The Legacy of Brian Lenihan

Cookie_Monster

Paddysnapper wrote: »

Very sad news....He will be a great loss to the nation. And his family.

oh, come on...
he (among others) presided over the biggest scandal in Irish history, handing billions of banking debt over to the public and lied constantly to the same public about what was going on.

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Ye may feel that's harsh but he imposed hardship and suffering on tens of thousands of Irish people due to his financial decisions as minister and did it all without regret and with a smile on his face.

EDIT:
FYI, I did not create this thread, it was split by one of the Mods from another

meglome

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

oh, come on...
he (among others) presided over the biggest scandal in Irish history, handing billions of banking debt over to the public and lied constantly to the same public about what was going on.

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Ye may feel that's harsh but he imposed hardship and suffering on tens of thousands of Irish people due to his financial decisions as minister and did it all without regret and with a smile on his face.

While personally I'm sorry that a man this young with a family has died I won't miss him in politics. That 2008 blanket bank guarantee was a monster fúckup and trying to blame the ECB for 'making' him do it didn't help his credibility. I can't really understand why people found him so believable, probably the same reasons why people liked Tony Blair at the time.

radharc

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

oh, come on...
he (among others) presided over the biggest scandal in Irish history, handing billions of banking debt over to the public and lied constantly to the same public about what was going on.

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Ye may feel that's harsh but he imposed hardship and suffering on tens of thousands of Irish people due to his financial decisions as minister and did it all without regret and with a smile on his face.

What a prick u are

He had a few hours to make one of the biggest decisions in Irish history, at the time most of "the experts" agreed he had no other real alternative. Few, no matter what their financial circumstances now, would doubt that he honestly felt he was making the decision in the country's interests.

Helium

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

oh, come on...
he (among others) presided over the biggest scandal in Irish history, handing billions of banking debt over to the public and lied constantly to the same public about what was going on.

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Ye may feel that's harsh but he imposed hardship and suffering on tens of thousands of Irish people due to his financial decisions as minister and did it all without regret and with a smile on his face.

Oh come on yourself.... surely that comment is for another thread another day!!!


Personally thought he gave his best through sickness and all.

RIP and condolences to family

meglome

radharc wrote: »

What a prick u are

He had a few hours to make one of the biggest decisions in Irish history, at the time most of "the experts" agreed he had no other real alternative. Few, no matter what their financial circumstances now, would doubt that he honestly felt he was making the decision in the country's interests.

While I wouldn't agree with the harsh nature of cookie monsters post I also wouldn't agree that the man was some sort of saint. Many people in Ireland are suffering directly from BL's actions and I don't buy what he did was in the country's best interests. I think his buddies in the banks got him to do things he really shouldn't have and we're all paying for it.

COYW

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

oh, come on...
he (among others) presided over the biggest scandal in Irish history, handing billions of banking debt over to the public and lied constantly to the same public about what was going on.

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Ye may feel that's harsh but he imposed hardship and suffering on tens of thousands of Irish people due to his financial decisions as minister and did it all without regret and with a smile on his face.

I doubt that you would have done any better, far worse I dare to suggest, given the same information with the same time-frame to make that call. The man could have easily given up, blamed his illness and walked away but he put his country first and battled on. Whether you agree or disagree with his decisions, you can't deny him that.

RIP

Aidric

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Disgusting stuff. Hope you're proud of yourself.

I have a lot of admiration for the fact that he was fighting battles in both his personal and professional life. RIP.

ardmacha

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

I don't think these sentiments are acceptable. We may all wish the political end of a politician, but his death as a person, husband and father should be a cause for regret.

RIP.

Frank Black

Although I’m not a fan of the policies pursued by FF I would have had a lot of respect for him. My only dealings with him were at a public meeting arranged by local residents when the M50/N4 junction was being upgraded (would have been before he became a minister). He impressed me because unlike the other couple of local representatives present, he didn’t play to the gallery and tell people what he thought they wanted to hear. He also seemed to know more about the legislation involved than any of the other politicians.
Seemed like a very honest politician – and we could have done with more like him.

eigrod

RIP.

