Independent News and Media (INM) are currently undergoing a major battle for control between the Tony O'Reilly and Denis O'Brien factions. Looks like O'Brien is going to win. The editorial staff have been in high dudgeon about this for quite some time, given the multiple and extensive media outlets already under
O'Brien's control in Ireland.
The point being made is that we could have a Berlusconi type situation, whereby a single mogul can define the parameters of public discourse. That would be terrible, according to the Indo. We need free speech, plurality of opinions, print and be damned, let the cards fall wherever they may. Etc. etc. etc.
Well it seems that their thirst for diversity of opinion goes only so far. You see, I sent in this letter to the Sunday Independent, supposedly the bravest of the lot. I took care to avoid any form of inflammatory verbiage but yet made a telling point. It is also, if I may say so, well written. Vastly better than most of the stuff the Indo prints.
Yet they spiked it.
Have a read and judge for yourself.
"The number of new Irish citizenships awarded since Alan Shatter became Minister for Justice has exploded . From a few hundred on average in earlier years it’s now heading up to the 10,000 mark in the 12 months or so since he assumed office. No fewer than 4,000 were awarded on one day alone earlier this month!
Now there’s another initiative aimed at facilitating migrant entrepreneurs and investors from outside of the European Economic Area to set up in Ireland. Two things surprised me about this. First was the, by international standards, laughably low financial benchmark, no more than €70,000. Even more surprising was its source, the same Minister for Justice and Defence. I’d have expected this to come from his colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, or even the Minister of State for Research and Innovation.
Maybe they’re just not as enthusiastic as Alan, who swears by the untold benefits these new citizens will bring to the country. What surprises me then is that, despite being described by the Jerusalem Post as “an articulate and courageous friend of Israel" he’s so reluctant for that country to share in the bounty he so assiduously prescribes for us. Au contraire, he’s a trenchant and implacable opponent of such people getting next or near Israel.
Odd, isn’t it?"
This piece, IMHO, is challenging but not 'offensive'. It puts it straight up to Shatter. Well, it would have had they printed it. So much for the plurality of opinion they prattle on about.
If any of you want to try to get it published under your own names.....be my guest.
The point being made is that we could have a Berlusconi type situation, whereby a single mogul can define the parameters of public discourse. That would be terrible, according to the Indo. We need free speech, plurality of opinions, print and be damned, let the cards fall wherever they may. Etc. etc. etc.
Well it seems that their thirst for diversity of opinion goes only so far. You see, I sent in this letter to the Sunday Independent, supposedly the bravest of the lot. I took care to avoid any form of inflammatory verbiage but yet made a telling point. It is also, if I may say so, well written. Vastly better than most of the stuff the Indo prints.
Yet they spiked it.
Have a read and judge for yourself.
"The number of new Irish citizenships awarded since Alan Shatter became Minister for Justice has exploded . From a few hundred on average in earlier years it’s now heading up to the 10,000 mark in the 12 months or so since he assumed office. No fewer than 4,000 were awarded on one day alone earlier this month!
Now there’s another initiative aimed at facilitating migrant entrepreneurs and investors from outside of the European Economic Area to set up in Ireland. Two things surprised me about this. First was the, by international standards, laughably low financial benchmark, no more than €70,000. Even more surprising was its source, the same Minister for Justice and Defence. I’d have expected this to come from his colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, or even the Minister of State for Research and Innovation.
Maybe they’re just not as enthusiastic as Alan, who swears by the untold benefits these new citizens will bring to the country. What surprises me then is that, despite being described by the Jerusalem Post as “an articulate and courageous friend of Israel" he’s so reluctant for that country to share in the bounty he so assiduously prescribes for us. Au contraire, he’s a trenchant and implacable opponent of such people getting next or near Israel.
Odd, isn’t it?"
This piece, IMHO, is challenging but not 'offensive'. It puts it straight up to Shatter. Well, it would have had they printed it. So much for the plurality of opinion they prattle on about.
If any of you want to try to get it published under your own names.....be my guest.





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