Coveney . . Anti Irish Twit-ter

Drumpot · 16-09-2010 03:30PM #1

There is a movie called "Idiocracy". It is set in the future and shows a world populated by complete idiots. There is a scene that reminds me of the reaction and enjoyment some people get from politics in this country. In the movie, our hero's are being chased by the police. When the police start shooting up one of their cars, local people start cheering them on (because its entertaining). In fact, its so enjoyable, the guy whos car is being blown to pieces, starts to cheer them on aswell. Oh how I chuckled at this fictional comedy . I mean who cheers on the destruction of something thats at their expense, right ? :rolleyes:

Ok . .

So Brian Cowen did a very poor interview and anybody who saw it , can come to their own conclusions as to his "health" at the time. Im sure if somebody had brought it up in the Dail it would of been embarrasing for the Taoiseach, but no doubt it wouldnt of gotten the same media attention.

So . .

Simon Coveney decides that in the interest of the Irish people, he should not only raise this concern, but do so in the broadest manner possible. On an online medium for the whole world to enjoy.

Why would he do that ?

I was going to write loads of rhetorical questions but I will say it straight out that he did it SOLEY for self serving gratification, to net a few populist voters and did so at the expense of the credibility of the Irish People abroad.

Putting the words "Drunk" and "Taoiseasch" in the same sentence was shameful at best and only served to back up the drinking Irish Culture that we have tried so hard to shake off.

Ah, but if it hastens Cowen's departure, sure wont it be worth it ? FF are gone in the next election. No need to sabotage our countries reputation aswell.

"But sure I didnt vote for FF". Does anybody think that really makes a differance internationally ? They are our government, the Irish people voted them in. They are our ambassadors to the world!!!

I am just disgusted at Coveney and the levels that it appears some politicians will go to "convince" the populist voters, like the country in that idiocracy movie (the president of the U.S. was a moronic wrestler!).

This kind of practise is certainly prevelant in most parties (mud throwing) and its disgusting. When will people of this country grow up and realise that while it can be enjoyable to watch an unpopular politician get a rollicking, in the likes of these cases it does effect the country's credibility and can have adverse effects on foreign investment.

What is most disgusting is that a large amount of people in this country will lap it up and vote based on stupid things like this as if Coveney was some sort of hero.

I dont care who our Taoiseach is or which Party he is from. I dont enjoy watching our country be the laughing stock of the world . .

Nijmegen · 16-09-2010 03:38PM

RTE were getting bombarded with texts, emails and calls (they say) before Coveney tweeted. (The word 'tweeted' is becoming an amusingly dirty one in Irish politics. A platform for a politician to make plain-statements to the public at large with no editing... My word, how Greek democracy is back in fashion.)

Coveney hit the nail on the head with his tweet, and even without it the story would have got legs.

I listened and thought the idiot sounded drunk or hungover, and recalled those road safety ads you see in pub jacks, talking about how long a unit of alcohol takes to wear off, and would you be fit to drive the next morning.

At 0830 Cowen had been in bed no more than 4 hours, and I doubt he had 2 pints.

tim_holsters · 16-09-2010 03:49PM

Perhaps the OP was bullied by Coveney at school it's the first thing I thought of when I read that delusional rant.

So you don't like our country being the laughing stock of the world? Who does? But if we've got a clown as Taoiseach...

Drumpot · 16-09-2010 03:51PM

tim_holsters wrote: »

Perhaps the OP was bullied by Coveney at school it's the first thing I thought of when I read that delusional rant.

So you don't like our country being the laughing stock of the world? Who does? But if we've got a clown as Taoiseach...

Since we are thin on the ground with decent replies I will must ask, why am I delusional ?. .

Wile E. Coyote · 16-09-2010 03:56PM

I have to say this whole thing has been blown out of porportion and is an absolute embarassment for the country. So the Taoiseach gave a sh!t interview and may or may not have had a few drinks the night before. WHO GIVES A FLYING F*CK!!!

Coveney saw the oppertunity for a very low cheap shot and he took it. Says a lot more about the type of person he is than anything else.

Di0genes · 16-09-2010 03:57PM

I find this backlash against Coveney to be the most hilarious piece of FF spin in a long time.

