Is Paul Gogarty actually mad?

[Murra]

Forced "education" sounds a little bit communist to me. Education is good, I'm all for education, but educational snobbery is absurd. You would force kids to learn "politics" and think that would somehow produce better politicians?

Are you so blinded by bitterness that you are unable to read a posting correctly? Did I say we would produce better politicians?? No, I didn't. I said that people might just know something about the people, parties and policies they are voting for if they received some sort of compulsary education in politics.

Reading between the lines of your posts, I get the feeling you have other 'issues' going on that would make reasonable dialogue quite impossible for you.

[OceanFrog]

Ha! Lol that you have noticed. I haven't been on p.ie much lately. I did support the Greens going into govt in 2007, was very disiullusioned in 2008 but prepared to hang on on a suck it for a bit longer and see but since NAMA and the cuts I'm completely gone and will not be voting Green again under the current strategy and leadership. I think they've set the green agenda back in Ireland for 5-10 years. It was a stereotype in the past that green politics is very middle-class but this Govt's policies have shown this to be the case - actually its not even middle-class who are also badly affected by policies. The Green party is supporting policies that chose to leave the rich relatively protected and annihilate poorer and more vulnerable people and communities. Not my politics and I'm suffering a bit of shame that my vote went to support this sh*te. Its sad that Gogarty is now repeating the Thatcherite mantra "there is no alternative" but the truth is this govt has a lot in common with Thatcher's politics.

Thanks for that Mar ... it's exactly the way I feel.

[OceanFrog]

He never said the Greens would not go into govt with FF - only that he wouldn't lead them into it - a promise which he kept by resigning.

I hate to disagree FT but you could not be more wrong about this. Trevor Sargent led the Greens into coalition with FF alright. He was just very sly and conniving about it (and some here seem to have swallowed the deception hook, line and sinker).

An excellent article on the Green/FF coalition and Trevors role here.

Trevor, having pledged not to lead his party into coalition with Fianna Fail, was the main person involved in finalising the deal with the Taoiseach. And then good old Trevor devoted his life to relentlessly applying his leadership skills to convincing party members to accept the deal offered by FF. I'd call that "leadership". What would you call it?

When the deal with new best friends FF was done (note: when the deal was DONE and not one second before), and now aware that his credibility was at risk, Trevor stepped down as GP leader. Despite this noble of noblest gestures however, his conscience was clean enough to allow him to accept a junior ministry in the very same FF dominated govt that he so despised only a few days before.

And good old Trevor has been perfectly happy to support everything this disgrace of a government have done since 2007. Including the recent cuts which include taking money from the blind, the unemployed, and adults attempting to return to education.

I bet he's very proud of himself alright, and the way he didnt lead his party into govt with FF ...

[guramaith]

So Gogarty wants more money for education -well how about doing away with the extra payments for having a Qualification and using this to fund class sizes.
It is the only profession which requires a qualification,but pays you more for being qualified. So Gogarty go after these salary anomalies and use it to look after the children!!

[RahenyFG]

The fact he is supporting a Fianna Fail led administration shows his insanity.

[Superindigoman]

Haha, but as the saying goes, "what is normal"? Ecentric possibly, a character, takes all types to make the world go around, would be real boring if we were all the same

[richie268]

Haha, but as the saying goes, "what is normal"? Ecentric possibly, a character, takes all types to make the world go around, would be real boring if we were all the same

Paul is mad trust me!

[DCon]

GoGo is playing the Patriot/Martyr card now. Via Twitter of course

PaulGogartyTD @clanen not jumping ship just yet. Staying in to do more patriotic but unpopular stuff first

Twitter

[edor]

I think they should bring out a political section of twitter called simply 'twit' for the likes of the Greens et al.

[Maureen Murphy 1234]

No not really, just eccentric