for the occasional gulp of clean fresh air. But swim we do.
So, if catastrophe was to strike, and it's neither in the form of the economic ponzi scheme crashing down around us and creating The Great Aggression, or a little slip of a nuke button, then global warming and human failing to address our acceleration toward whatever these temperature rises bring with them, could be the Higgs Boson of natural events.
We could be looking with the ocean rising in areas like Florida. London being submerged under water. Dubliners wouldn't be taking to kindly to it either!
Another possible scenario is shifts in ocean currents could affect atmospheric pressure and result in a little cold snap. I've told speculators about land in Africa before. Buy it. Knowing those speculators though - they'll probably want it for free - again.
There seems little we can do about, as things stand. The Green lobby, compared to the corporate one, unfortunately is like David against Jupiter. We don't see much of it here up top - not compared to other places.
Planet Earth is on the verge of ruin and yet we seem happy enough to sit back and allow it to happen. It can only point to one thing. That we are a self-consumed selfish race with an eye on consumption. And we want everything. Today.
By the time we get sick of all that and actually question a few things, life has us beaten into watching Reality TV just to escape for a few hours. Into someone else's hell.

"This is not a world of men. When was the last time we stepped up to do anything other than earn money? A generation of cowards."

Charlie Casanova
Click above for Interview.

I decided this week to rid myself of Sky Channels. Most of them anyway. Tired of giving money to old Rupe. Saving myself a few quid, I purchased a Netflix subscription and although Rupe could buy it someday, I'm still thinking I, the consumer, am getting a fairly good deal.
I'm sure Murdoch won't miss the money much. Call it a little stand against big business. From an attic in Ireland it's hard to know what else to do at times. If I could find a way of ridding myself of oil next. Halved that bill this year already thanks to logs and a mild winter. As McGyver used to say, 'Adapt. Improvise. Stay cool.'

Congrats to Morman Mitt on winning the New Hampshire primary. Ron Paul, the old swinger, still hanging in there. Can the guy run as an Indie if the Republicans don't wise up and choose him? The ace in Obama's pack will be a strike on Iran. Will he do it if things start going south on him when it comes down to the run for the wire. Tensions are mounting in the region. The speak is thinly veiled and filled with equal disregard for each others nation.
Further tensions mounted this week with the murder of Iranian nuclear scientist in a bomb blast in Tehran. The fourth of such kind. Iran blame the US and Israel - they deny it. War games and the flexing of muscles in the narrow Straits of Hormuz - one of the worlds busiest shipping lanes - doesn't bode well for the region.
Iran has not started a war in over 300 years. If the Yanks go for it, that's four they've started in a decade. Nation building or Empire building. If it is Empire then they are no Romans and that's for sure. Nations should flex their muscles in other ways for a time. If war games are the best we can do to challenge ourselves, then maybe those of intellect when it comes to human origins are right. But we have to be a disappointment to ourselves at times.

At the end of The Age of Stupid, acting legend, environmentalist and Booker endorsee, Pete Postletwaite hit a button, sending a beam of light out past the junk that surrounds our planet. Information of all we thought about as a planet - hopefully to be picked up someday in a universe far far away. That itself wouldn't be a bad way to go about things. Instead of an age of stupid - an Age of Discovery. Finding out about what we can along the way. Ruling little out.
I must actually say it to Bamber. I remember back in the better days of 2009 and our little social enterprise. We should have been thinking bigger. World needs a cross-nation social corporation now - and it has to be bigger than all those bloodsucking ones put together. A Facebook/Google times a hundred thousand. And we need it yesterday.
We should patent some sort of casing that could survive in space. containing a solitary hair, a swab of saliva, a disk with a few personal quotes, few photos, for any intelligent form that might find it. And a cigar. Maybe get Dick Branson in on it. We could have your personal details out there exploring the cosmos hoping to find that planet of your own. Perhaps group together when certain condition prevail, so we don't make the mistake of co-inhabiting with those hell-bent on destruction for profit.

No point making mistakes if we don't learn from them, hey? I know one thing. I'm taking a hitch with these guys. And half of them are Scientologists!
Crazy little world...

Mad Pride

2012-01-10T23:04:00.005Z

The homophobic Republican tour whistle stops in the liberal state of New Hampshire tonight as they go to the polls to choose who should run off against Obama in November. If the polls are correct, Mitt Romney leads the pack with Ron Paul a distant second. Romney needs the momentum from this one as they head for South Carolina. It's a different state of affairs there. It's territory which will decide whether Rick Perry or Newt Gingrich retires from the race.
New to the party is John Huntsman and he is currently polling third. Iowa surprise, Rick Santorum propping up the field with Perry and Gingrich. So much for momentum. This was to be expected though, given New Hampshire's swing-state status by becoming a Democrat stronghold going back to the days of Bill Clinton after Republican successes.
If Romney does well in South Carolina or Florida the week after, it's over. If he gets the Republican nod the pollsters have him almost neck and neck with Obama. The only other presidential candidate to run Obama close is Ron Paul.
I found it despicable earlier today watching Fox News pull a Democrat congresswoman up on taking something Mitt Romney said about 'loving to fire people' out of context. These people will stop at nothing to push the Republican agenda. What makes it worse, it seems many Americans are buying into it. True, in an evolving society government should be less visible to us all, but these people want the run of everything, to do as they please at any one's expense, often under the name of God. I'm sure God would want little to do with them. I wonder will Obama hold firm and not bomb Iran. If he does, he's at war. Americans won't vote out a war-time President once the war was started on his watch. Now we will see how much water that noble peace prize holds over the coming months.

*************

The guys from the ECB and the IMF are in town for a spot-check. With tax receipts down to the tune of almost a billion, the talk on the street is of an impending second bailout for us. I never seen that! I thought straight to default. How we have been led the merry dance.
Events over the coming weeks will tell a lot. It's looking like a referendum if I am to be honest. I can't see the Euro collapsing, as I feel there are just to many 'interests' involved. A flood of cheap money will be made available - once you are a firmly a European. After that, who knows? I can't see the Supreme Court not guiding us toward a vote for make no mistake about it, their will be little negotiation about it. You're either in or you are out.
France wants a Robin Hood Tax on bank transactions which the UK is opposing. I'm not sure why. Maybe because every transaction would then have to declared?
It does seem the decent thing to do, considering we robbed the poor to pay the rich, so they could get richer, and tell them in the middle, who the poor elected, to make us poorer. Are you with me? Nope, didn't think so! You wouldn't write that sh**

*************

"Fuck them I say. Fuck them and the mother's they were spat out of. Fuck them and their whining mediocrity. Fuck them and their excuses for not living, their excuses for failure. Why do our class have to swallow all this guilt as if we've done something wrong? We carry these fucks. On our backs. Everyday. And this is how they thank us? Resentful, jealous, backbiting lowlifes, calling us the enemy but always with the hand out looking for more. Why are we the ones punished for being successful while they are rewarded for failure? Walking around in their pajamas at three o'clock in the afternoon. Fuck them and the shit they get away with everyday."
CHARLIE CASANOVA

Ok, it's not the Palme d'Or, but the good news today is CHARLIE CASANOVA - which if I'm correct was made for under a grand and without support until its success demanded it, received four Irish Film & Television Academy nominations.
It's just the latest in a long list of accolades the independent film has scooped on its global travels through the festival sphere.
The film was nominated in four categories. Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Editing. I think if ever a film spoke to the powers that more money put into an enterprising film industry and developing it further would be money well spent. But Ireland is rarely so brave. A New Wave as Ireland sinks - How Irish would that be.

*************

Ireland lost two of her unsung heroes in one day today. Journalist and filmmaker Mary Raftery, who exposed child abuse in church run state schools in her documentary, States of Fear, died today aged just 54. Her place in the hearts of Ireland is forever cemented by the gutsy and courageous way she did her job. Many in this country could learn from her. Particularly in those fields.
And "Mad' John McCarthy, founder of Mad Pride Ireland. He was 61. I've heard him described as a 'force of nature.' A truly inspiring figure - a man I only came to know about about three months ago. I really wanted to meet the man. Not it will not be.
Both leave behind legacies that defied a time. People Ireland should reflect on. Linger on, even. They are all that is great about Ireland. They should be held in the highest regards and even inspire a nation.
You've all heard the saying about the good dying young. There may be a truth in that pudding. I'm not sure if either person knew of absurdity, but they certainly seemed to embrace it in their lifetimes. If only we were all so brave.

R.I.P

Bachmann Overdive

2012-01-05T00:37:00.004Z

I woke up an hour ago in a lather of sweat. The howl outside had obviously induced a coming together of various thought process' mulling through the mind. How to kick start the year off on a good note. Honour that new wall chart/year planner somewhat each day. Stay focused. On the abyss...
Oh yeah. Sweat.
Yep, there she was, a safe distance from the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, arms outstretched in submission. Michele Bachmann from Iowa. Suddenly a fierce Atlantic gust of venom parts the darker than dark clouds... and Mrs. Bachmann of her Walmart dress. It stopped on my face - momentarily - before making its way back east. Toward Cavan.
It should have saved her. But the clouds turned in again, the venom changed direction once more and within seconds, despite her best efforts, Mrs. Bachmann was touching chin with the broad Atlantic foam.
I was just standing there, looking around at the bleak landscape, aghast, when I woke up.
The bit about the dress i still can't account for, but alas the conditions outside married to my political self this past 17 hours or so, makes the rest sort of plausible. Yeah?

Bachmann this evening suspended her campaign after finishing last in the Iowa Caucasus last evening. To rub salt into her corn dog, Bachmann happened to be born in Iowa - in the same town as John Wayne Gacy.
She withdrew this evening despite jump-the-gun reports to the contrary. Her backroom staff will now being doing everything to salvage something from the campaign. That dream ticket may happen yet, especially if she comes out in support of the big winner of the night last night, Rick Santorum, who finished just eight (yes, 8) votes behind Mitt Romney, who reminds me of Superman for some reason. Without the super.
The press may talk it up in certain circles, but Santorum practically lived in the State this past few months, and capitalized by his fellow candidates declines in recent months. Romney, who four years ago also lived in the State, but to no avail, campaigned lightly this time... and came out on top. Go figure!

The extremely likable Ron Paul finished a commendable third, polling 22% of the vote. If only the man was twenty years younger and maybe twenty years wiser and who knows what world we might have got. It's a great showing considering the lack of air time given to him in mainstream circles in America. That's where the real power is.
Rick Perry also finished dismally. He decided to head home to Texas to reflect, before announcing a few hours ago on Twitter that he's going to take one last stand in South Carolina in two weeks time.
A poor showing in a fellow Southern state and he's finished. His team might not be ruling out a possible alliance either - an extreme/dream team compromising two from Santorum/Perry and the two-year old Catholic with the Roman eye, Gingrich.

"I mean do you have any idea the amount of long term couples out there who don't have sex anymore? Go to bed. Go to sleep. Go to work. To bed. To sleep. Dead from the neck down. And not particularly alive above it.''
CHARLIE CASANOVA

The heat will fall on Romney this week. A New Hampshire win and he's practically home already. It's hard to see dirt coming out on him. He's ran in '08. It would have come out then. Best the anti-Romney crew can do now is plot some way to take the wind from his sails. Can't see flip-flopping doing him much harm.

