SuperState feels the heat. Bail-out crumbles as the Pig leaves the Euro Zone.

It was a bad day for Brussels as the Finns added to the rumble and hum of displeasure with the way the Euro crisis is being playing out. Or was it really that bad.

After all, nobody wants a mooching nation as a partner. And no nation wants to be a Pig either. (Portugal, Ireland, Greece)



You're barred ye wee slecher, yiv drank too much
 and now you're drunk. Come back when you're sober.

 This E.U. parlance about defaulting, restructuring, leaving, fighting in the streets, veto, burning bankers, haircuts and uncle Tom Cobley and all means only one thing. Something is gonna give and give very soon.

Look at it logically, no-one and I mean no-one is going to take unwanted medicine when they can throw the bottle in the bin. So Mammy says she will force you to take your medicine, to which, often is heard "Oh yea, you and and whose army is gonna make me."

That’s right, the EU has no army. Not like Rome with its mighty legions. Just a bunch of un-elected bureaucrats with no stomach for a bad press.

So maybe it is better and possibly the preferred choice if the over fed Pig were to cut loose. Let the Euro ship bounce back up on top of the waves, lighter and faster than before. Where it belongs. I don’t hear Norway, Sweden, Denmark or the UK complain about not being part of the Euro nor do I hear anyone else for that matter knocking on the door asking to be let in. But a Zone without the Piggi, well that a different story. (portugal ireland greece go independent).

Enter the Finns. Should they block the, or should I say, be encouraged to block the bail-out for Portugal. It is fait accompli for the crisis. Our Pig gets a break from the bacon slicer and the heat is off Mammy in Brussels to dish out the medicine. What’s the big deal, its only money after all. You just print the stuff.

Ireland: a choice of aspirations, a crisis of loyalty, a home to live in.

A recent visit to the family holiday destination of my teenage years washed up memories of Edna O’Brien, De Dannan and soft plumes of burning peat. Donegal never fails to stir passions and our love for this wild and beautiful land.
It is a dark, lonely and adventurous track to the holiday cottage, There was initial doubt in my choice of direction. But knowing Donegal it is best to stay on course and follow directions from those who have before paved the way.

The piercing wail of a banshee forewarns of tragedy.

“When you are poor for so long the taste of money from a spoon can be so sweet to a tired life,” I heard it on the wind. A shivering wail from the mysterious Banshee.

Aspirations to match the success of others is understandable and I believe every country has its fair share of those who would do irrational deals just to taste from the spoon of wealth.
The upgraded renovations to this thatched cottage outside of Killybegs retains traditional rural characteristics. A way of paying homage to human presence who developed a relationship with its environment.

Regeneration in general, is an aspect of progress alleviating the misery of poverty. It gives opportunity to enjoy comfort while appreciating our ancestor’s contribution to culture.
The house next door misses this principal to the land and its culture. It marries money to debt which in turn leads to misery. “What’s it for” I asked a local. “It’s a guy’s holiday home, he used to live around here in poverty, in dreadful conditions, he got good in England, now this is his statement. ”

Con's cottage Killybegs

Cormack's cottage Killybegs

“Better to be poor and free than rich and in bondage.” The calling cry of endless rebellion and insurrection.

For most of us individuals seeking improvement to our standards the answer to this call will never be tested.
But for Ireland there is no doubt. Our debt is to our traditions and culture and not the debt slave traders of modern politics, property monarchs and gladiator bankers.

As for the owner of the big one on the hill. Seems like, according to local legend, he renovated the old family hovel and lives there contented he became a success.