Think for a moment: General Cowan of Eireann-FF has ordered all the houses in Tallaght to be knocked down only for a select few to be re-built. Gen Cowan then allows members of Eireann-FF only to live in these re-built homes. What if Gen Cowan (of Eireann-FF) then decided Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was to be acceptable in Ireland? After that perhaps Gen Cowan may decide that women who are guilty of adultery should have stones thrown at them, until they die.
The above scenarios will never happen in Ireland, however if they did it would make any reasonable person here want to seek asylum in another country. The department of Justice must take forms of Human Rights abuses, such as those mentioned above, seriously when deciding any application for refuge. For many asylum is the only option people have to live a normal life, in a country that recognises people’s rights. Our government should not be acquiescing with governments around the world that abuse Human Rights.
It’s not the fault of the Irish state that horrible events are happening in Africa (and beyond) however we should have a moral interest in accepting that those who come to seek asylum here are doing so to avoid torture and possible death. How can we, as a free democratic country, condemn Human Rights violations around the world and then on the other hand refuse refuge to those who need it. We must be consistent in our actions.
Bob Geldof was honoured in the 1980’s for alerting people to Africa’s problems, mainly famine. However Africa has far more problems than starvation. Political violence and despotic regimes have handicapped development. Want some examples? Zimbabwe, Kenya, DRC, Chad, Rwanda and many others I could mention are countries struggling to improve their development. You only have to read about these countries in the newspapers, on a regular basis, to grasp the scale of the problems being faced. These are just a grain of sand in the desert of complications that exist in the vast continent of Africa. But do we ignore our fellow humans there? Or do we try and give those seeking refuge some respite?
I’m sitting listening to some Ska tape I made years ago. ‘This is bliss’ I’m thinking. But there is a knock on the door: my sister, Eithne, is beckoning me to the radio. Marian Finnucane is interviewing Pamela, who is seeking asylum for herself and her two children, from Nigeria. She is trying to get permission to stay here and there are fears that the department of Justice in Ireland will send them back to an uncertain future in Nigeria.
Ireland has a limited reach globally however we should act in a caring and decent way to those (African or not) who seek asylum. By throwing out people who have gone through hell to leave their country we, Ireland, are saying ‘Yes’ to torture and inhumanity. It would be good if governments, no less our own, would understand the benefits of allowing people seeking sanctuary, away from harm. Of course anyone guilty of manipulation of our benefit system should be fully prosecuted. But not everyone trying to escape torture or death is interested in ‘fiddling the system’ here. We have the capacity to, and we should, offer our support to refugees and not reject them!
24 November 2008
17 November 2008
Film Review: ‘Sisters in Law’
When one thinks of women in public office Mary Harney, Angela Merkel and Condoleezza Rice spring to mind. Of course many other females have occupied political roles as well as in the fields of entertainment and in sport, all to society’s benefit. As a member of Amnesty International I come into contact with activists and a good portion are women. The example set by women the world over needs to be followed by men. Indeed most of the problems facing the world are caused by men. Men have done terrible things and it is a real shame that women are forced to clean up the mess us males have made. From sexual violence to crime and war, men have a lot to answer for and it often takes a woman’s intervention to make things better.
In the opening scene the viewer’s attention is drawn to a man, a janitor, sweeping the floor of what looks likes a solicitor’s office and doing general cleaning duties. By contrast the judge, a woman, prepares her cases for the day ahead, for it is morn. The gender role reversal is staggering.
Vera Ngassa (State Prosecutor) is tough and she has a no-nonsense approach to the cases before her. One of the accused, a man, is brought before her on charges of kidnapping a child. After some moments of impatience with the defendant, she gives her judgement: “You men just harvest children all over the place without marrying the mothers”.
The S.P’s next case concerns the fear and upset caused by sexual violence. The S.P tries to reassure the victim. While the husband, predictably, denies the charges against him. The couple are Muslim and this complicates matters, so the case is taken to the town’s elders. The woman is implored to re-join her husband but refuses citing his abusive behaviour. She wants a divorce. Despite objections from her family she proceeds with the legal separation. As the film goes on the woman is eventually granted the divorce she craves and is jubilant.
