David Norris for President....would you vote for him?

tayto lover · 10-06-2011 11:02PM

zuroph wrote: »

only in jest I was more shocked at mooney making political statements!

I'd put a hug in there only people might get the wrong idea.

RachaelVO · 10-06-2011 11:10PM

tayto lover wrote: »

Yeah we all believe it. I sent 50e myself.

You sent a single mother 50 E's? Well at the time she could of sold the for 15 pounds a piece, so she's quids in

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

The Left Hand Of God · 10-06-2011 11:43PM

DublinWriter wrote: »

Considering recent events, what we really need is a queen....oh, hello!

In all seriousness, an Irish tabloid laid a 'honey-trap' in the mid-90's and wrote to several prominent politicians pretending to be a single mother in dire straits coming up to Xmas.

The only one who replied was Norris...and he also included a £20 note.

He gets my vote.

Link?

Donkey Oaty · 10-06-2011 11:51PM

The Left Hand Of God wrote: »

Link?

I'm not aware of the case mentioned, but while searching for it I came across one of his speeches in the Seanad:

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul gave examples which are probably from a variety of sources and combined together. One of the saddest was the story about the single mother whose husband died just before Christmas. She experienced devastating grief right in the middle of the holiday season. She had no money and the funeral expenses etc. overwhelmed her. She had no spare cash and yet she had small children. Her 17 year old son begged her, out of pride, not to go to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul but she did. She had to do so and overcome not only her pride but her son’s. There is also a poverty in terms of psychological diminishment.

Poverty is not only a financial matter but it is also a grievous state of mind where things can get really out of kilter. We spoke the other evening about suicide. People can be driven to suicide by financial pressure. I would say to them it is not worth it; it is only bloody money. They will get out of their difficulties. I congratulate the Money Advice and Budgeting Service which does fantastic work. I hope it never catches the Government’s eye and gets abolished.

(speech continues with poverty statistics, etc.)

http://www.senatordavidnorris.ie/blogger/2009/02/private-members-motion-on-child-poverty.html

Nephilim Wolf · 11-06-2011 01:22AM

Yes, I think I would vote for him.

Dublinman12 · 11-06-2011 03:01PM

Nephilim Wolf wrote: »

Yes, I think I would vote for him.

I will vote for him.....and probably even more now to upset the bigots and smear campaign brigade...

I have to say I find the smear campaign disgusting and embarrassing from an Irish perpective...with different political parties launching their own candidate all the muck is being dug up by "scummy" journalists with a "brown envelope" and an agenda.....take the daily mail for example..i wouldnt wipe my backside with that rag..why would that paper lead with a headline to influence votes against a presidential candidate ?...

Seems like the cosy cartels and busom buddies "I'll look after ye, wink wink,nudge nudge" brigade is alive and well...

phantom_lord · 11-06-2011 03:10PM

I guess it's tough being an independent

Odysseus · 11-06-2011 04:00PM

MrsStuffings wrote: »

he's a disgusting human being. as a victim of sexual abuse myself i honestly would never dream of voting for norris. it's downright despicable.

I can't agree with that, whilst not a victim of sexual assault personally, I have worked with hundreds of victims and a good few offenders. I don't think he can be seen as despicable for his comments.

I would not see myself as a fan of his, but I can't deny he is an educated man, who was expressing his opinion on the topic. I also have an interest in classical history and have had many discussions on the history of sexuality in Classical Greece and the current situation of sexual violence that has been uncovered in our own country over the years.

Yes I seen the difficultly around a possible President making such comments, and too be honest I have difficulties about his ability to be objective on matters of State interest. I really don't know if I would vote for him, but all the sh!te about an interview nearly 10 years ago will not be a factor in making a decision whether to vote for him or not.

I would personally respect him for expressing his opinion on such a heated topic, especially as it is one that was bound to being out the re-actionists and “the won't somebody think of the children” brigade. Sexual violence is a heinous crime, I am remind of the long lasting effects it has on the person most days in work; however, that does not mean I believe that these matter should not be spoken about. Speaking about them openly means that sometimes people have different opinions to us, trying to destroy a person’s career because that stated opinions that some people disagree with us.

I detest sexual violence, but I'm against censorship of discussions of all sides of these acts, which means both victims and offenders. I have spend a lot of time listening to offenders justify their offence; it does not mean I condone it and I don't think David Norris does either. As I said I detest sexual violence but I could not take any offence out of Norris's comments that I have seen to date. Anyway I hope that makes some sense!

