Leader of the opposition

by leaderless opposition. Sun Dec 29, 2002 17:18

since none of the above named men have tirelessly voiced the opposition to the continued direction of Irish state policy in either of the two Irish jurisdictions, and beyond in other extra-state contexts such as UN EU NATO etc., with the full support of the myriad coalition of interests and groupings and parties opposed to the direction of Irish policy, legislature, culture and diplomacy at national, transnational and international level, then none could be termed "leader of the opposition".
They are three men drawing salaries from the majority Irish state, who presntly enjoying holidays, can look back on a year of debate and fine tinkering of the system, well done, but aty no stage have any of them offered or been expected to offer leadership outside of their own narrow agenda parties.

sorry but that´s it.
The opposition is the people.
and the people have no leaders.

by OK - SP Sun Dec 29, 2002 17:37

Although I did announce my retirment from Indymedia, I had to come back at this idiot.

He claims "since none of the above named men have tirelessly voiced the opposition to the continued direction of Irish state policy in either of the two Irish jurisdictions, and beyond in other extra-state contexts such as UN EU NATO etc., ". I think you will find that Joe Higgins has tirelessly voiced the socialist opposition to UN/EU/NATO.

"They are three men drawing salaries from the majority Irish state". I think you will find that Joe Higgins does not draw his full salary. Joe lives on the average wage.

I do agree with him that "the opposition is the people". It's not up to elected representatives to struggle against capitalism, it's up to ordinary working people. The Dail should be used as a platform for socialist ideas, it's not a place where real change can occur.

by Daithi Sun Dec 29, 2002 18:07

O,

"Retirement"? Isn't it a bit early for that?!?

Maybe if you've time, consider getting involved on the organisation/editorial/feature writing/background end of things rather than the world of comments - you might find it a bit more productive - also, a little more laid back (!) than the cut and thrust that goes on in the comment sections.

But welcome back anyway. Even if this "article" shouldn't be there in the first place (cos it's not an article, just a question - the author should have actually written something that qualifies as news rather than just tried to stir the **.

by Paul Sun Dec 29, 2002 20:18 Bellewstown Bridge Drogheda CO Meath 0857206574

The term "Leader of the opposition" is normally understood to mean the opposition leadar who receives the most mainstream media attention. I think it is clear that this is Pat Rabbite. However, joe Higgins has done probably provided more leadership on corporation tax cuts. Unfortunately for those on indymedia who support Fine Gael, it looks like they may be on their last legs. This may at last lead to the emergence of left/Right politics in Ireland.

by www Sun Dec 29, 2002 23:46

Yeah, with Pat Rabbitte on the right

by hot trot Mon Dec 30, 2002 01:23

Paul stated that FG's demise will lead to the emergence of a right-left divide. ("This may at last lead to the emergence of left/Right politics in Ireland.")

I would agree that the ending of one of the main establishemtn parties may mean a swing towards left-right politics in Ireland. However I'm not under any illusions in the Labour Party. In my opinion they're not a left wing force. They are centerists, right wing on some issues. They are typical of the SDs all accross Europe- a bunch of sell-outs.

There are great opportunities for the left with demise of FG, but I dont consider Labour to have a future either.

by Phil Goats Mon Dec 30, 2002 14:04

Leader of the opposition..... is that not obviously the leader of the largest opposition party in the Dail?

Enda sexy Kenny?

