Conor McGregor

[johnnycool]

It's hard to take anything politics nowadays without a fistful of salt, nevermind a pinch.
Conor McGregor in the White House on St Patrick's Day- such a snub for Martin and Harris.
But it put me thinking as to what the purpose might be.  A warning to Paddy Government to pipe down and know your place, or else?
And then two other possibilities.  One, there is a degree of traction for what McGregor was saying about immigration, and that is likely to increase in the coming years, especially if there is a severe economic downturn.  Most right-minded people would find McGregor's attitude, arrogance and his reputation after the Nikita Hand case repugnant.  The government can always point to this reprehensible opposition spokesperson to their policies as a sufficient justification for them to carry on, knowing that people wouldn't want to be associated in any way with McGregor's or any of his ilk.
Alternatively,  it could be the start of a government push back or major change in immigration policy.  The narrative has progressed so far and for so long that no government would announce an about-turn without facing a major furore.  So if a boogeyman figure like Conor McGregor makes all the statements from arguably the biggest stage on the biggest day in the Irish calendar,  the fuss will pass far quicker, and they can inch their way towards what McGregor was alluding to anyway.
I'm reminded of the scene in Lucky Number Slevin,  when Bruce Willis is explaining the Kansas City shuffle.  Very little in global, or even national, politics makes sense to me anymore,  and I can't help but wonder about the drivers, the motives, and then the ulterior motives behind any political scenario anymore.
I'm not even that well-informed or tuned in politically anyway, so maybe my line of thinking is absolute bullshit.  It's just this particular sequence of events has me especially confounded.

There's a lot in that, so lets break it down;

Is there a housing crisis?

Is there an immigration crisis?

Is there a healthcare crisis?

Is there a law and order crisis in certain parts of Ireland?

Is the housing crisis, the healthcare crisis, the law and order crisis caused or exacerbated by immigration?

[north_antrim_hound]

It's hard to take anything politics nowadays without a fistful of salt, nevermind a pinch.
Conor McGregor in the White House on St Patrick's Day- such a snub for Martin and Harris.
But it put me thinking as to what the purpose might be.  A warning to Paddy Government to pipe down and know your place, or else?
And then two other possibilities.  One, there is a degree of traction for what McGregor was saying about immigration, and that is likely to increase in the coming years, especially if there is a severe economic downturn.  Most right-minded people would find McGregor's attitude, arrogance and his reputation after the Nikita Hand case repugnant.  The government can always point to this reprehensible opposition spokesperson to their policies as a sufficient justification for them to carry on, knowing that people wouldn't want to be associated in any way with McGregor's or any of his ilk.
Alternatively,  it could be the start of a government push back or major change in immigration policy.  The narrative has progressed so far and for so long that no government would announce an about-turn without facing a major furore.  So if a boogeyman figure like Conor McGregor makes all the statements from arguably the biggest stage on the biggest day in the Irish calendar,  the fuss will pass far quicker, and they can inch their way towards what McGregor was alluding to anyway.
I'm reminded of the scene in Lucky Number Slevin,  when Bruce Willis is explaining the Kansas City shuffle.  Very little in global, or even national, politics makes sense to me anymore,  and I can't help but wonder about the drivers, the motives, and then the ulterior motives behind any political scenario anymore.
I'm not even that well-informed or tuned in politically anyway, so maybe my line of thinking is absolute bullshit.  It's just this particular sequence of events has me especially confounded.

There's a lot in that, so lets break it down;

Is there a housing crisis?

Is there an immigration crisis?

Is there a healthcare crisis?

Is there a law and order crisis in certain parts of Ireland?

Is the housing crisis, the healthcare crisis, the law and order crisis caused or exacerbated by immigration?

Yes all those problems are a reality but that bell end isnt going to make any difference. Global politics just needed this half wits input to make it a complete circus.

[Substandard]

That's the thing that has me confused- to what extent (if any) are things like this orchestrated.  McGregor is such a fundamentally unlikeable character, the immediate reaction is to dismiss anything he says.  If McGregor says it, it can't be right because he's such a bollix.  By conflation, if you happen to agree with something he says, so you're a McGregor fan boy, and you support a rapist?
Assuming it's a given that Trump is a polarising and divisive figure, then if you look at his actions and statements- how many are throwing out a kite for deflection, with statements like Greenland or Canada becoming states?  Or the threats and pivots on tariffs and relocation of multinationals?
And back to our own little cabbage patch.  The immigration industry is certainly a gravy train for some, e.g. the McEnaneys and Healy-Raes as two high-profile examples.  Just because McGregor says it doesn't automatically make it endorseable.
Had an argument with a friend recently who has been leaning increasingly to the 'far right' of late, and he was citing various podcasts (I don't do podcasts).  He reckoned sheep like me was the reason the country is going to hell.  Which is fine as an opinion,  my counter was what should we do- take over the GPO?  Sheep are important,  because they keep the show ticking along day to day, even under resentment.  If there were no sheep and everyone was militant for their own particular causes or sets of beliefs, then there would be chaos.
But sheep can be herded, and pushed a particular direction, even ultimately over a cliff.  This particular sheep is just worried because I've no idea what direction I'm being herded, or by whom, or for what outcome.

