I just dont understand the media fixation with Norris, nor do I comprehend why the establishment parties are vilifying McGuinness and ignoring Norris. He is like a sacred cow or something. Yesterday we had Alan Shatter and Gay Mitchell laying criticism into him. Whatever gives Shatter the right to criticise McGuinness I dont know, McGuinness would wipe the floor with him, he's done far more for Ireland in his lifetime than Shatter would do in a century.

Something that springs to mind when I think of the whole Presidential race issue is a phrase of Jim Allisters. He holds that "what is morally wrong can not be politically correct". This applies certainly to Norris' bid. He has defended paedophiles in the past, as well as seeking clemency for a convicted rapist. This is both nauseating and disgusting, yet his supporters are unwavering in their views that he should be on the ballot paper. Have these people no conscience? Have some of them not got children of their own?

It beggars belief that someone would even consider voting for this man. I am at a loss to explain it, especially given that he sought leniency for his old boyfriend on Seanad paper, meaning he did it in the name of the Irish people. He should be hauled before a tribunal and held to account for this.

Let us also remember the support he gave the poet Cathal O Searcaigh who admitted he slept with young Nepalese boys. At the time, and this is astonishing it really is, Norris claimed there was a media "witch hunt" against O Searcaigh. I mean, WTF? He defended the most abhorrent of behaviour yet again. His supporters of course are twisting everything behind a charade of defending democracy. They claim the people have a right to choose. Of course they do, but I dont think paedophile supporters and rapist defenders should be anywhere near a Presidential election. What I also notice is that his supporters are driving a hard left agenda, they are intent on destroying Christian institutions in this country, and getting Norris elected would be a massive kick in the teeth to the Church loving right.

I will pray that we dont elect this individual, he will shame the nation time and time again with his anti-Religious views. I can only imagine him meeting the Ayatollah Khomeini, sweet Jesus we'd be forever ridiculed in Asia.

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 24/09/2011 11:58:18    1041403

Well said Slash, but the people should still be able to give their opinion on Norris at the polls. To think there was a time when I thought Norris would be great for Ireland, that a flamboyantly gay man might challenge the legacy of the Catholic Church and fight on behalf of its victims...

On McGuinness, I see in today's Irish News they're saying that his statement on West Brits was a 'mistake', a example of his 'temper', I thought everyone knew these boys do stuff like that on purpose? Also there's a show on UTV on Monday night about Gaddafi's links with the IRA, presumably celebrating his support for a rebel force trying to overthrow an oppressive regime.

Benandonner (Antrim) - Posts: 459 - 24/09/2011 12:24:11    1041416

Seamus89
County: Kilkenny
Posts: 2268

1041323
Just saw the latest poll, Norris on 27%, top of the pile. I just don't understand this. How could the Irish people want a paedophile supporter in the Aras? This is disgusting.

That was a mickey mouse poll, it was done online with only 500 people. 4% margin of error too. I wouldnt read too much into it.

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 24/09/2011 12:28:35    1041417

Well said slash

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1688 - 24/09/2011 13:33:57    1041434

It dosent say much for gay mitchell that alan shatter has to make an attack
on future president marty. He deemed him to be not a suitable candidate.
Bravo Mister Shatter for guiding the electorate for we are all to thick to make our
own minds up for ourselves

atta (Meath) - Posts: 708 - 24/09/2011 16:51:57    1041482

I'd say the'll be more deaths by Spontaneous Combustion down south before this election is over especially in counties( Mayo and Dublin) and what with the Dub's still celebrating having SAM on loan for the next 12 months should make for an interesting few months.............

fortyfive (Tyrone) - Posts: 5929 - 24/09/2011 17:01:32    1041485

We are mature people and the likes of Shatter and Mitchell wont influence me. The country has gone mad. What abilities has Norris shown as a potential statesman? None, He is a blustering Joycean scholar with a passion for Georgian houses. He hasnt really performed in the Senate to any telling effect. Would visiting dignitaries be comfortable shaking his hand? The influx of plastic paddys,left wing yanks with dubious artistic achievments,the cavalcade of foreigners with the voting franchise,has steered the debate towards change. Its seen as cool,trendy,grown up and mature among the media luvvies and our concourse of pompous pseudo intellectuals to change change change. Change for change sake or what in Gods name will the world think of us

