You mention lack-of-evidence/data at one point. There's plenty offered, but I would ask, where's yours? All that I read is something to the effect that a bond is sacred.

As pointed out, re-negotiations due to conditions - present or past - are common among the 'players'. The Russian experience is also instructive, because it demonstrates that the mental toughness of leadership and the size of the economic entity play an important role. Ireland is small; therefore, it can be bullied - even though, as pointed out, it's real economy (manufacturing) is still healthy.

It seems to me that your running commentary goes nowhere and adds nothing to the original point of JakeS' article, which was to formulate an OpEd. For that, folks, I'd say that the original diary, minus references to JakeS' correspondent and gratuitous sarcasms, would work very well. Can we get a draft? Will ET 'editors' sign on?

paul spencer