I love Michael D. Higgins

Legs.Eleven

As the title says, I love him. My eyes fill with tears and the cockles are warmed good n proper thinking of the integrity and sincerity of this man. He really gives a shit and as someone not living in Ireland, I feel proud to have such an intelligent, cultured and kind man representing my country. We need more like him. If ever I'm in total despair over the state of the world, I think of him and men and women of his ilk and know deep down, we're not completely fcuked. This man is special and his passion, desire for change and optimism are contagious

If you didn't see his speech yesterday in Brussels, it's really worth watching (although it's 30 minutes long so be prepared).

Michael D. Higgins, I salute you!

To quote two bits from the speech that stood out for me:

The suggestion that citizens and their representatives are not fiscally or economically literate enough to carry the decision making necessary for policies that impinge on their lives – be it unemployment, housing, health, education or the environment – has the most serious implications in legitimacy terms. It is an assumption that challenges democracy itself.

From the flux of diverse histories, from our current problems, from our fears and our aspirations I hope will emerge a response that constitutes a tapestry of many colours, of different strengths in its threads; and, in its design, evocative of what memory has made endure, and the human spirit has invested with hope. Whether it is made out of wondrous reason or woven with a prayer will not matter.

and

If we were, as an alternative, to regard our people as dependent variables to the opinions of rating agencies, agencies unaccountable to any demos, and indeed found to be fallible on occasion, then instead of being citizens we would be reduced to the status of mere consumers; pawns in a speculative chess board of fiscal moves in a game derived from assumptions that are weak, untestable or more frequently undeclared

Edit: I forgot the link to the speech: http://www.thejournal.ie/michael-d-higgins-speech-european-parliament-873314-Apr2013/

BraziliaNZ

He seems lovely but shame he doesn't have a real job

Seachmall

I once met Michael D. Higgins on a night out. About two hours later I had my head kicked in by two gentlemen wielding pipes during an unprovoked attack.

I think it's fairly clear that your "warm", "proper thinking" and "sincere" leader put a hit out on me.

I'll never forgive him for that. All I did was ask for a photograph.


(True story).

Merkin

I LOVE the man.

The Backwards Man

I always imagine him sitting on an enormous chair stroking an enormous cat like Blofeld in the Bond films.

Legs.Eleven

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

He seems lovely but shame he doesn't have a real job

He has more power than you realise. I've met more Spaniards who know of him than Enda. Strong, positive international representation is vital for Ireland right now. He's projecting the right image for our country.

Legs.Eleven

Merkin wrote: »

I LOVE the man.

Me too. *Swoon*

smash

Well now, who'd have thought good aul Michael D was a bit of a pussy magnet...

davet82

yeah mickey d is cool...

dark crystal

He does seem like a genuinely lovely man. Thank feick that dolt from Dragon's Den didn't get elected instead.

crockholm

smash wrote: »

Well now, who'd have thought good aul Michael D was a bit of a pussy magnet...

Fridge magnet would be closer to scale

WayneMolloy

Socialist on 200 large tells other socialists on a 100 large a year that we should treat everyone equally. Id say there was a lot of mutual backslapping and champagne scoffing after the speech. Meanwhile, the working lad who actually pays their salaries, is lucky if he has enough for a few pints at the end of the week.

jaja321

Yeah, I'm a big fan too. I have a lot of respect for the man. One of the few with real integrity.

dinneenp

Before he was THE MAN I asked him via e-mail to open a small photography exhibition we had in a library in Galway. I had never met him before but he did it & was very nice.

Madam

Och, he's lovely so he is:D:cool:

not yet

Ah...but would you ride him.

Foxhound38

An absolute gent and a credit to the country - people moan about the salary but I think he's worth every penny. One of the last inspirational Statemen we have left, we could really do with a few more like him!

