'Cliche and jargon are, like the order of the day' - Vincent Browne

A brilliant article by Browne on how the language of politics and public discussion has been infected by meaningless, unoriginal thought and speech.

http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=VINCENT+BROWNE-qqqs=commentandanalysis-qqqid=34555-qqqx=1.asp

Politicians have somehow managed to convert the purpose of speech into its opposite - in their mouths it's the art of talking a lot without saying anything - a form of non-communication as communication. Bertie Ahern was the king of this sort of non-speak:

http://shazgood.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/bertie-the-bringer-of-confusion/

Aragon wrote:

Politicians have somehow managed to convert the purpose of speech into its opposite - in their mouths it's the art of talking a lot without saying anything - a form of non-communication as communication. Bertie Ahern was the king of this sort of non-speak:

Obviously it isn't considered a drawback.

Quote :

Ahern to get €60k per speech through international agency
20 July 2008 By Ian Kehoe and Niamh Connolly
A high-profile international agency has signed up former taoiseach Bertie Ahern in a deal which will see him earning in excess of €60,000 for speaking engagements.

He has linked up with the Washington Speakers Bureau, the same agency that handles Bill Clinton and Tony Blair.

The exclusive deal was signed last week and will see him discuss his role as peacemaker in the North on the international public speaking circuit, Ahern told The Sunday Business Post.

Ahern said he expected to address international conferences, economic summits and diplomatic dinners. Most of his fees would be offered to his preferred charities, he said.


‘‘We showed in Ireland that peace can be achieved through dialogue and relationship building. I will take that theme around the world,’’ Ahern said.

Ahern has been asked to cover topics including the North’s peace process, the economy, the future direction of the EU and maintaining leadership in tough times.

The Washington Speakers Bureau cited Ahern as a ‘‘new and exclusive’’ speaker along with Prince Talal of Jordan and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Others signed to the agency include Colin Powell, John Major, Madeleine Albright and the former US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan.

Describing itself as ‘the world’s number one lecture agency’, it also has comedian John Cleese and former boxer Sugar Ray Leonard on its books.

Ahern also confirmed that he had adopted two Irish charities that he would represent at home and abroad.

The charities are Co-operation Ireland, which encourages closer relations between people in the North and the Republic, and Turning the Tide of Suicide.

http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=34610-qqqx=1.asp

Going forward into uncharted waters in a perfect storm makes me feel queasy

Lestat wrote:

Aragon wrote:

Politicians have somehow managed to convert the purpose of speech into its opposite - in their mouths it's the art of talking a lot without saying anything - a form of non-communication as communication. Bertie Ahern was the king of this sort of non-speak:

Obviously it isn't considered a drawback.

Quote :

Ahern to get €60k per speech through international agency
20 July 2008 By Ian Kehoe and Niamh Connolly
A high-profile international agency has signed up former taoiseach Bertie Ahern in a deal which will see him earning in excess of €60,000 for speaking engagements.

He has linked up with the Washington Speakers Bureau, the same agency that handles Bill Clinton and Tony Blair.


The exclusive deal was signed last week and will see him discuss his role as peacemaker in the North on the international public speaking circuit, Ahern told The Sunday Business Post.

Ahern said he expected to address international conferences, economic summits and diplomatic dinners. Most of his fees would be offered to his preferred charities, he said.


‘‘We showed in Ireland that peace can be achieved through dialogue and relationship building. I will take that theme around the world,’’ Ahern said.

Ahern has been asked to cover topics including the North’s peace process, the economy, the future direction of the EU and maintaining leadership in tough times.

The Washington Speakers Bureau cited Ahern as a ‘‘new and exclusive’’ speaker along with Prince Talal of Jordan and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Others signed to the agency include Colin Powell, John Major, Madeleine Albright and the former US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan.

Describing itself as ‘the world’s number one lecture agency’, it also has comedian John Cleese and former boxer Sugar Ray Leonard on its books.

Ahern also confirmed that he had adopted two Irish charities that he would represent at home and abroad.

The charities are Co-operation Ireland, which encourages closer relations between people in the North and the Republic, and Turning the Tide of Suicide.

[url=http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=34610-qqqx=1.asp

http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=34610-qqqx=1.asp[/quote[/url]]

And Ahern won't pen a single word of what he has to say at these engagements. He wouldn't be allowed! Nothing new either in seeing him put out to grass with the likes of Clinton and Blair - another couple of schemers like Ahern. I can only hope that nobody puts him on the spot at one of these events, he'll be found out on the instant!

Quote :

And Ahern won't pen a single word of what he has to say at these engagements. He wouldn't be allowed! Nothing new either in seeing him put out to grass with the likes of Clinton and Blair - another couple of schemers like Ahern. I can only hope that nobody puts him on the spot at one of these events, he'll be found out on the instant!

Thought Cavan was in the North of Ireland, according to the Press.

Perhaps there should be some form of gagging order on former Heads of State who are prone to trail around the globe carrying out dubious non-elected functions (same as there is for higher civil servants)

Bring on CAB to investigate white collar crime, says Vincent.