So. Two women in a place where they’re not wanted. A couple of days ago Mary Lou McDonald figured that she wasn’t getting an answer to her question about water charges (a conclusion hard to disagree with her if you caught the Tanaiste’s answer to her) and so she annoyed the Ceann Comhairle, was told to get out of the chamber, but sat tight for some four hours in protest. Then yesterday the Tanaiste sparked off another woman-stuck-in-a-place incident: except where Mary Lou chose to be stuck in the Dail in protest, Joan Burton definitely didn’t choose to be stuck in Tallaght for two and a half hours. The words “unparliamentary” and “failure to observe Dail protocol” have been used of Mary Lou’s sit-in; “intimidating”, “undemocratic” and “out of order” have been used of Joan Burton’s stuck-in-car incident.
Eh? I’m tempted- dammit I’ll yield to temptation and quote Boris Becker: “Nobody died out there”. For “unparliamentary” and “failure to observe Dail protocol” you could substitute “failure to do thing the traditional way”. Nice try. As though following tradition were by definition good in all circumstances. Follow that line and you’ll end up in Twaddell Avenue. Yes, of course Sinn Féin wanted to switch attention from the Maria Cahill case to the water charges. And weren’t they right? Anyone who hasn’t heard about the Cahill case by now must be dumb, deaf, blind and/or dead. Whereas the 200 cases of reported domestic sexual violence in the south last year: can you name three of the victims? Two? One? Granted, none of them (as far as I know) involved Gerry Adams but really, you know, that shouldn’t be the sole criterion for the publicity or sympathy given to a sexual crime. But then we know that those politicians who speak most movingly of the Cahill case will drop her and her case if it suits their political agenda.
Which brings us back to the matter now firmly on the agenda – water charges. Mary Lou’s Dail sojourn was just the prologue to the main event, which was the entrapment of the Tanaiste in her car by the Tallaght protestors, led by Paul Murphy TD of the Socialist Party. Miriam O’Callaghan’s RTÉ radio programme this morning had ex-criminal Jeffrey Archer on her show (not like to have failed to ask him when he last went to confession) and after him a couple of commentators who said how appalled they were by the treatment of the Tanaiste. “Just think if it had been your mother or sister or whatever – how would you feel about people banging on the roof of her car and windows?”. In short, it was a demonstration that didn’t let the Tanaiste go about her legal business.
That’s true. But then neither my mother nor my sister nor any other female relative has been part of a coalition government that has heaped hardship and cuts and taxes, again and again, on ordinary people who simply have had enough and are determined to have their voices heard. I’d balance out the alarm Joan Burton might have felt, stuck in that car, against the alarm thousands of families in the south must have felt,and must feel, about meeting the many bills that are pushing them further and further into desperation and hardship. All co-devised and co-implemented by Joan’s Labour Party. Joan suffered for two and a half hours; many of the people protesting, and thousands of others, having been suffering for years under the Fine Gael-Labour coalition. A right-wing party and an allegedly left-wing party that seem to fit together very nicely.
In fact yesterday Leo Varadkar, the Fine Gael health minister, told a group of young Fine Gaelers that yes, Fine Gael might go into coalition with Fianna Fail after the next election – it’d be like a gay marriage, he said: at first you’d think it was wrong but then after a time you’d see it worked grand. But his preference would be for the present coalition to continue: “Fine Gael and Labour is a marriage made in heaven” he told his audience. He added that Fine Gael in no circumstances would go into government with Sinn Féin. Right. I think he makes sense there. The chances of Sinn Féin asking Fine Gael to join them in government after the next election must be pretty slim.
Not for the first time, Esteemed Blogmeister, one finds one in t. agreement with you when you write that ‘Joan Burton definitely didn’t choose to be stuck in Tallaght for two and a half hours’.
Most especially not under ‘chauffeur-driven car arrest’ for that length of time.
Scandalous, sheer and utterly scandalous and not to be tolerated in the democracy that is the Free Southern Stateen.. Is this what the wild geese spread their foie gras for or indeed, what the noble men of 1916 shed their life blood for when they selflessly volunteered to act as firing squad dummies and to be riddled (and ridiculed by posterity) so that the latest dum dum bullets could be tested in the Stonebreakers’ Yard ?
