14 replies to this topic

[Yaeger]

Will the 'Green' Party bring down the Irish government over controversial National Asset Managament Agency - NAMA legislation?
NAMA (see Wikipedia link below) is a 'pie-in-the-sky' concept as Shane Ross, one of Ireland;s leading financial experts, explains in in the video on 'greensagainstnama' website.
But the NAMA legislation will also prepare the groundwork for a Socialist nationalization drive not seen in Europe since the demise of the Soviet empire 20 years ago.



There is a new web site for Greens Against NAMA.

http://greensagainstnama.wordpress.com/

There is also a video site at:
http://sites.google.com/site/greensstopnama/







National Asset Management Agency
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Asse...nagement_Agency



Irish Independent, Friday October 09 2009
Militant mood among Greens is tempered by ballot box fears

THEY have the power to bring down the Government, spark a general
election and lead their party to a likely wipeout at the ballot box.

The rank-and-file membership of the Green Party will vote this weekend
to back NAMA and if two-thirds of them do not support the controversial
€54bn 'bad-bank' plan, the coalition will fall.

Despite a militant mood amongst a minority of members who intend to vote
it down no matter what, most say they will vote for it -- but only if
the leadership can secure substantial 'Green' changes.

Leader John Gormley said that if the delegation of -- at most -- 800 or
so Greens, expected to attend an RDS meeting this Saturday, did not
support NAMA, he would withdraw his TDs' support from Fianna Fail.

Some are against it -- no matter the cost to their party.

"I haven't met anyone in our group who supports it," said Donna Cooney,
a leading activist in Dublin North East. "It is too important an issue
to be thinking about the effects of a general election."

Such an attitude is not shared by others who fear the electorate's
backlash against a relatively tiny clique capable of sending the country
to the polls.

"My reservations pale in significance to the thoughts of bringing it
down and causing a general election," said a Cork city volunteer, who
did not wish to be named.

Only a minority of around 30 constituency secretaries, organisers and
former candidates in the party, whose opinion was canvassed by the Irish
Independent, say they have made up their mind -- seven for, seven against.

The issue is being described as the most divisive to come before the
party since members voted to enter Government with Fianna Fail in 2007.

"A large part of this NAMA effort is exactly what the Greens stand
against," said Niall O Brolchain, ex-mayor of Galway. "There have been
some fairly emotive meetings."

When contacted, one ex-councillor, disgusted at the Greens' direction,
said: "Listen, I couldn't get out of the party quick enough."

Attitudes are hardening and some members feel pushed around. The
impending vote was triggered when five constituency organisations passed
motions calling for a special convention on the issue.

Kerry North local election candidate David Grey said the problem was not
with the idea of NAMA itself, but rather with the way it was established
and the valuations.

"A good few people I have talked to oppose it in its present form. It's
not an opposition to NAMA but there are huge problems with how it is set
up," he said. But most are willing to back it -- provided that changes
are secured."

"A lot depends on the changes," said Maura McKay of the Laois/Offaly
Greens. "If they manage to get the changes we asked for, then it should
go through."

[skylark]

Yaeger, on Oct 9 2009, 01:27 PM, said:

Will the 'Green' Party bring down the Irish government over controversial National Asset Managament Agency - NAMA legislation?
NAMA (see Wikipedia link below) is a 'pie-in-the-sky' concept as Shane Ross, one of Ireland;s leading financial experts, explains in in the video on 'greensagainstnama' website.
But the NAMA legislation will also prepare the groundwork for a Socialist nationalization drive not seen in Europe since the demise of the Soviet empire 20 years ago.



There is a new web site for Greens Against NAMA.

http://greensagainstnama.wordpress.com/

There is also a video site at:
http://sites.google.com/site/greensstopnama/







National Asset Management Agency
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Asse...nagement_Agency



Irish Independent, Friday October 09 2009
Militant mood among Greens is tempered by ballot box fears

THEY have the power to bring down the Government, spark a general
election and lead their party to a likely wipeout at the ballot box.

