Is President Higgins Creating A Dangerous Precedent?

SafeSurfer · 17-09-2019 12:49PM #1

President Higgins is making increasingly political pronouncements during his second term in office. Including criticizing the employment practices of businesses and overtly criticizing the Trump administration for its withdrawal from the Paris Climate change agreement.

While these are both things you may agree with from our left leaning president does it open the possibility of a future, more right wing president making announcements for example, criticizing government immigration policy, minority rights, social welfare rates etc?

James Brown · 17-09-2019 12:51PM

Yes, but I think the President should be vocal on social issues. If we'd had the chancer Casey or Gallagher it would have been a circus.

Ten Pin · 17-09-2019 01:29PM

From now on he'll be known as Precedent Higgins

JohnMc1 · 17-09-2019 01:48PM

SafeSurfer wrote: »

President Higgins is making increasingly political pronouncements during his second term in office. Including criticizing the employment practices of businesses and overtly criticizing the Trump administration for its withdrawal from the Paris Climate change agreement.

While these are both things you may agree with from our left leaning president does it open the possibility of a future, more right wing president making announcements for example, criticizing government immigration policy, minority rights, social welfare rates etc?

Liberals love being the Hammer. They don't love it when its their time to be the nail.

Thelonious Monk · 17-09-2019 01:56PM

If boards or the journal are anything to go by, no one believes in climate change in Ireland. How the hell did he get voted in last time if he preaches on climate change issues?

Faugheen · 17-09-2019 02:01PM

My favourite was him talking about defence forces pay (which wasn’t all that bad).

People saying it wasn’t the place of him to get involved. As in, it wasn’t the place of the Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces.

I don’t think it’s a problem personally providing it’s kept at a level that doesn’t see him actively getting involved. Raise the concern. To be fair it took for him to comment before there was any meaningful discussion on the state of life in the Defence Forces so it can’t be all a bad thing.

SafeSurfer · 17-09-2019 02:02PM

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

If boards or the journal are anything to go by, no one believes in climate change in Ireland. How the hell did he get voted in last time if he preaches on climate change issues?

People knew he was really a denier, what with sending his presidential limousine to meet his private jet and all that.

lawred2 · 17-09-2019 02:03PM

Borneo Function wrote: »

A literal manlet as our president...how humiliating.

I wonder what your other post was like...

Thelonious Monk · 17-09-2019 02:06PM

SafeSurfer wrote: »

People knew he was really a denier, what with sending his presidential limousine to meet his private jet and all that.

oh so you don't mind them preaching as long as they're hypocrites?

James Brown · 17-09-2019 02:10PM

JohnMc1 wrote: »

Liberals love being the Hammer. They don't love it when its their time to be the nail.

He's a right woke snowflake isn't he Ted?

SafeSurfer · 17-09-2019 02:29PM

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

SafeSurfer wrote: »

People knew he was really a denier, what with sending his presidential limousine to meet his private jet and all that.

oh so you don't mind them preaching as long as they're hypocrites?

Is there any other type of politician?

is_that_so · 17-09-2019 02:40PM

No drama here at all. Mary Robinson started all of that. Like the previous two incumbents he knows where the line lies.

James Brown · 17-09-2019 02:41PM

is_that_so wrote: »

No drama here at all. Mary Robinson started all of that. Like the previous two incumbents he knows where the line lies.

I doubt De Valera was a hands off president.

Yer Da sells Avon · 17-09-2019 03:55PM

SafeSurfer wrote: »

While these are both things you may agree with from our left leaning president does it open the possibility of a future, more right wing president making announcements for example, criticizing government immigration policy, minority rights, social welfare rates etc?

Thankfully, it's highly unlikely that we'll ever elect an absolute bollocks as a president.

Muahahaha · 17-09-2019 04:13PM

He's in his second term so of course he is going to push the boundaries. He knows he is very popular and its well known he is outspoken so I cant see Fine Gael attempting to bring him to heel, if they do that he'll dig in further.