The night belonged to a sexual neologism but when this gets more light - if it does - any straight thinking American is going to know they don't want Santorum as their President. Sure, they thought George W. was just a cowboy and the ride would be smooth. But we all make mistake and sure hell, demeanor can count sometimes, and in fairness to W. he does pull it off.
Romney needs to lighten up a little - he's awful stiff for an American. Swagger counts, particularly among the youth, and Obama wins there unless Romney gets a guru on board fast. He's also going to have to improve his debating skills. Obama has him there too - but then again, Romney can focus on a bad three years for America, and in an America in need of jobs, who knows.

But the cliff belongs to Bachmann tonight. Perhaps if she can't muscle in somewhere she can form a new party with Sarah Palin as they continue to do their bit for America. It's the American Dream. No, not the idea of a ladies only party fronted by these two. It's the mountains of cash on offer to them from all angles as they speak across the Evangelical land.
I guess you got to respect a lady who's taken in over twenty kids in foster care. I just can't take to that brand and party of hers. She parted today with the words how she ''looks forward to the next chapter in God's plan" for her.

I'm not up on where God stands on Obama-care, but one would have thought He'd be in favor. Michele certainly wasn't.
I guess they had better things to be worrying about in those days. More than a socially acceptable health care system for sure. Things like building and banking and feeding republicans to the lions. Roman ones, of course.

A Republican Nova

2012-01-03T14:00:00.005Z

It's a wind of fury that's welcoming in the New Year raft of cuts and taxes which took effect from New Year's Day. The rains pretty icy too. Still it could be worse. We could be a young, innocent child living in Tehran or Baghdad as 2012 starts running - where just seeing the year through will be the ultimate goal.
I'm sure nonsense was meant to be a subject for a bit of banter and the occasional ridicule, but not the word used to describe where human society stands at this juncture in our thought-evolution.
But unfortunately, as I see it anyway, that's the best I can describe our current set of ideals into how we are going to get ourselves out of our current ponzi - peaking predicament.
Us being humanity, that is, - assuming people have a belief in such a thing, after the start we have had to the current century. Nonsense it is. Strangled in debt or dying in poverty depending on an individuals Geo-political position on Planet Earth, the only ones going anywhere are those who deal in such things - for profit. It's disgusting when you thinks about it. Be it enslavement due to unsustainable debt or victims to a large weapons based complex used to profit from human misery - misery that costs hundreds of thousands of lives in wars served over resources, largely belonging to other nations. What will the human race fight over when it all runs out?

It seems the American Presidential parade has been going on forever at this stage and yet, it hasn't really even started. Just about every Republican that have put themselves forward to contest Novembers election against Barack Obama to see who gets to have their finger on the button for a four-year term, has led the polls at some stage. That's the media for you.
Obama has been a flop - no real sense in saying it any different. So many promises, equal number of let-downs. If the Republicans had a good candidate to step forward, I'd have no doubt in my mind that Obama would be a one-term president.

American Republicanism is stained after the tyranny of George W. Bush's presidency. Unfortunately Obama has followed a similar path in foreign policy with Gitmo still water-boarding, Iraq on the verge of civil war after their withdrawal, Afghanistan in turmoil, a middle east in crisis and a war of wills currently going on against the Iranians.
Not to forget that relationships are strained with Russia, China and Pakistan and a clear class divide in-house between the so-called 1% and 99% has also to be dealt with.
Meanwhile America continues to leak jobs to emerging nations, has a massive deficit, an economy going no-where. Americans now not only have to deal with homeland security and home intelligence agencies, but now also have to run the gauntlet of being indefinitely detained if their voice poses a defiant tone toward what America is turning into.
The National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) Obama signed silently into law as the bell tolled midnight and brought in a New Year will have ordinary Americans wondering where this erosion of rights came from, especially in a country which has designed itself on freedom and civil liberties through their Constitution and Bill of Rights. The signing of this bill was barely covered within the American mainstream media. We don't need to wonder why...

All these things will give Americans who think for themselves something to mull over as the Race for the White House gathers pace with the Iowa Republican Caucuses holding their contest today.
Polls suggest a slight lead for Ron Paul, but with most of the candidates holding a poll-topping position at one time or another in the media frenzy of debates, ideals, cock-ups and public appearances, momentum at this time will be important, even if the result lends little mass when it actually comes to selecting a Republican runner at the Republican National Convention in late August in Florida.

Here's a quick rundown on the main protagonists at this stage -

Ron Paul is a congressman from Texas. He has served in the military and is known as a conservative libertarian.
On the plus -
are his less heathen foreign policies than his party counterparts and wanting to end the Federal Reserve System which privately controls the American dollar.
On the minus-
would be his nonacceptance of evolution as a theory and his ultra-conservative stance in certain areas such as gays serving in the American military.
Paul is the best candidate on paper for America at this time, but one feels his progression is being hindered by his exclusion as a serious contender by the American mainstream propaganda machine led chiefly by Bill O'Reilly and his circle of wannabes.
Should Ron Paul win in Iowa, his every secret - true or false - will be known by the end of the week. That won't be good for a 76-year-old heart.

Michele Bachmann is a Congresswoman from Minnesota. She was an early front runner in the polls. Various polls have her anywhere in the top-5 over the last few months, though few consider her much more than a Sarah Palin wannabe. Known for her anti-gay views, loose mouth and love for foot-long corn-dogs it is difficult to see her winning the nomination, though don't be surprised if she is pulled from the pack to stand for VP.

''It's a free for all feeding frenzy out there and this little piggy has no shame in admitting that I want to get to the top of the hog trough."
CHARLIE CASANOVA

Newt Gingrich is the former draft-dodging Speaker of the House - the third most powerful position in American politics. A former Baptist, Newt became a Roman Catholic in 2009.
He has written numerous books which have been aided to publication by Rupe Murdoch of Fox News fame. A known flip-flopper on many key issues, he is in favor of increasing American military spending. He has been married three-times and is known in Washington for a wandering eye. It may prove his downfall, but he can't be ruled out.

Mitt Romney is a former governor of Massachusetts. He is aiming to become the first Mormon president of the United States. Some estimate the former businessman's net wealth at close to a quarter of a billion dollars.
Romney lost out on the Republican nomination in 2008 to war-monger John McCain and is seen as the front runner to win the Republican nod. Again known to flip-flop on the issues, he supports a withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, increases in military spending and sees Iran as America's greatest threat. A win here in Iowa and in the New Hampshire primary next week may make the nomination race a non-event thereafter - but such clear water is rare in American politics.

Rick Perry is the governor of Texas, taking over from warlord, George W. Bush. Perry is the new poster boy of the neo-cons. During a campaign which saw a good start, Perry has appeared drunk on occasion, forgetful on others. A committed proponent of Christian values and the death penalty, he is also a committed homophobic. He is also a global warming septic, but to his credit is not a fan of the Federal Reserve. Hard to see America falling twice - but you never know.

Rick Santorum is a former senator from Pennsylvania. He is another of the neo-con poster boys, a supporter of the War on Terror and neo-con foreign policy. In recent weeks Santorum has gained as other conservatives have faltered and rumors are out of Santorum-Bachmann 'dream-ticket.' He is also a homophobic.

John Huntsman is a former governor of Utah and is regarded as a fiscal moderate conservative. He has chosen to by-pass the Iowa Caucasus to concentrate on the New Hampshire primaries next week. If Wall St. decide to get rid of Obama - Huntsman might be your man.

Former Pizza guy, Herman Cain's name will appear on the Iowa ballot, but his campaign has been suspended as Cain attempts to keep his family together after numerous sexual allegations were made against him. His 9-9-9 plan however remains a talking point.

All in all it amounts to a bad series of political X-Factor, doesn't it? Hard to see any of them really making any lasting contribution in the great scheme of things. Which doesn't bode well for the next four or five years. With new emerging superpowers America could be in real danger of losing it's head at the top of the World table - which may not be a bad thing.
It may give middle-America the room to reflect on what has been a catastrophic start to the new century for them.
America, throughout her history, has tended to rise to serious challenges, especially in matters of definition when it comes to deciding who they are.
There ideals have taken a wayward turn since that awful day of September 11, 2001. It has served no-one well, in particular ordinary Americans themselves. With the class divide widening, it appears America stands at another of those defining junctures. They've tended to get there, often at a huge price. I just wonder where she'll stand eleven short months from now?

My money's on an Obama-Romney showdown come November. I think Obama is in real trouble, and it won't be his talking that gets him home this time. He's going to need a whole lot more this time round. 'Cause the charm offensive is gone.

*************

Thanks to Terry McMahon for the use of images from his Independent movie, Charlie Casanova which wiped the film festival floor last year. Charlie will soon to be released in Irish and UK cinema's and has been acquired by Pan Labyrinth and The Wrestler distributor, Optimum/Studio Canal.
Throughout January we will be using images and quotes from the movie in an effort to promote the film here on the blog and continue the blogs support of Independent artistic endeavor in whatever form it takes.
I invite all readers to do the same by keeping up with the buzz right here.

Just Go With The Flow

2011-12-31T13:42:00.007Z

Another year passes and another one dawns. Usually a Booker trait would be to usher out the old, glad to see the back of it, while exploiting the thought that sometimes crosses the mind that the coming year is to be THE year. Though for me personally, I could never figure out what THE year actually amounted too, but it always kinda meant racing off into the new days of the year with promises of lifestyle changes, goal achievements and a lot of laughter along the way. Never seems to work out that way though.

I'm expecting little from 2012. Not that I don't want to have a good year, nothing could be further from the truth, but making plans in the hostile economic world we now live in now would be like banking on Red Rum to win his fourth Grand National in April.
So it's going to be a 'go with the flow' year and just see what happens. Instead of pointingly going in one direction, perhaps it is time to stagger off in other ones and see if things don't come to me for a change. Whenever I think about doing new things I usually get butterflies in my stomach which usually make me feel like getting sick. Not sure why that is. Only answer I have ever found to combating it is just to get the hell on with it and usually that sickly feeling disappears. Face up to all elements that look down usually serves me well.
Haven't really found the metal yet to fully realise what that sort of ethos can achieve, but after 2011, I for one certainly feel that metal needs to be found, as more and more people find themselves in that 'land of limbo' with walls closing in on them and seemingly no place to go.

This is my fourth year of unemployment. Construction was the first to fall in Ireland, even before the banks. And if feeling serves me right, it will be the last sector to recover, and it's looking more and more like it will be well into the next decade.
For others though, this may be their first or second year of hardship - measured in an Irish sense, that is. While many may enter this new situation with positivity and see it as an opportunity to expand horizons in other places, many who choose to stay in dear ol' Ireland will be witness to a society bended from the realities by our light touch mainstream media, but down where it matters, in the communities of Ireland, a deeper, sadder story is struggling to emerge. The story of a people sold out by those we chose to lead and the consequence of living in a state governed by the iron fist of outside influences, backed up by our present day 'leaders.'
Addiction is on the rise. Depression is on the rise. Suicide is on the rise. All these things branch out into communities and threaten their structure. Our answer : Austerity.
The equation simply does not work unless your allegiance is to social Darwinism - and I'm pretty sure the great man did not intend it as such. I don't think humans intend it as such.
I'm going to try and use necessity to drive whatever I do this year. No definitive plan. Why have one when the nation doesn't? Kinda doesn't make sense.

