Obama Visit

timmywex

Everyone is getting excited about the Queen at the moment and rightly so!

Just wondering does anyone have any info on Obama visit next week? Or if they've read anything on it? Theres been such heavy coverage on the Queen that there hasnt been much on him. If theyre still planning an open air thing surely details would be announced soon!

mike65

Nope! Too much of a security risk apparently, that and he'll be in and out within a working day.

Trhiggy83

I passed through moneygall today and their was four garda checkpoints, 2 on either side of the village. Also their was a serious amount of cops in the village also which was gas. The one thing that i did notice is the amount of flags, they have alternating irish/american flags on poles every 10 metres on each side of the road for the entire length of the village. Im sorry if i p*ss anyone off here but it looks absolutely awful. I know the locals are putting there best foot forward but it just looks very strange in my opinion. Surely he will only be expecting to see a small village. It looks weird to be honest, keep an eye out on the tv for it and the amount of flags there.

Killer Pigeon

Apparently the US President will have to skip Moneygall - this was according to some journalist (forget the name), not too reliable I think.

Son Of A Vidic

Man is his timing bad, how does he follow up the symbolism and a truly historical visit by the Queen?

loldog

Well I'm hoping he gets a good reception with large crowds so as not to damage his chances of re-election.

The world is a far safer place with a Democrat in the White House rather than some nutjob fundamentalist Republican.

.

caseyann

loldog wrote: »

Well I'm hoping he gets a good reception with large crowds so as not to damage his chances of re-election.

The world is a far safer place with a Democrat in the White House rather than some nutjob fundamentalist Republican.

.

I would be worried if the Americans gave a damn what way he was recieved here, and to sway their vote on that.

How exactly he is carrying out exact same procedures as everyone else?

Fr Tod Umptious

caseyann wrote: »

I would be worried if the Americans gave a damn what way he was recieved here, and to sway their vote on that.

How exactly he is carrying out exact same procedures as everyone else?

i usually never agree with what you have to say here caseyann but you are spot on.

Obama is very little different from Bush when it comes to Foreign Policy and at the end of the day he is not going to win or loose the election on what he did for 24 hours in Ireland 18 months prior to election day.

Sand

While its important not to over-exaggerate things, its also important to recognise that Irish politicians and figures will have relatively decent access to Obama for even 24 hours. It will be important that we do everything we can to ensure he leaves with good memories and a favourable impression of Ireland and Irish people. We need as many friends as we can get right now, and with the decline of the Irish-American lobby (especially with the ending of the Troubles) we are increasingly going to have to do the legwork to maintain good relations with the US rather than relying on Irish-Americans to do it for us.

If we sleep on it, we may be surprised to find future US presidents unavailable on St. Patricks Day due to pressing national concerns, and gradually be pushed down the ranking until the Taoiseach is delivering the bowl of shamrock to a bemused aide of the US Ambassador in Dublin 4.

Killer Pigeon

Well it looks like Fine Gael are up in arms over the visit. Don't you think their new advertising campaign is a bit of a waste of taxpayers money though?

thebman

timmywex wrote: »

Everyone is getting excited about the Queen at the moment and rightly so!

Just wondering does anyone have any info on Obama visit next week? Or if they've read anything on it? Theres been such heavy coverage on the Queen that there hasnt been much on him. If theyre still planning an open air thing surely details would be announced soon!

I hear the book respository in the Northern part of Moneygall gives the best view.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkadcDO3X3U

I'm kinda glad they are going over the top in Moneygall as the whole thing is a bit ridiculous and their over the top attitude is making a bit more entertaining.

It is kind of just an occasion for everyone to enjoy themselves IMO and after the royal visit which was quite formal despite being also an enjoyable ocassion, it had some tension surrounding it.

Very few people have anything against Barack Obama and most Irish people are fine with America so it is a much more relaxed occasion.

later12

thebman wrote: »

Very few people have anything against Barack Obama and most Irish people are fine with America so it is a much more relaxed occasion.

How did you reach this conclusion?

I mean fair enough, I assume you're guessing, but then again I think there is also a reasonable chance that you are wrong in suggesting that most Irish people are 'fine with America'.

