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Lise Hand Most voters in the real world don’t give a monkey's if Leo Varadkar smoked hash

The bleak first week of the election campaign meant any moment of lighter drama was welcomed by all, writes Lise Hand.

THE FIRST WEEK of the general election campaign was grim.

If there had been any planned razzmatazz by any of the parties it had been swept away in the avalanche of dark news – a homeless man suffering severe injuries after he was accidentally scooped up in his tent during a city council clean-up of Dublin’s canal, and 17-year old Keane Mulready-Woods murdered and his body dismembered by out-of-control criminals in Drogheda.

Maybe because of this sombre cloud, any moment of lighter drama was going to be given a céad míle fáilte by everyone.

The unexpected arrival centre-stage of the pensions gap as a campaign issue certainly offered not a whit of light relief – people could see no fun side to being obliged to sign on from the retirement age of 65 to either 66 or 67 when they become eligible for the State pension.

The politicians – not all of them, to be fair, noted with alarm that anger was rising with remarkable speed over the pension gap.

Sinn Féin had read the public mood correctly in advance and arrived into the campaign with a policy that had prepared earlier. 

However, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil were left scrambling at the start of the week to devise cunning plans before an irate Grey Army were minded to re-arm and take to the streets once again.

Never mind farmers or teachers or students or bus-drivers. They can wave placards and roar and shout until they’re hoarse outside the gates of Leinster House. But our elected representatives harbour a visceral fear of incurring the wrath of Ireland’s elders.

For never in the history of political u-turns was one executed with such rapidity as that performed by the Fianna Fáil-led government in 2008 when thousands of rowdy pensioners availed of the free travel to stage a full-throated demonstration against a proposed budget measure to means-test some medical cards.

Inevitably, the proposal died a faster death than a Star Trek crew member in a red shirt.

So it was a dour week. Anyone pining for a bit of diversion was pinning their hopes on the first televised leaders’ debate on Wednesday night.

NO FEE VIRGIN MEDIA ELECTION DEBATE 10 Maxwell photography Maxwell photography

Leo Varadkar versus Micheál Martin. It wasn’t quite Conor McGregor taking on Donald Cerrone in Vegas, but for political nerds this was a top-billed rumble in the jungle with the Taoiseach’s office as the winner’s purse. 

But for much of the Virgin Media debate, it was more a Barney in Ballymount; the two leaders spent much of the bout dancing around each other, landing glancing blows but no knockout punch.

And then it happened. Host Pat Kenny sent a haymaker flying into the two men by brusquely asking them if they had ever taken illegal drugs.

Micheál Martin, so famously clean-living that he’s notorious for critiquing the fry-laden plates of colleagues and journalists in the Leinster House canteen while clutching his usual morning repast of fruit and granola, swiftly denied that his lips had ever been in the vicinity of a spliff.

Leo Varadkar, clearly thrown by the question, stammered out that he had addressed the issue truthfully years before in a Hot Press interview and then launched into the longest pause since a Harold Pinter play last graced a Dublin stage.

He was prompted by a clearly chuffed Martin to elaborate until Kenny took him off the hook. “The answer is that you did,” he reminded Leo who responded, “Yes, but it was a long time ago.”

The protracted pause sparked a collective sucking in of air through the teeth of anyone watching the debate. Oh dear. A bad look. Doubtless, his team and his supporters groaned while his opponents and detractors gloated. What a boo-boo. 

Perhaps during the excruciating silence, the thought may have popped into Leo’s head that this could end up as the most viral image of the campaign.

His fears were surely borne out the following day when the exchange made the front page of more than one paper, he also faced more questions about his past drug-taking in a press doorstep with the media and then was further closely grilled by Ivan Yates on Newstalk about what substances he had taken, and when.

Varadkar was unwavering in his response that he had smoked dope in college, but that was the extent of his drug-taking. The broadcaster pushed him further – had he tried cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine or LSD? 

It makes for uncomfortable listening, veering close to the classic ambush question: “When did you stop beating your wife?” The Taoiseach tried to keep his answers to yes or no – a wise move, as if he had replied in the vein of “No I have never taken cocaine,” as sure as a bag of chips following closing-time, the headlines the next day would have trumpeted ‘VARADKAR DENIES SNORTING COKE’.

And what a waste of another day’s campaign coverage that would’ve been. The only sliver of silver lining to be gleaned from the utterly grim events in Drogheda that had dominated the coverage during the opening days of the campaign, was that they had turned the spotlight on the serious drug-related problems besetting communities all across the country.

Serious discussions had been aired between politicians, activists, community workers and other groups about the complex causes of drug abuse and the bleak futures faced by people living in drug-ravaged areas, and how best the scourge can be tackled.

