There is something in Malay culture called a "Wayang Kulit". It translates literally as "Shadow play"
Now, Malaysians love to complain about corruption in their developing nation. But meanwhile, in a nation that claimed to be the wealthiest in the world, second to Luxembourg, an even bigger shadow play now takes place.
The speaker in the Parliament, called Ceann Comhairle in Dail Eireann, has been found to be excessively claiming expenses.
Frankly speaking, were I to engage in the equivalent with my employer, I would wear the famous designer shoes of the Robert Mac Alpine brand. They are unique in that people (apparently) pay, or repay good money NOT to wear them, for they are made of concrete.
Meanwhile Irish people are up in arms over the expense claims by the Ceann Comhairle.
Bad as it is, it is......a distraction from the real issue.
A Guarantee to the Banks of 490,000,000,000 Euro.
What on earth is that. In the bad days in the 1980's, we talked of problems in the hundreds of Millions, in Irish Pounds, or Sterling. NOW....Hundreds of Billions.
Politely, wait for the censorship.
What the fuck is 490 BILLION FUCKING EURO when its at home.
Its 120 Billion Pints of Guinness. Enough to keep every man woman and child on the planet pissed drunk at Irish Prices for a week.
So tonight I will run the truth, and I shall be proven right.
Are you patriotic?
Don't be, for money is the greatest whore on the planet.
I say no more and no less. Get your money out of Ireland if you have more than 10,000 Euro in there. Get out, get out now.
Lenihans guarantee expires in 2010.
You need only look at what happened in Argentina in 1999-2002.
(a) Phase one.
Argentina pegged their Peso at 1-1 to the US Dollar. It was chronically overvalued.
(b) Phase two.
Deflation
Argentina had no comprehension of falling prices, or their local currency RISING in value.
(c) Phase three.
Local currencies reintroduced, in the provinces, as they could not pay in Pesos.
(d) Phase four.
Restrictions on withdrawals from ATM's.
(e) Phase five.
Reality bit, and the Peso devalued 300%. It is now A$3,80 to US$1,00, instead of the old 1-1 rate.
What does Ireland have in common. Irish people would like to claim, "Fuck all", but the reality is harsh. Here it is"
(a) Civil servants paid 25% more than the tax paying private sector.
(b) A populist government, playing the same style of divisive politics as General Peron and his whore wife Evita. Just ask any Argentine what they think of them both, and its not much, if they are from the tax paying productive classes.
(c) A currency and a people demanding Swiss standards, but paying third world prices.
(d) A people getting third world standards at Swiss prices.
Something has to give, and this is what happens next.
(a) A parallel non International traded currency is introduced for internal trade. Just look at what has happened to the Icelandic Krona, or even the Malaysian Ringgit in the wake of their crises. Neither currency are now traded Internationally.
(b) This is used to pay Social Welfare, Civil Servants and taxes..
(c) Following Greshams Law in that bad money drives out good, this drives out circulating Euro in the Republic of Ireland. You need only look at how quickly Sterling notes disappeared from regular circulation in 1979 when the Irish Pound, AKA Charlie Haugheys Peso, even though Sterling was hardly anything special at that time either.
(d) Restrictions on withdrawals from Bank Accounts via ATM imposed, at EUR1,500 maximum per month, after the guarantee expires in 2010.
Am I doom mongering? Should I commit suicide? But consider this, can you find 150 ounces of Gold per person in Ireland right now to pay off the mess?
Answers on a postcard please.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Banned from Irishrailwaynews
Is the word "twat" offensive?
For your amusement. I do believe that people should not wash their dirty linen in public, but sometimes something is too good not to share. Finally I am free, after 8 long years of posting and talking crap about rail transport. It won't work in Ireland, and the light shone and Holy Kyoto disappeared. All hail....its a miracle. Praise the Lord!!!
I received this letter 10th September from Irishrailwaynews:
"We take great exception to your continuing behaviour on board, and unfortunately, this has left us with no option but to take action"
Blah Blah....and
Therefore, we genuinely regret to say that your membership here is terminated with immediate effect. IRN
So today I replied.
Hello Irishrailwaynews
I decided to contact you regarding the ban imposed on 10th September 2009. I have also taken advice. I hope I am not too sarcastic, and that you do not get too upset or angry with what I say next.
First - I have been advised that the name "IRN" is not legally admissable, as it does not link to a specific individual or legal entity. Consequently, this ban is currently invalid, and as such, should be revoked with immediate effect. Your document banning me should clearly state "Irishrailwaynews", with an individuals name underneath. For example, in any professional role, that is required. It is essential for professional relationships. Are you professional? Are you prepared to stand by your principles with a name that is on a birth certificate, with name of the Father known, or hide your agenda behind a wall?
Second - On no other website have I ever encountered the names of individuals being blanked out. Platform11 was blanked out long before the threat of legal action was made, and the threat of legal action was made in July 2007. I believed that this was because the name Platform11 descended into the depths of hell along with other names such as Todd Andrews, Richard Beeching and other reviled individuals in the colourful pantheon of the rail transport fraternity, as they decided to mainline their decisions rather than going down sidings. This was because they upset posters, annoyed at least one moderator, the very same moderator I believe is behind this ban, and has been waiting for this opportunity for a few years.
You use the following phrases:
"We thought that you were aware of the situation"
In your e-mail, there are clearly too many assumptions, such as "we thought". There is plenty of assumption and insufficient proof. I looked around http://www.boards.ie and http://www.politics.ie reviewed my posts, catalogued, dated them, highlighted specific references to the following entities:
"IRN", "Irishrailwaynews", "Platform11", "railusers.ie"
I could send them with you and other members, if required and if you can find anything that directly insults Irishrailwaynews, then I will be happy to accept the sanctions imposed. But I may share the hypocrisy, the lies and the clear vendetta blatant in your decision. I have e-mail correspondence going back as far as 2007
I also have to state in my defence:
"you felt sufficiently exercised over this, then fine, but you could have said your piece without being rude or unfair, as you clearly were with your previous choice of language"
This is the first time that a poster on any website I know has been banned for a remark which they edited, adjusted, and then apologised. I was not contacted by a moderator, there was no need for a moderator. Then I thought for a moment "Hold on a minute, what am I doing here", and decided to explain the rationale behind the wording. Roundymac or Kevin then contacted you off the board.
For my part, I can contact those who threatened legal sanctions, and try to have them revoked. Otherwise, I can join the many other posters who, over the years have been banned, or alienated by your selective and "almost benevolent" interpretation of rules and regulations, which, as you state: 99.9% of posters respect. Statistically that means that 1 in 1,000 posters causes a problem. Last time I checked, there were not even that many active members on Irishrailwaynews, and the number of banned posters from the "Ministry of Virtue" is the highest known since North Korea started offering the Internet. I also notice that you state "May perhaps have alluded to same on another website at that time". There is too much use of the conditional tense. There are facts, there are lies and there are assumptions. Assumptions are dangerous, they are not the truth, and you have banned me based on assumptions.
