Mike Cubbard

brianthebard

Lol the thread was started yesterday, you're happy to give him a few days to find it but just a couple of posts earlier you were whinging about him ignoring your questions; 'exhaustion from waiting for answers' was the exact statement. You know what Amhran nua, if you think democracy is principally or even partially related to random questions on the internet its no wonder you didn't manage to field any candidates.

Amhran Nua

brianthebard wrote: »

Lol the thread was started yesterday, you're happy to give him a few days to find it but just a couple of posts earlier you were whinging about him ignoring your questions; 'exhaustion from waiting for answers' was the exact statement.

That's right, and if we get any answers, I'll be surprised. Pleasantly, but nonetheless. This isn't the first time I've put questions forward for this candidate.

I find this whole conversation fascinating, you seem to have a problem with me asking questions of a potential political candidate.

brianthebard wrote: »

You know what Amhran nua, if you think democracy is principally or even partially related to random questions on the internet its no wonder you didn't manage to field any candidates.

Yes, it's hard to build something in the face of extremely well organised and financed entrenched interests which have been in place for almost a century, since in fact the foundation of the state, despite local and national coverage in the press, radio, and other non-internet sources with a combined circulation in the hundreds of thousands. The dozens of people who have given it all they could and scores of failed groups over the last two years will watch with interest should you decide to make your own effort in that direction.

brianthebard

Amhran Nua wrote: »

That's right, and if we get any answers, I'll be surprised. Pleasantly, but nonetheless. This isn't the first time I've put questions forward for this candidate.

I find this whole conversation fascinating, you seem to have a problem with me asking questions of a potential political candidate.

I just think your attitude is pretty poor, and is most likely caused by jealousy and your own inability to go for election even as an independent representing your 'party'.

Amhran Nua

brianthebard wrote: »

I just think your attitude is pretty poor, and is most likely caused by jealousy and your own inability to go for election even as an independent representing your 'party'.

So you're just going to wave away any concerns about Mike Cubbard's platform, his policies, or his intentions, on the strength of your unfounded suspicions about my motivation?

And people ask why the country is in the state it's in.

brianthebard

Amhran Nua wrote: »

So you're just going to wave away any concerns about Mike Cubbard's platform, his policies, or his intentions, on the strength of your unfounded suspicions about my motivation?

And people ask why the country is in the state it's in.

Nope as I pointed out earlier I won't be voting here so I have no ability to impact the election in this constituency. You should read posts better.

Amhran Nua

brianthebard wrote: »

Nope as I pointed out earlier I won't be voting here so I have no ability to impact the election in this constituency.

And yet here you are doing your level best to do just that.

brianthebard wrote: »

You should read posts better.

Please answer the points put to you rather than flailing about you with wild eyed and completely unfounded accusations about the person you're talking with. Why exactly do you have a problem with me asking questions of Mike Cubbard? We're at number three on google already, lets take it to number one.

KylieWyley

dolphin city wrote: »

what I want from a policitan is a bit of guts and a bit of fight - I couldn't care less if he won spelling bee's at school. As far as excellent command of the english language - have you forgotten about big head ahearn? who about brian clowen - the biggest mumbler in history, everything said under his breath. So please, get a grip. Spellings is not an issue.

by the way I am not a mike cubbard supporter - although I have nothing against him.

It could be argued that Jackie Healy Rae has 'a lot of guts and a bit of fight' and it should be patently clear that he is far from a quality politician.

It's about time we starting insisting on politicians that are either well educated or have a proven track record in an industry or sector of civic society. Voting for people because they have 'a bit of fight' will only return a new cohort of people that, like the old bunch, are full of hot air and little else.

While I'm sure Mr.Cubbard's intentions are for the best, his manifesto is very vague, lacking in substantive content and I don't think he'd have much to contribute to the national debate.

brianthebard

Amhran Nua wrote: »

And yet here you are doing your level best to do just that.


Please answer the points put to you rather than flailing about you with wild eyed and completely unfounded accusations about the person you're talking with. Why exactly do you have a problem with me asking questions of Mike Cubbard? We're at number three on google already, lets take it to number one.

Absolute lol, you have managed to learn how to twist words like a politician at least. I never said I had a problem with questions being asked, I just thought that you were being obnoxious about it and not giving the man enough time since he's clearly busy canvassing lately. You claimed you'd give him time but had just a few posts earlier said you were exhausted from waiting for answers.

Amhran Nua

brianthebard wrote: »

Absolute lol, you have managed to learn how to twist words like a politician at least. I never said I had a problem with questions being asked, I just thought that you were being obnoxious about it and not giving the man enough time since he's clearly busy canvassing lately. You claimed you'd give him time but had just a few posts earlier said you were exhausted from waiting for answers.

