Bertie Ahern rejoins Fianna Fail

Yes, but thee is also context. It wasn't on national tv, or at a debate etc….he was caught off-guard, so to speak. Not saying it was wise what he said, as it wasn't really; but it was correct in my view.

So you missed the part where I said it could be construed as racist langage….not sure what you're disagreeing with….

My wider point was that labeling people racist has been utterly diluted lately.

Few days ago there was a very articulate person of color on BOC radio show discussing Berties's comments who said pretty much what I said…that people can say things that can be perceived/construed as racist, but that doesn't always mean that the person is a racist!. This is what has happened to Bertie!

you’re exactly what’s all wrong with societal debate on racism. Straight to the racist card, straight to the jugular no matter how innocuous the situation…nobody is saying what he said was not racist, and was perfectly fine. But it was hardly ku klux klan stuff… you want to label him a racist based off this one situation

MODE EDIT: Warned for attacking poster

You're confused because you want to lump in everything said as being racist, or could be construed as racist as the same. It is not the same….there are some truly vile racists out there, and not everything that is said has the same menace and nastiness as regards racism. So there are absolutely levels to racism as regards what is said and done!

this is the huge issue with society. your take here is that what he said as regards taking refugees into Ireland from the Congo is no different than vile racists out there who say things like black people are sub-human etc…

You're failing to even consider context here is the problem. Labeling people racist for thinking we should not be so free to allow them access to our country because of bbehaviors in their country, crime statistics etc is wrong..

My take is simple: Bertie stumbled over what he was trying to say/convey, and used unwise language, (yes, inappropriate), but to label him a racist person based off this is both wrong and dangerous, as it whips up aggro and hostility.

Ya wana' see actual racism, go watch some insta videos…..some absolute vile people out there

Both sides.

You've dumped two links, one to a very expensive book, and said nothing about either of them.

Ahern said something racist. Therefore, he is a racist. It's very simple. The only surprising thing is his saying the quiet part out loud. Invoking Auschwitz for your both sides is frankly disgusting.

f the next house had a voter of African heritage bertie would be ingratiating himself with them about how important their contribution is to Ireland. 

As maybe. But for the few minutes he was at that door, he was racist.

Being racist is never 'spot on'.

Somalia 34th out of 193 countries on the organised crime index and Nigeria 8th..

So you keep moving goalposts and obfuscating. I’ll rely on statistics. And I’ll agree with Bertie’s take here on immigration to Ireland from some African countries!! And Congo ranked higher than both these countries.

And to add: how would I feel if Ireland was labeled a country of thieves and criminals? Well, if we ranked very very highly on the crime list, I’d feel we deserved to be called out on it. Why on earth would the truth hurt here? And nobody, Bertie included said any country was a country full of thieves and criminals. You’re bringing this into it.

He targeted a specific group as a threat to this country. That is racism.

You can try excuse it, dilute it, handwave, but that is what it is.

organised crime index figures..it’s listed on there.

But like I thought, you’re only interested in obfuscating. No matter what statistics are presented, you will not accept. That’s obfuscating.

Accept what? That all people from Somalia are criminals?

That’s the problem with racism (all forms or levels) it’s dangerous generalising.

Have at discussing concerns, that is legitimate, but don't generalise or indulge racism, whoever does it.