cookiemonster wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

I wouldn't be so happy for a few reasons,

Even if it was me?

*sulk*

Is this our big Autumn scoop cookiemonster ? As joint winner of the MN Euro Trivia quiz, you should walk it.

cactus flower wrote:

Quote :

That's a very good summary - there is a democratic deficit, there were some improvements on offer, and most of the disconnect is the result of a blank wall at the national level. FF in particular do nothing to help their citizens connect to the EU - instead they prefer to use it to do what they dare not do themselves, and as a handy scapegoat. Sure, that blows up in their faces at treaty referendums, but not at general elections.

I'd even be happy to see Libertas winning a seat, just to shake up the cosy MEP cartel of national-party MEPs. Admittedly, I'd rather see a Green, but I'd prefer a Libertas MEP to an FF one.

I wouldn't be so happy for a few reasons, two of which are that it would mean a lot of people had voted for them, and that the UK eurosceptics already say most of what they say already.

No pain, no gain! The current set-up serves Europe, and us as European citizens, very badly.

cactus flower wrote:

We need a few people who are guanteed non-toadies, without personal vanity and a sense of public service.

There's no reason to think Libertas doesn't have them, though.

ibis wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

Quote :

That's a very good summary - there is a democratic deficit, there were some improvements on offer, and most of the disconnect is the result of a blank wall at the national level. FF in particular do nothing to help their citizens connect to the EU - instead they prefer to use it to do what they dare not do themselves, and as a handy scapegoat. Sure, that blows up in their faces at treaty referendums, but not at general elections.

I'd even be happy to see Libertas winning a seat, just to shake up the cosy MEP cartel of national-party MEPs. Admittedly, I'd rather see a Green, but I'd prefer a Libertas MEP to an FF one.

I wouldn't be so happy for a few reasons, two of which are that it would mean a lot of people had voted for them, and that the UK eurosceptics already say most of what they say already.

No pain, no gain! The current set-up serves Europe, and us as European citizens, very badly.

cactus flower wrote:

We need a few people who are guanteed non-toadies, without personal vanity and a sense of public service.

There's no reason to think Libertas doesn't have them, though.

All of the cosy agenda is contrary to Article 1 of the Irish Constitution. When will you political heads actually read the constitutiion.

TheGeniusOfCork wrote:

ibis wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

Quote :

That's a very good summary - there is a democratic deficit, there were some improvements on offer, and most of the disconnect is the result of a blank wall at the national level. FF in particular do nothing to help their citizens connect to the EU - instead they prefer to use it to do what they dare not do themselves, and as a handy scapegoat. Sure, that blows up in their faces at treaty referendums, but not at general elections.

I'd even be happy to see Libertas winning a seat, just to shake up the cosy MEP cartel of national-party MEPs. Admittedly, I'd rather see a Green, but I'd prefer a Libertas MEP to an FF one.

I wouldn't be so happy for a few reasons, two of which are that it would mean a lot of people had voted for them, and that the UK eurosceptics already say most of what they say already.

No pain, no gain! The current set-up serves Europe, and us as European citizens, very badly.

cactus flower wrote:

We need a few people who are guanteed non-toadies, without personal vanity and a sense of public service.

There's no reason to think Libertas doesn't have them, though.

All of the cosy agenda is contrary to Article 1 of the Irish Constitution. When will you political heads actually read the constitutiion.

Yes, this is getting a bit cosy. But the European Parliament is not going to go away and it is a platform, if nothing else. I would like us to be sending some more people who will use it, rather than the likes of P. DeRossa who voted against respect for the Irish vote.

cactus flower wrote:

TheGeniusOfCork wrote:

ibis wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

Quote :

That's a very good summary - there is a democratic deficit, there were some improvements on offer, and most of the disconnect is the result of a blank wall at the national level. FF in particular do nothing to help their citizens connect to the EU - instead they prefer to use it to do what they dare not do themselves, and as a handy scapegoat. Sure, that blows up in their faces at treaty referendums, but not at general elections.