What he was doing in the Looper Party for all those years I'll never know

Forest Demon

His last speech leaving the dail was one of the best summaries of Irish politics I have ever heard. If you have not seen it then you should listen to it in its entirety. He talks about how the system and bureaucracy let the people down. He talks about the failure of the republic of Ireland. He is spot on in a lot of areas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJJ5q1_5jX8

Gilmore on the other hand

jaja321

Forest Demon wrote: »

His last speech leaving the dail was one of the best summaries of Irish politics I have ever heard. If you have not seen it then you should listen to it in its entirety. He talks about how the system and bureaucracy let the people down. He talks about the failure of the republic of Ireland. He is spot on in a lot of areas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJJ5q1_5jX8

Have watched that before - an amazing speech.

the_monkey

dark crystal wrote: »

He does seem like a genuinely lovely man. Thank feick that dolt from Dragon's Den didn't get elected instead.

I know , I mean can you imagine ?

That would be all Ireland needed, a sociopathic greedy banker

S28382

I loved him in Lord of the Rings.

RayM

This here is a typical example of the sort of person who dislikes Michael D. Higgins:

WayneMolloy wrote: »

Socialist on 200 large tells other socialists on a 100 large a year that we should treat everyone equally. Id say there was a lot of mutual backslapping and champagne scoffing after the speech. Meanwhile, the working lad who actually pays their salaries, is lucky if he has enough for a few pints at the end of the week.

No criticism of the content of his speech - just a vacuous remark about how much he earns.

Forest Demon

the_monkey wrote: »

I know , I mean can you imagine ?

That would be all Ireland needed, a sociopathic greedy banker

An example of how stupid a large section of Irish society are. If he put Berties Team on his poster he might have got elected (jesus wept). Maybe some see themselves in greedy bankers and do not realise it?

Anyway a bullet dodged with that clown nearly getting elected.

Spanish Harlem

WayneMolloy wrote: »

Socialist on 200 large tells other socialists on a 100 large a year that we should treat everyone equally. Id say there was a lot of mutual backslapping and champagne scoffing after the speech. Meanwhile, the working lad who actually pays their salaries, is lucky if he has enough for a few pints at the end of the week.

Well said Wayne. Difficult home truths don't go down too well amongst our liberal middle classes
My biggest gripe with Higgins is his lack of principles and utter bare-faced hypocrisy. In his younger days, he made a career out of denouncing America as evil (on the government pay-roll of course) and now his job is to kiss their ass and bring American investment into the country. He spends his days socialising amongst Wall Street capitalists, shaking hands and telling them how wonderful they are.

Foxhound38

RayM wrote: »

This here is a typical example of the sort of person who dislikes Michael D. Higgins:



No criticism of the content of his speech - just a vacuous remark about how much he earns.

Blah, blah, blah, salary, blah, blah, blah, pension, blah, blah, blah, socialist, blah, blah, blah, leprochaun etc...

Generally goes something like that, with a dollop of not actually understanding the contraints of the Presidency thrown in ("if he's so great, how come we have XYZ laws I don't like!?")

RayM

Another nice little example of right-wing idiocy:

Spanish Harlem wrote: »

My biggest gripe with Higgins is his lack of principles and utter bare-faced hypocrisy. In his younger days, he made a career out of denouncing America as evil (on the government pay-roll of course) and now his job is to kiss their ass and bring American investment into the country.

Criticising American foreign policy somehow becomes "making a career out of denouncing America as evil".

Eimear811

It's his birthday today! I'd love to give him the birthday bumps....

Duggys Housemate

Ok, let me criticize his speech ( as someone who has been called a Marxist by Boards resident libertarians, although I am a centrist. But not a fan of mickey D).

The suggestion that citizens and their representatives are not fiscally or economically literate enough to carry the decision making necessary for policies that impinge on their lives – be it unemployment, housing, health, education or the environment – has the most serious implications in legitimacy terms. It is an assumption that challenges democracy itself.