You state - "We feel it's time everyone heard our side of the story for a change"
People have been waiting for more than 2 years for that, and if it had been explained, it would have been respected and readily accepted. Two weeks have elapsed since the ban took place. Two weeks where I considered my position, and decided to show my side of the story.
The previous ban was in June 2007. I was banned within 3 hours, while xxxxx slanderous post regarding D___W____ and P11 remained up on site for more than 3 days. If thats not an example of personal agendas and selective moderation, I don't know what is. If you want the legal action threat revoked, I could assist. You then state:
"your consistent ridiculing, swiping, and deriding of IRN elsewhere on the internet"
I can actually prove that this is definitely NOT the case. If it was constant ridiculing and swiping, I have said very little regarding Irishrailwaynews since September 2007, and anything said on politics.ie and boards.ie was certainly not insulting. This is also the first time I have known a ban on a poster take place due to their activities on another seperate website. Your role as moderators has to be commended since September 2007, but that it took 5 years to learn to do that, and then only after the threat of legal action, but I get the impression I am indirectly blamed for that. Constant ridiculing and swiping - does that mean a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, or have you made that decision after being told by Roundymac or other posters gving you information, which (I can appreciate), you never bothered to find was accurate, legally admissable and substantiated.
"You had every opportunity to contact us off-board to articulate any misgivings you may have had"
You had every opportunity to contact me off board before banning me, but in haste, decided "Lets get rid of D" and in time, it will prove to be a very unwise decision.
I was banned after you stated "This kind of language can be used at boards.ie and politics.ie" Then I pointed out a well known fact - many of the old posters from Irishrailwaynews NOW post at both of those sites. The majority of them are rational, upstanding people, straight talking, a bit too direct at times, but they do state it as it is, however distasteful those facts are. You mention "almost benevolent". That is an interesting choice of phrase, it is obscure and unclear. You have been fair, but not exceptional.
"We are satisfied that our site is strong and popular and will continue to be going forward, irrespective of whatever you may say or think"
I say and think a lot, but it does not mean I am correct. If am incorrect, or wrong, I am prepared to be humble and apologise.
I hope you are correct, but be assured that it is not that hard for me or my friends to set up a new identity, or many different identities. But after careful consideration of the facts, am I really the kind of member that you require? The discussions on Irishrailwaynews mainly discuss the various movements of rolling stock, and show photographs, around the country, and members are quite content doing that. I have nothing against that whatsoever. I very rarely posted on that regard. Most of the discussions I engaged in were regarding Future Projects, Historical Issues, amongst others. For that matter, should I psychologically degrade myself by grovelling at your doorstep with an apology, when I had only a minor infringement of the rules. It would be nice to see the names behind this decision. I will be sending copies of this to relevant parties, and look forward to a decision shortly. On no other website have I had the misfortune of being banned, and then having it signed off as "The Moderator". I have had warnings and correspondence, but there was always a name after the decision. I am not alone in thinking that the registered birth certificate of Irishrailwaynews states "Father unknown", which is a politically incorrect and slightly vulgar word used to describe people who hide themselves in shadows.
In closing, your e-mail, and my ban, is yet another example of obscure decision making, blurred judgement, hidden agendas and vendettas, something which was left behind in the Dark Ages before August 2007. I will be proud to join the other posters you have banned, but I would be happy to return if I was welcome. The decisions and bans you made lead to mockery and derision elsewhere on the Internet, which is a poor reflection on Irishrailwaynews, and as a member, I have to consider is it beneficial being a member of such an organisation. There are better things to do than mock and deride people, some of whom match the description of that word I used. When I informed my friends that it caused offence, there was laughter, and disbelief. In my opinion www.railusers.ie is not as active either. It will become clear and apparent in the years to come that the split between Irishrailwaynews and Platform11 was not in the interests of passengers, and other relevant parties. But thats for another time, place, and bulletin board. It is your decisions that lead to so called "mockery and derision", rather than the posters, and that is apparent.
The decision is yours, and I advise you to choose wisely, and choose well. All I request is.
1. If I contact D___W___ off board, and ask for the threat of legal action to be revoked I can be allowed back. That is ONLY if I am successful in doing this. I suspect all that was ever required was an apology towards him, had it been given it would have been accepted with grace, and the issue closed. I do not believe that he has any desire to resort to Lawyers. I don't know much about what happened there, and it could do more harm than good.
2. An explanation of your side of the story is made on Irishrailwaynews.
3. An apology would be nice, but its hardly essential.
I have BCCed two friends who are lawyers, but its more for their amusement than anything else. They might have advice for me, they might not, but I should state, I don't use Lawyers unless its absolutely necessary, so you can relax.
Your reply can be as short or as long as you wish. I am aware that your time is precious, and that sometimes there are moderators who have problems understanding sentences longer than one word.
Sincerely
For your amusement. I do believe that people should not wash their dirty linen in public, but sometimes something is too good not to share. Finally I am free, after 8 long years of posting and talking crap about rail transport. It won't work in Ireland, and the light shone and Holy Kyoto disappeared. All hail....its a miracle. Praise the Lord!!!
I received this letter 10th September from Irishrailwaynews:
"We take great exception to your continuing behaviour on board, and unfortunately, this has left us with no option but to take action"
Blah Blah....and
Therefore, we genuinely regret to say that your membership here is terminated with immediate effect. IRN
So today I replied.
Hello Irishrailwaynews
I decided to contact you regarding the ban imposed on 10th September 2009. I have also taken advice. I hope I am not too sarcastic, and that you do not get too upset or angry with what I say next.
First - I have been advised that the name "IRN" is not legally admissable, as it does not link to a specific individual or legal entity. Consequently, this ban is currently invalid, and as such, should be revoked with immediate effect. Your document banning me should clearly state "Irishrailwaynews", with an individuals name underneath. For example, in any professional role, that is required. It is essential for professional relationships. Are you professional? Are you prepared to stand by your principles with a name that is on a birth certificate, with name of the Father known, or hide your agenda behind a wall?
Second - On no other website have I ever encountered the names of individuals being blanked out. Platform11 was blanked out long before the threat of legal action was made, and the threat of legal action was made in July 2007. I believed that this was because the name Platform11 descended into the depths of hell along with other names such as Todd Andrews, Richard Beeching and other reviled individuals in the colourful pantheon of the rail transport fraternity, as they decided to mainline their decisions rather than going down sidings. This was because they upset posters, annoyed at least one moderator, the very same moderator I believe is behind this ban, and has been waiting for this opportunity for a few years.
You use the following phrases:
"We thought that you were aware of the situation"
In your e-mail, there are clearly too many assumptions, such as "we thought". There is plenty of assumption and insufficient proof. I looked around http://www.boards.ie and http://www.politics.ie reviewed my posts, catalogued, dated them, highlighted specific references to the following entities:
"IRN", "Irishrailwaynews", "Platform11", "railusers.ie"
I could send them with you and other members, if required and if you can find anything that directly insults Irishrailwaynews, then I will be happy to accept the sanctions imposed. But I may share the hypocrisy, the lies and the clear vendetta blatant in your decision. I have e-mail correspondence going back as far as 2007
I also have to state in my defence:
"you felt sufficiently exercised over this, then fine, but you could have said your piece without being rude or unfair, as you clearly were with your previous choice of language"
This is the first time that a poster on any website I know has been banned for a remark which they edited, adjusted, and then apologised. I was not contacted by a moderator, there was no need for a moderator. Then I thought for a moment "Hold on a minute, what am I doing here", and decided to explain the rationale behind the wording. Roundymac or Kevin then contacted you off the board.
