Originally Posted by Hewson

By the time a thread like this gets to the end of page one the keyboard Ninja Warriors are in full flight. Knock, knock, knock. Easier than actually trying to get off the butt and do something. The same story on the Fintan O'Toole petition thread. Cynicism rules.

Coleman's articles in the Sindo are remarkable for their optimistic slant among page after page of apocalyptic doomsayers reminding us of just how screwed we are. He's articulate, intelligent and has a passion for change for the better. I won't pigeonhole him into the right-wing camp just because he's pro-enterprise and wants proper supports for entrepreneurial endeavour. Much of his wish-list corresponds with Fintan O'Toole's or Richard Boyd-Barrett's, neither of whom have a grá for right-wing thinking.

After what has transpired in this country over the past 30 years, the corruption, the suppression of democracy, the abuses of power and the theft of our children's future, I'm amazed that so many people's instant reaction to any attempt to improve things is to criticise.

There's no guarantee that people like O'Toole or Coleman will change things. But what can be guaranteed is that nothing will change if nothing is done.

Movements like the National Forum are open to any and all political persuasions. If you think you have something to offer and want to exert more influence than you ever will staring at a computer screen, then muck in. Your views will be listened to, respected and acted on.

Change doesn't happen. It's made.

I agree with the constant knocking on those that want to elicit change. However, the first thing Coleman needs to do is admit that he was completely wrong in his fairytale predictions on the economy and housing like Jim Power has done. 'The Best is Yet to Come' Quite.

Coleman fits in perfectly with the government nuances of spin, ignorance and deceit that have made a disastrous situation into a terminal one.

We need ************************************g realism and that goes for all the political parties.

Only two mere months ago, Coleman was, along with Comical Lenny, waging a "war on pessimism" (yours for only €55 in the Shelbourne Hotel):

Financial Times Laughs At Ireland And Marc Coleman (But Mainly Marc Coleman) | Broadsheet.ie
FT Alphaville » Ireland fights pessimism. Leaves budget in peace.

So what happened in the last two months that caused him to set up a new political party, exactly?

P.

Originally Posted by oceanclub

not everyone who disagrees with you politically is evil

Someone should tell the Left that.

Originally Posted by Malbekh

We need more women in politics, it's something other countries have succeeded in, if you like, enforcing. The reason being is that we then have a political system which reflects the true population, which last time I checked, was roughly 50% female. Having worked with and in a number of sectors, not having a reasonable proportion of women in boards or in management is a negative thing as they bring a different way of thinking and doing things.

The 'He Man' politics of this country over the last 50 years engenders people like Brian Cowen to act and think in the way that he does. Similarly, Mary Coughlan is another example of how a lack of gender balance can promote woefully inadequate politicians because 'she's good fun and one of the lads' mentality.

Having said that, I do find it perplexing that there is analysis to show that people do not vote on a gender basis. And in many cases, faced with equal quality candidates, women will often vote for a male politician over a female politician. I guess it is something ingrained in our society.

What we're talking about here is not something designed to be permanent nor reaching a 50% quota or the like. Just enough measures to break the back of the current testosterone environment of Irish politics - one of the many changes necessary.

Unless of course you want things to remain the way they are....

Not in the least, and I think your analysis is correct. We may need more women in politics but the state shouldn't be forcing the issue, and Marys Robinson, McAleese and Harney have at least proven that there's no glass ceiling as such in Ireland.

Originally Posted by Don Herron

We have to stop these nazis, break up their meetings if necessary. No free speech for fascists.

SWP?

or are you being ironic?

Originally Posted by FutureTaoiseach

Someone should tell the Left that.

Believe it or not, FT, I can neither speak for the entire "Left", or indeed, think there is any such thing. I consider myself of the Left, but my views would probably be nearer to some who consider themselves rightwing than, say, RBB. Politics is a broad multi-dimensional spectrum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_spectrum), and statements such as "The right/left are x/y/x" are simplistic nonsense.

P.

Originally Posted by Malbekh

I agree with the constant knocking on those that want to elicit change. However, the first thing Coleman needs to do is admit that he was completely wrong in his fairytale predictions on the economy and housing like Jim Power has done. 'The Best is Yet to Come' Quite.

Coleman fits in perfectly with the government nuances of spin, ignorance and deceit that have made a disastrous situation into a terminal one.

We need ************************************g realism and that goes for all the political parties.

Personally, I'm a great believer in the phrase "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, you'll never be disappointed". I doubt this was the phrase of someone who was talking up in the property market even in 2008.

P.

Originally Posted by Keith-M

Show me anything on their website to suggest that they are "right-wing conservatives".

On "Liveline" Coleman specifically getting more women involved in politics as a priority.

Sure:
"The goal of Irish re-unification must also be renewed and taken back from those who used violence to pursue it. .... As a pluralist Christian nation, Ireland must allow the decent silent majority of religious voters to be heard.
Neither are our native language and culture optional extras in a modern world: They are a core part of our being to be renewed, protected and advanced so future generations will know who they are. Discrimination against the nuclear family and attempts to undermine the rights of children – born and unborn – must be opposed. And employment policies must balance Ireland’s eternal welcome to outsiders with a clear duty to Irish citizens."
National Forum | Fóram Naisiunta Core Values » National Forum | Fóram Naisiunta

That's social conservatism. Not that there's anything wrong with that but they would need to be toeing a more Liberal line to capture the centre and attract those who see fiscal conservatism as being the answer without the catholic-nationalist flavour.

It's very hard to have faith (or is that fate) in a group whose documents are littered with spelling mistakes.

The bestest is yet to cum!

Originally Posted by Tim Johnston

Sure:
[...]

That's social conservatism.

There's no such thing as social conservatism.
You are either leftist (socialist, communist, nazi = national socialist, anarchist) or you are conservative.