On Adams and Ahern

IRISH politicians are an opportunistic lot. Witness the entering of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams into the Republic of Ireland’s political arena, just as the country’s finances are shot down the tubes.There are several reasons why Adams has some nerve when he says he’s planning on running for a seat in the Dail (Irish Parliament). Forget the fact that for many years Sinn Fein couldn’t even manage to spit the word “Dail” out of their mouths.Adams, as far as I’m aware, lives in Belfast, yet he wants to run for a seat based in Co. Louth. Shouldn’t it be that if you represent a group of constituents, you should at the very least live among them? That Adams has the nerve to think he can swan in like some sort of savior is preposterous.And let’s not forget that Sinn Fein’s “economic policies” are ridiculous to say the least. Their rob from the rich and give to the poor mentality would bankrupt Ireland even further than it has already sunk.Adams should stay up North where he lives and where he belongs. He’s no sure bet of winning a seat in Louth, I’d say – not with his history.On another topic, the bankers who have robbed Ireland blind need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and the politicians who enabled them should face the same penalties.I blame the former Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, under whose watch the “Celtic Tiger” was created. This is a man who left office just in the nick of time – even though, in his day, he would have done anything and everything to hang onto power, so obsessed with himself he was.He’s left bumbling Brian Cowen to carry the can and shoulder all the blame, but make no mistake – when the history books are written, Ahern’s name should be front and center as a prime reason why Ireland finds itself in its current circumstances.Thomas J. GaffneyHartford, Connecticut

Irish Voice Editor

Nov 29, 2010

There are several reasons why Adams has some nerve when he says he’s planning on running for a seat in the Dail (Irish Parliament). Forget the fact that for many years Sinn Fein couldn’t even manage to spit the word “Dail” out of their mouths.

Adams, as far as I’m aware, lives in Belfast, yet he wants to run for a seat based in Co. Louth. Shouldn’t it be that if you represent a group of constituents, you should at the very least live among them? That Adams has the nerve to think he can swan in like some sort of savior is preposterous.

And let’s not forget that Sinn Fein’s “economic policies” are ridiculous to say the least. Their rob from the rich and give to the poor mentality would bankrupt Ireland even further than it has already sunk.

Adams should stay up North where he lives and where he belongs. He’s no sure bet of winning a seat in Louth, I’d say – not with his history.

On another topic, the bankers who have robbed Ireland blind need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and the politicians who enabled them should face the same penalties.

I blame the former Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, under whose watch the “Celtic Tiger” was created. This is a man who left office just in the nick of time – even though, in his day, he would have done anything and everything to hang onto power, so obsessed with himself he was.

He’s left bumbling Brian Cowen to carry the can and shoulder all the blame, but make no mistake – when the history books are written, Ahern’s name should be front and center as a prime reason why Ireland finds itself in its current circumstances.

Thomas J. Gaffney
Hartford, Connecticut