A chara, - As a Man U fan I confess to having taken pleasure in the achievements of David Beckham, on the football field. His ability to "bend" the ball in flight is a singular skill that has guaranteed him a place on club and national teams, almost for his free-taking abilities alone. Like many Manchester United supporters, I regret the decision to sell Becks.
His going draws attention to the nature of a footballer's contract which apparently allows an employer to sell a player, as a commodity, and pocket the transfer fee. This can appear harsh, especially if the player is not anxious to leave. However, like a soldier ordered to the front, it is the common good (of the club) that matters most.
A pertinent question here is whether the footballer's form of contract should be adopted for those paid from the public purse, particularly when matters of national interest are at stake. Would it not be desirable to trade some of our contemporary leaders, whose particular skills and abilities have, like Beckham's, become surplus to requirements and who, through their sale, might help replenish the nation's coffers?
As this Government still has four years of its contract to run, with no means of removing it despite growing unpopularity, the transfer option appears attractive. The export of some old stagers from the political sense would allow new talent and ideas to emerge; perhaps put an end to the waffle and spin philosophy; and facilitate solutions to present problems, rather than wasting time and money trying to avoid blame for past mistakes.
Admittedly, many of our own political stars, like one-sided footballers, would prove of limited interest to international buyers. While Eamon Ó Cuiv might be attractive to cultural interests in the old Celtic lands along the Rhine and Danube or even further east, it is difficult to see Seamus Brennan's tunnel and roundabout achievements commanding a premium fee. And, even Charlie McCreevy, horse or camel racing societies apart, might find it hard to draw a buyer, now that he has succeeded in re-caging the Celtic Tiger.
While it is painfully evident that we lack couples with the undoubted flair of Posh and Becks who appeal so readily to the younger set, we should recall that politics is a mature sport - relating more to the older punter. With Hillary and Bill gone from the White House and the gloss wearing thin on Cherie and Tony, this could be the golden moment to launch Celia and Berts on to the world's stage.
Unless I misread a recent statement, Berts would welcome the challenge of running either the Japanese or US economies, so these might be the countries to focus on.
Given his tendency to obfuscate in matters lingual, however, I fear that he might find the task of communicating with the Japanese electorate a tad daunting. For this reason, and given his supporting role during the Iraq war, America might be the better option. The recovery of the dollar would, of course, make such a sale even more attractive to the Irish taxpayer. - Is mise,
LIAM Ó GÉIBHEANNAIGH, Ath an Ghainimh, Co Átha Cliath.