I'd even be happy to see Libertas winning a seat, just to shake up the cosy MEP cartel of national-party MEPs. Admittedly, I'd rather see a Green, but I'd prefer a Libertas MEP to an FF one.

I wouldn't be so happy for a few reasons, two of which are that it would mean a lot of people had voted for them, and that the UK eurosceptics already say most of what they say already.

No pain, no gain! The current set-up serves Europe, and us as European citizens, very badly.

cactus flower wrote:

We need a few people who are guanteed non-toadies, without personal vanity and a sense of public service.

There's no reason to think Libertas doesn't have them, though.

All of the cosy agenda is contrary to Article 1 of the Irish Constitution. When will you political heads actually read the constitutiion.

Yes, this is getting a bit cosy. But the European Parliament is not going to go away and it is a platform, if nothing else. I would like us to be sending some more people who will use it, rather than the likes of P. DeRossa who voted against respect for the Irish vote.

deRossa is one of the few worthwhile MEPs, and the only one who didn't allow cowardice to dictate his response to that stunt amendment.

Which of his achievements in Europe do you think we should particularly appreciate ?

cactus flower wrote:

Which of his achievements in Europe do you think we should particularly appreciate ?

If no other one, that one.

cactus flower wrote:

cookiemonster wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

I wouldn't be so happy for a few reasons,

Even if it was me?

*sulk*

Is this our big Autumn scoop cookiemonster ? As joint winner of the MN Euro Trivia quiz, you should walk it.

It's what it took to assuage the dount and confirm my decision.

ibis wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

Quote :

That's a very good summary - there is a democratic deficit, there were some improvements on offer, and most of the disconnect is the result of a blank wall at the national level. FF in particular do nothing to help their citizens connect to the EU - instead they prefer to use it to do what they dare not do themselves, and as a handy scapegoat. Sure, that blows up in their faces at treaty referendums, but not at general elections.

I'd even be happy to see Libertas winning a seat, just to shake up the cosy MEP cartel of national-party MEPs. Admittedly, I'd rather see a Green, but I'd prefer a Libertas MEP to an FF one.

I wouldn't be so happy for a few reasons, two of which are that it would mean a lot of people had voted for them, and that the UK eurosceptics already say most of what they say already.

No pain, no gain! The current set-up serves Europe, and us as European citizens, very badly.

cactus flower wrote:

We need a few people who are guanteed non-toadies, without personal vanity and a sense of public service.

There's no reason to think Libertas doesn't have them, though.

Is an infectious dislike of Ganley reason enough?

cookiemonster wrote:

ibis wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

Quote :

That's a very good summary - there is a democratic deficit, there were some improvements on offer, and most of the disconnect is the result of a blank wall at the national level. FF in particular do nothing to help their citizens connect to the EU - instead they prefer to use it to do what they dare not do themselves, and as a handy scapegoat. Sure, that blows up in their faces at treaty referendums, but not at general elections.

I'd even be happy to see Libertas winning a seat, just to shake up the cosy MEP cartel of national-party MEPs. Admittedly, I'd rather see a Green, but I'd prefer a Libertas MEP to an FF one.

I wouldn't be so happy for a few reasons, two of which are that it would mean a lot of people had voted for them, and that the UK eurosceptics already say most of what they say already.

No pain, no gain! The current set-up serves Europe, and us as European citizens, very badly.

cactus flower wrote:

We need a few people who are guanteed non-toadies, without personal vanity and a sense of public service.

There's no reason to think Libertas doesn't have them, though.

Is an infectious dislike of Ganley reason enough?

Ganley does for me what Klein does for you. There are political differences. Ganley has a lot of reasonable points to make about the EU, its more that I don't agree with his deregulation agenda. EU regulation has done more for Ireland than all the grants and handouts.

cactus flower wrote:

cookiemonster wrote:

ibis wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

Quote :

That's a very good summary - there is a democratic deficit, there were some improvements on offer, and most of the disconnect is the result of a blank wall at the national level. FF in particular do nothing to help their citizens connect to the EU - instead they prefer to use it to do what they dare not do themselves, and as a handy scapegoat. Sure, that blows up in their faces at treaty referendums, but not at general elections.