Since the last time I asked, yes, which was quite a bit earlier, for the second time in this thread. Now, moving on from "absolute lol", can you pin down for everybody reading this why exactly you think asking questions is obnoxious?

You've already shown you are as unwilling to respond to questions and points as Mike Cubbard, and indeed are quite happy to attack anyone exercising their democratic right to question their political representatives, which for the record makes you part of the problem.

Perhaps a devoted supporter like yourself can answer, what policies exactly does Mike Cubbard have to deal with the problems in the country, and how does he intend to see those through? Oh right, you don't even vote in this constituency, but instead are busy polluting an otherwise decent discussion with abuse and insinuations. Great.

brianthebard

Amhran Nua wrote: »

Since the last time I asked, yes, which was quite a bit earlier, for the second time in this thread. Now, moving on from "absolute lol", can you pin down for everybody reading this why exactly you think asking questions is obnoxious?

Well the part where you pretend you are willing to wait a few days then say that you are exhausted from waiting, or that it was 'quite a bit earlier' like above.

Perhaps a devoted supporter like yourself can answer, what policies exactly does Mike Cubbard have to deal with the problems in the country, and how does he intend to see those through? Oh right, you don't even vote in this constituency, but instead are busy polluting an otherwise decent discussion with abuse and insinuations. Great.

Lol the more you bitch the more it just looks like you really are jealous that Cubbard is running and you're not. the fathers rights party managed to field candidates in the last election even though on the ballot paper they were down as independents, you couldn't even managed that? sour grapes and a massive chip on your shoulder tbh.

KylieWyley

Amhran Nua wrote: »

instead are busy polluting an otherwise decent discussion

I'll have to second this. Can you kindly keep it on topic (the quality/merit of Cubbard as a candidate vs other Galway West candidates), please.


And you're a mod too :rolleyes:

Amhran Nua

brianthebard wrote: »

Lol the more you bitch the more it just looks like you really are jealous that Cubbard is running and you're not. the fathers rights party managed to field candidates in the last election even though on the ballot paper they were down as independents, you couldn't even managed that? sour grapes and a massive chip on your shoulder tbh.

To be honest, I'd rather be all of the above (although I'm not, and I don't feel particulary inclined to explain why), than be speaking out in support of someone for no explicable reason, while there are plenty of reasons not to. Can we keep it on topic now.

brianthebard

Amhran Nua wrote: »

To be honest, I'd rather be all of the above (although I'm not, and I don't feel particulary inclined to explain why), than be speaking out in support of someone for no explicable reason, while there are plenty of reasons not to. Can we keep it on topic now.

I haven't spoken in support of anyone. However you're the one complaining about me casting insinuations, while you said earlier in the thread that Cubbard is only out for himself and just wants a TD wage. That's major insinuations bordering on libel.

Amhran Nua

brianthebard wrote: »

I haven't spoken in support of anyone. However you're the one complaining about me casting insinuations, while you said earlier in the thread that Cubbard is only out for himself and just wants a TD wage. That's major insinuations bordering on libel.

What, no lol? Good, I hope he comes out to defend himself. I see no reason to imagine otherwise at this point, although I sincerely hope he proves me wrong.

One thing is for sure - you aren't helping his case.

Can we continue the discussion on topic please, you're continually dragging it into other areas.

brianthebard

Amhran Nua wrote: »

What, no lol? Good, I hope he comes out to defend himself. I see no reason to imagine otherwise at this point, although I sincerely hope he proves me wrong.

One thing is for sure - you aren't helping his case.

Can we continue the discussion on topic please, you're continually dragging it into other areas.

Serious lolz, don't you want do discuss your assertion that he is only out for himself and for a TD wage? That was on topic when you said it, why not now?

Amhran Nua

brianthebard wrote: »

Serious lolz, don't you want do discuss your assertion that he is only out for himself and for a TD wage? That was on topic when you said it, why not now?

I'm quite happy to do so. I don't think you're qualified to speak on it though, despite making assertions about a libel threat, which is enough to get you sitebanned.

KylieWyley

brianthebard wrote: »

You can't just shout questions into the wilderness and expect answers, then complain that he hasn't replied. Make him aware of your questions or put up with it.

someone has made him aware of this thread on his facebook page.

now can we just drop the petty squabbling, please? thanks

brianthebard

Amhran Nua wrote: »

I'm quite happy to do so. I don't think you're qualified to speak on it though, despite making assertions about a libel threat, which is enough to get you sitebanned.

lol twisting words again. I didn't make any libel threat, I said what you said was bordering on libel. So why don't you tell us more about how he's only out for himself and a TD's wage?

