Off Topic Thread too point uh

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

I think the nadir was actually when Enda Kenny got a FG councillor onto the board of IMMA for like a day so he could be appointed to the arts panel of the Seanad. Complete abuse of the State boards appointment system and of the Seanad. Given his campaign to abolish the Seanad, it really showed the disregard he has for the upper house.

I was so annoyed by that. Both main parties are always at it and it's a disgrace. It's done in full public view too. How they think it's remotely acceptable.

wp_rathead

swiwi_ wrote: »

I totally disagree. The Seanad should be full of people who (at least in theory) should know what they are doing.

Popular vote might mean no potholes in Kerry, but would I trust a Healy-Rae to understand or even care about the finer points of policy and the law?

There is no way you can trust Joe Public to put the right sort of people into a 2nd house.

What it does need though is a system that appoints people on merit not for political favours.

It is beyond undemocratic allowing only those who graduated from certain universities to vote in them
Sits very uneasy with me how this is seen acceptable

irishbucsfan

wp_rathead wrote: »

It is beyond undemocratic allowing only those who graduated from certain universities to vote in them
Sits very uneasy with me how this is seen acceptable

Don't worry, I totally agree and I'm sure you're not in a minority. The whole thing is bizarre to me, including the fact people were convinced to vote to keep it.

vienne86

wp_rathead wrote: »

It is beyond undemocratic allowing only those who graduated from certain universities to vote in them
Sits very uneasy with me how this is seen acceptable

You're right - it makes no sense. Some graduates have no vote, some have one vote and some have two.......all based on what colleges they went to.

Podge_irl

wp_rathead wrote: »

It is beyond undemocratic allowing only those who graduated from certain universities to vote in them
Sits very uneasy with me how this is seen acceptable

Ah I think that element of it is fairly weird. I have less of an issue with how the other seats are decided. Though really the whole thing could/should be changed but it would be pointless if the system was the same as the Dáil.

sullivlo

vienne86 wrote: »

You're right - it makes no sense. Some graduates have no vote, some have one vote and some have two.......all based on what colleges they went to.

I have two degrees. Both from universities. However as DCU wasn't recognised as a university when the rules were made, I only get a vote on the TCD panel. It's weird though - I know of people with two or even three votes.

I think it's a ridiculous rule. One vote or none. I understand that you vote on the different panels but there should just be a "universities" panel rather than the individuals.

Is it elitist to only allow graduates to vote? Yes. Do I agree with it? The jury is still out. I think the Seanad needs a lot of reform because it has such potential, but I do think there needs to be a different way to elect it rather than through the general public. I think the general public have very much shown over the past few weeks that they can't be trusted with elections!!! (Tongue in cheek!)

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

sullivlo wrote: »

I have two degrees. Both from universities. However as DCU wasn't recognised as a university when the rules were made, I only get a vote on the TCD panel. It's weird though - I know of people with two or even three votes.

How do you know whether you have a vote or not?

sullivlo

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

How do you know whether you have a vote or not?

When I was graduating from Trinity I got a form to fill out to put myself on the register of electors, and I got an email recently to say that my ballot papers would be sent out soon.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

sullivlo wrote: »

When I was graduating from Trinity I got a form to fill out to put myself on the register of electors, and I got an email recently to say that my ballot papers would be sent out soon.

Was there an election for this recently? I feel like I might have voted in it but then maybe I'm just thinking of the referendum on it?

Must look into this.

sullivlo

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Was there an election for this recently? I feel like I might have voted in it but then maybe I'm just thinking of the referendum on it?

Must look into this.

No. The Seanad referendum is this year. April I think. Unless the Seanad election is only every 2/3 years? I don't know.

Zzippy

sullivlo wrote: »

No. The Seanad referendum is this year. April I think. Unless the Seanad election is only every 2/3 years? I don't know.

The referendum was a couple of years ago. The election will be in a few weeks

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Zzippy wrote: »

The referendum was a couple of years ago. The election will be in a few weeks

Yeah. That's what I thought.

