Flooding - Government Response

from loki in tomasins castlegregory;

My poor head is about to explode. Even the calming effect of Arthur G is not helping. What is this government doing about the flooding? Damn all. Where is the Army (182 deployed!!!!) and all the other resources available?

Save the banks immediately, oh yes. But small businesses, farmers, people who have been left homeless, they can wait.

Taoiseach's words to calm the storm.

What are Cowen's calming words? The Irish Times - "TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has described the flooding situation as an “ongoing emergency” which he predicted was likely to get worse in parts of the country". How very Obamaish, Clintonesque. It's going to get worse, thank you for lifting our spirits.

Hanafin suggests eating cake.

"The Minister for Social and Community Affairs, Mary Hanfin, has said there will be some element of means testing in the distribution of monies from the Government's hardship fund." - RTE. Means testing! €10million wouldn't cover the thick necks of the Fianna Fail front bench. How much will the means testing cost?

Surely this country is rapidly descending into a very dangerous place. The one and only thing it requires is leadership. We must be wary - times like these spawn unrest, left/right divisions and feelings within the citizenry that there is nothing left to do but revolt.

Don't bother looking at the opposition parties. They are just as useless.

Shannon Flooding - Seanad Speaks Again!

Tom Parlon Promised Shannon Authority

from paudie safe high up in johnnie foxes;

Loki brought you the seanad debate of 1978 dealing with Shannon flooding.
It doesn't stop there, oh no. In 2004, Senator Bannon (who he?), a Fine Gael lackie, divested himself of the following; "In the run-up to the last general election, we heard a great deal of thunder from the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, about the draining of the River Shannon and the establishment of a Shannon authority. Counties Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath and Offaly were severely hit by downpours of rain yesterday and last night. There have been many cases of serious flooding in the region over the past 50 years or more. When he was Taoiseach, Éamon de Valera promised to drain the Shannon. The Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, gave a commitment to establish a Shannon authority, but we have heard little about it since he became Minister of State with responsibility for that area. The Minister of State needs to come to the House as a matter of urgency to update Senators on his plans to bring all the parties which are interested in the Shannon together to try to develop a better system of management of the river system. Thousands of acres of land in the midlands are flooded when the Shannon breaches its banks, causing great inconvenience to farmers and the public in villages in close proximity to the river."

Who says the Seanad is irrelevant? Stuff and nonsense.

Flooding Emergency - Seanad Discuss Urgency

Dail Eireann, or Cowen's Ark

SHANNON FLOODING EMERGENCY

from loki in the shanty ballyfinnane;

It is good to see that the Seanad has shown itself not to be an out of date and useless institution.

The following happened in 1978. Thirty-one years ago. Thirty-one years.

Seanad Éireann - Volume 88 - 26 April, 1978
River Shannon Drainage: Motion.
"That Seanad Éireann calls on the Government to commission an up-dating of the Rydell report on the drainage of the River Shannon so that a proper policy can be devised for the development of the river taking into consideration (i) the vast number of agricultural holdings which suffer from severe handicap of occasional and sometimes continuous flooding (ii) the long-term planning for use of the river as a tourist amenity and (iii) the requirements of the State for the use of the river as a source of energy."

The Shannon begins to flood—and I am speaking of the Shannon roughly from Rooskey down to Portumna— taking one year with another, about October. The water continues to creep up for October and reaches its highest point sometime about November and may continue to flood into December. It remains at this high level until mid-April. It is only in the past week that the Shannon level has dropped this year. For people living on the banks of the Shannon, the sight of the water creeping in on their land is something to which they have become used but not reconciled. One can imagine the feelings of a farmer, and, generally, the farmers on the banks of the Shannon are small holders, when he sees his livelihood disappearing under water in October knowing that he will not be able to use whatever area or portion of his holding that remains covered by the flood until the following late Spring. Sometimes the water leaves so late that it is too late to commence any tillage. Sometimes the flood has come up more rapidly than expected and crops of hay have been washed away on the flood. That land is subject to rates and it is aggravating, to say the least, for that farmer to get his rates Bill from the county council and have to pay that bill when the land in respect of which he is paying his hard-earned money is covered by water and is literally useless to him for half the year."
 
I could go on. The motion contains 8,502 words.
 
I must say it.
 
GET THE FUCKERS OUT.

Do Women Fuck As Much As Men

from agnes wifiing at fels point;

Here I am sipping a nice Bombay, ice n water,  looking at the work of Daikichi Amano. Now, you could infer the obvious (women as objects etc.) but why bother - use your noggin.

I was thinking of all those bloggers who are so 'angry' with the world that they feel that by liberally peppering their prose with fucks and cunts they show how really angry they are. Paps excepted, he doesn't really mean it. Angry my ass. Read Kingsley Amis if you want to learn how to use your fucks. Or maybe even Larkin - or maybe his parents.

