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Sunday February 20, 2005 16:02

by Sean Crudden - impero

Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth

087 9739945

Who Is the Fairest of Them All?

Micheal ("Prince Charming") McDowell has admirers - as I know from canvassing on the doorsteps in Navan - but who is the greatest establishment politician of recent decades?

Sean Crudden

Although I am actively involved in politics since 1987 - mainly through membership of The Progressive Democrats political party - it is very seldom that anyone ever asks me about my opinion on political matters. So the other night between awake and asleep I asked myself the question "who was the most important minister of government since 1975?"

Of course we have had various prime ministers since that time including the great Charles Haughey as well as countless other powerful members of government such as Ray Burke once was (and I include them all in my reckoning).

However the conclusion I came to (and I came to it quite quickly) was that the greatest of all in that time was Mervyn Taylor. A quiet member of the Jewish fraternity who never rose above the ranks of junior minister he was responsible for setting up The Council for The Status of People with Disability which was in its hey-day around 1994. People in his constituency in Dublin will know far more about Mervyn Taylor than I do and if there are readers of indymedia who wish to refresh their minds about him I suggest that they do a "google" on him and save me the trouble.

Of course Micheál McDowell whom Martin McGuinness rightly termed today on The News at One "The Minister for Bypassing Justice" is now (to quote his full title) Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Although he is (at least in title) minister for equality he unashamedly a few months ago poured cold water and scorn on the whole concept of equality - obviously oblivious to the hurt this caused to the nascent hopes and prayers of disabled people for the recognition they are due.

The Peace Process was the big project of the last few decades but the jury, for me, is still out on who contributed what and when and what will be the final result - if there is ever a final result in my lifetime. Currently the same McDowell and his backer Dermot Ahern - like troublemakers at a football match which their side is losing - are trying to wreck Sinn Fein without a care in the world for the peace process which a few months ago was almost a holy grail.

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Comments (3 of 3)

An Icon for Tomorrow

by Sean Crudden

Fri Feb 25, 2005 15:42

Bobby Sands resisted the might of Great Britain from the confines of a prison cell - he resisted to the point of death. That is why he qualifies - for me - as the greatest politician of the age.

Margaret Thatcher has impressed the gullible Irish ever since that time with her Neo-Darwinian gospel of aggression and greed. Many young people have swallowed this political gospel hook line and sinker. To be candid, to old man like me they are tiring and annoying to listen to on radio and TV and even on indymedia. The prevailing political strategy seems to me to be to create a mob and to rule the mob. The chosen methodology seems to be gutter politics and a dirty rush to judgement. The immediate aim to wreck and destroy is not far removed from the ultimate aim to pillage and to burn.

The cry of the hunger strikers was "What do we want? - Political Status! When do we want it? - Now!" If he were alive today I think Bobby Sands would be in the vanguard against the pack, the horde, the marauders of the right wing in Ireland today. He would be striking for calm, rational, community, democratic, totally inclusive politics.

This is beyond a joke

by Elle

Mon Feb 21, 2005 13:47

"Although I am actively involved in politics since 1987 - mainly through membership of The Progressive Democrats political party - it is very seldom that anyone ever asks me about my opinion on political matters" - could this be because no-one gives a f$$k about your opinion of political matters? Might I suggest sleeping tablets the next time your sleep is troubled?

BTW - Mervyn Taylor is a Jew, he is not a member of the Jewish Fraternity any more than Michael McDowell is a member of the Catholic fraternity - you silly man!

The best politician in Cooley

by Linda Clarke

Mon Feb 21, 2005 03:57

Sorry Mr Crudden I was in bed early to night after reading your comment and after serious thought I came to the conclusion that Peter Savage was the best politician as he done plenty of good things in Cooley. Peter sure knows how to charm the voters especially the female ones and that includes me. I Love Peter Savage as he is the best man to hit politics since Frank Aiken as he does a lot of good things and still does. As they say "make love not war"!

Peter can win an election without posters. He has the right tool for the job and is good at using it and working it around the ballot box. Vote Savage number one every time.

Love to you Sean from

Linda

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Comments (3 of 3)