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I know that is probably not the level of critique you wanted, because it calls for a whole different LTE. So as to this LTE it will probably turn out not constructive. For which I apologise.

A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
by A swedish kind of death on Fri Jun 13th, 2008 at 11:20:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Here is a pitch (if you want one) on the blame the council-tune.

Blame the irish excutive government for failing in its part of the Councils duty to deliver a clear enough treaty that it can be widely understood and debated on its merits. Through that incompetence the door was left open for the US financed scare-mongers in Libertas, etc.

A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!

by A swedish kind of death on Fri Jun 13th, 2008 at 11:45:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Also blame both the Irish government and the EU Commission for not publishing an annotated version of the treaty.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Jun 14th, 2008 at 03:20:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Many thanks - A swedish kind of death and Mig - for the feedback - that is the kind of critique I wanted.  I was in a foul mood at 3.30 am!

Actually I'm not that interested in getting into blame games and want to point a way forward.  The "slow learners" bit was an ironic reference to Seamus Mallon's famous quote about the Good Friday Agreement being "Sunningdale for slow learners".  This was a caustic reference to Unionists taking 30 years to agree to power sharing which finally gave us peace.  I was trying to draw a parallel with the Republic - also taking some time to realise that you have to share power with Europe if you want to achieve peace and prosperity.

Obviously I need to make that reference more explicit,

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Sat Jun 14th, 2008 at 05:47:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The Irish Electoral Commission - an independent body chaired by a Judge was charged with the responsibility of producing simple and authoritative explanations of what the Treaty did, and did not entail.  There are very mixed views on how ell it did that job, but a mechanism is already in place to address this issue.

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Sat Jun 14th, 2008 at 12:57:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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