[Saffron_sam20]

That's the thing that has me confused- to what extent (if any) are things like this orchestrated.  McGregor is such a fundamentally unlikeable character, the immediate reaction is to dismiss anything he says.  If McGregor says it, it can't be right because he's such a bollix.  By conflation, if you happen to agree with something he says, so you're a McGregor fan boy, and you support a rapist?
Assuming it's a given that Trump is a polarising and divisive figure, then if you look at his actions and statements- how many are throwing out a kite for deflection, with statements like Greenland or Canada becoming states?  Or the threats and pivots on tariffs and relocation of multinationals?
And back to our own little cabbage patch.  The immigration industry is certainly a gravy train for some, e.g. the McEnaneys and Healy-Raes as two high-profile examples.  Just because McGregor says it doesn't automatically make it endorseable.
Had an argument with a friend recently who has been leaning increasingly to the 'far right' of late, and he was citing various podcasts (I don't do podcasts).  He reckoned sheep like me was the reason the country is going to hell.  Which is fine as an opinion,  my counter was what should we do- take over the GPO?  Sheep are important,  because they keep the show ticking along day to day, even under resentment.  If there were no sheep and everyone was militant for their own particular causes or sets of beliefs, then there would be chaos.
But sheep can be herded, and pushed a particular direction, even ultimately over a cliff.  This particular sheep is just worried because I've no idea what direction I'm being herded, or by whom, or for what outcome.

Prob a sheep myself but never thought of it that way. Lots of things i agree with on both sides of politics but it seems you're not allowed that view. I try to judge every situation on its own merits. But it's instance that everything is either far right or far left. As a society everyone seems to want to paint others as extremes, i find it really weird.

[Banks of the Bann]

That's the thing that has me confused- to what extent (if any) are things like this orchestrated.  McGregor is such a fundamentally unlikeable character, the immediate reaction is to dismiss anything he says.  If McGregor says it, it can't be right because he's such a bollix.  By conflation, if you happen to agree with something he says, so you're a McGregor fan boy, and you support a rapist?
Assuming it's a given that Trump is a polarising and divisive figure, then if you look at his actions and statements- how many are throwing out a kite for deflection, with statements like Greenland or Canada becoming states?  Or the threats and pivots on tariffs and relocation of multinationals?
And back to our own little cabbage patch.  The immigration industry is certainly a gravy train for some, e.g. the McEnaneys and Healy-Raes as two high-profile examples.  Just because McGregor says it doesn't automatically make it endorseable.
Had an argument with a friend recently who has been leaning increasingly to the 'far right' of late, and he was citing various podcasts (I don't do podcasts).  He reckoned sheep like me was the reason the country is going to hell.  Which is fine as an opinion,  my counter was what should we do- take over the GPO?  Sheep are important,  because they keep the show ticking along day to day, even under resentment.  If there were no sheep and everyone was militant for their own particular causes or sets of beliefs, then there would be chaos.
But sheep can be herded, and pushed a particular direction, even ultimately over a cliff.  This particular sheep is just worried because I've no idea what direction I'm being herded, or by whom, or for what outcome.

Prob a sheep myself but never thought of it that way. Lots of things i agree with on both sides of politics but it seems you're not allowed that view. I try to judge every situation on its own merits. But it's instance that everything is either far right or far left. As a society everyone seems to want to paint others as extremes, i find it really weird.

The great irony of it all is that those who regard everyone else as sheep and themselves as seeing through it all are the biggest fools of all, completely lead by the nose as they are, by whatever moronic podcast or alternative news source they think they are gleaning the 'truth' from.

[AustinPowers]

It's hard to take anything politics nowadays without a fistful of salt, nevermind a pinch.
Conor McGregor in the White House on St Patrick's Day- such a snub for Martin and Harris.
But it put me thinking as to what the purpose might be.  A warning to Paddy Government to pipe down and know your place, or else?
And then two other possibilities.  One, there is a degree of traction for what McGregor was saying about immigration, and that is likely to increase in the coming years, especially if there is a severe economic downturn.  Most right-minded people would find McGregor's attitude, arrogance and his reputation after the Nikita Hand case repugnant.  The government can always point to this reprehensible opposition spokesperson to their policies as a sufficient justification for them to carry on, knowing that people wouldn't want to be associated in any way with McGregor's or any of his ilk.
Alternatively,  it could be the start of a government push back or major change in immigration policy.  The narrative has progressed so far and for so long that no government would announce an about-turn without facing a major furore.  So if a boogeyman figure like Conor McGregor makes all the statements from arguably the biggest stage on the biggest day in the Irish calendar,  the fuss will pass far quicker, and they can inch their way towards what McGregor was alluding to anyway.
I'm reminded of the scene in Lucky Number Slevin,  when Bruce Willis is explaining the Kansas City shuffle.  Very little in global, or even national, politics makes sense to me anymore,  and I can't help but wonder about the drivers, the motives, and then the ulterior motives behind any political scenario anymore.
I'm not even that well-informed or tuned in politically anyway, so maybe my line of thinking is absolute bullshit.  It's just this particular sequence of events has me especially confounded.