There's no need to review the year. It's all here - month on month. I'm currently spending an hour or two a day serializing the blog. Truth be none, the character of Don Booker wasn't supposed to go past the writing of Booker's World. But the times that were 2011 sort of made him want to stay around.
As the year dies I think he's now part of the Irish furniture. Not that aged mahogany in finer quarters- more that new flat pack stuff from IKEA. Trying to evolve with the times.
If for nothing more, maybe someday off in the future Booker might be a reference of this time for someone looking to know what it was REALLY like, as opposed to the white-washed version the ordinary unknowing people of Ireland get and buy so cheaply, whatever the reasons. That seems important right now, especially once Don Booker resides in Ireland.

Best to finish any year off on a high note I reckon. I'm a believer that the Irish are among the best practitioners of humor on the planet and our mindset at times lends credence to the often times quoted 'This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever' allegedly said by Sigmund Freud about us as a race of people. I'm beginning to think that if that were the case the world over, our planet wouldn't be going fubar. Which beggars the question. Was the first man out of Africa genetically embedded with Irishness? Only further DNA mapping shall tell.
I remember Leon asking Larry once if the Irish could save the world?
'They are the only ones who can...' Larry said, before dipping a feather in a quill and working hard on that manifesto of his. Leon seemed happy enough with the answer. And he wasn't even drunk!
I was glad to be honored by Time Magazine this year, although a little disappointed they didn't ask for a better head-shot. I'm not sure how I feel about being on a list that includes Stalin and Hitler!
If 2011 served anything, it sought to capture the mind of ordinary people and make them unite and question the thievery of corporations with government consent the world over. It was a great foundation from which to build - if we are allowed.

So without further ado, Booker's end of year awards go to :

Political Downfall of 2011 -
Fianna Fáil wins here with ease, ahead of Brian Cowan and the Green Party.
As the year ends Fianna Fáil remain stagnant in the polls. Big year ahead for them. The new must realise the old hinders them and act accordingly - even if that means a split.

Dickhead of the Year -
Bill O' Reilly - War-mongering paid propagandist.

Song of the Year -
Tony Don't You Worry - Youth Mass

Sports Person of the Year -
Darren Clarke for winning The Open at the age of 42 in the summer, lending credence to the statement that 'life begins at 42.'

Punch of the Year -
The budget

Chancer of the Year -
Sean Gallagher

Uppercut of the Year -
Martin McGuinness

Man of the Year -
Angela Merkle - * Absolutely no offense intended here. Mrs. Merkle's performance in Europe this year far outweighed the combined efforts of Europe's male elite. The feminist lobby should not round on me on this one as, if Merkle saves the Euro, it lends weight to another of Larry's theories about 'a world run by women often appears to run itself.'
And who wouldn't want that? Mary-Lou, Lucinda, Joan?
Well, maybe not Joan.

Evolutionary Move of the Year -
The Civil Partnership Act

Broadcaster of the Year -
Vincent Browne

Unpaid Writer of the Year -
Don Booker

Most Promising Politician -
Pierce Doherty

Political Party of the Year -
Sinn Féin - Huge year ahead if they have an eye on government. Must come back more to the people. Trying - but more needs doing.

Disappointment of 2011
Eamon Gilmore.

Country of the Year -
Palestine

Discovery of the Year -
Neutrino speed

Falsification of 2011
That the war in Libya was 'just'

County of the Year -
Donegal - more to come...

The Living Brain-Dead Person of 2011
Tim Perry

Race of the Year -
Japanese

Writer of the Year -
Naomi Klein

Footballer of 2011
Robin Van Persie

Joke of the Year -
Herman Cain

American of the Year -
Cory Booker

Bravery in 2011 -
Gabby Giffords

Actor of 2011 -
Matt Damon for his narration of Inside Job.

Loser of the Year -
Dave Cameron

Eccentric of 2011 -
Charlie Sheen

TV Personal Research Show of the Year -
Hung

Luckiest Person of 2011 -
Amanda Knox

Spanner of the Year -
Kim Kardashian

World Leader of 2011 -
Hugo Chavez for taking back his people's gold.

Who'll be most missed of 2011 -
Pete Postletwaite

Who'll be least missed of 2011-
Osama Bin Laden

**************

I think that's it for another year. A collective ' thank f*ck' everyone. Thanks to all who drop in apart from the watchers who can't help themselves.
The potential the Internet has to induce change is astronomical. People should fight and fight hard for that freedom - to look for and seek new truths, new ways of living, ways that don't involve beliefs spun to us through the generations, suppressed on us by segments of our society, segments which have failed us over and over again.

2012 is a critical year in many respects. We go into it almost on the floor. If we manage not to hit it, who knows? If we manage to avoid the economic catastrophes of the last century somehow without the aid of a war to sort it out it will be further definitive proof of a positive aspect of our evolution as a species.
The trouble, and it's a huge one, is those who don't want that at all, those among us that joy to profit from human suffering and gross planetary exploitation. 'People' so deluded and empty that they deny its very existence because there is more money in God - but here's the disturbing part, they use it to drive social agenda. Sounds ridiculous, but how sweet it works.
More of that will come to crossroads in 2012. What way will it go?

Not much else to write about I hope between now and midnight. Best piece of advise I have for 2012 is drop the head, lift the heart, but run with your gut. Answer a few questions for yourself, and take it from there. You never know where it'll go.

Last thing to do.

The Writing Life & Other Absurdities Outstanding Humanoid for 2011 is our very own President Higgins. a.k.a Michael D. Higgins -

A person deserved of such a bestowment.

I hope 2012 is all you hope it to be.
With the Mayan exception... of course.

Happy New Year.

Hunkered

2011-12-26T11:08:00.003Z

Well that's another one over. Belated Christmas wishes and success in abundance for the new year - if your a banker or a politician that is. It's only Boxing/St. Stephens day and already the hounds from hell, the IMF are calling 'depression.' Yep, that's right!' The recession is over. Long live the depression.
Really shouldn't be writing this today. It being the season to be jolly and all that la, la, la, la, la...la, la,...la,la,la. A time to build up the body's energy reserves for a Warren Buffet type start to the New Year. A 7-Point Plan to Save the Globe. An ebook by Larry Mulligan.

An ebook by a dead taxidermist, part time politician and medical marijuana suffragette is causing global markets to tremble as investors began pulling their money from hedge funds, banks and stock and shares portfolio's to invest in a network of cross continental 'Save the Species' business start-ups which refuse to deal in the open market.
'I made an offer. A huge offer,' Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerburg said.
'Mark who?' they sent back.............read more

Sorry about that! I tend to drift at Christmas.
I often wonder how Lar would deal with the current crisis. Free-est thinker I ever came across. Larry wouldn't be one for rounding up all the politicians and royalty and sending them to the islands. He never bought into Leon's ethos that 'islands were for the insane.'
Larry would have lunged straight into the heart of the problem. The problem of debt.

2011 was the year a movement split the populous into two groups - the 1% and the 99% - drawing a line firmly between those that scourge humanity by playing with people, and those scourged, who just have had enough. If it was the other way around and we only have 1% being scourged, let's be honest, the world would be a far better place.
Larry would have suggested some radical thinking. Popular, peaceful people uprising's in artful tandem with one another - a new way of thinking in the ideal of nation building. A global takover where the wealth of the 99, means 99. It would make money pretty obsolete, wouldn't it? A bag of spudz for a Renoir.
How would the 1% react you may wonder... But would it matter what they thought so long as they got to do what they wanted with their mostly ill-gotten gains? Might be painful for a while, but a few generations, who knows. Global economics - Hunkered?

That wouldn't work though. They'd sooner lay the planet to waste than give up prestige. Larry would suggest the ECB lend individuals a sum equal to their debt (plus a grand for a party) at an interest rate of 1.5% over a term mutually agreed between the parties.
Individual pays off sum total of debt to all its creditors, have the party, and promises not to be so naive as to wander into the Venus Debt-trap again. Planetary sanity restored - as well as confidence - the individual goes about paying back the ECB, in secure state employment because let's admit it - there is plenty to be done about the place. Of course individuals can run the gauntlet in the private sector. But no more collusion. You go down, you stay down. No bailout. The ECB could in turn invest all profits into various 'Save the Species' projects - mainly in Ireland, of course.
Ah Larry - forever the dreamer.

Nice and mild for the time of year, isn't it. No need to juggle with the back roads this Christmas. I've even seen a few roads around here receive a re-surface. Good job too. Either things ain't that bad or someone has the knife to the sway. Hasn't been a bad winter so far.
Who knows where we'll be this time next year. A secluded piece of the land down under would suit me fine. It's a pity I wasn't around a few hundred years ago. I'd nick a sheep for a boat ride down there. Bit of Steve McQueen and who knows where an entrepreneur could land. A piece of vineyard and vine country. Write a few books on the side. Invest in S.t.S. Live the life.

Write away - and pray! My new year motto in case I don't win the lotto.
There could be a christian ebook in there. Get Fr. Harney in on the act. I think he dabbles in Haiku - and philosophy. If only the bishops knew...

Junged

2011-12-19T21:21:00.003Z

Barring a surge of luck from the cosmos, I should be able to put 2011 down alongside those other vintage years of Booker's life as pretty much a non-event. That's how she cuts, hey!
It wasn't by any means the worst year ever. The feeling of social exclusion in a depressed country being fed back to happiness on a diet of austerity and bad press can wear a fella thin at times. But with a middle aged gut to contend with, maybe that's not a bad thing.

To those who trust those who lead it is a casual shrug of the shoulders it seems. The spread of pain diminishes somewhat the higher you find yourself in the class structure of the country. Top of the class and you're made. Up there you even have the law on your side. It's a phenomenon not exclusive to dear ol' Ireland either. It's widespread - driven by a sick Social Darwinism where even those swept forth from some decent ideal is quickly whipped into believing that if you are not fit, you will not survive. One or two of them should take a bit more care of their own gut. And with Ireland's lower classes being mangled the most, I dare anyone of sound mind to argue against societies direction in 2011 as being totally one of inequality, which, for me anyway, much dis-service to some of the words of the Irish constitution. We shouldn't forget where we came from. And equally careful of where we go.
To the 'unattached' observer, it stops at nothing short of the greatest heist ever undertaken at the expense of the nation's people - and there have been a few.
An ineffective government being submissively held to ransom by German Banks, the IMF, as well as being held here at home by unions. The opposition is weak. Hard core lefties with big expense accounts? Less hard core lefties unable to escape their past. And the Failers. Hardly instills a feeling of confidence, does it?

My guess is one of two things are going to happen in 2012. The Euro will collapse or Ireland will default. I simply can not see us rejecting the new treaty now currently getting meat added to its skeletal totalitarian outline if put to us in a referendum. Many will feel the need to stick with the great European project. Might be worth it short term, but what are the long term repercussions for Ireland if it all goes fubar?
2012 will be a good year for opinion. To bad the majority of it is either ignored or comes in various shades of brown...

As another year prepares to die, a few notables fell from the conveyor belt of life this week.
British writer Christopher Hitchens lost his battle with cancer at 62. Regarded by many as one of the world's leading intellects, the antitheist rose to worldwide prominence for his pro-Iraq War stance during that debacle. Hitchens was fearless in all matters concerning society and leaves behind a rich body of work from future generations to ponder over.

