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The pioneering Rosetta probe has crash-landed on Comet 67P

Wild cheering erupted in the mission control centre in Darmstadt, as spacecraft operations manager Sylvain Lodiot announced the official end of mission.

EUROPE’S PIONEERING ROSETTA spacecraft concluded a 12-year odyssey today with a controlled crash-landing onto the comet it has orbited and probed for two years to unravel the secrets of the Solar System’s birth, mission controllers said.

Wild cheering erupted in the mission control centre in Darmstadt, as spacecraft operations manager Sylvain Lodiot announced the official end of mission.

Tweet by @ESA Rosetta Mission ESA Rosetta Mission / Twitter ESA Rosetta Mission / Twitter / Twitter

It reached Comet 67P on 6 August 2014, 10 years after setting out on its journey through the solar system.

The stated plan was to take detailed pictures of the surface before the crash. Scientists said they were hoping to get valuable data and stunning images in the final moments before the collision.

Comet 67P is zipping through space at a speed of over 14 kilometres per second.

Rosetta was programmed to make a “controlled impact” at human walking speed, about 90cm  per second.

Speaking earlier on a European Space Agency (ESA) YouTube hangout, Rosetta flight director Andrea Accomazzo said Rosetta was never designed to land:

From an energy point of view it will be a soft landing. But Rosetta’s not designed to land, so there will be some energy dissipation.

“For sure, Rosetta will bounce or tumble on the surface of the comet, but will not bounce back into orbit.”

A decision was made to crash the spacecraft because the comet is heading so far from the sun that its solar panels will not be able to generate enough power to keep it functioning for much longer.

Additional reporting by AP and AFP.

Read: The Rosetta spacecraft took an incredible ‘selfie’ with a comet>

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30 Comments
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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Sep 16th 2015, 9:57 PM

    In fairness to Cameron at least he answers the questions unlike our so called leader who just deflects and blames everybody else.

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:58 PM

    I wouldn’t be a fan of Cameron’s, but he makes Corbyn look like he’s a phone-in tv show host addressing a leader.

    Hopefully Corbyn can do better in future.

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    Mute Nick
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    Sep 17th 2015, 7:38 AM

    And breathes through his nose!

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    Mute Dave cullen
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    Sep 16th 2015, 9:57 PM

    A politician with some principles and unity with the people he represents,our coalition should hang their heads.

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:34 PM

    Except if you explore his past.

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    Mute Ross Stewart
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:50 PM

    Explain, OTV

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Sep 16th 2015, 11:02 PM

    I won’t – I just hope Corbyn isn’t just another Farage – gifted at appealing to a demographic but ultimately a fake.

    I genuinely would like to see a strong, intelligent left of centre opposition in the UK. It would likely inspire Ireland to aspire to a similar standard, as we generally always do.

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    Mute John Payne
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    Sep 16th 2015, 11:55 PM

    OTV, how is Farage a fake? Are you referring to the man in person, or the unfortunate amount of dross that he attracts?

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    Mute michael
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    Sep 17th 2015, 12:42 AM

    I think we can categorically conclude that he is not like Farage

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    Mute Ían
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    Sep 17th 2015, 9:13 AM

    So OTV, you are basically throwing mud hoping something will stick and are afraid to out and out state anything concrete?

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    Mute Jack f
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    Sep 16th 2015, 9:55 PM

    Class act,break from the usual $hite

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    Mute Magnus
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:29 PM

    He made a big mistake by not signing the anthem imo. It was unnecessarily divisive and not a good omen as it showed he doesn’t know how to pick his battles. It’s fine to be a republican, anti war, anti EU, but it’s not fine to be anti monarchy on anything WW2 related as the royal family, including the current Queen (who’ll could easily die soon, and he’ll be easy pickings if so) were central, comforting figures throughout that period.

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    Mute jenni
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:42 PM

    Signing.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Sep 16th 2015, 11:58 PM

    The words of the British national anthem speak of victory and glory, perhaps it is time to put the past into context and concentrate on the here and now for a change.

