Ireland is named 'best country'

[Pat Shatner]

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4020523.stm

Ireland is the best place to live in the world, according to a "quality of life" assessment by Economist magazine.

The country's combination of increasing wealth and traditional values gives it the conditions most likely to make its people happy, the survey found.

Ireland was followed by Switzerland, Norway and Luxembourg. All but one of the top 10 were European countries.

The USA languished in 13th, while Britain was 29th - the lowest of the pre-expansion EU nations.


'TOP TEN COUNTRIES'
1 Ireland
2 Switzerland
3 Norway
4 Luxembourg
5 Sweden
6 Australia
7 Iceland
8 Italy
9 Denmark
10 Spain

The survey was prepared for the Economist's "World in 2005" publication, with the remit: "Where will be the best place to live in 2005?"

Researchers took into account not just income, but other factors considered important to people's satisfaction and well-being.

They included health, freedom, unemployment, family life, climate, political stability and security, gender equality and family and community life.

The Economist said: "Ireland wins because it successfully combines the most desirable elements of the new, such as low unemployment and political liberties, with the preservation of certain cosy elements of the old, such as stable family and community life."

The magazine admits that measuring quality of life is not a straightforward thing to do, and that its findings will have their critics - "except, of course, in Ireland".

Gooooo team!
Oh, and I can think of quite a few family and friends over in Ireland that would criticize the findings.
All I'll say is that the country is in better shape than when my family and I left.

[Ryan Elliott]

Obviously the person who wrote this was drunk on Guinness.

[Howlett]

HA!!! Yeah, and the next issues of All Star Batman and Planetary are going to be out before 2007

[c. page]

somewhere, howlett is punching a leprechaun in a rage.

[Pat Shatner]

Obviously the person who wrote this was drunk on Guinness.

Hey! The Batman doesn't stereotype!
...right?

[Pat Shatner]

HA!!! Yeah, and the next issues of All Star Batman and Planetary are going to be out before 2007

I knew I could depend on you, pal.

[Howlett]

somewhere, howlett is punching a leprechaun in a rage.

I punched some asshole teenager who took a swing for me because he couldn't accept the fact that I wasn't going to buy him cigarettes earlier..... does that count?

[Howlett]

I knew I could depend on you, pal.

I couldn't let you down dude. Not at all

[Ryan Elliott]

Hey! The Batman doesn't stereotype!
...right?

Only when it's appropriately funny.

[Pat Shatner]

I couldn't let you down dude. Not at all

You are so full of it.
And by it I mean bunnies.