Disgruntled Nation

Yes, it’s the newest dance craze and they’re all doing it. France wants Ireland to run a second referendum on Lisbon but won’t let its own people have even one. The Lisbon No side want every EU nation to be allowed a referendum but doesn’t want a second one for Ireland. Sarkozy has said that Ireland will not be allowed to make amendments to the Treaty of Lisbon and it’s not right that Ireland should be allowed to hold the other EU nations at ransom. Yet now he’s threatening to ‘torpedo’ the WTO talks unless major amendments are made and if he isn’t gotten on side HE will hold the talks at ransom and they’ll collapse within the next 24 hours.
The EU shuffle is a nice little 3-step and anyone can try it. You simply pick a spot on the dance floor, take one step forward, turn around 180 degrees and then take another step forward. You can repeat the last two motions until the DJ stops playing Ode To Joy.
Some times it’s practical, like the No sides refusal for a second referendum. While the shouts of ‘Respect Democracy’ ring loud, you can just about make out the strains of fear and the memories of Nice II are never far away, from either the Yes or the No sides minds.
Ireland is becoming very good friends with two words these days. ‘Crises’ and ‘Recession’, both bringing joy and mirth to our lives at pretty much the same time. But even with the medias pathetic attempts to cover up the losses in the National Pension Reserve Fund by saying a 12% drop isn’t bad compared to other pensions it was ‘Crises’ that jumped up in today’s news.
‘What have we done now?’ You may ask. For we’re the crises makers. By rejecting the Lisbon Treaty we have near completely destroyed Europe’s ability to negotiate trade, reduce carbon emissions or regulate justice policies. Because of the Irish thousands of people in the developing worlds are suffering from lack of EU aid and Polar Bears are being forced to retire and become Grizzlies. But no, this time around it was Sarkozy who was causing trouble.
Like I said, many told us that Irelands No vote meant Europe would not be able to negotiate foreign trade policies along with a lot of other hocus. But Europe seemed to be doing fairly well today, No or no No, at the World Trade Organisation talks in Geneva which King Sarko is threatening to scupper, throwing the talks into ‘crises’. So we’re not the only trouble makers around.
Europe didn’t explode. Italy didn’t sink, Portugal didn’t say ‘F**k you all’ and swim off to join South America and Germany didn’t erupt in flames. The No vote wasn’t the end of the world. And maybe Sarkos No vote on the WTO talks won’t be the end of the world, just the start of more talks which will get a better deal for all involved.
But hopefully this won’t turn into a situation where if something is put to the Irish and they reject it they are in the wrong but if something is put to the French, indeed if its just put to Sarko and he doesn’t like it, well they have full power to re-negotiate. ‘They’re two completely different things!’ you may say, the Lisbon Treaty and the WTO talks. And you’re right. A No on forcing poor oul’ Charlie to retire his comfy Commissioners job and a No on opening avenues of trade for Europe at a time of dire economic need are two very different things.

The Lisbon No side has a new champion. A man who’s every action, every word, is solidifying the cause in the minds of its veterans and bringing fresh new blood to the banner. No, I’m not talking about Ben Dunne. I’m talking about Nicolas Sarkozy.

After the failed Yes campaign the Government was silent as to whether a rerun would be ran but now Brian Blubber and the opposition leaders have had to come out and firmly tell Sarkozy that another referendum would be counter-productive. Or he might just tell him to f**k off.

A protester was arrested for throwing two eggs at his car as he approached Government Buildings today, passing by the protest of over 200 fishermen. It wasn’t all bad though as the IFA got a few Massy Fergussons and painted them in the French colours to show their support. What a droll spectacle it must have been for him. Back home they would have supported him with tanks rolling down the Camps on the Lee-cee, the fishermen would have protested by demanding local supermarkets to stop stocking fish and instead of eggs disgruntled activists would have tried to shoot at him, like in the good ol’ days of Jack The Rack.

With all the talking done early last week, or with all that could be said thrown out the window early last week, Sarkozy’s visit seems to be one of the most uninteresting affairs ever to grace our shore. When, I ask you, was the last time so little attention was paid to the visiting head of a foreign state? Lands, eggs, cúpla focal Français, hand shakes all round and snails in Paris. And Biffo after bringing out his best ironed suit and all for the occasion.