Vaclav Havel, BE, the former President of the Czech Republic died yesterday aged 75 also from cancer. The dissident playwright lead the peaceful 'Velvet' uprising which brought the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia in 1989. Also renowned as an intellect, Havel is one of the few politicians on the world stage to be held in high regard for the fearless life he chose to lead both as a writer and also as a leader when his country called on him.

North Korea's favourite son, Kim-Jung, took il on his state train while out on a jaunt and died of a heart attack. The reclusive leader of a country named as one of the 'axis of evil' by that other great 21st century intellect, George W. Bush Jr, died on Saturday. His death was announced to a grief stricken nation this morning after being kept secret for nearly 48 hours in secret spy tests being carried out by il's favorite son, Kim Jung Un, on how much intellect the CIA have at their disposal at present. It's being seen as a minor victory for the new 'Supreme Ultra-sapian' in North Korea's War on American Paranoia and its impact on global affairs.
Did you know Kim Jung Il once had South Korea's best film director kidnapped in an attempt to build a North Korean film industry. Pity the noted film buff wasn't Irish.
The 'mad as a bag of hammers' leader was also supposedly Asia's largest drinker of Hennessy Cognac between 1992 and 1994. He was also fluent in Welsh.
Of course Kim Jung will be remembered mainly for the deaths of millions of his own people that starved to death in the 1990's famine when the economy collapsed due to failed national policies and natural disasters brought about crop failure.

I guess that's the trouble with legacies. They last.

Iraq - Over and Out.

2011-12-17T13:52:00.003Z

When 9-11 hit our TV screens the commentators were quick to say - The day that changed the world. Let's be honest - it is a big statement to make and within hours it would be made over and over and over again. They seemed to be preparing the world for a downturn.
In Ireland it didn't seem to make a difference as the Tiger roared on through the early part of the decade. George W. Bush - by far the dumbest person ever to be president of the USA - was America's and the world's worst nightmare, having won a dubious presidential election in 2000. It was his father that gave me my first taste of war when he went to the rescue of Kuwait after Saddam Hussain took a fancy to it. On a TV screen of course. Didn't think much of it then. Seemed just and righteous enough. Seemed to convey the message that had built up in my mind over the previous eighteen years of how an evolving world should work. The victory was swift and brutal - the notorious Highway of Death incident sending a clear message to the spared Iraqi leader not to mess with the US again.
Saddam sat back and allowed NATO inspectors into the country to dismantle all his weapons of mass destruction. By the time the neo-conservatives which stained Bush Jr's cabinet (with the help of a man thinking about becoming a Roman Catholic, T Blair) had decided that Hussain was the man that was going to pay for the atrocity in New York, all the cries from the Iraqi leader that he was weapons compliant fell on deaf ears.
What came was a sustained bombing campaign and the quick fall of the Iraqi army. In May 2003, George Bush - like a real-time Hollywood hero, flew in on a fighter jet to the USS Ab Lincoln to declare that the mission was accomplished to fevered nation hungry for revenge for the killing of 3,000 of its citizens.

This week America pulled its soldiers out of Iraq ending the war there. Almost ten years which has seen the death of over 120,000 civilians - others say many more. Many women and children. There was also the loss of 4,000 members of the American military. The campaign has turned into a disaster with the country finding it difficult to find its feet since they snapped Hussain's neck for the YouTube generation.
With atrocities reported on both sides the full story may not come out until it is honesty documented. Has the world become a safer place since Saddam's death? Not a chance. Nor is it likely to become one either with rising tensions in the region, as well as in Pakistan.
America itself has become a virtual police state - and documents from Wikileaks and the torture being carried out around the world by them have America in real danger of losing its self appointed moral-leaders role.
It has begun to make many Americans question many things including Draconian laws like the Patriot Act and the recent NDAA bill which allows for the indefinite detention of anyone in the world suspected of terrorism - including American citizens - which seems to violate some of their constitutional rights. With Obama on the slide and the 'Newt' topping the Republican nomination race, America could be in for some serious times of their own, not just internationally, but also on the home front.

It's brave to go to war. But to go and find that the grounds it is based on was lies must be hard to come home to for any participant. Many are sent in their early twenties. Far too young to escape the influences of an older generation who taught respect was the older man's right. Too naive to understand fully the consequence for the rest of their lives, if they were lucky enough to survive a war where no-one won except those who profit from cheap oil and military weaponry.
I write of suicide here sometimes. It is rampant in the US military, especially among vets. Post traumatic stress and other war symptoms which affect the mind have in times been met with a 'Man up, soldier' response. Many lives shattered due to serious injury or paralyses. And how far out that extends into every community it comes in contact with. Too young to know - to young to suffer so.
There will now be another generation of American service people who will forever be blighted by the horrors of war. Let's hope most don't find the same response as their Vietnam counterparts - many cast aside by the country they fought for and forced to live lives of poverty and unemployment after coming home from that expensive failure in human life. But with things as they are worldwide right now up here in the Northern Hemisphere, the harsh reality is, it seems no-one is to be spared economic woe except those of course who control everything. Up top.

The Americans need not worry to much though as Europe continues to cave in on itself. They are not alone. I don't know - it must be serious. I haven't seen Mickey Noonan smile all week as he to's and fro's from Brussels to London to Dublin. Heard Enda was riding Ryanair last week and taking trains. Credit where it is due.
The French and the English are at each others throats opening up centuries old wars of words between the two nations. Ireland is so neatly settled now under the wing of the US, our British neighbors and the rest of Europe that it seems we too will go down with the ship if it sinks in early 2012.
The indicators don't look good with this weeks serious setback in the nations economy just days after our ??? austerity budget in a row. There has also been a rise in unemployment - the exodus out continues, and Labour looked doomed if the coalition breaks up next year. It could happen - especially if the new treaty is rejected should the need for a referendum arise. Given yesterday's nine page framework document it is looking like it will need to go to the Irish people - as it seems to say to me - jump on or fuck off.
Jump on and it's austerity for a decade (at best) because no government is capable of getting it right and that's how long it will take. Jump off and it's a 40% nip on everything - wages, welfare and walnuts. Back to the potato and the brown bread. The fiddle and the bow. Writing sad songs on whiskey and poems of effigy's of Bertie Ahern made from NAMA hotels. Where would you get it? If a fella was getting paid to keep up with events, he'd be doing well with all the overtime.

There will probably be a quip or two between the VIP's over the coming two weeks as they slip away to enjoy a month of seasonal festivities. A chance for them all to reflect perhaps. Drink a few - make a few sentimental skype calls between Moscow and Washington, Paris to Britain, my attic to the moon. See if we can't kick off the Mayan year of doom with a positive kick.

Going back to the start and how we are told about things almost in preparation for what is to come. I try to read between certain lines - see who's saying the same things - repeating the rhetoric - the rehearsed waffle. I see those who sees it for what it is - and those who's 'intellect' is served by self-interest or just the need to pay the bills. Seems such a waste of living though.

A few influential people have started talking about a 1930's depression. IMF chief spokes-person Christine Lagarde for one. The scary thing is that it almost does have to come crashing down as it seem to be the only way to compete with the emerging superpowers of China and Brazil. Which means working for shillings, keeping your mouth shut and your head down and maybe getting to see the village win the county championship every once in a while.

The times they are a changin' - the jury is just out if that's a good thing or not. Might have to bring Larry Mulligan back from the grave in the new year and publish more extracts from his manifesto.

Cold one to be in the ground this morning.

Who's The Boson?

2011-12-14T23:54:00.004Z

There a **** load of work being done behind the scenes - of my mac - as temperatures plummet and oil becomes a luxury of the rich. In olden days we'd head out and fell a tree. Then hunt a stag with only an arrow and if it all worked out it was happy days around the campfire talking nonsense for the evening. I wonder what our ancient ancestors used, or did, to keep warm back when say, Bronze was God. They must have been hardy beggars. Not like them, Jedward! But hey, good luck to them. It's nearly Christmas. Which can only mean one thing.
Torture.

Considering most of my efforts over the past few years have almost ended the character, Booker seems to stick around more of necessity of time and the black fact - there's not much fuckin' choice. Hard times call for more subtle language - don't ya think?
Unemployment at this stage is a (strong expletive). It's not so much the money end of things but more the time end of things. I count myself lucky in that I have ways to keep busy. But I've come across a few caught, twiddling their thumbs, trying to keep things afloat. It is not a pretty sight.
My latest burst of energy is brought on by a '**** all to lose at this stage' point of view. There is ways and means out of every hole. Ask your man the whale swallowed in the Bible. What was his name again. Jonah? Isn't there a book on jobs in there too? Maybe Fr. Harney does has something worthwhile to say at Friday night poker after all.

Most of these bursts get shorter in duration. It's easy to lax back from the world. Not so easy coming back out. I've been revisiting much of the early part of this blog in recent days as part of an idea I've long wanted to do and it paints a sorry enough picture. And I'm only on January, 2010!
'It'll all be worth it someday,' as Leon used to say.
Give it a shot anyway. Nothing to lose. If we're going under, I may as well try and go under with it. Hopefully above in Donegal - during the Summer.

There's a lot of mouthing going on about aspects of the budget right now between the parties. That's all it will mount to. One more week is all they have to get over before the big Christmas getaway. Have to say the 'non' debate about the Household Charge is a fine deflection from the real problems. The total disregard to doing anything about the state guarantee, standing over ex-minister pensions, the loss of our sovereignty and the astounding fact that not one single person has been held to account. But that's Irish politics for you. In some European countries it must be entertainment to watch it all happen.
The dye is cast for Ireland in the new year. I'd say now, it is already cast. As the new treaty is drawn up now, it will go two ways. It will be worded in a way which won't require constitutional change hence avoiding the need to ask the people (heaven forbid) or it will be sold to the people in fearful ways, and let's face it, they won't have to try to hard. Nonner may lose the smile for a while.
In the event of going solo the stark reality is -under present conditions- we'd be pretty screwed. We'd be free, but with our political system it wouldn't be worth a damn.
I must rake out my old Lisbon 2 videos I have somewhere. That was my first fight with the Europeans. I lost. I'm never so non anything that I'm going to rule out another go at them - and New York taboo - but it's early days. Let's weigh up the bull first. After the Christmas and January festivities. How could anyone be honest if controlled by a bias?
€€€€€'ss ?

It's what all this integration will do is what worries me most. To what and to who's end does it serve? There has to be a danger in a superstate where the superstate is formed against the will of the people it is supposed to serve. Never mind the historical elements involved. The thinking is we have to be bigger to compete - to compete with third world countries with first world economies. That also spells a certain finality as the unemployed become societies bums and low paid workers pay higher taxes, charges and levies, just as the cost of services reaches unaffordable rates.
Some in Ireland would say Ireland benefited greatly from being in Europe. But these are new days. Technology is strong. How about we start benefiting ourselves for a damn change instead of waving it all away to be part of something that may go terribly wrong someday. It's new pages in history books Ireland should be writing and not getting lost among the columns in the back pages. You know - like my writing.

It seems to be more editing and developing new ideas at the moment. The two don't mix well most of the time. There is a lot of 'what the fuck is happening' out there, but it seems that voice is being marginalized somewhat. There is not enough being done.
I laugh at way there is talk of an unemployment crisis. There's been one for years now. 1 Year is now called long-term. Wonder what that makes me? Nearly down there with the lifers?