Amhran Nua

brianthebard wrote: »

lol twisting words again. I didn't make any libel threat, I said what you said was bordering on libel. So why don't you tell us more about how he's only out for himself and a TD's wage?

I'm waiting for him to tell us. You might hide behind broad hints, but its fairly clear what you tried to imply. Post reported.

brianthebard

Broad hints about what?

biko

Too bad Cubbard didn't make it in before the lock.

biko

Ok I've been asked to open this again and have reconsidered.
I'll do so with the warning that any on-thread bickering or nonsense posting will lead to a ban until after election day.

Lockstep

PomBear wrote: »

Derek Nolan added me

My fault, I used the 'suggest friend' function to suggest you as a friend for him.

R28

biko wrote: »

Ok I've been asked to open this again and have reconsidered.
I'll do so with the warning that any on-thread bickering or nonsense posting will lead to a ban until after election day.

Will that include the Mod who appeared to be doing at least 50% of the on thread bickering?

I'd love to hear from Mike Cupboard on this thread to be honest. I think I'd like to vote for him but I haven't seen or heard anything related to his policies or views. As it stands I have him down midway through my list of preferences as part of the anyone but FF brigade (Hell, even knowing next to nothing about him he couldn't possibly be any worse then Ollie 'I'll do anything to get into power' Crowe) but I'd like to at least have the opportunity to see if I could give him a higher preference.

biko

R28 wrote: »

Will that include the Mod who appeared to be doing at least 50% of the on thread bickering?

He's just another user in this section of boards. I wouldn't hesitate to infract or ban anyone if I deemed in necessary
/powertrip
Now that everyone has been warned I hope we can discuss Mr Cubbard's policies.

For me, tbh I don't see anything that sets Mr Cubbard apart from the others. His policies seems pretty straightforward. Perhaps being from the Westside means that he's truly one of the people?

Stick it in the Pan

Strikes me as a nice lad but not the brightest. Maybe he can get on the council in a few decades if he improves but he shouldn't be let near a national parliament.

KylieWyley

On the one hand, he's against any further cuts. On the other, (taken from his facebook page) he is proposing that we invest more in education and health..

Where does he propose we get the funds to do all this?

Either:
a) He's living in lala land and completely out of his depth; or,
b) He's like most other career politicians and making promises he'll have little hope of actually bringing to fruition.

Either way, that's not something I want to vote for.

Dan_Solo

biko wrote: »

For me, tbh I don't see anything that sets Mr Cubbard apart from the others.

He's not in FF, FG, GP, Labour or any other right wing political party.
That has to be a good start.

KylieWyley

Yes but, getting back to the point made by the OP, there are better Independent candidates out there.

skelliser

i think Mike is getting a little too much flak on this thread.

Iv met him and he is a sound guy.
He is passionate about politics and means well. Of all the candidates he is the most "normal" of the lot.Hes not a publican, a teacher, a barrister or a banker which is what all the rest are. A normal enough young dude with a young family.
As regard his policies, ok maybe he is a little vague in want he wants but look at the rest!
Connolly, build 4,000 more council houses, where is the money gonna come from that?
Walsh, no more health cuts, again where is the money?
Crowe who owns 4/5 houses which he rents to the corpo! we dont need his ilk!

In fact im going to start a thread on all the other candidates!!
If Mike is gonna get thorn to shreds they all are!!

Good point.

I know him too, and one thing he has, are good intentions.
Too many upper class types run for parliament and they don't give two hells about the lower classes.

In relation to his policies, he's running as an independent, he doesn't have the luxury of a party war machine filling that in for him.

Sure are people forgetting the Lisbon Treaty ''Yes for more jobs'' posters, when it had nothing to do with jobs, but yet people let FF, FG and Labour fill them with that crap just so they'd be nice and vote how Europe wanted us too.
The least of the concerns in the campaign are their promises, it's what they do when they have the power and the honesty they show that counts.

I wouldn't be overly concerned if he doesn't know the facts and figures for every Government department, who does?... and the Government pay plenty of experts in each field so i doubt even the cabinet are that in touch with the numbers.

At any rate speaking off ''throwing idle comments out there'' i passed a sign for Naughton today and it said something daft like ''Invest in: Tourism etc...'' considering she has a party feeding her campaign that seems fairly vague as well IMO.

Elohim

skelliser wrote: »

i think Mike is getting a little too much flak on this thread.

In fact im going to start a thread on all the other candidates!!
If Mike is gonna get thorn to shreds they all are!!