For those who say he put his country before his health, he certainly did, but to the detriment of both the country & his health, imo.

When the diagnosis was first made, it was clear that the life expectancy & chances for full recovery were very low. Personally, I think he should have stepped down at that stage because nobody with that illness could give 100% to what was the most important job in the country at that time.

dan_d

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

oh, come on...
he (among others) presided over the biggest scandal in Irish history, handing billions of banking debt over to the public and lied constantly to the same public about what was going on.

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Ye may feel that's harsh but he imposed hardship and suffering on tens of thousands of Irish people due to his financial decisions as minister and did it all without regret and with a smile on his face.

As a radio report I heard said..."he was a son, a father and a husband".

He was all of those things before he was a politician.

At times like this, you simply say rest in peace and leave it at that.

Nobody deserves to die like that at such a young age.

RIP.

irishh_bob

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

oh, come on...
he (among others) presided over the biggest scandal in Irish history, handing billions of banking debt over to the public and lied constantly to the same public about what was going on.

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Ye may feel that's harsh but he imposed hardship and suffering on tens of thousands of Irish people due to his financial decisions as minister and did it all without regret and with a smile on his face.

could your post not have waited untill tomorrow at least ?

LXFlyer

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

oh, come on...
he (among others) presided over the biggest scandal in Irish history, handing billions of banking debt over to the public and lied constantly to the same public about what was going on.

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Ye may feel that's harsh but he imposed hardship and suffering on tens of thousands of Irish people due to his financial decisions as minister and did it all without regret and with a smile on his face.

There is a time and a place for comments/assessments like this. This is certainly not it.

As posted above this is a man who (like him or not, or agree with his decisions or not) put his role as Minister for Finance before his personal health. He has left a young family behind now with no father.

Quite frankly, in my opinion you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Have a bit of cop on and think before you type this sort of stuff.

Yet another life and family's life has been again destroyed by this terrible disease that strikes without warning. Having personal experience of relatives passing away from it I feel for the Lenihan family. They need all the support they can get.

RIP.

CiaranC

maupat wrote: »

A rare beacon of intelligence in Irish politics - my sympathies and condolences to his family.

Are we really going to have to put up with people spouting nonsense like this just because the chap died. Beacon of intelligence indeed.

Cookie_Monster

lxflyer wrote: »

There is a time and a place for comments/assessments like this. This is certainly not it.

Quite frankly, in my opinion you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Have a bit of cop on and think before you type this sort of stuff.

you wouldn't all be spurting RIP if it was some common criminal who died today, would you? In my eyes that's exactly what he is, it'll be proven in time for what he did to this country and it's people... Just like Haughey was.

I won't apologise for that post, nor retract it.

but of course, how dare I speak out with a different opinion, we all have to be nice today cos he died, like it changes something all of a sudden.
What about all the other people in Ireland who passed away today, where's their condolence? But they were just common folk, not some glorious politician we can all circle jerk about and pretend we knew and liked.

BlaasForRafa

irishh_bob wrote: »

could your post not have waited untill tomorrow at least ?

Indeed, I have my own feelings about his record but for the moment condolences are due to his family. RIP.

It might be a useful suggestion for someone to set up a thread on Brian Lenihans record in office and leave this thread for those who want to give their condolences without getting into a more contentious debate.

LXFlyer

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

you wouldn't all be spurting RIP if it was some common criminal who died today, would you? In my eyes that's exactly what he is, it'll be proven in time for what he did to this country and it's people... Just like Haughey was.

I won't apologise for that post, nor retract it.

but of course, how dare I speak out with a different opinion, we all have to be nice today cos he died, like it changes something all of a sudden.
What about all the other people in Ireland who passed away today, where's their condolence? But they were just common folk, not some glorious politician we can all circle jerk about and pretend we knew and liked.

It's not that you have a different opinion - thankfully we all differ about things in life.

