[Politics] Thumbs up for the Irish

[davywavy]

It feels odd to say it now, but there was a time when I first got interested in politics (in the early 1990's) when I was firmly pro-Europe, in the 'ever-closer-union' sense. I would go along to student political meetings and get into arguments, and it'd be me arguing in favour of closer integration.
How times change, eh?
Back then, the EU was like a puppy. It was friendly and enthusiastic and aside from occasionally widdling on the carpet it plainly had tremendous potential for good; to grow up into a loyal sheepdog which would care for those under its charge. Sadly, I don't think that anyone who isn't given to drooling over their bib can claim that this is what has subsequently happened. Instead it appears to have grown into a an organisation whose purpose is to encourage endemic corruption, to finance French farmers to shout Non! and burn sheep, and to starve African farmers and textile manufacturers into submission.
I think the point I turned against the European experiment was when I discovered that nobody has been prepared to sign off the accounts for more than a decade now. If I were to act like that with David International, I'd be in prison being raped in the showers by now. For some reason, though, there haven't been any prosecutions in Brussels as yet. You'd think that MEP's were reluctant to look into corruption for fear of exposing their own trough-engulfed snouts, or something.

Oh.

This is why I'm very pleased about the Irish giving the latest iteration of the EU treaty the democratic mauling that it soundly deserved. Of course, I'm less pleased that, despite the treaty legally requiring all members to ratify it for it to become law and this now not being possible, The EU commission is insisting that members should go ahead anyway. So much for Democracy, eh?
It's like that cute puppy I mentioned earlier didn't grow up into a sheepdog but instead became a randy Spaniel determined to shag your leg and, no matter how often the people of Ireland, France and Holland kick it away, it's still eyeing your trousers with a lusty desire to fill your turnups with spunk.
Still, more cracks are starting to appear in the EU edifice; The Italians have been epelling Romanians, and, amid allegations of economic misreprentation by the Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal, the Germans have started to refuse to accept Euros printed in those countries despite their being of nominally the same value. The Irish vote didn't come as any surprise to many and so it's unlikely that the people of Europe will get any more if they can be avoided.
Shame, really.

Comments

[sesquipedality.livejournal.com]

See, I'd prefer to see Europe fixed than abandoned.

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Me too; I just no longer believe that it ever will be as there is no incentive for the people who could do it to do it.

[(Anonymous)]

If by fixed, you mean "get someone in to audit the last 10 years of EU accounts & bring legal action against any miscreants," this would be terrific and highly entertaining. I'd like to see this too, especially if it could be done cheaply. However, I don't think it is likely or even feasible.

H

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

It's 14 years now, not 10.

[sesquipedality.livejournal.com]

I'll settle for fixing it so that such things aren't possible in future. But yours would be good too.

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

I can think of a great way of ensuring that it never happens again.

[sesquipedality.livejournal.com]

Put Boris in charge?

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Nah, scrap the whole edifice.

Most people would want to see a randy spaniel fixed though.

[(Anonymous)]

Although it seems to have learned to bite if you don't let it hump your leg.

Re: Most people would want to see a randy spaniel fixed though.

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Yes, under the circumstances most people would have it put down or at least neutered, I think.

Re: Most people would want to see a randy spaniel fixed though.

[(Anonymous)]

Shame really, such an adorable puppy. Over-feeding and a lack of discipline have left it a sad travesty of what it should've been.

I was thinking earlier on Fredericksburg, the US civil war battle where Confederate Irish slaughtered Unionist Irish, (On account of having a rather sturdy wall to hide behind) after the Confederates decided to legally withdraw from the United States. If I was Irish, once the celebrations are over, I'd take careful note of that 'withdrawal' clause, and remember what history teaches us it really means.

Re: Most people would want to see a randy spaniel fixed though.

[(Anonymous)]

We tend to be up for the slaughtering option.

I rather think there is no withdrawl clause in any E.U. Treaty. Something that has always bothered me...

D

Re: Most people would want to see a randy spaniel fixed though.

[(Anonymous)]

Wouldn't matter if there was, the US experience shows us the only way out is feet first.

Re: Most people would want to see a randy spaniel fixed though.

[(Anonymous)]

The Free state army had JOLLY smart uniforms in the '20s, green with nehru collars. Right, you talked me into it; up the rebels! Bugger, the English are on our side.....

[applez.livejournal.com]

At these trading rates, my impoverished empire could do with a bit of that spunk. ;-)

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Come now, your President has done wonders for your economy!

From my point of view, that is. Paupers.

Not exactly 'my' President

[applez.livejournal.com]

Yes, and according to the Simian on his recent trip to Ireland, his recollection of the past 7-8 years is 180 degrees of mine.

I'm just glad I grew up with films like Treasure of the Sierra Madre - cause now I know how to grub for money in Mexico, with style. ;-)

Re: Not exactly 'my' President

[(Anonymous)]

I guess you understand how we feel about Barroso, and we didn't even get to vote on that one.