Lisbon - Round II

Image by stephen.spillane via FlickrSo the stage is being set for us to vote on the EXACT same treaty again. Granted the only difference is that the member states will agree not to limit the number of EU Commissioners. The other changes will be copper fastening what we already have. A protocol on Abortion (Attached to Maastricht!), Military (Attached to Nice after Nice I) and Tax Sovereignty which is in all the treaties! Really come on like! How stupid do the government think we are? While I love Europe and the EU and all the good it does it, I am not voting for this treaty unless our Government and specifically our Taoiseach shows some leadership!

Martina Devlin has an excellent column in todays Indo on Brian Cowen's lack of leadership especially in comparison to Gordon Brown who "transformed himself into a phoenix among politicians, emerging gloriously from the ashes of his career after bold steps to tackle the banking meltdown". Which is true and opinion polls have shown that with a marked decline in the lead the Tories have over Labour.

The same cannot be said for Brian Cowen and Fianna Fail here. When ever there is an announcement all that follows is confusion and blame games. No one in this country will take the blame. When it was obvious to the dogs on the street that the Lisbon Referendum was going to fail, Brian Cowen decided to blame Fine Gael and Labour for not pulling their weight when it was obvious Fianna Fail TD's and suppporters where not canvassing (I didn't get canvassed by any 'Yes' group).

Though I am suppportive of the European Project, I am more supportive of Democracy and think unless there is substansive change to the treaty I shall be voting no.

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A reason to Love Cork

I love Cork and I am very patriotic about my home town, and events on Saturday made me love it even more. At the weekend my boyfriend was up from Kerry and he stayed around town on Saturday and we met up for lunch. At all times I was with him in town we were holding hands. Did we get a reaction? No



In fact most people registered no reaction especially Irish people. A few people stared and in fact two girls said "eww gays" and then burst out laughing! This is a major reason why I love Cork. I never get hassle about being gay or holding hands with guys. I have gotten hassle in other places, notable Dublin and Koeln, where I was shouted at, but it comes with the territory. ('Queer' in Dublin and 'Schwule' in Koeln).

Lots of foreign people ask me what it is like to be gay in Ireland and I must say being gay in Cork is grand as most Cork people don't give a toss! Which is also an attitude I have!

So I LOVE Cork!

Not in a Million Years!

Every time there is an election I always give Fianna Fail a look to see if I would give them a preference and next year in the Local's and Europeans a fairly high preference is on offer due to the fact there is only one FG candidate in Cork South Central LEA and Ireland Euro South constituency, but after yesterdays budget not in a million years will Fianna Fail get a preference, no matter how measly from me. The Greens and PD's (if they are still around) can go look somewhere else too, unless they get a backbone. Not only have FF lowered my take home pay by 1% (I'm on minimum wage ffs) but all my costs will rise because VAT is going up, road tax is going up, petrol is going, flights are going up among lots of other things (oh and wine, but not beer and spirits? would love to know the reasoning behind that). Also I see they are bring in College fees by stealth, increasing the registration fee by €500. this year the registration fee for UCC was €1050 (it was €750 when I started many moons ago (4)), so that lessens the likelihood of me returning to a HEI as I have to pay fees for the first two years.

The over 70's medical card is a scandal, it doesn't effect me personally but I do have elderly relations. It annoys me so much. I pity any one from FF or the Greens who knock on my door next year, as it's not only me who will be giving them a piece of my mind!

So FF/Greens, don't even bother asking me for a vote next year!

I didn't realise how much of an idiot Biden actualy is until now!

So every one has heard that Joe Biden, the Democratic VP nominee is a little gaffe prone but after reading Ann Coulters review of the debate he is more then prone! if Palin had made basic mistakes like this, people would be calling for her head! A few examples:

About Lebanon:

"I said and Barack said, 'Move NATO forces in there. Fill the vacuum, because if you don't, Hezbollah will control it.'" This is madness -- Lebanon is not a NATO country, nor had any NATO country been attacked by Lebanon.

