No Must Mean No

And so in the aftermath' (yes they are really using this term) of the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty the politicians are trying to convince us of two things. One is that we niaevly did the wrong thing, but it wasn't our fault, we had our poor heads filled with 'lies' by the nasty no campaign, and secondly that it is a disaster of hurricane proportions that has sent the EU into a tailspin and will come crashing down if we don't have another vote and ratify it. It's an insulting and patronising view. We are the only people that have been given the vote on this, in all other countries it is to be decided by professional politicians. Now to suggest, as many have that what is good for professional politicians must be good for the ordinary person is not always correct, just ask those suffering in Zimbabwae under the 'elected' Robert Mugabe. This is not the end of Europe, what it means is it stays the way it is now. The way the politicians decided it must be only a few years ago when bringing in the Nice Treaty, which was so important we had to vote on it twice until we got the vote 'right'. Sound familiar? Never mind that the people of Europe where given the opportunity have rejected this: in France and the Netherlands, when they were given the chance when it was framed as the European Constitution, and now in Ireland. French politicians have suggested the rest of Europe go on ahead without Ireland, ignoring the legal reality that it only becomes law if ALL 27 ratify it, and others have suggested we vote again and again until we give them the answer the politicians want. Which suggests none of them give a damn about Democracy. Why don't they just do what Mugabe is suggesting and put armed police in the voting centres to watch you vote? That would clean it up quickly enough. If they care about Democracy the Lisbon Treaty will be scrapped, but then maybe they don't care about it? Maybe that is the European development that convinced so many to vote no in the first place, the worrying drift away from what the people want and what the politicians and bureaucrats decide we should have. If they bring it to a second referendum anyone who cares about Democracy must vote no. No must mean no for Democracy's sake.

Punx Picnic June 28 & 29

The inaugural (first) Punx Picnic is on this weekend out at Churchill, by the Rock. It's going to be a well organised musical weekend for up to 800 happy revellers. And a nicer bunch of people than the regular Rebellious Jukebox goers you would be hard pushed to meet. There's over 70 acts including punk rock, rock n roll, blues, garage, ska, reggae, acoustic, folk, polka and many more genres of music. Pick up your ticket at Universal Records in the Market Square. Letterkenny.

the Abbey and The Seafarer
Following on from all the publicity about the Seafarer winning a Tony Award (like an Oscar for Stage Actors) tickets have been flying out but fret not, ring now and get some of the remaining ones, call us on 074 91 20777 at An Grianan Box Office. It opens next Tuesday and runs until, and including, Saturday night. Author Conor McPherson will be on Shaun Doherty's radio show on Friday around about mid day so tune into Highland on 103.3fm, he's a very entertaining bloke (and Conor is too!).



Nasty & The Fantastics
Nasty and His Fantastics, all decked out in Superman underwear I believe, will be playing in Mary's (O'Shaughnessy's as it says above the door) also this Friday night, tunes from 10.30.

A Message From Jade
'yo, since you're always looking for stuff for your column why don't you mention how the amazing single 'Red Apple' by Cuckoo Savante featuring Mary Coughlan is currently on sale in Universal Records for 5 tiny euro, and all proceeds go to very worthy charities. The band are currently putting the finishing touches to their debut album and have a number of gigs lined-up in such reputable venues as The Boogaloo Bar in Highgate, London and Camden's Dublin Castle, not to mention slots at Electric Picnic and the Mantua Festival (with a lot more gigs in the pipeline). there ya go ;-) Jade.' So eeerrr who's Jade?

Earagail Arts Festival Highlights Number 2

Bell X1 have been the big highlight of the past few years on the Irish Music Scene, playing to huge crowds all over the country. Bell X1 stalwart Dave Geraghty released his own album Kill Your Darlings in September 2007. In conjunction with the release he completed a sell out Irish tour, and headlined the 2FM 2moro 2our last November. We are delighted to have him play An Grianan in the company of John Shelly & The Creatures on Wednesday 16 July. Tickets on sale now form 074 91 20777, www.angrianan.com.