The rank-and-file membership of the Green Party will vote this weekend
to back NAMA and if two-thirds of them do not support the controversial
€54bn 'bad-bank' plan, the coalition will fall.

Despite a militant mood amongst a minority of members who intend to vote
it down no matter what, most say they will vote for it -- but only if
the leadership can secure substantial 'Green' changes.

Leader John Gormley said that if the delegation of -- at most -- 800 or
so Greens, expected to attend an RDS meeting this Saturday, did not
support NAMA, he would withdraw his TDs' support from Fianna Fail.

Some are against it -- no matter the cost to their party.

"I haven't met anyone in our group who supports it," said Donna Cooney,
a leading activist in Dublin North East. "It is too important an issue
to be thinking about the effects of a general election."

Such an attitude is not shared by others who fear the electorate's
backlash against a relatively tiny clique capable of sending the country
to the polls.

"My reservations pale in significance to the thoughts of bringing it
down and causing a general election," said a Cork city volunteer, who
did not wish to be named.

Only a minority of around 30 constituency secretaries, organisers and
former candidates in the party, whose opinion was canvassed by the Irish
Independent, say they have made up their mind -- seven for, seven against.

The issue is being described as the most divisive to come before the
party since members voted to enter Government with Fianna Fail in 2007.

"A large part of this NAMA effort is exactly what the Greens stand
against," said Niall O Brolchain, ex-mayor of Galway. "There have been
some fairly emotive meetings."

When contacted, one ex-councillor, disgusted at the Greens' direction,
said: "Listen, I couldn't get out of the party quick enough."

Attitudes are hardening and some members feel pushed around. The
impending vote was triggered when five constituency organisations passed
motions calling for a special convention on the issue.

Kerry North local election candidate David Grey said the problem was not
with the idea of NAMA itself, but rather with the way it was established
and the valuations.

"A good few people I have talked to oppose it in its present form. It's
not an opposition to NAMA but there are huge problems with how it is set
up," he said. But most are willing to back it -- provided that changes
are secured."

"A lot depends on the changes," said Maura McKay of the Laois/Offaly
Greens. "If they manage to get the changes we asked for, then it should
go through."

*Well Yaeger,
...If you've listened to my 'Lisbon Treaty Talk'-Free Show, you'll know where I stand on NAMA. This is tantamount to being, as you've suggested, the start/finish of 'Prison Planet'.
I wouldn't trust the 'GREENS' on anything either. Look at their track record, in power sharing with 'FF'. Sure you do know that. Thanks/'S'

[simple simon]

Why are greens like watermelons?

Coz whilst their skins are green, inside they are red.

Edited by simple simon, 09 October 2009 - 08:34 PM.

[skylark]

simple simon, on Oct 9 2009, 09:33 PM, said:

Why are greens like watermelons?

Coz whilst their skins are green, inside they are red.

*OOU Simon,
...I Luv That, one for the 'Forums' Scrapbook collection of great sayings. Gonna take that to as many Forums/E-mail lists as possible. Wow...many thanks/'S'

[simple simon]

I got it from someone else... someone who is very much anti-socialism...

share and share alike!

Simon

[Yaeger]

Surprise, Surprise!




The Green Party voted to stay in power tonight after the vast majority of members signed off on the revised Programme for Government.

After a day-long meeting, delegates backed the proposals by a resounding 84%.

Just over two-thirds also rejected a motion calling for controversial bad bank Nama to be scrapped.

Leader John Gormley said the day was an important one in the history of the party.

"I believe we have done a good day's work here today," he said.

"I thank you sincerely for the overwhelming endorsement that you have given the parliamentary party and that you have given the new Programme for Government.

"We want to and we have to live up to those very high expectations invested in us."

Mr Gormley, who received a standing ovation and thunderous applause for his address, said the proposals would have to implemented.

"This programme for government is about transformation and recovery. It is about getting this country back up on its feet again," he said.

Results of Motion 1:

"The Green Party / Comhaontas Glas will continue to participate in Government on the basis of the new Programme for Government presented to this meeting."

