Krgyz kaos

[Spudulika]

I'm not sure if any posters on here have been to Bishkek, or even heard about it before yesterday, and even at a stretch there aren't many who know a friend of a friend who's been there. In September 2007 I was fortunate to visit there with a delegation from the UNDP (UN development programme) and have a good look around Bishkek and a couple of nearby towns. The country is out of this world landscape wise and there are precious few ethnic Russians left. The previous administration were pallsy with the old Bush junta and were seriously backed by them. There was a visible US army presence on the streets with regular patrols (from what we saw and were told) on the streets. Kidnapping was common there, however this was something to do with tribal beliefs and practice.

Anyway, this new crowd are Russian backed and were quick to pallsy up with Moscow, so it's a Ukraine-like roundabout. No matter what they came in with a determined shout to change how badly the country was run. And then I thought about things said in the Irish media in recent weeks (Harris, Myers to name but two) - why isn't there a revolution in Ireland? Why isn't there a coup? It does make you wonder, would a good ould coup rattle things up? String Biffo up outside Leinster House, strip Big Willie naked and send him into Moyross. Surely it wouldn't hurt the country too much.

[Bluebeard]

It would be the best thing to happen the place in years, but I am coming around to the view that 40% of the Irish voting population vote with De Party of their family through thick and thin regardless of how their version of what De Party might be at variance with the reality of it, 40% of the Irish population think that watching the Dáil is "great gas altogether", including those who manifest that in arm flapping "all the same" disgust, and 10% are so disgusted they no longer turn up knowing who they are voting for, rather who they are not voting for. The remaining 20% can't, or won't count...

[Spudulika]

I know that some will argue that we're a mature democracy and solve things amicably. Yet how much worse would it be if we had a military junta take over. We'd have FDI flood in, a couple more US bases on our soil and maybe even a decent sports program (because in order to curry favour at home and show off abroad they'll start 4 year olds in the gym and our club sides will make strides in Europe. Military service will help, since most of our 16-17 year olds are already well versed in small arms and hand to hand.

Agreed that no change is likely, the same faces will be voted in time and again because it's the family way. It's a shame but it just won't change.

[mypost]

why isn't there a revolution in Ireland? Why isn't there a coup? It does make you wonder, would a good ould coup rattle things up? String Biffo up outside Leinster House, strip Big Willie naked and send him into Moyross. Surely it wouldn't hurt the country too much.

75 people were murdered in yesterday's "revolution". Does anyone want that?

Assuming they don't, basically there's nothing we can do until the next election is called in 2 years time.