The Electric Pitchfork

The idiots’ guide to our Middle East policy as Bird & Fortune would have discussed it. (By Matthew Parris) As the Geneva Conference on Syria begins, this is what John Bird and the late, great John Fortune might have made of it ??? John Fortune died last month. Rest in peace, John, you hero. By way of a tribute as the Geneva Conference on Syria kicks off, here’s my pale pastiche of this duo’s genius: the interview Bird & Fortune might have conducted this weekend. Fortune (to Bird) Good evening. Now, you’re an expert on the Middle East and many of us are feeling a bit in the dark about where Western policy has been . . . er . . . steering things, what with Iraq and Iran and Syria and Saudi . . . er . . . Bird :Arabia. Fortune :Yes, Arabia. Now let’s start in the 1980s . . . for instance, when Saddam invaded Iran. Whose side were we on? Bird :Obviously, we supported Saddam. Fortune :Obviously? Bird :Well, yes. The Iranians had overthrown the Shah, who was ou

Ireland "The Banana Republic" One of the most politically corrupt countries in the world. Fianna Fail Fine Gael & Larbour , All the same and all greedy pigs at the trough for years. The Irish People to be shafted for years to come.  Read  the following , complete with even more corruption pay off's and write off's the rich getting richer. Criminal. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- What really happened with Irish Water and Denis O' Brian ???? So, lets see – Irish Water: a synopsis so far. Ireland goes bankrupt and the Troika calls for more taxes. Water meters are decided upon and a plan to build Irish Water are hatched. Siemens, a company with massive resources and know-how in this area – and also with a massive installed base in the UK – offer to install the meters for free. Phil Hogan declines Siemens’ offer – no answer as to why he decided this was ever forthcoming – “just, no – we have an Iri