Still at least there is a possible referendum to look forward. Dress up as a Commie and hit Dame St for the conversation. I'm hoping there will be better conversation next year. Gets boring talking to yourself all the time. Does sound different though as the knees bounce off each other with the cold.
I might be asked where the hell I was all Winter by those stronger soldiers of life who reside outside the Central bank up on Dame St. Maybe I'll stay where I am.
It's been a topsy - less curvy year. So many collisions here at home and around the world. New democracies opened up, but to what end. The portrayal of a savage society summed up by the butchering of Gaddafi in Libya. Oil is such a crude thing. Banks heisting away. Government the bitches of gamblers. Old wounds opening again East and West. And Michael Jackson's little one - wanting to be an actor.
Let's hope for the most part the wind down to 2012 starts about now. 2012 could be a bumpy ride. But as Bill Hicks used to say, and quoted many times around here, 'It's all a ride.'

Ain't that right, Mr. Boson.

Alien Nation

2011-12-10T17:42:00.003Z

David Cameron would not be on my Christmas Card list. Simply don't like the man or anything he stands for on the world stage. A stubborn moralist with establishment blood running through his veins. It's enough to put many off.
This week EU leaders met to trash out this Euro Crisis once and for all. The market verdict on that will not be known until next week, or possibly a little further down the line. Friday's close suggested they approved - at least for now.

Cameron went to Brussels dogged in his agenda that he expected concessions in order to allow for treaty change. He was quickly shot down.
Equally damning in a European sense is the other 26 countries of the EU are ploughing ahead with treaty change while implementing 'mechanisms' to tide everybody over until they go through the process of changing things that will involve tighter fiscal control throughout the zone - in other words - national sovereignty controlled mainly from Frankfurt and Paris. Brussels may suffer someday soon too.
This leaves Cameron slightly isolated on the European front and with his own economy in decline and losing a war in Afghanistan, it's difficult to see good times ahead for the Tory leader with this hacking scandal and his close association to the Murdoch's lurking around every corner.

In fairness, it's a ballsy move - bound to fail in some measure as the UK need Europe as much as any other country does in the EU. But it's this federation type scenario springing to life under a charade of democracy that is the bigger worry.
Cameron knows this. Old enemies do not become friends overnight. Cameron is bound to be particularly incensed with French leader Nicolas Sarkozy after the bailout Allied forces gave them back in the 1940's at the expense of their new closest friends from Berlin. If you wrote that at the end of WW2 I'd say a few would be questioning the marble function.

Next week will tell a lot with the market reaction. Squeaky bum time for a lot of people. We'll find out more who's tied in with who because something is bound to go fubar.
Britain has always seen itself as a player on the world stage. They will attempt to strengthen that now by showing prowess in geopolitical issues and one can safely say Cameron won't be coming to the defense of Sarkozy should things not go to plan for him.
Sarkozy was the main figurehead in the NATO assault on Libya which led to the downfall of Col. Gaddafi. With tensions rising in Iran and Syria, America is going to need NATO backing and fire power if they are to consider a strike. With warnings from both Russia and China not to consider such a move it seems to all lead back to days of the old cold war. Personally I think more and more people just see through the shit. They just want their lives back. Will they get it? Some might, probably when the next lot of cheap money is made available.

To celebrate his Statesman status on his triumphant return to Britain, Cam had 30 of his Tory buddies over to Chequers for a bite to eat. I remember the last Tory government and I have to admit I'd be a little scared to have been there. Stanley Kubrick would have a field day.
Cameron tries to be like Maggie T. was - but he doesn't sound off like he has the same courage of conviction the old bat had. He's just a poor leader. I doubt his cohort, Osborne would be much better.

<<<<< An imaginary flow of atomic information, but widely held to contain the words, 'Oh fuck, what have I done...'

Our own esteemed leader didn't arrive back claiming peace in our time, but is increasingly swinging wildly from Merkle's coat-tails. He might be thinking to himself 'But for a twist of fate I could have been a German. But i'll be one yet.'
Will Cameron ring Kenny over the weekend and offer him 'discussions.' It's doubtful. Enda smells cheap money again. And Ireland needs cheap money right now. Merkle is playing a blinding leading role in the leadership stakes and although Sarkozy is in touch with his feminine side - one suggests Cameron struggles a little with his own, so Angie will irk him.
Enda holds a few bargaining chips now as the treaty changes may require another referendum. Lisbon 3 if you like. Better bailout terms for a nod and a wink. But I get the feeling the attitude in Europe now is if you don't like it then leave. Not many are leaving.
If we could take history out of the equation then maybe it could work. But alas it seems Ireland has declared her way and every effort will be made to avoid putting it to an unpredictable Irish electorate. You sense that if this Superstate continues to enlarge and become fiscally and socially united the like of the gombeen politician will be dead in Ireland within ten years. That's not a bad thing.

It's a volatile and unpredictable time in history. Every 'power' is flexing what they have to offer. Debt remains to be the great burden stopping progression. Good fiscal policy is one thing - but how do we get there and and at what expense to society? And with the ECB 'lending money' to the New York based IMF, there is still massive American influence involved in European affairs. That's not wanted and asks questions of how close knit some institutions worldwide really are. Somebody has to lose out in all this. Don't they?

Germans have been coming to Ireland for decades, particularly west. If things pan out the West could receive a mighty boost in Green preservation, German Holiday homes and an IreGer film industry focused on the thoughtful and the provocative.
They would insist on oil rigs to be out of coastal sight and have gas pumped to the European mainland instead of into the Mayo shore while giving us ours at cost price plus yearly dividends for everyone but farmers.
They are said to be pretty fond of Donegal. Who wouldn't be with their surfing waters and wild coastline and that wind ...
A rugged terrain that demands perfection in contemporary home structures built to battle what nature throws at them. For cultural get together's. Cultural Europeananistic Evenings (CEE's) hosted by the great county of Donegal. I wonder if there's any cheap NAMA property up that end of the country?

Wouldn't it be great if the damn world took a timeout for 2012. But it's all adding up to just another tough year. Too many agendas and not enough ideas. To much Id and not enough ego. To much Enda and not enough Pierce.

Budget 2012 - Machtpolitik

2011-12-07T23:41:00.008Z

Wohoo. The double screw.

I Should have been ranting last night. Couldn't bring myself to do it. I decided to hold off for 24 hours. Let it sit with me for a while. Show a bit of that old maturity that stains a certain age. I probably would be saying it's a young persons world, but given the heist that's taking place here and elsewhere, getting out into that world is going to prove pretty difficult for some. With no apparent turnaround of fortunes on the cards, I sometimes wonder how the younger generation choose to spend those great years of wildness before most settle down to life serving the man. Can't say I had it bad. Did my living. Seen a bit of the world. Drank my fill. Varying consequence. Like us all.

One thing that should be made clear. Budger 2012 was not on based on improving the prospects for the unemployed to get a job and it certainly was not based on any sense of equality within society. Here's a point to note. Low paid workers are worse off than high earners as a result of this budget. It's fact.
The gulf widens once again as Enda pleads poverty down the tubes of RTE to a dumbed down masses - many saying 'Ah sure, he's doing the best he can' borrowing 'speak' from someone down the local supermarket or betting shop.
That exact parish pump school of thought is the very reason ordinary decent people have been screwed up and down this island for the best part of three years now - and that's just the brutal side of things, for the screwing has been going on a lot longer than that. A long list of people who robbed this state. Most of them still doing very well too. From Ray Burke to... you name them. You won't fall short. There are plenty.

This budget was savage and make no mistake about it. People think they were saved in certain payments and tax amnesties guised under a plan to create jobs, but they were 'got' in a multitude of other ways. It borders beyond the unbelievable really. All we hear is the big picture, but the detail is in the small print. Banks have been using similar tactics from the time small print came into fashion.
So tightly knitted they are, they spin a picture that ain't so bad to the global watchers with the help of paid writing and broadcasting patsies - themselves in the fear game of protecting what they got. There are exceptions - like there is to most of the rules, but the likes of Enda Kenny, Brendan Howlin, Joan Burton, Mickey Noonan and every other TD who voted for this budget should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
For those saying we don't have any choice - put on your slippers and go to bed - they offer little to any equation worth a fiddler's elbow moving forward. The politician of today in the higher echelons shame anyone not sycophantic - you know, crumb pickers and the like.

Labour may pray for a spectacular change in fortunes in this country to come soon or they will be ruined. Fine Gael have them in their pockets. Some know that and are acting accordingly. Barely six weeks a TD, Patrick Nulty was chucked from the Labour Party after weighing up his conscious and saying he would be voting against the budget. I have always like people who strayed from the crowd. We need more like him. Many many more.

I'm confident this budget will have no positive impact on societal Ireland and that's the desperate picture as Ireland moves forward growing increasing from the side of the head of a European State in meltdown. You reap what you sow, I guess.
I'm dismayed at the severe lack of thinking in government ranks and I got to say the opposition is disappointing. Where are Ireland's options? Who is starting the conversation?
Forget Fianna Fáil, best they can do going forward is be populous. Any short term fix will have long term consequence with them involved. Unfortunately their party history over the past 30 years serves to say they excel in that department.
Politics unfortunately is full of parish golden boys. Except many ain't golden. Not any longer. We need our politicians to be qualified in what they do.
Leo Vadaker - the Minister for Sport only met with the Sports bodies two weeks ago for the first time in office. How can James Rielly cover his massive business interests and an out of control health service? Dickie Bruton must be thankful he didn't win the purge. And thank Christ - the man hasn't created a job that didn't go the other way somewhere.
And those changes to our over inflated public service and government? This government should pack up and go home to the pumps now, because all they are doing is costing us money.
Berlin baby. They own us. And be sure about this. They do for the considerable future. And who gave them such power. We did. The second time.
So 'No' complaints!

Here's the lo-lights of Day 2 -

Increase in Motor Tax
Cigarettes up 25 cent
VAT increased from 21 per cent to 23 per cent
DIRT is up 27 per cent to 30 per cent
Carbon Tax up.

And the highlights -

Increased mortgage interest relief to 30% for first time buyers between 2004-08 gives a small piece of respite to people still able to pay the mortgages on their over inflated prices properties. Token gesture for those unfortunate enough to buy into Bertie's shite talk and now paying for it for the best years of their life. They should have handed the keys back!

Tax breaks for companies who invest in the BRIC countries. (Brazil, Russia, India and China)
I'm sure this is serving someone pretty damn nicely.

And just as a huge chunk of cheap property comes available from NAMA the Bank of Ireland disclose that they are making €1-5 billion available to property buyers. Somebodies going to do well. Property has already collapsed 60% in some parts of the country. Nice time to be a speculator. No?

There are more and should come through over the weekend as the broadsheets keep their little secrets to cash in on over the weekend. The hidden details - that small print I mentioned earlier. It won't matter to the people reading those papers - only the ones that don't. Those little bits and pieces of info. You will find them in certain places. Like here.
And all for what. To pay for gamblers who just can't lose. And do remember this as it is easy to get so confused you have no choice but to take what is said on the news and in the media as such - The Parties that votes against austerity last time out - they just rodgered you this time. Did you really think they wouldn't?
Mutton dressed as lamb - serving the sheeple.

