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Replying To TheFlaker:  "She was a VP in April. Quietly in the background. Unknown. Again you seem to think i am trying to say she is a female Bobby Kennedy. I am not. You seem to only look at her and ignore what Trump is doing and don't seem bothered by his poll numbers and his laughing stock of a VP choice. It's a daily comedy show from both of them."
America is in a very tricky place, politically, at present. Maybe it always has been, just not properly reported and perhaps ordinary joes in this country paid no attention. Mr Trump and his coterie have changed all that with their unquenchable thirst for publicity - the more outrageous the better. Don't forget how he latched onto the doctrine being espoused by Mr Bannon et al. Largely in the vein of what some of our new found agitators are preaching. Mr Trump would have more supporters if people really believed that he was genuinely interested in the travails of the downtrodden. He patently isn't. His one and only driving aim is his own ego and wealth, his obsession with crowd sizes and how "pretty" he is - no matter where that leads him and at what cost. The Republicans have surrendered their party to him and it remains to be seen if they ever get it back. Does anyone seriously believe that he will go quietly into the night if he loses this election. After promoting the "big steal" for the last 4 yrs, I have a feeling that we ain't seen anything yet. The Dems haven't exactly been setting the world on fire with a line of credible candidates for future elections either. Worryingly for the rest of the "western" world, we live in dangerous times. To quote Willie O'Dea, it's a case of "the evil of two lessers" for Americans in their choice come November. .

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1202 - 05/09/2024 11:06:43    2568542

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Replying To eslinchickenmaryland:  "Why is his vp choice a laughing stock compared to hers. Your bias is showing there. We won't get into her vp choice in that case.
You're saying the Vice President of the United States of America was an 'unknown'? Formerly California Attorney General and a Senator. Really? Come on now, bias again."
Do you follow this election at all? Have you watched Trump and Vance? Every single day another daft statement. I am not biased. If Biden was running i would be on here telling you he had no chance. I am analysing what is happening in front of our eyes.

I could make a list of the crazy things both have said in the past few weeks. Surely you can't deny it. Even yesterday Trump on Fox News saying he had a right to interfere with the election. I would say his lawyers are tearing their hair out. Vance was a pick not made by the party. It was Trump and Don Jr. And Vance is a disaster.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8083 - 05/09/2024 11:12:48    2568545

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Although making up only a small part of the material, the behaviour of a prominet ground sponsor in light of the Grenfell enquiry puts into perspective the Pairc Ui Chaoimh naming rights debate. Should this company be associated with a GAA ground now?

MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 999 - 05/09/2024 11:13:56    2568547

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Replying To Freethinker:  "America is in a very tricky place, politically, at present. Maybe it always has been, just not properly reported and perhaps ordinary joes in this country paid no attention. Mr Trump and his coterie have changed all that with their unquenchable thirst for publicity - the more outrageous the better. Don't forget how he latched onto the doctrine being espoused by Mr Bannon et al. Largely in the vein of what some of our new found agitators are preaching. Mr Trump would have more supporters if people really believed that he was genuinely interested in the travails of the downtrodden. He patently isn't. His one and only driving aim is his own ego and wealth, his obsession with crowd sizes and how "pretty" he is - no matter where that leads him and at what cost. The Republicans have surrendered their party to him and it remains to be seen if they ever get it back. Does anyone seriously believe that he will go quietly into the night if he loses this election. After promoting the "big steal" for the last 4 yrs, I have a feeling that we ain't seen anything yet. The Dems haven't exactly been setting the world on fire with a line of credible candidates for future elections either. Worryingly for the rest of the "western" world, we live in dangerous times. To quote Willie O'Dea, it's a case of "the evil of two lessers" for Americans in their choice come November. ."
I would agree with most of that although i disagree that the Dems are not in a good position going forward. The likes of Shapiro, Whitmer and Pete Buttigieg will have them in a seriously strong position in 4 years time. The GOP will be banking on DeSantos and Haley. Haley would have had a serious chance of beating Harris. A better chance than Trump in my opinion.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8083 - 05/09/2024 11:23:01    2568551