Maybe it does, but the fact is neither Ireland's electorate or it's representatives understood the boom; instead promoted the boom, and disregarded the talk about bubble. The ECB is also to blame, as interest rates were kept too low, but if we follow Micky D's logic here everything should be controlled by the People and Their Representatives; central banks should not be independent of citizens, local representatives should have sole control over planning rather than appeals by An Taisce, An Bord Pleanala, or opposition from county managers, or Engineers.

From the flux of diverse histories, from our current problems, from our fears and our aspirations I hope will emerge a response that constitutes a tapestry of many colours, of different strengths in its threads; and, in its design, evocative of what memory has made endure, and the human spirit has invested with hope. Whether it is made out of wondrous reason or woven with a prayer will not matter.

Waffle, and surely it does matter if policy is based on reason, or prayer ( he may mean religious prayer, or poetic prayer - hope - but in either case he is wrong. It should be reason).

If we were, as an alternative, to regard our people as dependent variables to the opinions of rating agencies, agencies unaccountable to any demos, and indeed found to be fallible on occasion, then instead of being citizens we would be reduced to the status of mere consumers; pawns in a speculative chess board of fiscal moves in a game derived from assumptions that are weak, untestable or more frequently undeclared

This is ok, as we should hold experts to account. ( If we work behind the waffle that is what he is saying). This is separate from saying that representatives should make decisions without independent agencies, or central banks, being in control. However when they fail, the experts should be held to account by law, or parliamentary commission.

But most people just read his speech and felt warm and fuzzy, it was bollocks in 2 of 3 points, and obvious in the last.

vicwatson

On the Papa Smurf !

returnNull

I like him.He was especially on the ball when he tore that right wing fuktard mikey graham(george hooks lover from boston) a new as$hole at a public debate in ireland.

WayneMolloy

RayM wrote: »

This here is a typical example of the sort of person who dislikes Michael D. Higgins:



No criticism of the content of his speech - just a vacuous remark about how much he earns.

When one is earning 200k plus and pontificating about youth unemployment, of course the money factor has to be mentioned. This lad earns six times the average industrial wage and has been working for the state all his life. What does he know about job creation?

The Peig Sayers wannabe is part of the problem, not the solution.

Da Shins Kelly

His poetry is sh*te.

FloatingVoter

He reminds me of a small penis with feet. I expect he'll be on Doctor Who one of these days.

returnNull

WayneMolloy wrote: »

When one is earning 200k plus and pontificating about youth unemployment, of course the money factor has to be mentioned. This lad earns six times the average industrial wage and has been working for the state all his life. What does he know about job creation?

The Peig Sayers wannabe is part of the problem, not the solution.

a persons income has f-all to do with their opinions.And he doesnt just pontificate about youth employment anyways.

He has no control of the wage settings for the position he's in.He also took a voluntary pay reduction of near to 25% (which will be afaik will apply to the next president) and isnt drawing any pension he's entitled to while in office

http://www.president.ie/statement-from-president-michael-d-higgins-regarding-voluntary-salary-reduction/

Also if you're that pis$ed off what he earns wayne perhaps spend your spare time hassling your local TD to get his pay scalechanged and not muslims going to prayer?Just an idea...

Jimoslimos

Here is an example of a great speech he gave in DE a few years back. Eloquent and passionate. He has been a great servant to the country and I don't begrudge him the position he now holds. Certainly more capable than others half his age (or twice his size!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9cSSH6imyM

Duggys Housemate

Whats he "capable" of? What would his philosophy, if implemented mean?

He's a priest of Leftism, like a liberal Anglican. Right on cant, no substance.

I love him too soz I do. hes a legend.

c_man

RayM wrote: »

No criticism of the content of his speech - just a vacuous remark about how much he earns.

Oh come on, he's always been a champagne socialist. Considering his views and speeches, that's a fair enough criticism.

