HOME Thursday, 20 March 2003

The performance of Bertie Ahern before and now during the American/British invasion of Iraq, must rank as the most despicable by any Taoiseach ever.   I still despise Charles Haughey for his arrogant abuse of power, but I could not say he did not have guts. Not so the present incumbent. This defiled dish-rag of a man not only allowed Romano Prodi to wipe his shoes on him, but has now also allowed Bush to clean his shit-covered cowboy boots on his carcass.   So, if Ireland removes landing rights for military at Shannon, the USA will think we are anti-American? Is that a reason to let them continue? Of course there are good grounds for believing that whatever American industry is left here would abandon us, given the childish antics over "French Fries" in America, but should we deny that they are flouting UN rules because we think they won't like us? We should do what is right and let the Americans do what they will.   Quite possibly, the UN is damaged beyond repair. If members can break its rules at will, how can it have any respect. Long ago, of course, the more powerful countries hijacked the organisation for their own benefits, but as long as the bullies counterbalanced each other and were afraid of each other, there was a limit to how far they were prepared to go. Now there is only one big bully left in the playground and he has already shown he is capable of acting on whim. After Iraq, where will his next whim take him? Libya (again)? North Korea (bullies never learn)? If the rest of the world doesn't unite and stand up to the bully now, it could be Armageddon.