No wonder Indymedia is shutting down. We are debating facts here.

by W Rork Mon Dec 30, 2002 15:07

The leader of the opposition can't be defined by media coverage or by size of party in the Dáil. The opposition is the person that represents the ordinary man on the street that is being screwed by this right wing capitalist government. FG and Labour in no way represent ordianry people, they are capitalist parties.

by Ray Mon Dec 30, 2002 15:27

This is nothing more than an opportunity for party members to tell everyone how their Glorious Leader is _really_ the leader of the opposition. For gods sake guys, grow up. Its embarassing to watch.

by thought that would get you SP! Mon Dec 30, 2002 17:12

that is not the average wage.
Joe Higgins is one of the leaders of political parties on "the LEFT"
of the men above he is most certainly teh leader we like most, however if you really really think about it, SP, it would be most politically unwise to start a personality cult around a Dail Eirinn politician, and thus ignore the leadership and skill of all other true leftwing deputies, please do not tell me that Joe Higgins alone has voiced leftwing sentiments?
and do not even dare to suggest that he has led debate, he hasn´t had enough time.
Do not suggest he his a leader of the opposition, it was never specified if that opposition was Dail, Senate, council, grassroots, european parliament, etc., etc., yawn yawn.
Joe Higgins is wonderful oh yeh SP but I have noticed his pretty face at the the front of protest marches throughout the year, nor have I read his incisive anaylsis of all matters effecting Ireland and the Irish.
I know he has worked tirelessly, and been defended by his cohorts tirelessly, but sorry but no matter how wonderful the SP is, they are still only one party of wide leftwing grouping.
You SP´s often are made look very idiotic by some of your own supporters knee-jerk reactions to idiotic comments.
:-)
so Joe Higgins is the leader of the Left?
don´t make me laugh. could you send me a photo?
billboard size?
I you see, just really thought to myself, oh yep one of the young JoeHiggins fan club socialists, professing revolutionary socialism, has decided to wave his party leader´s flag regardless of anything, I wrote once before in my own idiotic way that against Mc Dowell, I would be on your side, and if I waved your little flag, know that I was doing so, or I could always retort with the omissions...
Why only 20,000euro of the offered state salary?
is that really the average?
and exactly how has the SP tirelessly represented the needs and aspirations of the Irish nonresident in Ireland, those in _Northern Ireland and IReland at European Level, I´m just asking for the sake, I know the answers, becasue I´´m the idiot that has brought ye down many of these roads before.
know your pals and know your enemies.

you see Kev, and it is Kev isn´t it? or is Finghin, when I saw the SP post above, I thought oh great, I´ll stir the shit, and it was iosaf who stirred the shit.
I really get a kick out of stirring your shit, you really are very young you know.
-----do I get a poster of JOE?
and what happens to the rest of Joe´s 20,000euro salary?
keep up the good work SP you are very welcome addition to the Irish political scene at home and abroad, but you´ve a long way to go before you learn how to avoid provocation, and reading the exact order of clauses in my phrase above and weighing the meaning---
I said dear young lots to learn but very eager SP OK with the support of the others.
you qouted me to the "etc.," I wrote more.
Happy New Year dear young eager SP.
may you grow and prosper.

"since none of the above named men have tirelessly voiced the opposition to the continued direction of Irish state policy in either of the two Irish jurisdictions, and beyond in other extra-state contexts such as UN EU NATO etc., ". I think you will find that Joe Higgins has tirelessly voiced the socialist opposition to UN/EU/NATO.......there was more!

you´ve made me giggle. cheers.

by three men in a tub. Mon Dec 30, 2002 17:28

JOE HIGGINS may be on holidays, but don´t worry his followers are tirelessly battling retirement prospecs and dimensia to write ground breaking stuff...
BE LED!!!
and i thought the evolving revolution was very safe, goes to show no?
are we to put against the wall for dangerous petty bourgois revisionist doubting of the party line?
will my comment above go down in my permanent record at Socialist Party HQ in Ireland and abroad?
will I in future be shunned by SP activists and aparatchiks?
ok sp
Enda Kenny is a wanker!
he said the "N" word.
and Rabitte is a fascist!
long live Joe Higgins.
....................remember the photo eh?

by iosaf - sober jedi Thu Jan 02, 2003 16:57

i was "well off my head"
argot expression..... new year cheer.
being obnoxious and silly.
go outside and sober up sort of thing.
no offence meant.
:-)