Taoiseach's Christmas Message: Are we just a nation of whingers?

MakeEmLaugh · 21-12-2012 7:06pm #1

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has uploaded a 'Christmas Message' video to youtube, through the channel MerrionStreetNews, and already it has received as of 6:00pm on Friday 21st December, 73 thumbs down and only 9 thumbs up.

It's not a particularly inspiring speech, it contains the usual bland platitudes of 'Skype is no substitute for the hug of a dearly loved child or grandchild'.

However, there is nothing offensive about the video, and my gut feeling is that most of the people thumbing it down are not doing so out of any genuine political savvy, but because it is fashionable to bash elected representatives in Ireland.

Can anyone remember the last elected politician - one who formed part of a government instead of simply being in opposition - who was not completely vilified by all manner of anonymous keyboard commandos on sites like Youtube and Boards.ie?

I'm not a believer in blind patriotism, nor am I a supporter of Fine Gail, but it seems absolutely less than pointless to thumb down a video from the elected leader of our country on the web. Would it not be best to just ignore the video?

This admittedly minor incident seems to be to be further vindication of my belief that Ireland is a nation of whingers, who are happy to bash those in government, but who never once offer any realistic or intelligent alternative.

donvito99 · 21-12-2012 7:08pm

Welcome to the internet

Rented Mule · 21-12-2012 7:17pm

Yes ...you are a nation of whingers.

Best username ever · 21-12-2012 7:18pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has uploaded a 'Christmas Message' video to youtube, through the channel MerrionStreetNews, and already it has received as of 6:00pm on Friday 21st December, 73 thumbs down and only 9 thumbs up.

It's not a particularly inspiring speech, it contains the usual bland platitudes of 'Skype is no substitute for the hug of a dearly loved child or grandchild'.

However, there is nothing offensive about the video, and my gut feeling is that most of the people thumbing it down are not doing so out of any genuine political savvy, but because it is fashionable to bash elected representatives in Ireland.

Can anyone remember the last elected politician - one who formed part of a government instead of simply being in opposition - who was not completely vilified by all manner of anonymous keyboard commandos on sites like Youtube and Boards.ie?

I'm not a believer in blind patriotism, nor am I a supporter of Fine Gail, but it seems absolutely less than pointless to thumb down a video from the elected leader of our country on the web. Would it not be best to just ignore the video?

This admittedly minor incident seems to be to be further vindication of my belief that Ireland is a nation of whingers, who are happy to bash those in government, but who never once offer any realistic or intelligent alternative.

Go way, you're not making me laugh.

Max Power · 21-12-2012 7:21pm

I will keep bashing the Government until they come up with a realistic and intelligent solution to my country's economic problems. Bunch of overpaid clowns!

LivelineDipso · 21-12-2012 7:26pm

Enda Kenny can go shove a Lldl Stollen up his arse. Fcuk the bastard and all the others.

Gummy Panda · 21-12-2012 7:29pm

It's on YouTube. He is lucky he didn't get called a Jew n*gger fag

For Forks Sake · 21-12-2012 7:31pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

However, there is nothing offensive about the video, and my gut feeling is that most of the people thumbing it down are not doing so out of any genuine political savvy, but because it is fashionable to bash elected representatives in Ireland.

hence the continued existence of thejournal.ie ......

GreenWolfe · 21-12-2012 7:33pm

Gummy Panda wrote: »

It's on YouTube. He is lucky he didn't get called a Jew n*gger fag

They thought of that, comments are disabled.

Staff Infection · 21-12-2012 7:35pm

"Counting the sleeps to the big man on the big day"
I know it's silly but I imagined him talking about James Reilly when he said this

Referring to your point OP, times are hard for everyone, not just in Ireland but worldwide and people feel a need to vent on someone. Seeing as the Government run the country, when it is doing more poorly than the public would like they become the targets for peoples frustration.

It rarely matters if it is the current government who are culpable or not, they're the figurehead and thus will receive the publics wrath, or at the very least they'll shout about them

LETHAL LADY · 21-12-2012 7:36pm

He looks knackered in that video, sure tis good to know he will have lots of time to rest before his return to work on the 16th of January. :rolleyes:

MarkHitide · 21-12-2012 7:37pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has uploaded a 'Christmas Message' video to youtube, through the channel MerrionStreetNews, and already it has received as of 6:00pm on Friday 21st December, 73 thumbs down and only 9 thumbs up.

It's not a particularly inspiring speech, it contains the usual bland platitudes of 'Skype is no substitute for the hug of a dearly loved child or grandchild'.