Total poll: 624

Spoiled votes: 2
Total valid poll: 622
Yes: 523 (84.08%)
No: 99 (15.92%)

Results of Motion 2

"The Green Party/Comhaontas Glas rejects the National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009 and requires the Parliamentary Party to reject it in the Oireachtas."

Total poll: 628

Spoiled votes: 24
Total valid poll: 604
Yes: 189 (31.29%)
No: 415 (68.71%)


Related Links:
: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/green-p...n#ixzz0TcP3MkS8

[Yaeger]

simple simon, on Oct 10 2009, 11:22 PM, said:

I got it from someone else... someone who is very much anti-socialism...

share and share alike!

Simon

I love it, Simon. But maybe the rotting vegetables should change their name from 'Greens' to 'Yellows' to emphasise their cowardice !?!

[simple simon]

Yaeger, on Oct 11 2009, 11:00 AM, said:

I love it, Simon. But maybe the rotting vegetables should change their name from 'Greens' to 'Yellows' to emphasise their cowardice !?!

LOL

Nope, cannot be allowed to happen - truth and honesty will not be allowed to stand in the way of political spin and electioneering!

Politics, the dirtiest game in town.

Simon

[skylark]

simple simon, on Oct 11 2009, 04:56 PM, said:

LOL

Nope, cannot be allowed to happen - truth and honesty will not be allowed to stand in the way of political spin and electioneering!

Politics, the dirtiest game in town.

Simon

*Howdy Simon/Yaeger/All,
...The WHOLE Green Concept is hard to allow for/swallow/or even think of them as more than the new 'Lunitic Fringe'. They do stand for one thing...'Hypocrisy', and we can definitely add... 'opportunism'.
They are worse than mis-guided, they are Mal-informed and don't seem to want to bother with actual Facts. It's like a quasi Religion...visions of promised grandeur and rescuing the Planet...but their way. These fanatics have managed to convined themselves and many 'sober' Citizens...that 'The Sky Is Falling', or in that vein anyhow.
Absolute madness, like dealing with a bunch of mental defectives/cum 'Loonies' escaped from the same Mental Hospital with the very same 'delusions'. Perhaps if we 'called them all in' and gave them the 'Swine Flu Vaccination', we'd be well rid of them. Tah/'S'

[simple simon]

Actually, there is a clue in the word 'environmental'.

I'll leave it to you to spot what I'm hinting at!

Simon




ps, probably infiltrated by those who want to point the campaigning actions of the various lobby groups in certain directions - which means well away from the real solutions to topics such as air pollution which would see real benefits... such as zero point energy systems which would replace fossil fuels and end so much of the air pollution that a Houses of Parliament Committee estimates kills between 12,000 and 24,000 Brits a year...

Air pollution also causes much non-fatal disease (asthma, etc) yet even proven viable simple solutions which are in the public domain are often spurned. Heavy duty diesel engines are known to be serious sources of harmfull pollutants, whilst electric trolleybuses do not give off any tailpipe pollution at all! The EU is prosecuting the British govt. for urban air pollution, and all our erm 'lovely' leaders can think of is to ask for derogations and more time! By electrifying urban transport they could reduce air pollution - as well as save lives, make the public think that the govt. actually does care foir them / help their electoral chances in the next general election, and more. OK whilst electric buses would still need power generating facilities its easier to clean the waste gases at these than the many thousands of bus exhust fumes tail pipes.

[skylark]

simple simon, on Oct 11 2009, 11:11 PM, said:

Actually, there is a clue in the word 'environmental'.

I'll leave it to you to spot what I'm hinting at!

Simon




ps, probably infiltrated by those who want to point the campaigning actions of the various lobby groups in certain directions - which means well away from the real solutions to topics such as air pollution which would see real benefits... such as zero point energy systems which would replace fossil fuels and end so much of the air pollution that a Houses of Parliament Committee estimates kills between 12,000 and 24,000 Brits a year...

