A 10-year anniversary Bertie won’t talk about
BERTIE Ahern has been making great political capital on the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, appearing in public with Bill Clinton and George Mitchell, and giving more interviews than he has in years. One would almost think that Bertie is priming himself up for some kind of comeback. Whatever could that be? Another anniversary occurred recently with little media or political fanfare. This was the 10th anniversary of the ‘St Patrick’s Day Massacre’ in the Irish Stock Exchange in March 2008, which most experts identify as the tipping point for the subsequent implosion of the Irish economy and years of austerity.
Instead of endlessly taking about the Good Friday Agreement, perhaps Bertie could speak publicly about his (far greater) contribution to the economic collapse of Ireland? Chance would be a fine thing!
Catherine Flynn, Tipperary town, Co. Tipperary.
Defending Catholics
I AM not sure why the first gay priest to marry is surprised that some Catholics have a problem with his lifestyle (MoS, April 8).
As he states himself only a small minority of Catholics made personal attacks on him.This is not to be condoned. It is incorrect to infer that all devout Catholics hate gays.That is not true.
You can’t be a devout Catholic and hate. It’s a case of ‘love the sinner, hate the sin’.
I assume that if he became a priest he must have taken Holy Orders and been made well aware of the Church’s teaching on sexuality. If he did not agree with the Church’s teaching, why did he become a priest? I doubt anyone put a gun to his head.
You may not agree with the Church’s teaching on sexuality but Catholics are entitled to their beliefs. We live in an increasingly secular world where religion is scoffed at and derided. There is a lot of talk about ‘equality and tolerance’. It’s a pity these virtues are not extended to anyone who is not secular.
John Finn, Ballincollig, Co. Cork.
Our roaming mayor
DUBLIN Lord Mayor Mícheál Mac Donncha travelled to the West Bank for a conference at the invitation of the Palestinian Authority.
Mr Mac Donncha is a supporter of the Palestinians and has in the past supported boycotts of Israeli products supposedly on foot of Israeli ‘oppression’ of the Palestinians. Israel intended to refuse him entry, but he slipped in because of a clerical error.
All well and good. Mr Mac Donncha was safe and sound, and no doubt had a comfortable stay as he lacerated Israel for its treatment of Palestinians.
But his visit raises some questions. Firstly, what on earth has all this got to do with a lord mayor of Dublin? Does he think an Irish mayoralty entitles him to interfere in a faraway country?
Secondly, is Mr Mac Donncha aware that just a few hundred miles from his comfortable West Bank hotel room, a real genocide was taking place? President Assad of Syria, along with his Russian allies, has wrought carnage in the rebel area of Eastern Ghouta, using chemical weapons to murder innocent men, women and children.
Where is your outrage about that, lord mayor? In your delusional world view the only villain is Israel. The violence and chaos throughout the Arab world doesn’t seem to register on your moral compass.
Take off your blinkers, Mr Mac Donncha, and go to Eastern Ghouta to help the stricken victims of this Arab holocaust. Perhaps then you might have some authority to lecture Israel about its internal affairs. Slip into Syria unnoticed and see how that goes for you. John O’Sullivan, Carrigaline, Co. Cork.
Hurray for Facebook
I DO not have a Facebook account, never had and never will, but what a clever idea. This social network has managed to bring so many people together and has played its part in helping to make our world a better place.
Best of luck to Mark Zuckerberg for his brilliant innovation and in my book he deserves every billion he has made from it.
No doubt when he dreamt up this concept he had no idea that it would be abused as it has and I don’t see how it is fair to berate him for his lack of foresight.
Isn’t it most fortunate that the inventor of the wheel came about way before the 21st century? If he had come about in this stupid era, the poor genius would need to spend every hour in court defending himself in every accident case involving a bike, car, bus or tractor.
But then again, there was no financial reward in this invention, hence no jealousy. And sure isn’t that what it’s all about?
John K Kenny, Dublin 5.