For my part, I can contact those who threatened legal sanctions, and try to have them revoked. Otherwise, I can join the many other posters who, over the years have been banned, or alienated by your selective and "almost benevolent" interpretation of rules and regulations, which, as you state: 99.9% of posters respect. Statistically that means that 1 in 1,000 posters causes a problem. Last time I checked, there were not even that many active members on Irishrailwaynews, and the number of banned posters from the "Ministry of Virtue" is the highest known since North Korea started offering the Internet. I also notice that you state "May perhaps have alluded to same on another website at that time". There is too much use of the conditional tense. There are facts, there are lies and there are assumptions. Assumptions are dangerous, they are not the truth, and you have banned me based on assumptions.
You state - "We feel it's time everyone heard our side of the story for a change"
People have been waiting for more than 2 years for that, and if it had been explained, it would have been respected and readily accepted. Two weeks have elapsed since the ban took place. Two weeks where I considered my position, and decided to show my side of the story.
The previous ban was in June 2007. I was banned within 3 hours, while xxxxx slanderous post regarding D___W____ and P11 remained up on site for more than 3 days. If thats not an example of personal agendas and selective moderation, I don't know what is. If you want the legal action threat revoked, I could assist. You then state:
"your consistent ridiculing, swiping, and deriding of IRN elsewhere on the internet"
I can actually prove that this is definitely NOT the case. If it was constant ridiculing and swiping, I have said very little regarding Irishrailwaynews since September 2007, and anything said on politics.ie and boards.ie was certainly not insulting. This is also the first time I have known a ban on a poster take place due to their activities on another seperate website. Your role as moderators has to be commended since September 2007, but that it took 5 years to learn to do that, and then only after the threat of legal action, but I get the impression I am indirectly blamed for that. Constant ridiculing and swiping - does that mean a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, or have you made that decision after being told by Roundymac or other posters gving you information, which (I can appreciate), you never bothered to find was accurate, legally admissable and substantiated.
"You had every opportunity to contact us off-board to articulate any misgivings you may have had"
You had every opportunity to contact me off board before banning me, but in haste, decided "Lets get rid of D" and in time, it will prove to be a very unwise decision.
I was banned after you stated "This kind of language can be used at boards.ie and politics.ie" Then I pointed out a well known fact - many of the old posters from Irishrailwaynews NOW post at both of those sites. The majority of them are rational, upstanding people, straight talking, a bit too direct at times, but they do state it as it is, however distasteful those facts are. You mention "almost benevolent". That is an interesting choice of phrase, it is obscure and unclear. You have been fair, but not exceptional.
"We are satisfied that our site is strong and popular and will continue to be going forward, irrespective of whatever you may say or think"
I say and think a lot, but it does not mean I am correct. If am incorrect, or wrong, I am prepared to be humble and apologise.
I hope you are correct, but be assured that it is not that hard for me or my friends to set up a new identity, or many different identities. But after careful consideration of the facts, am I really the kind of member that you require? The discussions on Irishrailwaynews mainly discuss the various movements of rolling stock, and show photographs, around the country, and members are quite content doing that. I have nothing against that whatsoever. I very rarely posted on that regard. Most of the discussions I engaged in were regarding Future Projects, Historical Issues, amongst others. For that matter, should I psychologically degrade myself by grovelling at your doorstep with an apology, when I had only a minor infringement of the rules. It would be nice to see the names behind this decision. I will be sending copies of this to relevant parties, and look forward to a decision shortly. On no other website have I had the misfortune of being banned, and then having it signed off as "The Moderator". I have had warnings and correspondence, but there was always a name after the decision. I am not alone in thinking that the registered birth certificate of Irishrailwaynews states "Father unknown", which is a politically incorrect and slightly vulgar word used to describe people who hide themselves in shadows.
In closing, your e-mail, and my ban, is yet another example of obscure decision making, blurred judgement, hidden agendas and vendettas, something which was left behind in the Dark Ages before August 2007. I will be proud to join the other posters you have banned, but I would be happy to return if I was welcome. The decisions and bans you made lead to mockery and derision elsewhere on the Internet, which is a poor reflection on Irishrailwaynews, and as a member, I have to consider is it beneficial being a member of such an organisation. There are better things to do than mock and deride people, some of whom match the description of that word I used. When I informed my friends that it caused offence, there was laughter, and disbelief. In my opinion www.railusers.ie is not as active either. It will become clear and apparent in the years to come that the split between Irishrailwaynews and Platform11 was not in the interests of passengers, and other relevant parties. But thats for another time, place, and bulletin board. It is your decisions that lead to so called "mockery and derision", rather than the posters, and that is apparent.
The decision is yours, and I advise you to choose wisely, and choose well. All I request is.
1. If I contact D___W___ off board, and ask for the threat of legal action to be revoked I can be allowed back. That is ONLY if I am successful in doing this. I suspect all that was ever required was an apology towards him, had it been given it would have been accepted with grace, and the issue closed. I do not believe that he has any desire to resort to Lawyers. I don't know much about what happened there, and it could do more harm than good.
2. An explanation of your side of the story is made on Irishrailwaynews.
3. An apology would be nice, but its hardly essential.
I have BCCed two friends who are lawyers, but its more for their amusement than anything else. They might have advice for me, they might not, but I should state, I don't use Lawyers unless its absolutely necessary, so you can relax.
Your reply can be as short or as long as you wish. I am aware that your time is precious, and that sometimes there are moderators who have problems understanding sentences longer than one word.
Sincerely
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Campness - Why?
A few days ago, my work colleague of 10 years (Bren) asked a question, just as one of the crew waltzed past. Or should I say minced.
My view has been that there is a time and a place to mince. Its bad enough coming out of the closet once as a railway enthusiast. Thats bad enough in itself, since when you put a Malaysian Train like this. And then compare to a car like this.
That there MUST be something a little bit screwed up with me.
But then I have to come out of the closet twice.
Are'nt these jeans CAMP. Don't worry, I ONLY wear them occasionally. Just to be mad, controversial or both. Its only for fun. I bought them in Chi Cheong Kai 3 years ago for 60 Ringgit (12 quid). Of course the average Dub would not be seen dead in them. So just to annoy my Mum, I did.
"This is not Malaysia, you are NOT wearing those in Dublin, I'd like to keep my windows" Or
"What will the neighbours say, we have still got to live here you know"
You will agree that I looked like a relic from the 1980's. And I am not even camp, unless its Thursday, after midnight in a certain disreputable dive in the centre of Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, welcome to the wonderful world of the Asian queen.
These guys.....could give Julian Clary lessons in how to be camp.