They might be unlikely to go out and shoot Obama, and they might indeed welcome Obama both to Ireland and in his capacity as a world leader. Nevertheless this does not in itself imply a positive view of the USA in other respects.

Fr Tod Umptious

A few days back news reports were refering to the event at College Green as a 'celebration'.
I am not sure if they still are using that term, but I would love to know what exactly we should be celebrating ?

Edit
I see they are still using it

The President will speak at a public celebration on College Green in Dublin, following performances from a range of Irish musical entertainers.

GSF

I'm uneasy that Democratics Abroad are openly calling this a rally to bolster his re-election prospects in the US.

Ireland shouldnt be taking sides in US politics or allow itself to be used for such in the context of a state visit.

-maccer-

Just wondering if anybody knows what the situation is regarding water at the college green event today. I understand that you are not permitted to bring water in but will they be selling water in there? Don't fancy standing around for 6 hours without anything to drink.

Happyman42

What a contrast to last week, an arrival that was truly the meeting of equals, had genuine warmth and respect.

But were was Inda?

dan_d

If he has any sense he's sheltering from the rain somewhere!I drove around the airport about an hour ago (en route to elsewhere); and the security presence was unbelievable....gardai and military.And they were getting absolutely drenched.Unfortunate weather!

GSF

Happyman42 wrote: »

What a contrast to last week, an arrival that was truly the meeting of equals, had genuine warmth and respect.

LOL - not sure which event you are describing as a meeting of equals. Especially when the US President arrives with enough helicopters to obliterate the Aras if he chose to

loldog

Happyman42 wrote: »

What a contrast to last week, an arrival that was truly the meeting of equals, had genuine warmth and respect.

But were was Inda?

This is not an official State Visit. Much less pomp and ceremony.

.

Laois_Man

later10 wrote: »

How did you reach this conclusion?

I mean fair enough, I assume you're guessing, but then again I think there is also a reasonable chance that you are wrong in suggesting that most Irish people are 'fine with America'.

They might be unlikely to go out and shoot Obama, and they might indeed welcome Obama both to Ireland and in his capacity as a world leader. Nevertheless this does not in itself imply a positive view of the USA in other respects.

I'm getting more annoyed with all this rubbish about how America are our great friends.

Contreversial as this may be, we have learned over the last 6/7 months, the only Government that are our friends are the British government.

Mary McAleese was only supposed to get 2/3 minutes meeting with Obama. She got about half an hour - and I hope she or government officials in Farmleigh later won't play it TOO nice and do nothing but kiss his arse and I hope the name Timothy Geithner will be mentioned in disparaging tones a few times!

Fr Tod Umptious

later10 wrote: »

How did you reach this conclusion?

I mean fair enough, I assume you're guessing, but then again I think there is also a reasonable chance that you are wrong in suggesting that most Irish people are 'fine with America'.

They might be unlikely to go out and shoot Obama, and they might indeed welcome Obama both to Ireland and in his capacity as a world leader. Nevertheless this does not in itself imply a positive view of the USA in other respects.

Well I personally am fine with America but I do not like Obama, is that allowed ?

Liam Byrne

I wonder whether those who were supposedly protesting at the Queen of England because of their involvement in the invasion of Iraq will be protesting today ?

Fair play to the guy who was just on TV3 for holding up a "no war" mini-banner!

True respect and friendship is based on speaking your mind, and if we have a "special relationship" with the USA then we should be able to state the facts.

Happyman42

Liam Byrne wrote: »

I wonder whether those who were supposedly protesting at the Queen of England because of their involvement in the invasion of Iraq will be protesting today ?

What's the point? They've taken the signs down...SOLD!

Fr Tod Umptious

Interesting how this is making very little news in parts of the US which you would expect it to be.

On boston.com, the website of the Boston Globe and a portal for loads of stuff related to Boston, which is possibly the most Irish city in the US, has nothing about it on it's home page

You have to go to News -> World before you see anything, and it's halfway down the page

Sand

@Fr Tod Umptious

Interesting how this is making very little news in parts of the US which you would expect it to be.

On boston.com, the website of the Boston Globe and a portal for loads of stuff related to Boston, which is possibly the most Irish city in the US, has nothing about it on it's home page

You have to go to News -> World before you see anything, and it's halfway down the page

Obama is only here for a single photo op, sipping (not downing) a Guinness in moneygall for whatever very minor effect it will have on his ratings in the US and possibly to pay off a few favours to one or two Irish-American politicial figures who still have our back.