Ms Ngassa’s next case is of a girl, Sonita (9), who claims she was raped. The accused, about 25 years of age, denies soliciting sex saying: “The girl came to my house and requested sex”. As fans are busily rotating in the courthouse, his excuses run dry. The intelligent S.P rejects his protestations of innocence and he is found guilty of the crime. Following his trial he is handed down a sentence of nine years with hard labour. After serving his time he will be deported to his native
The documentary continues apace with beautiful scenes of musty sand competing with the extremely colourful clothes of the local people and there are good signs of flora and fauna present. The poverty, however, can clearly be seen. Despite the lack of material wealth it is heartening that modern legal procedure is being employed in what is still an under-developed country.
A child, Manka, is taken to see the S.P. The child says she was beaten by her Aunty and an arrest for the female relative is ordered. There are marks all over Manka’s body. Following a medical examination of the eight-year-old child the Aunty, Lom Rose, is summoned to meet the S.P. Lom Rose admits assaulting Manka citing ‘provocation’. It transpires the young girl was beaten with a clothes line.
Manka’s Uncle is shown his neice’s injuries and is visibly upset by what he sees. Moreover this sense of emotion is shared by the local community. Lom Rose is wailing with contrition but it is too late – the damage and pain has been inflicted on poor Manka. Justice must run its course. Lom Rose is eventually found guilty on three counts of abusing Manka and gets a sentence comprising of four years in total, with hard labour. The camera follows Lom Rose as she tearfully tries to adjust to living, albeit temporarily, behind bars.
These female barristers are very impressive. It is clear that challenging religious/social traditions requires courage and tenacity. During one of the court hearings, featured in the documentary, a female lawyer says: “this century is one where women’s rights are respected”. That theme is obviously alive and well in this part of
‘Sisters in Law’ ends with a scene of a classroom filled with students. The class is introduced, by Ms Ngassa, to two Muslim women. We are informed that for 17 years, in this part of the world, there had been no convictions for ‘Spousal abuse’. Thankfully that has changed. These women were successful – they, bravely, brought their cases to court and won. The students give the women a round of applause. No man has the right to beat a woman – even in
This brilliantly shot documentary should be seen by everyone. The fact that it was entirely real makes it even more compelling to watch. If I had any criticisms it would be that there was very little evidence of
10 November 2008
An Accidental TD
During my early 20’s (the mid 1990’s) I wanted to work in retail and found myself training in retail sales specifically designed for people with disabilities. Some of my colleagues had more obvious difficulties than others but we all had a healthy respect for each other and this made co-operation altogether easier. If I had worked with people who weren’t disabled I would have struggled. So it was a wonderful opportunity to throw off the shackles of mental illness and put my increasing energy towards a future in retail. The course was due to run for two years and then I’d be as rich as Bill Gates and as powerful as a God. Unsurprisingly it didn’t turn out like that. During the second year’s training I was posted (almost like the army!) for a time in the Dáil and got to see some action (no, not combat).
At the time John Bruton was Taoiseach and the country was on the edges of the Celtic Tiger. Each morning when I arrived at Leinster House I’d collect the milk and wait for my superior to arrive and open the shop (An Siopa). Once open I would be given various tasks to do in the morning: Refilling the fridge, sweeping the floor etc. Usually at c.11am I’d be given a ten minute break and I would stride into the main building, over the plinth, feeling like a VIP. The main hall was adorned with portraits of all the Taoisigh that served the state down through the years. The ceilings were beautiful with chandeliers hanging brightly and it was, quite properly, palatial in keeping with the importance of Ireland’s national parliament. Going past the hall I then would walk down a long corridor which was arched (can’t help feeling it was modelled on Westminster).
As I approached the Dáil restaurant the clanking and banging of plates etc got gradually louder. In the morning there wouldn’t be too many politicians around but that depended on circumstance. Regardless of how many TD’s or Senators were present there always seemed to be a constant hum around the restaurant. Television monitors were perched from various angles allowing the patrons to view proceedings in both chambers whilst not having to leave their food/drink. Rehab were quite kind to us trainees and we were entitled to a small discount on some of the food available. The cook seemed to have a soft spot for me and I was regularly the recipient of an extra portion of desert with my meals (those were my fat years). Ah the pleasures of Leinster House.
Upon my return to An Siopa, after my break, I would be tasked with the responsibility of sorting the various newspapers and magazines that we sold whilst colleagues would swop with me and get their break. Gardai, TD’s, Senators, Journalists and Civil Servants would constantly require our services and at times the tiny emporium would be very busy (especially around 1 o’clock in the afternoon). I’ll never forget the image of Mary Harney parking her car and walking towards us in her track-suit (I wonder does she wear a hoody?) clearly she had a day off. Ms H never bought anything from us – those PD’s were always tight with money anyhow.