But sure he seems immune to any type of real criticism, can you imagine the furore if Sean G was President and they had him running back to the country at midnight to approve that last banking deal? He knew he was too old when he announced his retirement pre-election 2007 but was talked into running by Eamon cos Labour would definitely have lost the seat. His election merely returned the presidency to what it once was, a retirement home for lifetime politicians.

c_man

returnNull wrote: »

I like him.He was especially on the ball when he tore that right wing fuktard mikey graham(george hooks lover from boston) a new as$hole at a public debate in ireland.

Calling someone a wanker, what a debater.

WayneMolloy

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

He has more power than you realise. I've met more Spaniards who know of him than Enda. Strong, positive international representation is vital for Ireland right now. He's projecting the right image for our country.

When he visited America my facebook page lit up comments from American friends ripping the absolute piss out of us for voting in an actual leprechaun.

Kenny, on the otherhand is well respected abroad and seen as a statesman.

I have no gra for either of the two men - but to claim that this worsel gummage looking midget represents us well abroad is a joke.

WayneMolloy

returnNull wrote: »

Also if you're that pis$ed off what he earns wayne perhaps spend your spare time hassling your local TD to get his pay scalechanged and not muslims going to prayer?Just an idea...

What is it with you lefties and trying to tell me what to do? I have one asking me to vote yes to a hypothetical referendum I said I would abstain from voting in, another pming me to respectively ask me to stop starting threads, another......

Ah, f*ck it. Probably time to shut down the account.

Odd people.

rgmmg

Seems harmless enough but likes the sound of his own voice! Eloquent, but a grade A waffler! :pac:

returnNull

WayneMolloy wrote: »

What is it with you lefties and trying to tell me what to do? I have one asking me to vote yes to a hypothetical referendum I said I would abstain from voting in, another pming me to respectively ask me to stop starting threads, another......

Wasnt telling you anything,I merely suggested you contact your local TD,seeing as you're a man of action.

Ah, f*ck it. Probably time to shut down the account.

Thats understandable.May I recommend http://www.stormfront.org/forum/ where you'll find like minded people and a place where lefties/queers/**** and muslims are very thin on the ground.

Best of Luck in your future endeavours Wayne,while your posts were mildly irritating although the laugh factor always made reading them worthwhile.

WayneMolloy

S28382 wrote: »

I loved him in Lord of the Rings.

He was better in Saw.

Andy-Pandy

I know some of his kids, they are a credit to him. Sounder bunch you couldnt meet.

squod

WayneMolloy wrote: »

When one is earning 200k plus and pontificating about youth unemployment, of course the money factor has to be mentioned. This lad earns six times the average industrial wage and has been working for the state all his life. What does he know about job creation?

The Peig Sayers wannabe is part of the problem, not the solution.

Michael D fiddling while Rome is burning. Árashole.

karma_

WayneMolloy wrote: »

What is it with you lefties and trying to tell me what to do? I have one asking me to vote yes to a hypothetical referendum I said I would abstain from voting in, another pming me to respectively ask me to stop starting threads, another......

Ah, f*ck it. Probably time to shut down the account.

Odd people.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

anncoates

He's also crazed enough to attend League Of Ireland football on a regular basis so he gets my vote.

GRMA

He spent far too much time criticizing things like apartheid and ignoring human rights violations and such at home... particularly in the north.

A decent head though

RayM

WayneMolloy wrote: »

When one is earning 200k plus and pontificating about youth unemployment, of course the money factor has to be mentioned. This lad earns six times the average industrial wage and has been working for the state all his life.

His earnings are about as relevant as his physical appearance. And only a complete idiot would suggest that a person's appearance should preclude them from being president.

WayneMolloy wrote:

What does he know about job creation?

Do you think the President of Ireland should be an expert on job creation? Do you know anything about the presidency? Are you one of those people who voted for Sean Gallagher, in the belief that the president can create lots of jobs?

WayneMolloy wrote:

Ah, f*ck it. Probably time to shut down the account.

I'm sure you'll be sorely missed...

Arpa

15:00mins

"So therefore be proud to be a decent American, rather than be just a wanker whipping up fear."

If you don't want this guy as President of our country then get out.