Cowen’s Family Values
Posted by Maman Poulet on 11 May 2008 at 01:29 am | Tagged as: Irish Politics
King Brian (or was that Che Cowen on the t-shirts in the crowd?) has been paraded through Offaly. And family values are back in Irish politics. Cowen’s family values that is. The comment of one punter on tonight’s RTE news piece approving of ‘the family man’ and the values that he hopefully brings with him sent a few shivers down my neck, the 1980’s shivers – some of you might remember them.
Any thoughts on what our new Taoiseach’s family values might entail – and his words in Offaly on young people and their ‘ character builidng’? Or was that subliminal references to possible GAA coffer building?
My take is slightly different. I saw Mamma Cowen rather upset that her boy was now in charge, and she mused aloud (I think on TV3 news), that he might not be (physically) up to the job… was she alluding to health problems? She was pretty upset, which seemed to be strange and didn’t look too happy when the photo op was taken as the Aras. [Mind you neither did Mary, who might have been told by El Berto, tanks Mary for keepin' da seet warm for me an da twins...]
So Biffo is in charge and he’s a ‘family’ man? I’m guessing civil partnership will be waiting a while so.’Pup’ and ’sold a’come to mind? GLEN? Anyone?
Where are the Greens on this issue? Making kissy face with Biffo’s offaly big behind? When will the traitorous muppets who’ve been tonguing FF learn: just because FF is an acronymn of Fianna Fail, it doesn’t mean anything to do with gay sexual practices. While I’d happily be surprised, I’d doubt any legislation soon…
At lunchtime I heard a radio report on other parts of Cowen’s speech yesterday which gave me more hope on a number of fronts. He spoke of a new republicanism where all citizens were treated equally and that the new Ireland and new people coming to live here should help us treat those Irish who have been at the margins of society for so long be more included in Irish society.
I’m not sure if yesterday’s speeches were scripted but I do know that if there is one difference between Cowen and Ahern is that Cowen can speak off the cuff and that he’s far more interesting to listen to when the civil servants are nowhere near him. I will look for a transcript of the speech and publish it here if I can.