I went to UCD so I'm eligible to vote but I don't remember ever registering for it which apparently you have to do. So I don't think I have a vote.

swiwi_

wp_rathead wrote: »

It is beyond undemocratic allowing only those who graduated from certain universities to vote in them
Sits very uneasy with me how this is seen acceptable

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Don't worry, I totally agree and I'm sure you're not in a minority. The whole thing is bizarre to me, including the fact people were convinced to vote to keep it.

@wp_r - I agree totally on that. But I agree on the principle of it not being open to a popular vote.

@IBF - an independent 2nd house with members that don't rely on doing favours for the people of their county to save their hide is a good way to provide a check and balance on the policies the lower house put forward.

The Lost Sheep

thomond2006 wrote: »

Can someone explain to me why we voted against abolishing the gravy train known as Seanad Eireann?

Because a 2nd House allows more control over the actions of the Dail and should, in theory, make for better governance. Not that that has really been the case

wp_rathead wrote: »

It is absolutely disgusting how only certain people get a vote for the Seanad imo
David "What is wrong with elitism" Norris can fnck right off with regards this aspect to Seanad

I think "absolutely disgusting" is going too far but I think a different means of voting helps the Seanad.

sullivlo wrote: »

I have two degrees. Both from universities. However as DCU wasn't recognised as a university when the rules were made, I only get a vote on the TCD panel. It's weird though - I know of people with two or even three votes.

I think it's a ridiculous rule. One vote or none. I understand that you vote on the different panels but there should just be a "universities" panel rather than the individuals.

Is it elitist to only allow graduates to vote? Yes. Do I agree with it? The jury is still out. I think the Seanad needs a lot of reform because it has such potential, but I do think there needs to be a different way to elect it rather than through the general public. I think the general public have very much shown over the past few weeks that they can't be trusted with elections!!! (Tongue in cheek!)

Im not sure if the franchise should be opened up to all graduates. Is it really an issue if people have several votes considering they would be votes for different panels?
There is 2 universities panels. An NUI for NUIG/NUIM/UCD/UCC and then the Trinity panel.
Biggest issue I have is that Oireachtas members have a right to nominate people onto each and every panel.
I wont be voting this time round but will for the next Seanad Election.
I completely agree on there being a need for a different means of electing representatives than the dail.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Yeah. That's what I thought.

I went to UCD so I'm eligible to vote but I don't remember ever registering for it which apparently you have to do. So I don't think I have a vote.

You have to register to vote. You can also register to run by contacting the University you graduated from.

Dunno about you guys but Thank **** it's Friday.

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

Dunno about you guys but Thank **** it's Friday.

Off for a week of skiing tomorrow so super duper friday for me.

I'm gonna try not spend this entire weekend drunk like I've been doing far too much recently. I'm actually happy there is no 6 nations. Easier to say no to the pub at 2pm.

pickarooney

God I hate skiing.

Podge_irl

pickarooney wrote: »

God I hate skiing.

I'm rubbish at it, but much better at the apres ski.

Teferi

Anyone seen the Ghostbusters trailer? The inevitable bad reviews of this movie will be hand-waved as misogyny, patriarchy and a host of other buzz words whereas in reality it will just be a tokenistic, condescending, gimmicky cash grab.

Bazzo

Teferi wrote: »

Anyone seen the Ghostbusters trailer? The inevitable bad reviews of this movie will be hand-waved as misogyny, patriarchy and a host of other buzz words whereas in reality it will just be a tokenistic, condescending, gimmicky cash grab.

I just saw it today, it looks absolutely horrific. Ghostbusters was a complete product of the 80s anyway, you would probably struggle to make a decent reboot of it but I think it's pretty clear they haven't even tried. Like you said, cash grab.

Bazzo

Bazzo wrote: »

I just saw it today, it looks absolutely horrific. Ghostbusters was a complete product of the 80s anyway, you would probably struggle to make a decent reboot of it but I think it's pretty clear they haven't even tried. Like you said, cash grab.

Basically the cast of Bridesmaids which I thought was intensely over rated. Trailer was a series of bad jokes and weak stereotypes.

Poor Harold Ramis will be turning in his grave.