I can play pool, swear, smoke, drink, gamble, fight, throw a punch, follow football like the straightest guys, and they'd never guess. I even kiss girls. I had a girlfriend once, but thats a long time ago, but the thought of having the chop and converting kind of put me off. Plus there was the expense, not that I'm stingy though.
And so came the Asian queen.
Mince. Mince, Mince.
Its Malaysia, its a conservative society (small c), and its blatantly obvious. In comes the K.K.K. Its our nickname for him. Kamp Ken from Kedah.
Hes singing to his Ipod, not a care in the world. Limp wristed. This is in the office.
I'm not homophobic but....'
I'm not racist either.....Unless your Saudi, or a Nigerian looking for my credit card details, in which case God help you.
So Bren asks.
"How come gay men act camp"
It got me thinking. Why? So I felt it my duty to try and explain....
As best as possible.
1. Bren: Is is a hormonal disorder?
No, hes probably the only boy in a bunch of girls in his family, so it rubbed off on him.
2. Is it ?
Wish I knew. Personally I think its overdoing it. Overacting. Attention seeking. Its a lack of confidence that causes that, so sometimes people overcompensate. Simply put, we come in all shapes and sizes, and some of us try to fit in as best as we can.
Or like me, don't really give a damn what anyone thinks and gets on with it anyway.
Meanwhile the rest of the lads in my department look and say.
"When are you going to ask him out"
All I can say
"I'm fussier than that, hes not my type"
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Crazygweilo - the Voyage home....won't happen for a while
So as we all know, Ireland is in recession, but from a personal note I now write.
There were times I wondered "what might have been" had I decided to ignore my bosses offer in February 2000, when he said "Its the exam or the flight". I was about to do a Diploma level exam, and it was a dull day in February....pissing rain, miserable, cold and damp.
My friends and family were there as I decided, and said "You are making a huge mistake". I said simply "I've made mistakes before, and decisions before, and je ne regrete rien. Let me look at the rain and think about it". As far as I was concerned, and many others of my age, the Celtic Tiger was something of a strange creature. The old unspoken deal that we saw, even during the bad years of the 1980's recession had died, the deal that as long as you had a half decent job, you could afford a home.
So I left. Two Irish work colleagues went with me. In hindsight, I am glad I did, but my real eye opener was being invited to a house party in July 2004, with former schoolfriends. Now, it does sound puritanical, but there was a fair amount of charlie going around, and 17 year old kids were taking lines. I frowned, and shrugged my shoulders. Heck, its a new generation, but my God, these were only 10 years younger than I was. Had so much changed in 10 years? A gram, costs around 100 Euro apparently, so I figure a line is 10 Euro. Did kids in Ireland have that much cash??
The old adage, "Cocaine is Gods way of telling you that you have too much money" still rings true, and certainly, that was the case with the Celtic Tiger. It was a strange kind of Cat, as it went from the scraps off the table in 1993, it graduated to Whiskas in around 1999, then Tuna in 2001, before going on a complete bender and guzzling Caviar by 2005 or 2006. After that, the Celtic Tiger was something of a bloated, diabetic fatcat, evidence being 15-30 Euro entrance to the crappy nightclubs that you needed to be royalty to get in. Was I that desperate? 7,50 Euro for a Jack Daniels and Coke. Translated into the old currency that was 12 Pounds and 5.90 Pounds, and for a country on the periphery of Europe, it was charging Scandinavian prices without Scandinavian standards. And it looked, for many, as if the party would never end, and the good times would keep on rolling. Somewhere in the back of my mind, knowing economic history, and the past, I thought:
(a) How will this end (in tears, as per usual)
(b) How do we get out of the mess (we don't, because there are entrenched elements in the establishment, which have always been there)
(c) Who suffers (the people with little, as usual)
Houses in sink hole estates that went for 25,000 Pounds when I was a kid in the late 1980's started changing hands for insane amounts, and in a way, I despaired at wondering would I ever get home, ever be able to afford, or ever fit in to a society that seemed distant, foreign and strange to the country I knew, love, and still love.
I would be a lowlife to mock it. I would be a lowlife to engage in any kind of Schaudenfreude. It was wonderful to see Dublin transformed into a modern, outward looking city. It was great to see my friends do well. Things were expensive, but for the first time in my life, everyone seemed to have enough, even though they did complain. It was great to see better looking talent in the place, rather than ....well....pale faces. Heck, it was good. It was great, but it had to end.
Having lived in Antigua, Malaysia, Costa Rica and Britain since, I can conclude, that there is no such thing as a perfect country.
If its too cheap, its too dangerous and corrupt.
If its too expensive, its too honest, and you can't fart crooked.
If its too liberal, its too expensive as well, because every rich sod wants to live in it.
Even in mid 2006, trawling the pages and the adverts, I looked for jobs at home. They paid well, but I could live on 2/3 or less for twice the quality of life where I am now. On July 1st 2007, I got a job offer in Dublin. I began packing, spoke to my boss, who urged me to stay. On July 2nd, I stood in Frangipani bar, at what was supposed to be my farewell party.
I took out a Malaysian 50 sen coin.
"Heads its home, tails its stay here"
My friends, work colleagues stood around me with baited breath.
It spun, glistening in the air. Landed, bounced along the floor, we chased it as it rolled.
It bounced off a barstool....."Tails"
Cheers erupted, and shirts flew off in the tropical night as we began my birthday weekend party. Bob Sinclairs "World Hold on" played, and we danced, and got thirsty.
That was the answer. The next decision was much easier. What do we drink?. "Towkay, Leung Jug Long Island mr goi lei" (Boss, two jugs of Long Island please), pulled out a roll of Ringgit and paid.
Crazygweilo was staying in his home away from home. We hugged, drank, smoked, danced, snogged, and secretly a sense of relief surged within. Not as much rain, cheaper bills, and the thought of being able to save money, and have a reasonable amount of fun for less was quite appealing.
Fast forward almost 3 years later, and as W B Yeats said "all has changed, utterly". But rather than a terrible beauty being born, a terrible ugliness now reaches across the land. The ugliness of despair, negative equity, repossession, urban sprawl, unemployment. Elements that many thought were banished forever, never to return. I knew the end of the Celtic Tiger would be bad, but not THIS bad, and it was not something I wanted or desired. Malaysia will get hit soon enough as well. Everywhere has been hit, and we wonder, if we have jobs whether we can save money, and if we can save money, if it is safe.
And Ireland, is unique. Its legally corrupt, relatively safe, it was/is damn expensive, and there is not much to show for it after all this. I hope that Ireland gets out of its current mess, wiser, cleaner, and better, but it will be painful. I can only hope that just as the Celtic Tiger was irrational exuberance, that the Celtic Kitten comes out after its diet and trip to the gym, reborn, leaner, fitter, smarter, and ready to face the challenges of the future, with the fat of 7,50 Euro Jack Daniels and Cokes consigned to the history books, along with 300,000 Euro shoeboxes that will be worth 100,000 Euro in less than 10 years. I hope that what is happening now is just as much irrational pessimism to the same token of irrational exuberance.
