There is a saying in German politics that roughly translates as “to Merkel”.
Essentially, it means when all of the variables have been thoroughly analysed, a decision is finally arrived at in a calm and reasoned way.
I think that says much about the current leader of the most powerful nation in Europe.
She certainly isn’t capricious.
In her own country, the German Chancellor is often referred to simply as “Mutti” (mother).
This morning I had an interesting conversation with a journalist friend in Brussels.
He has excellent contacts within the German MEPs, and he picked up some scéal that there as a memo from the Berlin government circulating among their Strasbourg representatives.
Apparently, Mutti believes that September 9th is the day that Michel Barnier will tell the Brits that this charade of negotiations is over.
So, dear reader, if you’re reading this in Britain, and Google tells me that most of ye are, then I’m sorry.
You should really become acquainted with terms like Operation Brock, Operation Yellowhammer and Operation Snow Bunting.
The people of the Six Counties will remain within the regulatory protection of the European Union.
Of course, this wounds those folks who cling to the validation of the terminally ill Union.
For them, Narne Arne is Bradaish, and nothing else matters.
However, they are a dwindling demographic and on the wrong side of history.
Over the water, the good people of Britain have no one available in Westminster who has the ability to Merkel the Brexit shitshow.
Instead, they’ve been Borised.
If this internal German memo is on the money then December 31st, 2020 will be quite a milestone in the history of these islands.
I have just finished reading this excellent work by Tim Pat Coogan.
It is a period of my country’s history that interests me intensely.
According to the deposition that he gave to the Bureau of Military History, one of my grandfather’s tasks in the IRA was to use his civilian job as a guard on the train from Westport to Dublin.
As a courier, he took target intelligence to Mick for these lads to action.
When I think of the dangers that my grandparents faced when they took on the global superpower next door it is clear that all is changed, changed utterly.
A century later, when I see the state of the Brits over Brexit, this interaction between Mick Collins and his cousin Nancy O’Brien leapt out of the pages at me.
If the Brits succeed in hiring 50,000 extra customs officials than they will have more of these folk than they have soldiers in their army!
Now, once again, Our Gallant Allies in Europe are part of Ireland’s story.
In the midst of all of this, please stay well.
This isn’t a drill.
A pandemic is the sort of crisis that exposes the idiots amongst us.
Please ignore them and stay safe.
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‘Dear Bobby
One thing I cannot abide in the social media today is the disregard of proper spelling – it is ingerlund not engerlund.Can do better! Dg27qu
god forgive me for stating this ” i dont give a fuck about brexit ” because i intend to be sitting in a rocking chair in north cork watching the riots on TV while sipping a cheeky little bottle of merlo ! if turkeys want to vote for crimbo then that is there problem !
another million years in purgatory for me
x
“Give them enough rope”, the British Trade Unions set up and simplified trade union representation in German industry, only 5 or 6 unions in shipbuilding while British yards had over 20 and led to the demarcation who does what disputes, set up Betriebsraete, Work Councils with employee representation on management which did not happen in UK til many years later. UK contributed to its own industrial and economic downfall.
Think you’ll find Thatcherism ie Neoliberalism and the sell off of Nationalised Industry had a major impact on that.
Not too mention the weakening of the Unions.
Anyone who subscribes to Neoliberalism is effectively validating Thatcherism.
Those wishing a swift return to the EU Post Indy for example are more or less advocating for a return of Thatcherism for an eternity under EU Rule.
As are those championing it on here and elsewhere.
You really need to take the blinkers off and as Phil often correctly suggests on here and follow the money in Europe.
The EU after all subscribe fully subscribe to Neoliberalism and have no time for any other approach.
There is no alternative or plan b in the EU.
It’s shit or bust.
If you think 2008 was a bad year you haven’t seen anything yet.
Phil you should worry about your own country. Reports are that Ireland will have to increase their contributions to the EU and it’s no small amount. The EU is a failed experiment that took the free market and tried to dominate the world. A unified army and police force that would remove each countries sovereign powers is NOT what the people want. Politicians that have not been voted in, too many getting paid far too much and privileges that the common man could only dream off.
The EU is not all it’s made out to be and many ,myself included are happy to be out. Come back in a year or so and see if A) the EU is still there or B) if Ireland are happy with the new payments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTMxfAkxfQ0
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=610353615808233
Come back and let me know if you bother to watch any of these.
sevco won another teacup for the cabinet today ” Rangers today equalled a 114-year old record by recording their 6th clean sheet in a row at the start of the season, equalling Celtic’s 6-match streak in 1906 ” erm 7 last season, year and a half in 16/17-17/18 seasons
who the hell passed this beauty to mr watt at the bbc , https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53871819
I will remain a citizen of the EU come what may. My children are eligible to be citizens too though my grandchildren are not. However they are confident that Scotland will become independent and wish to take this route in time. I share that confidence but wish they would join me as they have Irish grandparents on my side. Unfortunately my good lady doesn’t have the option. However I simply cannot up sticks and move across the water and join my brother in Newcastle West Co. Limerick. Don’t want to tbh as my life is tied to Scotland and I want to be able to get back to Celtic Park if/when these horrible days pass. My fear is that Scotland will suffer. I have underlying health issues that need supplies of attendant medicines and Brexit is a sword hanging over my head in this regard. One day, I hope, we will come through this.
Economically Germany is definitely the most powerful country in Europe .The reason this came about is that after the 2nd World War Germany was restricted on the money it could spend on Its Military Personnel and Arms, this in turned allowed the Germans to invest in their infrastructure and their industry. The UK decided after the 2nd World War to kid themselves that they were still a big player on the world stage and spent big time on the military hardware budget to the detriment of our Industrial and infrastructure investment.This mindset is still evident in the British establishment to this day [ Useless Nuclear Weapons and Aircraft Carriers with no Planes as recent examples] This mindset is especially evident among the Brexiteers. Anyone who believes leaving the EU at this time in history is a good thing is living in political LaLa Land.
