Smaller countries left out of E.U. talks – Comforting for Ireland – As French President Kozys up to the other big three, we see the birth of a new Triumvirate

"I just felt that around here was beginning to sag a little, so I had some fat removed and now I feel SO much younger!!"

How comforting it was to see the big boys in the yard take it upon themselves to discuss ourEuropean Union’s problems without disturbing us minions. The fact that Mr. Sarkozy invited the heavy hitters to talks is very reassuring to me as an Irishman. I feel much safer now because I know that I am back safe and warm in the cave while by big butch boyfriends go out and make sure that I’ll have enough to eat.

Gordo was loving it-huffing and puffing his way through what he thought the Union needed to do with a look of disbelief on his face that he had been invited ’round the table to wave his club in the air with the other equally egoistical leaders; one has had a hair transplant and is getting younger by the day, the other is married to a former super model and loves to see himself on TV. Merkel must go home and laugh at all these eejits.

Amazingly, only the ballsey Finns made any sort of objection to the exclusivity of the meeting and they were correct to do so. If these leaders want Ireland to eventually say yes to Lisbon, little meetings like this should be avoided or at least kept away from the cameras. One can just imagine Declan Ganley, chuffing away on a cigar last night while stroking his white cat, looking at this gathering and taking note of the proceedings with glee. There they were sat at a press conference with E.U. flags behind them, proudly solving all our problems without the rest of us in attendance. 

Kept away from the cameras!!!??? I hear you scream with laughter. Good point, we are talking Sarkozy, Berlusconi and Brown. All hail the new  ’Triumvirate of Vanity’.

Palin Biden Debate- The view from Ireland and Britain

Not so great debate

Most (sane) media are calling it a draw with Palin perhaps managing not to make too much of a fool of herself as was maybe hoped by the Democrat side. Even the ‘experts’ on Mr. Murdoch’s Sky News over here were inclined to say that although Palin didn’t make a pig’s ear of it, Biden’s knowledge of foreign policy ultimately swung it in his favour. That said, these are the glasses through which we Europeans see the American election-U.S. foreign policy. So whether or not that is as relevant for you guys is another thing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The BBC’s Kevin Connolly said the following in his anaysis: “I’d be inclined to call it even, while noting that Mrs Palin perhaps exceeded expectations and even got a couple of cheeky digs in towards the end.”

 

The unfortunate thing about the debate was the rather sickening way that family history got drawn into the election again. It is unfortunate that Biden, in order to show his human side, was forced or felt compelled to bring in a family tragedy from some years back. But it seems to be part of the game. I wonder now when we will see the marriage of Palin’s daughter. Could it happen before the election day?

 

On Palin’s performance Denis Staunton of The Irish Times said the following: “Palin’s performance may have delighted the McCain campaign but it was not enough to provide the game-changer the Republican ticket needs as the election moves swiftly in Obama’s direction.”

  Trawl through most of the European press and you won’t find many saying Palin won; rather that there was relief in Republican circles that she didn’t lose.