It's how and when you express it. I would happen to think that your timing is (to say the least) very poorly ill-judged, and that you could have been far more tactful, rather than charging in like a bull in a china shop.

Brian Lenihan's deeds while he was Minister for Finance will be judged over time, and he may well be found to have made wrong decisions. But frankly a discussion of that is better served elsewhere than in a thread entitled "Brian Lenihan RIP".

As for anyone else who has died, I am sure that the people who knew them are mourning them. Brian Lenihan was a public figure and of course far more people will comment on it.

His death is frankly shocking, given he is only 52, appeared to have recovered, and more pointedly worked throughout his illness - you may not agree with his decisions but the fact remains that he put his personal health to one side, and has left a young family behind without a dad.

ardmacha

but of course, how dare I speak out with a different opinion, we all have to be nice today cos he died, like it changes something all of a sudden.

There is a time and place for everything. Sometimes you have to be capable of just not speaking out.

What about all the other people in Ireland who passed away today, where's their condolence? But they were just common folk, not some glorious politician we can all circle jerk about and pretend we knew and liked.

People are aware of public figures. You cannot have a plausible thread about people that others are unaware of, whatever their merit.

irishh_bob

irishh_bob wrote: »

could your post not have waited untill tomorrow at least ?

By tomorrow history will be rewritten

JonathanAnon

Deleted User wrote: »

By tomorrow history will be rewritten

Just came on to post something similar.. RTE have already started blaming "the international crisis" for the situation that he was in.. Disappointed in Pat Kenny..

aislingirwin93

The nasty comments of some people on here never cease to amaze me. 'won't be sorry to see the back of him' sorry, did you know him personally? Who gives you the right to post comments so disrespectful on here? He has two teenage daughters, how would you feel if your Father died at the mere age of 52 after a long public battle with cancer? Your comments are nasty and uncalled for and unwanted. Go start your own thread of hatred, because I'm sure it'll be just you.

RIP Brian.

_Kaiser_

I have to agree with Cookie_Monster on this one..

While on a personal level I am sorry for his family's loss and he's died very young after a painful illness which no one deserves etc etc... so on THAT level, RIP

At the same time that doesn't change his actions while in office and the decisions he made which have plunged this country into a downward spiral it will probably not recover from for a long long time.

Just because the man has died today doesn't change or erase or "make good" any of that - and it is those other posters who are now "outraged" that someones DARES point that out who should be ashamed of themselves when yesterday and no doubt tomorrow they themselves were expressing the same opinions!

Of course this is the same Irish people/country that gave one Charles Haughey a hero's funeral after everything HE'D done to the country too so I can't say I'm surprised - more bemused really. :rolleyes:

steelcityblues

JonathanAnon wrote: »

Just came on to post something similar.. RTE have already started blaming "the international crisis" for the situation that he was in.. Disappointed in Pat Kenny..

How do you think Pat Kenny's lasted so long in Montrose? I'm not so shocked to hear this revisionism.

CiaranC

ardmacha wrote: »

There is a time and place for everything. Sometimes you have to be capable of just not speaking out.

So he should just put up with endless proagandist tributes to Lenihan? The man was Finance Minister through the period which has led us into two hundred million euro plus of debt and has effectively destroyed our republic.

Are we championing Cowen and Aherne as paragons of virtue and great servants to the nation today, or is it business as usual with those cretins because they havent died? I think I can guess.

Fair enough if people want to express personal condolences to the man, but he was no hero, he was a failed politician that did irreperable damage to our country. Dying does not absolve him of anything.

Denalihighway

lxflyer wrote: »

It's not that you have a different opinion - thankfully we all differ about things in life.

It's how and when you express it. I would happen to think that your timing is (to say the least) very poorly ill-judged, and that you could have been far more tactful, rather than charging in like a bull in a china shop.

Brian Lenihan's deeds while he was Minister for Finance will be judged over time, and he may well be found to have made wrong decisions. But frankly a discussion of that is better served elsewhere than in a thread entitled "Brian Lenihan RIP".

