LinkBack URL
About LinkBacksi suppose it's fair to say that tomorrow we'll be reading about how wonderful BIFFO is?
we'll have a couple of columns blaming enda kenny for our woes?
eoghan harris will mention aristotle?
i suppose it's fair to say that tomorrow we'll be reading about how wonderful BIFFO is?
we'll have a couple of columns blaming enda kenny for our woes?
eoghan harris will mention aristotle?
L'humeur du moment
is sympathy, everyone, sympathy
Surely it's the stressed out commuters forced to live out in the sticks who we should be having sympathy for?
Not some fat useless pathetic excuse of a Taoiseach.
No, I'm quite sure the PR people want us to feel sympathy for An Taoiseach
Well if I run out of toilet paper I'll have something to wipe my arse. Sindo is the worst paper in existence.
Originally Posted by councillor
If not aristotle,surely Sun Tzu??????????
Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.
Jim Carrey.
The following is the main part of a letter I sent to Sunday Independent two weeks ago. Oddly enough, they didnt publish it. Now people are saying that the media are "talking Cowen up"... most of us are well past all of that. How on earth have some sections of the media come to this...
To The Editor, Sunday Independent,
The following day, all national Sunday newspapers covered the "homecoming." This day set the tone for what was to become the "norm" in relation to media coverage of our new Taoiseach. On that day, he used political rehetoric in his speeches. He is, without doubt, a great orator; perhaps one of the best the country has ever heard. We all know that any politician worth their salt must be able to communicate. Some newspapers have mocked this. Political Rhetoric is a very important part of any good politician's make-up. Mr. Obama and his use of it reflects this. The media loved it.
Jody Corcoran's article on May 11th was scathing and negative. Many people in his hometown of Daingean were upset and seriously disappointed by his take on events that weekend. An Taoiseach Brian Cowen is very popular in Daingean. Not a proud moment for many Daingean people reading the paper on May 11th. It was not nice to read one of their own appearing this deragoratory on a national newspaper. Mr. Corcoran, the Offaly man, has duly spat out more of the same on a weekly basis. In his anti-Cowen stance he is consistent; at least. He is not alone. Quite a number of his brothers and sisters-in-ink are furiously writing negatively in relation to Brian Cowen. Consistent; like I said.
Last Sunday's front page article by Jodi Corcoran (referring to an alleged incident which included another Fíanna Fáil T.D. in the constituency) seemed largely based on speculation. His paragraph stated that ..." a growing number, probably a majority, of Fíanna Fáil T.D.s and even ministers..., who ..have been privately expressing disillusionment with Mr. Cowen's leadership.." Does he really think that the readers buy into this siege mentality? Who are these T.D.s?... How many are there, what numerical value is meant by the term growing? Who were they allegedly expressing these views to? What does "privately" mean, exactly? Tell us, I say and extend the parameters so that we can have an open and honest debate. Allow people to decide for themselves, based on the facts.
Use of the word probably shows just how speculative his writing is. It is a bit like the word "nearly"; it never happened. He shows a fondness for the word "even" and "sensationally" . What exactly do these do to a sentence? Are the use of such words an attempt by the writer to lead the reader? Does fact not have any bearing on writing in a national newspapers relating to current affairs? I am bewildered by a lot of this. The article was confusing..."he said... then he said... some positive... some negative..surprised, no shocked"...with a lead on page two stating that "Junior minister queries Cowen leadership role" and goes on to purport that John Moloney praised Brian Cowen. A pen never refuses ink, I suppose...
Moreover; we midlanders are tired of this ridicule. Is there an "anti-country" campaign going on in relation to Brian Cowen? (by that I mean those of us who do not chose to live in Dublin and I do not mean any disrepspect to those people who do live there whatsoever.) Why all this s******************************ing and scoffing at An Taoiseach who is from and lives proudly in Co. Offaly? The state-car debacle a few weeks back is testament to this. The phrase "Damned if you do; damned if you don't" comes to mind. The Taoiseach has an excellent track record in all of the offices he has held. He has shown himself to be an able and highly competent statesman.