These were good discussions, focussed on the people. Various proposals were debated. But now the circus had arrived in town. Candidates suddenly found themselves being quizzed about whether they had ever taken drugs, instead of being interrogated about their party’s drug policies. 

Back in the real world, most voters don’t give a monkey’s if Leo Varadkar smoked hash at college. He was out on a canvass in Santry Friday and he was asked about hospital waiting lists, housing and public transport. The stuff that matters.

Lise Hand will be a regular contributor to TheJournal.ie for General Election 2020. Check out all her work here

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    Mute Róisín Áine Nic Dhonnacha
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    Aug 15th 2011, 8:23 AM

    Excellent!

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    Mute Brian Ward
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    Aug 15th 2011, 8:31 AM

    Pretty much hit the nail on the head there.

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    Mute Stephen Johnston
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    Aug 15th 2011, 8:33 AM

    Very nice article, and not far from the sad truth.

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    Mute gvnfnly
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    Aug 15th 2011, 8:39 AM

    Brilliant and insightful piece.

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    Mute Dave O'Shea
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    Aug 15th 2011, 9:17 AM

    Excellent, and would have to say you speak for me with that piece, my mantra is quite simple and I feel it could work but with solidarity…… Do one simple good deed for another, sounds crazy but I feel it could work… Today I am selling a pair of cycling shoes (sidi) they were 120 euro , I put them on done deal and there to be sold today for 45, he will get them for 40 , I will give back a tenner and tell him to pass on the fiver…. He may or may not do it but hey, worth a shot.

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    Mute Bronagh Walsh
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    Aug 15th 2011, 8:56 AM

    Beautifully written piece

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    Mute Ken Finnegan
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    Aug 15th 2011, 10:34 AM

    It’s been proven that Psychopaths also lack empathy but is the Irish characteristic more along the lines of schadenfreude where pleasure is derived from the misfortunes of others? If we lacked in empathy why are we as a nation the 3rd most generous in donating to charities? I don’t disagree with the article but we definitely don’t lack empathy.

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    Mute Sinéad Ward
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    Aug 15th 2011, 1:02 PM

    Agree wholeheartedly with your comment Ken and wonderful article Lisa. It’s when you’ve tried to better yourself, mastered a skill, or say gained some success that you will see how real the begrudgery is. I’m not a major fan of Ryan Tubridy (the abuse he’s currently getting is undeserved though) but when he used to joke about the begrudgery here I would shake my head and say he was being overly negative. I’ve learned since that he was actually right, and I find myself more and more disliking modern Ireland. What gets me over that is keeping an image of the old Ireland, the values and those that were good people in my mind and that is the Ireland I picture in my mind’s eye.

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    Mute Frank McMahon
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    Aug 15th 2011, 4:38 PM

    Sinead, begrudgery would have been even more prevalent in old Ireland. its only now that people are starting to realise that they too can achieve things if they have enough self-worth.

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    Mute David Conroy
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    Aug 16th 2011, 12:44 AM

    We donate overseas because it’s not to our own.

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    Mute Dave Clinton
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    Aug 16th 2011, 12:49 AM

    Yeah Ken, but I have a feeling most charitable giving is to foreign causes. I dont think we tend to donate much to help each other out here. Maybe our empathy is only for those we don’t personally identify with?

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    Mute Cíat Ó Gáibhtheacháin
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    Aug 16th 2011, 9:58 PM

    A quick word on empathy.

    There’s actually two ways one can lack empathy, as the word is vaguer than it might be and really stands to two distinct states of mind.

    One can lack the ability to read others (impaired theory of mind) or to conceptualise/process emotions without stress (alexithymia), but still be capable of feeling for another person and emotionally reciprocating. People on the autistic spectrum tend to be affected as such. You could think of this as recognising the person, but not the face.

    Psychopaths, sociopaths, and those with various other personality disorders may be able to recognise and read people but do not, for reasons related to their personality disorder, cannot or do not emotionally reciprocate. Continuing the previous analogy, the face is recognised, but not the person.

    It’s an important distinction to make, though few, unfortunately, make it.

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    Mute David Reilly
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    Aug 28th 2013, 4:33 PM

    No Ken, with all respect you have that one wrong .. the German “Schadenfreude” is taking pleasure in anothers misfortune, whereas, “Begrudgery” on the other hand is feeling pain because one thinks the other person is doing well … huuuuuge difference !

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    Mute Donnacha Bushe
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    Aug 16th 2011, 9:45 PM

    This was an interesting and elegantly written article, and I agree with some of what you have to say. Whenever I hear the phrase ‘I’ve no sympathy for …’ I get a sinking feeling I’m about to endure a mean-spirited tirade from someone lacking in empathy.

