I’ve never been a fan of the term “revolution”. I positively cringed while reading the Labour-Fine Gael plan for government; if the last General Election was a “democratic revolution” then we’re certainly doing the Arab Spring a disservice by describing it in similar terms. Major upheaval is a twentieth century fad, a peculiarity of a bygone era before television and low-discount airlines, but it is nonetheless safe to say that communication has undergone a revolution over the last decade. Although I’m living abroad, I’m up to date with everything at home as it unfolds thanks to Facebook, Twitter and online news sites.
Now, it’s been an exciting year back home from what I can gather. The biggest Student demonstration in a generation, an alleged democratic revolution, and State visits by the President of the United States and the Queen of Great Britain & Northern Ireland. I’m not saying Malta is without it’s charms (The Divorce referendum is this week. It’s like being in Ireland in 1996, but there’s free WiFi everywhere) but it seems that I’ve missed some fairly important goings on back home. Thankfully, I’ve been able to follow the comings and goings of my Homeland from the comfort of my own desk. I watched the hilarious videos of protesters trying, and failing to burn a Union Jack when the Queen arrived on YouTube, I followed the events of the No to fees march on Facebook and was treated to the election results in Galway West as they came in via Twitter. Today, thanks to a combination of all three, I was able to follow President Obama’s day out in Ireland; knocking back a pint in Moneygall, meeting the president with his entourage, and of course, watching him learn that you can kit out a limousine with the best bullet proof panelling money can buy, it can still be no match for Irish roads.
The standard of oration at College Green was certainly above average. The passionate rhetoric of actor Brendan Gleeson was later followed (after a series of mediocre musical acts) by, frankly, the best speech I’ve ever heard Enda Kenny give and certainly one that I imagine none of his recent predecessors would have been capable of delivering. I agree wholeheartedly with those on twitter who expressed the sentiments “Thank God it’s not Cowen”. The President’s speech was, it had to be said, the best political speech heard in Ireland in a while, although I’ve heard the criticism that it was essentially a remake of Bill Clinton’s speech set in 2011. The whole event seems to have been a sort of pep talk for the country and there can be no doubt that some words of encouragement are needed right now as we face another round of Airlines vs Volcanic Ash, Iran ignoring EU sanctions against its nuclear power programe and the National Debt rising to somewhere in the region of €23,250 per person. But perhaps it might have served us better, and earned him more favour with Irish-American votes if he took the day to have words with the ECB instead?
He has enough on his own plate. Anyone who thinks that he’s going to march in and save the poor beleaguered Irish are mistaken. We have to duke this out ourselves. America may be a help, but they’re not going to do it for us.
Also, what do the polls look like for said divorce referendum? I’d like to think that somewhere else in the world is taking baby steps towards modernity
But John, his campaign was about Change!
True, I suppose, Israel/Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Iran, Bahrain, Syria and all the rest are somewhat more troubling than us not standing up for ourselves. Make Brendan Gleeson Taoiseach for a day and see how he gets on, I say.
At least it should be good for tourism from the States. I was really hoping Gaybo would have been hosting it, and that there would have been a Green-card for everyone in the audience and those at home as well. Actually, speaking of which, I haven’t heard anything about the undocumented Irish in America today, wasn’t that supposed to be an issue?
It’s weird, even with a few days to go, I haven’t seen many statistics about who will be voting ‘Le’ or ‘Iva’. I’ve heard about 60% in favour of legalizing, but you never know how it will go on the day.