Regular customers included: Batt O’Keefe TD (now education minister), Seymour Crawford TD, Noel Treacy TD, John Mulvihill TD and the late Jim Kemmy TD amongst many others. Alan Dukes TD was still in politics at the time and he would have to bend his head to get inside the shop due to his height. My superior always went into a fit of giggles whenever the former Kildare deputy came in. She’d lock herself into the back room and I always was asked to serve him. A gentleman.
Cigarettes were what he wanted and Des O’Malley TD would also buy his ‘smokes’ in An Siopa but I can recall him being slightly grumpy and red-faced (not from embarrassment I’m sure). I think he was rather impatient, it might have come from years of trying to oust Mr Haughey. That would try anyone’s patience. All the same ‘Dessie’ was not once rude to me and I was never a great admirer of the former Taoiseach anyway. Although any political opinions, on my part, had to be suppressed understandably.
Mary O'Rourke TD swanned around like the Queen of Sheba. That woman was made for political life: one of the most gregarious TD's ever elected to serve, it's a shame she never became Taoiseach.
On one occasion I happened to be near the plinth when the late Niall Andrews, then an MEP, asked me to photograph himself and a colleague. I have always had enormous respect for the Andrews family so it was a pleasure to co-operate.
Senator David Norris – now there’s a colourful individual. He had chewing gum kept on credit and would pay a weekly sum to An Siopa to cover his expenses. Now in his sixties, I hope he continues to chew. The Senator would brighten the darkest of corners and he always had a rather cheerful demeanour. A stalwart of latter-day Irish Politics and academia it was always a pleasant experience to have the famous Joycean scholar darken the door of our retail outlet, as well as splashing some of his cash with us of course.
Another Senator who was a frequent customer was Feargal Quinn. The former supermarket supremo once had me counting Dáil and Seanad pens for a group of his guests who were visiting the Irish houses of parliament.
Sam Mc Aughtry was a Senator back then and although he had the excuse that he was rather elderly he was, I can recall, rather uninterested in conversation. A gruff Ulsterman, his appointment to the upper house was possibly an attempt by the government to appease Unionism. The so-called ‘Peace Process’ was extremely delicate then and so he may have to have been extra cautious with whom he spoke to, even a minion like me.
My time in An Siopa came to an end in January 1997 and I was to, later that year, take up a position in a record shop (a long held dream). However I look back fondly of my time spent in Leinster House and it’s environs. It was, and is, the nearest I’ll get to being a politician – not a career for me. It angers me when people blindly curse these public representatives. What about being on call 24 hours a day? The lack of privacy? They have to be accountable to literally millions of people 24/7. The TD’s and Senators may not always set the highest of standards from time to time but, by God they have a heavy workload.
So think about that next time you tell a politician to 'fuck off' when they come to canvass at your door. Remember: they are human too.
At the time John Bruton was Taoiseach and the country was on the edges of the Celtic Tiger. Each morning when I arrived at Leinster House I’d collect the milk and wait for my superior to arrive and open the shop (An Siopa). Once open I would be given various tasks to do in the morning: Refilling the fridge, sweeping the floor etc. Usually at c.11am I’d be given a ten minute break and I would stride into the main building, over the plinth, feeling like a VIP. The main hall was adorned with portraits of all the Taoisigh that served the state down through the years. The ceilings were beautiful with chandeliers hanging brightly and it was, quite properly, palatial in keeping with the importance of Ireland’s national parliament. Going past the hall I then would walk down a long corridor which was arched (can’t help feeling it was modelled on Westminster).
As I approached the Dáil restaurant the clanking and banging of plates etc got gradually louder. In the morning there wouldn’t be too many politicians around but that depended on circumstance. Regardless of how many TD’s or Senators were present there always seemed to be a constant hum around the restaurant. Television monitors were perched from various angles allowing the patrons to view proceedings in both chambers whilst not having to leave their food/drink. Rehab were quite kind to us trainees and we were entitled to a small discount on some of the food available. The cook seemed to have a soft spot for me and I was regularly the recipient of an extra portion of desert with my meals (those were my fat years). Ah the pleasures of Leinster House.