I think the main point that future politicians need to take from this thread is that spelling is very important.
Were it not for these mistakes I wonder if this thread would have been started and such an in-depth nitpicking of this candidate's policies (or lack of) have occurred.

My View

Mike Cubbard is not a true Independent, he was a member of Fianna Fáil for almost six years during the Celtic Tiger era from 2003 to 2009. He also canvassed for a Yes Vote during Lisbon Treaty saga of May 2008 alongside sitting F Fáil TD Frank Fahey in Galway. He a FF reject that simply became disgruntled when they said he'd never get on the ticket for the local elections in 2009 not alone even contemplating contesting a General election.

He lacks substance and simply the intellect to action change and deal with the major challenges facing this country now and for the next 15 years.

The amount of absolute empty rhetoric on his website is ridicolous, I would like to question Mr. Cubbard on his main political objectives if elected a member of Dáil Eireann;

1. How would you re-negotiate the IMF Deal? Please explain with figures,
projections to support your views?

2. Job Creation, How? Please don't suggest anymore community
employment schemes and local enterprise boards.

3. To Fight for Fairness and Inequality in Ireland? Please explain.

4. Reform of the political system? Substance please!!

Frankly this guy with no disrepect meant, would be ok as a local councillor if someone had a problem with noisy neighbours or the water system is not working, He would be fine to make a phone call but anything above this level I'm afraid he's simply out of his league in comparison to the other candidates CV's.

TristanPeter

The email address on his webpage doesn't seem to work. When it's clicked it changes from .net to .com in the Outlook. I sent him an email and it was returned to me.

ilovesleep

@Myview
Are for real with your information? Thanks for letting us know. I will never vote for anyone that is associated with FF.

My View

100% Mr. Cubbard cannot deny his long term associations with Fianna Fáil, I like the way he uses the term "The Government" not Fianna Fáil - OK if it was a short term stint for 12 months helping out, learning how a political campaign works etc, but being an actual member of Fianna Fáil for over 5/6 years. Something to hide for sure.

He's a sheep that has always followed the flock and will continue to do so.

If anyone would like to challenge me on the above statement, please feel free to do so or even better question Mr. Cubbard himself.

Amhran Nua

My View wrote: »

he was a member of Fianna Fáil for almost six years during the Celtic Tiger era from 2003 to 2009. He also canvassed for a Yes Vote during Lisbon Treaty saga of May 2008 alongside sitting F Fáil TD Frank Fahey in Galway.

And this is why someone trying to come across as a plain honest man of the people should immediately set off big giant alarm bells in everyone's head.

Canvasser

Cubbard is a good lad, met him a few times. Will be getting a high preference from myself. I've told the wife to give him a #4 preference too.

KylieWyley

...says the FF canvasser.

Dan_Solo

@My View
Who's view exactly?
Sorry, but you have registered solely to post on this so I'll have to completely disregard everything you say. That's just the way it is.
Cubbard has explicitly denied ever being a member of FF. He said he campaigned for a Yes vote (which I do not support), but not for any party.
If you have any evidence I guess now would be the time to show it.

WesternNight

Even if he was a member of FF, surely it'd be a good thing that he'd have left the party?

PomBear

Although the allegations of him being former FF, he was at a meeting in richardsons the others day discussing left alternatives with the other left candidates apart from Trevor Ó Clochartaigh who couldn't make it.

So he's left wing now or so he says!

Amhran Nua

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Sorry, but you have registered solely to post on this so I'll have to completely disregard everything you say. That's just the way it is.

He is asking legitimate questions however, that do need an answer.

Mike Cubbard has indeed gone on record as saying he's not currently associated with any party, while dodging the question of previous party involvement, so the question of his former associations still remains open. He does say he was never a member of any party however, so that puts My View in the wrong on that point.

Firstly, to answer the question posed as to whether I am 1) Independent Fianna Fail, 2) Independent Ex-PD, 3) Independent future Fianna Fail or 4) Independent Marxist Socialist. I can confirm I am none of the above. I am “Independent Mike Cubbard” and will remain that way throughout my campaign and throughout my spell in City Hall if elected. I will not, regardless of what The Insider believes, be joining a party. There is enough time wasted in the Galway City Council because of the cross party antics of certain members at present, this is why we need to elect more Independents this time out. We must learn from our mistakes.


To clarify, I was never on course, or “courted” as your writer believes, to be a future Fianna Fail candidate. I laughed when I read, “It is widely known that Mr Cubbard was being courted as a future Fianna Fail candidate.” If I was, certainly nobody told me. Again, this is a cheap shot by a certain councillor whom I’m led to believe wrote this piece.