As for anyone else who has died, I am sure that the people who knew them are mourning them. Brian Lenihan was a public figure and of course far more people will comment on it.

His death is frankly shocking, given he is only 52, appeared to have recovered, and more pointedly worked throughout his illness - you may not agree with his decisions but the fact remains that he put his personal health to one side, and has left a young family behind without a dad.

+ 1

you're missing the point Cookie Monster. The man died this morning. Yes other people died today but they weren't public figures so naturally they're not being discussed. That's reality.

A lot of us might agree with your thoughts, but most of us will also agree that you can keep your ranting for another day and another thread.

RIP Brian. What miserable cards you were dealt in fairness...

aislingirwin93

Nobody ever said dying absolved him of anything, I'm sure what people are trying to say is simply have some respect. The man died a few hours ago, let it rest for today. People are upset.

Flibbles

aislingirwin93 wrote: »

Nobody ever said dying absolved him of anything, I'm sure what people are trying to say is simply have some respect. The man died a few hours ago, let it rest for today. People are upset.

There's also thousands more who've been upset for at least a year, and will remain upset for quite some time.

murpho999

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I have to agree with Cookie_Monster on this one..

While on a personal level I am sorry for his family's loss and he's died very young after a painful illness which no one deserves etc etc... so on THAT level, RIP

At the same time that doesn't change his actions while in office and the decisions he made which have plunged this country into a downward spiral it will probably not recover from for a long long time.

Just because the man has died today doesn't change or erase or "make good" any of that - and it is those other posters who are now "outraged" that someones DARES point that out who should be ashamed of themselves when yesterday and no doubt tomorrow they themselves were expressing the same opinions!

Of course this is the same Irish people/country that gave one Charles Haughey a hero's funeral after everything HE'D done to the country too so I can't say I'm surprised - more bemused really. :rolleyes:

All fair enough, but was it necessary to say these things today with Mr Lenihan not even cold.

He was a politician. We can always argue about his policy mistakes and time in government.

"We saw the back of him", when Fianna Fail lost the election.

He was 52, too young to die, no matter who you are and think out of respect to his family, respect should be shown and there will be plenty of time after to analyse his career.

Finally, Lenihan was a new minister of finance on the night of the bank guarantee and was forced into making a quick decision.

The real fault of Ireland's problems lie with Brian Cowen, when he was Minister for Finance and Bertie Ahern was Taoiseach.

DoneDL

DoneDL wrote: »

RIP, never doubted his commitment or sense of public service.

Service to who ? Anglo and Sean Quinn?? Dont rewrite history we the people got screwed.

RIP Lenihan is fine but if people make comments about how great he supposedly was then it should be fair game.

A young man with a family died today dont try turn it into a propaganda show. That would be a disgrace.

Tayla

At the end of the day I find it absolutely amazing that people can speak about Brian the way they do, that he was so great and he did a good job despite his illness etc.

I'm sorry but I can't help but think of how different things could be if this had happened a few years earlier, I have never said anything like that before in my life but this man and Fianna Fail have caused me to feel like that, How when not even a century had gone by since they were formed did they go from wanting to do what was best for the country to the greedy robbing pushovers to Europe they became?


I had a family member who committed suicide as a result of the effects of this recession on his life, he tried and tried to get a job and nothing, there was no help for him, do you think Brian Lenihan would have read a newspaper and given him a second thought? Of course he wouldn't have.

This man and his decisions have changed most peoples lives in Ireland for the worst but yet only the people who don't want to say anything bad about him are allowed to speak.

He caused the anger against him, he's the reason some of us are still fuming at him, we're not just evil people who don't give a s**t that someone has died but he is the one that caused it.

I'm sorry if my opinion sickens some of you but to be honest it genuinely sickens me that for the next few days we'll have to listen to what a great man he was.

later12

Why do you say this

murpho999 wrote: »

He was 52, too young to die, no matter who you are and think out of respect to his family, respect should be shown and there will be plenty of time after to analyse his career.

when you then just go on to say this

Finally, Lenihan was a new minister of finance on the night of the bank guarantee and was forced into making a quick decision.