However, there is nothing offensive about the video, and my gut feeling is that most of the people thumbing it down are not doing so out of any genuine political savvy, but because it is fashionable to bash elected representatives in Ireland.

Can anyone remember the last elected politician - one who formed part of a government instead of simply being in opposition - who was not completely vilified by all manner of anonymous keyboard commandos on sites like Youtube and Boards.ie?

I'm not a believer in blind patriotism, nor am I a supporter of Fine Gail, but it seems absolutely less than pointless to thumb down a video from the elected leader of our country on the web. Would it not be best to just ignore the video?

This admittedly minor incident seems to be to be further vindication of my belief that Ireland is a nation of whingers, who are happy to bash those in government, but who never once offer any realistic or intelligent alternative.

Thanks for the heads-up. I've just been on YouTube to 'dislike' this.

squod · 21-12-2012 7:40pm

Gonna report that video and demand it gets taken down. Rubbing peoples fuhken noses in it is hardly in the Christmas spirit. Overpaid waster.

Vote properly next time! ☒

MarkHitide · 21-12-2012 8:06pm

Didn't we elect a president for this patronising guff?

My name is URL · 21-12-2012 8:32pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

This admittedly minor incident seems to be to be further vindication of my belief that Ireland is a nation of whingers, who are happy to bash those in government, but who never once offer any realistic or intelligent alternative.

Opposition TD's have offered alternatives, and shared their own and their constituents concerns in the Dail countless times and all Kenny ever seems to do is mock them for it and deflect questions.

He can go and fcuk himself if he thinks that a cheap empty Christmas message is gonna make people overlook that.

Piliger · 21-12-2012 8:32pm

Brilliant speech ... drawing the usual whinging brigade ..... But the rest of us will drag this country into better times despite them :rolleyes:

OctavarIan · 21-12-2012 8:34pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote:

...not doing so out of any genuine political savvy, but because it is fashionable to bash elected representatives in Ireland.

You've pretty much summed up 99% of the population's engagement with anything political.

PC CDROM · 21-12-2012 8:35pm

The word "WE" "our" etc is sadly missing.

"Your" is used a lot? Why is that?

NegativeCreep · 21-12-2012 8:36pm

He's a little ride.

Ava_e · 21-12-2012 9:09pm

" as a husband father neighbour, I ..."

It's amazing how you can be all things to all men, but a no one to everyone.

Martin Luther · 21-12-2012 9:11pm

Piliger wrote: »

Brilliant speech ... drawing the usual whinging brigade ..... But the rest of us will drag this country into better times despite them :rolleyes:

You are broke. People are trying hard to get out of the s*it hole which is the Irish Republic. Its a bit like the Berlin Wall, people desperate to escape. God speed on their journey.

mightybashful · 21-12-2012 9:15pm

Ava_e wrote: »

" as a husband father neighbour, I ..."

It's amazing how you can be all things to all men, but no a one to everyone.

He's a ****ebag to me

dvpower · 21-12-2012 9:17pm

squod wrote: »

Gonna report that video and demand it gets taken down. Rubbing peoples fuhken noses in it is hardly in the Christmas spirit. Overpaid waster.

Let us know how you get on :pac:

squod wrote: »

Vote properly next time! ☒

You want to censor a video you don't like and you think people who voted differently to you didn't vote properly.
Not a fan of democratic principles, are you?

kowloon · 21-12-2012 9:20pm

I'm experiencing difficult times at this time. Thank Christ for the Christ child.

mightybashful · 21-12-2012 9:31pm

dvpower wrote: »

Let us know how you get on :pac:

You want to censor a video you don't like and you think people who voted differently to you didn't vote properly.
Not a fan of democratic principles, are you?

When an opposition TD is prevented from entering parliament to vote against a government bill then democracy is dead.

Unfortunately we had that day this week.

dvpower · 21-12-2012 9:33pm

mightybashful wrote: »

When an opposition TD is prevented from entering parliament to vote against a government bill then democracy is dead.

Unfortunately we had that day this week.

I missed that. What happened?

PC CDROM · 21-12-2012 9:36pm

Go "you"

Not "I"

had to put that there for the "special people"

Zebra3 · 21-12-2012 9:37pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enda_Kenny

Enda Kenny.

Elected to Dáil Éireann in Daddy's place in 1975.

1994-1997 a government minister.

2011 becomes Taoiseach.

