well said oisin

The the fact that he’s gay shouldn’t make a difference, but unfortunately for the majority of people whom actually exercise their right to vote ie. Elderly conservative etc. his sexuality will act as a deterrent to them voting for him! That’s just my opinion!!

Never question the value of questioning…

Their most suitable choice for president… Suitable for what? Also, outsiders can look and choose who they like but only we get to vote so only our opinion counts.

Sorry Noel I don’t understand – What I am saying is that observers of this Presidential election are looking at the candidates and finding that David Norris is the most suitable candidate. Those opinions have an influence on those who do have a vote within Ireland. We as a nation care how we are viewed on the world stage – The Irish brand being dragged through the mud due to a financial crisis the majority of us had nothing to do with rightly annoys us. So someone like David Norris who is so obviously passionate about Ireland, our culture, our commerce, our sport is the perfect person to show that Ireland isn’t taking this anymore, that we are open for business, proud to be Irish, proud of what we have achieved and that our best days are not behind us. Thats what Stephen Fry was getting at. Thats why he is endorsing him so strongly and thats what people in Ireland who follow world opinion will be pick up on so these opinions do matter because the affect the decisions Irish voters will make come October.

Yet another faceless reject posting from anon twitter account…can’t provide a picture, let alone a valid opinion.

Good point Kenneth ( a real name with a real photo). I’d be in favour of a real names only policy on thejournal.ie, in the interests of transparency. Too many anonymous rants going on. And far too may eggs.

Why do you require me to post a photograph? Do you want to have an affair with me?

In the interest of anthropological curiosity, nothing more.

For a man who made this statement once “There has been a history, let’s face it, in Poland of a right-wing Catholicism which has been deeply disturbing for those of us who know a little history, and remember which side of the border Auschwitz was on and know the stories, and know much of the anti-semitic, and homophobic and nationalistic elements in countries like Poland.” show how little he knows about history. And HE is endorsing a canadiate for office of president in ireland.

The comment you quote does not seem like the ravings of a lunatic, Alex, so I don’t quite get your point. Further, I’d suggest that if you (or I) held a discussion with Stephen Fry on the topic of the Holocaust, Fry would be the more informed, and not just because he was raised as a Jew either.

To say that poland supported the
Holocoust because the concentration camps were there denotes stupidity. Poland never wanted to enter the war or be invaded.

Although I will concede that even Fry acknowledged that he “might have said it better”.

Notwithstanding my previous comment, the misinterpretation of a specific comment to infer an implication that all of Poland supported the holocaust does not help matters.

‘most camp’ and why will this stop him becoming the Irish president? Care to clarify?

Was their any point to that comment apart from being cruel.

Please keep homophobia out of political discussions

Y

He is a very agreeable gentleman Emma, he might just butch up just for you, are you thinking leather or cowboy?

He would consider it as long as it wouldnt split his core vote, namely the sane and decent

If sexuality and any other sort of prejudice is to be one of our core ‘values’ to decide a President, we might as well turn off all the lights and go back to the depths of Medievalism.

He’s a smart guy, well educated, great orator and is being harangued for making an observation about an ancient practice which bears no meaning in today’s world. While not being entirely astute in not realising the current political and social norms or indeed laws, he did not in any way endorse pederasty.

Remember our former President, Mary Robinson, fought a lot of her career on issues such as individual freedoms and civil rights. McAleese is a former Professor of Constitutional Law …. therefore, it would be consistent and indeed progressive NOT to make an issue of this man’s sexuality, race, gender etc. Remember these are all characteristics that at one time or other have been used against candidates.

Remember P. Flynn’s slimey comments about Mary Robinson having a ”new hair do”????

Enough of the gombeen politics, journalism and retrograde ‘values’.

Best of Luck, Davey. Knock ‘em dead.