Simon had given the most recent account of the phenomenon: the government toying with days of the week and seasons when scheduling elections and referenda for political advantage.  Now Bertie has a new twist: a Lisbon vote in June, on a day yet to be scheduled, but in the middle of when many first-time voters will be taking their Leaving Cert.  Others might have some college commitments.  This one is especially bizarre as it’s surely easiest to sell young people on the benefits of further European integration.  As Sun Tsu said, “Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat”.