JohnnyFlash · 17-09-2019 04:20PM

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

If boards or the journal are anything to go by, no one believes in climate change in Ireland. How the hell did he get voted in last time if he preaches on climate change issues?

The majority of people who spend their days commenting on Boards, Journal, Facebook etc are little more than mouth-breathers. Their opinions on almost everything can be immediately discounted.

FishOnABike · 17-09-2019 04:22PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

The majority of people who spend their days commenting on Boards, Journal, Facebook etc are little more than mouth-breathers. Their opinions on almost everything can be immediately discounted.

Oh, the irony!

suicide_circus · 17-09-2019 04:33PM

the man is a living saint

Boggles · 17-09-2019 04:41PM

Matt Barrett wrote: »

Yes, but I think the President should be vocal on social issues. If we'd had the chancer Casey or Gallagher it would have been a circus.

Can you imagine that sweaty incoherent fúcktard still banging the traveler drum?

James Brown · 17-09-2019 04:47PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

The majority of people who spend their days commenting on Boards, Journal, Facebook etc are little more than mouth-breathers. Their opinions on almost everything can be immediately discounted.

So, people.
This sounds like the boorish comments of a Yaley! Fine Gaeler!

Hobosan · 17-09-2019 04:58PM

Is SafeSurfer Setting a Dangerous Precedent?

SafeSurfer seems to be making increasingly political pronouncements as the thread progresses.

notobtuse · 17-09-2019 05:05PM

SafeSurfer wrote: »

President Higgins is making increasingly political pronouncements during his second term in office. Including criticizing the employment practices of businesses and overtly criticizing the Trump administration for its withdrawal from the Paris Climate change agreement.

While these are both things you may agree with from our left leaning president does it open the possibility of a future, more right wing president making announcements for example, criticizing government immigration policy, minority rights, social welfare rates etc?

I guess criticizing Trump is what all the cool kids do these days. The Paris Climate “Treaty” was a scam with all costs and no benefits to the US. Obama essentially offered up the US economy as a sacrificial lamb to further his own legacy, and didn’t put it through Congress for a vote because he new it would never get approved. What is done by executive order can be undone by executive order. Yet the US is on track to cut carbon emissions by 17% and it could still hit 24%, just shy of the Paris target. We’re just doing it our way! So, how is the rest of the world, who are in the agreement, doing on meeting climate goals? Not even close to their goals from what I hear. And others have to gall to criticize the US?

James Brown · 17-09-2019 05:13PM

notobtuse wrote: »

I guess criticizing Trump is what all the cool kids do these days. The Paris Climate “Treaty” was a scam with all costs and no benefits to the US. Obama essentially offered up the US economy as a sacrificial lamb to further his own legacy, and didn’t put it through Congress for a vote because he new it would never get approved. What is done by executive order can be undone by executive order. Yet the US is on track to cut carbon emissions by 17% and it could still hit 24%, just shy of the Paris target. We’re just doing it our way! So, how is the rest of the world, who are in the agreement, doing on meeting climate goals? Not even close to their goals from what I hear. And others have to gall to criticize the US?

Higgins would wipe the floor with Trump any day. Different league.
Trump is an often incoherent mouth piece for vested interests.

Check this:

Dravokivich · 17-09-2019 05:13PM

Boggles wrote: »

Can you imagine that sweaty incoherent fúcktard still banging the traveler drum?

Na, the skin will be too thick to get any kind of resonance.

notobtuse · 17-09-2019 05:46PM

Matt Barrett wrote: »

Higgins would wipe the floor with Trump any day. Different league.
Trump is an often incoherent mouth piece for vested interests.

Check this:

Nice rant. I understand you are nowhere near close to meeting your climate goals. Perhaps ya’ll need your own version of Trump.

James Brown · 17-09-2019 05:49PM

notobtuse wrote: »

Nice rant. I understand you are nowhere near close to meeting your climate goals. Perhaps ya’ll need your own version of Trump.

Rant? He spoke about supporting Americans. As one yourself I thought you'd appreciate it. Trump wasn't even mentioned. Was it the 'Obama' put you off?

