I’ve always enjoyed political posters. They tend to cover the full spectrum from inspiring design all the way to eejit with MS Publisher. And that’s before you even look at the message. It’s early days yet, but Cóir were first out of the gates and are my clear favorite for the maddest messages. Sure, one of them may be quoting McCreevy, but that only makes it madder in my eyes.

The first few I’ve seen today have been FF and Ireland for Europe (Pat Cox’s merry bunch). The general idea seems to be not too dissimilar from Cóir – VOTE X OR WE’RE FUCKED – albeit for very different reasons.

With delightfully vague sentiments such as “I’m safer in Europe” (safer from what?! NAMA?) I’m already finding it hard to take Ireland for Europe and the other Yes campaigns I’ve seen seriously. Which is odd, because I recently listened to Pat Cox speak at the Humbert Summer School and he was very convincing. Certainly much convincing than the three “Concerned Citizens” who turned up ranting about conscription, abortions and all that jazz.

Now that the no side are “sans-ganley” it’ll be interesting to see how much money gets ploughed into any kind of nationally organised No campaign. I guess all we can do is wait and see.

One things for sure anyway, if you’re into Irish Politics, the next few weeks will make for interesting viewing.

Prices for a vote included

• One Year’s Tuition
• an iPod Touch
• A lift to college

Some polled even offered to give their right to vote entirely in exchange for $1M (fools, should have asked for €1M).

Oddly enough, whilst happy to sell their votes, most of the students asked were quite clear on the importance of voting.

In a country where a few thousand votes can swing the course of world history (literally, I mean look at the last 7 years) I have to admit, it’s a disturbing study.

I wonder how transferable these results would be? Would your average UCD or TCD head be willing to change their vote for an iPod? Or a full grant?

But, given his lunacy, he is in a mildly unique position. His country, being outside “the gang”, is totally independent of the USA. Not like us. The Taoiseach is so far up GW Bush’s arse that he could massage his tonsils and probably would if Georgie asked nicely.

In a way you can’t blame Ahern, as a nation we’re pretty reliant on US business interests and if that means letting a pile of Marines and Navy SEALs through Shannon, then so be it. I don’t agree, but I can at least see the thinking behind it.

But as I said, Mugabe is under no such restriction, so it was nice to see him use this unique position by essentially telling George Bush to shut the fuck up.

In case you don’t know the background, the other day a few of the world’s leaders gave speeches to the UN General Assembly. I honestly don’t know what the reason was, but it happened all the same. When it came time for Georgie boy to give his, he neatly skirted the two failed wars he has started in the last 8 years (one without UN approval). He did however harp on about how Mugabe is a nutjob who should be stopped, citing his Human Rights record as one reason for what a shit he is.

Now, as I said, Bush is not wrong in this regard, but seriously, it’s like a 40 a day smoker giving out to someone who only smokes when they drink.

 ”after 10 years, the public know him pretty well by now and they understand that he is not motivated by personal gain”

Listen, Brian, old buddy old pay, it’s not that people don’t think he’s crooked as a  corkscrew & motivated by his personal gain, it’s that the Irish Electorate (or a least a percentage of it) are just as motivated by personal gain as we all know he is.

So it’s official, Pat Rabbitte has stood down as leader of the Labour Party. Whilst not unexpected, it is, as one person I know put it, “Weird”. I like to think I’m quite informed on the politics front, but I didn’t really get into it until college (Damn you Layne Aston ). As such, I can’t really picture the Labour Party without Deputy Rabbitte at the helm.

Personally, I can’t see anyone else who can fill his shoes. Love him or hate him, he’s one of the more intelligent and articulate TD’s and I’ll certainly miss seeing him rant at that gombsheen Taoiseach of ours.

So, the race for Leader is now on. Who wins, you (don’t) decide**.

*Did Joe Higgins resign as Socialist “Party” Leader? 

**Unless you’re a Labour member

Gobshites.

It will come as no surprise then to find that Fianna Fáil are stark raving mad.

Seriously, a member of the cabinet, a Minister of State with a spattering of Fianna Fáil TDs & Councillors urging the Government to intervene in the whole Shannon debacle. Have these folk taken a look at whereabouts in the Dáil chamber they sit? THEY ARE THE GOVERNMENT! All they need to do is call a vote and bang, it’s done. No calls, no letters. Just a vote. Dáil Éireann instructs the Minister for Transport (or whoever), to vote against any planned abandonment of the Shannon – Heathrow route. Between the Government,the Pilots & Ryanair, they have around 75% of the shares. And they all have said publicly they oppose the plan. Well, Bertie hasn’t, but he’s too busy on holiday to, I don’t know, run the country.

I mean really,  those gobsheens in FF give me enough reasons to rant, but this one takes the doozy. I’m not even sure what is going on in their heads?

After all, Michael O’Leary isn’t paid to ensure the interests of the Shannon Region, the Government is. So why did it take Ryanair to call an EGM? Seriously WHY!?!?!?!?

From today’s Irish Times – “The North’s First Minister, the Rev Ian Paisley, said he is prepared to engage in worldwide lobbying to prove Northern Ireland’s meat products are safe amid concern that Northern meat is being linked to the foot-and-mouth outbreak in England.”

So seriously, now, when it’s convenient, he wants to not be associated with the British Brand?

Cake? Eat it?

Don’t believe me? Follow the link and be amazed.

I was  really looking forward to seeing what kind of nonsense he’d come out with this time, but I guess his Ex-Girlfriend’s nonsense will have to do instead.