Thursday 20 September 2012

Ireland as a dysfunctional family in denial?



Interesting op-ed article in today's Irish Times, by Brendan Logue, former Central Bank Registrar of Credit Unions and head of the IDA Financial Services Division.

It makes some good points about the delusional nature of Irish society and its doctrinaire - and largely manufactured - sacred cultural references.



On the other hand, it seems to fall into the popular Irish comfort-blanket trap of partly blaming a sinister "Frankfurt regime" for the mess we are in,  which to me is rather like the imagined "prolifigate parents" blaming the moneylender for their own greed and stupidity.   The real blame lies closer to home, I think.

Oh... and the Central Bank.  That fine regime had no say in regulating our financial institutions and controlling bank lending during The Bubble, did it?...



Leadership needed to mend our sorry state of delusion
BRENDAN LOGUE
Thu, Sep 20, 2012

OPINION: IMAGINE YOU belong to a dysfunctional family. The parents are profligate, incompetent and reckless. They tend to be corrupt, lazy, dishonest and self-serving.
The children (other than certain favourites) feel oppressed and neglected. Many of the favourites exhibit ruthless self-interest and greed.

The parents are under pressure from the moneylenders to whom they have had to turn as a result of their profligacy. So dysfunctional is this family that they have had to be taken under the care of outside agencies, which are struggling to bring them under control.

Many of the children abuse alcohol, drugs, religion, or alternatively delude themselves about their true situation, in order to ease their pain.  Others flee the family home at the earliest opportunity, or resort to suicide. They abuse and exploit each other and are in a perpetual state of inter-sibling rivalry.
The concept of family wellbeing is almost unknown among them.
Such a family mirrors the national situation.

Self-delusion is a characteristic of Irish society. In the old days we were told things about ourselves that in retrospect seem laughable. We were morally superior to other races, O’Connell Street was the widest street in Europe, the Shannon was going to be drained, the country reunited and the Irish language restored.

Such was the pathetic nature of the society that it tended to grasp at any idea, no matter how absurd, seen as positive to our warped sense of nationhood.

Those who were literary figures and who attempted to hold up a mirror to the Irish to reflect the weirdness of the society were generally derided, abused, saw their work suppressed and were forced to flee the country in despair. Abroad they often achieved due recognition.

That is not to say that individual Irish people aren’t as capable, creative and energetic as other peoples. But the damaged and deluded culture of our society often drags them down. Despite this, some groups and individuals have managed to overturn the deadening effects of Irish consciousness, but they are the exceptions to the norm.

The negative effect on Irish society of the Catholic Church is deep-rooted. Its doctrines have tended to produce a populace that is superstitious, apathetic and fatalistic. The progressive exposure of some of Catholicism’s true characteristics has left many of its loyal adherents confused and disillusioned.

The main institutions of the State – government, church, banks, the judiciary, the professions etc – are regarded by many Irish people with loathing, but many are also envious of those who belong to these interest groups. Most people feel powerless to attack these groups, who seem exempted from any corrective process that could limit their ruthless pursuit of self-interest.

In a normal democratic society a dissatisfied populace will overthrow an abusive regime, given time. However, in Ireland this has not happened.

The Republic of Ireland has never been truly independent. This could be because the best and the brightest were and are the most likely to emigrate, leaving behind the more deferential, insecure and apathetic people. British rule was overthrown in this part of the country in 1922 only to be replaced by an equally abusive system controlled from Rome.

This itself is in the process of being gradually overturned, but is being replaced by a regime controlled from Frankfurt, whose intentions are, as yet, unclear. Unless something fundamental changes in the public psyche, Ireland seems doomed to endlessly repeat its history of failure and to be a society that is deferential and provincial in outlook.

One possible benefit of the present financial, economic and social crisis may be that the Irish may begin to awake from the dreamlike state of delusion into which they had long ago fallen. To emerge from this nightmare will require leadership. Straight talking such as has never been heard before in this country needs to be the hallmark of a future leadership. This will be a painful process but could provide healing.
This State must never again allow itself to be humiliated and disgraced in the eyes of the world. The Ireland that has up to now been regarded internationally only in a semi-serious way as a country, must be reformed.