I'd would not have been as loud last night. Perhaps mulling over things for too long is a bad thing. Maybe I haven't lost all of that immaturity after all, and you know what, it don't feel so bad.
'Airs and graces,' as Leon often times reminded me.
Whatever!

Here's laughin' at you, Ireland ...

Budget 2012 - Ein Regnerischer Tag

2011-12-05T22:59:00.007Z

It's a bitterly cold night.
Last year, The Curious Case of the Fuel Allowance gave this blog its one moment of glory. The glory was short lived - in fact it wasn't lived at all. But it did brighten up some cold sitting rooms as Mother Nature threatened the elderly and those in poverty with death.
Today Brendan Howlin took the said fuel allowance from people for an extra six weeks of the year - turning last years single act of kindness into profit for that most awful of words... unkindness.
It was just one in a series of measures which take from the living standards of every individual in this country. Unless you are established - of course.
Fairness and equality are firmly out the window as Ireland drives her citizens away in search of a better life once more. With budgets like this, it's safe to say your elected representative is not working for you. That is if you sided with Fine Gael and Labour at the election. Will you be contacting contact.ie to deliver your verdict to the one who represents you? Probably not. Most will just take it - on the chin - like Booker.

Here's the main highlights. (for more see elsewhere)

Reduction in maintenance grants and increase in third-level fees. (protests)
Reduction in capital grants to schools by 2 per cent. (poorer education)
Rent supplement changes will save €55 million. (Homeless)
Changes to one parent payments. (discriminatory)
A standard rate of child benefit for all children will save €43million.
Fuel season reduced from 32 to 26 weeks. (unkindness)

*************

On the upbeat side -

There will be a new labour market fund which will target long term unemployment. (I'm here)
€50 to fund implementation of the Programme for Government commitments on mental health and access to GP care.

All in all it's another miserable day for the Irish trapped on the island. Nooner rises tomorrow to screw us all a little more. He must be loving the center stage less than ten years after he nearly led Fine Gael into a Fianna Fáil abyss.
Many will say it is required medicine. They are the self serving among us. Tied to what's established in this country. Those that budgets have little impact on.
It's a royal heist. The casino where you never lose. Admittance reserved.

The opposition said little of any consequence in response. Just the same old, same old. Sounds bad coming from the mouth the Michael Martin as he attempts to lead his party back from the abyss. Will be the masterstroke of all time if they do it with Martin at the helm. But with little or no opposition when it comes to organizational power and Sinn Féin perhaps not making a significant impact with Gerry Adams at the helm, who's to say The Failers won't be back at the helm within a decade... or even sooner.
Lots of talk and talk of anger. But the conversation is one-dimensional. Those up top protect what they got - us down here... I guess we get what we deserve at this stage.
Let's not forget either that although this is the fourth one in a row there is 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 to come as well. By then oil should be twice what it cost now. Not that half the country will care.

You can't burn oil in tents. Aye, a fine day for ducks indeed.

State Of The Nation

2011-12-04T23:50:00.003Z

There's a chapter in Booker's World titled, Be Gorrah, We Can - a dream from the mind of Booker surrounding a speech given by ex-taoiseach Brian Clown to the people of Ireland back in 2009. Things didn't work out quite the way Brian or Booker had hoped they would since the time of writing but then again many could say that. I'd love to say the book is worth reading for that chapter alone but I was buoyed by two excellent critiques I received this week from people who remarked on it in the ways I had hoped people may. So perhaps it has a future somewhere. Like the rest of us.

For the first time in 30 years a sitting taoiseach went before the nation to address its citizens. Last time out Charley Haughey told those who tuned in that they were living beyond our means. No such luck this time. Living has stopped. Well for many anyway.
There was nothing in Enda's speech that stirred any emotion. It was bland, delivered with little or no passion and weak on content. I'm not sure why the taoiseach felt it necessary to delay the start of Love & Hate to tell the population what they already know. That we, a nation so young are at sea in more ways than the island status we have. And it's going to get worse before it gets better. Not what anybody wants to hear especially someone who has been unemployed since the summer of 2008.

Enda lost me almost from the start when he declared that he wanted ''To create the environment to sustain jobs, and to look after the most vulnerable people in our society.''
That reads to me like this. That the environment still has to be created and even when it is done it will only be capable of sustaining jobs. So you have a slim chance if you have a job of keeping it but if your already without one, well...
As for looking after the venerable in society that too is just a joke. It may only be his parties first budget but that 'looking after' is going back a few years now. It really does not matter to the Irish people who delivers it. Once no-one is held accountable and in full and the government parties of the day continue to support economy killing austerity and the payment to bondholders at the expense of citizen health and education then the Irish people I believe are slowly coming to the conclusion that they then must be party to this act of absurdity that has being playing out since Lehman's Brothers were sent to the wall back in 2008.

Later Enda in his wisdom told the Irish people that we ''are not responsible for the crisis.'' But offered little or no insight to who was responsible and why the Irish people are being made to pay. But thanks for letting us know it wasn't our fault. Makes it all seem a little more easier to bare.
Later he said he was 'very positive' for the future. Like he could say anything else? Come on Enda. Is that the best you got?
He finished off near the end with an old election slogan - ''I want to make this the best small country in the world in which to do business, in which to raise a family and in which to grow old with dignity and respect.''
I'd have thought his writers could have extended them a little better instead of having to pour back over and re-hash their old scribblings. Weak at best.

All this from a leader who went against his own pay-cap to reward advisor Ciaran Conlon with a few extra bob. With just makes me want to ask one question. Whats Mr. Conlon advising on. Let's hope it's not your speech writers.
I'm afraid Enda - despite his best intentions - just doesn't measure up to the job up to now. Tonight won't have done him any harm, but nor much good. The mainstream media will get their columns from it. A few may dissent a little but most will say the words were about what was to be expected from a nation gone back a couple of decades in just a few short years.

I know some may want to re-run the epic over so you can listen to Enda here. But in short all it says is we're failing and for the time being you're screwed.
Tomorrow and Tuesday sees the third or is it fourth austerity budget in a row. I know there was an emergency one in there somewhere. Next year, even if the Euro survives, Ireland will be the subject to possible default. The VAT hike will see a further retraction in the economy. Tax receipts last week were down nearly half a billion. That hasn't even been factored in yet.
Enda offered nothing to many tonight and that's the fact of the truth. The merry dance continues. But no-one really wants to dance.

Still it should be an 'entertaining' week. With the budget over two days this year and then the saving of the Euro - or its collapse. Unless they start printing money soon its over. They might - but whatever definition you have of your country if its not Germany or France then prepare to lose that definition. They call the shots now. We are in the political era of likeitorlumpitism. So maybe politics has to finish for it has led us no-where. It should admit to its failure and give people back their freedom. Whoever signed up to it in the first place is beyond me. Its nearly an arrogance at this stage, no? 'Cause there ain't nothing flowing through their blood that ain't flowing through our own. Except perhaps a difference in temperature. But those are twilight stories. And who writes those...

Fluctuations

2011-12-02T00:31:00.005Z

A few hours ago I couldn't see twenty feet in front of me such was the denseness in the fog that wrapped itself around the night. It's lifted now, a clear view of the ultimate thing that reminds me I'm still in Ireland - a nearby church.
It does have a certain character by times. I may photograph it if Santa is kind this year. I see huge potential in it as a movie location. Imagine, a little village in the middle of no-where the Indie film capital of the Co. Meath.

I've been writing and editing furiously this past 10 days or so. The bitter parting of the ways with the Euro that might come sends a shudder down my spine and the only way out of it is to really become self-sufficient - even if that means working for others while one figures how to make the first preference a reality.
Been through the system now a few times in various ways to know that it ain't going to happen here in Ireland. Not for the time being anyways. We're so clung to the Merkle's trousers these days it is hard to see anybody doing anything else but continuing to cling on.

The only way out of this mess now is to open up the ECB like Herman Cain's zipper and create a Federal Reserve of Europe. Something like the Fed in the USA.
Nations with currency controlled outside of politics. It's getting so bad now that even an monetary alliance of some sort might come about. Say like the Fed throwing in 50% along with the ECB and capitalizing from the debt gathered from that made up money. Who knows, maybe the Russians and the Chinese could also get in on 'the action.' Even Cameron.
Fortunes continue to be made under this cloud that hangs darker with each passing day. Token gestures by banks to unite and tee up another can to kick the whole thing down the road a little further makes for market fluctuation. Some speculators wet dreams. The 'cunning' are cleaning up. The savvy ones. The ones in the know. In the game they can never lose.
Of course the mainstream portray it all so differently. Yes, they have no problem with the fear factor and inflicting it on those who really can't take much more of it. But going out and showing the cost in real time - that appears to be off the agenda. With them all. Everywhere.
But then, we could live in some forsaken place in the world that even God has long abandoned. So a little perspective can be important every now and again. And a tonne of writing.

Ethical people do remain. Dublin North East TD, Tom Broughan was expelled from the Labour Party today after voting against the bank guarantee remaining in place for a further year. It's a mighty relief for some, particularly speculators and those who have small savings, but it does goes against labour's pre-election promises and marks a 100% U-E on the way they voted on the same measure when it last came up for 'debate.' Seems to be becoming a party policy. About turns. Still say, Labour are now being played none to similar than the way the Failers played the Greens, providing their old legion some fond memories of their final days in power.

Mr. Broughan saw the deceit in that today and acted accordingly losing the privilege of being whipped for the foreseeable future. It didn't stop the motion being carried by 99-30, so no sweat there.
Can't see anyone outing Tommy from being TD of the week for this week. And it's only Thursday.

Pierce Doherty made a point of telling Labour what they had told all us in the Dáil today ... to an empty chamber- and I don't mean a Colt 45. Not only are we paying representatives to go against what we gave them mandate to do, but they don't even have to turn up when the issue is up for debate.
Not that they have any choices anyway as they will point out at length under the 'terms of memorandum' they are all tied to their IMF buddies with. Which kind of makes them insignificant. No?

Bigger question still. If the Euro does fall or we are faced with a Lisbon 3 scenario where fear plays the important factor and by some devilish chance we are forced to break ties one way or another with Frankfurt and Paris, then who do we trust to lead us forward into the glory ahead of in us in this, the 21st century? Except that should be 21 centuries off 4 and a half billion years - if we are going by Earth years. Which makes everything so damn confusing or makes certain time connoisseurs appear a little daft? I don't know which.

It won't be any of the Eurocrats that lead and that's for sure. Or the parties that led us down that wayward path. Because that would mean we are terminally dumb - as I feel there is no such thing as terminal nativity. Life bites to hard.
That pretty much rules them all out at the ballot box should the worst come to the worst. Which begs another question - who is fit to govern us and moreover who's qualified? I wonder if a low 30% turnout at the next seizure could deliver the final blow to the systems of governance that sees us stray further from the thinking on which this State was founded.

Of course most scenario's proposed here are unlikely to happen so fear not. Grass is turning white tonight. Air is there for sucking.

Let Austerity abide!

Silences

2011-11-27T19:37:00.003Z

Some people would reckon other people should never write about suicide - as what gives reason even to a writer to explore the subject to some degree? I think that's part of the thing. There are no real reasons and although families and communities affected by these sudden tragedies often search for reasons why, the answers seem to come up short most of the time.
Still, for me personally anything that causes the deaths of 1 million people worldwide every year deserves more research and study and not so shut away as it is in places, dear old Ireland included. Stats provide numbers, academics and doctors attempt to answer why and yet we continue to come up short, as the number suggest here in Ireland.

