In the words of Charles Dickens ( A Tale of Two Cities) – “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us.”
What a week folks. Accusations of “attempted assassination,” – the unveiling of a possible political FF “Bag Man,” – a terrorist just barely in from the cold – a few overpaid self styled celebrities promising “all kinds of everything,” – a government politician who refuses to understand something when his salary depends upon him not understanding it – a highly regarded honest, generous, gutsy elderly gentleman, and all competing for the last remaining well paid job left in Ireland today.
Following weeks of interviews, the successful applicant was eventually decided today by his employer, the Irish people, voting by a record 1,007,104 votes. Now the last remaining job in Eire, thank God, has deservedly gone to the honest, generous, gutsy elderly gentleman, Mr Michael D Higgins. My congratulations you will do us proud.
To those whose curriculum vitae’s did not come up to scratch, take heart in the lyrics of “Love On The Rocks” composed by the great singer, songwriter, Neil Diamond:-
“First, they say they want you, How they really need you.
Suddenly you find you’re out there, Walking in a storm.
When they know they have you, Then they really have you.
Nothing you can do or say, You’ve got to leave, just get away.
We all know the song.”
Is he going to be the first President to give around €75,000 to the state. I think there is new legislation being prepared to cut the President’s salary in line with recent reductions, but Higgins has taken the voluntary drop. President Mary McAleese will probably give a large amount on her way out.