Upon my return to An Siopa, after my break, I would be tasked with the responsibility of sorting the various newspapers and magazines that we sold whilst colleagues would swop with me and get their break. Gardai, TD’s, Senators, Journalists and Civil Servants would constantly require our services and at times the tiny emporium would be very busy (especially around 1 o’clock in the afternoon). I’ll never forget the image of Mary Harney parking her car and walking towards us in her track-suit (I wonder does she wear a hoody?) clearly she had a day off. Ms H never bought anything from us – those PD’s were always tight with money anyhow.
Regular customers included: Batt O’Keefe TD (now education minister), Seymour Crawford TD, Noel Treacy TD, John Mulvihill TD and the late Jim Kemmy TD amongst many others. Alan Dukes TD was still in politics at the time and he would have to bend his head to get inside the shop due to his height. My superior always went into a fit of giggles whenever the former Kildare deputy came in. She’d lock herself into the back room and I always was asked to serve him. A gentleman.
Cigarettes were what he wanted and Des O’Malley TD would also buy his ‘smokes’ in An Siopa but I can recall him being slightly grumpy and red-faced (not from embarrassment I’m sure). I think he was rather impatient, it might have come from years of trying to oust Mr Haughey. That would try anyone’s patience. All the same ‘Dessie’ was not once rude to me and I was never a great admirer of the former Taoiseach anyway. Although any political opinions, on my part, had to be suppressed understandably.
Mary O'Rourke TD swanned around like the Queen of Sheba. That woman was made for political life: one of the most gregarious TD's ever elected to serve, it's a shame she never became Taoiseach.
On one occasion I happened to be near the plinth when the late Niall Andrews, then an MEP, asked me to photograph himself and a colleague. I have always had enormous respect for the Andrews family so it was a pleasure to co-operate.
Senator David Norris – now there’s a colourful individual. He had chewing gum kept on credit and would pay a weekly sum to An Siopa to cover his expenses. Now in his sixties, I hope he continues to chew. The Senator would brighten the darkest of corners and he always had a rather cheerful demeanour. A stalwart of latter-day Irish Politics and academia it was always a pleasant experience to have the famous Joycean scholar darken the door of our retail outlet, as well as splashing some of his cash with us of course.
Another Senator who was a frequent customer was Feargal Quinn. The former supermarket supremo once had me counting Dáil and Seanad pens for a group of his guests who were visiting the Irish houses of parliament.
Sam Mc Aughtry was a Senator back then and although he had the excuse that he was rather elderly he was, I can recall, rather uninterested in conversation. A gruff Ulsterman, his appointment to the upper house was possibly an attempt by the government to appease Unionism. The so-called ‘Peace Process’ was extremely delicate then and so he may have to have been extra cautious with whom he spoke to, even a minion like me.
My time in An Siopa came to an end in January 1997 and I was to, later that year, take up a position in a record shop (a long held dream). However I look back fondly of my time spent in Leinster House and it’s environs. It was, and is, the nearest I’ll get to being a politician – not a career for me. It angers me when people blindly curse these public representatives. What about being on call 24 hours a day? The lack of privacy? They have to be accountable to literally millions of people 24/7. The TD’s and Senators may not always set the highest of standards from time to time but, by God they have a heavy workload.
So think about that next time you tell a politician to 'fuck off' when they come to canvass at your door. Remember: they are human too.
04 November 2008
No sympathy for Ross, Brand
I have, reluctantly, decided to comment on this stupid, infantile story as I feel that no one is really thinking of the little people in the media sandstorm Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand have whipped up. Their careers will, undoubtedly, get back on track but it is the like of Lesley Douglas (the now resigned former Controller of BBC Radio 2) who has bitten the bullet. This whole saga is unedifying and, as I read in one of today’s newspapers, the BBC now has to decide whether to keep or let go of Ross.
JR is, unquestionably, one of the top broadcasters in the UK. But Mark Lammarr, Stuart Maconie, Sir Terry Wogan, Jeremy Vine and Steve Wright are all just as capable at radio 2. These presenters have large audiences. Wogan has literally millions of listeners and why should anyone, including the BBC, treat Ross any different?
I was once sacked from an unpaid position and if that was my fate, shouldn’t an overpaid broadcaster, someone with responsibilities to those they broadcast to, face the same punitive action? Is Ross above reproach? Well I don’t know many people who are paid £16,000 a day for what amounts to piss-taking.