So that the Great Donkey Derby of 14-16 might not have to proceed any further. The Benign British Establishment being under particularly severe pressure from the Asses Rights Association (ARA) at that particular time.
The answer to that question rhetorical is a resounding, erm – what is the world Perkie’s inner dictionary swallower is rooting for, much in the manner of an old dear of 65 rooting in her purse for the correct pounds, s. and pence even while the check out q. behind her reaches back as far as the toilet roll pyramid, hidden artfully in a recess at the very rear of the supermarket – ah, yes, of course – NO !
A resounding N. O.
One makes this point because it is understood that a piece of gratuitously scrurrilous graffiti has been seen on the walls of No Jobstown (formerly Jobstown), Tallaght, this very Sunday, with the morning coming down.
Though the cowardly aerosol author is anonymous it is patently clear to all, erm, right thinking folk and other followers of the Sunday Independent Cult (sic) that it bears all the wall marks of a card-carrying ‘attack dog’ member of the sleeveen conspiracy known as…….Sinn Fein.
The Lament of Calamity Joan
‘Two and a h. hours max is all I’m giving ye’
Waxed she, ‘to take your hand off my knee’
This is a Jobstown refrain
Known to each plain Jane
‘For then ye see I have to go for a wee wee’.
A shocked Perkie’s inner thought-perisher can only opine: upon (sic) his word this is indubitably the handiwork of yon Ulster P. O.Neill (who always insisted on signing himself as U.P.O.N.). It is what cowardly ‘attack dogs’ do.
Personally, one blames the Labour Party Advisers of the Yawnaiste on the fiasco. One writes advisedly because The Dworkin Class prohibits the use of the sexist term ‘handlers’. They, steeped as they are in selective history ought to have known, and to k. right well, that Tallaght is a barrio dewlapped with subeversive history.
It was here and not hear say that in Tallaght sur Poddle et Dodder the Fenians uprose in 1867 and downran in some disarray as soon as the local coppers got their copper kettle drums rolling proper. This set the pattern for the subsequent IRA. Which stands or rather runs for, I Ran Away, according to the disinterested research of the distinguished historian, Dr. Congo Crisis O’Brain.
One item of proof of this is the piece of inconvertible piece of evidence CCO’B just happened to stumble on, almost a hundred years after L’Affaire du Fenian: ‘ in the hollow of a tree in the vicinity of Tallaght was found a skeleton, a sword blade and a water canteen’. The water canteen is a dead giveaway: the remains of a cowardly ‘attack dog’ bent on diversion.
Fitting, therefore that the courageous Swahili-speaking Yawnaiste should just happen to sneak in a little reference to her own African experiences to a rather unsympathetic. Dame Dosh Finucane on her show this morning. There, in the Dark Continent, D stands for Dangerous Situations with a Capital D.
One writes ‘unsympathetic’ because the brave Yawnaiste was restricted to a mere twenty five minute interview. Two and a half hours min ought to have been provided. Let us hope there is a Dail motion put down in the coming week.
It’s her Advisers, Perkie blames. Just as the dark age dwellers in Ebola land don’t have a clue whether it’s Chrimbo or Happy Holiday or Xmas itself, so also these ‘Advisers’ (again, Perkie uses the term most advisedly) might have been cognisant (a darling world) of the verifiable fact that Jobstown was the birth place of William Howard Russell, the first war correspondent (bedded, fed and watered) in the Crimean War.
Now, history does not record if he was one of those unfortunates in the Crimea (rhymes with Imelda May) whose leg ran away with a big cannon ball . But what hysteria is currently recording is that a lot of folk persons are losing the run of themselves by claiming that the Yawnaiste ‘almost went for a Burton’ and that No Jobstown should become a no-go area for Real Demorcats in the future, both unforeseeable and otherwise.