I guess you start something in life with a bigger view to what lies behind your chosen pursuit. I definitely gave mine a lot of thought. Probably too much. But I've watched as Ireland has slipped into a nation dealing mostly out of the limelight with various forms of addiction. Depression of many varieties seems to also be rampant. These are worrying trends for a nation going no-where. The answer of course in government will be to cut services - hey, it is the survival of the fittest after all - and I wonder if the many groups involved in the areas are maybe too many and would not benefit further from coming together and trying to get out a similar view on certain issues. The problems are basically being arrested at best - but a tide needs to be turned and given present circumstances it is hard to see nothing but this becoming more of an epidemic in the years ahead.
Wales manager, Gary Speed was found dead today at his home. 42. Two young kids and a wife. Successful professional career. Management and coaching. Even some punditry.
Almost defies belief, but that's how it works most of the time. The easiest coping mechanism for those left behind is to determine as early as possible not to dwell on it too much. For those that do, therein lies another tragedy. Others prefer not to forget at all and honour that friend or loved one in some way. It brings a name and a face to this tragic part of human existence. It's important to do it.

I've also read arguments that highlighting it in certain ways offers some form of glorification. Where did that come from? Nobody ever touched by suicide or its impact will think that way I'm pretty sure. There's nothing glorifying about it. Often just a blanket of stunned silences as we busy ourselves around the other struggles around everyone at the moment.
Really doesn't care for gender, class or race, does it? I suspect there are many causes, few answers and it would appear - up at the top-tier it's not part of the contemporary social agenda. That's more than unfortunate, particularly at this time.

Strains

2011-11-24T21:46:00.005Z

I don't know what it is about a forthcoming budget that just chills the bones and makes me want to work. I finally started my second book this week - a world set far off into the future.
I'm beginning to wonder if we'll make it that far at all given the possibility of this baby getting out or a nuclear holocaust over a drop of oil. But I'd say we are safe for a few years yet, hey?

At least long enough to give a few more publishers something to chuck in the bin anyway. But it's time to try again and with deadlines now set and word counts to be met each day, I'd be kind of hoping that the blog will go quite over the next few months (collective sigh of relief) as simply highlighting the way Ireland has been hijacked this past three years by writing about it here has about as much function as a dead tool.
With the sudden spark to write again, came the flood of ideas that always come once delved in. New characters sprung to mind and I've doubled the work I have done on another outline for a book I'm doing in the crime fiction department.
Despite the fact Booker's World is 999,911 short of its first million sales, I'm still hopeful the next one of two have a little more success when it comes to finding a real home as I'm not sure I want to carry the effort of Booker's World through from beginning to end once again.
I don't blame myself of course - that's down to those people looking after the social welfare of us all. But now that the final nail has been driven into the 'your on your own' coffin, it's time to find other ways of trying to get to make a living which doesn't make one a ward of state, as they say.
I need an editor and a damn good proofreader.
I think the reason I did not begin my second book until now was doing all the work on Booker's World myself, a task that really made me appreciate how much the efforts of others can help with the writing, but definitely did not have me running back to the keyboard for long spells.
I find careful concentration that is needed when proofreading is difficult for me, gives unwanted headaches and that horrible tiredness. Writers may know what I mean. But no sense quitting now. Effort counts for nothing in this country unless it comes with ass-kissing lips. Isn't it time we moved on from that now that we are, should we say... fooked?

So that should keep me busy until the Summer of 2012 in between applying for the non-existent jobs in Ireland and those that require visa entry from abroad. I could of course just try my luck in Greece or Italy and perhaps even in Spain. But then again, sometimes your just safer on a little island floating towards that more glorious of islands, Iceland. Took no shit those guys.
In it together for worse or worse r - like all good marriages!.
Good to see races having a strong sense of who they are. I think we Irish let it all go to easily. That's the most gut-wrenching thing of all. The so called 'greater good' serves no real purpose when everything is so heavily weighed against ordinary people. Sometimes that weight can serve some good. Can change a societies direction. It's better to stand for something more than your banking and business buddies, isn't it?
There's at least a hundred things Ireland (the country) could do in the next six months that could help things along - fill gaps created by cuts. But will any of them be implemented. Not fu*kin likely... Without problems, 'government' have no function.
Heaven forbid!

Thursday night. Can only mean one thing. Greg House. If only Booker had heroes...

Fibbers

2011-11-23T18:31:00.005Z

It's less than 2 weeks now until the coalition government of Fine Gael and Labour give the citizens of the country an early Christmas present in the form of another austerity budget. It sickens me to the very pit of my stomach - I knew Fine Gael were capable of it, but Labour, well after events of the last two weeks where some of their election promises now seem to be lies, it's going to be a short stay in government for them without a doubt.
The proposed reduction in child benefit, if carried, will be testament to what I've always believed, that politicians are the best liars in society. It won't matter much to their ministers who when ousted will walk away with massive pensions, but for backbenchers who saw the party rise after the Failer collapse in February, it must be a worrying time.
But then politics, media and bankers have Ireland pretty much sown up these days - even when they lose they win. That the fact of the reality. A once proud people who fought for their right to govern themselves now easy game for those who say they have the people's welfare at heart, but rarely do.
Cuts to health services, particularly in mental health are on the cabinet table. This is a travesty given the epidemic levels of suicide and self-harm in this country and particularly DISTURBING when we have the likes of Enda Kenny and Gay Mitchell championing the issues for electoral gain. Interesting to see what happens.
There are also proposals to increase charges on prescriptions, as well as €50 charge on those who have medical cards. There is also a VAT rise of 2% which will drive consumers north of the border and will see more job losses as a result. This is governance? This is the hope people put in Fine Gael and Labour? Disgrace the lot of them.

Then you have this guy. Secretary General of the Department of jobs. LofeckinL. It does not bare thinking about. Not a job in the country since 2008 and he walks away with €634,000. We seriously need to cop ourselves on as a nation - and damn quick!

To be honest I've zoned out this past week. I sent a flurry of job applications to Canada and Australia. What's the point in staying? Ireland will probably end up defaulting anyway and indeed, following Germany's inability to raise funds in a bond auction today the whole Euro Zone seems doomed.
When the best economy in Europe can't raise funds then we know we are in deep trouble. I reckon it's not so much a case of if the Euro will crash, but when? The early part of 2012 is going to be bumpy. And if it does, well let's just say all the budgets since 2008 will seem like a Christmas present compared to the consequences of a collapse.

The Egyptians are into their second revolution... of the year. Unhappy about the pace of change since the ousting of Hosni Mubarak, the people have once again faced off with police and army in Tahrir Square. There have been many fatalities and many injured as tear gas and live rounds being used against protesters.
All the current signs point to Iran being attacked soon - unless Russian and Chinese influence speaks louder than the warmongering United States and it's NATO allies.

It all makes you wonder if in fact the Mayans might not have been too far off the mark after all.

Batons

2011-11-17T21:45:00.004Z

You know, it's damn near impossible to keep up at the moment such is the scale of what looks like chaos to me, unfold before our eyes. A seasoned journalist would have the time to be more structural in their writing while getting paid. It's safe to say I don't be writing this for profit and if the world rides out all these tsunami's coming from all directions, well maybe if what's right wins at the end of the day, property like this might be worth something to the great-great grandchildren.
Of course if it goes the other way, it may start a few fires somewhere or be sent to virtual hell, an actual place of torture for deadbeat writers who's thinking didn't marry with the Supreme Council of Excellence in Geneva and it's new world constitution - which does not allow for disobedience from artists. Black walls and high ceiling. Pitch black dark. Jedward 23 hours a day. A little water-boarding to the echo of random screams so ruthlessly scored by some of Hollywood's finest sound dudes, perforating eardrums.

Better start at home. Labour, specifically Gilmore and Ruari Quinn had a dreadful day yesterday. Tens of thousands of students took to the streets of Dublin to protest possible re-introduction of third-level fees. What's new, except the two boyo's above promised in their election campaign no such move would be made if they were in government.
At the time Labour's support seemed to be faltering and the stunt was seen as getting the student vote onside. It worked, but now the students are angry. Gilmore and Quinn actually signed on it with the students pre-election. Fail!

Gilmore was out and about with Enda today as they released a document on public service reform over the next 4 years. Good luck with that. Faltering economy. All this austerity and no growth? Why? Because we were saddled with the debt, made by a few, who then walk away smoking cigars. That's all government is in Ireland now. Implementers for others.
Pearse Doherty had Simon Covney in knots last evening on Vinnie Browne. A clear set of ideas that has the potential to stimulate growth. As much as I think it's a better alternative to what Labour and Fine Gael will come out with in 3 weeks, how to get the wheel moving on the cogs again is going to take more than a little stimulus - even more so if such stimulus' get high-jacked by people waiting their turn in line. What we need are ideas outside the theory. Theory ain't working. Iceland speaks differently. Others may too.
I'm not giving my ideas on matters here anymore after the way the Greens hijacked my idea to cost the tax-payer €50 million last year. Was the blogs highlight of 2010. Thought I'd get a medal. Nothin!
Enda was over in Berlin meeting her majesty on Wednesday. Have to say he spoke the hard talk, talk Merkle doesn't want to hear. And why would she?
Kenny wants a US Federal Bank type situation with unlimited money - backed up by the German taxpayer. Sound divine - giving everyone a debt free re-start. Except of course the design of such things is not part of any such thinking. This is survival of the fittest coming to a peak. Kenny can talk, but over there, they ain't listening.
Italy has a government now - NO POLITICIANS! Again sounds idyllic - but the bottom line is these people are in there now because they will drive the austerity required by the market vultures, so the corpo's they make a bob off can compete with emerging economies to drive down costs all to their own advantage.
Survival of the fittest, but Christ you would want to be pretty damn fit, especially when the odds stacked against the citizen are almost insurmountable. Even people who did everything 'by the book' are in real trouble. Young kids growing up with no real prospects. Tiered society. When democracy is reduced to this then democracy is dead. They don't seem to care in some countries, but the people were out in Italy and Greece today in force. You don't take democracy from people and expect to get away with it. Who's the Greek and Italian, Hugo Chavez?

The Occupation seems to be at a crunch point. There have been forced evictions by police in superhero riot gear who sneak cunningly under the cover of darkness. The movement in New York also attempted to block off Wall St. this morning and there are plans to cross the Brooklyn Bridge again at the weekend. As an image I saw recently portrayed, You have to judge it by those who come dressed for a riot. The images of police using batons to beat civilians using their right to protest are becoming a daily occurrence not just across America but also here in Europe.

The Dame St. protest could also be in trouble after rumors circulated that the bank they occupy the outside of have asked Gardai to remove the protesters. Scores of people with hi-viz vests were seen entering the bank this evening as Gardai refused to intervene.
It's a maze of mess wherever we look. Fighting debt with austerity, fighting white-collar crime and fraud with big bonus', pensions and perks. Some state of affairs. And if you happen to side on a different viewpoint and actually questions something, your reward - a crushed skull or a plastic bullet... for now!
Don't even mention the Middle East or the wicked turn of Mother Nature in recent years. She may want us off her planet. And with humans involved, particularly the special ones up top, who's to say she won't win this war... and with ease.