About Afghanistan:

"With Afghanistan, facts matter, Gwen. ... We spend more money in three weeks on combat in Iraq than we spent on the entirety of the last seven years that we have been in Afghanistan building that country."

According to the Congressional Research Service, since 9/11, we've spent $172 billion in Afghanistan and $653 billion in Iraq. The most money spent in Iraq came in 2008, when we have been spending less than $3 billion a week. So by Biden's calculations, we've spent only about $9 billion "on the entirety of the last seven years that we have been in Afghanistan building that country." There isn't even a "9" in $172 billion.

About the Office of the Vice President:

Biden also gave a long speech at the debate on vice president Dick Cheney's "dangerous" belief that "he's part of the legislative branch." The great constitutional scholar Biden cited Article I of the Constitution as proof that Cheney "works in the executive branch" and has "no authority relative to the Congress." Biden huffily added: "He should understand that. Everyone should understand that."

Palin would have had to deny that Alaska is a state in the union in order to say something comparably stupid.

Article II, not I, describes the executive branch. Someone tell Biden, who is supposed to be a lawyer. Apart from getting the Articles of the Constitution mixed up, what on earth does Biden mean when he says that the vice president "has no authority relative to Congress," apart from breaking ties?

The Constitution makes him president of the senate every day of the week. I realize that Biden may not be able to count to two, but Article I says the vice president is president of one of the two houses of Congress -- the one Biden is in, for crying out loud -- which is what you might call "authority relative to Congress."

Please let someone have sense in the mainstream media and start pointing these stupid gaffes out!

Full Article

Another opinion poll....

This time Ireland! Its an interesting one too.

The Party Breakdown is as follows

Fianna Fail 36% (down 4)
Fine Gael 28% (up 3)
Labour 9% (down 1)
Sinn Fein 9% (down 1)
Greens 7% (no change)
PD's 3% (up 1)

(June poll available here in PDF)

In another question in the poll 50% of people are not confident that the government can get the economy out of the current downturn.

Its nice to see FG up and FF down below the 40% (the polled 42% at the last General Election), also these polls are leading us into the local and european elections next year.

The PD's being up is a bit strange considering while the poll was being carried out, the leadership decided they were not politically viable. Then again the fact the PD's were in the media a lot over the grealish debacle raised their profile. But where will that 3% go is the question on everyone's lips?

More:
RTÉ Story - Poll shows fall in support for Fianna Fáil
Sunday Business Post - Sharp fall in support for Fianna Fáil as economy slumps
Irish Election - Fianna Fail Down in Business Post Poll

Some recent good reads

Here are some books that have been keeping me company over the last few months

Moments That Changed Us by Colum Kenny

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a must for anyone who is interesting in the changes that have made Irish society what it is today. From the divorce and abortion referendums to the court cases that changed how we viewed things. An excellent read.



An Utterly Impartial History of Britain: by John O'Farrell

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Like History? Like comedy? Then this is for you. This book mocks its way through 2000 years of British history mainly to prove that the British aren't British but a hodgepodge of invaders and who ruled by alot of idiots from 45 BC right up to 1945. An excellent read that had me in stitches at times.



A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Interested in Science? Then read this. An excellent book that will have you wishing you studied science instead of politics in Uni! (For a few moments anyway!) It answers all the question from across the realms of Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology. Packed full of useless information to amaze your friends, such as "Did you know the entirety of Yellowstone National Park is a Volcano?" (Well really a hotspot). Bryson is unbeatable with his writing and makes science something really interesting and funny! He not only charts the discoveries but also the people behind them and his descriptions are fantastic! Well worth the read, makes me yearn for the school laboratory again.


View all my reviews.

What Ireland Needs: An Abortion Act

Okay so the title of this post is a bit of a headline grabber but bear with me as this is not a pro-choice or pro-life rant but a discussion on the legal situation of abortion in Ireland. I recently read a book where this is brought up and hence this post. The book in question is "Moments that Changed Us" by Colum Kenny (Goodreads.com link)

Article 40.3.3 of Bunreacht Na hÉireann (Constitution of Ireland) states:

3° The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.

This subsection shall not limit freedom to travel between the State and another state.

