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Friday the 13th–Europe’s Lucky Day
By Carole | June 13, 2008
Ireland blessed the people of Europe in their referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, which took place yesterday. Today, the votes were tallied, and the answer was NO. The results came in at about 53.4% to 46.6% with less than half of eligible people voting. In one constituency, 4 votes separated yes from no.
The reason I call it a blessing is that in most of the European countries, there was no referendum this time–too risky, since they said no the last time? This time, the decision to ratify the treaty was taken by their elected officials without consulting the people.
Conspiracy theories are already afoot. Pretty soon someone is going to blame George Bush.
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June 14th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I read an article about this yesterday and I was very proud of the Irish! But I am furious to report that the article pointed out that the more educated Irish voted for the Treaty while the less educated and “scruffier” (they actually used that word!) Irish voted no! Do you believe that? That is the logic that England used to rule the Irish for hundreds of years. They used it to justify robbing the Irish of their language, their culture and even their food and now I am sure the rest of Europe along with Ireland’s own rulers are going to start all over again. Fortunately the IRA is still in tact (just kidding). Praise God for the Irish!
June 15th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Carole,
Conspiracy theories are the least of Ireland’s troubles. No doubt George Bush is being blamed. But the background of the treaty, which you rightly called a warmed over version of the rejected EU constitution, should be cause for concern for all Irish voters, “scruffier” and elite.
The idea that Ireland owes a debt of gratitude to the EU for its current affluence is only partly true. Of course, EU membership has opened doors, but Ireland’s policies and hard work are the other part of that equation. In its current form, the Lisbon treaty would cage the celtic tiger, and might well over time subject the Irish to a set of laws they have not opted for.