Pointless dig there boss our Presidents sign laws and such, different job.
Is that all you have in your tool box?

is_that_so · 17-09-2019 05:52PM

Matt Barrett wrote: »

I doubt De Valera was a hands off president.

Until Robinson came along and redefined it, it was a retirement home and little more than approved speeches and public appearances.

notobtuse · 17-09-2019 05:57PM

Matt Barrett wrote: »

Rant? He spoke about supporting Americans. As one yourself I thought you'd appreciate it. Trump wasn't even mentioned. Was it the 'Obama' put you off?

Pointless dig there boss our Presidents sign laws and such, different job.
Is that all you have in your tool box?

I was referring to you.

TheValeyard · 17-09-2019 06:04PM

Ten Pin wrote: »

From now on he'll be known as Precedent Higgins

Ahhh I like this.

We're done here, close the thread!!

James Brown · 17-09-2019 06:26PM

notobtuse wrote: »

I was referring to you.

Ah. Watch the video clip so.

SEPT 23 1989 · 17-09-2019 06:41PM

What would he know about business

Never had a real job in his life

17-09-2019 06:49PM

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Never had a real job in his life

Twee was a sociology & politics lecturer in NUIG for many years.

17-09-2019 06:49PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Twee was a sociology & politics lecturer in NUIG for many years.

Exactly.

Faugheen · 17-09-2019 06:54PM

Wouldn’t be any different to the average Irish person who chats about things they know f*ck all about so.

biko · 17-09-2019 08:28PM

Ten Pin wrote: »

From now on he'll be known as Precedent Higgins

And Dangerous shall be his middle name

SafeSurfer · 17-09-2019 08:42PM

Deleted User wrote: »

colt45 wrote: »

The two highest offices in the land held by homosexuals, is that what we are now calling a dangerous precedent?

I would advise you to take that colt and point it at your temple, do us all a favour.

Pretty despicable post in fairness. Disagree with someone fine. Making light of suicide which is currently rising alarmingly in Ireland is crass.

Faugheen · 17-09-2019 09:12PM

SafeSurfer wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

colt45 wrote: »

The two highest offices in the land held by homosexuals, is that what we are now calling a dangerous precedent?

I would advise you to take that colt and point it at your temple, do us all a favour.

Pretty despicable post in fairness. Disagree with someone fine. Making light of suicide which is currently rising alarmingly in Ireland is crass.

And making reference to homosexuality ‘setting a dangerous precedent’ is absolutely fine is it?

Both posts are horrible. Call it out for what it is instead of taking sides.

Gregor Samsa · 17-09-2019 10:12PM

JohnMc1 wrote: »

Liberals love being the Hammer. They don't love it when its their time to be the nail.

This applies equally to every political persuasion. In fact, it’s pretty much the basis of politics: be the hammer, not the nail.

_Kaiser_ · 18-09-2019 08:36AM

suicide_circus wrote: »

the man is a living saint

No, no he's not.

Champagne socialist living off the taxpayer for decades while pontificating and now living out the ultimate retirement plan.

As with most elections in this country, got there by virtue of being the least offensive of the bunch, but that's not the same as an actual endorsement.

reg114 · 18-09-2019 12:17PM

First of all I dont believe Ireland needs a president. The amount of money required to maintain this meaningless post is appalling. Mickey D will have cost the tax payer millions by the time he leaves office after 14 years of ribbon cutting. His wage alone will have cost us 3.5 million in that time, throw in the cost of running the Aras and all the expenses let alone staffing costs you are looking at in excess of 10 million. Its utterly disgraceful given the pointlessness of the office. Think for example about the All ireland finals last weekend, would they be any less of a spectacle if the president wasnt present ? No, they would continue on in the absence of a seal of approval from 'official Ireland'. Id abolish the position immediately and use the Aras for something far more constructive that like a bloody nursing home or something , anything would be better than a salubrious official residence of a pointless president.

If people insist we should have a president let that person live in their own residence and entertain guests in Gov buildings or Farmleigh.

