Taking to the Streets
The polls are very encouraging and many on the ‘yes’ camp are quietly confident that we’ll get Lisbon ratified. I believe that polls are pretty meaningless and that the only poll worth a penny is the one taking place on Friday.
When canvassing on the streets, I have been struck by both people’s desire to learn more about the Treaty and their fury with Fianna Fáil. The desire to punish Brian Cowen et al is palpable. While I can definitely sympathise with this sentiment, there are times when one needs to put the national interest first.
The time will come when we can make our judgement on the government – now is not that time. Governments and politicians will come and go but the implications of our vote on Friday will not.
All Ireland Final
Our decision on Lisbon will determine Ireland’s economic and political future for generations to come. We need to make the right decision and we need to vote ‘yes’. We need to stay on the streets, we need to keep canvassing and we need to continue to fight every lie with the truth.
Fighting Lies
We’ve put the blood, sweat and tears in, we’ve got this far. Let’s not give up now. Ireland’s future depends on it.
Forget the fear-mongering, forget short-term thinking, here’s the real question(s) that need to be answered:
“Why is the EU so afraid to let people vote on the Lisbon Treaty if it’s so beneficial to everyone? Wouldn’t they rather have a strong EU with the people behind them? Aren’t they pro-democracy?”
I would humbly ask you to please vote “No”, for all our sakes! If, for nothing else, the fact that this is an insult to democracy, freedom and to all the folks who have given their lives in protecting these ideals. No one else in the rest of Europe (400+ million) has had a say in this.
I’m all for a united Europe, but one where the peoples voices are heard and respected – where there is transparency and accountability – not one of arrogance and contempt where they make you ‘vote again’ until you get it right. Will they have another vote if it’s “Yes”?
If that’s what the EU wants to become, just another unaccountable layer of bureaucracy supporting the…
Still, the question is too:
Will all of the rest of Europe really accept a second No from Ireland…
Several are saying they’ll go their own way, not let Ireland stop them – and it is to some extent understandable, although the
initial position called for everyone’s agreement.
In such a case, what’s left for Ireland?
That’s right, yet another vote…
For those who don’t know the ’story’ behind this vote…
A Bedtime Story for all Nice Children and not so Maastricht Adults
http://ceolas.net/#eu7x
The Happy Family
Once upon a time there was a family treaty-ing themselves to a visit in Lisbon.
On the sunny day that it was they decided to go out together.
Everyone had to agree on what they would do.
“So”, said Daddy Brusselsprout “Let’s all go for a picnic!”
“No”, said Aunt Erin, “I don’t want to”.
Did they then think of something else, that they might indeed agree on?
Oh yes they did?
Oh no they didn’t!
Daddy…
(continued)
Oh yes they did?
Oh no they didn’t!
Daddy Brusselsprout asked all the others anyway, isolating Erin, and then asked her if instead, she would like to go with them to
the park and eat out of a lunch basket….
Kids, we’ll finish this story tomorrow, and remember, in the EU yes means yes and no means yes as well!
.