This subsection shall not limit freedom to obtain or make available, in the State, subject to such conditions as may be laid down by law, information relating to services lawfully available in another state.

According to the case Attorney General vs X [1992] IESC 1 Chief Justice Finlay states

I, therefore, conclude that the proper test to be applied is that if it is established as a matter of probability that there is a real and substantial risk to the life, as distinct from the health, of the mother, which can only be avoided by the termination of her pregnancy, such termination is permissible, having regard to the true interpretation of Article 40,s.3, sub-s. 3 (Quoted above) of the Constitution.

Of course this means that the Oireachtas should set out legislation how this procedure should be allowed take place in Ireland instead of forcing the mother to travel abroad for a termination which can legally under the constitution take place in Ireland. Unfortunately under the Offences against the Person Act, 1861 there is a penalty of life imprisonment for any person who carries out an abortion even if this abortion is allowed by the constitution. As you can see there is a case for the changing of the 1861 act least alone that is does need updating.

While I am not an expert in law or medicine I do not like to see ambiguities in the law, especially when it comes to life. The sooner our politicians wake up and amend the Offences against the Person Act, 1861 or try again to amend the constitution we are stuck with this ambiguity of the law.

Me and Religion

Well the whole atheism thing hasn't exactly worked and I'm giving up on being a Bright. Though I am not going back to Christian let along Catholic. I have recently come a cross a new religion (both to me and it is fairly new in religious terms also). What is that faith? Bahá'í.

Bahá'í teachings appeal to me and Shoghi Effendi has summed them up and I cannot disagree with them.

The independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition; the oneness of the entire human race, the pivotal principle and fundamental doctrine of the Faith; the basic unity of all religions; the condemnation of all forms of prejudice, whether religious, racial, class or national; the harmony which must exist between religion and science; the equality of men and women, the two wings on which the bird of humankind is able to soar; the introduction of compulsory education; the adoption of a universal auxiliary language; the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; the institution of a world tribunal for the adjudication of disputes between nations; the exaltation of work, performed in the spirit of service, to the rank of worship; the glorification of justice as the ruling principle in human society, and of religion as a bulwark for the protection of all peoples and nations; and the establishment of a permanent and universal peace as the supreme goal of all mankind—these stand out as the essential elements [which Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed].

So it kinda does sound all wishy washy but I recently got a book in Waterstones and it explains it all. I recommened it to anyone interested in Bahá'á or religion in general. It is "The Baha'i Faith: A Beginner's Guide - Beginner's Guide" by Moojan Momen.

I am currently learning alot about the religion thanks to a book given to me by a friend. It is "Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era", so far an interesting read but it is competing with other books at the moment so must concentrate on it.

Anyway thats an update on me and the religious front. Incidentally the Baha’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee have been inscribed as UNESCO Cultural Sites.

Me and Gay Marriage

Okay, so I get in a lot of trouble in gay circles and lefty equality circles (you know who you are Len) about my opposition or really lack of support for gay marriage.

I recently posted over on The Political Gay about my thoughts on the Heads of the Civil Partnership Bill 2008 (available here (PDF)).

Though I did take part in the LGBT Noise protest in Cork about the bill (Gaycork.com thread) I am not that fussed. I am broadly supportive of the bill and will be hoping it is passed more or less in its current state.

The one thing that made me turn up last week was the issue of adoption and children in general. It is completely ignored by the bill and I am not a happy bunny because of it. Of course, this might change in the future and maybe a second bill will allow gay adoption like what has happened in the UK. So I am adopting the Micheal Collins approach to this bill. For those of you unsure of that, I mean along the lines of what Collins said about the Anglo-Irish Treaty. It‘gives us the freedom, not the ultimate freedom that all nations desire and develop to, but the freedom to achieve it.’ I believe something similar about this bill, it will be a gradual thing, and as time goes by we will gain more rights and entitlements.

Now as for Marriage, I ain't a fan of it. Thats just who I am, to me its too religious and can never se myself have a Gay Civil Marriage. While Civil Partnership's I do support full heartedly and will be lobbying my Local TD's to support it with the minimum of amendments.