Odysseus · 11-06-2011 04:12PM

mikemac wrote: »

Politics is dirty and presidential elections can be especially dirty.

You come across back stabbing party members in cut throat selection committees and get heckled and shouted down at local and general elections.

He deals with none of this in academia and the halls of the Seanad.

This whole process will toughen him up. And more attacks will happen before the election is over, he has learned a lot. Learned the hard way I suppose.

My experience of academia is that it is very cut throat, I do a small amount of academic work, but I really opted out of it for those very reasons. I spend a fair bit of my time working with people who society have deemed to be nasty and vicious; and TBH I am more comfortable with these clients that those in academia.

lezza · 11-06-2011 04:36PM

dirty bum boy

(waits for harsh replies)

Sonnenblumen · 11-06-2011 04:59PM

Ireland is regrettably not mature enough to have Mr Norris as President. His past is coming back to haunt him which has put him on the backfoot fighting a rearguard action. It will be some achievement if he does manage to get nominated but unlikely to win the election.

A great pity and one which reflects poorly on Ireland, revealing a lingering petty attitude which is unable to distinguish between the individual and the holder of a public office.

Craebear · 11-06-2011 05:01PM

If Norris gets in, it will be a fabulous 2 fingers to the daily mail. Worth the vote for that alone.

mikom · 11-06-2011 05:01PM

lezza wrote: »

dirty bum boy

(waits for harsh replies)

Wash it so.

mgmt · 11-06-2011 05:07PM

Is he close to being nominated yet? How many councils have voted for him?

semi-auto · 11-06-2011 05:39PM

He seems straight enough

MonkieSocks · 11-06-2011 05:45PM

He's very musical you know

He started a Childrens Violin group last month but no one was interested.

I guess 'Kiddy Fiddlers' wasn’t the best name after all..

dixiefly · 11-06-2011 06:48PM

Odysseus wrote: »

I can't agree with that, whilst not a victim of sexual assault personally, I have worked with hundreds of victims and a good few offenders. I don't think he can be seen as despicable for his comments.

I would not see myself as a fan of his, but I can't deny he is an educated man, who was expressing his opinion on the topic. I also have an interest in classical history and have had many discussions on the history of sexuality in Classical Greece and the current situation of sexual violence that has been uncovered in our own country over the years.

Yes I seen the difficultly around a possible President making such comments, and too be honest I have difficulties about his ability to be objective on matters of State interest. I really don't know if I would vote for him, but all the sh!te about an interview nearly 10 years ago will not be a factor in making a decision whether to vote for him or not.

I would personally respect him for expressing his opinion on such a heated topic, especially as it is one that was bound to being out the re-actionists and “the won't somebody think of the children” brigade. Sexual violence is a heinous crime, I am remind of the long lasting effects it has on the person most days in work; however, that does not mean I believe that these matter should not be spoken about. Speaking about them openly means that sometimes people have different opinions to us, trying to destroy a person’s career because that stated opinions that some people disagree with us.

I detest sexual violence, but I'm against censorship of discussions of all sides of these acts, which means both victims and offenders. I have spend a lot of time listening to offenders justify their offence; it does not mean I condone it and I don't think David Norris does either. As I said I detest sexual violence but I could not take any offence out of Norris's comments that I have seen to date. Anyway I hope that makes some sense!

Excellent contribution...I fully agree and could not have expressed it better myself.

Spread · 11-06-2011 07:20PM

mgmt wrote: »

Is he close to being nominated yet? How many councils have voted for him?

Don't know that. But a quick glance at the bookmakers tells a sad tale for the bearded one.

Michael

9/4

Gay Mitchell: 5/2

Pat Cox: 7/2

David Norris: 6/1

Mairead McGuinness: 12/1

Mary Davis: 16/1

Fergus Finlay: 16/1

wonderfulname · 11-06-2011 07:27PM

What relevance does that have to the question asked by mgmt?

Dudess · 11-06-2011 07:48PM

I noticed in John Waters' column yesterday, he was pretending Norris advocated abuse. It really seems being a high-profile journalist requires becoming a ****ing troll today.

efb · 11-06-2011 07:53PM

John Waters is attention seeking irritant. He also defending his Editorship of Magill

sesna · 11-06-2011 09:05PM

I find it interesting that all the Norris defenders are no longer calling for the tape of the original interview. It seems Norris repeated all the damaging quotes himself on his cringeworthy Morning Ireland interview. In spite of all the messenger-shooting going on, the fact remains it is simply Norris's quotes which are causing the damage.

mikom · 11-06-2011 09:07PM

sesna wrote: »

I find it interesting that all the Norris defenders are no longer calling for the tape of the original interview.