I try to promote Ireland wherever I am, and its people, and the best aspects of it. We all know its faults, they are blatantly obvious, but it is not the worst place on earth, far from it. The country made me what I am today, gave me an identity that is respected around the world. I will conduct myself like a gentleman, even if I do get drunk occasionally. Lets face it, we've been through much worse, and its hardly a Spud Famine, Insurrection, or 1913 by anyones standards. Its just a 21st century version, considering the wealth we had, and what we were accustomed to.
One younger Irish colleague asked. "Whats a recession like?"
I replied "Its when there are 500 graduate degree holders applying for a job in Mac Donalds"
He turned white with shock at the notion.
There were times I wondered "what might have been" had I decided to ignore my bosses offer in February 2000, when he said "Its the exam or the flight". I was about to do a Diploma level exam, and it was a dull day in February....pissing rain, miserable, cold and damp.
My friends and family were there as I decided, and said "You are making a huge mistake". I said simply "I've made mistakes before, and decisions before, and je ne regrete rien. Let me look at the rain and think about it". As far as I was concerned, and many others of my age, the Celtic Tiger was something of a strange creature. The old unspoken deal that we saw, even during the bad years of the 1980's recession had died, the deal that as long as you had a half decent job, you could afford a home.
So I left. Two Irish work colleagues went with me. In hindsight, I am glad I did, but my real eye opener was being invited to a house party in July 2004, with former schoolfriends. Now, it does sound puritanical, but there was a fair amount of charlie going around, and 17 year old kids were taking lines. I frowned, and shrugged my shoulders. Heck, its a new generation, but my God, these were only 10 years younger than I was. Had so much changed in 10 years? A gram, costs around 100 Euro apparently, so I figure a line is 10 Euro. Did kids in Ireland have that much cash??
The old adage, "Cocaine is Gods way of telling you that you have too much money" still rings true, and certainly, that was the case with the Celtic Tiger. It was a strange kind of Cat, as it went from the scraps off the table in 1993, it graduated to Whiskas in around 1999, then Tuna in 2001, before going on a complete bender and guzzling Caviar by 2005 or 2006. After that, the Celtic Tiger was something of a bloated, diabetic fatcat, evidence being 15-30 Euro entrance to the crappy nightclubs that you needed to be royalty to get in. Was I that desperate? 7,50 Euro for a Jack Daniels and Coke. Translated into the old currency that was 12 Pounds and 5.90 Pounds, and for a country on the periphery of Europe, it was charging Scandinavian prices without Scandinavian standards. And it looked, for many, as if the party would never end, and the good times would keep on rolling. Somewhere in the back of my mind, knowing economic history, and the past, I thought:
(a) How will this end (in tears, as per usual)
(b) How do we get out of the mess (we don't, because there are entrenched elements in the establishment, which have always been there)
(c) Who suffers (the people with little, as usual)
Houses in sink hole estates that went for 25,000 Pounds when I was a kid in the late 1980's started changing hands for insane amounts, and in a way, I despaired at wondering would I ever get home, ever be able to afford, or ever fit in to a society that seemed distant, foreign and strange to the country I knew, love, and still love.
I would be a lowlife to mock it. I would be a lowlife to engage in any kind of Schaudenfreude. It was wonderful to see Dublin transformed into a modern, outward looking city. It was great to see my friends do well. Things were expensive, but for the first time in my life, everyone seemed to have enough, even though they did complain. It was great to see better looking talent in the place, rather than ....well....pale faces. Heck, it was good. It was great, but it had to end.
Having lived in Antigua, Malaysia, Costa Rica and Britain since, I can conclude, that there is no such thing as a perfect country.
If its too cheap, its too dangerous and corrupt.
If its too expensive, its too honest, and you can't fart crooked.
If its too liberal, its too expensive as well, because every rich sod wants to live in it.
Even in mid 2006, trawling the pages and the adverts, I looked for jobs at home. They paid well, but I could live on 2/3 or less for twice the quality of life where I am now. On July 1st 2007, I got a job offer in Dublin. I began packing, spoke to my boss, who urged me to stay. On July 2nd, I stood in Frangipani bar, at what was supposed to be my farewell party.
I took out a Malaysian 50 sen coin.
"Heads its home, tails its stay here"
My friends, work colleagues stood around me with baited breath.
It spun, glistening in the air. Landed, bounced along the floor, we chased it as it rolled.
It bounced off a barstool....."Tails"
Cheers erupted, and shirts flew off in the tropical night as we began my birthday weekend party. Bob Sinclairs "World Hold on" played, and we danced, and got thirsty.
That was the answer. The next decision was much easier. What do we drink?. "Towkay, Leung Jug Long Island mr goi lei" (Boss, two jugs of Long Island please), pulled out a roll of Ringgit and paid.
Crazygweilo was staying in his home away from home. We hugged, drank, smoked, danced, snogged, and secretly a sense of relief surged within. Not as much rain, cheaper bills, and the thought of being able to save money, and have a reasonable amount of fun for less was quite appealing.
Fast forward almost 3 years later, and as W B Yeats said "all has changed, utterly". But rather than a terrible beauty being born, a terrible ugliness now reaches across the land. The ugliness of despair, negative equity, repossession, urban sprawl, unemployment. Elements that many thought were banished forever, never to return. I knew the end of the Celtic Tiger would be bad, but not THIS bad, and it was not something I wanted or desired. Malaysia will get hit soon enough as well. Everywhere has been hit, and we wonder, if we have jobs whether we can save money, and if we can save money, if it is safe.
And Ireland, is unique. Its legally corrupt, relatively safe, it was/is damn expensive, and there is not much to show for it after all this. I hope that Ireland gets out of its current mess, wiser, cleaner, and better, but it will be painful. I can only hope that just as the Celtic Tiger was irrational exuberance, that the Celtic Kitten comes out after its diet and trip to the gym, reborn, leaner, fitter, smarter, and ready to face the challenges of the future, with the fat of 7,50 Euro Jack Daniels and Cokes consigned to the history books, along with 300,000 Euro shoeboxes that will be worth 100,000 Euro in less than 10 years. I hope that what is happening now is just as much irrational pessimism to the same token of irrational exuberance.
I try to promote Ireland wherever I am, and its people, and the best aspects of it. We all know its faults, they are blatantly obvious, but it is not the worst place on earth, far from it. The country made me what I am today, gave me an identity that is respected around the world. I will conduct myself like a gentleman, even if I do get drunk occasionally. Lets face it, we've been through much worse, and its hardly a Spud Famine, Insurrection, or 1913 by anyones standards. Its just a 21st century version, considering the wealth we had, and what we were accustomed to.
One younger Irish colleague asked. "Whats a recession like?"
I replied "Its when there are 500 graduate degree holders applying for a job in Mac Donalds"
He turned white with shock at the notion.
Ireland - Economy and corruption, its time to protest.
We'd all like to see a few heads roll, but realistically, that is not going to happen. Thats down to the very nature of society itself. The only places where there may be some kind of accountability along the lines of what we would like are the likes of Scandinavia (except Iceland), Germany/Benelux, Singapore (as long as you are not related to the Lees), Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
We know damn well what caused the mess. We could complain and moan all we like, but it will solve nothing.