His involvement in relation to cross-border negotiations was of paramount importance to the Peace Process. One only has to note the references made by four of the United States top state-personnel in relation to Ireland this week. Brian Cowen was a central participant in this process. As Minister for Finance, he led our country through fiscal growth and development. Old age pensioners received increases in pensions, childrens allowances and provision of finance for pre school children was established. Carers were acknowledged and rewarded. Sporting organisations have flourished and we are are doing well as a result; both nationally and internationally. Massive amounts were invested in the National Development Plan and this process is on-going. Our infrastructure will be a credit to us; one of the best in Europe. Europe helped to build them, by the way. People worked hard and were happy to reap the rewards. This is a symbiotic relationship; it is our country, we must take the good with the bad. The country will not work without us.
Brian Cowen is a highly-skilled communicator and negotiator; Lisbon has not gone away. He will fight to ensure that we retain our importance at the heart of Europe. An Ireland on the geographical periphery of Europe is not ideal; we absolutely need to be around the European political table. He will make sure that we are. The government were considering applying for money from Europe last week for the workers in Dell who look like they will lose their jobs in Limerick. The state will have to match this money in order to avail of it. This government is dealing with the issues, Europe has been pivotal to our national development. Let us hope we stay there.
We are in the middle of a global recession and the truth is that the media are making ridiculous demands instead of allowing An Taoiseach to get on with his job. Since the republic was founded in the 1920's, Fíanna Fáil have been at the fore-front of this country's development and progression. We will not be beaten by a recession. No path is totally smooth; be assured that the government is taking the neccessary steps to ensure that measures are being taken to tackle the problems that are emerging. There are difficult times ahead and some hard and unpopular decisions will have to be made. Most of us are having to cut the cloth to our measure; if we are doing it; the government must do it if we are to beat it. An Taoiseach knows this and he will not be found lacking in tackling the issues head on. It is necessary have talks on spending, cuts, taxes and banking procedures; these are all a must.
It is the herd mentality of the media that is worrying. Mr. Corocran is certainly not alone in his attacks on Mr. Cowen. John Whelan provides ample support for these attempts at ridicule. Is this some sort of side-psyche of the Irish media; do they feel that we need to be entertained with this type of journalism during dark economic times...a sort of black humour, as it were? An Taoiseach's record in public office speaks for itself. Luckily.
Brian Cowen promised public sector reforms when he spoke in Dáil Eireann on May 07th last year. Whatever the media may say, the government and others are making every effort to resolve problems and tackle issues as they arise. Some errors were made by people, who, quite frankly, should have known better; particularly in relation to the banking sector. The government is trying to correct these; this is key to leading to greater efficiency. It is far better that errors are uncovered; it is in the country's interest that they are rectified. It may take time, but Fíanna Fáil and their partners in the government that they lead are the only people in a position to do this. They are in government, elected by the people of Ireland after Brian Cowen helped to co-ordinated and run a highly effective campaign on behalf of the Fíanna Fáil party in the last general election. In fact, he turned it around when negativity crept in. Do you remember? Anyone....
He will do the same thing in the 2012 general election. I am saying to the people; give him a chance. He took office while the country was on the cusp of unprecedented difficult economic times. This complex country of ours has enjoyed unprecedented success in recent times. We will do so again; the wheel will not come off. Life is going to be tougher for a lot of people; I include myself in this. We have to cut the cloth to our measure; this is the case the world over. The banks are being watched very closely; people are not going to lose their homes whilst some effort is being made by mortgage holders to put an arrangement in place. Interest rates are falling and prices are falling. The truth is that Brian Cowen is not psychic; global events do impact on every country. We are not invincible and the government is dealing with it. Demands for plans and statements of intent are facile in the face of the global downturn. The reality is that we do not know when this will plateau.