    Now it’s my turn to launch into a tirade, on the possibly controversial point that my empathy at times, has to go with the begrudgers. Why not begrudge the developers who are now being paid handsomely by NAMA to manage the properties we’re paying for? Why not begrudge the bankers who walked away from the mess they created with massive pay-offs? Why not begrudge the tax exiles who continually appear in the newspapers to boast about their charitable work? Why not begrudge those who can afford to carry on as normal after damning findings by tribunals of inquiry into their past conduct? Are we sufficiently begrudging of the right targets, and can we turn the begrudgery into a platform for a more equitable society?

    Begrudgery is the bedfellow of inequality. Blanket opposition to it keeps the status quo intact. It may not be an edifying emotion, but it’s a very human one. Margaret Thatcher frequently attempted to silence opponents by accusing them of ‘the politics of envy.’ Under her regime the gap between rich and poor widened. She didn’t think the existence of a gap was a problem. (See here storming last performance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHA7YXsu110) I don’t think Bertie saw the gap as being a problem either, in spite of his laughable claims to be a socialist.

    Thatcher was wrong. Humans (not just Irish people) are status conscious by nature; the greater the gap between rich and poor in a society, the greater the stresses they undergo. A groundbreaking book called ‘The Spirit Level’ shows that more equal societies have less crime, lower rates of depression, fewer teenage pregnancies, fewer suicides, less obesity … the list goes on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y36BJoelaMc. Inequality may harm the poor disproportionately, but it harms the whole of society.

    We frequently misdirect our ire about the general unfairness within society at the people they meet day to day – those one rung up the ladder and one rung down the ladder. I say we should look several rungs up and ask – however good and talented these people are (and some are indeed very talented) – do they really need to be earning ten times what ordinary people earn? Where, for example, was the solidarity of the judiciary when pay cuts were sought? It’s true we won’t all get rich by pulling the elite down a few notches, but we’ll certainly live in a more equal society, which for the reasons I outlined above, is a good thing.

    If we want social solidarity, we have to stop continually voting for centre-right parties. Begrudgery is as much an outcome of our political choices as it is an innate part of Irishness. To reduce the levels of this unedifying but often justifiable emotion, we need to bridge the gap between rich and poor and ensure that society is run more fairly. That’s hard enough to do when the invisible markets and the IMF are dictating our precarious destiny, it’s harder still when little political will exists for real change.

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    Mute Dave Clinton
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    Aug 18th 2011, 2:04 AM

    Doing anything for the next few years Donncha? There may be a position in the Aras for someone like yourself!!!

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    Mute MarkGDub
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    Aug 15th 2011, 8:39 AM

    Okay, rant over Laura. Now what?

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    Mute MarkGDub
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    Aug 15th 2011, 8:40 AM

    By Laura I do of course mean Lisa. Apologies.

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    Mute Phil Mc Donald
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    Aug 15th 2011, 4:59 PM

    Begrudgery is prevalent in every country, only the Irish media claim it to be an Oirish trait. Sure what were most of the UK riots about?

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    Mute David Conroy
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    Aug 16th 2011, 12:45 AM

    A new telly and some trainers, mostly.

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    Mute Ciaran FitzGerald
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    Aug 15th 2011, 11:20 AM

    I think it’s worse in Dublin and commuter areas – obviously these were places worst hit by recession -but I think there also has been leess empathy and less community spirit to help people whove been effected.

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    Mute Frank McMahon
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    Aug 15th 2011, 1:08 PM

    people who were smug and elitist about being Irish for no great reason have always pissed me off, long before any recession. i left ireland when in boom times for the very reason that people had lost their minds (even further?) ive come back now its bust because i feel something closer to a reality here, good or bad a reality all the same.

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    Mute Dominick Branigan
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    Aug 16th 2011, 12:17 PM

    These times I believe are a necessary evil and the keeping up with the Jones attitude always drove me crazy. Been proud of Ireland and been Irish is a wonderful thing. I remember Italia 90, Eurovision, River dance all in the 90s and movies such as Into the West, The Van, The commitments and I was never so proud of been Irish…. I was 9 years old during Italia 90 and for me these are the days I remember the most. Sitting on the street wall with all the neighbour chatting, us all out playing curbs and having fun…. If we can come together and share moments like this again I do think we can share each other’s difficulties.

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    Mute Darryl O'Donnell
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    Aug 30th 2011, 8:46 AM

    “People made mistakes. People bought houses they now cannot afford because they didn’t see the property crash coming, or thought that their job was secure. People made mistakes and some of them are paying for it horribly. What cost a bit of empathy? What internal harm does it do the begrudger to say: yes, that sucks, I hope you can pick yourself up and carry on?”