I must have some sort of Stockholm syndrome to say the next bit, and say while I dislike Fianna Fail, the other ones are worse. We do have a problem with the Irish socio-political system with its entrenched elements holding us back from accelerating into a better future. I've seen this in other countries where there are two political parties meaning more or less the same thing. Same t-shirt, different football team.
Antigua - Antigua Labour Party (lets get our mouths in the trough), vs Peoples Progressive Party (Twice as good at getting into the trough within 6 months)
Costa Rica - Lets Print Money, and have a permanent 15% inflation rate, (Costa Rica actually has excellent standards of workers rights, healthcare, etc by regional standards)
Malaysia - UMNO/Barisan Nasional, against Opposition that only stands for opposition and seems rudderless on governing. Both equally undesirable.
UK - Labour against Tory, same thing, no matter what happens.
America - Republicrats.
Ireland - Fianna Fail who stand for nothing much as long as it gets them power. Fine Gael who stand for nothing much and a little bit less. Labour who stand for people dependent on social welfare, public sector workers, and to hell with the rest of us (Remember, Ruari Quinn refused to introduce a National Minimum wage, saying he had no time for it, and there was no need for it. I have'nt forgiven him and his party for that, and they should be called No Labour, for with their policies, there is no work, as the economy gets frozen by taxation).
Sinn Fein ...what do they represent...hmm?
Green Party.....more of a Greenwash Party, with policies that pretend to solve problems and just offer more tax for less.
PD's...the less said the better, although, surprisingly.....they did introduce the National Minimum wage, AND....truly believed in rewarding Labour.
So, look to yourselves for answers. Ideally, here are a few daft ideas for a protest.
- Refuse to pay Bin taxes, TV Licences, and other statutory stealth charges. If the TV Licence inspector calls, have him beaten up by the local skangers, pay them with Dutch Gold and smuggled Latvian cigarettes.
- If the bailiffs call, again, have them beaten up. If homes are being repossessed, help the people who suffer, they truly need a bailout. Let them know we are fucking angry, and then, and only then will the message get across to the people in their ivory towers that enough is enough.
- Light up cigarettes in Pubs, and openly defy the smoking ban. When you get arrested, or fined, state "I want my bailout"
- Use Thai 10 Baht coins as 2 Euro coins for your now inflated Bus and train fares. If enough folk do it, it will scare them to the core, and they will be forced to listen. I'm telling you ALL, a holiday in Thailand will more than adequately pay for itself as long as you give those useless unionised fuckers at Dublin Bus lots of these 25 cent coins. Remember who told you first. 10 Baht is 25 cent, and go to a Bank, get 5,000 Baht worth, you have 1,000 Euro. Thats enough to pay your kids bus fares, or your nephews and nieces, and the change vouchers from Dublin Bus become THEIR pocket money. Give the money to the kids, they'll save it, or spend it on sweets, benefitting the local economy. But screwing Dublin Bus, no greater pleasure in life, especially when they charge 6 Euro for the Airport Express that runs late, when it SHOULD BE A TRAIN.
- Smuggle cartons of cigarettes and tobacco from Latvia etc, and sell it for a profit if you are on the dole, but donate 20 Euro or 20% of the profit to the Irish Cancer society, and DO keep receipts of the donation in case you DO get arrested and point out that while cigarettes are bad, they are the 2nd most expensive in the world for no return on public services.
- Speeding, beat speed limits where and when appropriate. Again, do not pay.
- Do not pay road tolls.
Let us not engage in bitter divisive lazy public sector vs private sector stereotypes. We all have a role to play in getting out of this mess.
Let us not engage in anti immigrant nonsense, for as sure as night follows day, if its the Asians, Romanians, Polish, Indians, Filipinos, Nigerians, all who came to us when we needed the cheaper labour that Irish people would not do any more, then it will be the Gay community on the hitlist, and heaven knows who else next. For we were immigrants before, and we are sure to be again, and we owe it to be decent to each other, and not insular. We all bleed the same when battered.
To those who caused it, over time, you will be found and you will be made accountable. If the legal means fail, as they most surely have, then, it is time that you were dealt with by certain old fashioned, primative yet rather effective methods. Starting of course with Charles Haughey, you might be dead, but theres a few things on my wish list. Just to mention that you still remain the most hated politician in my life, even though you are dead, despite the fact that Khairy Jamaluddin is coming from behind in that particular race. I'll be pissing on your grave when I get back, and that goes on Youtube.
While we are arguing amongst ourselves, the entrenched elements amongst the Don Brino Cowenlenino style establishment will be at the Central Bank removing their Euro for a tax haven, and sipping their Pina Coladas in Grand Cayman, Jolly Harbour (Antigua), or Slinging away your tax cash in Singapore.
Thats the way it has been, its the way it always will be, and do not deceive yourself with the illusion that you would be any different in their position, because you would have the same Belvederean, Blackrock College Ross O Carroll Kelly sense of priviledge and false entitlement, just as the Annabel boys did 4 years ago when high on coke and alcohol they committed murder. Look to that, and then ask if Irish society is just or fair? Do you get a tribunal? Let this be the catalyst, the spike, that says enough is enough.
We did not have the Internet the last time. But we do now, and it has the potential to be the true saviour of democracy, and the destroyer of those who sought to steal from us.
We can scare the living shit out of the establishment in many other ways. I have just outlined how to do it, and where to start. It could backfire, but I do not see any other way of expressing how dissatisfied we are at this awful state of affairs. I do wish to abide and respect the laws of the land, but when fairness, decency and justice have been openly flouted and defiled in our midst, what choice as citizens do we have?
May we save Ireland...for God helps those who help themselves.
To my Malaysian friends, you sense my despair. Can we swop Prime Ministers. We'll give you Brian Cowen, Brian Lenihan and Mary Coughlan. In return, we will take Pak Lah, Khairy, and Najib. Your ones may be corrupt, but they are'nt as expensive, and I think their methods of handling corrupt bankers might be more effective. Preferably in the Glen of Imaal with some plastic explosive. Heck, we'll throw in some scholarships at the Royal College of Surgeons for you as well. Bumis accepted of course.
We know damn well what caused the mess. We could complain and moan all we like, but it will solve nothing.
I must have some sort of Stockholm syndrome to say the next bit, and say while I dislike Fianna Fail, the other ones are worse. We do have a problem with the Irish socio-political system with its entrenched elements holding us back from accelerating into a better future. I've seen this in other countries where there are two political parties meaning more or less the same thing. Same t-shirt, different football team.
Antigua - Antigua Labour Party (lets get our mouths in the trough), vs Peoples Progressive Party (Twice as good at getting into the trough within 6 months)
Costa Rica - Lets Print Money, and have a permanent 15% inflation rate, (Costa Rica actually has excellent standards of workers rights, healthcare, etc by regional standards)
Malaysia - UMNO/Barisan Nasional, against Opposition that only stands for opposition and seems rudderless on governing. Both equally undesirable.
UK - Labour against Tory, same thing, no matter what happens.
America - Republicrats.
