Cowen talking through his ‘context’

I WONDER if I and 14 other citizens ran Brian Cowen over in a bus, would we be able to declare a “systemic failure”?

The 15-member cabinet used exactly that excuse when questioned about their reckless crashing over the innocent body of the Irish economy after the release of the Honohan report.

Am I imagining things, or has Cowen decided that turning into Bertie Ahern is the best form of defence?

The Taoiseach said we are now in a different “context” and that he was making decisions to deal with that. He has had 10 days to examine this report but this is the best he can come up with – we are in a different “context”.

I have always suspected Cowen lives in a “context” far, far away, beyond the mountains of blame and across the ocean of accountability, and completely out of sight of the outer space of personal humility.

But he has now adopted the village idiot defence, made popular by Bertie Ahern – start talking gibberish and wait until the critics feel like jumping under the nearest moving bus to escape the verbal torture. Getting back to running Cowen over on my bus, would I be personally accountable?

After all, the mechanic who services the engine, the bus manufacturer, the passengers talking behind me, and God – yes, God – for making it rain on the day in question, would all be partly responsible, wouldn’t they?

And let’s not forget, Cowen himself would have to bear some responsibility for crossing the road on the way to his “different context”.

But, after the fateful event, I would just have to get on with “contexting” my way out of any silly claims that I should stop bus driving.

I would of course submit to a full and transparent investigation into the mechanics, the manufacturer, and God; but you’d be talking through your “context” if you expected me and my passengers to take any real responsibility, and get on our bikes.

Declan Doyle

Lisdowney

Kilkenny