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naraburns  nihil supernum  1yr ago (text post)   3784 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for October 9, 2022

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So, what are you reading?

I'm reading Gray's Postmodern War. Don't remember how I stumbled onto it, but it looks like a colourful book that has had some influence, perhaps a hidden gem. Seems to be an investigation into the strange forms that modern wars take.

Just finished a book about W.B O'Carolan, advisor to Éamon De Valera. It's got an awful title (O'Machiavelli: Or How to Survive Irish Politics) but some funny stories:

I once made a promise to an old woman I met in the Comeraghs. She was dressed in an old coat and shawl and had a face etched out of granite. She appeared to have been waiting for a public representative for many years. I took immense pity on her.

"Are you the senator they sent from Dublin?"

"Yes, ma'am, I am a senator from Dublin, but this is not my constituency. I'm canvassing for a good local man called Dinnie McDermott.".

"Mr Dimmie Mac? My hearing is not that what God gave me."

"DINNIE MCDERMOTT, OUTGOING TD FOR THE AREA."

"And what does he mean to me. Mr Senator?"

"He represents your interests in the national assembly which is part of our democratic system."

"He's never done anything for me, a leanbh. I ne'er set sight on him or his breed in these parts."

"Will you vote for him in next week's election?"

"How can I vote? I'm a poor widow woman without a pittance to my name."

"Have you not got a pension or medical card?"

"Ne'er the bit. No one looks after a poor widow woman."

"Have you heard of Mr de Valera?"

"Who?"

"MR DEVALERA, TAOISEACH OF OUR COUNTRY."

"What has happened to Mr Parnell? He passed this way the once and ne'er laid sight on him again."

I can arrange a pension, medical card and rent allowance for you, ma'am. Just sign here."

As it turned out, the woman was as rich as Croesus and had five houses, two bank accounts and a mechanically-propelled motor vehicle. The press got their hands on the story and ran it under the banner: Politician Grants Medical Card and Butter Vouchers to Rich Woman. It was the last promise I ever made (or kept).

There's also a bit in a letter to DeValera that makes me wonder how old the idea of the deep state is:

P.S. Did you know that Mac [Machiavelli] was a civil servant? The other Mac (MacEntee) says they're the permanent government!

A Chara,.

Ennis, Clare. 8-IV-36

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