No more corruption, no more incompetence, no more alcohol abuse, no more self-delusion, no more abusive religion, no more secrecy, no more deferential forelock-tugging.
Unfortunately, leadership is absent just now in a way never before experienced. Neither politics nor religion, neither law nor commerce are fit for this purpose as they themselves are central to the country’s problems and act in a self-protective way to preserve the status quo.

What is left to undertake this gargantuan task? Maybe the media is up to it – who knows?
It is nearly time Robert Emmet’s epitaph is written – but not just yet.
Not until this society is fully cleansed of the rot that pervades it.



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11 comments:

Dakota said...

"it seems to fall into the popular Irish comfort-blanket trap of partly blaming a sinister "Frankfurt regime" for the mess we are in." YES GM despite the refreshing nature of the article, it does use the Irish comfort blanket as a catch all.

Fact of the matter is, I saw it with my own eyes GM, Paddy and Mary COULD NOT GET ON THAT GREASY LADDER FAST ENOUGH. Right from the get go of 1991 onwards, I noticed personality changes all around me. If you weren't with the program then there was something wrong with you. MADDNESS became fashionable, along with that always latent DELUSIONAL IRISH SUPERIORITY, the ECONOMY BECAME SOCIETY and the IRISH ALL PERVADING DELUSION BECAME AN ART FORM.

The REAL problem now, GM, is IRISH "SOCIETY" has become so DESTROYED and DISFUNCTIONAL that there is generations that see EASY MONEY AS A RIGHT. IRISH "SOCIETY" much more so than WESTERN SOCIETY per se has begun a GIGANTIC SPIRAL DOWNWARDS. NO ONE, NO ONE, GM, IN AUTHORITY GIVES A TOSS. IRELAND IS TRIBAL AND ALWAYS WILL BE.

The Gombeen Man said...

"Fact of the matter is, I saw it with my own eyes GM, Paddy and Mary COULD NOT GET ON THAT GREASY LADDER FAST ENOUGH. Right from the get go of 1991 onwards, I noticed personality changes all around me. If you weren't with the program then there was something wrong with you."

Yes D. I remember it myself. We just wanted to move and could not because we refused to get into a bidding war with stupid "investors". They delayed our move by about 10 years, and now we have to pay off the debts they racked up.

Welcome to Oirland.

Dakota said...

Bottom line is GM, be thankful your property could be valued in the cents by now, and unemployment could be near, or over 20% and climbing sharply, (with all the added ramifications) without the Irish Safety Valve Phenomenon. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A LOT OF GENUINE GOOD PEOPLE IN IRELAND (I'M NOT RUNNING FOR OFFICE!) THERE IS ZERO POLITCAL MOVEMENT TO TACKLE THIS, AS NO ONE CAN BE BOTHERED TO CARE.

GM look at the reality, look at one of the basics: The expectation of buying a property even in Dublin, where there isn't the hint of a consistent effective public transport system, is, INSANE. The BUBBLE just added the comical touch...Yet no one wanted to see it.

See the backround: THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DEBATE IN IRELAND, WAS STARTED BY MISCHIEVOUS POLITICAL AND MEDIA SPIN. PADDY AND MARY FELL FOR IT; AS THAT'S WHAT THEY DO. PADDY AND MARY JUST DON'T LIKE WORK. OF COURSE WORK TO THE IRISH IS JUST ANOTHER WORD FOR MANIPULATION OF REALITY.

See the consequences of STUPIDITY: To introduce the DOUBLE HEADED BEASTS, OF PROPERTY AND WATER CHARGES, when an economy is in deep recession/depression is INSANE. But look at the REALITY: OVER 60% already PAID THE PROPERTY CHARGE. There is much acceptance of punative water charges, when the same individuals forget they are already paying for it in their income tax. THERE IS NO UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIC CONCEPT OF REFORM IN IRELAND, SO ANY MONEY WILL BE WASTED. IT'S AFRICA. 40% voted for FF, WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISBANDED...SOME (!) OF THE MOST OBVIOUS WHICH TELLS ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SEE, EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. It's not brain surgery right?

Look at some (!) of the manifestations of MADNESS: In a tiny economy with the population of an average urban conurbation, where television presenters and media types earn more than the President of the United States of America, is OBVIOUSLY INSANE.