Still it could all be just a dream. Be a pity to let so much just slide recklessly by when the potential is huge, particularly in science's and technology. How advances are used will be the difference, but it's time to get rolling on it. But the will is not there, which makes me wonder why?

Let's face it, Facebook won't be the way forward in ten years time. Given the hacking of their system recently where viewers were treated to some scantily clad ladies hoping to lay claim to your info. Big business these days. Info. You can gauge a person and a society by info and what they put out. That's one big marketplace. Nice big file. Maybe the ultimate one. The analysts of the data must have the easiest of jobs though.
Within minutes the file basket for the diversely bonkers grows more rapidly than the other categories. Tough algorithm that one. Even for The Zuckerb.

The storms before the Christmas respite ... if we are lucky enough to get one. Still it could be worse. Could be on a beach in Perth. Taking in deadly rays. For fun.

Estonian Blue

2011-11-15T22:22:00.004Z

A bad day for Labour but a great night to be Irish. Apart from this, I don't think I wrote much about the European Championship qualifiers over the past 18 months. Some will say I've turned me back on the team, others just glad i didn't offer much, as the old reverse psycology worked. It's actually surprising how much it does.
Ireland and Estonia drew 1-1 at Landsdown Road tonight, sending Ireland through to the European Championship to be held next Summer in Poland & Ukraine. The damage was done last Friday night in Estonia, when, after a sluggish hour, Ireland woke to run out comfortable 4-0 winners.
It's the first time Ireland has qualified for a major soccer championship since 2002. Ten years don't seem so far back - looking back. Gone in an instant.
It was hard not to grow a certain apathy after the way we did not reach the last World Cup after Thierry Henry's cheating and his following un-endorsement, the only person ever to have been demoted from Booker's own Hall of Fame. We were the best team on that night in Paris. Bitter pill to swallow.
All the memories of 2002 came back to life that night. How we played Spain off the park in extra time in the second round only to lose on penalties. This after Roy Keane's departure pre-tournament. We might have won that one, if the luck of the Irish actually existed. But there you go...

I was more hopeful than confident this campaign. No doubt about it the Irish team had heart. That draw in Russia? One of the great performances. We ran out clear second in the group after being seeded third, earning us the plum tie in the play-offs in the hopeful category against Estonia. The confident came after we went 5-0 up tonight. I guess it comes down to manager Trappatoni's ability to use what he has to their strengths and like it or not, we have qualified and that's better than sitting at home, a bitter spectator as Germany win it next Summer - captained by Lionel Messi.
We have a mean defense and if Robbie Keane can keep himself sharp after moving to Los Angeles we will always score a goal or two, so maybe I can dream aga... what am I saying? How do you call it, without even knowing the opponents yet? You don't!

Gives the place a lift. My best days were Ireland's best days. From 1988 to the present day. In '88, you couldn't write the script. Scotland beat Bulgaria away from home with a last gasp winner to send us through. Remember those scottish shorts. Gary Mackay. Never had to buy another drink again in Ireland.
Then woe and behold, England in our first ever game at a major championship. Then we won. Ray Houghton. It was the start of a new confidence for many, even though we didn't get out of the group, after a draw against Russia (Ronnie's scissors) and a loss to a Dutch goal that seemed to defy what a ball could do. Home we welcomed them as heroes. What an introduction to the big time.
Better followed in 1990 and 1994 and then 2002. The best of memories.

So it's plaudits all round. Still have a few issues with the governing body of the game. It's very corporate and riddled with accusation at World level. I don't think a footballer is worth quarter of a million a week. But hey, it creates the dream which props everything else. Could be worse, I suppose.
But damn we are making strides slowly in Ireland. The 8 million we pocket for qualifying hopefully won't be taxed and put into Anglo. Enda was there tonight. See what sport can do, Enda? For the old national psyche. Quit pissing the defenders of our nation around and leave them at their place of work and get them involved in turning our Olympic contingent for London next year into men and women of steel. Do what's right for Ireland.

Seems politics still has some principaled men left. Minister of State for Housing, Willie Penrose resigned his post today over the closure by government of the Army barracks in Mullingar. Soldiers stationed there will be sent to Athlone. 200 hundred years of history - gone,... because of banks and the two Brian's. Just like that.
Penrose opposed the closure and resigned his cabinet seat this afternoon. Penrose should now lead his way to the Indie side of the house and cause dissent which might eventually lead to a new party.
First-teamsters must be getting increasingly worried. Their pension.
Do they oppose the budget and go Indie themselves and have the possibility of a long Dáil career or do they take a chance that their future is better in government hands. It is a juicy sum of money after all. And times are tough.
This followed the disclosure by Labour MEP, Nessa Childers that she was threatened with expulsion from the Party for voicing her concern over the appointment of Kevin 'I miscounted 3-6 billion euro' Cardiff to the European Court of Auditors. Poor woman. She must be traumatized. I mean how dare she speak of her concern?
Oh, Labour. It has begun. The Gilmore Gale has long blown itself out. Wonder how they will come out once they vote for austerity?

Go Ireland.

Techno, Techno

2011-11-14T20:48:00.004Z

I was doing a little research over the weekend. I wanted to see what other people were saying about the hi-jacking of Democracy in both Greece and Italy last week. Hard as I looked in the mainstream it did not appear to be much of an issue. More the accepted thing to do. The right thing. The moral compass passed to the new buzzword out now, Technocrat.
'Well holy Bruce Campbell,' I said to myself. Some forward thinking. At last. They are turning to Detroit again and 'we gonna danze ouseves otto das shit.' But images of Fat-Boy Slim and Johnny Pluse rocking Italy and Greece with something more than the occasional earthquake soon disappeared as I discovered the real meaning.
I don't have any particular dislike for the ideal of Technocracy, so long as it is done in conjunction with the people by way of 'Democracy.' I mean the best among us in their field surely has to be the right choice of an evolving people and 'Democracy.' If the people get it wrong then they share in the collective responsibility. Sycophancy aside!!
But this is not 2311, we are still in the age of stupid, and I ain't referring to our established elites, cause they ain't stupid. Brian Cowen walks around costing the Irish taxpayer €500 a DAY, but sure what the hell, he and his buddies only bankrupted us. And not a Sean Quinn one either.
'Cause looking out on to the estate from my attic window I thought I'd come to a conclusion. That once you're established - you're always established. But then you throw Sean Quinn into the equation and it throws up all sorts of possibilities. For right or wrong, better or worse, bankruptcy or otherwise - the truth must prevail. Narrated by Morgan Freeman.

Now call me what you want and please point out to me if I am wrong. Considering we are supposedly the best educated people in the so-called Western World, why are we so dumb? Is the X-Factor so great this year, and I don't mean to disrespect anybody - I watched it for a year or two myself. Even watched My Name is Earl and have been known to try understand the mind of House every now again.
A guy pointed it out to me once. It comes down to a choice. He said, 'Dumb is the most effective way of dealing with everything - including fear.'
'What fear?' I asked. He walked away. I scratched my scalp.

It seems to me that Germany no longer has to march into countries in other to take over the systems of governance of another country - us now being a collective of European, half Europeans, bit-part European, Folk from the UK, non-European Europeans, those who don't like being Europeans, those that don't mind it so much, but prefer being six-foot czech's, bohemian French or a simple plastered Paddy, or otherwise.
I hate to be throwing up history and all that, but why don't people not find this all a little bizarre? I watched Merkel earlier thumping her fist as she spoke to her party colleagues from the Christian Democratic Union and telling them that Europe now faces its greatest crisis since the second World War. Fuckin' hell, I only wanted to write a blog and hope to dream up this stuff as my career took off. But let's face it, who needs writers anymore. It would almost be Hollywood if it were not all so blatantly real.

Europe, a hostage to the market vultures or Capitalist Junkie's - which ever you prefer is fine around here. If they don't get what they want they have the power to make it happen by threatening a fallout not seen since 1929.
Italy's new unelected Prime Minister , Super Mario Monti, a former EU Commissioner, (how convenient) is trying to form a new unity government capable of delivering austerity on a people now watching their democracies being high-jacked. I mean how does that work?
There are elections in Spain this week. France, even with it's triple A credit rating could be rounded on shortly. You would think leaders of countries would be facing the markets down. They have the finger on the button, after all. That should be enough to scare them back. Surely it doesn't suggest a level of complicity? I maybee reaching, or deluded... or both!. Perhaps I'm missing something within my narrow narrative. But it does appear difficult times lay ahead for many - if difficult is the right word.

America and her NATO buddies are now thinking of going into Syria and Iran. A clean sweep across the plateau it would seem. I wondered why they didn't show the same force inflicted on Gaddafi, who in my opinion was certainly not the monster Bashir has been in 2011. He's getting up close to genocidal status at this stage.
But hey, what's a dictator or two to any of us?
A couple of hundred thousand civilian lives, perhaps?

Another dose of 'shocktor and dockor' could be on the way, because ground troops in either country won't have everything there own way. One minute you watch Bashir's murderers shoot into civilian crowds who want change (code word - ' AS democracy'), next it's a hundred thousand people waving flags furiously in support of their psychopathic leader. Wouldn't like to be operating in there. Those CIA guys, they earn their hookers.
All the while, Iran, one of the oldest civilisations on the Earth, is being defiant and refusing to bow to us well educated folk up here in the North. But we're Western, right? I get so confused sometimes. Iran is not without her fault, but hey, who's not. I sometimes wonder what countries would say if they could speak. Would they just want to go to 'Da Bin?' Gotta say, countries have been on some ride once people get involved.

Of course it could all be chatted over in Tehran over Christmas in a cross-denominational week of mucho cultcha. A trade mission in culture and it's respect.
A reversal in the Planet's fortune. They could discuss the Euro situation and maybe offer help. Would Merkel go for it?
Would you?
Putin, Obama, Ahmadinejad and Michael D. Higgins. Discussing the trial of Bashir in Los Angeles in front of the camera's. Michael D. opposing the death penalty.
'I think we should study him?' And they all agree.
That would throw a spanner in a lot of works I think. Imagine the faces on Herman Cain and that Bachman broad who wanna waterboard people, or Rick 'The Twit' Perry. And imagine those guys over at the MC's? The dudes in war for profit. For God. For Freedom.
Nope, defintely no get together this Christmas.

Would I have fought in WW2? Given I'm Irish and we are supposed to be neutral I'd have to be honest and say probably not. Doesn't mean I don't respect the sacrifices made by many on battlefields for just causes throughout history. I do.
But since the World War, we the people, have had the wool rightly pulled over our eyes, while allowing it, be that deliberate or not. I don't think any war since then, with the possible exception of Kuwait has been anything but fought for gain under a banner of perceived righteousness. Profit war - in a profit driven world. Inventing wars that can not be won. Terror, drugs, next it will be a war on thinking.

It may be time for a new group and the implementation of a certain program. Round 'em up, Baldrick.
CJA. Capitalist Junkie Anon. Just wedge a device in some of them there ears and replay it again, Sam. Over and over. Like a spin word. We just need to replace a word or two into the program with other words of people's choice. Like God for socialism or Power for exploring space.
Wish I had the patience for fishing. But then again, there is never a dull moment anymore here on Planet Fubar. Best to take these things with a pinch of oil. We are only human living in absurdity, after all.