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

  • 01-10-2010 5:14pm
    #1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,449 ✭✭✭


    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.


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭fontanalis


    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?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,239 ✭✭✭✭WindSock


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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,807 ✭✭✭Poly


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

    I would suggest that he knows more than you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,326 ✭✭✭Scuid Mhór


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 44,080 ✭✭✭✭Micky Dolenz


    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.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,243 ✭✭✭✭Jesus Wept


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,582 ✭✭✭✭TheZohanS


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

    Something like this.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,370 ✭✭✭GAAman


    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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,007 ✭✭✭Phill Ewinn


    He should lecture on how to get more blowjobs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,153 ✭✭✭Rented Mule


    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.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,728 ✭✭✭dilallio


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,132 ✭✭✭Killer Pigeon


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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,750 ✭✭✭liah


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,391 ✭✭✭✭mikom


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

    News report.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,536 ✭✭✭Mark200


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,533 ✭✭✭Donkey Oaty


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,370 ✭✭✭GAAman


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,582 ✭✭✭✭TheZohanS


    liah wrote: »
    You people confuse me.

    You people?!




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,239 ✭✭✭✭WindSock


    Hazys wrote: »
    You people?...What do you mean "You people"?



    What do YOU mean 'you people'?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1 MaryContrary


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 44,080 ✭✭✭✭Micky Dolenz


    liah wrote: »
    You people confuse me.

    Racist :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,321 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,815 ✭✭✭✭galwayrush


    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


  • Registered Users Posts: 210 ✭✭chops1990


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


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭LenaClaire



    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,153 ✭✭✭Rented Mule


    WindSock wrote: »
    What do YOU mean 'you people'?

    Damn Canuckleheads !! ;) lol


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,836 ✭✭✭Sir Gallagher


    Slick Willy is the main man!!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,200 ✭✭✭imme


    People listen to what he says.

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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,798 ✭✭✭goose2005


    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?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,165 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


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


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,630 ✭✭✭steelcityblues


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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,910 ✭✭✭Sisko


    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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 552 ✭✭✭Sharkey 10


    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


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4 Fjoc74


    Watch Bill Clinton's speech in UCD here


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,051 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    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.

    Ye Hypocrites, are these your pranks
    To murder men and gie God thanks?
    Desist for shame, proceed no further
    God won't accept your thanks for murder.

    ―Robert Burns



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,918 ✭✭✭✭orourkeda


    We Dont, do we?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,910 ✭✭✭Sisko




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭PeterIanStaker


    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.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,565 ✭✭✭southsiderosie


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,294 ✭✭✭thee glitz


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭Jeboa Safari


    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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,089 ✭✭✭ascanbe


    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..


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