Secondly, I was in no way dumped by any party in favour of anybody else as I have never been a member of any political party. Not Fianna Fail, not Fine Gael, not Labour, not Green not PD, not Sinn Fein, nor any other party in Irish politics. So again, the information your writer based his information on is without base and certainly lacking actual fact.


I can confirm I took part in the Lisbon treaty canvass last year and canvassed the Westside and Dangan areas. I took part in this canvass with two personal friends of mine, one of whom happens to be a member of Fianna Fail. I did so as I am known in the area and believed in a “Yes” vote being in the best interests of the country. The party did not directly contact me to do so; it was a personal friend who asked if I would help out. Does this make me a member of the above-mentioned party? No. Does this put me on course to stand for Fianna Fail in an election? No.


I think it is absolutely ridiculous and out of order for any member of the current council to brand me, or anybody else for that matter, with a toxicity level. It is nothing short of hypocritical for any of this council to do this in the fashion he has done. It is clear to me that somebody is threatened by the “Independent voice” and feels that he must attack us Independents at every opportunity. The message I would send to this particular councillor is to take a long hard look at yourself before casting your “vote” on me and brandishing me with a toxicity level.


As I have mentioned, I am an Independent candidate. I will remain an Independent candidate. I will represent the people of Galway city to the best of my ability as an Independent councillor if elected, promoting unity and progression in the council chamber. I will not be jumping ship, contrary to what last Thursday’s “Insider” believes.

Dan_Solo

Amhran Nua wrote: »

He is asking legitimate questions however, that do need an answer.

OK, my original reasoning for ignoring him was flawed, but ultimately I was correct to do so.
A quick Google search of any sort turns up Cubbard's flat out denial of party membership. Why would anybody register here solely to say otherwise and give no evidence to back it up? You'd think a "one-issue" poster would have something concrete to bring to the discussion.
My Views stinks of inside job.

Amhran Nua

Dan_Solo wrote: »

My Views stinks of inside job.

He does, but he's not the only one asking questions. You can't expect people to seriously support putting Cubbard in a very well paid and powerful job on the strength of a few vague newspaper headline type policies.

One in particular - how does he plan to deal with the question of the banks taking into account the ECB, EU, and bond markets? Also how does he intend to reduce the deficit, and finally how can he as an independent have any noticeable impact on any of these issues?

Amhran Nua

Amhran Nua wrote: »

One in particular - how does he plan to deal with the question of the banks taking into account the ECB, EU, and bond markets? Also how does he intend to reduce the deficit, and finally how can he as an independent have any noticeable impact on any of these issues?

Topic one i'd imagine is more a question for the cabinet, who have a wealth of advisers in each field.

Same as topic two.... when does one independent deal with an issue that big

And question three, i'd imagine would somewhat tie in with one and two. In that he through his voting power could use his vote to the benefit of the majority of the people.

Being honest, your questions are ones that should be put to a Government department and not one independent with has no intention of running a Government department.

Dan_Solo

To echo the above, detailed policy on issues like that are a bit pointless for independents, though it couldn't hurt to have more specifics in their manifestos.

Amhran Nua

Dan_Solo wrote: »

To echo the above, detailed policy on issues like that are a bit pointless for independents

Then what's the point in having independents?

What you're saying is that you support someone becoming a national level politician without having an answer to national level questions? Any party, any politician that wants a seat in Dáil Éireann better have a more detailed answer than "its not my job". It is your job.

If that's above his pay grade he shouldn't be at that pay grade.

It's low expectations like these that put a shower of small town barristers, publicans and teachers in charge of a modern European nation, with all the fun that resulted in.

Dan_Solo

Amhran Nua wrote: »

It's low expectations like these that put a shower of small town barristers, publicans and teachers in charge of a modern European nation, with all the fun that resulted in.

Nope, it's parties like FF and FG who do that, not low expectations.
Could Mike Cubbard personally negotiate us a lower IMF bailout interest rate? I doubt it. Do I trust him to do the right thing ahead of any FF, FG, GP or Lab? Most definitely yes.

Amhran Nua

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Could Mike Cubbard personally negotiate us a lower IMF bailout interest rate?

Here's the thing, the IMF were opposed to the high interest rate our EU partners slapped on us, they aren't the problem. This is the kind of stuff I'd expect a national representative to at least be aware of.

I'll leave it there in any case, since it doesn't appear Mike Cubbard is going to make an appearance. We have a vast array of mediocre options to choose from, I'd urge people to choose the least mediocre and the most helpful for the nation, not for Galway. Its no good jockeying for our slice of the pie when there might be no pie at all unless the big issues are competently dealt with.