McAleese in Russian visit

dlofnep

Mary McAleese is on a tour of Russia at the moment, which included a meeting with current Russian president, Medvedev. Issues discussed were international relations, and improving trade and investment between the two states.

Say what you will about McAleese, but she always seems to be actively involved in trade missions on Ireland's behalf. I feel that her work is often under appreciated, and that the role of president is often overlooked.

This is the first time an Irish president has visited Russia since diplomatic relations began in 1973.

http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/09/09/19571449.html
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=15475017&PageNum=0
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100909/160525660.html

Einhard

Isn't Russia involved in brutal wars in Chechnya, Igueshetia, Dagestan and other Caucasus states? Didn't she brutalise the Chechens and destory Grozny? Aren't her elections suspect to say the least? Shouldn't peple be protesting this visit like, I dunno, they would be were mcAleese visiting Israel?

dlofnep

One post in, and we're already discussing Israel. This is going to go down well. :rolleyes:

karma_

Einhard wrote: »

Isn't Russia involved in brutal wars in Chechnya, Igueshetia, Dagestan and other Caucasus states? Didn't she brutalise the Chechens and destory Grozny? Aren't her elections suspect to say the least? Shouldn't peple be protesting this visit like, I dunno, they would be were mcAleese visiting Israel?

You forgot Georgia and South Ossetia.

Einhard

dlofnep wrote: »

One post in, and we're already discussing Israel. This is going to go down well. :rolleyes:

Well I think it's relevent. I'm an admirer of a consistent approach to live.

karma_ wrote: »

You forgot Georgia and South Ossetia.

Didn't want to over egg the pudding!

karma_

Einhard wrote: »

Well I think it's relevent. I'm an admirer of a consistent approach to live.

You were not so slow to criticise me for bringing the US into the Cuba debate

Einhard

karma_ wrote: »

You were not so slow to criticise me for bringing the US into the Cuba debate

Feck off you!!:D

Don't see how the two are linked to be honest. Unless you're gonna blame America for Russia's crimes in the Caucasus' too :pac:

chughes

Maybe she should have got pissed on the flight over and then refused to get off the plane at the airport. We'd call it a draw then.

wes

I think we need a new version of Godwins law, where all conversations inevitably end in people talking about Israel for some reason.

As for the Russia, I would understand protests if the Russian President was visiting here, but it doesn't make much sense the other way round, as it would probably be ignored.

Fratton Fred

I see the president as having two primary roles. The first being promoting Irish interests abroad, the second dissolving a corrupt, unpopular Dail that has lost the confidence of the people.

Looks like Mary's only doing half a job at the moment.

Einhard

wes wrote: »

I think we need a new version of Godwins law, where all conversations inevitably end in people talking about Israel for some reason.

As for the Russia, I would understand protests if the Russian President was visiting here, but it doesn't make much sense the other way round, as it would probably be ignored.

Godwin is used to shut down debate; I'm trying to expand debate. Big difference.

And if McAleese visited Israel, you can be sure there'd be a huge bruhaha over it in the media, and on boards.

wes

Einhard wrote: »

Godwin is used to shut down debate; I'm trying to expand debate. Big difference.

Oh dear, Godwins law is about how all conversations eventually result in someone talking about the Nazi's:

Godwin's law

Godwin's law (also known as Godwin's Rule of Nazi Analogies or Godwin's law of Nazi Analogies)[1][2] is a humorous observation made by Mike Godwin in 1989 which has become an Internet adage. It states: "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1."[3][2] In other words, Godwin put forth the sarcastic observation that, given enough time, all discussions—regardless of topic or scope—inevitably wind up being about Hitler and the Nazis.

Its seems to me that, something similar is happening in regards to Israel. In that someone will bring it up regardless of the actual topic, and try and make things all about Israel. So my comparison is perfectly apt in regards to Godwin's law, in that some people seem to want to bring up Israel regardless of the topic.

Einhard wrote: »

And if McAleese visited Israel, you can be sure there'd be a huge bruhaha over it in the media, and on boards.

Yes, and I could easily give several examples of other countries that pull all sorts of crap, that don't get protested etc either. For example, Saudi Arabia, which easily treats Women far worse than Iran does any day of the week, doesn't get nearly as much media attention/condemnation/protests as Iran, where at least Women can drive. I can use the exact same tactic to defend pretty much anyone, even Iran.

The lack of protests/attention/condemnation against Saudi Arabia, doesn't change the merits of protests/attention/condemnation against Iran, and the same applies to Russia and Israel.