Perkie is not one of them. Neither is he, he is proud to state, one of those sourfaced sleeveens who are reminded of another long, black chauffeured car once surrounded by a mob unruly and led by a mobster named O’Reilly (a pseudonym) in the village of Abbeyleix in the Queen’s County in the mid Sixties. It was carrying the member of the paparazzi who always accompanied the subject of attack, a lens snapper name of Sir Anthony Finger-strong Jones.
To which a clearly irked Perkie can only respond: ‘Calamity Joan is no Princess Margaret’.
No, no way is No Jobstown to become a No Go area for Real Democrats. That would only encourage the Dissident Demagogues.
Next time, and there WILL be a next time, Calamity Joan ought to travel by the Deadwood Stage, regardless of the Provo arrows thicker than porcupine quills. (not to mention Perkipine quills). Introducing Time filler Miller, just as busy as a fizzy sarsparilla.
-Hi, Joan, say where d’you get them fancy clothes?
I know ! Off some fellow’s laundry line.
Though the Labour Party is currently in the Deadwood Stage of development, nonetheless:
-Tiocfaidh ar Doris Day !
I can see Fianna Fail and Fine Gael forming a coalition. They both staunchly hate Sinn Fein and would do anything to stop them getting into power. They have a lot in common, both pro right the only difference is the name of the parties!
Fine Gael and Labour, represent a marriage in haste, with all the trappings of misogynistic and chauvinistic behaviour on display in front of a global audience. The Tánaiste was in lecture mode about the role of a democratically elected T.D. It would appear that she has overlooked the fact that a few T.D.s have mandates to oppose austerity measures and stealth taxes. It is evident that the Tánaiste has abandoned the core principles of the Labour Party, to represent the views of the vast number of people who have to work for a living and not the vested interests of international capital. The Tánaiste waxes eloquently about unemployment levels falling yet ignores the huge numbers of people who are leaving the country. It is not the protesters who risk destabilising the country. It is the imposition of stealth taxes. There is a deafening silence in relation to the BANKERS and POLITICIANS who did more to destabilise the country and plunge its citizens into an unprecedented financial crisis.
The Tánaiste should leave the task of government to those able and willing to develop policies that will improve standards of living. One has only to look at countries such as Denmark, Norway and Sweden in order to find fair taxation systems which in turn deliver quality health care and the infrastructure in which healthy economies thrive and prosper.
The wedding video of this “marriage made in heaven” ought to be viewed from the end to the beginning, for viewers who prefer happy endings.
Frankfurt’s way or Labour’s way upped and vanished like Gilmore for Taoiseach.
Ah Jude imagine if a poor sf minister of state had experienced what Joan Burton went through in a unionist area you would be banging on about it for a year and quite rightly so and yet because it was Joan Burton a woman with no love of SF you seem to have no problem with it shame really
As for SF being a senior member of govt they can’t even decide if they are going to pay or not pay the water tax what would they be like with a major issue?
Neill – you shock me – taking an anti-Shinner stance on a topic…Well ‘strewth, I never. I think your unionist- republican comparison to the anti-austerity/Joan Burton schmozzle is maybe just a wee stretch too far…But of course you’re right, SF couldn’t possibly make up their minds on anything – that’s what makes them so attractive to voters…
It’s rarely I disagree with you Jude, but in this instance I must. Nobody can doubt the scale of anger that is ‘out there’ (especially in urban Ireland) about the water charges issue. It may, indeed, be the issue that brings the government down, although I don’t see it. The danger is that a popular movement involving so many disparate elements is wide open to agent provocateurs, anarchists and just plain eejits. Through actions like that on Saturday and the sometimes vicious opposition to workers doing their job in installing water meters, they will alter popular sentiment and play directly into the hands of the government. While I don’t support Joan Burton politically, her treatment on Saturday was atrocious. The can be no ifs, buts or maybes about it, this must have been a terrifying experience for her and her companions and it shouldn’t have happened. To compare this incident with what happened in Leinster House makes no sense. While we can agree that Mary Lou had just cause to protest and to stage a sit-in, it was her choice to do so and she could have left the chamber at any point had she so wished. Being trapped in your car by a hostile crowd for two hours and being unable to move is an entirely different scenario.
