Really,it's been a disappointing season so far, and here we are only 10 weeks away from the end of it. The league has gone, the Carling Cup has gone and the only chance of Silverware comes via the FA Cup or The Champions League. Hopefully something can be salvaged, or else it will have been 5 long seasons without a trophy.
I can remember going 8 seasons without a trophy in the eighties, a terrible time mostly, hoping against hope, and here we are back full circle, hoping against hope we can do something. That Man United may do the clean sweep,should galvanise any red blooded Gooner to hope and pray we can do something to stop that, but who knows?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Arsenal - 2009/2010 Thoughts So Far
Lisbon II Edges Closer
As expected, the pressure to have a vote on Lisbon 2 ratchets up day by day. Of course, the economic doom and gloom has been gleefully jumped on by Dick Roche, with much hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth. You must vote Yes dear people, so Mr Roche says, or doom will strike you.
Come on, how on earth can we believe anything this government says about anything these days. Believe me, the Lisbon Treaty or EU Constitution, to give it it's unofficial name, is the least of your worries right now. And,in any case, nothing has changed within it. These so called 'guarantees' (haven't we got those for the banks?) are worthless, dear people, unless specifically written within the treaty. That will not happen,because that would constitute a renegotiation of the text, which is unacceptable to Sarkozy and his ilk.
As for the polls, it is far to early to say anything.People are concerned, and rightly so, about the economy and their future finances, but it has precious little to do with this issue. When the debating begins properly, for a second poll, (which I might add should absolutely not happen, but there you are) then you will see the old concerns that people had before, not being addressed and a second rejection is inevitable, in my opinion.
Interesting days ahead, my friends.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Lisbon Rejected By The Irish
So, belatedly, the EU Elite see that some of us Europeans do have a conscience. Our No vote has put temporary brakes on the federal bandwagon, and all democratic thinking people should rejoice.
Of course, the doomsayers from the yes side have started already, ranging from meltdown, to extremely damaging to our interests in Europe. That won't happen.Indeed, already in the wind, is talk of a second referendum, and that the treaty is not dead. Such flagrant disregard for democracy is frankly, worrying. There is no way we should have to vote again. If they try and ram this down our throats, I sincerley expect a backlash, the likes has not been seen before, in terms of a more resounding No vote.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
No Vote Surges Ahead in Lisbon Referendum Poll
I cannot say I am surprised, that the latest polls show a massive increase against the Lisbon Treaty. The yes side has trotted out the same mantra for the last few weeks and people haven't bought into it. People want specifics, especially when they are signing up to something that changes things in Europe as much as this treaty proposes to do.
We can be sure that the bullying and threats of apocalyptic doom will come thick and fast from Leinster House and beyond today, but I'll point out that the French and Dutch also rejected this treaty when it was known as the EU Constitution, and did their society and economic welfare meltdown? No, I didn't think so, so such arguments are meaningless.
Less than a week to go, and hopefully we can end this treaty before it gets started and keep Ireland strong in Europe.
Can Ireland Finally Beat The All Blacks?
On Saturday morning, the men in green will be in Wellington, New Zealand, attempting to bridge a century of agony and beat the All Blacks at Rugby Union. Just a solitary draw is the best Ireland can show in that time and the rest have been defeats, some humiliating, some fairly close. Of course, Munster famously beat them in Thomond Park thirty years ago, and that's the nearest we can claim so far.
This time round with a near all Munster pack, and some new faces, there is some hope that a famous victory can be pulled off. Of course, we have heard this before and we still await that precious victory.Michael Bradley is in charge, and if the weather forecast is as bad as is feared, then Ireland could have a chance, as windy and wet Wellington might provide a more level playing field, with forwards contesting most of the play. This might be a good thing for Ireland's Munster boy's.
I think Ireland will compete well, but you never see a bad All Blacks side, and at home, should be at least 6 points too strong.
One Week Left For Lisbon Treaty Vote
So we are into the last furlong , to use a racing parlance, and each side is gearing up for a final sweep at voter consciousness. Yesterday, Newstalk's George Hook had Shane Ross and Joe Higgins both for the No side and it was Ross, who might be a surprise No supporter, who convincingly pointed out why we should vote no. The fact that France and Holland voted this treaty out - it is virtually the same treaty remember, a fact acknowledged by a host of European heads and elites is surely a big reason to vote no. Also, the fact that the bureaucrats changed this from being a constitution vote, to a treaty vote, meaning the governments, rather than the people of 26 nations got to ratify it without much noise is another good reason to vote this out. Our corporation tax which is attractive to foreign investors and has been a big help in securing much needed employment over the past fifteen years in particular, is under major threat. Once the vote is over, we are into the French presidency, and they have made clear noises that they want a harmonised rate of tax as soon as possible.Our supposed veto will not be worth anything if they want to get their way, and as Senator Ross pointed out, subtle threats to withhold vital funding from the EU might be one way to make us drop any thoughts of a veto.
Overall, it will be very close. The people in general are quite blase and lethargic in my opinion about this, but those of us who believe that Europe is trying to go way to far with this, will be out in a weeks time and hopefully, prevail for the No side and keep us strong in Europe.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Eamon Ryan - No Vote Will Cause EU Chaos
So the Greens have become the new turncoats on European treaties or at least the cabinet members have. We knew this would happen the moment the Fianna Fail party lifted the duvet on the bed to let them in. Although many, if not most rank and file members of the party are urging a No vote, the government ministers are urging a Yes vote, naturally, they could not do anything else.One has to wonder whether this support was a pre-condition last year when the negotiations for government were taking place.It certainly doesn't represent the majority Green view, in this writers anecdotal experience. Eamon Ryan uses the word 'chaos', something which in reality will not happen if and when we reject this treaty. I really cannot see how a No vote will dis-empower us.It will prove that the treaty needs to be re-negotiated to keep us at the top of the class, and not relegate us to the position of also-rans.If anything, a Yes vote will cause 'chaos' for us. And in these tougher economic times we don't need that. Hopefully Mr Ryan has heard the members of his own party berate their support for this, and has that admonishment ringing loud and clear in his head.
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