    39
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    Mute Sinister Dissident
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:05 PM

    Gerry Adams regularly tweets asking people for their Leaders Questions to be put to Enda.

    RTE were letting on today its a new concept.

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:37 PM

    Ironic, from the leader who cannot be questioned.

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    Mute R39CRW8f
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    Sep 16th 2015, 11:40 PM

    So does Enda.

    One day, a man, with TWO pints in ONE hand, asked him how he’s going to pay for water?

    59
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    Mute Richard Winston
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:11 PM

    Seeing as Corbyn has an interest in mental health eg skipped appearance on Andrew Marr show to attend a mental health fundraiser and also created a new dedicated Minister for Mental Heatlh in his shadow cabinet, hoping he can address some of the serious issues in that field, raised by Danish Dr Peter Gøtzsche (co-founder of the respected Cochrane Collaboration).

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3234334/Prescription-pills-Britain-s-biggest-killer-effects-drugs-taken-insomnia-anxiety-kill-thousands-doctors-hand-like-Smarties.html

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:00 PM

    Ah iphone Joan what’s your position on this?

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    Mute jenni
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:05 PM

    well kerry, this is all the fault of those people. those people that want to do do something great, but they have nothing, so we are going to give them nothing and its great, because those people appreciate getting nothing. and in the meantime we are going to enhance the middle class by taking more off them, because thats how they thrive and they want to give it to us. so yes we are a winning party

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:10 PM

    I’m afraid the sarcasm went over some peoples heads jenni.

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    Mute jenni
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:11 PM

    joans answer…you can see corbyns below

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    Mute Stephen Fagan
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:17 PM

    ‘Can i just say, i think its interesting that……….’

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    Mute alan nolan
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:18 PM

    I just read that in my head in joans voice

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    Mute jenni
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:18 PM

    thats to be expected al..it comes with the territory. I feel for them

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Sep 17th 2015, 8:38 AM

    I read it Joan’s voice first, and then Cameron’s. Practically indistinguishable!

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Sep 17th 2015, 8:38 AM

    *in Joan’s *

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    Mute Hung So Gud
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:36 PM

    Whether you agree with his politics or not I think he seems to be a politician committed to his beliefs rather than in it for the paycheque, which is refreshing. However if and when the hard decisions come we will see if its all talk or not.

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    Mute Steve Tracey
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    Sep 17th 2015, 7:47 AM

    Hung so
    Obviously didn’t se the report on his accepting pay rise to 125k and a new luxury car. He’s got his nose in the trough like most of politicians nowadays

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:15 PM

    Watched it earlier. Absolute unbridalled brilliance in motion. We should clone him.

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:23 PM

    What do you love most about him? Is it just the beard or it there more to it?

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:33 PM

    Jammin has a penchant for men in beards apparently

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:43 PM

    Silver-tongued men with beards, to be fair.

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    Mute Roland D Hay
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:03 PM

    Joe Duffy will be worried

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    Mute p
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    Sep 16th 2015, 9:55 PM

    David Cameron will be loving this. Instead of having a proper debate all he has to do now is answer a couple of easy questions and wait for labour to start tearing itself apart.

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    Mute jenni
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    Sep 16th 2015, 9:59 PM

    Read the half article, or go to the media websites just to see how happy Cameron was about his approach. Unsettlet conservative party tonight..but they’re only 6 months in..they can learn a lot about filthy politics if they study our own gov carry on over the last 4 years.

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:36 PM

    P I think the point is, Cameron is usually smug and scornful at question time, but because these questions came from the public he couldn’t be seen to be his usual sarcastic, dismissive self. Great tactic by Corbyn

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    Mute paul compton
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:04 PM

    He is an impressive speaker and performer but he’s badly in need of a suit that fits him.

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:45 PM

    His history is also a poor fit with his rhetoric; he can always buy a new suit.