The real fault of Ireland's problems lie with Brian Cowen, when he was Minister for Finance and Bertie Ahern was Taoiseach.

These latter two points are two highly contestable claims. I have nothing against Brian Lenihan but he was an ineffective Finance Minister who made some really brutal decisions. He would have known that himself, wel all know that too, thats fine. If you want to suggest that nobody criticise Leniahn today, thats fine, that is understandable.

But please do not patronise our intelligence with the above.

JonathanAnon

steelcityblues wrote: »

How do you think Pat Kenny's lasted so long in Montrose? I'm not so shocked to hear this revisionism.

Christ, Newstalk are at it now... It seems they have the same "Dallas Syndrome" that Míchael Martin had when he took over as FF leader... He didnt just "land in the position of Minister For Finance" when everything was wrong.. he fully SUPPORTED all of the FF policy for the previous two terms of Government (including Charlie McCreevy's mismanagement of Finance) that actually caused our economic problems.. I feel sorry for the guy and his family, but I hate when people soften the hard facts just because a person has passed on..

ardmacha

Kaiser2000 wrote:

I have to agree with Cookie_Monster on this one..

The point is Kaiser2000 that your post does not agree with Cookie_Monster, as you do not welcome his death, although you note the disastrous outcome of his actions.

So he should just put up with endless proagandist tributes to Lenihan? The man was Finance Minister through the period which has led us into two hundred million euro plus of debt and has effectively destroyed our republic.

He was Finance Minister and his record remains and we all pay for it.
But welcoming his death is unacceptable and saying that it is nonsense to describe him as intelligent is plain prejudice.

CiaranC

aislingirwin93 wrote:

People are upset.

Youre damn right they are.

murpho999 wrote: »

The real fault of Ireland's problems lie with Brian Cowen, when he was Minister for Finance and Bertie Ahern was Taoiseach.

Yeah, we'll blame them right up until they die - then we'll give them state funerals and call them heros. Its the Irish way.

Di0genes

For those insisting on respect and decorum it's the politics forum FFS. Of course the man's politics will be discussed here.

In my opinion the blanket bank guarantee was singularly the worst decision made in the history of state. Lenihan's claims and lies in the past years "cheapest bank bailout in history" and "the IMF are not coming here" did the the greatest disservice of any Minister ever in the history of state.

He bankrupt the nation.
I can't bring myself to hate the man, but with his health in such a perilous condition he should not have taken on board such strenuous duties.

He's done more damage to this country than anyone living or dead, and so I'll never been in the mood to eulogise his contribution to our country. It is a terrible fate to befall his family and friends. But I can't help but wonder about the debt burden he's placed on this country. The invariable cuts to our already shambolic health service are inevitable thanks to his work. Many young men and women will die because of these cuts, and their family members won't be comforted by eulogises in news papers and Pat Kenny.

motherriley

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

oh, come on...
he (among others) presided over the biggest scandal in Irish history, handing billions of banking debt over to the public and lied constantly to the same public about what was going on.

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Ye may feel that's harsh but he imposed hardship and suffering on tens of thousands of Irish people due to his financial decisions as minister and did it all without regret and with a smile on his face.

Well, that is rich consider that all politicians are the same, all in it for themselves and for their families first and perhaps the poor job public will get a look in if they are big earners.

I could unstained you saying something like that about Bin Liner but a very good man that was working hard and doing his best despite his illness that he must have known that there is no cure for....

R.I.P Mr. Lenihan

murpho999

later10 wrote: »

Why do you say this
when you then just go on to say this
These latter two points are two highly contestable claims. I have nothing against Brian Lenihan but he was an ineffective Finance Minister who made some really brutal decisions. He would have known that himself, wel all know that too, thats fine. If you want to suggest that nobody criticise Leniahn today, thats fine, that is understandable.

