Comments on: Hanafin complains to the ST http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/ An Irish woman's social, political and domestic commentary Sat, 19 Mar 2011 23:50:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Tony Allwright http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/comment-page-1/#comment-14238 Tony Allwright Sun, 04 Jun 2006 22:20:46 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/#comment-14238 Small point about "Tom's" remark that Rumsfeld sold weapons to Saddam. According to no less a body than the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, of the arms imported by Saddam's Iraq over the period 1973-2000, just1% came from the US, the UK and Australia (combined). So Rumsfeld was not a very effective salesman. Guess where 82% came from? You got it - Russia, China and, of course, France. Isn't that a surprise. Have a look at "<i><a href="http://www.tallrite.com/weblog/archives/april03.htm#OfArmsandOil" rel="nofollow">Of Arms and Oil</a></i>".  Small point about “Tom’s” remark that Rumsfeld sold weapons to Saddam.

According to no less a body than the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, of the arms imported by Saddam’s Iraq over the period 1973-2000, just1% came from the US, the UK and Australia (combined). So Rumsfeld was not a very effective salesman.

Guess where 82% came from? You got it – Russia, China and, of course, France. Isn’t that a surprise.

Have a look at “Of
Arms and Oil“. 

]]> By: Fordprefect http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/comment-page-1/#comment-13781 Fordprefect Wed, 31 May 2006 16:46:20 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/#comment-13781 I wouldn't listen to a word Hanafin says. She is the minister for teachers, not the minister for education. Working for a party whose last name is fail is all I need to know. Politicians speak outof both sides of their mouth and play to the gallery. All this minister is any good at is speaking patronisingly on the TV with a furrowed brow talking about "multifacteded coordinated initiatives" Ignore the doublespeak because the people aren't dumb. The can see who is and isn't the truth and a journalist should be able to shout the the king has no clothes. Irish people live their lives in spite of the government and hope that they don't get caught up in their sticky, messy and plain dangerous incompetence. If it were not for the housing and multinational boom people would realise that we live in a failed state. The government exists to protect itself not the citizens of this banana republic. I wouldn’t listen to a word Hanafin says. She is the minister for teachers, not the minister for education. Working for a party whose last name is fail is all I need to know. Politicians speak outof both sides of their mouth and play to the gallery.

All this minister is any good at is speaking patronisingly on the TV with a furrowed brow talking about “multifacteded coordinated initiatives”

Ignore the doublespeak because the people aren’t dumb. The can see who is and isn’t the truth and a journalist should be able to shout the the king has no clothes.

Irish people live their lives in spite of the government and hope that they don’t get caught up in their sticky, messy and plain dangerous incompetence. If it were not for the housing and multinational boom people would realise that we live in a failed state. The government exists to protect itself not the citizens of this banana republic.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/comment-page-1/#comment-12134 Sarah Wed, 17 May 2006 14:51:26 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/#comment-12134 have you guys seen the documentary about the coup? http://www.chavezthefilm.com/html/home.htm It's amazing. I used to half-know one of the film makers, Kim Bartley in college. They showed how the television companies in Venezueala edited footage to show Chavez supporters supposedly firing on peaceful protestors. Instead it was the other way round...Chavez enemy snipers firing on Chavez supporters. Mad stuff. Film is a must see. Especially, Scott McClellan welcoming the "new" government of Venezuela, and then oops! trying his best to not acknowledge that it was a failed coup. I followed the White House press briefing transcripts for days after Chavez got elected. There was a little ritual where the journalists would ask for congratulations that he was elected and then Scott trying to not to give the congratulations. Would've been funny if people hadn't died... have you guys seen the documentary about the coup? http://www.chavezthefilm.com/html/home.htm
It’s amazing. I used to half-know one of the film makers, Kim Bartley in college. They showed how the television companies in Venezueala edited footage to show Chavez supporters supposedly firing on peaceful protestors. Instead it was the other way round…Chavez enemy snipers firing on Chavez supporters. Mad stuff. Film is a must see. Especially, Scott McClellan welcoming the “new” government of Venezuela, and then oops! trying his best to not acknowledge that it was a failed coup. I followed the White House press briefing transcripts for days after Chavez got elected. There was a little ritual where the journalists would ask for congratulations that he was elected and then Scott trying to not to give the congratulations. Would’ve been funny if people hadn’t died…

]]> By: tom http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/comment-page-1/#comment-12133 tom Wed, 17 May 2006 14:02:44 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/#comment-12133 Well, that won't be a problem because Chavez is not a "true socialist". You'll be waiting a long time before he introduces a soviet style command economy. Or do you know different? Well, that won’t be a problem because Chavez is not a “true socialist”. You’ll be waiting a long time before he introduces a soviet style command economy. Or do you know different?