Brinsley Swartz (Mayo) - Posts: 2225 - 24/09/2011 17:36:13    1041496

I believe i am beginning to understand why there is such great animosity towards Mc Guiness from the establishment and the media. I feel that in some way there has been almost a century of self delusion among the ruling partys and media that they are governing a nation and that they are a mature sophisticated nation and that all the historical problems of sovereignity have been reconciled. The emergence of Sinn Fein in the North was alright because those extremists up there each deserve the other (not unlike my favourite posters understanding of the 6 counties) and really it has nothing to do with us. However as Sinn Fein make headway and now with Martin Mc Guiness actually looking like a credible candidate they are suddenly faced with the reality that the question of National sovereignity is not some issue confined to the back streets of Belfast and Derry city . South Derry East tyrone and South Armagh it has once again become a national question which is not going away until it is resolved in the Ballot Box. In truth should Sinn Fein become a dominant force and Martin Mc Guiness be elected president then the past 90 years on this Island will be shown for what they were, A massive con job being foisted upon the Irish Nation by the conmen of FF FG and the unionists. The more they attack Martin the more they are afraid that the mask is slipping.

derryman (Derry) - Posts: 3246 - 24/09/2011 19:02:15    1041527

The INDO is very much in the Norris camp. The INDO however is going downhill. We were treated in todays issue to another repetitive rehashing of the golden couple Sean Dunne and Gayle Killilea. Catherine Murphy finished with this bland nonsense "as usual the Dunnes will come out fighting", Factually they have run away and NAMA has been forced to take over 350 million of Dunnes debts. This paper supports David Norris for president ,so he really has no chance of winning .
The columnists in the INDO really have nothing interesting to write nor have they the intellectual zeal or creativity which set quality journalists apart from hacks.
Blandly they promote change. "Oh lets get away from the old Ireland i.e lets not have a person of substance and intellect in the Arás,the position must be all inclusive " So they promote the campaign of a gay male as representing the interests of all. However a gay males` world view is by his genetic make up at variance with many of us hetersexuals. He sees the world,reacts ,makes decisions and judgements through a different lens. For this reason I cannot in honesty vote for David Norris.He doesnt represent me. Despite strong support from the INDO,R.T.E, and the Lefty Alliance he wont win,there are enough of us with a vote to KEEP NORRIS OUT OF THE ARÁS

Brinsley Swartz (Mayo) - Posts: 2225 - 24/09/2011 19:51:34    1041558

Sure the indo is a rag paper and has been for a very long time, they have to take their fair share of the blame for the economic mess too. They went around printing property sections for their paper to encourage the building boom, they are partly to blame for hyping it up!

Sure didnt Tony O'Reilly himself say he was a constitutional nationalist? No wonder his writers vilify republicans!

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 24/09/2011 20:18:16    1041569

Ha, would you look what I just found. This is proof that the Indo is a biased newspaper where the writers have to tow the line regarding their bosses attitude! So much for free speech! I'm never buying that rag paper again!


Mr. O'Reilly is a fervent advocate of ''constitutional nationalism'' - the belief that Ireland, North and South, should be a single nation and that the goal must be achieved through nonviolent means. This, of course, is a very different brand of Irish nationalism than that espoused by the Irish Republican Army and its political arm, Sinn Fein. And on this issue, Mr. O'Reilly readily admits that he makes sure the Independent newspapers mirror his views. ''Anybody who advocates violence is totally unacceptable in our newspapers,'' he said. ''We believe in constitutional solutions. All the editors know that and they faithfully follow that policy.''

