My dialogue with da Taoiseach

dublin | politics / elections | opinion/analysis

Tuesday April 13, 2004 17:21

by A shocked voter

Bumping Into Bertie

On Thursady the (9th of April )last I had the opportunity to engage in dialogoue with An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, while he went walkabout throughout his constituency.It wasnt very pleasent Imust say, as at times Bertie liberally used the four letter word throughout our encounter,and constantly spoke to me in a patronising manner.

I made it quite clear from the outset that his party was solely responsible for the jailing of those very brave citizens who went to jail because of a double taxation his party introduced.Mr Ahern stated he agreed with the double taxation, but when I pointed out that only 15% of waste comes from households, and also why havent any farmers or industry owners gone to jail because of enviromental waste etc he looked silent and dumbfounded.I pointed out to him how quickly the State seemed to deal with PAYE workers who dare defy unjust laws.I also pointed out the still seething anger from ordinary PAYE workers in working class areas to the bin tax.

When I raised the subject of two outstanding issues that have been central to the success of the new social partnership agreement "Sustainig Progress" Mr Ahern seemed willing to address my concern.

The first issue I put to him waa why hasnt there been any new homes of the promised 10,000 been built ,he pointed out that sites have been identified and proceeded to pass on responsibilty to property developers.I repeated the question how many houses were built and was given the reply "what do you think they are built with lego".I went on to suggest that surely it is the responsibility of government is to enure these homes are built

Raising the issue of the objective of taking as many people from the top rate of tax as possible and the absolute failure do achieve this objective, in fact 60,000 more people have gone up to the higher rate of tax during this partnership deal, Mr Ahern looked again dumbfounded and silent.
It seemed at times during our encounter Mr Ahern was extremly anxious to disengage from our encounter at times he spoke to me in a very patronising manner He suggested that I should live in the real world and that he was a trade unionist even before I was born.

I was extremley willing to engage further in conversation with our countys elected leader but Mr Ahern thought fit to turn his back and walk on.I attempted to gain a reply as to why none of his former party collegues or current sitting party members involved in corruption allegations and drink driving offences have not faced jail,but Mr Aherns back was turned to me.
In our final exchange I pointed out that it was a disgrace that our National Airport was being allowed to be used for US military stopovers and that I would gladly go to jail for protesting against Mr. Bushh's visit to Ireland He went on to say I hope you go to f***ing jail
Unfortunatley I didnt have the time to exchange views on the racist referundum due to take place on the same day as the Local Elections, but perhaps if we do meet again I will express my views on the issue.But somehow I think Bertie will cross the road to avoid me.

save preference

Comments (8 of 8)

Fair Play !! Well slapped into his stupid face

by TYS

Tue Apr 13, 2004 18:32

You obviously touched a raw nerve there with the Shannon/Bush thing - slaves like this hate being told straight up what sort of low-life they really are.

The Obnoxious little Gombeen ShiteMan's days are numbered, and he knows it damned well.

Some serious Jail Time is needed for this Insolent Puppy

Bloodhound Ahern, your victim's blood screams from the hot desert sand for retribution - you will be made to pay, first at the ballot-box, then in the ICC

PS - You should register a garda complaint for harassment, breach of the peace, threats of unlawful arrest and generally being a prick against this, eh, upstanding representative of the species 'politicus corruptus'

PPS - Where did this happen? Can you get a witness? Where will this puppy be in the next few days?

fight back

by Rebel yell

Wed Apr 14, 2004 12:57

Great article. I hope everyone takes a leaf out of your book and does the same. Irish people are pecular in the way that they tend to complain privately about things they disagree with without confronting the people they disagree with, probably something to do with the education system? Anyhow we need to challenge Fianna Fail at the doorsteps and at any other opportunity for various reasons. firstly, if you ever canvassed you will know that there is nothing more disheartening than a barriage of abuse at the door it demoralises the canvassers and the counciller. Secondly, it makes the few remaining FF working class members wonder about the governments policies and finally it frightens the canditate.