]]> By: Rob C http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/comment-page-1/#comment-12132 Rob C Wed, 17 May 2006 13:00:11 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/#comment-12132 Sarah, yes the US can certainly be accused of double standards. Supporting Saddam was a collossal error, as was leaving him in power in 1991. It was a terrible betrayal of the Iraqis and the Kurds. But administrations and policies change and there is at least an attempt to rectify the situation now. It is interesting that in the right/left debate many on the left support the invasion of Iraq. The more traditional right wing approach would be to retreat into splendid isolation and ignore the rest of the world. I accept that Chavez is democratically elected and I would not support a US-backed coup. But as you say, if he f**ks up the Venezuelans will have only themselves to blame. Tom, I cannot think of one truly socialist economy that has succeeded anywhere. Just ask an Eastern European or a Cuban about this. They are not in the least bit romantic about socialism. It is on this basis that I predict Venezuela will go backwards. Sarah, yes the US can certainly be accused of double standards. Supporting Saddam was a collossal error, as was leaving him in power in 1991. It was a terrible betrayal of the Iraqis and the Kurds. But administrations and policies change and there is at least an attempt to rectify the situation now. It is interesting that in the right/left debate many on the left support the invasion of Iraq. The more traditional right wing approach would be to retreat into splendid isolation and ignore the rest of the world.

I accept that Chavez is democratically elected and I would not support a US-backed coup. But as you say, if he f**ks up the Venezuelans will have only themselves to blame.

Tom, I cannot think of one truly socialist economy that has succeeded anywhere. Just ask an Eastern European or a Cuban about this. They are not in the least bit romantic about socialism. It is on this basis that I predict Venezuela will go backwards.

]]> By: Gerry http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/comment-page-1/#comment-12130 Gerry Wed, 17 May 2006 12:53:11 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/#comment-12130 there is a strange reaction to chavez, mostly racist. People like Rob C cannot believe that a local leader elected by popular mandate in Latin America can be anything other than venal, corrupt and on a heading stright to disaster. Ignore for the moment that years of being ruled by leaders from a small (white) elite in thrall to American oil companies has left their country desititute (these are the dissidents). Rob C and his ilk bellieve this is where Chavez should lead them back to as these are producer countries not entitled to control their own output. chavez may be a darling of the left, but traditional left:right axes are irrelevant in the correction of what was essentially a klepotocracy. Is it right in a period of unprecedentedly high oil prices that the profits would have left Venezuala to swell the profits of companies based in Texas, Amsterdam and London? There is no doubt some correction needed in Chavez' policies in terms of protection of property rights so that longer term investments can be made in the private sector. But it pisses me off that kneejerk reactionary morons cannot see past their own prejudices to believe that perhaps there is a correction possible in the blighted history of South America and it can regain its position at the head table that it held a centruy ago before it sold the rights to its wealth for some hard dollars and false promises. viva Chaez - I wish him the best of luck. there is a strange reaction to chavez, mostly racist. People like Rob C cannot believe that a local leader elected by popular mandate in Latin America can be anything other than venal, corrupt and on a heading stright to disaster. Ignore for the moment that years of being ruled by leaders from a small (white) elite in thrall to American oil companies has left their country desititute (these are the dissidents). Rob C and his ilk bellieve this is where Chavez should lead them back to as these are producer countries not entitled to control their own output.
chavez may be a darling of the left, but traditional left:right axes are irrelevant in the correction of what was essentially a klepotocracy. Is it right in a period of unprecedentedly high oil prices that the profits would have left Venezuala to swell the profits of companies based in Texas, Amsterdam and London?