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    Mute Paul Shannon
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:02 PM

    Corbyn won’t even see a general election as leader, he will be ousted before it – if labour had any sense they would of Elected David Milliband instead of his brother and they would be in power now.

    Corbyn had hardly no women on his shadow cabinet and the one he has for rural affairs is an mp from North London who is a vegan. Really in touch with the country folk Jeremy.

    Boris Johnson must be laughing know he will be PM after the next election!

    34
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    Mute Luke McDermott
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:08 PM

    George Osborne I think.

    6
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    Mute jenni
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:10 PM

    corbyn will definitely see the next election..he’s not putting up with any crap. I’d say he would even have words with our own so called makey uppy labour party. At the very least he’d tell the labour party to rebrand!

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    Mute Jason
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:13 PM

    Is this the same Corbyn that invited Raed Salah to the parliament, they guy who has now been banned from the UK for his anti semitism, for saying that homosexuality is a great crime and for blaming Jews for 9/11?

    The same Corbyn that contributed funds to Paul Eisen, holocaust denier?

    The same Corbyn that calls himself a “good friend” of Ibrahim Hewitt, who has likened homosexuality to paedophilia?

    The same Corbyn who spoke along side Dyab Abou Jahjah in the UK parliament, Abou, who called the 9/11 attacks “sweet revenge”, and called gays “aids spreading fa***ts? Abou is also banned from the UK.

    The same Corbyn who is anti monarchy but now serves on the privy council?

    Britain has a great future leader head of them, if that’s the case.

    32
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    Mute jane
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:18 PM

    Is any of that actually true?

    44
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    Mute Jason
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:20 PM

    All true and verifiable.

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    Mute Aine Nibhern
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:27 PM

    “During a call-in with listeners on BBC Radio 4′s World At One programme, he said: “The idea that I’m some kind of racist or anti-Semitic person is beyond appalling, disgusting and deeply offensive”

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jeremy-corbyn-disgusted-claims-anti-6281250

    Tony Blair could face trial over ‘illegal’ Iraq war, says Jeremy Corbyn ~
    http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/aug/05/tony-blair-could-face-trial-illegal-iraq-war-jeremy-corbyn

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    Mute Jason
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:28 PM

    He may have said that Aine, but his actions show very differently.

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    Mute Aine Nibhern
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:38 PM

    He mentions Ibraham Hewitt when he talks about Interpal (on a youtube video). He is hardly responsible for all his views and beliefs eg the one you mentioned above.

    Interpal ~
    From female-led exchange visits in the West Bank, to supporting the Russell Tribunal on human rights abuses against Palestinians, Interpal continues its advocacy projects to raise awareness of the worsening situation for Palestinians. Interpal’s aim is to continue to build a durable foundation for Palestinian human rights.

    http://www.interpal.org/what-we-do/advocacy-awareness/

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    Mute Jason
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:41 PM

    I never said he was responsible for the views of others, but he did describe Hewitt as a “good friend” – you judge a man by the company he keeps. Corbyn doesn’t bode well for a Britain that is changing daily.

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    Mute jane
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:42 PM

    Looking at the first article I think the whole anti Jew thing doesn’t really stand up. Anyone of us that believe Israel are wrong in their treatment of Palestinians could be called anti Semitic if it suited a particular agenda.
    The other one is harder to explain away. He doesn’t sound like the kinda lad you’d forget too easily especially after he was banned from the UK. Then again so many meetings, so many lunches who knows.

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    Mute Richard Cheney
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:42 PM

    Everybody, meet Jason, a tabloids wet dream.

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    Mute Paul Wallace
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    Sep 17th 2015, 6:54 AM

    Hi Jason I think you will fit in well here

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:08 PM

    The wild Left, who think they’ve just discovered the answer to all the world’s problems, seem to be catching up to reality.

