Fear Campaign
It seems we can expect a campaign of fear in the upcoming debate on the pro’s and con’s of the EU Treaty Referendum. Dick Roche, TD and European Affairs Minister, will be spearheading the governments propaganda onslaught, it appears, with the remarks he came out with a few hours ago.
In the past two weeks he has predicted a two-to-one YES vote for the referendum to be passed in Ireland, and has mentioned our indebtedness to Europe for our recent economic successes. Today however he has come right out and said that our economy would suffer greatly and we would be "damaging" our standing within the European Union if the government fails to get the Irish people onboard. In this Press Association article he is given credit for saying the new booklet launched today is "clear and unbiased". Isn’t it a bit hypocritical to say that in light of the fact that he also says that a NO vote "could spark job losses"?
All this before we have even seen page one of any information whatsoever on the referendum or have even heard of when it will be held. The best guess is mid-to-late June. The website Free Europe is hosting a poll, or online "mock election", in which just under 1500 people have cast their votes. There is a resounding turnout so far in the YES camp that shows 86% want the referendum passed. The poll is broken down by country, gender, and several age brackets.
Since Ireland is the only country that matters in this poll and the actual referendum, as we are the only people in the EU to get the opportunity to voice our choice, I looked at the results for the votes cast from here. Amazing! Use the button below to see the results and to cast a vote while you are there. 
YES? or NO? You have the vote!
- Politics, Culture, Caoimhin, Irish Culture, Irish Politics, Kerry, Honesty, misc, All posts, Web/Tech, Media and Journalism, freedom, World | Time: 5:11 pm (UTC+8)
Well I can’t vote in a referendum anyway, but surely they’ll do the usual and keep getting us to vote until we get the answer “right”. The issue I have is regardless of what “information” is disseminated what we wont know is exactly what is incentivising all of the interested parties.? What’s in it for them? I mean, we’re in Ireland here, the politicians sure as hell aren’t doing it for the good of the “people”. A good solid campaign of FUD (Fear Uncertainty and Doubt) should keep us from asking those sort of questions.
Comment by Thriftcriminal — February 14, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
Well said! A campaign of FUD, like you said, is exactly why we should be asking the questions. But will we???
Comment by Administrator — February 14, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
BTW, you may know of it already, but from your blog I’d guess you might find Transition Culture of interest.
Comment by Thriftcriminal — February 14, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
Thanks for the link Thrift, I’ll check it out. I just recently got connected with broadband and have been in video land most of the time!
Comment by Administrator — February 14, 2008 @ 3:06 pm