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Replying To zinny:  "66 Doyler and there is no plans to do away with them. Private pensions are not about privatisation but about how states manage their finances. The model of collect the contributions today to pay for someone's pension today does not work, we have people living longer and eventually a reducing workforce, all that happens is that your kids or grandkids will face higher taxation to fund pensions in the future. People on here complain about migration but its exactly that is what is saving the economy.
Part of the reason the health service is in the state it is, is because of the strength of some of the unions you say are being weakened. Reform of the health service is almost impossible and reform is also what is needed. However the health service is also being overloaded because of the changes in our own social habits, the rubbish food everyone eats and the lack of exercise are two major contributiors. People are living longer and getting far more attention from the health services than they ever did in the past, unfortunately reform and what is needed from a health service has not kept pace. On a comparison basis we are not far off other European countries, question is are we getting value for money for the spend."
That depends on what year you were born Zinny.

I agree with most of the content of this post but perhaps I'm just a little more cynical in my understanding of the same information as you.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3071 - 05/09/2024 11:47:00    2568560

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Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "When was the State pension raised to 68?
How many are prepared to pay the taxes necessary for a better public health system with more hospitals, more staff, little or no waiting lists.... ?"
We don't need to pay more taxes, we need to spend what we have better.

We've just built the world's most expensive hospital because nobody is accountable.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3071 - 05/09/2024 11:50:21    2568563

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "We don't need to pay more taxes, we need to spend what we have better.

We've just built the world's most expensive hospital because nobody is accountable."
While it's a given that the build on the new hospital has spiralled, it's also a fact that where it was decided to locate the hospital plays a fair part in the additional cost overruns I have been involved in construction in various ways for all my considerably and thankfully long adult life and there is no comparison in building on a green field site and an urban one. Particularly when your urban site is located in a pretty densely populated part of the city with its proximity to the oldest part of Dublin. The morons who decided to place it where it is should also put themselves forward for their share of the cost overruns. How are the staff, patients and parents supposed to access the hospital when it opens ? Parking is a joke and the Luas is pretty packed as it is - both ways. A joke, surely and is it just a malicious rumour that there is no helipad incorporated in the design ?

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1202 - 05/09/2024 13:38:47    2568576

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "That depends on what year you were born Zinny.

I agree with most of the content of this post but perhaps I'm just a little more cynical in my understanding of the same information as you."
I think it's fair to say future state pension funds and, by a far greater degree, the health system have been badly mismanaged by successive governments for decades.

I don't think there's an intention (or a remote likelyhood) to scrap either by either FF or FG.

And as Ziggy says - it's the very strength of the unions that has health and public service in general lagging in the way it is.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5129 - 05/09/2024 13:55:26    2568580

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Replying To zinny:  "66 Doyler and there is no plans to do away with them. Private pensions are not about privatisation but about how states manage their finances. The model of collect the contributions today to pay for someone's pension today does not work, we have people living longer and eventually a reducing workforce, all that happens is that your kids or grandkids will face higher taxation to fund pensions in the future. People on here complain about migration but its exactly that is what is saving the economy.
Part of the reason the health service is in the state it is, is because of the strength of some of the unions you say are being weakened. Reform of the health service is almost impossible and reform is also what is needed. However the health service is also being overloaded because of the changes in our own social habits, the rubbish food everyone eats and the lack of exercise are two major contributiors. People are living longer and getting far more attention from the health services than they ever did in the past, unfortunately reform and what is needed from a health service has not kept pace. On a comparison basis we are not far off other European countries, question is are we getting value for money for the spend."
https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2023/08/11/thousands-of-health-service-executive-administrators-to-take-industrial-action/

Unions aren't the problem. Waste and inefficient spending is. Frontline permanent staff get next to #### all, while huge amounts of money are being wasted on agency staff and external consultants.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13520 - 05/09/2024 14:26:11    2568586

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "Do you follow this election at all? Have you watched Trump and Vance? Every single day another daft statement. I am not biased. If Biden was running i would be on here telling you he had no chance. I am analysing what is happening in front of our eyes.

