Weapons of Mass Distraction

[Illustro]

It's less than a handfull of days before we vote on Lisbon. No matter what side of the fence you are on this is an important decision.

As is often the case when an important decision is to be made, the political structures begin to throw out curveballs to distract the public from the actual matter at hand.

We've seen the ugly side of that today when a government who are handing over generations of Irish taxpayers to the slavery of privately owned banks decided to "spin" an old story about a UK based backer contributing a paltry sum to the UK Libertas European elections months ago. It was ironic that at the same conference, the very same minister had to defend yet another case of financial shenanigans; this time involving a handsome payout to Roddy Molloy.

So I suppose the question is this: Between now and Friday; how many distractionary stories are we likely to see develop in the news and will it work for the Yes side?

I predict myself that all the "sensational" stories that are likely to develop this week, will have absolutely no media interest beyond Friday evening.

[ms a]

I'm ashamed to admit i was an FF voter (like my wide extended family has been for generations..that support is falling apart very rapidly I can tell you) & even worse a member; I noticed, even in the younger members, a real lack of interest in democracy & an at times thuggish need to "win" & hold on to power. This absolutely hyprocritical, disgustingly low & evasive "story" is amongst the most cynical I've seen them come up with.
They will do ANYhting rather than debate the Treaty, because they cannot. When all this started 2 or 3 years ago there was no question other than follow the party line & support the treaty; having said that I know many in the party were worried about sovereignty but told to shut up. It's as though they had no faith in their own ability to run the country..I can see why now. Half of them haven't a clue what they're doing, just think it's FF at all costs. I have felt more & more disgusted at them for, it would sadly seem, not actually caring about the people of this country, & being drunk on power & desperate to hang on to it.

[Vega1447]

It's less than a handfull of days before we vote on Lisbon. No matter what side of the fence you are on this is an important decision.

As is often the case when an important decision is to be made, the political structures begin to throw out curveballs to distract the public from the actual matter at hand.

We've seen the ugly side of that today when a government who are handing over generations of Irish taxpayers to the slavery of privately owned banks decided to "spin" an old story about a UK based backer contributing a paltry sum to the UK Libertas European elections months ago. It was ironic that at the same conference, the very same minister had to defend yet another case of financial shenanigans; this time involving a handsome payout to Roddy Molloy.

So I suppose the question is this: Between now and Friday; how many distractionary stories are we likely to see develop in the news and will it work for the Yes side?

I predict myself that all the "sensational" stories that are likely to develop this week, will have absolutely no media interest beyond Friday evening.

Hmm... you really think that FF are pushing the Fas scandal to cod people into voting YES?

Sleaze stories are far more likely to demotivate YES voters and swing marginal voters to vote NO imo...

[He3]

I'm ashamed to admit i was an FF voter (like my wide extended family has been for generations..that support is falling apart very rapidly I can tell you) & even worse a member; I noticed, even in the younger members, a real lack of interest in democracy & an at times thuggish need to "win" & hold on to power. This absolutely hyprocritical, disgustingly low & evasive "story" is amongst the most cynical I've seen them come up with.
They will do ANYhting rather than debate the Treaty, because they cannot. When all this started 2 or 3 years ago there was no question other than follow the party line & support the treaty; having said that I know many in the party were worried about sovereignty but told to shut up. It's as though they had no faith in their own ability to run the country..I can see why now. Half of them haven't a clue what they're doing, just think it's FF at all costs. I have felt more & more disgusted at them for, it would sadly seem, not actually caring about the people of this country, & being drunk on power & desperate to hang on to it.

People see that. Many despair that we will ever again have a government worthy of the name. It would be a real tragedy for the country if people end up voting Yes in despair at the present government's incompetence.

[ms a]

People see that. Many despair that we will ever again have a government worthy of the name. It would be a real tragedy for the country if people end up voting Yes in despair at the present government's incompetence.

Especially as so many don't know what's actually IN the treaty. They're being lied to & threatened instead if simply being informed. It's sickening, but I hope, as you say, people see that.

[Illustro]

Hmm... you really think that FF are pushing the Fas scandal to cod people into voting YES?

Sleaze stories are far more likely to demotivate YES voters and swing marginal voters to vote NO imo...

No, I think they pushed the non-story about the UK backer of Libertas to distract from both the real treaty debate AND their own domestic woes.

[cactusflower]

There are a few things in the Treaty that appear to have the potential to provide more voter oversight and power - but strangely, the Yes side have nothing to say about them in the campaign. They either give outright lies about jobs and recovery etc. or shoot the messengers on the No side.

The silence about any potential for more involvement by the European and National Parliaments in overseeing legislation is deafening. The only possible conclusion is that these elements were grudgingly added to the Treaty as window dressing, while the real intention is to continue business as usual, tied up between the Commission and a cosy circle of placemen representing the interests of the Corporations and a few powerful states.

[HaHa_U_Fools]

It's less than a handfull of days before we vote on Lisbon. No matter what side of the fence you are on this is an important decision.

As is often the case when an important decision is to be made, the political structures begin to throw out curveballs to distract the public from the actual matter at hand.

We've seen the ugly side of that today when a government who are handing over generations of Irish taxpayers to the slavery of privately owned banks decided to "spin" an old story about a UK based backer contributing a paltry sum to the UK Libertas European elections months ago. It was ironic that at the same conference, the very same minister had to defend yet another case of financial shenanigans; this time involving a handsome payout to Roddy Molloy.

So I suppose the question is this: Between now and Friday; how many distractionary stories are we likely to see develop in the news and will it work for the Yes side?

I predict myself that all the "sensational" stories that are likely to develop this week, will have absolutely no media interest beyond Friday evening.

It is on par with watching Faux News running up to the beginning of the Shock and Awe campaign against Iraq , totally manipulative - straight out military psy-ops -- extremely disturbing and unhealthy. Could it be our first real taste of "post-democratic society" planned by the Bilderberg elements?

That a few "bad news on the economic front" yarns to pop up, it might be a reasonable guess.

[TommyO'Brien]

Oh goodie. Another whingeathon No thread.

[Illustro]

Oh goodie. Another whingeathon No thread.

Oh goodie; another politically indentured servant making zero contribution.

So as a Fine Gael footsoldier Tommy, what have you guys planned for this weeks manufactured news story?

Anything juicy?