But please do not patronise our intelligence with the above.

I'm not patronising, but the truth is that the country was in recession and banks were in trouble before he was Minister for Finance.

These came about because of Cowen's & Ahern's economic policies.

Lenihan, was then left and confronted with the problems.

You can debate all day about his actions since then, whether the bank guarantee was right or not, but the fact is that he was not the cause of recession or bank collapse.

boogerballs

murpho999 wrote: »

RIP Brian Lenihan.

I can't believe some posters here.

Thinking he deserved to die because of bank guarantee.

Unbelievable. Glad they don't run the country.

Ah FFS come on now - No-one has said he deserved to die because of bank guarantee. Where from any of the posts did you get this from???

murpho999

boogerballs wrote: »

Ah FFS come on now - No-one has said he deserved to die because of bank guarantee. Where from any of the posts did you get this from???

See below: I used bank guarantee as that his most famous policy decision.

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

oh, come on...
he (among others) presided over the biggest scandal in Irish history, handing billions of banking debt over to the public and lied constantly to the same public about what was going on.

I for one am not sorry to see the back of him.

Ye may feel that's harsh but he imposed hardship and suffering on tens of thousands of Irish people due to his financial decisions as minister and did it all without regret and with a smile on his face.

Denalihighway

Tayla wrote: »

At the end of the day I find it absolutely amazing that people can speak about Brian the way they do, that he was so great and he did a good job despite his illness etc.

I'm sorry but I can't help but think of how different things could be if this had happened a few years earlier, I have never said anything like that before in my life but this man and Fianna Fail have caused me to feel like that, How when not even a century had gone by since they were formed did they go from wanting to do what was best for the country to the greedy robbing pushovers to Europe they became?


I had a family member who committed suicide as a result of the effects of this recession on his life, he tried and tried to get a job and nothing, there was no help for him, do you think Brian Lenihan would have read a newspaper and given him a second thought? Of course he wouldn't have.

This man and his decisions have changed most peoples lives in Ireland for the worst but yet only the people who don't want to say anything bad about him are allowed to speak.

He caused the anger against him, he's the reason some of us are still fuming at him, we're not just evil people who don't give a s**t that someone has died but he is the one that caused it.

I'm sorry if my opinion sickens some of you but to be honest it genuinely sickens me that for the next few days we'll have to listen to what a great man he was.

how many people have called him "great"?

i'd tend to agreee with you. i just don't feel the need to dance on his grave. not today.

steelcityblues

Happyman42 wrote: »

RIP and condolences to his family.






If you lose your humanity then you have truly lost everything and are absolutely bereft and adrift in a sea of pointless hate and bile. You are only to be pitied.

We could equally ask, when did Lenihan show his humanity in his actions as Finance Minister?

BehindTheScenes

One less for the gallows as far as I'm concerned. I find it laughable people saying things such as the man was a beacon of light. The man put the average people of this nation into bondage to save Anglo, Sean and the gang.

dirtynosebeps wrote: »

i have on occassions had the pleasure of meeting the man. no matter what you think or say, to me he was one of the more decent politicans we've ever had. he was mixed up with the wrong crowd, but like his father was made a scape goat. F.Y.I. for those of that thought brian was bad wait till you see whats around the corner.
i ask you all that post attacks on brian lenihan
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone."
R.I.P. brian, you will be sadly missed by all.

Two things

(a) He chose to go in to public service.

(b) I don't like FG but they're tied in to this sh1tty deal because of Brian.

JonathanAnon

murpho999 wrote: »

The real fault of Ireland's problems lie with Brian Cowen, when he was Minister for Finance and Bertie Ahern was Taoiseach.

I think Charlie McCreevy was far more cuplable.. His pompous, arrogant manner set the tone for that FF Government.. and you even hear anecdotally now just how much damage he alone did to our reputation in Europe, with his "strutting about the place"..