Most of that those 37 years he did nothing of any use in Dáil Éireann while keeping his teaching job open.

The "man" is totally out of touch with the ordinary man and woman and has no idea how the suffering of cuts and taxes increases so foreign banks didn't lose out on their gambling.

Other threads have touched on his support and love for crooks in his party.

And someone wonders why people gave him the thumbs down on Youtube?

Ffs..... :rolleyes:

Sergeant · 21-12-2012 9:38pm

Martin Luther wrote: »

You are broke. People are trying hard to get out of the s*it hole which is the Irish Republic. Its a bit like the Berlin Wall, people desperate to escape. God speed on their journey.

Are you comparing the people of Ireland, 2012 to those who lived in former East Germany?

Jesus Christ!

Where To · 21-12-2012 9:41pm

I think it's very good.

Fair play to him.

mightybashful · 21-12-2012 9:42pm

dvpower wrote: »

I missed that. What happened?

Padraig McLoughlin was suspended by the ceann comhairle. For not sitting down. Of all offences!

He sneaked back in for one vote but security then prevented him from entering the house for further votes.

Welcome to FGs new style of democracy

Sertus · 21-12-2012 9:43pm

Enda thinks we are all stupid

Where To · 21-12-2012 9:43pm

mightybashful wrote: »

Padraig McLoughlin was suspended by the ceann comhairle. For not sitting down. Of all offences!

He sneaked back in for one vote but security then prevented him from entering the house for further votes.

Welcome to FGs new style of democracy

The stasi are on the way to your house right now are they?

Fr_Dougal · 21-12-2012 9:44pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

It's not a particularly inspiring speech, it contains the usual bland platitudes of 'Skype is no substitute for the hug of a dearly loved child or grandchild'.

That's funny, I was thinking Kenny was no substitute for a real leader of the country.

mightybashful · 21-12-2012 9:49pm

Where To wrote: »

The stasi are on the way to your house right now are they?

Give it time

How Soon Is Now · 21-12-2012 9:50pm

Sure its in fashion to hate the government now a days i doubt most people even know why they hate them to be honest.

I always find the whole thing funny because no matter who **** we elected in country would still be in the **** and the EU would still be telling who ever was ''In Charge'' what to do anyway.

But anyway back to norm ''There all a shower of ****'' posts :pac:

Zebra3 · 21-12-2012 9:51pm

mightybashful wrote: »

Give it time

Nah, Ireland like the GDR just couldn't afford the Stasi.

dvpower · 21-12-2012 10:22pm

Zebra3 wrote: »

Most of that those 37 years he did nothing of any use in Dáil Éireann while keeping his teaching job open.

The good people of Mayo clearly disagree with you.

dvpower · 21-12-2012 10:31pm

mightybashful wrote: »

Padraig McLoughlin was suspended by the ceann comhairle. For not sitting down. Of all offences!

He sneaked back in for one vote but security then prevented him from entering the house for further votes.

Welcome to FGs new style of democracy

It appears that you are being economical with the truth.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/1212/breaking22.html

He was suspended, not by the CC, but by the members of the Dail following a democratic vote. This followed him repeatedly refusing to follow instructions from the CC.

Latchy · 21-12-2012 10:59pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

Would it not be best to just ignore the video?

I wish they would ban the thumbs down for all songs on YouTube so we could ignore the muppets who use it just for the sake of it .

squod · 21-12-2012 11:08pm

dvpower wrote: »

You want to censor a video you don't like and you think people who voted differently to you didn't vote properly.
Not a fan of democratic principles, are you?

We don't have meaningful debates in our parliament and most or all decisions are made behind closed doors by a small number of fairly unaccountable people. There is no democracy, there is certainly no accountability and absolutely no consistency in this governments value or morality.

The actual reality is DV that Germans in the 1940s had better access to democracy then we do now.

But don't object to this lack of democracy.............. according to you it's undemocratic. :rolleyes:

Reillyman · 21-12-2012 11:16pm

LETHAL LADY wrote: »

He looks knackered in that video, sure tis good to know he will have lots of time to rest before his return to work on the 16th of January. :rolleyes:

*Looks knackered* - "sure tis good to know he will have lots of time to rest before his return to work"

*Doesn't look tired* - "sure tis great for him looking well rested, sure he does nothing.

Can't win.

catallus · 21-12-2012 11:17pm

FionnMcCool87 wrote: »

I will keep bashing the Government until they come up with a realistic and intelligent solution to my country's economic problems. Bunch of overpaid clowns!