Scouting - A New Program

A Langer's Blog has an excellent post on the upcoming Scouting Ireland National Council which will decide on a new program for Scouting in Ireland. He seams faily in favour of it, I'm not convinced. I don't like the way things are at the moment as there is no program and it leaves alot of us leaders in a very difficult poistion at times, so I'm willing to give the new program a go.

The one thing I am dissapointed with is the abolition of Macaoimh, well there has been no reference to it so far. I will state an interest here as I am Macaoimh Leader in the 37th Cork Group in Togher. The new age groups is one of the stumblimg blocks, the original proposal was

Tracker Scouts - 7-10 years
Explorer Scouts - 10-14 years
Discovery Scouts - 14-17 years
Rover Scouts - 17-21 years

This compares to the current system

Beavers - 6-8 years
Cubs/Macaoimh - 8-11 years
Scouts - 11-15 years
Venturers - 15-21 years

There was alot of concern about dropping the 6 year olds and there was alot of opposition within my own Group, so the National Management Committee has put forward an alternative proposal

Tracker Scouts - (6), 7, 8, (9) years
Explorer Scouts - (9), 10, 11, (12), (13) years
Discovery Scouts - (12), (13), 14, 15, (16), (17) years
Rover Scouts - (16), (17), 18, 19, 20, 21 years

Confused? Well it is a bit but this will allow groups to decide their own age ranges. I can see some groups trying to stick to the current system which I am told will be impossible as each section will be limited to three years.

My own scout county have decided we will harmonise our age ranges so that county events and competitions will be fair and will not have disparite ages. Which is something I hope most scout counties will do.

I have been involved in scouting since I joined Beaver Scouts when I was 6. I am glad that a new program is as this will allow scouting to develop and sustain in the future. So I hope the proposals do pass on later this month.

---
Orginal Post:
irish scout decision time - A Langers Blog

Links of Interest:
Scouting Ireland
Program 2008

Scouting Age groups from around the world - Wikipedia

Lisbon Round II? No Thanks!

I am getting very annoyed with certain leaders and pro-europeans on the European continent. Granted I was disappointed with the No vote but then again, I'm not surprised. It was very hard to sell and explain! And I had read the feckin thing! I still think that the EU needs reforming. Nice is not very satisfactory for me and we need reform, but not Lisbon. Its back to the drawing bored.

Certain EU leaders (Both Government and Opposition) seam to think its all right to ask us to vote again. I say NO! We had 55% turnout which is above average, we the people have spoken. The project must find another way to move forward.

If the government bows to pressure from France, Germany, Italy and others, I will not campaign for a Yes Vote, I infact will vote NO. If the EU is to be democratic then it should respect democratic outcomes.

People who read this blog know I am very pro-EU, infact nearly a Euro-federalist, but at the same time I respect the vote of the people. We in Ireland were in a unique position to vote on this treaty and we were not voting on it for 500 million other people, we were voting to change a document that says how Ireland is governed, Bunreacht na hEireann which only affects 4 million or so people. I am still annoyed with this arguement.

I have a big issue which the claims of some members of the No side. Sinn Fein did not win this for them In fact most people I talked to were ignoring SF. The people that won it were Libertas on the right and Coir (not sure where they are) and the sociailists and anarchists (People's movement) on the left who ran a very good campaign and were out in Cork City every weekend trying to convince people while the Yes crowd were no were to be seen.

Anyway I think I've made my point and my dinner is burning!

Union for the Mediterranean, what is it?

There has been alot about the Union for the Mediterranean (UM) in the news lately, but I am unsure of what it will do. The idea was first mooted by Nicolas Sarkozy, during his election campaign, as an alternative to Turkish Membership of the EU. This led to Turkey opposing the idea, but on being told it would not be an alternative, Turkey lent its support.

So who would be prospective members of the UM?
the french had to back down to plans that it would only compromise EU states bordering the Med, due to oppistion from Germany and other states who were uncomfortable with EU funds being spent where they had no say. So the UM would compromise the 27 EU member states (do I really have to list them?) plus the following countries taking part in the Barcelona Process (That could be another post, but I'll just give the Wiki Link!)