So 2008 was simply a mirage was it?
The Neoliberal approach to Economics a severely flawed approach which always ends in one thing.
Recession.
The very same Institutions and Economists who back this flawed approach are the very same people who don’t pick up the tab for the end result.
No that is left down to you ,me and all the other mugs who have bought into it.
The EU is a shrine built upon it.
Another Billion Euros in borrowing won’t stop the rot ,the next collapse is only a matter of time.
Austerity is their only answer.
Multinational owning globalist is laughing at you.
Not one single fcuk was given by any of them.
We picked up the slack and they simply carried on normal jogging.
The whole thing is built on a foundation of Debt.
He was talking historically … or did you think that happened last week?
Pre WWII Britain still had an empire and formidable forces. The rot was beginning to set in of course but like a dying tiger it was still dangerous. To deny that is both to deny truth and deny great odds the likes of Collins faced and their courage.
You are everything you claim to dislike Phil. You are a shill and stenographer for the billionaires.
Do a bit of proper journalism, look at all the data from all countries. Look at the PCR testing. The false positives. The reporting of CV deaths. The number and demographics. The care homes, the DNR notices. Empty hospitals. All the studies on mask wearing. The casedemic.
You people are actually evil expecting school kids to wear masks.
I honestly can’t believe anyone who reads all the available information can’t see what is happening here.
I have absolutely no doubt that you will be proved wrong and history will judge you and your sinn fein buddies as collaborators of tyranny. Taking away the rights of future generations because of your cowardice. Plunging many millions of people into extreme poverty because of a virus with an IFR of???
I never in my wildest dreams imagined that Irish republicans and celtic fans could so easily buy into the establishments version of the world
Seriously how much money is being thrown at testing and warp speed vaccines, and then look at how many children die of starvation every single day. You people are sickos.
Do you understand the money system, your generation cleaned up and are leaving behind serious debt for future generations.
Would people please wake up. Please. Read every thing. I don’t need to tell you how untrustworthy politicians and msm are.
Everyone entitled to their opinion. But you’d be better getting onto one of those David Icke-style forums, where you’ll find lots of like-minded conspiracy theorists.
One thing you need to remember though: Every time you post your wild ideas on a forum, whether it’s Facebook, twitter or even here, they can track you. Sooner or later they’ll come to get you and you’ll disappear, like you’ve simply never existed.
Unless it’s all just a load of old bollocks…
I’m a celtic fan from an Irish republican background so these are the forums and blogs I read. This is only propably the fifth time I’ve commented on any forum. I used to waste my time on the rte sports when they had a comment section fighting celtics corner. It takes alot for me to feel the need to do this
I actually believe what I’m saying. Collusion was a conspiracy, WMDs in Iraq.
Hopefully I’m wrong and if so I’ll come back in a years time with a grovelling apology and ask for forgiveness
Totally agree Covid septic. Really disappointing that Phil has not been able to call out the churnalism coverage of this current covid situation by mainstream media. Wake up people – we are destroying ours and our children’s futures
Actually that was amusing reading “Collins own cousin – who one day was told was told in the Castle that henceforth it would be her duty to handle the most secret coded messages”. I mean, really…….Clearly the vetting procedures were somewhat lax.
How Ironic it is that the Nation who caused the two Wars in Europe ( That put most Countries into severe debt) that apparently necessitated the reason for a Common Market ( Subsequently superseded by a European Superstate run by Neoliberal Capitalists) Is now one of the richest and most powerful Countries within that Superstate?
Hitler must be absolutely beside himself in Hell seething at the thought he has millions of lives on his rap sheet due to his wants when all he need have done is suggest a Common Market and controlled Europe from Frankfurt making Billions in the process and without the loss of a single life.
Seriously see when the EU finally does collapse as it surely will ( €1 Trillion Bailout by Central Bank recently- which will need to be paid back and with interest ) the fallout will be far worse than the ones that preceded the formation of the Common Market.
It’s a Charade set up and controlled by those who gain to make the most from it.
Then when it all goes tits up guess who will be left to pick up the tab?
See 2008 for the answer.
Clue : Austerity
There was an excellent recent RTE “Doc on one” podcast called “The Little Shop of Secrets” about 2 sisters who ran a Post Office in Cork, which was used for intelligence gathering during the War of Independence.
Sheila and Nora Wallace are up there with Nancy O’Brien and Susan Mason and plenty of other women who played their part and have sadly never had the recognition they deserve.
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/radio1/21804894
Any intelligence operation that did not have women involved was not fit for purpose.
Collins won the intelligence war in Dublin-there is no question of that.
Give Boris credit, he has the citizens of little engurland digging their own graves & drinking the poison
Your comments imply that you harbour enmity towards the ordinary people of England.
That’s not a good look.
A faction within the British political elite facilitated the Brexit coup, not the ordinary people-even those who were duped by lies written on big red buses.
Well if they’re all digging their own graves and taking the poison at the same it’s going to be one right, smelly place. When they drop dead into dead into the grave they’ve just there’ll be no one to backfill it. All those open graves with putrifying corpses. Yeeuuukkkk
” The most powerful nation in Europe ” ?
Mr. Putin might disagree wi’ that one Phil.
terencenova Mr Putin did you mean Mr Poison?
Yes that would be .. Poison Putin, Patrick…
And that would be alliteration at its finest…:0)
Hai hail.