Why I Started a Blog

Why I Started a Blog

On Saturday, 13th June 2009, the Irish Times had an interesting profile on newly-elected MEP Joe Higgins.  It mentions “a smart, pinstriped D4 type [who] reaches across with a broad smile to shake his hand: ‘I don’t agree with you but I’m very pleased.’ Classic, says The Irish Times; not to mention contradictory”

It is a testament to the appalling mismanagement of the country by Fianna Fáil that   normally sensible people are driven to vote for deluded old-time left-wingers like Joe.  I join in the widespread respect which Joe has attracted from a broad section of society, but I am saddened that there are so other few other politicians seeking our votes who are both (a) honest and (b) plain-speaking.  Why is there nobody from the political centre or political right who can meet these requirements and bring a breath of fresh air to the moribund Irish political scene?  Admittedly, my definition of “plain-speaking” would involve telling people things they don’t want to hear, and our political class, paralysed by our electoral system, is not famous for that quality.

 Anyway, for those of my friends who, against their clear economic interests, voted for Joe (and I know at least one), I draw your attention to another quote from the article in the Irish Times, presumably a direct quote from Joe.  “The whole media apparatus would be taken into public ownership, with access for all shades of opinion and society, since ‘a press that is owned by a corporate elite is not a free press’ ”.  The state owning and controlling all media outlets – well isn’t that more than just a bit scary?  I think George Orwell once wrote a book to warn us against this kind of thing. 

Don’t ever say you haven’t been warned.

 But I’m banking on the possibility that Joe and his pals won’t get round to controlling blogs (although he might be able to pick up a few tips from China and Iran) and accordingly I’ve decided to commit my thoughts to that medium. 

 

Full many a gem of purest ray serene

The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear:

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,

And waste its sweetness on the desert air.