Cullen knows how to read the smoke signals

TRUE to his portfolio, Martin Cullen knows you have to create the right environment to get re-elected, political correctness be damned.

Even Clint Eastwood had to blow a little smoke in people’s faces from time to time to get their attention, at least until he hung up his guns for a seat in the mayor’s office in Carmel.

How would it look chewing on a carrot instead of a heavy duty cigar as you took on the bad guys? And Martin Cullen knows his roots, as well as his cheroots.

He didn’t get where he is today by turning his back on the good folk who elected him in the first place. Policing the environment is one thing. Protecting it is another. So is protecting your back. Sometimes, a man's got to do what he's got to do, and if that includes blowing a little smoke (or hot air) from time to time, so be it.

And if my hunch is correct, Martin was sent out all guns blazing for the good of the party he was meant to protect, namely FF. Go get ‘em, cowboy. Make our day.

Richard Dowling,

Coote Street,

Mountrath,

Co Laois.