I've read stats that he added 40% to the public sector pay bill between 1999-2003.. He was at the helm (of Finance) at the point where a genuine economic boom ended, in about 2001, and was superceded by a property boom.. He was certainly the wrong pensonality type to put in such a position of power, and Ireland is still paying for his mistakes, while he runs around the world being headhunted by private business..

Happyman42

steelcityblues wrote: »

We could equally ask, when did Lenihan show his humanity in his actions as Finance Minister?

Hanging in there and doing his job when he was going through the toughest part of his in-humane treatment, maybe? the 'throw everything at it' phase. Have you ever witnessed close hand what that is like for a person for weeks and months after?

To somebody humane that means his motivations weren't personal...they may have been misguided but evil they weren't.

later12

BehindTheScenes wrote: »

The man put the average people of this nation into bondage

Bondage?

Is this officially an AH thread now, or what?

I supposed he raped the country, you know, after he sold us into slavery. Lot of victimhood in politics this afternoon.

_Kaiser_

Di0genes wrote: »

For those insisting on respect and decorum it's the politics forum FFS. Of course the man's politics will be discussed here.

Exactly.. and as such perhaps all this RIP and instant revisionism belongs in After Hours or Humanties or something.

The true indictment and proof that we really are getting what we deserve as a nation, is this instant absolution of a man who presided over the ruin of our country to preseve the interests of a chosen few. Brian Lenihan didn't just "drop" into the job - he was a long serving and senior FF party member who sat there agreeing with the decisions made by his colleagues and predecessors right up until they were ejected from political office - only THEN did we hear stories of being pressured by Europe and backed into a corner etc etc.
He served the interests of his party, not his country and no amount of "RIP"s and hollow endorsements of how great he was is going to change that.

The true disgrace is the attitude on this thread that just because a man has died (and as I've already acknowledged, on a personal level I have every sympathy for his family and children) we should all just shut up, bow our heads and mouth the platitudes so that everyone "feels" better.

Well I'm sorry but we're far beyond that point and if we still haven't woken up to the reality we're facing as a nation as a result of this man's actions and choices (including the choice to lie/support lies to the people about the IMF being called in, the size of the debts etc etc) then we really haven't learned anything and we really are the soft touches our political and economic masters - at home AND now abroad - take us for!

Hermy

Happyman42 wrote: »

Have you ever witnessed close hand what that is like for a person for weeks and months after?

Yes, and that's why I think he was wrong to remain on as Finance Minister.

Scofflaw

I think there's plenty of time (and forum space) to discuss his political legacy - as indeed there already has been. Usual rules apply for RIP threads - comments like "one less for hanging" are not acceptable, and people should know that without having to be told.

moderately,
Scofflaw

ben.schlomo

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

you wouldn't all be spurting RIP if it was some common criminal who died today, would you? In my eyes that's exactly what he is, it'll be proven in time for what he did to this country and it's people... Just like Haughey was.

I won't apologise for that post, nor retract it.

but of course, how dare I speak out with a different opinion, we all have to be nice today cos he died, like it changes something all of a sudden.
What about all the other people in Ireland who passed away today, where's their condolence? But they were just common folk, not some glorious politician we can all circle jerk about and pretend we knew and liked.

The man was a public figure hence the public condolences. Local people also receive this from their community. You dont agree and clearly abhor what has happened via his decisions but the has passed untimely and left behind a wife and family. Have a little common decency at least.

RIP and sympathies to his family.

BehindTheScenes

later10 wrote: »

Bondage?

Is this officially an AH thread now, or what?

I supposed he raped the country, you know, after he sold us into slavery. Lot of victimhood in politics this afternoon.

Bondage: A state of being greatly constrained by circumstances or obligations.

Lenihan transferred the debts of the major banks in this country on to the heads of the citizens of this state. He also left the current gov with a terrible deal that it has to implement.

Hence the word bondage.

Flibbles

BehindTheScenes wrote: »

Hence the word bondage.

That and he was part of the group that tied us down and...you get the rest.

Though we didn't get a safe word.