I could make a list of the crazy things both have said in the past few weeks. Surely you can't deny it. Even yesterday Trump on Fox News saying he had a right to interfere with the election. I would say his lawyers are tearing their hair out. Vance was a pick not made by the party. It was Trump and Don Jr. And Vance is a disaster."
Haley should be vp choice instead of vance...and I suspect she still may be. There's very little policy ideas coming from either camp. Walz had to babysit harris in her only major media interview which was not done live and heavily edited. Doesn't exactly give one any confidence in her ability either. Trump never refuses a microphone which is not good for him.

eslinchickenmaryland (Leitrim) - Posts: 274 - 05/09/2024 16:16:20    2568608

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Replying To Freethinker:  "While it's a given that the build on the new hospital has spiralled, it's also a fact that where it was decided to locate the hospital plays a fair part in the additional cost overruns I have been involved in construction in various ways for all my considerably and thankfully long adult life and there is no comparison in building on a green field site and an urban one. Particularly when your urban site is located in a pretty densely populated part of the city with its proximity to the oldest part of Dublin. The morons who decided to place it where it is should also put themselves forward for their share of the cost overruns. How are the staff, patients and parents supposed to access the hospital when it opens ? Parking is a joke and the Luas is pretty packed as it is - both ways. A joke, surely and is it just a malicious rumour that there is no helipad incorporated in the design ?"
There is a helipad incorporated in the design.

Whether it actually forms part of the final build is another question but I would expect it will.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5129 - 06/09/2024 01:05:42    2568656

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Replying To Viking66:  "https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2023/08/11/thousands-of-health-service-executive-administrators-to-take-industrial-action/

Unions aren't the problem. Waste and inefficient spending is. Frontline permanent staff get next to #### all, while huge amounts of money are being wasted on agency staff and external consultants."
I agree with that.

For clarity what I'm referring to is where unions are needed most in areas like retail, hospitality and manufacturing who don't have the three pensions that civil servants do.

Taking Wexford as an example, back in the 80s whitemill industrial estate was a hive of activity which has now almost ceased to exist. How was this allowed to happen?

We're currently seeing pubs and restaurants trying to pay below the minimum wage, how is this allowed to happen?

It's a bigger argument just the function of a union. It's about the move from left to right in terms of economic policy, disguised as being progressive by moving left in social policy.

Our healthcare and housing systems primarily are in complete chaos which has all but destroyed upward social mobility, we also operate a two tier education system which further enforces this divide. Anyone who thinks we have nothing in common with Reagens America or Thatcher's Britain is kidding themselves.

From the lower middle class down are now being converted to medieval peasants . It may sound dramatic but unfortunately it's happening.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3071 - 06/09/2024 08:28:15    2568661

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Away from the politics for a while....

I think it's really sad that we have Ireland playing England tomorrow in a competitive international under a new manager and there's barely a peep about it.

I genuinely think we can give them a game if we're well set up and really disciplined. Teams like Slovakia and Slovenia frustrated the life out of them at the Euros. Plus we have good pace on the counter with Szmodics and Ogbene. They're missing a few key players like Bellingham, Foden and Palmer, and they could well be suffering from a post Euros hangover.

It would be great if we could get an encouraging start under the new manager and even a draw.
We have to get back to competing with those middle tier teams and qualifying for the odd tournament again.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9492 - 06/09/2024 11:30:03    2568684

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Away from the politics for a while....

I think it's really sad that we have Ireland playing England tomorrow in a competitive international under a new manager and there's barely a peep about it.

I genuinely think we can give them a game if we're well set up and really disciplined. Teams like Slovakia and Slovenia frustrated the life out of them at the Euros. Plus we have good pace on the counter with Szmodics and Ogbene. They're missing a few key players like Bellingham, Foden and Palmer, and they could well be suffering from a post Euros hangover.

It would be great if we could get an encouraging start under the new manager and even a draw.
We have to get back to competing with those middle tier teams and qualifying for the odd tournament again."
Yeah it's strange alright. My GAA club is playing tomorrow at 5.30. I won't be watching the soccer. There is a lack of interest all round i feel.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8083 - 06/09/2024 12:37:35    2568703

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I'm a wee bit more optimistic than what is probably sensible.

We have a good few players playing at a high level now albeit some maybe needed a move to increase playing time.