There is no doubt some correction needed in Chavez’ policies in terms of protection of property rights so that longer term investments can be made in the private sector. But it pisses me off that kneejerk reactionary morons cannot see past their own prejudices to believe that perhaps there is a correction possible in the blighted history of South America and it can regain its position at the head table that it held a centruy ago before it sold the rights to its wealth for some hard dollars and false promises. viva Chaez – I wish him the best of luck.

]]> By: tom http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/comment-page-1/#comment-12123 tom Wed, 17 May 2006 12:20:34 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/#comment-12123 Rob C Where is the evidence that Chavez "supports" Saddam? I believe he met him once. So did Donald Rumsfeld (to sell him weapons). So what? In what sense will Chavez "make Venezuela poorer and more desperate"? Venezuela is getting richer, better educated, and healthier. Do you deny that? Please tell us what is going to happen to change this picture. Rob C

Where is the evidence that Chavez “supports” Saddam? I believe he met him once. So did Donald Rumsfeld (to sell him weapons). So what?

In what sense will Chavez “make Venezuela poorer and more desperate”? Venezuela is getting richer, better educated, and healthier. Do you deny that? Please tell us what is going to happen to change this picture.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/comment-page-1/#comment-12106 Sarah Wed, 17 May 2006 11:30:51 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/#comment-12106 It does mean he's a democrat. That at least should be acknowledged by the White House instead of supporting the attempted coup against him. If the right are going to defend the use of force to introduce democracy then they don't get to complain when that same democracy throws up results they don't like. If Chavez fucks up Venezuela the people will only have themselves to blame. That's the beauty and horror of the democratic system.What pisses of the left is the right supporting dictators when it suits them and complaining about democratically elected left wing leaders when it doesn't. Make up your minds boys! Do the people rule or not? It does mean he’s a democrat. That at least should be acknowledged by the White House instead of supporting the attempted coup against him. If the right are going to defend the use of force to introduce democracy then they don’t get to complain when that same democracy throws up results they don’t like. If Chavez fucks up Venezuela the people will only have themselves to blame. That’s the beauty and horror of the democratic system.What pisses of the left is the right supporting dictators when it suits them and complaining about democratically elected left wing leaders when it doesn’t. Make up your minds boys! Do the people rule or not?

]]> By: Rob C http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/comment-page-1/#comment-12100 Rob C Wed, 17 May 2006 10:12:07 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/#comment-12100 I cannot understand the appeal of Chavez. Ok he's a darling of the left and vehemently opposed to US foreign policy and capitalism, etc. Oh how original of him! This earns him brownie points among champagne socialists and other head-in-the-sand types in Ireland and elsewhere. Despite Venezuela's historical problems of gross inequality, Chavez' brand of nationalisation and redistribution will make Venezuela poorer and more desperate. And his support for Saddam, Mugabe and other tyrants speaks volumes. That he was democratically elected doesn't mean he is a guy to be feted. I cannot understand the appeal of Chavez. Ok he’s a darling of the left and vehemently opposed to US foreign policy and capitalism, etc. Oh how original of him! This earns him brownie points among champagne socialists and other head-in-the-sand types in Ireland and elsewhere. Despite Venezuela’s historical problems of gross inequality, Chavez’ brand of nationalisation and redistribution will make Venezuela poorer and more desperate. And his support for Saddam, Mugabe and other tyrants speaks volumes. That he was democratically elected doesn’t mean he is a guy to be feted.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/comment-page-1/#comment-12021 Sarah Tue, 16 May 2006 11:27:20 +0000 http://www.sarahcarey.ie/2006/05/14/hanafin-complains-to-the-st/#comment-12021 so the London Assembly Conservatives are not Tories then? Isn't it ridiculous then of ireland.com to publish a story where the status of the subject (Neill) isn't clarified and yet, which casts doubt on the legitimacy of Chavez? I think PO'Neill's point is more than proved. Journalism actively aiding and abetting the spinmeisters. The least they should have done was point out that Chavez has been democratically elected. so the London Assembly Conservatives are not Tories then? Isn’t it ridiculous then of ireland.com to publish a story where the status of the subject (Neill) isn’t clarified and yet, which casts doubt on the legitimacy of Chavez? I think PO’Neill’s point is more than proved. Journalism actively aiding and abetting the spinmeisters. The least they should have done was point out that Chavez has been democratically elected.

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