Leonard Hofstadter wrote: » I have to say, this thread is incredibly frustrating to read. We have the same few blaming Fine Gael for everything they've done and for every problem there is, both real and imagined. It's rinse and repeat. I simply don't know how anyone can stay that 'annoyed' and 'outraged' 24/7/365 and post non-stop about it on boards (and presumably other political discussion forums). I keep hoping we might have something that's related to the topic at hand, you know... Government formation since Fine Gael evidently decided not to 'just do nothing' as per the title in the OP. Every little thing Leo does is supposedly awful or insensitive, or the worst thing ever, no matter what it is. It's just pathetic. It's not for nothing that the term 'Shinnerbot' was invented. There are tactics here straight out of the Trump playbook; constant negativity, whataboutery, deflection and of course, looking for something, anything to criticise Leo / FG for. Of course I'm not for a second suggesting that FG should be above criticism - but I think most of us can distinguish between criticism based on things they've actually done as opposed to the constant 24/7/365 whinging and moaning about absolutely everything. It really does remind me just how unrepresentative discussion forums and other forms of social media are of what the public at large thinks.
Leonard Hofstadter wrote: » I have to say, this thread is incredibly frustrating to read. We have the same few blaming Fine Gael for everything they've done and for every problem there is, both real and imagined.
Of course I'm not for a second suggesting that FG should be above criticism -
mattser wrote: » Great post. They're on speed dial. Far too much time on their hands, and despite that, they cannot construct anything coherent. Same old BS that racks up their tens of thousand posts that could have been covered in 10 or 12.
McMurphy wrote: » Just curious John, what category does this fellow party member get assigned under?https://twitter.com/jimdundrum/status/1270148218723209216?s=19
efanton wrote: » I am well aware of that, I dont think Blanch is though. Maybe I should have been more blunt, I assumed most would have been intelligent enough to see the point I was making. Its obvious from the poll that at least some of those that support SF have also agreed that Leo has done a reasonably good job. If only FG supporters agreed he could not possibly have got the 75%. Likewise people who would not vote for SF have obviously agreed that Mary Lou has done a good job. That was my point, and the point I made further down in my post. Its a poll that has little relevance if there was a general election.
blanch152 wrote: » I don’t disagree with you, there are some SF supporters who think he has done a good job. Sadly, it seems that we are stuck n here with the small rump of the permanently outraged who don’t share that view.
blanch152 wrote: » Brilliant post, but if you look carefully, it is the same two or three posters on every thread criticising FG and they end up as the top posters in threads like this. It is pretty sad to see people whose lives are so miserable that they have to spend their life criticising FG 24/7, or defending SF 24/7, or repeating the same memes and photos 24/7. 75% approval rating which means even some SF supporters think he’s doing a good job, which just shows you how sad they are.
dundalkfc10 wrote: » Anytime someone says anything negative about FG you are down their throat giving out calling them Shinners etc. It's as if don't like FG you must be SF so FG go on the attack. The days are over of people believing politicians when they attack each other, like Leo having a go at SFs rates of social welfare in North. Everybody knew he was talking ****e, a quick Google confirmed it
efanton wrote: » I am well aware of that, I dont think Blanch is though.
blanch152 wrote: » I suppose the difference between your view of the what he did and the view of the rest of us is that Varadkar has a 75% popularity rating, and you have a couple of cranks on Twitter and a handful of boards posters agreeing with you. Pretty easy to see where the balance of the public view lies.
efanton wrote: » 75% popularity rating? Really? You massaging reality again to fit into your own deluded imaginary world?
efanton wrote: » Obviously someone cant count Leo Vandakar 75% up 45 Mary Lou 49% up 8 Micheal Martin 46% up 16 Eamonn Ryan 40% So somehow 210% of the population got to vote?
dundalkfc10 wrote: » According to the Irish Times Michael D will tell FF they must talk to SF if this shambles does not get over the line
Mortelaro wrote: » SF handed Social Welfare power back to London, you are aware of that yeah? London didn't grab it, SF just gave it away and with it any powers to cushion the most vulnerable from austerity in the north
JohnnyFlash wrote: » SF might get a go yet.....
dundalkfc10 wrote: » Im well aware of the reasons behind it. Does not change fact SF do not set the rates up North (which Leo said they did) He LIED to get a dig in, end of
McMurphy wrote: » Heard it on Newstalk this morning on the drive into my office, Leo has changed his stance on what happens if the Greens/FF do not get the pfg over the line. Last week it would be "a political crisis" This week it's "it could result in an FF/SF govt" which is actually what he meant last week, but we can assume someone clipped his wings and told him to wind the neck in and dial the rhetoric down a bit.
blanch152 wrote: » An FF/SF government would be a political crisis.
JohnnyFlash wrote: » I’d love to see it to be honest. So much change. Change everywhere.
Pintman Paddy Losty wrote: » Shinners very very nervous at the prospect of having to go in to government. Wonder why?
JohnnyFlash wrote: » The hurler on the ditch gets a sudden and unexpected shout from the manager to pull on the jersey and play a bit of county hurling, Paddy. Used to plenty of talk about the game, but will now have to do more than talking. They aren’t even sure they really support the team they’ve been asked to play for to be honest, Paddy.
McMurphy wrote: » Hoping to see an FF FG Coalition myself Johnny, with the shinners as the main opposition, I'll give it prob 12 months tops, before one devours the other, and will then result in a proper SF v FFG dail rather than the last almost century of FF v FG who don't really have any ideological differences between their policies anyway, save for which side of the civil war someone's grandaddy fought in. 2 cheeks of the same arse. When that fails - and they inevitably cock up, the shinners will be in prime position.
blanch152 wrote: » You could hear it with Mary-Lou on the radio. Trying to shift the onus onto FF. The numbers are there without FF and FG, but she isn't willing and she isn't able to pull that coalition together, so shifting the responsibility.
dundalkfc10 wrote: » Oh this is getting to you big time She clearly stated she would reach out to all parties last night on The Tonight Show.
is_that_so wrote: » She has tried and failed already. FG won't do a deal with her, a position they've stated and one that would coincide with a lot of FG voters. Even a proposed deal wouldn't get past the PP. I'd also be surprised to see FF endorse one either so it's back to all the rest, where, if you take out Labour, they would barely have the numbers just on a raw count of TDs, for a very unwieldy government.