Just a face in the crowd, trying to stand out. Not even a body. And it will all be over soon.

Just one electricity strike shuts us all up.

Rightly fucked.

Art Imitating John and Edward ?

from agnes in front of the plasma in lord lucan;

There I was minding my own business having a small one at the bar when the plasma is turned up LOUD and all these real auld dubs, ya know wha I meanne, came pourin in, kids, grannies, you name it. Jedward comin on, apparently. "John and Edward, they're bleedin crap, roih? but you have to give it to the pair of fuckers, they give great entertainment. Sure the bleedin Boyzone were shite at the start too". God did I finish up quick and nipped back to the Ball Alley for a stiffener.

What's all this got to do with anything in my world?

Well I was checking out the latest trends in the art world (as you do in the Lord Lucan) and I came across Alexandra Falagara .

Alexandra Falagara is responsible for the high-haired youth. Louis Walsh is responsible for the high-haired youth.

Life imitating Art. Art imitating Life. Confusing.

Girls Give a Lesson in Sportsmanship For Thierry Henry

from stockie in the laurels killarney;

Now let's be honest, I don't follow the English code, but every pub has a flat screen and I have two functioning eyes. Watching 22 boys playing with a ball whilst earning more than your average bank chairman is not that attractive to me.

Thierry Henry has an air of a good boy, the lad who the teacher took 'special' care of. Mammy's boy. But I can forgive him that.

Soccer is rotten, pure and simple. When a sport reaches the level that cheating, or at the very least a lack of sportsmaship, is almost condoned it is finished as a sport. Winning at all costs is not winning.

Some examples of sportsmanship;
a) Soccer (yes!) -  Nottingham Forest v Leicester City 2007
b) Golf  - Muirfield 1926
c) Golf - 1969 Ryder Cup
 I won't go on - google them if you want. Golf, snooker, tennis are among the sports that rely on sportsmanship (I know, I know).

I don't follow softball either, but the girls in the team in the video could teach Henry and all the other obscenely overpaid soccer 'stars' about sportsmanship and human dignity. Albeit that no-one was physically hurt in the Irish match.

What Obama Should Have Done in Japan - Fox News

from stockie's laptop in the lanterns tarbert;

So Obama bent forward to greet the illustrious tiny emperor Hirohito. What else would you do to a dwarf ? See pic.

It seems that Republicans think it more appropriate to greet out-of-staters with a finger, as above.

Blowing it all in a recession

from paudie at the bar in the butler arms;

If I had the €1milion plus and bought a Bugatti Veyron I just know this would happen to me. The day after my insurance was up.

Secondary Teachers' Plans Revealed (not really)

from stockie on the high stool at riney's in sneem;

You have heard of Mao's little red book. Maybe even come across Mein Kampf. How about The Next Steps? (FF 2007 manifesto). The Communist Manifesto? The Twelve Steps? Scouting for boys?

Roll on the teacher's strike. Roll on 24th November. Roll on National Me Fein Day.

It's a great little country.

Teacher's Stressful Life and 24th November

from paudie in the gables in athea;

I thought I would share this photograph of a multi-tasking teacher, busy with her students.

She needn't worry too much, clocking off time is 4.00 pm.

And of course a lovely day off on the 24th November. And maybe another just before the christmas break.

Revolting Teachers Revolting

from seanie in mccarthy's in finuge;

What are we to make of it? Teachers on strike? You will recall that not so many years ago teachers were also striking. That time they wanted 'parity' with the private sector.

Why there were students straight out of college earning kazillion €s, kids that these wonderful teachers had educated (obviously not english grammar teachers). Twenty year olds earning more than teachers. Can't be having that.

And lo there was Benchmarking, and God saw that it was good.

And now students are earning fuck all. Twenty year olds earning zilch, zilch with a mortgage and credit card debt.

And teachers? Well they can afford to strike. Safe, solid, boring and pensionable job. Strike.

What about some reverse Benchmarking?

Have a look at the latest figures from the OECD (2007);

Look at the position of Irish Teachers. If you want to drive yourself crackers visit the OECD site. Of course I assume you have plenty of time if you are a teacher, and even more time if you are unemployed.

Cartoon care of Al Benge

Kerry Leads the World in Men's Fashion

from stockie in the bridge bar portmagee;

Well now, isn't it great to be in fashion - almost. This designer guy, wittily named Mjolk, is the cutting edge of fashion - see here or here.
But here the in the Kingdom we have been at the bleedin edge forever. Compare (him in pic) with me fein.
My shirt is baggy and plaid from Dunnes Homme Culchie Collection. The jeans (Celcius, Tralee) I wear are much longer than his, I admit, but they hide my socks, thanks be to god. Now I draw the line at his footwear. Mine are beautiful suede Rockports (cheapo cheapo at TKMaxx, Tralee). On second thoughts they look like his.