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 24/09/2011 20:21:33    1041571

I'm glad to see that lot of the facts about norris got through any censorship. Ireland badly needs a face that is widely recognised and respected across the globe. A lot of the people pushing Norris will soon be diving for cover if he is elected. At that stage the English media will take an interest and god only knows what they will dig up about his past. Ireland will become the laughing stock of the world . For all Martin McGuiness alleged failings he is highly respected by politicians in Britain, maybe not liked, but definitely respected. He can go to any major country in the world and they know him. He is one us! a working class guy who has evolved into a true political leader. This is fast turning into a debate on the soul of the nation. I can't wait to see the debates. I think their attempts at attacking McGuinness will backfire. No disrespect to the other candidates but none of them can bring to the table the expertise he can. It reminds me of the time Glasgow City Council elected a former housebreaker as it's Lord Provost (mayor) the tut tut brigade went into overdrive. What happened ? he proved to be the best man at it and represented the city all over the world. I have no doubt that if elected that Martin will do more for the people of the country than any of his predecessors.

thistle_harps (UK) - Posts: 879 - 24/09/2011 21:08:11    1041618

Norris has two advantages.

Firstly, there's about 20% of the electorate who are so stupid or ideologically blinded that they will vote for him no matter what he does.

Secondly, that 20% includes about half of our national media, the main people in RTE, the Indo/Sindo, the Times and TV3 as well.

Seamus89 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 3848 - 24/09/2011 21:11:48    1041622

Seamus89
County: Kilkenny
Posts: 2270

1041622 Norris has two advantages.

Firstly, there's about 20% of the electorate who are so stupid or ideologically blinded that they will vote for him no matter what he does.

Secondly, that 20% includes about half of our national media, the main people in RTE, the Indo/Sindo, the Times and TV3 as well.
_______________
Seamus, I would hope that an electorate that twice rejected major EU treaties would have sufficient nous to reject the overtures of the countries main media outlets, or am I being too optimistic.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 24/09/2011 21:38:56    1041647

Brend

How did Nice 2 go? What about Lisbon 2? When the media unite, they usually win. That's tragic, but true.

Seamus89 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 3848 - 24/09/2011 21:55:50    1041657

Can Ireland really claim to be a democracy if the majority of media outlets (both private and state owned) are completely in the control of a select ruling elite?

artisan (Down) - Posts: 1794 - 25/09/2011 12:18:03    1041704

The louder Fine Gael shout at McGuinness and their party faithful in the Indo write fast and furious and all the while they drag victims and wheel them before the electorate - they are merely assuring Martin McGuinness will be there or there abouts. And one thing is certain Mitchell is unelectable he will not be in the Aras. If Norris gets on the ticket its betwen him and McGuinness.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4954 - 25/09/2011 12:23:22    1041707

arock,

You summed it up completely. The more criticism directed at McGuinness, the more people will vote for him as a protest vote.

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 25/09/2011 12:36:14    1041715

artisan
County: Down
Posts: 870

1041704 Can Ireland really claim to be a democracy if the majority of media outlets (both private and state owned) are completely in the control of a select ruling elite?
______________________
A look at todays Independent will show you the power of the media mogul.

http://www.independent.ie/

I count 8 lead articles relating to the election, all of them opposing McGuinness, and all of them virtually using the self same argument.

I find the headline itself appalling.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 25/09/2011 12:44:14    1041717

I went to mass this AM. The gospel was about Jesus asking the Chief Priests and Pharisees about the vineyard owner who asked his two sons to work in his vine yard . One said noway but did the other said of course but did not. Jesus asked which did his fathers will?

We are now looking at a similar scenario here. The people of Ireland asked their leaders for peace and Unity. The press and the establishment said yes but have done nothing but cast aspersions and play the blame game and attempt to be divisive. Sinn Fein said no we need armed struggle but now they have put that aside and are working very hard in the vineyard for peace and unity and taking great abuse for it. Who do you think are doing the will of the people?

Please God let the people of Ireland ( at least those who can vote) see who is doing the will of the people.

derryman (Derry) - Posts: 3246 - 25/09/2011 13:39:06    1041744