In case you missed it........... HLB has decided it now perished when her roof caved in a few years back.

wonderfulname · 11-06-2011 09:09PM

We weren't talking about it because you had gone quiet, that bloody tape has been done to death, its not his quotes that are doing the damage, its peoples interpretations, which are quite intentional.

Now can you please think of something new to post on? The positions on the tape ain't gonna change unless we hear it, so until you can link it just give up.

Fluorescence · 11-06-2011 09:17PM

Good idea. What aspects of his campaign outlines do people agree or disagree with? His main focus at the moment seems to be on mental health, encouraging entrepreneurs and investing in irish culture (something McAleese is big into as well). What do people think he'll bring to these 3 things as Irish president?

Personally, I'm quite excited by his plans to draw much needed attention to the mental health issues of the country. It's something that desperately needs addressing, and I would love to see his presidency bring about a massive change in people's opinions on mental health. It's still very much so a taboo subject and could do with being brought into the light - ignorance is an enormous barrier we must break through. Better services need to be established too, though that goes across the board for all health facilities in the country really.

sesna · 11-06-2011 09:18PM

wonderfulname wrote: »

We weren't talking about it because you had gone quiet, that bloody tape has been done to death, its not his quotes that are doing the damage, its peoples interpretations, which are quite intentional.

Now can you please think of something new to post on? The positions on the tape ain't gonna change unless we hear it, so until you can link it just give up.

What did the damage was Norris explaining the virtues of pederasty, and why it's different to paedophilia, before 9am on Thursday morning while people were trying to eat their breakfasts :eek:

The man is a fine orator though. and his bizarre views aside seems a decent ole chap !

tayto lover · 11-06-2011 10:04PM

fluorescence wrote: »

Good idea. What aspects of his campaign outlines do people agree or disagree with? His main focus at the moment seems to be on mental health, encouraging entrepreneurs and investing in irish culture (something McAleese is big into as well). What do people think he'll bring to these 3 things as Irish president?

Personally, I'm quite excited by his plans to draw much needed attention to the mental health issues of the country. It's something that desperately needs addressing, and I would love to see his presidency bring about a massive change in people's opinions on mental health. It's still very much so a taboo subject and could do with being brought into the light - ignorance is an enormous barrier we must break through. Better services need to be established too, though that goes across the board for all health facilities in the country really.

Where have you been ? The country is broke and all health services are being cut. While i agree about Mental Health there is not a snowballs chance in hell of services being extended or new ones being introduced for the next 15/20 years regardless of who is President. Budgets are being slashed. To even talk of this happening is trying to fool the people and Norris was beaten to it by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael/Labour with their own false promises.

Paparazzo · 11-06-2011 10:08PM

Spread wrote: »

Don't know that. But a quick glance at the bookmakers tells a sad tale for the bearded one.

Michael 9/4

Gay Mitchell: 5/2

Pat Cox: 7/2

David Norris: 6/1

Mairead McGuinness: 12/1

Mary Davis: 16/1

Fergus Finlay: 16/1

The nomination is the hard bit. If he gets that, even with the smear campaign, his odds will fall

Fluorescence · 11-06-2011 10:09PM

tayto lover wrote: »

Where have you been ? The country is broke and all health services are being cut. While i agree about Mental Health there is not a snowballs chance in hell of services being extended or new ones being introduced for the next 15/20 years regardless of who is President. Budgets are being slashed. To even talk of this happening is trying to fool the people and Norris was beaten to it by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael/Labour with their own false promises.

He doesn't need money to bring much needed awareness to the cause. Education about mental illnesses is paramount - ignorance about it is rife at the moment and desperately needs to be addressed.

tayto lover · 11-06-2011 10:20PM

fluorescence wrote: »

He doesn't need money to bring much needed awareness to the cause. Education about mental illnesses is paramount - ignorance about it is rife at the moment and desperately needs to be addressed.

He will need money to replace the services that are being cut back.
Education is only part of it and should be part of the school curriculum anyway. They used to have school debates years ago sponsored by Mental Health but i haven't heard of them of late.

David Norris for President....would you vote for him?

Comments