Air pollution also causes much non-fatal disease (asthma, etc) yet even proven viable simple solutions which are in the public domain are often spurned. Heavy duty diesel engines are known to be serious sources of harmfull pollutants, whilst electric trolleybuses do not give off any tailpipe pollution at all! The EU is prosecuting the British govt. for urban air pollution, and all our erm 'lovely' leaders can think of is to ask for derogations and more time! By electrifying urban transport they could reduce air pollution - as well as save lives, make the public think that the govt. actually does care foir them / help their electoral chances in the next general election, and more. OK whilst electric buses would still need power generating facilities its easier to clean the waste gases at these than the many thousands of bus exhust fumes tail pipes.

*Right Simon,
...Your not too hidden meaning, is well caught.
As for your other points...'I'll drink to that'. Right now I'd probably drink to anything. Family/all the women folk away in Glastonbury of all places. Hmmm, I haven't been on a Holiday since 2000...Really. Work work work/'S'

[simple simon]

Oh dear, thats not on - no holidays in a decade whilst others go swanning around.

At least there should be some sharing!

I'm all for womens' liberation - but only as far as 'equal'.

Simon

[skylark]

simple simon, on Oct 12 2009, 11:35 PM, said:

Oh dear, thats not on - no holidays in a decade whilst others go swanning around.

At least there should be some sharing!

I'm all for womens' liberation - but only as far as 'equal'.

Simon

*Can fully agree with that Simon/All...
*'Sweeps' NOTE:
…Protests before the 'COUP'….starting a 'Wake Up Call' in Ireland. More power to them. Everyone 'get on board' in your own sectors. Thanks/'S'

Major tractor protest brings traffic chaos to urban centres

FARMERS VENTED their anger against the Government yesterday with a show of strength that brought thousands of tractors onto the streets of 29 cities and towns across the State.

The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) claimed 6,000 vehicles had come out for the protest. There was huge traffic disruption, especially in Limerick and Kilkenny, but all the protests, over falling prices and proposed Government cuts, passed off peacefully.

Leading the protest in his native Laois…IFA president Pádraig Walshe told protesters who had turned up with 140 tractors in Portlaoise that the protests would continue.

He attacked the Government's lack of commitment to the sector, which he said had far more ability to create jobs and lead the country out of recession through an export drive than many foreign firms set up through Enterprise Ireland.

'They come and go, but we are staying unless the Government wipes us out completely by cutting the schemes which help us remain productively on the land'.

He attacked the Green Party for failing to mention during negotiations for the Programme for Government the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (Reps), which the Greens said they supported.

'What the Greens have been going on with over the last few weeks is an absolute sham. There is no way the farmers of Ireland can keep up the environmental standards unless they are rewarded for doing it', said he.

Market forces would drive down environmental standards unless there was a proper and well-funded Reps scheme, and he called on the Government to draw up a proper budget for the scheme.

'There were more people here today at one farmer meeting in Portlaoise than attended the Green Party convention on Saturday which decided the future of the country', he said.

The AA reported very severe traffic disruption in Limerick and Kilkenny, which became a "no-go" area for over two hours, and there was similar traffic chaos in Loughrea, Co Galway, and in Roscommon town. The turnout in Limerick was estimated at 300 tractors, 280 in Kilkenny, 400 in Enniscorthy and 300 in Loughrea.

The IFA said 250 tractors took part in the Fermoy protest, and almost 400 in each of the two Tipperary protest venues. There were 150 tractors in the Bandon protest and 180 in Carlow, and upwards of 300 on the streets of Dungarvan.

Protesting farmers delivered a letter of protest to the Taoiseach's constituency office in Tullamore, Co Offaly, where almost 175 tractors took to the streets, delaying traffic by over 40 minutes.

There were long delays in Cavan town, where 150 vehicles were driven through. In Tralee, Co Kerry, over 100 vehicles came out.

[Yaeger]

Protests including the blocking of roads are taking place in Galway as well. I guess people are slowly waking up in Ireland. Let's hope for the trend to continue.....



