New private school.

[antiestablishmentarian]

People were relieved when the IMF/EU came in. They had completely lost trust in FF and believed the big lie that it was a bailout - if you listened to RTE you would have thought it was like the Structural Funds.

"How much is the EU going to give us".

It showed in the polls. People understood the Bank Guarantee was a disaster, but thought that the EU was benign.

There were certain people who understood what was happening, but only a tiny minority.

There is still some confusion about what is happening. As you suggest, the Left parties are not stepping up: they are either out of their depth or are looking at empire building.

Cactus, there was plenty of information available at the time to people about what the IMF and ECB had done in Greece, and about what the IMF had done in other countries in the past. Not just on sites like this, but the mainstream media too. I'm sorry to say this, but anyone who refused to do a bit of research into who these people were and what they meant in the belief they were good news was an idiot, who deserves what's coming to them. A bit like those who voted for 'change' be electing Enda Kenny, and who continue to support the Blueshirt government to the hilt.

Also, the past decade has seen the rejection of two EU treaties and the growth of anti-EU sentiment so the idea that most people view the EU is a benign entity is misplaced. Alot of people are clued in and understand why these things are happening, but quite frankly people are just apathetic to political activity, and many of those who were involved in left groups in the past have been burnt out by their experience of marching up and down the hill one time too many, and are justifiably cynical and disillusioned with the ULA fiasco and the lack of any possible alternative.

Not to say such an alternative is impossible in the future, but it will be in other countries and not in Ireland. The sheep here will stay in the pub and whine about bad weather and 'dem politicians' without wondering why the world is the way it is or taking thought on what they could do to change it.

[eamo]

the Left parties are not stepping up: they are either out of their depth or are looking at empire building.

Most of the more talented and articulate socialist potential leaders drifted towards Social democracy or further towards the center, for career or ideological reasons. They are now caught like lobsters in a lobster pot, no way out, and the duller ones who saw through the "end of history" nonsense dont have the ability to lead. Been proved right can be a bloody bitter experience.

[eamo]

Perhaps they are scared witless, but even the arrival of the IMF/ECB didn't bring people out on the streets in any kind of large numbers so I don't expect there's much else that could galvanise a response. Bitching and moaning down the pub will probably continue to be the size of it. I hope I'm wrong here, but I doubt it.

When A J Chopra or whatever his name is, and his gang were in town for the first time he was pictured on the front of most papers walking like a sheriff with his posse from the Merrion hotel to the Dep. of Finance. One pic. showed him walking past a beggar. I was shocked at, not most, but all the peoples reaction who I spoke to. They ALL thought it was GREAT that he had deigned to walk amongst us.
T'was then I knew we were truly fu**ed.

[eamo]

Well I'm leaving the country soon. I can't live here any longer.

May good fortune smile on you.

[C. Flower]

Cactus, there was plenty of information available at the time to people about what the IMF and ECB had done in Greece, and about what the IMF had done in other countries in the past. Not just on sites like this, but the mainstream media too. I'm sorry to say this, but anyone who refused to do a bit of research into who these people were and what they meant in the belief they were good news was an idiot, who deserves what's coming to them. A bit like those who voted for 'change' be electing Enda Kenny, and who continue to support the Blueshirt government to the hilt.

Also, the past decade has seen the rejection of two EU treaties and the growth of anti-EU sentiment so the idea that most people view the EU is a benign entity is misplaced. Alot of people are clued in and understand why these things are happening, but quite frankly people are just apathetic to political activity, and many of those who were involved in left groups in the past have been burnt out by their experience of marching up and down the hill one time too many, and are justifiably cynical and disillusioned with the ULA fiasco and the lack of any possible alternative.

Not to say such an alternative is impossible in the future, but it will be in other countries and not in Ireland. The sheep here will stay in the pub and whine about bad weather and 'dem politicians' without wondering why the world is the way it is or taking thought on what they could do to change it.

I've written elsewhere here about how I think FF used their control of national policy and finance to create a middle class dependent on them. The factory based working class in the west is a reduced proportion of the population and the mobility of industry has reduced the effectiveness of trade unionism. On the one hand, capitalism is comprehensively fecked, and on the other, peoples' class consciousness and level of organisation is
less developed than it was fifty years ago. But whoever said it was going to be easy ?

[morticia]

I've written elsewhere here about how I think FF used their control of national policy and finance to create a middle class dependent on them.

They probably tried. However, the middle classes are notoriously fickle voters and tend to vote with their wallets, not any sense of party loyalty, when pushed. That one didn't work. And it won't work for Enda either, if the cuts run too deep.

