The "power of the ballot" is a misnomer. A lovely piece of propaganda to get people to believe the system was designed to work for THEM !
IF it was designed to work FOR the people it would do just that .... but it doesn't actually work for the people, because that is NOT what it was actually designed for.
Some people say that the System needs fixing, like it's broken.
The system is NOT broken, it is doing exactly what it was designed for, for those who designed it !

I've been separated for a year after a 15y marraige. New to the dating scene, nervous but ready to find someone. Not going to set conditions for anyone, if we click, we set our own conditions. The one thing I do expect is NO cheating, if you're honest, it's not needed (and not cheating!).
Looking for my first date in 20y so be nice !
If you have any questions, ask away. I'm honest, so you'll get the truth.
Not looking to join another site to chat *scammers not welcome.
Not looking for hookups or one night stands but there are exceptions to every rule ;-)
Any takers ?

REVOLUTION !
When does it work and more importantly when does it NOT work ?
The discerning factor between a successful and a non-successful revolution is the degree of Violence used during said revolution.
It's as simple as this, if you are prepared to fight a violent revolution, you need the hardest, toughest and most ruthless people in charge to get you where you are going. The problem with this is, when you get there, you still have the hardest, toughest and most ruthless people in charge, only now they're in charge of Everything !
It is ONLY when you have peaceful leaders AND peaceful followers uniting as a cohesive force, can you come through a revolution with the people who will make the changes that are necessary for the people as a whole. We are the People and we deserve NO LESS.
We are IRISH and we know how to fight, let us be an example to Europe and to the World and FIGHT.
But let us not fight with weapons, intimidation and violence, let us fight with our minds, our words, our passion and our sheer numbers, let us take our country back and let our children and grandchildren grow up being proud once more.

Thanks guys, much appreciated :-)

I thought you might enjoy this perspective :-)

http://i.imgur.com/eOkBs.jpg

To have a truly open mind, you first need to accept the possibility that you can learn something you thought you already knew.
Me:2012

It must be hard to believe all these "hoaxes" when you get ALL your information from the TV and papers. Thing is, the information you need isn't to be found there. Do a little research and you mightn't come off as being as ill-informed as you're making yourself look.

@Dodo
There are 95 nations in the TTIP and TPP agreements (Same deal different directions) Obama has fast tracked it, the EU want to pass it and the Irish leader (JOKE that he is) Enda Kenny plans to fast track it here before the next election. So your notion that it only involves only "Pacific" nations is mistaken.
As for the sovereignty of nations, if you read the article or the link provided you would know that in Europe most country's sovereignty has already been stripped. Look at Greece, the birthplace of democracy Aside from that the TPP will give the last word on the rule of law over governments of individual nations. I didn't say TPP stripped sovereignty, just that it supersedes it ... and that is exactly what it does!
Lastly, if you think that Europe is NOT going towards a single government, you need to brush upon your current affairs. This has been openly admitted by many politicians in Europe, including the EU Chief Barrasso himself.

Ireland was on nobody's "Side" during WWII, we were a neutral country.
And if that's the entirety of what you got from the piece, you missed the whole point.
btw I am assuming you mean the "Our" side you mean the Allies and not just America and also assuming you are talking about our government, as opposed to the many Irish soldiers who died fighting the Germans.

Political correctness gone into orbit. You can't wear something or hold something or say something, just in case it offends someone. In this case it's about what the American flag is "saying", in the minds of those who see it as supposedly offensive.
at the end of the day, what is said is of little consequence, everyone has something to say!
This train of thought basically says that you can't have an opinion in case it offends someone! But when you realize EVERY opinion will offend Somebody, it basically tells you that you have No right to ANY opinion.

Any don't be fooled, that is exactly what the message IS. You are NOT entitled to any opinion ... unless the government gives it to you first !

This is a bit of a read, I hope you enjoy .... your thoughts are welcome.

