Ripping Cowen apart may have been a rip too far

There were two winners last night in Ryan Tubridy’s interview with Brian Cowen. Undoubtedly, Tubridy’s assault on the Taoiseach will have earned him some respect among his doubters. But I wonder, and only time will tell, whether by ripping the Taoiseach apart did he rip a little too far and show up the soft side of the underfire Fianna Fail leader. There was a sense of sympathy for the man by the end of the interview. A sympathy which was aided in no small portion by the crowd that was nervously giddy and similar to the angry mob from the Simpsons. At one stage there was a look on Cowen’s face and you could see it running through his mind-maybe I should tell these people to stick their job and retire to Barbados or something . It’s hard to blame them though, Tubridy in fairness to him was asking questions that everyone has wanted to ask for months but hasn’t, to the best of my knowledge, asked. The question about Cowen’s drinking was a real, wo there, moment but one that the Taoiseach handled admirably. Bertie never got a question like that and I’m sure he didn’t get that big  red snout on him from being out pruning his roses in the garden.  By the end of the interview I think he actually won the audience over. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if his ratings were to climb after this. It was pretty compelling stuff.

Karl Sigfrid-Swedish politician takes a pop at the new blasphemy laws

I was interested to see that a Swedish politician has spoken out against the recent introduction (or is it reintroduction or indeed amendment) of our blasphemy laws. I think it may be worth while considering tranfers for politicians. Just like in football. Perhaps we could have an Italian as Minister of Defence, a Dutchman or woman as Minister for flooding, a Dane or a Swede as Minister of Common sense etc. Who would be the Ronaldo of a transfer market like that I wonder?

Anyway, Mr. Karl Sigfrid brings up some very valid points according to this report. There is a problem with the report though. Is it being reported because no Irish politician has said the same or because he is foreign and we are more inclined to listen to foreigners, in the ‘jaysus Maire look at dat, sure we’re that  brilliant they’re talking about us in Sweden’ sense?

Or do we just not really care about this kind of thing here and they really do in Sweden? Read on Mac Duff. 

http://news.ie.msn.com/world/article.aspx?cp-documentid=149235590

Disaster for Irish construction industry

Workers in Ireland’s building trade will wake up on Monday morning with yet another dilemma to deal with.

Things have not been going well of late for the construction industry. What with the economic slowdown and the consequential decline in building, many builders have lost their jobs in recent months.

Those still in employment are understanably nervous about the future (as is everyone) but at least they had their 10a.m. breakfast roll to look forward to. Not any more. Now that Irish pork is off limits because of the shit the pigs were eating our builders have to stop eating shit too. It doesn’t rain but it pours. What will, as David McWilliams calls him, Breakfast roll man do? Salad roll man just doesn’t seem to fit.

I will miss my ham sandwiches over the coming weeks but on the bright side, the health of the nation will surely improve due to us pork loving Irish taking the swine out of dine (couldn’t resist) . I imagine it will reduce our salt intake quite drastically. Have no fear however; all that improvement is sure to be negated by yule tide boozing.

Slainte