Ireland - Fianna Fail who stand for nothing much as long as it gets them power. Fine Gael who stand for nothing much and a little bit less. Labour who stand for people dependent on social welfare, public sector workers, and to hell with the rest of us (Remember, Ruari Quinn refused to introduce a National Minimum wage, saying he had no time for it, and there was no need for it. I have'nt forgiven him and his party for that, and they should be called No Labour, for with their policies, there is no work, as the economy gets frozen by taxation).
Sinn Fein ...what do they represent...hmm?
Green Party.....more of a Greenwash Party, with policies that pretend to solve problems and just offer more tax for less.
PD's...the less said the better, although, surprisingly.....they did introduce the National Minimum wage, AND....truly believed in rewarding Labour.
So, look to yourselves for answers. Ideally, here are a few daft ideas for a protest.
- Refuse to pay Bin taxes, TV Licences, and other statutory stealth charges. If the TV Licence inspector calls, have him beaten up by the local skangers, pay them with Dutch Gold and smuggled Latvian cigarettes.
- If the bailiffs call, again, have them beaten up. If homes are being repossessed, help the people who suffer, they truly need a bailout. Let them know we are fucking angry, and then, and only then will the message get across to the people in their ivory towers that enough is enough.
- Light up cigarettes in Pubs, and openly defy the smoking ban. When you get arrested, or fined, state "I want my bailout"
- Use Thai 10 Baht coins as 2 Euro coins for your now inflated Bus and train fares. If enough folk do it, it will scare them to the core, and they will be forced to listen. I'm telling you ALL, a holiday in Thailand will more than adequately pay for itself as long as you give those useless unionised fuckers at Dublin Bus lots of these 25 cent coins. Remember who told you first. 10 Baht is 25 cent, and go to a Bank, get 5,000 Baht worth, you have 1,000 Euro. Thats enough to pay your kids bus fares, or your nephews and nieces, and the change vouchers from Dublin Bus become THEIR pocket money. Give the money to the kids, they'll save it, or spend it on sweets, benefitting the local economy. But screwing Dublin Bus, no greater pleasure in life, especially when they charge 6 Euro for the Airport Express that runs late, when it SHOULD BE A TRAIN.
- Smuggle cartons of cigarettes and tobacco from Latvia etc, and sell it for a profit if you are on the dole, but donate 20 Euro or 20% of the profit to the Irish Cancer society, and DO keep receipts of the donation in case you DO get arrested and point out that while cigarettes are bad, they are the 2nd most expensive in the world for no return on public services.
- Speeding, beat speed limits where and when appropriate. Again, do not pay.
- Do not pay road tolls.
Let us not engage in bitter divisive lazy public sector vs private sector stereotypes. We all have a role to play in getting out of this mess.
Let us not engage in anti immigrant nonsense, for as sure as night follows day, if its the Asians, Romanians, Polish, Indians, Filipinos, Nigerians, all who came to us when we needed the cheaper labour that Irish people would not do any more, then it will be the Gay community on the hitlist, and heaven knows who else next. For we were immigrants before, and we are sure to be again, and we owe it to be decent to each other, and not insular. We all bleed the same when battered.
To those who caused it, over time, you will be found and you will be made accountable. If the legal means fail, as they most surely have, then, it is time that you were dealt with by certain old fashioned, primative yet rather effective methods. Starting of course with Charles Haughey, you might be dead, but theres a few things on my wish list. Just to mention that you still remain the most hated politician in my life, even though you are dead, despite the fact that Khairy Jamaluddin is coming from behind in that particular race. I'll be pissing on your grave when I get back, and that goes on Youtube.
While we are arguing amongst ourselves, the entrenched elements amongst the Don Brino Cowenlenino style establishment will be at the Central Bank removing their Euro for a tax haven, and sipping their Pina Coladas in Grand Cayman, Jolly Harbour (Antigua), or Slinging away your tax cash in Singapore.
Thats the way it has been, its the way it always will be, and do not deceive yourself with the illusion that you would be any different in their position, because you would have the same Belvederean, Blackrock College Ross O Carroll Kelly sense of priviledge and false entitlement, just as the Annabel boys did 4 years ago when high on coke and alcohol they committed murder. Look to that, and then ask if Irish society is just or fair? Do you get a tribunal? Let this be the catalyst, the spike, that says enough is enough.
We did not have the Internet the last time. But we do now, and it has the potential to be the true saviour of democracy, and the destroyer of those who sought to steal from us.
We can scare the living shit out of the establishment in many other ways. I have just outlined how to do it, and where to start. It could backfire, but I do not see any other way of expressing how dissatisfied we are at this awful state of affairs. I do wish to abide and respect the laws of the land, but when fairness, decency and justice have been openly flouted and defiled in our midst, what choice as citizens do we have?
May we save Ireland...for God helps those who help themselves.
To my Malaysian friends, you sense my despair. Can we swop Prime Ministers. We'll give you Brian Cowen, Brian Lenihan and Mary Coughlan. In return, we will take Pak Lah, Khairy, and Najib. Your ones may be corrupt, but they are'nt as expensive, and I think their methods of handling corrupt bankers might be more effective. Preferably in the Glen of Imaal with some plastic explosive. Heck, we'll throw in some scholarships at the Royal College of Surgeons for you as well. Bumis accepted of course.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Derek get the banjo out - The Navan railway is screwed
Derek Wheeler is an online friend, who has a common interest in transport. We have'nt met yet, its just one of those things that happens in life online. Talk a lot, agree on a lot, and never have time to meet. Which is a pity really, but thats how it is. But after 7 years of debate going back to the halcyon days of Irish Railway News, maybe thats going to happen in Summer. At least I'd like to.
People think that Irish Rail is fucked. Thats what you think until you try KTM (Malayan Railways), the glorified Malay social employment scheme designed to run late, run badly, or not run at all. Its actually quite nice to sit in the Ekspres Rakyat (Yes, that translates as peoples express, the communist sounding name is no coincidence), and reminisce about the "good old days" of jointed track, of unions, of running late, of dodgy safety standards, the ability to smoke in the vestibule with a few cans of cold beer, play poker and remember the days when we could only afford holidays to Courtown and Galway, as we bounced along in overcrowded conditions and paid a small fortune for the priviledge.
But lets go back over to the ould sod, to Ireland, where things are not as inefficient, or corrupt.
I like Malaysia, because you can stretch your money further. But back in Ireland, the economy has just gone tits up. So I reckon Ireland might be a bargain in a year or two, but I would'nt hold my breath.
They promised this wonderful scheme, called Transport 21.
Its not going to happen, although they reckon when I am an old queen bopping around on my zimmer frame in the George, when they have banned alcohol (they've done well with the cigarettes so far), and legalised Ecstasy, Weed and Ketamine (only available at the bar by 2030 I reckon), I should be able to get off on something called the Interconnector at Stephens Green.
Thats not going happen.
There is an old trackbed, going from Clonsilla to Navan. Navan has a population of 25,000 or more people now, and the railway closed in 1963. They promised to rebuild it in 1997, 2002, and again in election 2007. Sound familiar. It should....
