Why the hell should we care what Bill Clinton thinks about Ireland?

SuperInfinity · 01-10-2010 5:14pm #1

As if Bill Clinton would have an absolute clue of what's going on Ireland.

Any old fool can get up and say "I think Ireland can start growing again"... it is completely meanginless drivel.

Bill Clinton wouldn't even know what's going on in USA financial terms anymore either, because it's all different now. He's just going by whoever he's listening to, he has no insider information about it and he especially doesn't have any insider information on what's going on in Ireland. I'd have doubts over if even the president of america really knows about the true finanaces of the USA.

We need to stop putting people on pedastals, as if they would know things magically.

fontanalis · 01-10-2010 5:16pm

SuperInfinity wrote: »

As if Bill Clinton would have an absolute clue of what's going on Ireland.

Any old fool can get up and say "I think Ireland can start growing again"... it is completely meanginless drivel.

Bill Clinton wouldn't even know what's going on in USA financial terms anymore either, because it's all different now. He's just going by whoever he's listening to, he has no insider information about it and he especially doesn't have any insider information on what's going on in Ireland.

Enough about Cowen and Lenihan, what about Clinton?

WindSock · 01-10-2010 5:16pm

Because we care what anyone thinks of Ireland for some reason. Especially people from important countries.

Poly · 01-10-2010 5:17pm

SuperInfinity wrote: »

As if Bill Clinton would have an absolute clue of what's going on Ireland.

I would suggest that he knows more than you.

Scuid Mhór · 01-10-2010 5:18pm

i'd tune in to his talk just for the laugh. nobody's urging you to care and highly doubt anyone is going to take it really seriously.

Micky Dolenz · 01-10-2010 5:19pm

Come on,

The guy is a Leg end. "I didn't have sexual relations with that woman"

Loved to have seen his face when he was told blow jobs and cigar dildos were sexual relations.

Jesus Wept · 01-10-2010 5:19pm

SuperInfinity wrote: »

He's just going by whoever he's listening to

So are the government.
He doesn't have to have inside information to have an opinion, even a valid one.

Anyhow, if that is all he said, it's pretty null. Ireland will grow again, at some point, to some degree.

TheZohanS · 01-10-2010 5:24pm

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Loved to have seen his face when he was told blow jobs and cigar dildos were sexual relations.

Something like this.....

GAAman · 01-10-2010 5:26pm

He will have been paid a fortune to come here and lecture us so who is the bigger fool?

It's us, for paying him

Phill Ewinn · 01-10-2010 5:28pm

He should lecture on how to get more blowjobs.

Rented Mule · 01-10-2010 5:30pm

Clinton was the best USA President that Ireland has ever know.

He probably doesn't really give a **** about Ireland any more(and why would he), but would you be more pissed off if he told you that 'Ireland screwed itself' and 'is dead in the water' ?

I guess someone else is always to blame for everyone else's troubles.

Speaking of troubles.....he was the first USA President to address this from a different point of view.

dilallio · 01-10-2010 5:33pm

It would be a helluva lot worse, if he said that Ireland was completely fúcked, and had no way forward without the intervention of the IMF.

There are plenty of reasons for the 'markets' to react badly to Ireland right now - I'm glad that Bill Clinton is not adding another one.

Killer Pigeon · 01-10-2010 5:34pm

Ah, is this about the new UCD Clinton Institute for Retard Studies.

liah · 01-10-2010 5:35pm

You people confuse me. You rip your own government to shreds at any given opportunity, but the second someone who isn't Irish says something you get your knickers in a twist and start getting all defensive.

Make up your minds, either you hate your government or you want to stand up for it, don't get mad at other people for saying the exact same things you are. Makes no sense.

mikom · 01-10-2010 5:35pm

I don't know what ye are all bitchin' about.
His words are having a positive effect already.

News report.

Mark200 · 01-10-2010 5:37pm

SuperInfinity wrote: »

As if Bill Clinton would have an absolute clue of what's going on Ireland.

Any old fool can get up and say "I think Ireland can start growing again"... it is completely meanginless drivel.

Bill Clinton wouldn't even know what's going on in USA financial terms anymore either, because it's all different now. He's just going by whoever he's listening to, he has no insider information about it and he especially doesn't have any insider information on what's going on in Ireland. I'd have doubts over if even the president of america really knows about the true finanaces of the USA.

We need to stop putting people on pedastals, as if they would know things magically.

Well considering former Presidents are entitled to certain briefings, they're naturally well connected, and his wife is Obama's top Diplomat I think it's more than a stretch to try to claim he has no inside information.

Donkey Oaty · 01-10-2010 5:40pm

liah wrote: »

You people confuse me. You rip your own government to shreds at any given opportunity, but the second someone who isn't Irish says something you get your knickers in a twist and start getting all defensive.

Very true. That's the art of Hiberno-hypocrisy.