    Sort of like kids who want sweets and Xbox ll the time, when they come to realise sweets might not be good for you, parents have to pay for them, their ill sister needs the money or dad needs a bus pass to get to work and you can’t always have what you want.

    Protest parties are generally built on ignorance and caricaturing their opponents as evil megalomaniacs.

    Once put in a position of responsibility the protest party inevitably realises the simplicity they thought they were arguing about doesn’t exist and they need to think a little harder.

    That said, no doubt AAA, SF/Eirigi and PBP are well qualified and experienced and have a grasp on reality.

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    Mute Richard Cheney
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:29 PM

    And here’s the right-wing of the most powerful country in the world! I’ll take my chances on the Left thanks, enjoy the company of dumb hicks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm9m7zZPEl8

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Sep 16th 2015, 11:34 PM

    Hnging my flag on Bernie Sanders, he’s by far the best option.

    30
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    Mute Adrian Versey
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    Sep 17th 2015, 12:38 AM

    He will be an interesting politician to watch. He will make or break the Labour Party. I fear it may be the latter.
    It harks back to an interesting time in British politics when you had a clearly defined division between left and right.

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:10 PM

    Surprised For Connolly isn’t on here, again, gushing and wooing over Corbyn.

    Perhaps he is overcome in shivering raptures of adoration and can’t bring himself to type for the trembling.

    How easily he is led.

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    Mute Jason
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:15 PM

    He’ll be along soon, no doubt.

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:24 PM

    Amazed you had time to remove yourself from the alter to Enda OTV and look elsewhere. Does this mean Enda’s mantra is running thin?

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:25 PM

    I’m apolitical. I just focus on what is best for Ireland.

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:29 PM

    You’re surprised that people have stuff to do in the evenings like put their kids to bed? Whoa, adult life is going to be a real eye opener for you.

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    Mute jenni
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:31 PM

    Its always amazing that you have to wait for one commentor to say his piece before you can make your argument. why don’t you just say what you want to say? #fetishforforconnolly

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    Mute Richard Cheney
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:31 PM
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    Mute jenni
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:34 PM

    hope i didnt step on your toes there mate..

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    Mute jenni
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    Sep 16th 2015, 10:35 PM

    that was for fc…

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Sep 16th 2015, 11:38 PM

    @ Jenni: Yer grand. Real socialists don’t have toes.

    @ Richard: Tried it myself once with a dead arm. The other mourners were furious!

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    Mute Richard Cheney
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    Sep 17th 2015, 12:03 AM

    Ha!

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Sep 17th 2015, 8:41 AM

    Well it certainly isn’t Fine Gael/Labour or Fianna Fáil, with their grubby politics of the last fifty years or so.

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Sep 17th 2015, 8:42 AM

    That was for OneTrueVoice.

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    Mute Patlyndo
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    Sep 16th 2015, 11:00 PM

    They are all committed to their beliefs – which are easy to uphold in opposition, Different kettle of fish if elected.

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    Mute jenni
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    Sep 16th 2015, 11:16 PM

    Yous lot are a gas bunch, gotta love the right, right lot.
    The left vote is growing more and more, not hugely, but steadily, and why? Simple really, we want everyone to be treated the same.
    Now the conservatives about us want us all to be treated the same.. But differently…That’s the same as our government. The rich should be given more, and the poorest should be giving more.
    Well enough is enough.
    I’m worn out, exhausted and tired of trying to make everyday profitable. And when we get a gov rep like Corbyn, we’ll be doing ok.

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    Mute Cathal O'Donoghue
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    Sep 17th 2015, 10:00 AM

    Corbyns direct approach is undeniably refreshing in an era of spin but the reality is that the British electorate rejected a milder version of his politics in May. If Cameron is such an evil fascist stooge, why did people back him? Did the entire British electorate attend Eton? Or are a majority of British people really stupid? Or did they perhaps see him and his party as a safe pair of hands? No, it couldn’t possibly be that. There must be a right wing conspiracy involved.

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