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indo: Truth must not be first casualty

  • 31-08-2009 10:36am
    #1
    ei.sdraob
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,376 ✭✭✭


    http://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/truth-must-not-be-first-casualty-1873557.html
    FOREIGN Minister Micheal Martin has called for "an honest debate" on the Lisbon Treaty in the run-up to the second referendum on the issue on October 2. But his chances of getting honesty, or accuracy, from those in the anti-Lisbon campaign who peddle fanciful and wild allegations are poor indeed.

    The activities in that quarter are disturbingly reminiscent of the tactics used successfully in last year's campaign, and the Government's feeble response. The Government and its allies spent almost all their time replying to their opponents' scare tactics. No sooner did they reply to one invention than another took its place.

    In the time remaining, that must not be allowed to happen again.

    This time, the 'Yes' campaign must be positive. It must emphasise the benefits we have received from our membership of the European Union, and the further advantages from a reform designed to make the EU institutions more transparent and effective.

    For example, the minister can usefully quote the opinion of the Charter Group, chaired by a former president of SIPTU, which says that Lisbon has the potential to improve workers' rights. That is a rational and considered reply to the bizarre claim that the project amounts to a conspiracy against trade unions.

    But the 'Yes' campaign must not get itself bogged down trying to refute such fantasies as that Lisbon would reduce the minimum wage to €1.84 an hour, or place too much emphasis on the guarantees obtained by Government on the issues of abortion, neutrality and taxation.


    I think the author is spot on

    the YES campaign can not afford to get bogged down in lies yet again, the NO side will try to throw all sorts of **** again and see what sticks

    while the NO campaign is entirely negative (not a single point emphasizes anything good) it makes them more attractive sounding to the cynical public

    its quite amazing that the likes of Coir are being listened to and time is spend/wasted on their ridiculous claims



    all of this can be seen happening here on this forum as well as i previously remarked

    some brand new member would pop in, start a thread filled with usual lies, watch us trip over ourselves in order to debunk them yet again, then leave or be banned :(


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