Podge_irl

Teferi wrote: »

Anyone seen the Ghostbusters trailer? The inevitable bad reviews of this movie will be hand-waved as misogyny, patriarchy and a host of other buzz words whereas in reality it will just be a tokenistic, condescending, gimmicky cash grab.

Yeah, highly doubt I'll like it. Looks like its trying too hard to be funny and isn't very successful. Perhaps my recollection is off but I don't recall the originals being so overtly comedic.

Teferi

Teferi wrote: »

Anyone seen the Ghostbusters trailer? The inevitable bad reviews of this movie will be hand-waved as misogyny, patriarchy and a host of other buzz words whereas in reality it will just be a tokenistic, condescending, gimmicky cash grab.

This is how you make a trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IDXpOX0Cp0

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I admit the trailer doesn't do much for me but can we at least wait until the film comes out before crying about accusations of misogyny and feminism and what have you.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Deleted User wrote: »

This is how you make a trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IDXpOX0Cp0

That actually is much better. I'll see it now.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

That actually is much better. I'll see it now.

More of a teaser than a trailer (they have trailer teasers too)...

I'm meh about this. American comedy is very little hit and heaps of miss.

Podge_irl

Podge_irl wrote: »

Off for a week of skiing tomorrow so super duper friday for me.

6 1/2 hours of train trips in. Just one hour of train and one hour of taxi to go.

irishbucsfan

Podge_irl wrote: »

6 1/2 hours of train trips in. Just one hour of train and one hour of taxi to go.

I thought you were supposed to be like a 2 minute walk from the alps?

chupacabra

Any snowfall back home? I'm sick of the sight of the stuff here. The novelty wears off faster than I thought it would :pac:

Podge_irl

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I thought you were supposed to be like a 2 minute walk from the alps?

I am. But I'm going to Austria for inexplicable reasons. Still happy to be able to train places. Trains are simply better than other forms of transport.

Pink Fairy

My Android box had a fckin meltdown today, kodi completely wiped, so doing a rebuild from scratch and it's not working well.
Honestly, the only channel that has installed so far is a porn channel ! And I was genuinely only using it as 1 of 5 test channels other 4 can't/won't install..... What chance my wife will believe this?!

irishbucsfan

Pink Fairy wrote: »

My Android box had a fckin meltdown today, kodi completely wiped, so doing a rebuild from scratch and it's not working well.
Honestly, the only channel that has installed so far is a porn channel ! And I was genuinely only using it as 1 of 5 test channels other 4 can't/won't install..... What chance my wife will believe this?!

What is a "channel"? Is that those things from olden times that people used before Netflix?

Pink Fairy

irishbucsfan wrote: »

What is a "channel"? Is that those things from olden times that people used before Netflix?

No, didn't want to confuse people with mentions of addons, and what build i was using and the like

Zzippy

Pink Fairy wrote: »

No, didn't want to confuse people with mentions of addons, and what build i was using and the like

I still had no idea what you were on about til you got to porn.

Dave_The_Sheep

Not sure I'm going to manage another 3 hours until I can watch the fight and then contemplate sleeping.

irishbucsfan

That Holm-Tate fight was exceptional

irishbucsfan

The mouthpiece has been silenced!

Remember when he said Cerrone gave up? He was taught a serious lesson tonight

"He quit in there inside that Octagon. That's why he can go now next weekend and say 'Oh, I fight every week' and this and that -- you can fight every week if you go in and quit. If you were willing to die in there, you wouldn't have those turnarounds."

CatFromHue

yup some serious humble pie has to be ate now

he was doing so well too but seemed to panic or something.

pickarooney

For someone who knows nothing about MMA the comments and photos look exactly like something you'd see on Pink Fairy's test channel.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-live-updates-ufc-196-20160304-htmlstory.html

rsh118

Can we rewind 2016 in Irish sport and start again?

Pink Fairy

At least now people will give up on the hype of this nonsport......will just leave this here and go back to my test channel

rsh118

MMA is very similar to most fighting sports. You get excited in the build up and caught up in the hype, but when it's actually on it is almost ALWAYS a disappointment.

They just never fulfil what they promise. Usually by the end, it's only the hardcore technical fans who are getting a stiffy by the end of an MMA match.

