Madam, - Bertie Ahern told us once he was a socialist. Having appointed Ivor Callely, whom the Seanad electorate rejected, will he now tell us he is a democrat? - Yours, etc,
PETER LYDON, Woodford Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Madam, - It is obvious from Diarmaid Mac Aonghusa's sour note (August 7th) that he is a man who sees no merit in change. While change for the sake of change is folly, to regularly re-appraise one's view of the ever-evolving political situation, and to do so in the public interest, requires a degree of courage that is sadly lacking in most commentators. Thankfully, Eoghan Harris is the rare exception. - Yours, etc,
NIALL GINTY, The Demesne, Killester, Dublin 5.
A chara, - How predictable the behaviour of oligarchs and their minions throughout recorded time!
In Rome in the first century AD, under Augustus, political debate is suppressed and freedom of thought is discouraged.
Augustus is succeeded by Tiberius, whose reign is marred by corruption of the Senate, treason trials, and palace conspiracies. These tendencies become more pronounced under the insane Caligula, the feeble Claudius, and the vicious Nero.
Showing contempt for the Senate and people of Rome, Caligula makes a consul of his horse. Scribes contact the horse and ask for a comment. "I'm gobsmacked, like," replies the horse (who is unbridled at the time).
In our own country today, that echo we hear is the sound of Rome falling. - Is mise,
TOM O'DEA, Dublin 16.