It's all about the children
Friday, October 26, 2012 at 11:18 Ireland is about to hold a referendum on childrens' rights.
It seems to have a lower profile in Cork but in Dublin lampposts were festooned with posters and placards featuring the slogan 'Yes for Children'.
Organisations from UNICEF Ireland to the Children's Rights Alliance are campaigning hard for a 'Yes' vote that will amend the country's constitution and give the state more powers to "protect" children.
I'm sure the motives of the 'Yes' campaign are entirely honourable but I do wonder where this is going to lead, especially if you're a parent who smokes.
The definition of child abuse is increasingly woolly these days so it's easy to imagine children's rights being extended to "protect" children from anything that smacks of 'bad' parenting.
I don't know enough about Ireland to know whether granting children specific rights is a necessary step.
What I do know is that the mere mention of children has a devastating impact on rational debate and, apart from one or two letters in the newspapers, anyone intending to vote 'No' must have taken a vow of silence!
Reader Comments (2)
This is just another EU directive, and preplanned govt acceptance, for inauguration in their favorite launching site of Yes votes, making Ireland the first country, again, to be 'world leaders' for new rules and regulations, just like the smoking ban.
There are no posters or debate for the NO side.
There is absolutely no need for this referendum, the constitution as it stands adequately covers the protection of children, that is if it was put into practice.
Its just Big Brother EU demanding more control over parents for access into the privacy of their homes so that their crushing laws, like anti smoking/drinking and god knows what else, can be enforced.
Ireland no longer belongs to the Irish it would appear.
How awful a nation being used as a lab rat for Libtard social engineering by global influences.
This is what happens when a nation gives up its sovereignty.
Using children to influence and enforce policy, how Orwellian.