So when kiddies were being buggered by priests, and otherwise tortured by nuns, we didn't have things like divorce or extramarital sex.
Sinful, you see.
And Paddy and Mary happily supplied the human cargo that went to the Magdalene Laundries, the industrial schools, and the Christian Brothers. And they went to mass at least once a week - more if they were especially pious.
The bollocksology that was Dev's 1937 Constitution - which some still consider sacred - made a language the vast majority of us don't speak (and those who do are English speakers anyway) the state's first official one.
It also claimed jurisdiction over the entire island - something that will never happen as Irish nationalism/"republicanism" ignores the inconvenient existence of a large number of "Prods" up north who don't subscribe to Catholic/Gaelic identity. Then it gave the Catholic Church a "special place" in the life of the state.
Paddy and Mary think they are very trendy indeed, now that they don't go to mass anymore. A bit like Ming Flanagan thinking smoking pot is oh-so-counterculture. It was in the Sixties, Ming. Get with it, maaaan!
Paddy and Mary still like the trappings of Mother Church when it comes to weddings and funerals though. They still can't quite kick the habit. Or cassock.
You know what we're saying here. Poor old P&M are always trying to overcome their instilled beliefs to play catch-up with the rest of the world. The developed part, anyway.
And what about this? Enda Kenny and shyster Minister for Heath James Reilly doing away with disability and mobility allowances without so much as a by-your-leave, rather than extend it to those over 65.. Ostensibly in the interests of equality.
Let's see how quickly they "roll-out" their replacement scheme, and how many truly vulnerable people lose out in what is most likely another cynical stealth cut.
Irish Independent, 27 February 2013
THE Government has come under intensifying pressure to reverse shock moves to scrap mobility grants for the disabled.
Opposition parties have described the decision that affects around 5,000 people as scandalous and reprehensible, and have demanded an immediate U-turn.
But Taoiseach Enda Kenny insisted the schemes were illegal, obsolete and discriminatory, and needed to be replaced with a fairer and more appropriate regime.
"These two schemes - the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance - are illegal, are not in conformity with the Disability Act, are not in conformity with the Equal Status Act, and are not in conformity with our constitution," Mr Kenny said.
"We cannot stand over a scheme that is obsolete, that is unfair, that is discriminatory, that is not in compliance with these acts and therefore we have got to deal with it."
Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly had ruled last year that the scheme as it stood was illegal as it was not open to over 65s. She asked for it to be expanded.
The Department of Health accepted the scheme breached equality laws but said it could not afford the €300m to widen eligibility.
Ms O'Reilly publicly criticised Health Minister Dr James Reilly at an Oireachtas committee for refusing to act on her ruling and widen the allowance.
Meanwhile, Age Action warned scrapping the schemes would have a huge impact on thousands of low-income people who depend on them.
Spokesman for the charity Eamon Timmins said the Government must have a replacement allowance lined up for after the last payments are made.
"Failure to have a replacement scheme agreed within four months will result in severe financial hardship 10,000 people with a disability, and this is totally unacceptable," Mr Timmins said.
The Centre for Independent Living said the Government's decision was an attack on the rights of disabled people, and that the move would make them prisoners in their own homes.
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7 comments:
As for Paddy and Mary: old habits are hard to kill ...
'fraid so, Ned.
"Enough is enough" is what I hear nearly everyday. But when I ask the people why nobody's going out there on the streets to fight for their rights I hear all kinds of answers. Here are some:
1. It's been taken from us.
2. There would have been an uproar in the seventies but not today. People are keeping their head down.
3. Tit wouldn't change anything!
etc. So I'm asking myself what happened?! Are they all brainwashed, depressed, scared? It seems to me like the major irish population is waiting for somebody to come along and change things for the better. A new hero. Who might that be? It's unbelievable that while all this shite is happening evrything's still ... quiet. Nothing strange as they say ...
It is easy to go after targets that are not organised to fight back. As in this case and you can in fact go so far as to demonise any person or group that dares stand up for themselves.Interestingly,some time ago, I read that in the area of getting the exile super wealthy to pay some tax that such plans were scuppered. The 30 or so super elite through their legal agents where able to warn off such moves as their Constitutional property rights would be vigorously defended. So you hear no clamour from Enda and the so called Labour Party to impose proper taxes on those who really can afford to pay in the name of social equity.
GM, Nenad, don't you know all the Paddys are gone, in all but name; there's only Marys left? This is the product of 30 years of emasculation on this Island, and force feeding the population myth, in the form of alcohol flavoured candyfloss. Although they're still called Paddys, the Irish female, in the 32counties, is far more masculine. Not a good thing.
"Paddy and Mary still like the trappings of Mother Church when it comes to weddings and funerals though." GM what about CONFIRRRMAAATIOOOON? All those spray tans adding to the Ozone clouds over major urban conurbations, on the day...
A DESPICABLE and DECEPTIVE BOG. Always the easy targets.
"Ms O'Reilly publicly criticised Health Minister Dr James Reilly at an Oireachtas committee for refusing to act on her ruling and widen the allowance." Yes of course, but the clowns have 70 grand to splash out on bottles of wine.
..."Ostensibly in the interests of equality." Now that's funny.
The Oirish sold out Democracy years ago, for money. At least the other PIIGS have the weather.
@ Nenad. Think brainwashed is the most likely explanation. But maybe an inaptitude for critical thinking is another way of making sense of it all? Most Irish people who have displayed such qualities, had to emigrate. Doesn't stop the moneygrabbers praising the likes of Joyce now, though. 'Tis strange alright my friend. Welcome to Ireland - though I know you've been here long enough to be wise to it all!
@ John. As someone who knows law, you will be more aware than most how the much vaunted constitution can be used by the powerful to interpret law to their liking. Madigan and the ending of protected tenancies being the first example I became aware of as a kid. Labour are an awful disappointment.
@ DC3. That's true. Bloody hell if we'd a nice climate it might be more bearable, rather than being stuck out on a windswept, sodden rock in the Atlantic. Jasus... beam me up.
Bloody hell if we'd a nice climate it might be more bearable, rather than being stuck out on a windswept, sodden rock in the Atlantic. Jasus... beam me up.
Bloody right! ;)
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