I thought the EU was supposed to eventually compete with the USA. In which case we'd better get a move on and do something. India and China will just saunter past..whilst we're still flinging cream pies at each other.
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McCoy: "Medical men are trained in logic."
Spock: "Trained? Judging from you, I would have guessed it was trial and error." -
Go raibh maith agaibh!
Nice result Ireland!
But can't help thinking of this happening in rooms above pubs all over the land:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z_z6lSgB_8Comment
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Linky HereEU leaders meeting in Brussels have been urged to give the Irish Republic more time to deal with its people's rejection of the Lisbon treaty.
I was chatting to an acquaintance of mine who is a local government councillor, and I stated that with the recent "No" vote, the campaign seemed dead in the water.
He corrected me, and stated that whilst the answer may be "No" today, another referendum 12-18 months down the line may show a different story.
Of course, he did have a salient point about one thing...voters are the biggest threat to a government and do sometimes derail plans. He explained that the trick was to turn it around back on plan.
When I explained that I thought voters had a right to vote and cast a yes or a no, he drew a sharp breath and said in measured tones,
"That's the whole reason they elect us. To do the boring voting for them and run the country, whilst they get on with their lives, watching telly or rearing children. If they are that passionate about having a useful vote, they should have studied harder and gone to Uni and entered politics. If you are not a politician, then it's a bit rich moaning about politics if you couldn't be bothered to study it."
Hmmm. He does have a point. I don't know anything about brain surgery, so it would be unfair and churlish to criticise a brain surgeon.Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C.S. LewisComment
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I think more thought should be given to a "two-speed" europe."See, you think I give a tulip. Wrong. In fact, while you talk, I'm thinking; How can I give less of a tulip? That's why I look interested."Comment
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Out of interest which bit of the treaty did you like?Originally posted by Pickle2 View PostLet us not forget EU open doors immigration benefits IT contractors more than anyoneComment
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Let's be honest - has anyone read it?Originally posted by DodgyAgent View PostHang on - there is actually a place called Cheddar?? - cailin maith
Any forum is a collection of assorted weirdos, cranks and pervs - Board Game Geek
That will be a simply fab time to catch up for a beer. - Tay
Have you ever seen somebody lick the chutney spoon in an Indian Restaurant and put it back ? - CyberghoulComment
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That is a rubbish argument - I can tell Murray Walker was a rubbish commentator without being any better. You could tell if a brain surgeon had botched the job because the patient would wake up looking and talking like Shane Ritchie.Originally posted by Board Game Geek View Post
As it happens, I did do a politics A level in the 90s in the evenings - very interesting, but as we found on the course, very few dyed in the wool Tories ever bother to study politics.Comment
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The govt were voted in based on their manifesto. The manifesto included a referendum pledge which they have reneged on.
If anyone saw Milliband on the news yesterday they will appreciate what an absolute joker he is.
2 years to go...Older and ...well, just older!!Comment
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To be honest, most of the key points seemed to make sense to me.Originally posted by DodgyAgent View Post
But these ones strike me as particularly appealing.
The reduction in the size of the european commision
The introduction of a European council president or figurehead, and also creation of high rep for foriegn affairs
The obliged mutual solidarity in event of natural dissastor
The ability to enlarge the union further to include more of europe
The ability of citizens to petition the EU directly for change (with 1mill plus signatures)
The greater role expected of national parliments in the legislative process
Introduction of general qualified majority voting, with opt opts in key areas for member countries deeming it improtant (including uk and ireland)Last edited by Pickle2; 20 June 2008, 10:53.The Mods stole my post count!Comment
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