Galway Bay FM
BALLINASLOE RESIDENTS HALT WORKS ON N6 MOTORWAY
Mon 12th October 2009
Works on a section of the new N6 Ballinasloe to Galway motorway have been
suspended for the week following a blockade by residents.
Several residents from Moher in Ballinasloe, blocked the road near the Portumna
new roundabout out of Ballinasloe with a tractor and front loader this
afternoon.
The blockade is in protest over revised conditions as part of the N6 motorway,
and it's understood the machinery will remain in place until negotiations take
place on Friday.
http://www.galwaynews.ie/9132-ballinasloe-...rks-n6-motorway

Vow to blockade motorway in compensation claim
Thu 8th October 2009
Angry claimants to lodge mass claim
THE construction company behind the new N6 motorway is set to be innundated by a
barrage of solicitors' letters and legal actions from hundreds of farmers and
motorists who are claiming compensation for damage done to their lands, roads
and vehicles since work on the road began.
And with just 80 days to go until the scheduled opening of the final Galway to
Ballinasloe stretch of the motorway, local farmers and residents along the route
have vowed to blockade the motorway unless they get their cash.
With hundreds of people now awaiting compensation from the company behind the
scheme – N6 Construction Ltd – local organisers say a structured campaign of
regular blockades could begin as early as this weekend in an effort to slow down
completion of the project.
They say that contrary to their understanding at the outset of construction that
any damage done to roads or lands would be promptly repaired, their complaints
have been ignored and they have been left out of pocket and frustrated.
It is estimated car owners throughout the county whose vehicles have been
damaged by massive potholes on local roads have a combined claim against the
company of €100,000, while dozens of other claims from farmers whose lands have
been left flooded or who have had their work severely disrupted by the
construction work have yet to be calculated.
In a coordinated effort amongst all those affected, almost 200 solicitors'
letters will be sent to N6 Construction Ltd in the coming days as locals have
been advised to proceed through the legal route as well as through their
blockades of the road itself.
The latest in a series of public meetings will take place tomorrow night
(Friday) in Athenry to allow angry land and property owners to air their
grievances and to take legal advice on how they can each individually proceed
with their claims.
The N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Road is being completed as a Public Private
Partnership and cases may be taken against Galway County Council, the National
Roads Authority and N6 Construction Ltd.
More than one hundred people attended a meeting in New Inn earlier this week,
where the rallying cry from the organisers – Fine Gael Senator Ciaran Cannon,
Fine Gael Councillor Michael Maher and
Independent Councillor Tim Broderick – was for a united front from all who have
been affected.
Speaking to The Connacht Tribune yesterday, Cllr Maher said the major fear now
is that once the road is completed, the construction company will move off site
and out of the country and will not carry out repairs to local roads or farms.
Continued on page 2 of the Tribune.
http://www.galwaynews.ie/9096-vow-blockade...pensation-claim

Galway Bay FM
N6 LEGAL CAMPAIGN MOVES TO ATHENRY
Fri 9th October 2009
The campaign of legal action by those affected by the N6 construction moves to
Athenry this evening. (9/10)
Residents affected by damage caused to their property, vehicles and local roads
since the construction began will be informed on the process of legal action at
a public meeting.
This is the second such meeting this week, as over 100 East Galway residents
attended a public meeting in New Inn on Monday night.
The campaign was launched by local public representatives Senator Ciaran Cannon,
Ballinasloe area councillor Tim Broderick and Loughrea area councillor Mogie
Maher.
The campaign is threatening to block and prevent the completion of the motorway
if the claims are not addressed by the County Council and N6 construction within
a short timeframe.
Tonight's meeting takes place in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry at half past
eight.

http://www.galwaynews.ie/9120-n6-legal-cam...n-moves-athenry

[simple simon]

a few newspaper cartoons from the past few days...




In many ways this one is to be expected...



This is just too true - strange however how the 'yes' box does not also have a 'try again' box connected with it!


Simon