We need to ensure we take full advantage of the opportunity to persuade Obama to be favourably disposed to Ireland and our interests.

Colm McCarthy has already pointed out how Enda Kenny might be able to drop a few thoughts on who the next IMF head should be which is a critically important issue for Ireland, as the IMF is the only thing saving us from the full fury of the ECB and our EU partners. Obviously the IMF post wont be decided by what Kenny thinks, but it will be heavily dependant on what Obama thinks and we have a chance to sway his thinking.

FionnMatthew

I would like to have seen more recognition in the media of the information that has been disclosed about how the Obama administration applied his Look Forward Not Backward policy as regards Bush administration torture-related crimes.

Obama's administration leaned on the Spanish government to quash a Judge Garzon torture investigation into six Bush officials for torture of Spanish citizens. The evidence for this is in one of the State Department documents disclosed by Wikileaks.

Under s. 3 of the Criminal Justice (Convention Against Torture) Act 2000, this is a serious crime in Ireland:

3.—A person, whatever his or her nationality, whether within or outside the State, who—

(a) attempts to commit or conspires to commit the offence of torture, or

(b) does an act with the intent to obstruct or impede the arrest or prosecution of another person, including a person who is a public official, in relation to the offence of torture,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.

I understand that it is not politically expedient to arrest the U.S. President on Irish soil. I've heard that every time I've brought this up. But does it not trouble anyone else that we've heard so little mention - so little discussion - about this?

Sand

I understand that it is not politically expedient to arrest the U.S. President on Irish soil. I've heard that every time I've brought this up.

By all means, you should wander down to the College Green tonight and make a citizens arrest.

dan_d

This visit isn't intended to do anything for his ratings in the US - I think his aim is to work on his relationships with Europe. I can't imagine the American news could give 2 curses about what Obama's up to today - it's just another political outing for their president, I would think.Except, possibly, if he has a pint.

FionnMatthew

Sand wrote: »

By all means, you should wander down to the College Green tonight and make a citizens arrest.

Very smart.

What does it mean, though, that people are making jokes about this sort of thing?

I have friends who were unwilling to protest the welcome of a torture suspect in Irish streets, because they weren't completely sure that they would get neither arrested nor shot.

steelcityblues

Most people don't really care because they actually want to 'believe' in ruthless politicians like Obama. Believe that they are God like and will do whats best for humanity.

Of course it is far from the truth, but just seeing the yapping Moneygall locals on my TV screen confirms this delusion.

GSF

I would expect the devastation from the tornadoes is going to top US news today, so this will get relatively low billing in the US

jmayo

Well this visit is going to have one moment immortalised, the moment when the beast, one of the symbols of the might of the US president, got beeched as it exited the US Embassy carpark in Ballsbridge.

Can't wait for next episode of HIGNFY on BBC or Jay Leno.

And before anyone makes jibes about Irish roads the exit is US Territory.
It's their fault if they couldn't figure out the exit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKym-Zi3mOQ

Laois_Man

It#s been streamed live on the CNN website since he went into the pub!

JonathanAnon

Dear god what is Enda doing.. sounds like he is giving the half time talk to an under 14 hurling team..

steelcityblues

JonathanAnon wrote: »

Dear god what is Enda doing.. sounds like he is giving the half time talk to an under 14 hurling team..

I know - it is unintentionally hilarious!

blondeonblonde

Time to get off the stage Enda!

JonathanAnon

Good job they put up the bulletproof glass in case somebody might shoot Tubridy, all the same..

steelcityblues

JonathanAnon wrote: »

Good job they put up the bulletproof glass in case somebody might shoot Tubridy, all the same..

Why would you waste time shooting somebody who is mediocre?

Lapin

Jesus Christ :eek:

When America was gripped by depression what did we send them?

Tens of thousands of packets of shamrocks.

I bet that cheered them up no end.

eagle eye

I have been wondering where he was getting his cues from at times during that speech and it doesn't appear he was reading anything.

If he wasn't then the man is a phenomenal orator. I've always thought he was very, very good anyways but that was just brilliant.

