Will the IRA terrorist become president of Ireland?

[Darat]

Martin McGuinness is standing for election as the President of Ireland. Although not the favourite there is talk that since Fianna Fail isn't putting a candidate up he does have a chance. It's a strange one as because he is a resident of NI he won't be able to vote for himself. One quote I've read about if he did win made me smile, it was "the Republic's loss would be Ulster's gain".

Being brought up during the height of the Troubles the idea that someone so senior in the IRA and therefore responsible for many, many killings could become a member of the political establishment still has the power to astonish me. I think it is a huge credit to decent people in Northern Ireland that for the sake of piece they are willing to work alongside such a man.

But will the Irish elect him? I really hope they won't.

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

Being brought up during the height of the Troubles the idea that someone so senior in the IRA and therefore responsible for many, many killings could become a member of the political establishment still has the power to astonish me.

I'm not sure why, surely it's pretty much par for the course following the end of any rebellion/insurgency/freedom fight/terrorist outrage (select option you feel most appropriate) that the leaders end up either dead or part of the establishment (e.g. Menachim Begin, Nelson Mandela, George Washington, Che Guevara)

But will the Irish elect him? I really hope they won't.

It's hard to say, there isn't an outstanding candidate since the leader in the polls had to step down over his apologetics for kiddy fiddling, although he's trying to re-enter.
My opinion is he won't come anywhere near being elected, but I've been wrong before.

 

[Darat]

I'm not sure why, surely it's pretty much par for the course following the end of any rebellion/insurgency/freedom fight/terrorist outrage (select option you feel most appropriate) that the leaders end up either dead or part of the establishment (e.g. Menachim Begin, Nelson Mandela, George Washington, Che Guevara)

...snip...

I think it is because it is my personal history, the others are learned history.

 

[WildCat]

I think it is a huge credit to decent people in Northern Ireland that for the sake of piece they are willing to work alongside such a man.

So how big a piece are they getting?

 

[Darth Rotor]

I hope they do.

He can be their Marion Barry.

"Hey, he's a jerk, but he's OUR jerk."

PLUS

I think it might be good for him.

Once he's in that seat, on that side of the coin, he might perhaps have an awakening, or at least a few "eureka" moments.
Having such moments might help him grow into the job.

Given the load of cretins filling political positions in many places in the globe, who knows what sort of person might be the best for that place and time?

 

[lionking]

Is it really that important? Does the President do anything other than greet dignitaries, open fetes and make statements of no political or social consequence?

 

[angrysoba]

I also think that it won't happen but I think there is probably a very strong anti-incumbent feeling in Ireland right now. Kicking out the rubbishy old parties and electing someone a bit passionate, albeit passionate about guerilla warfare, might have some appeal.

I hope not because I can't stand Sinn Fein but there we go.

 

[uk_dave]

So how big a piece are they getting?

Gotta say, that was my first thought too. We are sick puppies.

 

[angrysoba]

No presidency for McGuinness:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15488067

 

[Virus]

No. A lefty loon became president instead. I'd be embarrassed to be Irish right now.

 

[geni]

No. A lefty loon became president instead. I'd be embarrassed to be Irish right now.

Because they elected someone somewhat left wing an extremely boring? I think there is a case to be made that now is not the time for more interesting candidates.

 

[Virus]

"Somewhat left wing". He supported Communist Nicaragua and Fidel Castro.

 

[geni]

"Somewhat left wing". He supported Communist Nicaragua and Fidel Castro.

Err he got on okey with someone who was fairly legitimately elected leader of Nicaragua (at least accourding to observers who were actualy there) and quoted castro saying "Let us pay the debt to humanity before the debt to the banks.”. That would have been 1999 when reducing/writing off third world debts was a popular political position. He even manages to make quoting castro boring.

Of course the reality is this is completely irrelivant. The guy has been in goverment. We know what happened. Boring somewhat left wing. I suppose it's possible that from the POV of the Front National he could be viewed as loony left

 

[davefoc]

So how big a piece are they getting?

Mocking our leader for a spelling error. Nice.

 

[Soapy Sam]

"Lieder" surely?

 

[Darat]

No presidency for McGuinness:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15488067

Good.

 

[gumboot]

Being brought up during the height of the Troubles the idea that someone so senior in the IRA and therefore responsible for many, many killings could become a member of the political establishment still has the power to astonish me.

Why? Military leaders are elected to political positions all the time. Particularly insurgent military leaders who contributed to their state's independence.

 

[bikerdruid]

No. A lefty loon became president instead. I'd be embarrassed to be Irish right now.

the capitalists in the EU certainly ********** ireland over (along with greece, portugal and italy coming up.)
it's about bloody time to get a socialist in power and get a people centered government.

 

[lionking]

the capitalists in the EU certainly ********** ireland over (along with greece, portugal and italy coming up.)
it's about bloody time to get a socialist in power and get a people centered government.

"Power". Do you have any idea of the role of Ireland's President?

Didn't think so.

 

[Virus]

the capitalists in the EU certainly ********** ireland over (along with greece, portugal and italy coming up.)
it's about bloody time to get a socialist in power and get a people centered government.

Greece, Portugal and Italy actually have governments dominated by socialist parties.