The hair, I'm afraid, I cannot copy.

If he had a bit of baling twine for his jeans I'd consider him a neighbours son.

So come to Kerry to see the next trend in fashion pour hommes.

Propaganda and Drink Driving Limits

from agnes at the bar in godley's, fenit;

So they are at it again. How in god's name can I sit in every night talking to meself while drinking canned draught arthur g. and a few small ones. I'll be on me arse in no time, and may well set fire to settee once more.

Look at the official stats from the CSO. 285 deaths with motor vehicles. How many were drunk or had just the one? Does it matter? If they were all piss heads it still represents 1% of the deaths in 2006.

How much money is spent each year in preventing the other causes of death? You can guess the answer. What budgets are set aside for PR, advertising, staff in the other areas? What 'celeb' is running any other agency to promote that particular cause?

1%. And how many of that 1% fell asleep at the wheel. Sneezed and lost control. Got blinded by headlights. Died because there was no road sign. Died because of road conditions. Bald tyres. Faulty Brakes. Junior in the back was causing a rumpus.

Still 1% ? 285 died because of drink? I don't think so.

I am not in favour of drink driving. I do want at least to be able to have a couple of pints over an hour or two and drive home. As I said before, out here there are no Luas, Dart, Arrow, DrinkLink, Bus or taxi. If you count €40 round trip fare to my local as a taxi service then you must be Sean Fitpatrick.

Swords into Ploughshares, Offices into Warships

USS New York

from stockie at the korean war memorial lixnaw;

The USS New York has been launched. You may or may not know that steel from the rubble of theWorld Trade Center was used in the building of this ship.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said at the amphibious assault ship's commissioning "No matter how many times you attack us, we always come back, America always comes back. That's what this ship represents."

From the bible, Isiah 2.4 "They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

I'm off for a quick one.

Love Pains Make You Feel Alive

from agnes in the gleneagle;

I don't know about you, but I'm nearly, just nearly, fed up with little boys full of self-knowing doubt singing 'love' songs with their nice non-electric geetars. Sometimes they even appear in the church in Dingle with Mr Patronising Kelly.

Give me someone who gives everything in a song, including real feeling.

Neko Case is such a woman. This is "The Pharoahs". It gives me a shudder each time I listen and drink in the words.



lyrics;
you were married in the mirrored hall when I was 16

you spoke the words, "I love girls in white leather jackets"
that was good enough for love, it was good enough for me
I listened in when you thought you were alone
calling the sphinx on a tornado's phone
who knows what she'll say
I only heard what i wanted
you said I was your blue, blue baby
and you were right
you said I was your blue, blue baby
and you were right
wandered the halls all the nighttime
my body burned, my legs ached
but you never came to bed
you just left me there awake
you kept me wanting wanting wanting
like the wanting in the movies and the hymns
I want the pharaohs, but there's only men
I want the pharaohs, but there's only men
you said I was your blue, blue baby
and you were right
you said I was your blue, blue baby
and you were right

Beyonce a grand lump of a woman

from stockie at the bar in the listowel arms;

God I'm confused. Isn't Beyonce a grand lump of a woman? She'd be a great help at the milking. One man's cellulite is another man's fine thighs.

You'd fit ten Poshes in that red suit. What use would Posh be to me?

With the recession affecting the heating bill, I'd prefer Beyonce in the old leaba, complete with the fine thighs.

Oh it's not cellulite if it's on Beyonce?

We prefer the ladies to come upholstered.

U2's Berlin Walls

Old East German Plasma with Old Rockers

-the only way to see U2

from stockie in speedy's moyvane;

So U2 are giving a free concert in Berlin. Is this some attempt at irony?

Four mini-songs.

Behind a new Berlin Wall.

It's free if you have a TV.

Will MTV be giving free advertising?

Go away U2. Way past your sell by.

btw Stockie not happy with the crap photo.

Kerry Style Sets the Pace

from agnes at the bar in the white sands hotel;

Just because we are on the west coast doesn't that we are cut off from all the current trends, especially trends in models who are ready for the 21st century.

 Local Kerry agency Upfront bring us the wonderful news of the new Miss Barry's Bakery. Excellent stuff.

You may be in interested in the following pic from 1939. It shows the National Peanut Festival Queen for that year.

You are an intelligent reader (well you are reading this blog). Make up your own story.

Don't read this if you are fat and stupid

from agnes sitting in the bar in the brehon. killarney;

There I was looking for a recipe for Chocolate Milkshake using dark cocoa (don't ask) when I came upon http://www.cooks.com/ and the above recipe. If I am looking for chocolate recipes do I need an ad telling me I am fat? Or if I am on a diet, why am I looking up chocolate recipes? I can't work it out. It's doing my head in.

Another one for the road there son.