So any IMC readers not involved in supporting any of the election campaigns should prepare their own 'ambush' and make their canvass misrable.

Bertie his Huge Army of Unemployed

by ec

Wed Apr 14, 2004 13:27

Oh 10 years ago or more - pre celtic tiger - I remember vividly a friend who at the time was beginning to flirt with left politics drugs and the general rock and roll lifestyle experiencing a canvass for Bertie on his street in Cabra Park in Phibsboro.

He coincidentally had painted in the recent past an ironic (iconic) portrait of Bertie leading a huge army of the unemployed to victory.

He was recovering from his lifestyle excesses in bed when the canvassers struck but got his head together enough to bring out the portrait onto the street and confront the canvassing team and Bertie with it and with a few choice words.

Wether it was my friends breath or the stunning hallucinogenic picture of Bertie and his massive army that did it I dont know - but faced with this one man red eyed foaming at the mouth protester and his 'Masterpiece' advancing unblinkingly - the canvass and Bertie team undertook a hasty unplanned retreat from the general vicinity of Cabra Park.

what we need

by jeff

Wed Apr 14, 2004 15:42

is mainstream media to be truthful in the election run up 2007, to show how badly FF/PD are doing, so that we can know the election has not been fixed with the e voting scam.

Otherwise, there wil be , erm, upheval...

Grey Area

by Idiot

Wed Apr 14, 2004 16:42

Is the world so black and white that we can sit congratulate this voter on his ability to use pure propaganda without any reference to the wider context. Congratulations that say 'slaves' hate when it is pointed out to them in reference to Bertie. Do you think Bertie is a 'slave' in any understandable context? Or is this just a way of talking that makes you feel as though you are free? Let’s get rid of the lies and have some serious discussion this is idiocy.

Use of propaganda

by A Shocked Voter

Wed Apr 14, 2004 17:40

In reply to the reader that suggests that in my encounter with Mr. Ahern I used propaganda and lies.
Let me reassure my friend that at no time in my encounter did I resort to the use of lies and propaganda in highlighting issues of concern to me as a voter
My sources for the statistics on household contribution to enviromental waste comes from extensive research carried out on the subject..
My statisical information on the progress or lack of progress in acheiving objectives within the current new national programme comes directly from offical Trade Union sources.
my information regarding the use of Shannon Airport for the facillation of US warplanes comes from the monitoring of the Airport by reliable sources.
At no time during my encounter did Mr Ahern dispute the statiscal information I put to him.Surely that must be saying something for the validity of my debate with Mr. Ahern.

Lastly I am not responsible for the posting of messages that seek to belittle Mr. Ahern.

Fair enough but...

Wed Apr 14, 2004 17:58

I don't dispute the truth value of your statements but rather the way they are used. These are facts selected from a wider systemic context that can only be understood in relation to this context. To use 'buzz' facts that seek to advance your normative reading without allowing for the fact that this is a normative reading is something that happens all too often.

However my point was critical of those who followed your lead with idiotic talk of 'slavery'. They congratulate with out any criticism or analysis and accept the very black and white picture you paint. War is wrong vs. peace is good, tax on PAYE workers is bad vs. tax on rich is good and so on. These are embedded in a very particular reading of the world and only work as criticism if that embedded context is accepted.

Re: Idiot

by Yossarian

Wed Apr 14, 2004 19:03

Idiot: "However my point was critical of those who followed your lead with idiotic talk of 'slavery'. They congratulate with out any criticism or analysis and accept the very black and white picture you paint. "

Me: thanks, idiot, for your indepth analysis and contextualisation of Shocked Voter's points. In fairness you criticise others for not putting context to the points yet you offer none yourself. Perhaps you aren't aware of the context or perhaps it doesn't suit..?

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Comments (8 of 8)