There's a lot in that, so lets break it down;

Is there a housing crisis?

Is there an immigration crisis?

Is there a healthcare crisis?

Is there a law and order crisis in certain parts of Ireland?

Is the housing crisis, the healthcare crisis, the law and order crisis caused or exacerbated by immigration?

Those things  are definitely problems in Ireland. 

I'm far from a fan of McGregor, but  neither am I a fan  of those gombeens Martin and Harris. Martin  said recently about his poor record  on housing , that he aims to build X amount of houses in the next 3-4 years. He'll likely be gone by then , sitting in  some cushy number in Brussels or  the IMF and won't be answerable to  his housing failures.

Trump was correct when he said he aims to bring US  businesses home. Why wouldn't he? He's  the US president, not the Irish  president. If Ireland had a dozen multinationals located in  Canada or Australia,  would we not be  correct in  luring them back  here to contribute to the coffers and  provide many jobs?

What happens to Ireland when these multinationals leave? Which they  inevitably will. No more, what was it, £60b Apple windfall ? If FF/FG can't build houses  with that windfall , how will they build  houses without it? I fear for the Irish economy when the  big businesses go home, and with a huge increase in immigrants , where will the country be then?

[Denn Forever]

A rapist who wore a poppy and poses with Nigel Farage... only a misogynist racist loyalist would still be supporting that maggot.

Don't think too many here still support him do they?

Auditioning for the DUP?

[Rossfan]

Austin Powers, the multinationals are here because they have free access to a market of 450m relatively well heeled people (among other things).

[armaghniac]

Trump was correct when he said he aims to bring US  businesses home. Why wouldn't he? He's  the US president, not the Irish  president. If Ireland had a dozen multinationals located in  Canada or Australia,  would we not be  correct in  luring them back  here to contribute to the coffers and  provide many jobs?

What happens to Ireland when these multinationals leave? Which they  inevitably will. No more, what was it, £60b Apple windfall ? If FF/FG can't build houses  with that windfall , how will they build  houses without it? I fear for the Irish economy when the  big businesses go home, and with a huge increase in immigrants , where will the country be then?

Why should multinationals leave, they do well here? Three quarters of multinational production does not go to the US. Irish companies, the likes of Smurfit or Cement-Roadstone, do have facilities in the US which serve the US market. The software companies have to have a European operation for a variety of reasons. If Trump has a load of tariff barriers then there will be new US companies wanted to open a branch in Europe.
There are different sorts of immigrants in Ireland, many of those associated with the multinationals are able people, they can do something else or will leave and go somewhere else.

There is certainly a case about housing, but it is not just a question of money, do you know any unemployed builders?

[Banks of the Bann]

Just seen McGregor being referred to as Andrew Tayto.

[Milltown Row2]

Is there a housing crisis?

Is there an immigration crisis?

Is there a healthcare crisis?

Is there a law and order crisis in certain parts of Ireland?

Of the above questions, how many boarders are personally affected by it? Keen to hear

[Substandard]

I don't imagine Trump could arbitrarily order a full recall of the multinationals- they have a hell of a lot invested in infrastructure and training their workforce, so I'd imagine there would be significant costs that would mitigate against it happening wholesome,  at least in the short-term.  That's not factoring market access, and a trade war on that scale would surely be too damaging to contemplate.  Even if it were to happen on a phased basis, it would give time to prepare a Plan B (how far would you rely on our government,  whoever it would be, to facilitate this is a whole other debate).
Again,  I think it's more Trump kite-flying.  It sounds good for the US public, it creates a degree of fear where these companies are based, but ultimately I think it causes ripples in the stock market that mega-funds can exploit.  It's all a game, all smoke and mirrors, and nothing to do with us little people.

[Milltown Row2]

I'd an employer in with me yesterday, 4 jobs locally, not one local (native ) applied, above minimum wage..

Who is going to do the work when they get rid of the 'outsiders'

[Truthsayer]

We're knee deep in fascism. Trump/Musk/McGregor...

[imtommygunn]

MR2 there is absolutely no doubt a healthcare crisis(in the north) and tbh ironically enough in the north it is (in part) due to foreigners but the reason it is in part due to foreigners is because there aren't enough of them as a load of the skilled ones left after brexit!

The NHS here is a disaster. The people working in it are doing as best they can but they are swimming against the tide.