*Algeria
*Egypt
*Israel
*Jordan
*Lebanon
*Libya
*Morocco
*Palestine
*Syria
*Tunisia
*Turkey (EU Candidate)

What are the aims of the UM?

Under the original plans, members would form a regular council under a rotating presidency (similar to the current EU model) dealing with energy, security, counter-terrorism, immigration and trade. French nuclear expertise would be exchanged for North African gas reserves. The Mediterranean and European Unions would work together and share some institutions, including a common judicial area to fight corruption, terrorism, organised crime and people smuggling. Many plans for institutions (eg Mediterranean Investment Bank) were dropped as the project was scaled down due to European reaction to the proposals.

My Opinion on the UM
Personally, I dont see the point, and see it as (at first) a French proposal to gain dominance in the Med. It is/was a way for France for securing Gas Reserves in exchange for Nuclear Expertise. I also see this as an overlap with the Arab Maghreb Union (Members: Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia). This will creat a myriad of organisations in the Med, instead of building on the Barcelona Process (or Euromediterranean Partnership). I'm not sure how this one will pan out. Personally I dont see it as a positive thing for either Europe or the Med.

The Irish Conservative Homosexual Agenda

Since I saw a post over on GayPatriot entitled "The Conservative Homosexual Agenda? " and a newer post "What is the Gay Conservative Agenda? ", its has been milling around in my head, what about Irish Gay Conservatives? What do we want?

I think some of the commentors on the Gaypatriot posts kind of sum it up.

*Privacy
*Freedom
*Recognition of Relationships (note: not Marriage)
*No Sodomy Laws (Linked to privacy and freedom)
*No Discrimination (Negative or Positive)

These 5 principles for me sum up the basis for the Irish Gay Conservative Agenda.

The term "Gay Agenda" gets bandied about quite alot, but it seams to always refer to a Liberal agenda. Of course there is no one "Gay Agenda", but multiple gay agendas in my opinion. They are in my opinion:

Liberal Left Gay Agenda (The one conservatives give out about)
Militant Gay Agenda (Peter Tachell et al)
Feminist Gay Agenda (People who use the gay agenda rights movement to try and reform the institution of marriage)
Among many others.

So for you dear readers what should an "Irish Gay Conservative Agenda" include?

Rant: Treaty of Lisbon, Debate so far

I am majorly pissed off over the coverage of debate on this treaty (both blogs and the media!). The majority of coverage has either been negative or about the no camp! I find this amazing the fact that the poll at the weekend from tns/MRBI for the Irish Times showed 66% of Irish voters have yet to decide how to vote in the planned referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

People who are in favour of the treaty need to be out there saying why Ireland should pass this treaty or else we could find ourseleves with a repeat of the Nice debacle. That would reflect badly on Ireland.

I think it is time the papers (and bloggers) looked at their stance on the EU and started pushing for a yes vote. So instead of being hypocritical and just ranting and doing nothing, today I will start a series of posts on why we should Vote Yes to the Treay of Lisbon!

Election Results: Hessen (Hesse) unt Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony)

Update: Looking for the Results of the 2009 Election? See here.

They are fast with the results here in Germany (without electronic voting I may add!)

The results are bad for the CDU. They are down in both states which are seen as the test waters for next years federal elections. The results are as follows

Hessen (Hesse)

Percentages (Seats)
CDU: 36,8 (42)
SPD: 36,7 (42)
FDP: 9,4 (11)
Grüne: 8,0 (9)
Der Linke: 5,1 (6)

My View
This is a defeat for the CDU and Roland Koch in particular. The CDU lost 12% of the vote. The gainers in the election were: SPD up 7%, FDP up 1,5% and Der Linke who passed the 5% threshold on their first outing in Hessen leaving them with 5,1% of the vote!

There is a 110 seats in the state parliament and neither the two major parties and their favoured coaltion have a majority (CDU/FDP:53 seats, SPD/Grüne 51 seats). This means it will more then likely be a CDU/SPD coalition. Who will be Minister-President is a different question.

Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony)

Percentages (Seats)
CDU: 42,5(68)
SPD: 30,3 (48)
FDP: 8,2 (13)
Grüne: 8,0 (12)
Der Linke: 7,1 (11)

The CDU have also suffered losses here down 6% for the last election in 2003. The SPD is also down 3% of the vote. The gainers here were FDP up 0,1% Grüne up 0,4% and Der Linke up 6,6%. Though the FDP and Grüne incrsead their vote share, they both are down two seats.

My View

Der Linke are the winners in this state. They surpassed the 5% threshold on their second outing in this state. Neither party will do a deal with them, but if they become enough of a force by the Federal Elections next year then both parties might change their tune. (Maybe not the CDU!) The Parliemant here has 152 seats and the current coalition (CDU/FDP) have enough seats to continue to govern so Christian Wulff will stay on as Minister-President.

Dumbledore is gay

Okay so now Damien's twitter makes sense :D

But while reading that article, I realise how much I hate Peter Tatchell! he actually said this

Gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: “It’s good that children’s literature includes the reality of gay people, since we exist in every society.

“But I am disappointed that she did not make Dumbledore’s sexuality explicit in the Harry Potter book.

“Making it obvious would have sent a much more powerful message of understanding and acceptance.”

Its a kids book for gods sake! This is why Section 28 was brought in and that! God that man drives me mad at times!

Rigging the Election

Damien has started a 5 Part blog series on Rigging the Irish Election. The first part is out and its brilliant!!

Rigging the Irish Election Part 1 - Create cells of organisers

Ill post up the rest when he posts them! They are supposed to be cynical and manipulative, but having being involved in the recent elections I think a system like this isn't far off.

Gays behind Satanist plot! WTF?

I am soooo annoyed with the Catholic Church. I read this story in todays Guardian (Yes I know the link is to CNN, but i cant find it on the guardian website). He claims he was pretending to be gay to get to the end of a Satanist plot! What the hell like!!!!!

Well I have some facts for Monsignor Tommaso Stenico

1. I am Gay
2. I am not a Satanist
3. I do not even believe in the Devil
4. I am a Christian

Its over stories like this that really have turned me off the Catholic Church. I was raised Catholic and I didn't have any major hang-up with my religion, until I came out. I have lots of respect for certain priest who I know and do not judge or condemn people beacuse of their sexuality.

Also isn't highly unethical for psychologists or psychotherapists to pose as something there not???

USI Mess

Well I read with much disappointment what happened at National Council in Galway. I must say though that USI is worse off without Steven Conlon. I had the pleasure of working for two years with Steven when he was on LGBT Working Group and when he was LGBT Rights officer. I am sure Steven had the best intentions when he wrote the memo. Its a pity that it was leaked and he had to resign.

When Steven was LGBT RO he revitalised the campaign and we got sooo much coverage due to his hard work. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Steven, and I know he will go far whatever he ends uo doing due to his hard work ethic and skills.

USI has a lot of work to do now, it always did. The LGBT Campaign was and still is the most high profile part of the union. USI needs to go back to its roots.

Thats all I will say on the matter, apart from UCC SU are in a bot of trouble with there class council

Pol Sims

Well its official I am addicted to Political Sims, so I'm going to recommend two of them here. (They are the only two I play).

The first is Politics UK which I blogged about before. This is an excellent game. Though I've only been playing not even a month, I'm now the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Shadow Minister for Local Government and English Regions. This game is great fun, you get to write PR's, policy and legislation and the Players are great fun. Sign up if you want. If you do sign up over this blog please PM me on it.

Now the other game is new, set up by a few of the players on PolUK, its called Politics 1900. Its set in 1900 (shock) so its great fun, as there is loads of material available. In this one I play William McGrath the Deputy Leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party. This is an excellent game for those interested in Politics at the turn of the century. You can also play Lords in this game. Again if you sign up PM me

Hopefully I'll bolg more often, cause Im a bad blogger I know....