Slán libh, mo chairde : Goodbye my friends.... for now

Day 706, 18:01 • Published in Ireland Ireland • by Aran Tal

My dear friends and countrymen,

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I inform you that I am retiring from public life, and will leave eIreland shortly.

I was born here, in February, during my finals in University, and the camaraderie and the constant challenges managed to keep me sane during several periods of intense personal and professional stress. While I was young I travelled the eWorld, learning game mechanics. I returned home to Ireland and served five terms in Dáil Éireann.

I have been deputy, acting and full Minister of Defence and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vice-President twice, acting President once, and for the best, if most demanding, month of my short eLife I had the honour of serving eIreland as President for a month. During that term I solidified my views on many eRep issues and I have strong opinions about many things, which I will publish in the coming days, however more than any, I wish to use this article to beg of Ireland one thing.

Many of you may have only just remembered I was Taoiseach, or may not have been born when I was, but my primary focus was that Ireland be an agent for Good in the eWorld. We are blessed with relative security and an intelligent and vibrant community of people who are capable of manoeuvring the most awkward of political mine-fields. During my reign Ireland, for the first time stood up for dignity and integrity, and defended another neutral nation from invasion. Please, re-ignite this flame of justice. I understand why Dáil Éireann and the Taoiseach signed peace with Turkey, but am deeply saddened that the Greek operation was not the progenitor of many similar operations.

Lest my venting of spleen on this one matter be misinterpreted, to Patton, I say, congratulations. You have succeeded in all the aims I failed to achieve and built upon the foundations I laid. Ireland is now, once again, a stable nation and I wish her Government well. The nation I inherited from Starks was a shambles, you will allow me, I hope, some share in your victory?

To the ISD, my apologies. You asked me to run for Congress again, and I obeyed, but secretly hoped I would lose. I've been in Leinster House too long, An outsider's perspective is needed, and I will spend the next while trying to find it. The party is weak now, compared to the world-beating behemoth Starks, Sean and I ran, but in Appleman and Dubhthaigh (and many others) there is boundless potential. I hope you will allow me the honour of honorary membership during my travels.

To my enemies, or those who many perceive as my enemies: Thank you. By your challenge I have become a better politician, a better administrator, a better servant of the people and a better man. Without your constant harrowing, I would have been a failure. Left to my own devices, I would have quickly tired of eIrish life.

Which brings me to a rather strange final tribute... I hereby declare my proposal of eMarriage to my greatest adversary, Gráinne Ní Mháille, who has made my eLife truly 'interesting.' Our relationship has been more than friendship, it has driven me to distraction... Every time I receive her PMs, in any capacity, my soul either weeps or quivers with expectant joy. I predict her polite refusal however, and I wish her all the best... Ireland, long may you enjoy her intellect, wit and charmingly cutting sarcasm!

For, now, dear friends and countrymen,
Much Love
AT*