To pretend that REALITY is in fact myth is TYPICAL.

To have NO POLITICAL or OPPOSITIONAL ENITY is DANGEROUS.

To live in a TAX HAVEN, with all EFFECTIVE POWER RETAINED by an ELITE, which sucks LIFE BLOOD OUT of a FATTENED DOSILE POPULATION, is THIRD WORLD and GUBU.

ETC...ETC...The conditioned and institutionalised INSANITY on this island STILL goes on UNABATED. BUT SURE THE MEJA SAYS IT'S GRAND, SO IT MUST BE SO. GREAT CRAIC.

GM the Internet is a fasinating tool, the Irish are way past their bedtime. They will never learn, but maybe these and like-minded observations will help some SANE individuals somewhere, to see SANITY. Message in a Bottle.

The Gombeen Man said...

I'm not being big-headed, Dakota, but I think this is the only blog that is truly critical of our little republic.

Many others talk the talk, but then give their little Irelanderism away.

Many are avowedly atheists or agnostics (atheism for cowards) but still have all the conservative catholic attitudes (anti-choice and so on).

They still subscribe to the cultural nationalist and neo-Gaelicist, "ourselves alone" dogma of the state's founders and numerous "republican" manifestations down the generations - which have acted as a safety valve for the status quo, by ensuring any potential political discontent was lost up that blind alley.

The problem with this country is the very dogma on which it is founded.

Dakota said...

"I think this is the only blog that is truly critical of our little republic." Yep no question.

"numerous "republican" manifestations down the generations - which have acted as a safety valve for the status quo." It was and IS a CUTE HOORS CHARTER. A COVERT-AGGRESSORS PARADISE.

DB said...

GM. You are providing a valuable public service here. As far as the public might be interested... but they are the problem.

Shure-a-Pony'll help said...

i love it - "atheism for cowards" I still can't believe that the class of '72 turned out to be such a bunch of Cathaholics at the end of the day. I had such great hopes for us. You know a couple of years ago when there were big floods around my home town in Co Galway I saw (on Australian TV) someone from that class of 72 being interviewed as he emerged from his flooded home. His 15 minutes of fame included this - " ah shure it was the will a god and shure thank god none of us were drowned". Still shaking my head in disbelief. The local developer who built these little ticky tacks down by the river bank had to have got the approval of the local county council who surely to fuck had access to flood records but shure wasn't it the will of god so who you gonna call??? I'd love to see the footage of the brown envelopes as they sped beneath the various counters prior to the finalisation of this particular gem in town planning. Arrah

Anonymous said...

This sad little blog is so funny .

And i love the - The Gombeen Man said...
I'm not being big-headed, Dakota, but I think this is the only blog that is truly critical of our little republic.

That little gem above is a hilarious comment !!

Go and live in another country ( which you do already ,me thinks ) where you will see all countries have the same problems and in most cases a hell of a lot more problems ,or try and get a girlfriend ( unlikely).

The Gombeen Man said...

And sad twats like you who hate the blog, but keep reading it, are even funnier.

Unlike you, I don't live in another country at present. But I suggest you keep your dumb patriotism where it is, rather than taking it back to Ireland where it can only do more damage.

I, by the way, have lived in three different countries and worked in four.

I have a wife, though it is none of your business - perhaps this is some insecurity on your part, or a projection of unfulfilled desires?

Gombeen Nation will continue to be a brave beacon of hope and dissent in our little land, and annoying gobshites like you - with your dewy eyed nostalgia fo the old country from abroad - makes it all worthwhile.

Pol Pot might have signed you up, back in the day.

DB said...

GM. Who is this anony mouse oaf? He - for it is a he I imagine - has nothing to say in defence of his beloved country. Just mindless invective... If it is his country at all.

There is a bitterness there. A bitterness perhaps most associated with British citizens who pronounce their own nationality as "Brattish". Like Gerry and the Lifetakers for instance?

The Gombeen Man said...

@DB. He could be from that part of the world originally, or even our beloved republic? All I know is that he does not live here and suffer what we suffer. It is obvious too that he is a delusional fool of low IQ.

I think one of his remarks gives the game away though... his main problem is too many lonely nights with Palm. Maybe a bit of Catholic guilt into the bargain over all those messy sheets?