It's not Coveney's fault the Taoiseach sounded "unwell" in an interview. It's the taoiseach's own fault. The blame lies squarely with him.

goose2005 · 16-09-2010 04:05PM

Presumably when your father downed half a bottle of whiskey, and you yelled at him that he was a useless drunk, your mother blamed you for letting the neighbours hear...

tim_holsters · 16-09-2010 04:12PM

Drumpot wrote: »

Since we are thin on the ground with decent replies I will must ask, why am I delusional ?. .

As somebody else has said RTE were being bombarded with texts calls and emails before Covenay entered the fray.

This interview had legs whether Covenay became instrumental in it's aftermath or not. To think otherwise is just daft.

Brian Cowen is to blame for the entire matter. You think otherwise therefore I think you're delusional.

Just in this regard you understand. So far.

Which football team do you support, if any?

steelcityblues · 16-09-2010 04:15PM

There seems to be a lot of FFers, who have mysteriously forgotten how the 24 hour time system works in the past few days. Bless them!

kmick · 16-09-2010 04:16PM

Thankfully you cant yet get arrested for pointing out something that everyone else knows.

Wile E. Coyote · 16-09-2010 04:18PM

Di0genes wrote: »

I find this backlash against Coveney to be the most hilarious piece of FF spin in a long time.

I'm not a FF supporter so I don't buy into any of the 'spin'. I'm just not a fan of a 'professional' posting childish remarks about a colleague to try gain popularity.

It's like me coming to work on a Monday morning and sticking an announcement on the notice board that Joe Bloggs came into work hungover. Without my post a few people would have noticed and ignored it but once I post it everyone is talking about it.

tricky D · 16-09-2010 04:20PM

Yup, standard gutter spin from FF.

Nevermind the actual act, just shout blame at those who dare to speak about it, the opposition and the media are always good for the ole scapegoating. Basic deflection tactics.

8 pints was reported in some rag the other day.

PeterIanStaker · 16-09-2010 04:21PM

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

I'm just not a fan of a 'professional' posting childish remarks about a colleague to try gain popularity.

Wait, your accusing our politicians of being "professionals?"

Wile E. Coyote · 16-09-2010 04:23PM

PeterIanStaker wrote: »

Wait, your accusing our politicians of being "professionals?"

Thats why I wrote 'professional'

Seth Brundle · 16-09-2010 04:23PM

kmick wrote: »

Thankfully you cant yet get arrested for pointing out something that everyone else knows.

Give it time - Dermot Ahern still has the Justice portfolio!

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

I'm not a FF supporter so I don't buy into any of the 'spin'. I'm just not a fan of a 'professional' posting childish remarks about a colleague to try gain popularity.

It's like me coming to work on a Monday morning and sticking an announcement on the notice board that Joe Bloggs came into work hungover. Without my post a few people would have noticed and ignored it but once I post it everyone is talking about it.

All he said was:

God, what an uninspiring interview by Taoiseach this morning. He sounded half way between drunk and hungover and totally disinterested...

Also take a look at the following: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0916/1224278992531.html

OhNoYouDidn't · 16-09-2010 04:24PM

So at what level do the media and the opposion stop highlighting government failures in the 'national interest'?

This arguement is a very slippy slope.

steelcityblues · 16-09-2010 04:27PM

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

So at what level do the media and the opposion stop highlighting government failures in the 'national interest'?

This arguement is a very slippy slope.

Many of the most prominent media people are FFers, or from FF backgrounds.
Enough said!

jimmycrackcorm · 16-09-2010 04:27PM

Di0genes wrote: »

I find this backlash against Coveney to be the most hilarious piece of FF spin in a long time.

It's not Coveney's fault the Taoiseach sounded "unwell" in an interview. It's the taoiseach's own fault. The blame lies squarely with him.

Coveney proffered an opinion on Cowen that was not based on fact. It was an unproven guess and likely slanderous. I'd prefer if Coveney would concentrate on solutions to our economic problems instead of gossip. But then that wouldn't get you media attention.

Seth Brundle · 16-09-2010 04:31PM

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Coveney proffered an opinion on Cowen that was not based on fact. It was an unproven guess and likely slanderous.

Which bit was not based on fact?
Which bit was an unproved guess?
Which bit was likely to be slanderous?
I quoted the tweet above if you need to reference it!
The entire thing was someone's view and not a statement of fact!

freyners · 16-09-2010 04:31PM

i read the title and laugh

i read your rant and laugh harder

so its now anti-irish to critise the supposed leader of our country, who, in full knowledge that he had to attend this interview that wss meant to show us that he was in control, turned up either still drunk or badly hungover to aforementioned interview.

tim_holsters · 16-09-2010 04:32PM

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

I'm not a FF supporter so I don't buy into any of the 'spin'. I'm just not a fan of a 'professional' posting childish remarks about a colleague to try gain popularity.

