George Lee: A Courageous Dissenter

[Dialasceptic]

15k you say, Got link?

Do you read any newspapers or watch any news?

You didn't know he was entitled to go back to RTE and you didn't know he was getting a pay-off.

Newly departed Lee still in line for €15,445 lump sum - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

[Lightning Rod]

Where are you hearing this, on his numerous media appearence on Monday, Lee himself stated he is to return to RTE.

George Lee is allowed to return to Montrose at his previous salary, approximately €150,000, the only caveat being that he would not be able to return to his previous position as Economics Editor as it entails too many political dimensions nor can he be appointed to an editorial position for similar reasons to prevent accusations of political bias being levelled at RTE.

Got link?

George Lee resigns from Fine Gael and Dáil Éireann - The Irish Times - Mon, Feb 08, 2010

you didn't know he was getting a pay-off.

So he will get two months severance, wow big pay-off.

The value of such a sum equates to about two months' salary.

Mr Lee's annual salary is €92,672, so he will get paid just €15,445. While he is getting a once-off lump sum, he will not be entitled to any termination payments.

[ang]

Letters from IT on George Lee resignation. Public opinion is what counts:-

Madam, – I think it is time that Fine Gael is reported to the Competition Authority for providing absolutely no alternative to the existing Government.

It is not a third force in banking that is needed but a third force in government. – Yours, etc,

Lots more Here:-George Lee's resignation - The Irish Times - Thu, Feb 11, 2010

[Lightning Rod]

Georgie Porgie was consigned to the category of curiosity as he doesn't matter anymore - The Irish Times - Thu, Feb 11, 2010

The party is still reeling following the shock resignation of their star signing. But by yesterday morning, the troops had regrouped sufficiently to mount a significant offensive against the man they once so effusively clasped to their bosom.

It’s strange, the way so many people were suddenly whispering knowingly about George leaving because he couldn’t bear the drop in salary.

Deputies – some of whom could scarcely have known the quiet Lee – nodded and winked and put the story about as a viable explanation for his abrupt departure from politics.

[Lightning Rod]

George got out before this happened to him

Start with a cage containing five monkeys.

Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a ladder under it. Before long, one of the monkeys will spot the banana and start to climb the ladder. As soon as he does, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water.

Replace the banana.

After a while another of the monkeys will probably go for the banana. Again, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water. Monkeys are fairly smart, so pretty soon whenever one of the monkeys tries to climb the ladder all the other monkeys will try and prevent him doing it. When this happens, put away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. Then put another banana at the top of the ladder.

The new monkey will spot the banana and make for the ladder. To his surprise all of the other monkeys attack him. After a couple more attempts result in further beatings the new monkey will not make any attempt to go for the banana.

Remove another of the original monkeys and replace it with another new one. Then replace the banana. Again, the new monkey will make a grab for it. Like his predecessor he will be amazed to find that all the other monkeys attack him. The previous newcomer will take part in his punishment with some enthusiasm.

One at a time, gradually replace all of the original monkeys with new ones. Each of the newcomers will go for the banana. Each one will be attacked by the other four. Most of the new monkeys have absolutely no idea why they were not allowed to climb the ladder, or why they are participating in the assault on the newest monkey.

When all of the original monkeys have been replaced, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless no monkey ever approaches the ladder. Why not? Because as far as they are concerned that's the way it has always been done around here.

George ain't no monkey.
But for argument's sake, if he was: he's the one who decided the banana wasn't worth it.

[Anamnua]

The tale of brave Sir George:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4SJ0xR2_bQ"]YouTube- Monty Python Holy Grail The tale of Sir Robin[/ame]

[wombat]

I regret Lee's decision to quit. I believed 6 months ago that he had something to offer the country and I have not changed my mind. I believe it was a major gain for FG to have him as a TD and it is now a major loss. All that said, I cannot understand how he was allowed to take a leave of absence from RTE, I suspect that without the 150k parachute, he would have stayed as a TD for a slightly longer period.

[John Biffo]

I've followed Gorgeous George for almost a decade now,
in the build-up to the recession George called it,
I remember sh*t like that, George called it - so he had my ear.

Then nine months ago he announced he was quitting as RTE's economic correspondent to try a stint in politics. I thought this was good, I believed if anyone could help the country out, it was George.

I waited.
I listened.
Nothing. He pretty much vanished.

Today after he announced his resignation from the Dail and from Fine Gael I think I finally know why; Fine Gael buried him - not today, but 9 months ago when he signed up to Irish politics.

The new kid on the block quite obviously presented a distinct threat to other members of Fine Gael when he was elected for Dublin South.

So what happened? Fine Gael TDs are "mystified" but to me it makes perfect sense: George couldn't hack it, couldn't hack the politics of politics - being sidelined because he was seen as a threat by other senior members of Fine Gael.

I don't blame him for resigning, I applaud his resolution of an impossible situation.

George Lee is Ireland's first trustworthy politician he should found his own political party and stand for election again - he will get the votes.

I disagree.

George Lee excelled in doing what he did with the backing of the RTE machine ,and the knowledge that everything was 'laid on' for him in RTE.

Like many many others before him, he couldn't hack it when the safety blanket was whipped from under him and he had to actually 'get things done'

Like a lot of 'hurlers on the ditch' these people who apparently know all the answers from the sidelines,can be found out when they eventually tog out and take to the pitch.

That's what i believe happened to Mr. Lee, and rather than have the courage to fight on,he took the easy option and headed back to the maternal bosom of RTE.

Hopefully this will curb the politicians stupidity of parachuting in celebrity candidates from the Montrose stable as like Mcnamara before him, these have proved they can't hack the rough and tumble of party politics.

man made a total idiot of himself I believe, and certainly cannot have any credibility on RTE screens in the future.

lesson well learned.

[Dialasceptic]

So he will get two months severance, wow big pay-off.

It's a massive pay-off for eight months work. If I was working somewhere for, say, ten years and decided I wanted to resign I'd be bloody delighted with two and a half years worth of salary for quitting.

I don't know of many jobs where you get the equivalent of quarter of the salary paid to you over many years for walking out.

[Twin Towers]

All hat and no cattle. Complete waster