Think of it like having a father or uncle that you complain about all the time - but if someone outside the family has a go, then the gloves come off.

GAAman · 01-10-2010 5:47pm

liah wrote: »

You people confuse me. You rip your own government to shreds at any given opportunity, but the second someone who isn't Irish says something you get your knickers in a twist and start getting all defensive.

Make up your minds, either you hate your government or you want to stand up for it, don't get mad at other people for saying the exact same things you are. Makes no sense.

Has nothing to do with where he is from. He is talking about the economy being down the shítter, while being paid a good sum of money to tell us about our economy being down the shítter.

TheZohanS · 01-10-2010 5:48pm

liah wrote: »

You people confuse me.

You people?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSNnuiT0qek

Hazys · 01-10-2010 5:52pm

liah wrote: »

You people confuse me. You rip your own government to shreds at any given opportunity, but the second someone who isn't Irish says something you get your knickers in a twist and start getting all defensive.

Make up your minds, either you hate your government or you want to stand up for it, don't get mad at other people for saying the exact same things you are. Makes no sense.

You people?...What do you mean "You people"?

EDIT: Damn you Zohan

WindSock · 01-10-2010 6:01pm

Hazys wrote: »

You people?...What do you mean "You people"?

What do YOU mean 'you people'?

MaryContrary · 01-10-2010 6:05pm

One of the reasons we should care what Bill Clinton thinks of Ireland is: Bill Clinton is an ex-President. Whether you like him or not, some Americans will listen to him and his opinions. If he says he sees recovery in Ireland, big businesses might listen and want to either open or reopen their corporations. This means jobs. Positive words are always a good thing.

Micky Dolenz · 01-10-2010 6:06pm

liah wrote: »

You people confuse me.

Racist :P

Overheal · 01-10-2010 6:16pm

Didn't he have an interest in Ireland when he was in office? Came to visit in the 90s did he? Thought as much..

Liam Byrne · 01-10-2010 6:39pm

It's just Clinton trying to rise to the occasion again.

He's used to lying about stuff, so it's easy for him to spout out a few more, especially if those lies involve denying that there was any screwing going on.

galwayrush · 01-10-2010 7:00pm

Liam Byrne wrote: »

It's just Clinton trying to rise to the occasion again.

He's used to lying about stuff, so it's easy for him to spout out a few more, especially if those lies involve denying that there was any screwing going on.

LOL:D

chops1990 · 01-10-2010 7:17pm

I think most people don't actually care. I defo dont, he's a yank....

LenaClaire · 01-10-2010 7:31pm

SuperInfinity wrote: »

Bill Clinton wouldn't even know what's going on in USA financial terms anymore either, because it's all different now. He's just going by whoever he's listening to, he has no insider information about it and he especially doesn't have any insider information on what's going on in Ireland.

His wife is the Secretary of State, I think he has a very good grasp of what is going on in the United States. His wife supervises the US Foreign Services as well as the US Department of State. I am not sure who in the US would have a better grasp of foreign affairs outside of that couple.

Rented Mule · 01-10-2010 7:31pm

WindSock wrote: »

What do YOU mean 'you people'?

Damn Canuckleheads !!

lol

Sir Gallagher · 01-10-2010 7:32pm

Slick Willy is the main man!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGTQZnC-6a4

imme · 01-10-2010 8:55pm

People listen to what he says.

I think it's important that he's a friend of Ireland.

goose2005 · 01-10-2010 9:01pm

Rented Mule wrote: »

Clinton was the best USA President that Ireland has ever know.

He probably doesn't really give a **** about Ireland any more(and why would he), but would you be more pissed off if he told you that 'Ireland screwed itself' and 'is dead in the water' ?

I guess someone else is always to blame for everyone else's troubles.

Speaking of troubles.....he was the first USA President to address this from a different point of view.

Maybe because, after the Cold War, America had to invent a new role for itself on the world stage?

ejmaztec · 01-10-2010 9:02pm

Cowen borrowed €10 from Lenihan and gave it to Clinton, telling him to say good things about the Irish economy.

steelcityblues · 02-10-2010 1:22am

Tell it to the folks in the Balkans about what a 'cool' guy he is!

Sisko · 02-10-2010 1:39am

liah wrote: »

You people confuse me. You rip your own government to shreds at any given opportunity, but the second someone who isn't Irish says something you get your knickers in a twist and start getting all defensive.

Make up your minds, either you hate your government or you want to stand up for it, don't get mad at other people for saying the exact same things you are. Makes no sense.

Its pretty straight forward really, the irish - like the americans, are pretty patriotic , only we spend all our time bitching and slagging ourselves instead of constantly proclaiming to be the best country in the world etc.
In america if you say anything bad about your country your a terrortist/ anti american.
In Ireland if you say anything good about your country your a 'RA head'.

However if someone else says the same bad things we say about ourselvs, someone not irish, well holy jaysus.