So heres my offer. I'll spare Derek the embarrasment. I'll get fit, and lose the weight that all the curry and Tiger Beer has thrown on since....2006. Back then, they said the Navan Railway would reopen in 2010.
Sometimes I do take my clothes off in public. Down to my underwear only, since this is Malaysia and its a (ahem) "conservative". I won't admit doing worse, apart from Finnegans Pub in Bangsar on St Patricks Day 2002. Granted, its been a few years since I did that, but I am not shy of a publicity stunt. Who knows me in Ireland. Noone, and thats . Maybe, like Lady Godiva, they might cut taxes, and give the people a better chance, a better alternative. Heck, its only 500 Million Euro to rebuld the damn thing, whats that between friends if you go to Belvedere College? Hold on a second, theres no expertise amongst the golden shower (ahem circle) in building railways, so they continue pissing away the promises (pun intended(
Its not going to get built.
So Derek, get the banjo out. Dermos gonna go naturist instead.
Replace Fianna Fail with Barisan Nasional or New Labour, its the same shit no matter what country you go. The money was there, and now its gone, and the kids have no sweets. Congratulations.
People think that Irish Rail is fucked. Thats what you think until you try KTM (Malayan Railways), the glorified Malay social employment scheme designed to run late, run badly, or not run at all. Its actually quite nice to sit in the Ekspres Rakyat (Yes, that translates as peoples express, the communist sounding name is no coincidence), and reminisce about the "good old days" of jointed track, of unions, of running late, of dodgy safety standards, the ability to smoke in the vestibule with a few cans of cold beer, play poker and remember the days when we could only afford holidays to Courtown and Galway, as we bounced along in overcrowded conditions and paid a small fortune for the priviledge.
But lets go back over to the ould sod, to Ireland, where things are not as inefficient, or corrupt.
I like Malaysia, because you can stretch your money further. But back in Ireland, the economy has just gone tits up. So I reckon Ireland might be a bargain in a year or two, but I would'nt hold my breath.
They promised this wonderful scheme, called Transport 21.
Its not going to happen, although they reckon when I am an old queen bopping around on my zimmer frame in the George, when they have banned alcohol (they've done well with the cigarettes so far), and legalised Ecstasy, Weed and Ketamine (only available at the bar by 2030 I reckon), I should be able to get off on something called the Interconnector at Stephens Green.
Thats not going happen.
There is an old trackbed, going from Clonsilla to Navan. Navan has a population of 25,000 or more people now, and the railway closed in 1963. They promised to rebuild it in 1997, 2002, and again in election 2007. Sound familiar. It should....
So heres my offer. I'll spare Derek the embarrasment. I'll get fit, and lose the weight that all the curry and Tiger Beer has thrown on since....2006. Back then, they said the Navan Railway would reopen in 2010.
Sometimes I do take my clothes off in public. Down to my underwear only, since this is Malaysia and its a (ahem) "conservative". I won't admit doing worse, apart from Finnegans Pub in Bangsar on St Patricks Day 2002. Granted, its been a few years since I did that, but I am not shy of a publicity stunt. Who knows me in Ireland. Noone, and thats . Maybe, like Lady Godiva, they might cut taxes, and give the people a better chance, a better alternative. Heck, its only 500 Million Euro to rebuld the damn thing, whats that between friends if you go to Belvedere College? Hold on a second, theres no expertise amongst the golden shower (ahem circle) in building railways, so they continue pissing away the promises (pun intended(
Its not going to get built.
So Derek, get the banjo out. Dermos gonna go naturist instead.
Replace Fianna Fail with Barisan Nasional or New Labour, its the same shit no matter what country you go. The money was there, and now its gone, and the kids have no sweets. Congratulations.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Answers to quiz, from Daniels Blog:
In response to Daniels post on Malaysian Police Brutality, I put up a quiz. For all you guys out there:
10 out of 10 = Reads Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today obsessively, or very corrupt. Title: Tan Sri
7-9 out of 10 = Knows enough about this place. Title: Datuk
4-6 out of 10 = Smart enough, but your just ordinary.
3-5 out of 10 = MCA and MIC member, Palm Oil plantation, provincial Johor.
0-2 our of 10 = Son of a toll booth collector, deepest Pahang, lifelong UMNO member, who believes Mummy and Daddy got their job from UMNO.
http://danielfranklingomez.com/blog/2009/01/29/malaysian-police-brutality-on-kugan/comment-page-1/#comment-107953
1. Daim Zainnuddin, or the Former Central Bank Governor Jaafar Bin Hussein (Both, I reckon they were doing it together)
2. I skipped two because I got bribed. I bet you did'nt see that. Hahaha
3. It could be a former chief minister of Melaka, who subsequently got fired by Mahathir. He has some Cheek.
4. Abdul Razak Hussein, who in cahoots with the former chief minister of Selangor - Harun Bin Idris allowed a parade to take place starting from Kampung Baru on May 13th 1969. Of course, the history behind that is hidden.
5. Hishamuddin Hussein, the education minister who cares so much about Malaysian education that his children are educated overseas. By contrast, Anwar Ibrahims kids were all educated in....Malaysia.
6. Khairy Jamaluddin bin Abu Bakar.
7. Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. Did'nt realise it had 40,000 people in it. Thats bigger than most places where I come from (Ireland)
8. The Richest Unemployed.
9. Lim Kit Siang.
10. Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Al-Haj ibni Sultan Sir Ismail Al-Khalidi (You would'nt want to be giving these guys blowjobs, thats a real mouthful).
10 out of 10 = Reads Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today obsessively, or very corrupt. Title: Tan Sri
7-9 out of 10 = Knows enough about this place. Title: Datuk
4-6 out of 10 = Smart enough, but your just ordinary.
3-5 out of 10 = MCA and MIC member, Palm Oil plantation, provincial Johor.
0-2 our of 10 = Son of a toll booth collector, deepest Pahang, lifelong UMNO member, who believes Mummy and Daddy got their job from UMNO.
http://danielfranklingomez.com/blog/2009/01/29/malaysian-police-brutality-on-kugan/comment-page-1/#comment-107953
1. Daim Zainnuddin, or the Former Central Bank Governor Jaafar Bin Hussein (Both, I reckon they were doing it together)
2. I skipped two because I got bribed. I bet you did'nt see that. Hahaha
3. It could be a former chief minister of Melaka, who subsequently got fired by Mahathir. He has some Cheek.
4. Abdul Razak Hussein, who in cahoots with the former chief minister of Selangor - Harun Bin Idris allowed a parade to take place starting from Kampung Baru on May 13th 1969. Of course, the history behind that is hidden.
5. Hishamuddin Hussein, the education minister who cares so much about Malaysian education that his children are educated overseas. By contrast, Anwar Ibrahims kids were all educated in....Malaysia.
6. Khairy Jamaluddin bin Abu Bakar.
7. Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. Did'nt realise it had 40,000 people in it. Thats bigger than most places where I come from (Ireland)
8. The Richest Unemployed.
9. Lim Kit Siang.
10. Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Al-Haj ibni Sultan Sir Ismail Al-Khalidi (You would'nt want to be giving these guys blowjobs, thats a real mouthful).
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