The new President...Micheal D Higgins.

It has just been announced that Micheal D Higgins is to be the next President of Ireland. I am happy with the result because I did not think any of the other candidates exhibited any real integrity.  Sean Gallagher was caught blatantly lying during the last debate on RTE's "Frontline" programme and he was visibly irritated by the constant questioning surrounding his involvement in fundraising for the Fianna Fail party.  He must have known that he was going to be outed at some stage, fundraising for Brian Cowen a failed Taoiseach leading a failed party. The people were not buying his pitiful explanation and they spoke with their vote.  There are lessons in this event for Enda Kenny et al.  The wilderness in Irish politics should beckon for any party found to renege on their election promises.  All we need now is more political parties with the right kind of people...something the Irish electorate have not had much of a choice of in the past.

The Irish Hero????

I was reading the paper the other day and I came across a full page advertisement hailing Brian Lenihan an Irish hero. Is this the same Brian Lenihan that has left the ordinary people of this country in dire straits, people that have had no hand, act or part in the financial crisis that has engulfed this nation. He may not have intended to do it but he held the office, took the pay and made the decisions so he is responsible in my book. Don't get me wrong I genuinely sympathise with his family for his untimely passing and I know his family have had more than their fair share of tragedy, but to label the man as a national hero is pushing the limits of incredulity.  The decisions he made has caused rising suicide numbers, increased unemployment, increased poverty, greater disparity between the rich and poor, increased emigration, a get out for the bankers and a country that is getting battered by the EU because they want their gamblers to get their money back (agreed by Mr Lenihan). To my knowledge not one person has had to face criminal prosecution for their obviously criminal actions, not one bank has had a total clear out of senior officials that were in office during the crisis and now we are informed that some of the developers are being paid up to €200,000 a year to run insolvent businesses.
I write this whilst seeing advertisements for Mr Lenihans old buddy Bertie Aherne giving an interview to Mike Murphy, there might be some serious business for TV repair men after that programme. By the way, why is Mike Murphy back on our screens? If I am right he used to live in America and got involved in "Property Development", he must have called in a favour from his old buddies in Montrose to get his old job back. Funny, there are younger more talented people looking for similar work, probably cheaper, but RTE has to resurrect a dinosaur. Roll on the banana republic.....

Marco Simoncelli - A wonderful sportsman sadly taken away

I have just seen the news about the unfortunate accident involving Marco Simoncelli, Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards. Sadly Marco did not recover from his injuries and the sport has lost a wonderful character with an amazing skill.  I watched his recent races and was sure that he was the next big thing in MotoGP because he was not in awe of anyone, he rode his own race in his own style which was always guaranteed to provide excitement and thrills.  MotoGP will be a lesser sport without Marco. I am sure everyone will extend their sincerest condolences to his family and friends on such a sombre occasion.
 May he rest in peace.