Non Irish Person: "Oh wow you're Irish! Whats Ireland like , it must be awesome"

Irish Person: "Nah it's shite"

Non Irish Person: "Ahhh Ireland really is a shitty country then"

Irish Person: "WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUU:mad:"

etc

Sharkey 10 · 02-10-2010 1:46am

Rented Mule wrote: »

Clinton was the best USA President that Ireland has ever know.

He probably doesn't really give a **** about Ireland any more(and why would he), but would you be more pissed off if he told you that 'Ireland screwed itself' and 'is dead in the water' ?

I guess someone else is always to blame for everyone else's troubles.

Speaking of troubles.....he was the first USA President to address this from a different point of view.

Please expand this argument
Edit : sorry i misread this part I thought you meant he was the greatest American president but im still not fully sure what you mean

Fjoc74 · 02-10-2010 2:03am

Watch Bill Clinton's speech in UCD here

bnt · 02-10-2010 11:58am

Well, John F Kennedy isn't around, so Clinton will have to do.

As for the original question: why should you care what Bill Clinton thinks about Ireland? Because other people care what he thinks: people with influence and money. His visit on Thursday resulted in a slew of positive news stories about Ireland's prospects, on the very day when Ireland needed some positive news, and you lot are complaining? It may be only Politics - the Entertainment division of the Military-Industrial Complex - but when you're on the other side of the Atlantic, you only see what the Media chooses to show you.

orourkeda · 02-10-2010 12:40pm

We Dont, do we?

Sisko · 02-10-2010 1:58pm

Fjoc74 wrote: »

Watch Bill Clinton's speech in UCD here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IFKf9lAI-w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUih0GYUXD4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeNNwRa45X4

PeterIanStaker · 02-10-2010 2:40pm

Sisko wrote: »

Its pretty straight forward really, the irish - like the americans, are pretty patriotic , only we spend all our time bitching and slagging ourselves instead of constantly proclaiming to be the best country in the world etc.
In america if you say anything bad about your country your a terrortist/ anti american.
In Ireland if you say anything good about your country your a 'RA head'.

However if someone else says the same bad things we say about ourselvs, someone not irish, well holy jaysus.

Non Irish Person: "Oh wow you're Irish! Whats Ireland like , it must be awesome"

Irish Person: "Nah it's shite"

Non Irish Person: "Ahhh Ireland really is a shitty country then"

Irish Person: "WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUU:mad:"

etc

you pretty much hit the nail on the head there.

southsiderosie · 02-10-2010 5:19pm

Overheal wrote: »

Didn't he have an interest in Ireland when he was in office? Came to visit in the 90s did he? Thought as much..

Clinton came three times as President - in 1995 1998 and 2000, and he made a point of going to both Dublin and Belfast. His visit to Belfast in 1995 carried a great deal of symbolic importance, especially since he stayed at the Europa Hotel.

There is plenty you can knock Clinton for, but he paid a hell of a lot more attention to Ireland than most other US presidents.

thee glitz · 02-10-2010 6:26pm

Good Friday, 10 April 1998: At 5.36pm (over 17 hours after the deadline) George Mitchell stated:
"I am pleased to announce that the two governments and the political parties in Northern Ireland
have reached agreement". It emerged later that President Clinton of the USA had made a number
of telephone calls to party leaders to encourage them to reach this agreement.

A lot of people care what he has to say, he's earned $65m since 2001 in speaking fees.

Jeboa Safari · 02-10-2010 6:44pm

SuperInfinity wrote: »

As if Bill Clinton would have an absolute clue of what's going on Ireland.

Any old fool can get up and say "I think Ireland can start growing again"... it is completely meanginless drivel.

Bill Clinton wouldn't even know what's going on in USA financial terms anymore either, because it's all different now. He's just going by whoever he's listening to, he has no insider information about it and he especially doesn't have any insider information on what's going on in Ireland. I'd have doubts over if even the president of america really knows about the true finanaces of the USA.

We need to stop putting people on pedastals, as if they would know things magically.

He's the ex-president of the most powerful nation in the world, his wife is currently secretary of state of the US and he's always had an interest in Ireland. I would have liked to go see him and hear what he had to say. And I don't see how free advertising from someone as well know as him could be a bad thing, especially if people who are thinking about investing here hear him speaking positively about the country

ascanbe · 03-10-2010 3:11pm

southsiderosie wrote: »

Clinton came three times as President - in 1995 1998 and 2000, and he made a point of going to both Dublin and Belfast. His visit to Belfast in 1995 carried a great deal of symbolic importance, especially since he stayed at the Europa Hotel.

There is plenty you can knock Clinton for, but he paid a hell of a lot more attention to Ireland than most other US presidents.

I'd wager that that estimate is a bit on the low side..

Why the hell should we care what Bill Clinton thinks about Ireland?

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