As for Mickey D's politicising the office, its not a surprise. I think if he wanted to comment of current affairs he should have stayed in the Dail, but then again, he is the same man who promised he was only running for one term and found the role so elevating he reneged and broke that promise.. Once a politician always a politician..

tjhook · 18-09-2019 12:44PM

reg114 wrote: »

First of all I dont believe Ireland needs a president.

I disagree. Who would be Commander in Chief of the armed forces if not the President? It's important that the government of the day doesn't have too much power.

Another example, Paddy Hillery did us some service when he prevented a certain Taoiseach-in-waiting from subverting democracy. In my opinion, that incident alone justifies the role of President.

There are a lot of things we could do better in this country, but I'd be very careful before fiddling with the separation of powers.

James Brown · 18-09-2019 01:10PM

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

No, no he's not.

Champagne socialist living off the taxpayer for decades while pontificating and now living out the ultimate retirement plan.

As with most elections in this country, got there by virtue of being the least offensive of the bunch, but that's not the same as an actual endorsement.

He's articulate and intelligent. The best President we've had.

tjhook · 18-09-2019 01:27PM

Matt Barrett wrote: »

He's articulate and intelligent. The best President we've had.

He's very left wing. Would you feel the same way if we instead had his mirror image with right-wing opinions and tendencies?

I'd rather a president who wasn't so polarising. I don't care if they're left-wing or right-wing, so long as they're competently executing the constitutional role, and keeping their political opinions to themselves.

I may be in a minority though.

James Brown · 18-09-2019 01:31PM

tjhook wrote: »

He's very left wing. Would you feel the same way if we instead had his mirror image with right-wing opinions and tendencies?

I'd rather a president who wasn't so polarising. I don't care if they're left-wing or right-wing, so long as they're competently executing the constitutional role, and keeping their political opinions to themselves.

I may be in a minority though.

No. Such a person wouldn't be 'the best President' we've ever had.

You're asking if I'd like someone different, the opposite just as much. No.

tjhook · 18-09-2019 01:35PM

Matt Barrett wrote: »

No. Such a person wouldn't be 'the best President' we've ever had.
You're asking if I'd like someone different, the opposite just as much. No.

If I understand you, you appear to be saying that being on the left is a part of what makes him the best president ever. Surely that measurement of "best" is very subjective. He's the President whose opinions and values most closely match your own. That doesn't make him objectively the best for anybody else.

Edit: It's very little different to somebody saying trump or Putin is the best president ever. Completely subjective based on their own political leanings.

osarusan · 18-09-2019 01:38PM

tjhook wrote: »

He's very left wing. Would you feel the same way if we instead had his mirror image with right-wing opinions and tendencies?

I'd rather a president who wasn't so polarising. I don't care if they're left-wing or right-wing, so long as they're competently executing the constitutional role, and keeping their political opinions to themselves.

I may be in a minority though.

I don't think he's polarising at all outside the mire of internet message boards.

James Brown · 18-09-2019 01:46PM

tjhook wrote: »

If I understand you, you appear to be saying that being on the left is a part of what makes him the best president ever. Surely that measurement of "best" is very subjective. He's the President whose opinions and values most closely match your own. That doesn't make him objectively the best for anybody else.

Edit: It's very little different to somebody saying trump or Putin is the best president ever. Completely subjective based on their own political leanings.

Not fully. I like him as he seems to be. I've been in his company. I've heard he speak and like much of what he says. I think he's a great President.
Of course it's subjective, it's an opinion.
No it doesn't, you're right. I didn't say it was a verifiable fact. It's obviously an opinion.

Yes. People like who they like based on what they like. Who'd have thought?

Faugheen · 18-09-2019 03:38PM

osarusan wrote: »

I don't think he's polarising at all outside the mire of internet message boards.

This.

Especially when the darling of internet message boards was Peter Casey and Michael D walloped him.

Patrick2010 · 27-09-2023 04:46PM

Higgins comes across as very short tempered if someone says something he doesn’t like

Is President Higgins Creating A Dangerous Precedent?

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