The Political Thread

[Definitely Not Mister Pops]

Before Blacks, Muslims and Eastern Europeans arrived in Ireland the two despised minority groups were knackers and Italians. We've come a long way.

You left out the English

[Old Tankie]

My old parents live on a housing association estate with about 50 little bungalows all for elderly people on it.  The residents are a mixture of old London and old Peterborough, all white.  About six months ago they found out that an empty bungalow opposite them was going to be taken by foreigners.  Old man up in arms! 

An old couple from Eastern Europe moved in, appeared to speak very little English, but what a change in my old man's attitude.  He can't understand a word the old boy says but they spend most of their days waving to each other and giving each other thumbs-up signs, and following each other about on their mobility scooters!!

Every time I go round there, my old man says, "what a lovely geezer that chap is!"  He still doesn't know exactly where he comes from but now he thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread.  It's just fear of the unknown.

[JOE SOAP]

You left out the English

We called it Thatcher.

[TordelBack]

Every time I go round there, my old man says, "what a lovely geezer that chap is!"  He still doesn't know exactly where he comes from but now he thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread.  It's just fear of the unknown.

In some ways this truth is the most tragic part of the whole silly mess. 

My mother spent most of my childhood warning us of the sheer terror that is tinkers, literal bogeymen, with the notable exception of old Peggy who came to the door with her two grandkids every other month looking for old clothes and was the 'salt of the earth' and worthy of tea and a chat.  Then my mother through her job started working with Pavee Point (the main Traveller support/education/advocacy organisation here), and to our genuine amazement suddenly all the people she met there were great altogether too. 

But somehow after several decades if this she still bangs on about the evils of Travellers, as if 'they' were in some sense entirely distinct from the individuals she knows and likes.

[The Prodigal]

Every time I go round there, my old man says, "what a lovely geezer that chap is!"  He still doesn't know exactly where he comes from but now he thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread.  It's just fear of the unknown.

In some ways this truth is the most tragic part of the whole silly mess. 

My mother spent most of my childhood warning us of the sheer terror that is tinkers, literal bogeymen, with the notable exception of old Peggy who came to the door with her two grandkids every other month looking for old clothes and was the 'salt of the earth' and worthy of tea and a chat.  Then my mother through her job started working with Pavee Point (the main Traveller support/education/advocacy organisation here), and to our genuine amazement suddenly all the people she met there were great altogether too. 

But somehow after several decades if this she still bangs on about the evils of Travellers, as if 'they' were in some sense entirely distinct from the individuals she knows and likes.

Tordelback research around sectarian issues here in the north points to a considerable faculty on the part of many to create an "exception to the rule" narrative even after meaningful contact between communities through involvement in community relations programmes etc. I saw it in my own family.

[Hawkmumbler]

Before Blacks, Muslims and Eastern Europeans arrived in Ireland the two despised minority groups were knackers and Italians. We've come a long way.

You left out the English

Everybody hates the English. Even the English. Why do you think there is so much dross in the media?

[NapalmKev]

Before Blacks, Muslims and Eastern Europeans arrived in Ireland the two despised minority groups were knackers and Italians. We've come a long way.

You left out the English

Everybody hates the English. Even the English. Why do you think there is so much dross in the media?

I'm English and the only people I hate are far-right wankers/racists, religious extremists (of any denomination) and certain Corporate Wankers who would happily take profit from destroying peoples lives, and the Environment!

Cheers

[Richmond Clements]

Now, I may not be a fan of his comedy, but by grud, Russel Brand has a fierce intelligence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk#t=44

[Hawkmumbler]

Before Blacks, Muslims and Eastern Europeans arrived in Ireland the two despised minority groups were knackers and Italians. We've come a long way.

You left out the English

Everybody hates the English. Even the English. Why do you think there is so much dross in the media?

I'm English and the only people I hate are far-right wankers/racists, religious extremists (of any denomination) and certain Corporate Wankers who would happily take profit from destroying peoples lives, and the Environment!

Cheers

So most corporate organisations then? Yes, I'm looking at you nestle!

[TordelBack]

Now, I may not be a fan of his comedy, but by grud, Russel Brand has a fierce intelligence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk#t=44

Yeah, he wrecks my head, but he's as smart and as charismatic as it gets.  Every time I see or read him I think better of him, which is not a usual state of affairs.

[Richmond Clements]

Now, I may not be a fan of his comedy, but by grud, Russel Brand has a fierce intelligence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk#t=44

Yeah, he wrecks my head, but he's as smart and as charismatic as it gets.  Every time I see or read him I think better of him, which is not a usual state of affairs.

Yup - I'm as confused as you on this one...

[JOE SOAP]

It's interesting but if 'socialism' and enforced redistribution of wealth is his answer to the world's problems, I'm not quite sure that underneath the barrage of cute sentences and charming tangents he thinks that deeply or long enough about such things. 'No voting' can be a catalyst of something but combined with advocacy of a bureaucratic government is mindless.

[JamesC]

It's interesting but if 'socialism' and enforced redistribution of wealth is his answer to the world's problems, I'm not quite sure that underneath the barrage of cute sentences and charming tangents he thinks that deeply or long enough about such things. 'No voting' can be a catalyst of something but combined with advocacy of a bureaucratic government is mindless.

I don't think he's against voting per se, just that he's against voting for something that you don't actually believe in just because those are the only choices available.

[Spikes]

Now, I may not be a fan of his comedy, but by grud, Russel Brand has a fierce intelligence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk#t=44

Yeah, he wrecks my head, but he's as smart and as charismatic as it gets.  Every time I see or read him I think better of him, which is not a usual state of affairs.

Caught this on Newsnight the other day, and had to turn down the sound until the interview was over. The man's unbearable.

[JOE SOAP]

I don't think he's against voting per se, just that he's against voting for something that you don't actually believe in just because those are the only choices available.

Speaking as someone who doesn't vote when it comes to personalities I presume the problem is most people who do vote tend to believe or swallow what they vote for.