It's like me coming to work on a Monday morning and sticking an announcement on the notice board that Joe Bloggs came into work hungover. Without my post a few people would have noticed and ignored it but once I post it everyone is talking about it.

Joe Bloggs is not the Taoiseach.

hallelujajordan · 16-09-2010 04:33PM

What bothers me most about this whole sorry affair is that in the space of a couple of hours two of our most senior politicians had a choice to make and both of them but their own self-interest ahead of the interest of the country . . . .

Cowen had a choice to make; Go to bed early and be in a fit state for a pre-arranged interview where you have a rare chance to address the country or stay up and have the craic in the misplaced confidence that you can 'wing' it in the morning. .

Coveney also had a choice. . Invite ridicule on the Taoiseach and by extension the country in the hope that you will further destabilise the government and win more votes for yourself or put the country first, recognise that such ridicule may have a detrimental effect (to the country as opposed to FF) and bite your tongue . . .

Unfortunately both made the wrong choice . . . .

orourkeda · 16-09-2010 04:41PM

Drumpot wrote: »

There is a movie called "Idiocracy". It is set in the future and shows a world populated by complete idiots. There is a scene that reminds me of the reaction and enjoyment some people get from politics in this country. In the movie, our hero's are being chased by the police. When the police start shooting up one of their cars, local people start cheering them on (because its entertaining). In fact, its so enjoyable, the guy whos car is being blown to pieces, starts to cheer them on aswell. Oh how I chuckled at this fictional comedy . I mean who cheers on the destruction of something thats at their expense, right ? :rolleyes:

Ok . .

So Brian Cowen did a very poor interview and anybody who saw it , can come to their own conclusions as to his "health" at the time. Im sure if somebody had brought it up in the Dail it would of been embarrasing for the Taoiseach, but no doubt it wouldnt of gotten the same media attention.

So . .

Simon Coveney decides that in the interest of the Irish people, he should not only raise this concern, but do so in the broadest manner possible. On an online medium for the whole world to enjoy.

Why would he do that ?

I was going to write loads of rhetorical questions but I will say it straight out that he did it SOLEY for self serving gratification, to net a few populist voters and did so at the expense of the credibility of the Irish People abroad.

Putting the words "Drunk" and "Taoiseasch" in the same sentence was shameful at best and only served to back up the drinking Irish Culture that we have tried so hard to shake off.

Ah, but if it hastens Cowen's departure, sure wont it be worth it ? FF are gone in the next election. No need to sabotage our countries reputation aswell.

"But sure I didnt vote for FF". Does anybody think that really makes a differance internationally ? They are our government, the Irish people voted them in. They are our ambassadors to the world!!!

I am just disgusted at Coveney and the levels that it appears some politicians will go to "convince" the populist voters, like the country in that idiocracy movie (the president of the U.S. was a moronic wrestler!).

This kind of practise is certainly prevelant in most parties (mud throwing) and its disgusting. When will people of this country grow up and realise that while it can be enjoyable to watch an unpopular politician get a rollicking, in the likes of these cases it does effect the country's credibility and can have adverse effects on foreign investment.

What is most disgusting is that a large amount of people in this country will lap it up and vote based on stupid things like this as if Coveney was some sort of hero.

I dont care who our Taoiseach is or which Party he is from. I dont enjoy watching our country be the laughing stock of the world . .

Simon Coveney didnt pour the drink down the Taoiseach' throat.

If Simon Coveney didnt make his tweet, would we still be discussing this subject.

skinner2x · 16-09-2010 04:42PM

hallelujajordan wrote: »

What bothers me most about this whole sorry affair is that in the space of a couple of hours two of our most senior politicians had a choice to make and both of them but their own self-interest ahead of the interest of the country . . . .

Cowen had a choice to make; Go to bed early and be in a fit state for a pre-arranged interview where you have a rare chance to address the country or stay up and have the craic in the misplaced confidence that you can 'wing' it in the morning. .

