"Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely"

by Ronoc Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:16

Among the speakers addressing the topic of Lisbon II, a blunt assessment came from Fine Gael’s director of organisation, Frank Flannery.

"Ireland has had one serious attempt at committing suicide on this issue," "Happily, we survived... and we are back for another go. If we do it again, we probable deserve everything bad that ever happens to us." Frank Flannery

Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/rejecting-lisbon-will-lo...NJVOo

by Iona Sat Aug 01, 2009 14:55

Major doubts and concerns have been raised regarding the legality -- on Constitutional grounds relating to Article 6.1 of Bunreacht na hEireann -- of holding a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, and these doubts and concerns have just recently been related to a number of senior lawyers and politicians using the e-mail at: http://www.humanrightsireland.com/DrAnneJeffers/29July2...l.htm .

Don't be fooled by those who might try to tell you that you have to be a lawyer to properly understand Article 6.1 of Bunreacht na hEireann.

It needs to be kept in mind that constitutions, the better ones that is (which, although not perfect by any means perhaps, would definitely include Bunreacht na hEireann in my view), are very deliberately written so that people who are not lawyers can easily understand them, or at least get the gist of them in a significantly usable way.

There is a very good reason for this, and it has to do with enabling all citizens who are not lawyers to check things out whenever they think they might "smell a rat" somewhere, and when all they know for sure initially is that something their government is doing "feels" vaguely wrong in some way. Often, a quick look through a good quality constitution at this kind of early stage will help such citizens to quickly and accurately identify what the problem is: and, having found it, to confidently and SAFELY start raising the alarm (publicly if necessary), for the purpose of nipping wrongdoing (by public servants) in the bud.

"A stitch in time saves nine."

It is also perhaps worth keeping in mind the old rule-of-thumb which says that "if something look like an elephant, sounds like an elephant, and moves like an elephant, then it probably is an elephant".

Similarly with unconstitutional legislation, unconstitutional decisions, associated actions, and so on.

by Cogra Sat Aug 01, 2009 14:48

If you don't know say no. Simple as that!

by Ronoc Sat Aug 01, 2009 12:54

Democrasy denied!

All you have to do is look at how they are trying to push this treaty on the people of Europe and you see how undemocratic it is. France and Holland voted NO to the EU Constitution so they change the name to a Treaty and then Ireland voted No to this and then they want us to vote again because they where not happy with the result. They wont put this treaty to the people because they know it will be rejected.

The political elite of Europe seem to know whats better for us than we do ourselves.

What good will a YES vote bring? The only thing the YES side seem to be saying is that it will be good for the economy.

by Philip Kirwan Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:17 PhilKirwan at itnet dot ie

How six nations can control europe
In the coming months we will be bombarded with sound bites, post cards and news bulletins about the upcoming treaty. This peice challeneges the irish public to be critical about the vote be it a yes or no. In failing to do so we could be comitting ourselves to a europe we never wanted. Why for example would they push it a second time?
-The Lisbon Treaty
-Analysis of the legislation
-Debate and disscussion

The Lisbon agenda 0.02 Mb