I'd even be happy to see Libertas winning a seat, just to shake up the cosy MEP cartel of national-party MEPs. Admittedly, I'd rather see a Green, but I'd prefer a Libertas MEP to an FF one.

I wouldn't be so happy for a few reasons, two of which are that it would mean a lot of people had voted for them, and that the UK eurosceptics already say most of what they say already.

No pain, no gain! The current set-up serves Europe, and us as European citizens, very badly.

cactus flower wrote:

We need a few people who are guanteed non-toadies, without personal vanity and a sense of public service.

There's no reason to think Libertas doesn't have them, though.

Is an infectious dislike of Ganley reason enough?

Ganley does for me what Klein does for you. There are political differences. Ganley has a lot of reasonable points to make about the EU, its more that I don't agree with his deregulation agenda. EU regulation has done more for Ireland than all the grants and handouts.

What, you find him whiney, annoying but also harbour a secret attraction to him?

Perhaps... but I haven't written off The Guardian just because she writes for it.

cookiemonster wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

cookiemonster wrote:

ibis wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

Quote :

That's a very good summary - there is a democratic deficit, there were some improvements on offer, and most of the disconnect is the result of a blank wall at the national level. FF in particular do nothing to help their citizens connect to the EU - instead they prefer to use it to do what they dare not do themselves, and as a handy scapegoat. Sure, that blows up in their faces at treaty referendums, but not at general elections.

I'd even be happy to see Libertas winning a seat, just to shake up the cosy MEP cartel of national-party MEPs. Admittedly, I'd rather see a Green, but I'd prefer a Libertas MEP to an FF one.

I wouldn't be so happy for a few reasons, two of which are that it would mean a lot of people had voted for them, and that the UK eurosceptics already say most of what they say already.

No pain, no gain! The current set-up serves Europe, and us as European citizens, very badly.

cactus flower wrote:

We need a few people who are guanteed non-toadies, without personal vanity and a sense of public service.

There's no reason to think Libertas doesn't have them, though.

Is an infectious dislike of Ganley reason enough?

Ganley does for me what Klein does for you. There are political differences. Ganley has a lot of reasonable points to make about the EU, its more that I don't agree with his deregulation agenda. EU regulation has done more for Ireland than all the grants and handouts.

What, you find him whiney, annoying but also harbour a secret attraction to him?

Perhaps... but I haven't written off The Guardian just because she writes for it.

And I haven't written off you, just because you support him.

cactus flower wrote:

And I haven't written off you, just because you support him.

I can count on your vote then?

Totally being my campaign director, AT!

cookiemonster wrote:

Totally being my campaign director, AT!

And I'm totally ready to serve a fine candidate of your unimpeachable calibre, sir!

cookiemonster wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

And I haven't written off you, just because you support him.

I can count on your vote then?

If you're standing for Libertas, you'll be able to count on it going somewhere else

cactus flower wrote:

cookiemonster wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

And I haven't written off you, just because you support him.

I can count on your vote then?

If you're standing for Libertas, you'll be able to count on it going somewhere else

I'm feeling the cold wind of contradiction blowing on the firm naked buttocks of statements past.

Ard-Taoiseach wrote:

cookiemonster wrote:

Totally being my campaign director, AT!

And I'm totally ready to serve a fine candidate of your unimpeachable calibre, sir!

With AT by my side I don't need no stinking Cactus Flower vote. AT's vote is worth ten of that of an ordinary man*.

*using SFVT. (Sinn Fein voting Technique)

cookiemonster wrote:

Ard-Taoiseach wrote:

cookiemonster wrote:

Totally being my campaign director, AT!

And I'm totally ready to serve a fine candidate of your unimpeachable calibre, sir!

With AT by my side I don't need no stinking Cactus Flower vote. AT's vote is worth ten of that of an ordinary man*.

*using SFVT. (Sinn Fein voting Technique)

You're ever so kind cookie, did you notice the way I used Eurostile for the main campaign poster? It seemed the most appropriate one to use.