The factory based working class in the west is a reduced proportion of the population and the mobility of industry has reduced the effectiveness of trade unionism.

This has been very true of the last 30 years, and will persist for perhaps the next 5-10. However, the increasing cost of transport fuel will eventually mean that local production will be necessary, and mobility diminished for all but an elite

On the one hand, capitalism is comprehensively fecked, and on the other, peoples' class consciousness and level of organisation is
less developed than it was fifty years ago. But whoever said it was going to be easy ?

I suspect it will only take another year or two of austerity for most to realize they're in a similar boat to everyone else and that it may be holed in the hold, if you see what I mean. The real problem the Left has is that they are either quietly signing up to austerity (Labour), or unrealistically telling everyone that if they vote for RBB, SF, etc, that they can have the cookie jar back.

What we actually need is a left wing party that is prepared to go out internationally and campaign for international tax evasion laws and the shutting down of tax havens (and no, by the IRS definition, we are not a tax haven, we share data freely and have a relatively simple corporate tax code). They also need to be targeting cuts that don't hit the poorest segments of society. However, it is here that the international dimension is necessary; we all know that if you start to hammer even the moderately wealthy, they walk. Look at our doctor shortage, if you don't believe me. They can make more moolah working for the likes of the Mayo Clinic in the US, so off they go. For example, the doc problem could be easily fixed by telling medical students that they can either pay foreign student fees for their degrees or agree to work here for a specified minimum time (if jobs are available here).

As for private schools, I'd predict that perhaps the top ten will survive, the others will have to either convert to State support in its entirety, or fold. The demand won't be there in future, people won't be able to afford it. Rosemount may be an exception though; I remember hearing one of my parents muttering, in my youth, that they had heard that one was sponsored by some arm of the Catholic Church (Opus Dei, I think). Allegations without foundation, perhaps.

[electionlit]

No mention from the councillor that its an existing school moving from Blackrock, having previously (I think) been located in D4.
No mention either that its an Opus Dei school (like Rockbrook).
I gather Rockbrook does not have any set fees and charge according to income.

[eamo]

No mention from the councillor that its an existing school moving from Blackrock, having previously (I think) been located in D4.
No mention either that its an Opus Dei school (like Rockbrook).
I gather Rockbrook does not have any set fees and charge according to income.

Hi electionlit, he does mention that it is moving from Blackrock, that was my fault , I posted it in a hurry (came home for a break and found it in the door).
I will fire up the old steem driven PC that we have (not used for years, now use a laptop), hook up the wind up scanner, and if they will still talk to me I will try and post an image of the newsletter.
But not tonight, if you hear of a major blackout in south Dublin...... well.....

[Dr. FIVE]

Prestigious €3,300-a-year private school relocating from the city centre to an industrial estate (in a working class area)

http://www.irishexaminer.com/archive...rm-205234.html

"It’s simply a non-runner. It has not been properly thought through. We’re paying fees for this. We are not going to sit for 20 minutes in traffic in each direction."

[C. Flower]

This is Ireland. People aren't going 'to move', as you put it, they've been perfectly happy to see their children's futures destroyed to protect the asset and liability sheets of French and German banks, the so-called 'revolutionaries' are on their summer holidays while the world economy is collapses (and in any case are more worked up with their water charges fetish than the more important issue of the debt and banks) and there is no sign that people are going to get involved in any struggle in the near future. The country is fúcked beyond the point of no return, thank God I'm getting out soon too, I just hope I never have to come back.

It's fear that makes people compromise. There is a breaking point, after which there is no more fear.

[Slim Buddha]

This is Ireland. People aren't going 'to move', as you put it, they've been perfectly happy to see their children's futures destroyed to protect the asset and liability sheets of French and German banks, the so-called 'revolutionaries' are on their summer holidays while the world economy is collapses (and in any case are more worked up with their water charges fetish than the more important issue of the debt and banks) and there is no sign that people are going to get involved in any struggle in the near future. The country is fúcked beyond the point of no return, thank God I'm getting out soon too, I just hope I never have to come back.

If you ever waver and think of going back, even for a minute, just think of the amount of tax you will be paying that goes to good causes like Mary Harney's bloated pension. I went back for 7 months. Massive mistake, though in truth, I had little choice for family reasons.

Where will you be moving to, anti?

[Sam Lord]

Where will you be moving to, anti?

Anti has long gone. Oz I think.

[Slim Buddha]

Anti has long gone. Oz I think.

Soon we will be getting to the point where we have a significant minority of contributors from outside Ireland.