Why is it that if things are going good the Government are told to stay out of it, but if things are going bad they have to carry the bucket? Instead of the private money-lenders ("Markets") who seem to be the ones who are holding us all to ransom? If I were in charge I'd tell them all to get lost and start borrowing in Yuan!

Fiery mutant · 21-12-2012 11:29pm

[QUOTE=MakeEmLaugh;82332594
This admittedly minor incident seems to be to be further vindication of my belief that Ireland is a nation of whingers, who are happy to bash those in government, but who never once offer any realistic or intelligent alternative.[/QUOTE]

I'm sick of hearing this alternative b.ollix, everyone seems to use it just to bash people who are sick of being treated like idiots.

We are not paid huge amount's of money to come up with an alternative, we the people are paying them to make a reasonable attempt at their job's, and they are making a piss poor attempt at it.

They milk the people they serve for every red cent, and look down on us every time they should be held to account. They are unaccountable in everything they do, as has been witnessed by previous tossers like Aherne and that ****er Lenihan, it's just a pity one prick kicked the bucket before he could get his comeuppance.

It'll be a good day when I wake up to the news the other one has met his maker.

catallus · 21-12-2012 11:33pm

Fiery mutant wrote: »

I'm sick of hearing this alternative b.ollix, everyone seems to use it just to bash people who are sick of being treated like idiots.

We are not paid huge amount's of money to come up with an alternative, we the people are paying them to make a reasonable attempt at their job's, and they are making a piss poor attempt at it.

They milk the people they serve for every red cent, and look down on us every time they should be held to account. They are unaccountable in everything they do, as has been witnessed by previous tossers like Aherne and that ****er Lenihan, it's just a pity one prick kicked the bucket before he could get his comeuppance.

It'll be a good day when I wake up to the news the other one has met his maker.

He is the guy who got us into this mess.

I watched the news when he announced the bank indemnity and I saw the look on the German and British and French leader's faces when they heard the news. They were like "wtf?"

Reillyman · 21-12-2012 11:35pm

Fiery mutant wrote: »

They are unaccountable in everything they do, as has been witnessed by previous tossers like Aherne and that ****er Lenihan, it's just a pity one prick kicked the bucket before he could get his comeuppance.

You sick man, lowest of the low. At least he had the conviction and balls to stand up for what he believed to be right, whatever mistakes he made, what are you doing only hiding behind a username on the internet, what a tool.

catallus · 21-12-2012 11:36pm

Reillyman wrote: »

Fiery mutant wrote: »

They are unaccountable in everything they do, as has been witnessed by previous tossers like Aherne and that ****er Lenihan, it's just a pity one prick kicked the bucket before he could get his comeuppance.[/QUOTE]

You sick man, lowest of the low.

why is that low?

squod · 21-12-2012 11:39pm

Reillyman wrote: »

, whatever mistakes he made, .

Previous comments aside. There's no evidence he made any mistakes.

mightybashful · 21-12-2012 11:40pm

dvpower wrote: »

It appears that you are being economical with the truth.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/1212/breaking22.html

He was suspended, not by the CC, but by the members of the Dail following a democratic vote. This followed him repeatedly refusing to follow instructions from the CC.

To take away his vote in the Dail is to take away the voice of the polateriat who voted him in. That is not democracy.

MakeEmLaugh · 21-12-2012 11:41pm

Fiery mutant wrote: »

I'm sick of hearing this alternative b.ollix, everyone seems to use it just to bash people who are sick of being treated like idiots.

We are not paid huge amount's of money to come up with an alternative, we the people are paying them to make a reasonable attempt at their job's, and they are making a piss poor attempt at it.

If you care as much about this as much you seem to, can I ask what you have done to change matters? Have you written to your local TD to express your discontent? Have you participated in protests on the Dáil? Have you considered running for politics yourself?

If you think posting comments on Boards.ie under the moniker 'Fiery mutant' will make even the smallest possible difference, you are mistaken.

Fiery mutant · 21-12-2012 11:42pm

Reillyman wrote: »

You sick man, lowest of the low. At least he had the conviction and balls to stand up for what he believed to be right, whatever mistakes he made, what are you doing only hiding behind a username on the internet, what a tool.

He had no conviction, nor balls of any sort. If he had either he would have done his job properly and maybe we would not be in this s.hitbag we're in at the moment.

And as for yr ridiculous hiding behind the username crap, what you want me to do? Jump through my iPad or something?

Taoiseach's Christmas Message: Are we just a nation of whingers?

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