This story isn’t worth commenting on at length – everyone from left-wing historians (Tristram Hunt) to right-wing ex-tabloid editors (Kelvin McKenzie) has made known their views. But it is as much to do with justice and fairness that in these times of recession and belt tightening (ouch!) the obscenity of bank rolling such ‘stars’ exists. The legacy of this sorry episode will rest on Ross/Brand’s paymasters and why these two celebrities are so royally paid.
The lesson should be: No one is beyond censure. Not Russell Brand and certainly not Jonathan Ross. Indeed both these jokers, at this moment in time, could probably buy and sell half of Africa. Andrew Sachs has had to suffer an insult from two of the best known broadcasters in Britain. This would be compounded if Ross were allowed to stay at the beeb. He should be booted!
JR is, unquestionably, one of the top broadcasters in the UK. But Mark Lammarr, Stuart Maconie, Sir Terry Wogan, Jeremy Vine and Steve Wright are all just as capable at radio 2. These presenters have large audiences. Wogan has literally millions of listeners and why should anyone, including the BBC, treat Ross any different?
I was once sacked from an unpaid position and if that was my fate, shouldn’t an overpaid broadcaster, someone with responsibilities to those they broadcast to, face the same punitive action? Is Ross above reproach? Well I don’t know many people who are paid £16,000 a day for what amounts to piss-taking.
This story isn’t worth commenting on at length – everyone from left-wing historians (Tristram Hunt) to right-wing ex-tabloid editors (Kelvin McKenzie) has made known their views. But it is as much to do with justice and fairness that in these times of recession and belt tightening (ouch!) the obscenity of bank rolling such ‘stars’ exists. The legacy of this sorry episode will rest on Ross/Brand’s paymasters and why these two celebrities are so royally paid.
The lesson should be: No one is beyond censure. Not Russell Brand and certainly not Jonathan Ross. Indeed both these jokers, at this moment in time, could probably buy and sell half of Africa. Andrew Sachs has had to suffer an insult from two of the best known broadcasters in Britain. This would be compounded if Ross were allowed to stay at the beeb. He should be booted!
03 November 2008
A few words on the US elections
At time of writing Barack Obama is leading his Republican rival, John McCain, by 3 points in the latest polls in the US presidential race. Another huge boost (if any were needed!) for Obama was the revelation, over the weekend, that former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell will vote Democrat in this year’s election. It seems that for the first time in American history a black man will be moving into the White House, and that’s not as a Janitor.
Unusually for an Irishman, I’m not all that interested in US politics. Americans are it seems expression first and thought second. Maybe the ‘American Dream’ does a lot for people. Not my bag I’m afraid. It is the extremities and uncaring approach of the people that repels me from any fawning affection; furthermore it’s a place in which I would never consider going to: the prevalence of guns, the religious fundamentalists, the lack of respect for human rights and the arrogant approach to wealth over services I could go on….
Yet I am not anti-American, just glad not to reside there. In those respects, admittedly, out of step with most Irish people. We after all helped to build the US and Ireland has always had cordial relations with that country. I would not seek to change that fact despite ‘Rendition’, Guantanamo Bay, and the obvious shortcomings of the current administration. They have a very autocratic president at the moment and that will, almost certainly, change next January when the new president (of whatever party) is inaugurated. Even though no lover of the ‘American Dream’ I know that to ignore the US would be a mistake. My interest is minor; everyone knows that the world’s affairs are dominated by decisions made in Washington.
In so far as US politics goes it is human rights that interest me most and America’s attitudes towards them. There was a seminar in central Dublin recently, organised by Amnesty International, and I was struck by the lack of humanity in the US with regard to the death penalty (illegal in Ireland, a country with an economy a fraction the size of the US). We were told of the difficulties faced by black people if they are convicted for serious offences. Even if, years later, these people are acquitted, for offences that they didn’t commit, there are no forms of rehabilitation to help them return to society. If they are able to leave prison they have nothing to go back to (I’m reminded here of the film Shawshank Redemption, featuring the wonderful Morgan Freeman).
I was shocked by the US system – not everything is apple pie and cola. So whilst even though America has a fantastic reputation in terms of entertainment (Hollywood, Rock ‘n’ Roll etc) there are major flaws in society that everyone, both inside and outside the great nation, needs to be aware of.
