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Galway Advertiser 2009/GA_2009_01_22/GA_2201_E1_002.pdf
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January 22 2009 EDITORIAL
Obama the boost that politics needs
DECLAN VARLEY
dvarley@galwayadvertiser.ie
On another occasion, you might feel sorry for all of the country's politicians having to live up to the image of Obama. After all, how many of them are stick lean, fit, handsome and boasting a complete of teeth? How many of them can deliver a speech without the proliferation of ah and ohs and like, ya know what I mean. But they should relax. How often is it that someone who looks
like him comes along. So far, all we have seen of President Obama is that he is a consummate performer who delivers well the speeches written for him by clever speechwriters. So far he has been judged on his ability to deliver expertly these uninterrupted auto-cued monologues of generalities. What we have to find out now is whether there is more to him than that. And on that hope lies the last credibility of politics in the world. This week, he gets down to
the business of proving if he can really hack it as a legislator and as a leader and we are all hoping he can. But before all politicians start heading to the gym and cutting down on the rubber chicken circuit, there are lessons that they can learn from the manner in which he approaches problems. What he is aiming to do is to eliminate the polarising aspects of politics, and through a common interest, work on solving the problems that are dogging us all at the
moment. Maybe it is simplistic but wouldn't it be ideal if for a few years, we abandoned the charades of petty politics based on the Ireland of a century ago, and worked together to get this country back on track. Obama is going to borrow to the hilt to put in place a programme of works that will see his country's crumbling infrastructure restored to its former glory. At a time when the construction industry in this country is grinding to a halt, would it be
unwise for us to avail of cheaper work rates and cheaper builder quotes to continue to develop this country's infrastructure? In these chastened times, people are far more appreciative of work than before and a greater application to the task in hand could see this country continue to develop even in "the winter of our hardship." In recent times the currency of politics has become increasingly devalued, and no more so than in this country
where ineptitude is commonplace and where even in the midst of the Anglo debacle, we still don't believe our Government when they say that there is nothing fishy behind their actions. Yes, the Obama project is needed if we are to ever have respect for politicians anymore. If it fails, then an entire generation of people will disengage themselves from the process and society would be poorer as a result.
Man granted bail despite fears of witness tampering
BY MARTINA NEE A man who broke a car window and assaulted his neighbour was granted bail yesterday despite Garda fears that he would interfere with "terrified" witnesses and that he would fail to turn up to court. John Barrett (26) with an address at 143 Ballinfoyle Park, Galway, was brought before Galway District Court yesterday charged with criminal damage and assault. Inspector Ernie White told the court that there would be a strong objection to a bail application on the grounds that witnesses would be interfered with and that there were six bench warrants issued in the past. It is alleged that the defendant called to 167 Ballinfoyle Park at 1.30am and broke the window of a car with a spare wheel that he had picked up. Barrett then assaulted a woman. The inspector added that the residents "are in fear of him". Defence solicitor Valerie Corcoran then explained that the defendant had been before court on Saturday January 17 last and had been remanded in custody without the presence of a solicitor. According to Garda evidence the defendant was being transported to Strokestown District Court and had said that he would "get to the witnesses" regardless of whether he was in jail or not. Ms Corcoran said that the garda had misunderstood Barrett as he had been referring to an injury he had received to the face. The first witness to be called by the prosecution was Michael Mongan who told the court that he was "afraid" that Barrett would come back to his house. He added that his wife, who had been kicked in the chest, was "terrified". Mrs Margaret Mongan confirmed that she was in fear for her life. When Ms Corcoran questioned her regarding Barrett's injuries Mrs Mongan replied that it had been inflicted by her nails in self defence. She also added that Barrett had threatened to shoot her. Ms Corcoran then told Judge William Hamill that her client was willing to stay away from the area and to live in Meadowbank Park, Letterkenny, Donegal. She added that Barrett had made no threats to shoot Mrs Mongan and that there had been no prior incident between the two parties. Judge Hamill remanded the defendant in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of 500 and an independent surety of 2,000 to appear again on January 28. The conditions of bail include: to reside in Meadowbank Park, Letterkenny, Donegal; sign on daily at Letterkenny Garda Station between 9am and 9pm; stay out of Galway except for court appearances; not to enter the Headford Road area; and to have no contact with the Mongan family.
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