Niamh Walsh’s Manifesto
Reserve your disdain for divide and rule brigade
CONTRARIAN author Truman Capote claims credit for coining the phrase ‘no woman can be too rich or too thin’.
An insatiable hankering for haute couture and Haribo jellies ensures I am never likely to be either. But despite not being too slim of waist or big of bank balance, I’m not resentful of those who are either leaner or wealthier.
So I was something between bemused and irritated this week when a study detailing the number of millionaires elicited the usual scorn-pouring on those perceived to be ‘monied’.
According to the study, Ireland now has more millionaires than ever and this, critics claim, has widened the divide between those on the bottom sinking lower, and those at the top climbing higher.
The fact that the figures spouted relate to property values and bear little relation to people’s real-life financial situations.
Studies like these are increasingly trotted out and bandied about as absolute proof that Ireland is a deeply unequal country. They are also used to heap scorn on those who do have money.
These entirely ill-informed arguments achieve nothing to change any societal gaps. They simply serve to reinforce an ‘us against them’ agenda. There is also the fact that we live in a capitalist country.
Yes, there are some who by birth are more advantaged but that hasn’t precluded people of an entrepreneurial spirit or ambitious nature from making money, or achieving their dreams.
Entrepreneurship should be cheered. Ambition ought to be lauded. Money-generating endeavours encouraged. This persistent shaming of the richer and ‘havemores’ does a huge disservice to those among us who strive to achieve. While money is of course not the sole measure of value in our society, neither is having it something to be disdained.
Some mini comfort for Carla on Luas
P.C Plod may be overtaken by our very own Lieutenant Leggit – an unidentified anti-corruption Garda – who was caught catching the Luas during the Dublin marathon. He’s already been dubbed by some papers as ‘Carl Luas’.
I am used to giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Could it be that the garda is the victim of a miscarriage of justice?
The Luas does, after all, have a reputation for being the scene of anti-social behaviour. It is not unknown for reprobates to hitch a lift on the Luas to evade the clutches of the guards.
Perhaps this anti-corruption cop is so dedicated to his job he strayed from the official route, jumped on the Luas, hung back for a time in some sort of off-the-books undercover operation. And then he decided to cross the finish line because it was near the end of his tram route?
OK, Maybe not. Probably just another conniving cop who thinks the rules are for the rest of us.
Either way, his moment of madness may have much further reaching implications, now he’s being investigated as to whether he is fit to serve in anti-corruption.
At least after being caught redhanded he gave back his medal, and has been banned from competing ever again.
But don’t worry garda, if you’re reading. There’s always the women’s mini-marathon. Carla Luas can ride again!
Pavement driving no dream for driver
ME commenting on Dublin’s public transport is like buses; you wait ages and then two come at once. But what about the bus driver who mounted the footpath on the Terenure-Templeogue Road!
Apologies to anybody who doesn’t know this notorious stretch, and obviously a bus mounting a footpath (and flaking down the road) is totally not on.
But I have to think that anybody who has been stuck in traffic on that road did a little initial cheer when they saw the clip. Of course I’m not condoning the driver’s crazy actions – but I understand the reason for them.
Cromwell is just the job for Twitter
THE sheer numbers of ‘Bluetick’ Twitter folk taking their leave of the social platform in protest at the Elon Musk takeover is dialling up daily. But a familiar pattern is emerging judging by a quick perusal of some of the ‘last Tweets and testaments’.
Instead of simply saying toodleloo and toddling off quietly, there is the longest ever goodbye,with many hanging about replying to the droves of responses.
I therefore offer this quote – under 140 characters – as a bit of advice: ‘You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go.’
Admittedly it was originally spoken by Oliver Cromwell to the UK’s Long Parliament, but the words capture the required sentiment.
Jennifer won’t keep mum on trauma
I AM a huge Jennifer Aniston fan. Always was, always will be. It’s her down-to-earthness, caring nature, her hair and she just seems a genuinely great friend.
I also have no issue with people baring all as they wish. Your body and your choice for me extends to gratuitous nudity.
But Jen’s recent cover interview where she was pictured practically nude saddened me somewhat.
Is there no age that her perfection doesn’t shame us? In the 90s, it was her hair, and now in her 50s she shows off a body that most men and women would not only die for, but probably kill for as well.
The one real gripe I have however is the fact she had to speak about the trauma she felt when her child-free situation was a regular feature of gossip columns.
Churning out the Celeb campmates
I HAVE never watched I’m A Celebrity. This year’s illustrious camp line-up includes the likes of convicted beater Boy George, outed coercive controlling comedian Seann ‘I have added an extra N to my name for effect’ Walsh and political pollock Matt Hancock, chomping into gutted animals innards. I’m not sure which is more stomach churning!