Ok, I'm not sure if you've heard the talk of the possibility of a WWIII coming soon but It's NOT. It's been going on for a Decade and NOBODY has even realized it !!!
The reason no-one realizes it is simple, they don't recognize it. Why?, you say, "How would we not recognize war?".
It is because it is not a traditional war ... they did it in reverse. What's more, although most don't even know it has started, it is almost over ... and we have very nearly LOST!
In WWII you had a war we recognize because it was the natural order of WAR.
First: Invade with a military force.
Second: Take control of the Government and politicians.
Third: Take control of the finances
But they have changed the rules ....
In WWIII the natural order of War has changed or reversed, if you will..
First: Take control of finances through bank collapse and subsequent bailouts.
Second: Take control of governments and politicians with demands attached to said bailouts.
Third: Threat of Military force against any Non-compliant countries as a last resort.
Most will think step three is not possible but this option was included in the "Fiscal Compact" which we voted in favor of with the political cry, "There is NO other way", while the fine print in the deal told us otherwise.The same inane reasoning was used for the subsequent bank bailout, "There is no other way". Under the fiscal compact, any country who becomes non-compliant with the austerity measures handed down, can have their government completely replaced by Europe. The threat of military action was not denied by Sarkosy in a letter to Van Rumpoy from himself and Angela Merkle.
" Sarkozy was opaque on whether such “enforcement” would involve military action or invasion of the offending countries"- http://www.thenewamerican.com/…/16624-merkozy-letter-to-eu-…
This is bad enough, Europe having complete control of each individual nation, with a single Government but this is not the end of it.
We now have the Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP, which will, in one stroke of the pen, give Corporations control over sovereign nations and governments, and that includes the future single European government. Under this trade deal, corporations will be able to sue countries for loss of "Predicted future profits" if their bottom line is affected by either non-compliance or laws and legislation wanting to be passed by governments for the good of the people that would be deemed negative to the corporate bottom line. This in essence gives the power of law, legislation and the rules of trade to the corporations. This IS the definition of the "Corporate takeover".
If things were to go this far (and we're very nearly there) the option of "Revolution" for any individual nation will be met with overwhelming force. By this time the ONLY way through is a united European Revolution - WAR ! But this will be a WAR by each individual nation against Their Own Governments and the Corporations controlling them and it will need to be done simultaneously to work. The other option is to end up fighting FOR THEM.
We will get our traditional War one way or the other because if we do not fight the fight we need to fight, we will end up fighting the fight we DO NOT want to fight.
Full Scale WAR with America/Europe on one side and Russia/China on the other. Even Ireland will be brought into this because we are NOT a sovereign nation any more and neither are we a Neutral country.
If we are going to fight, why not fight NOW, for what we have, for the people of our nation and not for the good of faceless corporations and all they want.
Spread the awareness, TPP has to be Stopped and so does our Government of treacherous Yes men. We are running out of time but one way or another, it's getting time to "Baton down the Hatches"!

Hi Stuart, went through the whole facial hair Q myself and I would give you my perspective if you like.
If you go for facial hair try a full trimmed beard(as your Goatee length) or just stick with the goatee as is, if you are going for a more distinguished look.
If you want to purposely look a little younger, shave completely.
I would give the 'tash a miss, you can pull it off, but I see it more as sitting on the fence :-) But maybe that's just because it makes me look a bit suspect !!
I shaved for the first time in 6 years, last week. Felt weird, took 10y off me but laziness took over and its back, and so is me looking my age :-)
Best of luck whichever way you go, Frank.

Thanks Sitka, It would be a nice change :-) Only here 1 day so far.
Was on POF and after 52, yes 52 messages sent, I didn't get one reply. It was a bit disheartening but what's to be done. :-) So I do hope your prediction turns good :-)
Kind regards, Frank.

I've been separated for a year after a 15y marraige. New to the dating scene, nervous but ready to find someone. Not going to set conditions for anyone, if we click, we set our own conditions. The one thing I do expect is NO cheating, if you're honest, it's not needed (and not cheating!).
If you have any questions, ask away. I'm honest, so you'll get the truth.
Not looking to join another site to chat *scammers not welcome.
Not looking for hookups or one night stands but there are exceptions to every rule ;-)
Any takers ?