    It should be noted that there was also a stunning lack of empathy during the boom, when people began to look down their nose at those who had not jumped the the property train: the “house do you do” brigade.

    “And I wonder why, if we love Ireland so much, if we’re so proud of being Irish, can’t we support our struggling countrymen? Where the hell is the solidarity? Why are we, the proud patriots, the rebels, the poets, so keen to turn on each other?”

    I think the boom years have lots of interesting case studies of this kind of behavior too.

    Indeed, our lack of empathy combined with our insecurities lie behind a lot of the corruption and religious scandals over the years.

    Donnacha nails it I think: “We frequently misdirect our ire about the general unfairness within society at the people they meet day to day – those one rung up the ladder and one rung down the ladder……Begrudgery is as much an outcome of our political choices as it is an innate part of Irishness. To reduce the levels of this unedifying but often justifiable emotion, we need to bridge the gap between rich and poor and ensure that society is run more fairly”

    All of us, and I mean all, have to be more honest with ourselves about our choices and behavior during the boom years and now in recent years. It does not serve us to look down at those in trouble now, but those who looked down on the less fortunate during the boom years need to re-examine themselves too.

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    Mute AnneMarie Silbiger
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    Aug 17th 2011, 3:42 PM

    Well said there Donnacha.

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    Mute Michael O'Neill
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    Aug 16th 2011, 11:51 AM

    Have to hugely endorse the comments here and note that it ties into the whole principle of consumerism.
    Companies chasing unsustainable profits have to “force ” sales by artificially limiting the durability or usefulness of their products.

    Think about Microsoft for example – nothing I do in work requires me to use anything more than Office ’97 or an operating system more sophisticated that Windows 2000 SP4.

    Yet I may soon be “forced” to “upgrade” to use “value-added” new file types for documents that are barely more than text files because others have “bought into” these “improvements” and I may want to exchange raw files.

    I’m not particularly singling out Microsoft – it used to be the same with cars.

    Now, because consumers demanded it, we have cars that routinely last 10 to twenty years if we want them to.
    We’re not obliged to change our cars because they are rusting apart and we should demand the same for everything else we use.

    Globalization sends production to far countries in the name of driving down costs and it loses indigenous jobs here.

    Oh, I’m being begrudging, am I? LOL!

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    Mute John Breen
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    Aug 16th 2011, 10:25 AM

    Pretty spot on, although it’s not uncommon in other countries, having lived in a few of them. We do think we are the funniest people on the planet and had gotten very very smug during the bubble, the whole mine is bigger than yours vibe. I was away for most of it and each time I came back for a holiday it seemed to get more and more so. I hope a few lessons have been learned.

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    Mute AnneMarie Silbiger
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    Aug 16th 2011, 11:09 AM

    The surge in chasing material wealth and keeping up with the Jones was strange and unsettling to witness here, but it’s not just happening in Ireland. Its only more noticeable in Ireland because some of us were so used to the seat hanging out of our pants and being humble all the time. Wealth however achieved, made us lose our heads, but now in difficult times Ireland has to find its heart again and look after its citizens.

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    Mute Frank McMahon
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    Aug 15th 2011, 4:39 PM

    i did, though, post this in the wrong place. even though im like smarter and better than all of you.

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    Mute Frank McMahon
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    Aug 15th 2011, 4:41 PM

    there is something slightly confusing about the posting system on here. not that much, just a little bit.

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    Mute Michael O'Neill
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    Aug 16th 2011, 9:10 PM

    @ Dominic,

    Its good to talk.

    I spent an hour on the phone with a client of mine.
    Neither of us has made money in the last year, but we’re persevering.
    And we’re able to pay most of our bill’s which does our bit to help keep the economy going around.

    But the most important thing is to realize that with perseverance we can all get through this.
    Its not been easy, and its not going to get easy any time soon, but it will get better.
    We just have to keep going and sharing travails as you suggest is a good idea.

    Works for me.

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    Mute AnneMarie Silbiger
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    Aug 16th 2011, 1:37 PM

    Italia 90, fond memories too.Seemed like everyone was happy, mmmm,maybe I have on my rose tinted glasses but simpler times definitely.

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    EM
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    Mute EM
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    Aug 16th 2011, 9:44 AM

    Jesus, you don’t half love the comma ( , ) Lisa ;)

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    Mute Cíat Ó Gáibhtheacháin
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    Aug 16th 2011, 9:31 PM

    The the Scandinavia and Finland, this very same phenomenon is known as Jante’s Law: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jante_Law

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