Coveney also had a choice. . Invite ridicule on the Taoiseach and by extension the country in the hope that you will further destabilise the government and win more votes for yourself or put the country first, recognise that such ridicule may have a detrimental effect (to the country as opposed to FF) and bite your tongue . . .

Unfortunately both made the wrong choice . . . .

Well put .
I agree with the OP on most points too. This latest trick of the politicians being 'media savy' via social networking sites, twitter (twits) drives me crazy.
Do what your paid to do, not surf the web, tweeting, blogging etc.

3 frontpages of the independant dedicated to this crap yesterday. Personally I think Cowen was an ass for agreeing to do an interview the morning after their FF think (drink) in, and I think he would have gotten more respect if he'd rang in sick (congested ....)

Possibly should have gone to Ranting and raving instead...

orourkeda · 16-09-2010 04:45PM

hallelujajordan wrote: »

What bothers me most about this whole sorry affair is that in the space of a couple of hours two of our most senior politicians had a choice to make and both of them but their own self-interest ahead of the interest of the country . . . .

Cowen had a choice to make; Go to bed early and be in a fit state for a pre-arranged interview where you have a rare chance to address the country or stay up and have the craic in the misplaced confidence that you can 'wing' it in the morning. .

Coveney also had a choice. . Invite ridicule on the Taoiseach and by extension the country in the hope that you will further destabilise the government and win more votes for yourself or put the country first, recognise that such ridicule may have a detrimental effect (to the country as opposed to FF) and bite your tongue . . .

Unfortunately both made the wrong choice . . . .

To place any portion of blame at the Simon Coveney door for this is simply ridiculous (I'm not an FG supporter BTW)

The Taoiseach is the person who over indulged and is also the person who made a show of himself on national radio.

Any attempt to absolve the taoiseach of blame in this situation is crazy. He is a grown man and is aware of the consequences of his actions.

Di0genes · 16-09-2010 04:48PM

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Coveney proffered an opinion on Cowen that was not based on fact. It was an unproven guess and likely slanderous. I'd prefer if Coveney would concentrate on solutions to our economic problems instead of gossip. But then that wouldn't get you media attention.

I'd prefer our government not take a massive vacation and go on lash till 3am on Monday night, and concentrate on solutions, because y'know they're in power, and not the opposition spokesperson on the Marine.

hallelujajordan · 16-09-2010 04:49PM

orourkeda wrote: »

To place any portion of blame at the Simon Coveney door for this is simply ridiculous (I'm not an FG supporter BTW)

The Taoiseach is the person who over indulged and is also the person who made a show of himself on national radio.

Any attempt to absolve the taoiseach of blame in this situation is crazy. He is a grown man and is aware of the consequences of his actions.

I don't think I did . . . And to be clear. . I consider the Taoiseach 100% responsible for his demeanor yesterday morning.

Just agreed with the OP that Coveney made a decision that was more in his own interest than in that of the countries which is ironically in a round about way what he was criticising Cowen for ..

Seth Brundle · 16-09-2010 04:50PM

yesterday?

hallelujajordan · 16-09-2010 04:52PM

kbannon wrote: »

yesterday?

oops, forgive me . . just got back from a very long journey

Days and nights all mixed up !

tim_holsters · 16-09-2010 04:55PM

hallelujajordan wrote: »

What bothers me most about this whole sorry affair is that in the space of a couple of hours two of our most senior politicians had a choice to make and both of them but their own self-interest ahead of the interest of the country . . . .

Cowen had a choice to make; Go to bed early and be in a fit state for a pre-arranged interview where you have a rare chance to address the country or stay up and have the craic in the misplaced confidence that you can 'wing' it in the morning. .

Coveney also had a choice. . Invite ridicule on the Taoiseach and by extension the country in the hope that you will further destabilise the government and win more votes for yourself or put the country first, recognise that such ridicule may have a detrimental effect (to the country as opposed to FF) and bite your tongue . . .

Unfortunately both made the wrong choice . . . .

Well that's parliamentary democracy for ya, perhaps you can recommend a fairer let's say more totalitarian system.

hallelujajordan · 16-09-2010 04:59PM

tim_holsters wrote: »

Well that's parliamentary democracy for ya, perhaps you can recommend a fairer let's say more totalitarian system.

I'm not sure how much TWITTER has to do with parliamentary democracy. I don't like the way Dan Boyle uses it and I'm not too keen on Coveney's tweeting habit either . .

Coveney . . Anti Irish Twit-ter

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