US has a real leader: we have tribal chieftains

READING last week’s column (March 5) by the best leader Fine Gael never had, I would just like to add the most significant point which somehow Ivan Yates missed.

Brian Cowen’s leadership ability has one very major flaw (as indeed do the other party leaders) and that is the fact that Cowen does not like anyone who does not have the letters “FF” running down through them like a stick of candy rock.

Cowen, Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore are insular people.

They exist in their parties, they perform in the chamber, they give interviews where it is safe, they designate to their aides. Even if there were to be some form of national government, they would not change.

They would collectively have the same closed mentality.

Look at US President Barack Obama. What does he say, all the time, at every opportunity, given half a chance?

“My fellow Americans” ... simple, straightforward, direct... I am with you, you are with me. It’s all encompassing all very inclusive.

But from our Taoiseach the cry is very different... the public this, the public that, the public will, the public won’t.

To Mr Cowen we are only “the public”.

A public to be tolerated, a public to be driven, a public who will pick up the pain left by Fianna Fáil and their Galway cronies.

All those who are in, or trying to get in, are the “us”, the Soldiers of Destiny: those who are not are “the public”.

The protesters against the Corrib gas field off the Mayo coast (given away by the same Soldiers of Destiny) experienced just how the public were to be treated, when they took their grievances to then Minister for (Fianna Fáil) Justice, Brian Lenihan.

Such contempt by such a party is not surprising. What is surprising is that we as a people — “the public” — have put up with it for so long. Speaking on behalf of all the dogs in the street, also known as my fellow Irishmen and Irishwomen, let me say to Brian Cowen: “Off you go to the White House, enjoy yourself with our bowl of shamrock for all the good it will do you.”

It really will never dawn on him or his party that it is in Ireland, and by Ireland, that a party should be hosted every St Patrick’s Day for all the leaders, great and small, we hold in high esteem worldwide instead of this clumsy junket which means nothing to anyone except a few chosen Soldiers of Destiny who shall be known by their participation.

A final warning, Taoiseach, Nero fiddled while Rome burnt.

Will your place in history be any better?

Off you go.

John Herriott

York Road

Dun Laoghaire

Co Dublin