Bertie Aherne quote

Affable

He said the Irish people are innately decent. Do you agree or was he over-romanticising?

paddyland

Affable wrote: »

He said the Irish people are innately decent. Do you agree or was he over-romanticising?

What he is trying to imply is that HE is innately decent.

There must be a presidential election coming up soon.

That man is in danger of drowning in his own sleaze.

Zebra3

paddyland wrote: »

What he is trying to imply is that HE is innately decent.

There must be a presidential election coming up soon.

That man is in danger of drowning in his own sleaze.

Maybe even a mayoral one.

Joey the lips

Affable wrote: »

He said the Irish people are innately decent. Do you agree or was he over-romanticising?

You have to ask yourself was he being handed a brown envelope by someone Irish at the time....:D

BTT: If he said anything less i think he would be stupid. He is hardly going to say. "The Oirsh are a bunch of wasters who spend there day complaining and moaning rather than supporting each other"

No he is not over reacting just doing his job

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

Sleipnir

Affable wrote: »

He said the Irish people are innately decent.

So where's Bertie from then?

I'm not sure it bears too much analysis. It's not the most earth shattering comment.

Ahern sneezed. But he did it in a sneaky way. Was it linked to corruption or an upcoming election? I don't have to join the dots for you people...

sceptre

Humanities. Moved from Politics.

Dave!

I agree with him

It's one of the few principles/philosophies that I agree with pretty much; not just Irish people, but all people in general are innately good. If put in particular environments, or exposed to particular stimuli, they may react badly at times. But in normal, benign circumstances, where they have adequate resources for their family and theirselves, most people will treat others well.

paddyland

If the Irish people are innately decent, given no untoward outside circumstances, then Ahern, more than anyone else in the history of this state, is guilty of corrupting and subverting that innate decency, and trying to turn the Irish into a nation of ravenous, grasping, unethical whores.

It's going to take generations to right the damage, and it may be irreparable. What a thing to have as your legacy.

Affable

Scien wrote: »

I think its a humble statement from him and one i'd believe to be true.
When you overlook the social problems with our youth, Criminal thuggery & the incessant moaning/begrudging, you're left with a decent, honest, hardworking Nation.

Yeah. Do you think you are less corrupted than us English?

And I won't be offended.

Affable

Dave! wrote: »

I agree with him

It's one of the few principles/philosophies that I agree with pretty much; not just Irish people, but all people in general are innately good. If put in particular environments, or exposed to particular stimuli, they may react badly at times. But in normal, benign circumstances, where they have adequate resources for their family and theirselves, most people will treat others well.

It's an optimistic view perhaps, commendable one perhaps. My cynicism has been increased, as a Brit, by British politics. I don't know if Ireland is pretty much the same or is by nature much different to England/Britain.