The Irish Presidential Race

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

The Irish presidency is a mostly figurehead post. After two very distinguished presidents, Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese it is time for an election.

Seven candidates have qualified. One of the candidates was a member of the Provisional IRA and spent time in prison for smuggling terrorist weapons. Another tried to use his political clout to get clemency for his male partner who had been convicted of statutory rape of a 15-year old Palestinian boy.

And Americans thinks they have a political mess?

 

[kyredneck]

The Irish presidency is a mostly figurehead post. After two very distinguished presidents, Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese it is time for an election.

Seven candidates have qualified. One of the candidates was a member of the Provisional IRA and spent time in prison for smuggling terrorist weapons. Another tried to use his political clout to get clemency for his male partner who had been convicted of statutory rape of a 15-year old Palestinian boy.

And Americans thinks they have a political mess?

....any more Marys in that mix of candidates?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

....any more Marys in that mix of candidates?

Yes, one, plus a Rosemary

 

[billwald]

The IRA guy was a patriot.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

The IRA guy was a patriot.

Fortunately very few Irish agree with you and the island has been at peace since 1998.

On what basis do you make that statement?

You do realise, I assume, that the Provisional IRA were a law unto themselves who recognised neither the Irish nor British governments?

 

[Matt Black]

Does McGuinness really stand any kind of chance, Roger, or is it just a bit of Sinn Fein gimmickry?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Does McGuinness really stand any kind of chance, Roger, or is it just a bit of Sinn Fein gimmickry?

Not sure whether is is Feinian gimmickry or just more of a chance to be considered a major party. I don't think he stand a real chance, though he could make it close with 2nd, 3rd, or 4h preference votes.

I think Norris may be forced out before the election if his letters to the Israel courts are made public.

Among the other five it will be interesting. Though supposedly non-political Fine Gael and quite in favour at the moment and that could help Gay Mitchell.

I think I will be voting for Dana

 

[billwald]

>You do realise, I assume, that the Provisional IRA were a law unto themselves who recognised neither the Irish nor British governments?

Same as our founding fathers.

 

[Matt Black]

Hmmm...did your Revolutionary Patriots go round kneecapping people they didn't like or blowing up innocent children?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

>You do realise, I assume, that the Provisional IRA were a law unto themselves who recognised neither the Irish nor British governments?

Same as our founding fathers.

I realise you like to stir the pot, so almost did not reply. Though I disagree with much of what prompted the US revolution, to compare the IRA terrorists to them does not even really merit a response. The IRA would be more likened to a group of terrorist who recognised neither Britain or the US government and killed innocents to show their displeasure.

 

[billwald]

The nature of war has changed. I suspect in 1776 the Brits thought the colonists were terrorists for standing behind trees while the Red Coats stood in a line and let themselves get shot. This might be why we have not won a war since WW2.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

First assume

the Troubles were a continuation of the Thirty Years War not a replay of the AmRev or even the ACW. TYW combatants were not known for their adherance to the Geneva Conventions, e.g. the sack of Magdeburg.

Hmmm...did your Revolutionary Patriots go round kneecapping people they didn't like or blowing up innocent children?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

A lot of Americans get the idea that the Provisional IRA were these glorious, anti-British, romantic freedom-fighters who were trying to join the US in throwing off the tyrannical British Empire and form a United Ireland.

Some of that is true, and their goal of a free united Ireland was a noble one. However the United Ireland they desired was a Soviet style Marxist Ireland. The rejected the established Irish government as well as Britain. They saw themselves as the legitimate government of Ireland and insisted on absolute compliance.

Even Mr Mcguinness has admitted their tactics were wrong. The problem is that he has been, like the senator who tried to get clemency for his rapist partner, less than forthcoming in their involvement.

 

[billwald]

>However the United Ireland they desired was a Soviet style Marxist Ireland. The rejected the established Irish government as well as Britain. They saw themselves as the legitimate government of Ireland and insisted on absolute compliance.

OK, agree. Does that make them less patriotic?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

>However the United Ireland they desired was a Soviet style Marxist Ireland. The rejected the established Irish government as well as Britain. They saw themselves as the legitimate government of Ireland and insisted on absolute compliance.

OK, agree. Does that make them less patriotic?

Yes - true patriots would support their country (The Republic of Ireland) and seek political means for the change, not violent ones.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Roger, you're leaving out the Irish Civil War, Michael Collins, et al. To a radical Fenians, any British presence on the Island was unacceptable. For them, the government in Dublin was at least faintly collaborationist. Radical Fenianism was powerful enough to keep the Republic out of WW2 on the allied side. In fact, Dublin was almost as neutral as Spain. De Valera signed the condolence book for Hitler at the German Embassy.
Yes, the PIRA is\was Marxist and had the support of various fraternal socialist countries. Which is in line with the principle that Marxists will take advantage of any otherwise legitimate conflict. In this case, the conflict was the continued exercise of English sovereignty over Ulster and Dublin's acquiescence to it.

Yes - true patriots would support their country (The Republic of Ireland) and seek political means for the change, not violent ones.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

So, how did the election turn out?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Micheal D. Higgins, the socialist anti-American lifelong politico won

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Is he anti-American like General De Gaulle or like Colonel Khadafy? IMHO, Dublin hasn't been pro-American since de Valera.

Micheal D. Higgins, the socialist anti-American lifelong politico won

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Is he anti-American like General De Gaulle or like Colonel Khadafy? IMHO, Dublin hasn't been pro-American since de Valera.

Even Dev signed Hitler's book of condolence but not FDR's.

President is only a figurehead here anyway.