Brian – thanks for your thoughts. I guess there are points of comparison and as you say points of contrast. I think being trapped in your car would be a terrifying experience only if (i) you thought it would be overturned/smashed into; (ii) you had no source of help. I don’t think either of these obtained in Joan B’s case. I do take your point about agents provocateurs – nothing would delight Enda and co more than something that would discredit all protest. It’s about their only hope at this stage. But I still wouldn’t lose too much sleep fretting about Joan. I’d think keeping bills paid might be a more constant and deeper fret-point for many.
It does the old heart strings a power of good to see protesters behaving like that, a bit like the time Charles and Camilla were caught up in the London kerfuffle a few years ago. Having King Liar on RTE just about sums up the stater mentality. He was probably referred to throughout as Lord Archer. Give me strength.
Ah boo boo, she was inconvenienced for a couple of hours, big whoop, its nothing compared to the ‘ inconvenience ‘ foisted upon the people by the lackeys in the Dail who thought it a good idea to repay money we did not owe to anyone….further more an agenda of socialism for the privileged and brutal capitalist austerity for the masses can only lead to what we are witnessing, in years to come I suspect the historians will wonder how the bankers and their pals got away with so much for so long and why there wasn’t more unrest and infact riots daily…..perhaps its the fluoride in the water keeping the people docile……as for JB forgetting she represents the Labour Party…..all I can say is Labour Party my ass….if they had any right to that title they would never have got into bed with FG….to do it once us a mistake to come back for more….well then that’s an affair….and not a very pretty one either…
But Barry, Would you still think it a good idea if it frightened many people off from engaging in public protest? This is the likely impact of aggressive protests, such as occurred in Jobstown last Saturday. Surely the primary objective in building any mass mobilisation on an issue is to encourage people to come out and protest. I have no doubt that the vitriol displayed towards Joan Burton will act as a deterrent to many people (and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to support that view already). As to whether anything goes in public protest, like her or not and agree with her policies or not, Ms Burton has a democratic mandate and that has to be respected. The alternative is a throwback to the sort of antics we saw on local councils north of the border when Pat Rice and many more had to run a gauntlet of hatred from protesters who felt equally certain that they occupied some high moral ground.
Fair point I suppose but lets look at the mandate…….has the govt a mandate to take everything and keep taking or did they promise something else…..
What happens a mandate when earning it becomes something one says at election time…
I’m also fully aware of the role of agent provocateurs, Ms Burton wasn’t attacked physically however I’m aware it must have been traumatic for her……but that’s the humanity talking…..i had contact with her on a particular case and if political norms had not prevented her she would probably have told me to F Off as I dared to contrast her answer with the principles she as a Labour party member and leader should uphold.
Southern People have been “austered” up till the bones.
The people have been deceived by their Government.
Up till now in the southern Talk-of-the-Town-House Dail the Government continues it untruthfulness. It is main point Water Charge that unmasked their use of the truth economically throughout their Reign.
D-MSM are getting worried now when the people say: “Enough is enough”, go on the streets and it happened some protesters blocked a government-Minister and our beloved Taoiseach?
Nothing fatal happened but oooohhhhhh the protesters blocked a minister’s way.
To remember, water charges in the south are being paid for twice since the Nineteen Seventies. After about a hundred years we still have no decent water infrastructure and still leaking water-pipes before drinking water is arriving at houses (looks like a copy of the infrastructure of Thames Water in England), no accountability, no responsibility, no answers or explanations on what is happening with all these water charge-moneystream by the elected politicians, governments can do what they like with these revenues it seems.
Now the Government want a third layer of water charges. Why?
Simple, Troika told them to do so, that is why. The Government do not even offer a counter-argument why NOT to install another water charge. Order is order and the current ministers and their boss are not going to risk their political career by actually representing the people of Ireland. “If not broke, do nothing”.
We have a government only following and carry out IMF/EU orders, preparing the country in the background for the next step: World governance by Big Corporations.
Which of course we have to resist.
Water privatization results in “Water is Power” and means big profits. The next step is “Food is Power”. More profits.