Paying attention to the media, it is becoming increasingly clear that Mr Obama is on course to be the next president. If I could influence him it would be to try and change, positively, the way the US is viewed abroad due to the previous administration. Too much energy has been spent on damaging America’s relations globally. There has been a negative approach by the neo-Conservatives to US diplomacy. Indeed ‘with us or against us’ has been the battle cry from the current president and an inability to understand world affairs is something which many resent.
There should be no need for people anywhere to hate Americans and Barack Obama is well placed to, not only challenge, but to uproot anti-American sentiment across the world. For these reasons I would be happier, as a foreign observer, for Obama to be the next president of the United States. He may make the world a safer place to live in.
But what of Mr McCain? I have already made known my lack of interest and knowledge of the US electoral system, but the former Vietnam veteran may still have a chance of overcoming the odds and making it to the White House. Definitely his room for manoeuvre may have been narrowed by choosing Governor Palin of Alaska as his running mate, seems she scares a lot of people. But Senator McCain is a good-humoured, moderate Republican and, although his opponent has presidential qualities, McCain may well be the sort of fellow you could have a laugh with over a pint.
By contrast Obama is more serious in demeanour. In the end though the choice is with the American voting public. Only they can tip the balance either way. For it is they who will have to live with the consequences of who they vote into the White House when the results are announced on 4th November next. And no, I won’t be holding my breath.
Unusually for an Irishman, I’m not all that interested in US politics. Americans are it seems expression first and thought second. Maybe the ‘American Dream’ does a lot for people. Not my bag I’m afraid. It is the extremities and uncaring approach of the people that repels me from any fawning affection; furthermore it’s a place in which I would never consider going to: the prevalence of guns, the religious fundamentalists, the lack of respect for human rights and the arrogant approach to wealth over services I could go on….
Yet I am not anti-American, just glad not to reside there. In those respects, admittedly, out of step with most Irish people. We after all helped to build the US and Ireland has always had cordial relations with that country. I would not seek to change that fact despite ‘Rendition’, Guantanamo Bay, and the obvious shortcomings of the current administration. They have a very autocratic president at the moment and that will, almost certainly, change next January when the new president (of whatever party) is inaugurated. Even though no lover of the ‘American Dream’ I know that to ignore the US would be a mistake. My interest is minor; everyone knows that the world’s affairs are dominated by decisions made in Washington.
In so far as US politics goes it is human rights that interest me most and America’s attitudes towards them. There was a seminar in central Dublin recently, organised by Amnesty International, and I was struck by the lack of humanity in the US with regard to the death penalty (illegal in Ireland, a country with an economy a fraction the size of the US). We were told of the difficulties faced by black people if they are convicted for serious offences. Even if, years later, these people are acquitted, for offences that they didn’t commit, there are no forms of rehabilitation to help them return to society. If they are able to leave prison they have nothing to go back to (I’m reminded here of the film Shawshank Redemption, featuring the wonderful Morgan Freeman).
I was shocked by the US system – not everything is apple pie and cola. So whilst even though America has a fantastic reputation in terms of entertainment (Hollywood, Rock ‘n’ Roll etc) there are major flaws in society that everyone, both inside and outside the great nation, needs to be aware of.
Paying attention to the media, it is becoming increasingly clear that Mr Obama is on course to be the next president. If I could influence him it would be to try and change, positively, the way the US is viewed abroad due to the previous administration. Too much energy has been spent on damaging America’s relations globally. There has been a negative approach by the neo-Conservatives to US diplomacy. Indeed ‘with us or against us’ has been the battle cry from the current president and an inability to understand world affairs is something which many resent.
There should be no need for people anywhere to hate Americans and Barack Obama is well placed to, not only challenge, but to uproot anti-American sentiment across the world. For these reasons I would be happier, as a foreign observer, for Obama to be the next president of the United States. He may make the world a safer place to live in.
But what of Mr McCain? I have already made known my lack of interest and knowledge of the US electoral system, but the former Vietnam veteran may still have a chance of overcoming the odds and making it to the White House. Definitely his room for manoeuvre may have been narrowed by choosing Governor Palin of Alaska as his running mate, seems she scares a lot of people. But Senator McCain is a good-humoured, moderate Republican and, although his opponent has presidential qualities, McCain may well be the sort of fellow you could have a laugh with over a pint.
By contrast Obama is more serious in demeanour. In the end though the choice is with the American voting public. Only they can tip the balance either way. For it is they who will have to live with the consequences of who they vote into the White House when the results are announced on 4th November next. And no, I won’t be holding my breath.
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