Pink Fairy

rsh118 wrote: »

MMA is very similar to most fighting sports. You get excited in the build up and caught up in the hype, but when it's actually on it is almost ALWAYS a disappointment.

They just never fulfil what they promise. Usually by the end, it's only the hardcore technical fans who are getting a stiffy by the end of an MMA match.

Does that include the women's fights?

irishbucsfan

Pink Fairy wrote: »

At least now people will give up on the hype of this nonsport......will just leave this here and go back to my test channel

Excluding Mayweather-Pac, last night is reportedly the biggest combat sport event (in terms of sales) since 2013. Pretty big accomplishment for them.

Will be interesting to see how the 200th one goes. It won't be Mayweather-Pac but it would be interesting if they pushed 2 million buys, which would put it up there. It would be the first ppv fighting event to ever do that that didn't include Mayweather (not even Tyson did it). They're certainly making a nice bit of money for themselves, for a non-sport.

rsh118

Pink Fairy wrote: »

Does that include the women's fights?

That just brings the stiffy forward for the realllly technical experts. I just love how every move and hold has a name. But literally WWE is way more entertaining. That should be the name of a thread. WWE is far more fun to watch.

In the same way that a really well written TV show such as Fair City is much more interesting than Big Brother.

irishbucsfan

rsh118 wrote: »

MMA is very similar to most fighting sports. You get excited in the build up and caught up in the hype, but when it's actually on it is almost ALWAYS a disappointment.

They just never fulfil what they promise. Usually by the end, it's only the hardcore technical fans who are getting a stiffy by the end of an MMA match.

The main events in recent times have been exactly the opposite of that!

rsh118

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The main events in recent times have been exactly the opposite of that!

I'd say opposite is a bit generous. The story lines have just got better with the fighters breaking kayfabe a lot less. It still relies on 'surprise' results for a lot of the interest.

I'd say it will improve though as it remains professional for longer. Right now, results seem to be pretty random.

irishbucsfan

rsh118 wrote: »

I'd say opposite is a bit generous. The story lines have just got better with the fighters breaking kayfabe a lot less. It still relies on 'surprise' results for a lot of the interest.

I'd say it will improve though as it remains professional for longer. Right now, results seem to be pretty random.

I would say the opposite again. There have been some very entertaining fights recently. And it's not been reliant on surprises at all.

UFC 189, knockouts in both main events (favourites won both fights, the co-main event between McDonald and Lawler considered one of the best ever)
UFC 190, first round knockout in the main event (Champion retained belt)
191 and 192 less exciting (both decisions)
UFC 193, 2nd round knockout (Rousey de-throned with a head kick)
UFC 194, knockouts in both main events (middleweight title retained, Mcgregor becomes champ)
UFC 195 not too much to write home about
UFC 196 was last night, both main events were upsets but nothing too shocking.

In reality they're not technical or boring fights (the undercards are sometimes, other times provide highlights) and most of the time there's nothing hugely surprising going on.

rsh118

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I would say the opposite again. There have been some very entertaining fights recently. And it's not been reliant on surprises at all.

UFC 189, knockouts in both main events (favourites won both fights, the co-main event between McDonald and Lawler considered one of the best ever)
UFC 190, first round knockout in the main event (Champion retained belt)
191 and 192 less exciting (both decisions)
UFC 193, 2nd round knockout (Rousey de-throned with a head kick)
UFC 194, knockouts in both main events (middleweight title retained, Mcgregor becomes champ)
UFC 195 not too much to write home about
UFC 196 was last night, both main events were upsets but nothing too shocking.

In reality they're not technical or boring fights (the undercards are sometimes, other times provide highlights) and most of the time there's nothing hugely surprising going on.

I should add that the Aldo match was incredible, and one which was worth staying up for.

I just think MMA has a lot of promise as a no holds barred combat sport, but fails to deliver often because it's not like the highlights reals (a very 21st century complaint).

I still think it needs time to mature, like, I do feel that there are a few clear cut extremely good fights and athletes at the tops of the divisions, but a lot of what's beneath is dross.

Still better than the snorefest with dodgy judging/home town advantage that is professional boxing. It can be really awful!