One only has to look at President Obama's speech last Tuesday. It is inspiring how enthusiastic the Irish people in general seemed to be about him. This is refreshing stuff indeed, but remember these words by the new President... " Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered..." Hmmmm...sound familiar anyone? Oh, right, we are in a global recession. Should we blame Brian Cowen for that too? It is sad to see the Irish media being so positive about another country and its leader whilst they continuously lambaste our own leader. Both men are facing the same problems; the scale slightly different, admittedly. The question is; which one of them most influences the global recession? I admire President Obama; but I admire An Taoiseach too. More; because he is An Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland. Our country. And imagine that, they both have an Offaly connection. Biffo's... you have to love them.
Articles and sketches alluding to alcohol and mannerisms show just how low people are prepared to go. Nob Nation can be funny; sometimes. It has become hurtful and inappropriate in relation to An Taoiseach. The accent is dreadful. In it's defence it does fit perfectly with it's description...satire. According to the Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus, satirical is defined as "critical, derisive, disparaging, ironic, irreverent, mocking, scornful." Add chauvinistic and it would get ten out of ten. Still,that is enough publicity for it.
To be fair, Jodi Corcoran seems to have heard a whisper of this from somewhere high on his lofty perch. ... "supporters are understood to be upset" Did he actually ask anyone; if so, whom did he ask and what did they say? If not, who understands that they are "upset?" On what does he base his writing? The poll Mr. Corcoran referred to, however, in an attempt to boost RTE's side does little to do so considering that two weeks ago, there was a poll on the Lisbon Treaty which added to a total of 107 %. I note the apology in last weeks edition. The above was pointed out from Tullamore, Co. Offaly, by the way. Smart People, us so called Biffo's. The word Spin comes to mind.
It is about time that people fought back in defence of our Taoiseach and government. Personally, I believe that recent sentiment among the public suggests that an upsurge in support for Fíanna Fáil has begun. This is welcome and well-deserved; local elections are nigh and Fíanna Fáil are planning for success. This success will be based on our record in public office and the hard work of T.D.s and councillors throughout the country. Our leader will continue to lead and guide us through the difficult times that we are in during this global recession. Expect some bumps along the way. It is, after all, a global recession. We are not alone.
It is time to call a halt to the media barage of insults that have been following Mr. Cowen since last May. Reams of useless inuendo, skittish speculation and utter rubbish is being printed on a daily basis. His car, his home, his "alleged" social life... is this really what the media think the public want to hear about? Nob Nation aside; there are more important things in life. Some people in RTE and some journalists seem to be involved in some sort of strange crusade against the Taoiseach. One only has to look at the so called GAA Late Late Show on Friday 09th January. This was purportedly a specialised programme on the GAA but with a couple of political insults thrown in for good measure. A lot of people in this country are unhappy with the Irish Media at present. With just cause.
Thankfully, our Taoiseach has a good head on his rural shoulders and does not respond to the snide insults that many in the media have been participating in. He is, after all, leading our country. Then there was that inane picture that the Independent has used of An Taoiseach looking down- presumably at his shoes -what else? ...what was the point of that? Did the public miss something last time it was published on one of the front pages a couple of weeks ago? That bewildered people, it was said to me on numerous occasions. If I was being paid to write on a national newspaper, I would not say that unless I could back it up with names. Morally speaking, so to speak. I would not like to be perceived as being misleading. Enough is enough!
I now challenge the Sunday Independent and possibly other national newspapers to publish this letter as an article in this week's edition. Feel free to add a lead; it will be interesting to see what you come up with. It is certainly as valid and more relevant than a lot of what is being published at present.
Go for it.
Next to Jodi, please.
A little bit of variety, for the reader; so to speak...
Oh Jesus when I hear/see that name it puts me in a bad mood for the rest of the day/evening. What a Gob********************e is Harris.
With his talks of battles and deluded crap on the late late last night he should be thrown off O'Connell Bridge. "Bridge on the River Kwai" Harris - you could almost hear the tune from THIS grating in your head when he was ranting on last night;
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFMmJMNRv-Q]YouTube - The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957) (Trailer)[/ame]
That letter is unpublishable -- it's too long and rambling.
Tullamore,
not surprised they didnt publish your letter.
If you want to get published you need to write a short,concise letter that doesnt read like the Taoiseachs mam penned it!!!!
SIGH!!!
Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.
Jim Carrey.
Reply With Quote