Kelleher, Coleman, Scales, Doherty, O'Shea, Collins, Omobamidele, Szmodics, Ferguson, Ogbene, McAteer, Smallbone, Idah should all be getting PL exposure regularly enough this season, and CL football in the case of Scales and Idah

I worry a bit for Ferguson though. He's been out injured for a long time, and Welbeck and Joao Pedro have started the season really well for Brighton. I would have loved to see him get signed by Brentford. The lad they signed to replace Toney is crocked til the new year, and they have a good manager who could've got the best out of Ferguson. As good and all as Brighton are to watch there does be a lot of chopping and changing of managers there.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9492 - 06/09/2024 14:11:11    2568716

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "Yeah it's strange alright. My GAA club is playing tomorrow at 5.30. I won't be watching the soccer. There is a lack of interest all round i feel."
Roscommon senior play off at 6 tomorrow.
Leitrim double header Qtr Finals on during soccer match also.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1863 - 06/09/2024 14:16:51    2568717

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Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "Roscommon senior play off at 6 tomorrow.
Leitrim double header Qtr Finals on during soccer match also."
I suppose it's up to the players to try to recapture the public interest. Some of the best sporting memories many of us would have is watching Ireland at Euros & World Cups. Seems like a lifetime ago since Japan and South Korea. Great times.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9492 - 06/09/2024 15:31:23    2568730

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I agree with that.

For clarity what I'm referring to is where unions are needed most in areas like retail, hospitality and manufacturing who don't have the three pensions that civil servants do.

Taking Wexford as an example, back in the 80s whitemill industrial estate was a hive of activity which has now almost ceased to exist. How was this allowed to happen?

We're currently seeing pubs and restaurants trying to pay below the minimum wage, how is this allowed to happen?

It's a bigger argument just the function of a union. It's about the move from left to right in terms of economic policy, disguised as being progressive by moving left in social policy.

Our healthcare and housing systems primarily are in complete chaos which has all but destroyed upward social mobility, we also operate a two tier education system which further enforces this divide. Anyone who thinks we have nothing in common with Reagens America or Thatcher's Britain is kidding themselves.

From the lower middle class down are now being converted to medieval peasants . It may sound dramatic but unfortunately it's happening."
Agree with all of that Doyler.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13520 - 06/09/2024 16:20:53    2568737

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I agree with that.

For clarity what I'm referring to is where unions are needed most in areas like retail, hospitality and manufacturing who don't have the three pensions that civil servants do.

Taking Wexford as an example, back in the 80s whitemill industrial estate was a hive of activity which has now almost ceased to exist. How was this allowed to happen?

We're currently seeing pubs and restaurants trying to pay below the minimum wage, how is this allowed to happen?

It's a bigger argument just the function of a union. It's about the move from left to right in terms of economic policy, disguised as being progressive by moving left in social policy.

Our healthcare and housing systems primarily are in complete chaos which has all but destroyed upward social mobility, we also operate a two tier education system which further enforces this divide. Anyone who thinks we have nothing in common with Reagens America or Thatcher's Britain is kidding themselves.

From the lower middle class down are now being converted to medieval peasants . It may sound dramatic but unfortunately it's happening."
What pubs and restaurants are trying to pay below the minimum wage?

That's illegal.

There are legal minimum wage levels set out based on a person's age and if an employer is not adhering to these then they are breaking the law.

If this practice is happening and not being identified or addressed, then that isn't an issue of government policy. It's an issue of inadequate enforcement of the law. Are you aware of any such activity being reported to the authorities and subsequently ignored?



(I will add that temporary measures such as job bridge were exploited by many employers)

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5129 - 06/09/2024 17:45:00    2568753

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Away from the politics for a while....

I think it's really sad that we have Ireland playing England tomorrow in a competitive international under a new manager and there's barely a peep about it.

I genuinely think we can give them a game if we're well set up and really disciplined. Teams like Slovakia and Slovenia frustrated the life out of them at the Euros. Plus we have good pace on the counter with Szmodics and Ogbene. They're missing a few key players like Bellingham, Foden and Palmer, and they could well be suffering from a post Euros hangover.

It would be great if we could get an encouraging start under the new manager and even a draw.
We have to get back to competing with those middle tier teams and qualifying for the odd tournament again."
The timing of this international window is terrible and it's never been met with much enthusiasm.

I do think Ireland will do alright tomorrow. What alright looks like, I'm not sure. We're at a place where a 1 goal defeat would probably be met with mainly positivity. A draw is definitely a realistic possibility tho.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5129 - 06/09/2024 17:57:10    2568757

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