KeithAFC

I think he messed up the proper George Washington quote.

grizzly

Enda shouldn't have talked for so long. Obama's speech wasn't among his best, but it was well pitched for the audience.

WhiteRussian

Gilmore is such a pseudo-intellectual. Smug, arrogant, stuck-up and self-important.

Happyman42

The ****e we love listening to about ourselves....and now we love talking it about ourselves. (Dear god Inda!!! :o




At least RTE might stop gushing about yer wan now!:rolleyes:

Killer Pigeon

Iceland is jealous about all the publicity Ireland is getting.

It farts sends ash in our general direction.

thebman

later10 wrote: »

How did you reach this conclusion?

I mean fair enough, I assume you're guessing, but then again I think there is also a reasonable chance that you are wrong in suggesting that most Irish people are 'fine with America'.

They might be unlikely to go out and shoot Obama, and they might indeed welcome Obama both to Ireland and in his capacity as a world leader. Nevertheless this does not in itself imply a positive view of the USA in other respects.

Most Irish people are fine with America. During the boom, many went on weekend shopping trips to New York, many go on holidays and work in America too.

Many more don't give a crap about America but don't really have a negative view on America, they are fine with it the way it is or we would see much larger protests against what America is up to IMO.

eagle eye wrote: »

I have been wondering where he was getting his cues from at times during that speech and it doesn't appear he was reading anything.

If he wasn't then the man is a phenomenal orator. I've always thought he was very, very good anyways but that was just brilliant.

They were on the left and right sides of him so every time it looks like he is looking over the crowd, he can have a quick glance to remind himself about what is coming up next.

Essexboy

Yet another foreign visitor forced to drink that black muck.
Ireland = Guinness Guinness = Ireland
is the perpetual message.

Can any Head of State visit Ireland without being dragged down the pub (or similar)? What are the odds on David Cameron bringing Obama to the Pride of Pimlico for a swift half? No, did not think so.

Killer Pigeon

WhiteRussian wrote: »

Gilmore is such a pseudo-intellectual. Smug, arrogant, stuck-up and self-important.

Like most socialists :P

southsiderosie

jmayo wrote: »

Well this visit is going to have one moment immortalised, the moment when the beast, one of the symbols of the might of the US president, got beeched as it exited the US Embassy carpark in Ballsbridge.

Can't wait for next episode of HIGNFY on BBC or Jay Leno.

And before anyone makes jibes about Irish roads the exit is US Territory.
It's their fault if they couldn't figure out the exit.

Someone's head is going to roll - that presented a huge security risk to the president.

Essexboy wrote: »

Yet another foreign visitor forced to drink that black muck.
Ireland = Guinness Guinness = Ireland
is the perpetual message.

Can any Head of State visit Ireland without being dragged down the pub (or similar)? What are the odds on David Cameron bringing Obama to the Pride of Pimlico for a swift half? No, did not think so.

If I ever become La Presidenta and visit Ireland, I will be sure to ask for a whiskey rather than a pint.

baztard

Essexboy wrote: »

Yet another foreign visitor forced to drink that black muck.
Ireland = Guinness Guinness = Ireland
is the perpetual message.

Can any Head of State visit Ireland without being dragged down the pub (or similar)? What are the odds on David Cameron bringing Obama to the Pride of Pimlico for a swift half? No, did not think so.

David Cameron and England don't have such a world recognised, symbolic, respected and cultural beer to offer Obama. If he did he probably would offer it to him. Obama wasn't dragged anywhere, he was clearly enjoying himself today, he appeared incredibly relaxed. The perpetual message shown was Ireland = Welcoming, Welcoming = Ireland. And if having a pint of a beer that helps draw hundreds of thousands of tourists here each year helps reaffirm that then its a very positive thing.

later12

southsiderosie wrote: »

Someone's head is going to roll - that presented a huge security risk to the president.

Huge? I think you're overstating things there. His Beast was beached in the most protected gateway of the most protected embassy in the most peaceful and unremarkable suburb in the country, surrounded by US and Irish officers, and the US President never emerged nor faced an exposure.

I very much any heads will roll for that, and I think the suggestion that this was a huge security risk is a little paranoid.