For those who believe in God - no explanation is necessary. For those who DON'T believe in God - no explanation is possible ..... as is evidenced by these continuing pointless, endless and 'unproven theories'.
"He (Hawkings) had previously argued belief in a creator was not incompatible with science but in a new book, he concludes the Big Bang was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics." right!! - God had a tin of beans = Big Bang end of physics lesson.
In other words he hadn't a bulls notion of what he was talking about or believed in - I bet he's found the Truth now!!
MI6 and the CIA admitted to deliberately misinforming both Blair and Bush, but as the head honchos they must take responsibility - and remember it was a Senior Irish Military Specialist Officer Lt. Col. Maurice Hickey (Co. Clare) while on Secondment to the US Military who found Sadam - not the 165,000 Americans who were there. Apparently his specialty was 'anti-terrorism'. Those Yanks couldn't find a Woman of Mass Destruction, let alone a dictator
Perhaps as I enter the 'golden oldie' era, I'm saddened that Ireland, as a Small Nation, and its people haven't been given the fraction of the credit due to it throughout history.
True, we argue among ourselves, just as any family argues - but we ARE a family of Irish people who can stand tall and proud. We've had our major setbacks, some more serious that others, but none of that takes one iota from the achievements we have made as a nation.
I could possibly go back over a millenia in time, but just starting from the Middle-ages:
Irish Monks christianised Europe:
Commodre John Barry (Wexford:) the son of a poor farmer is known b his peers as "the founder and Father of the US Navy":
12 of the original 18 signatories to the "Declaration of Independence" in the US - are Irish, 10 of whom were 1st generation Irish.
350,000 (approx 11% of the population) Irish men and women fought in WW2, while politically Ireland was "neutral". No other country within the Allied Forces has as high a ratio per capita.
Lt. Col. Maurice Hickey (Irish Army Specialist) on secondment to the US Military, was the Officer solely responsible for finding Sadam Hussein - not the US Military as they would have the world believe.
John F. Kennedy (2nd generation Irish) President of the US. Ronald Reagan - US President - Irish
Maureen O'Hara - Irish - Hollywoods biggest film star
The two members responsible for the Lunar Mission which put an American on the Moon - were Irish Scientists.
Two Irish Scientists are now heading up the Mars mission.
The UN places the 'standard of education' in Ireland as being the highest in the world - I know, we still have pre-fabs etc., but that hasn't diminished the "quality of education".
When sports fans travel abroad to matches etc. - we are rated as "The Best"
....and the list goes on, and on, and on. We are an argumentative nation, because we will settle for nothing less than "the best" - but dare anyone question "our value" to the world.
When our Anthem plays, we should stand proud, with our hand on our heart, for what has been achieved, and what will be achieved - and thank God, that by His Grace - WE ARE IRISH and have damned good reasons of being PROUD to be IRISH!!
Maureen O'Hara, granted she's no longer working but she was a BIG name, as was Princess Grace Kelly (Monaco) though not born in Ireland, her parents were.
Oh I'm sure your own News Sources should be able to find that out quite easily, after all, you have Priests already convicted for an 'alleged' involvement in a car bombing whereas, both Pat Kenny's show and RTE News 1.00p.m only mention ONE Priest is alleged to have been involved, and they don't actually know IF he was. So contact RTE, it's only a local call for you and perhaps ask for Miriam O'Callaghan ...... I'm sure she'll have plenty of time to talk to you and give you all the facts you need.
Ahhhh so the Secret payments is just another 'jibe' at the church. IF you had bothered to read my previous posts, at NO TIME did I defend, or imply any defense of the abhorrent behaviour of the church, and I don't defend it now. My 'defense' as you put it, is because as you have implied 'let's not put any responsibility on the government' - are the very people who deliberately and wrongfully abdicated themselves from their 'duty of care' (which is a constitutional obligation) to protect those innocent children.
People are quick to jump at the church in this matter in particular, (perhaps because they are struggling with their own Faith, notwithstanding the heinousness of the crimes committed) but in doing so, are as guilty as the church in the 'cover-up' by virtue of covering up the responsibility of the State.
As I quoted earlier "Let those without sin, cast the first stone" - but as a people, we have no sense of outrage, with what our Government is responsible for - and that is our shame.
So you've got it right and RTE have it all wrong? Basing the figures on a 'per country' the percentage is going to vary greatly - but I said GLOBALLY the percentage was 0.001% of ALL clerical ranks. IF you don't like that, either get over it or complain to RTE.
Those who caused the heinous crimes were a minority, but the victims in terms of numbers were enormous - check the records again. Globally they (the p*dophile priests) numbered 0.001% of the entire clergy of all 'ranks' - while the victims numbered in the tens of thousands.
Again, I notice the skillful avoidance and deafening silence in mentioning anything regarding the 23 dead children, and the countless number of children in foster homes who have and are being abused, under the care of Minister Barry Andrews - since you like records - check RTE's documentaries and programs like Prime-time; but then of course Andrews isn't a Priest so those abused children don't matter.
"Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone." - only fools and horses believed the church to be "perfect". The question of pedophilia was brought up by you, as a rant against the church, in a thread which was specifically about David Norris being President, without mentioning the 74year old p*dophile in the same sentence.
Of course the church had shamefully allowed heinous crimes against innocent children, and steps have and will continue to be taken to ensure that should such a crime happen again, that it will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.
The question I now pose is, what responsibility is the Government Minister responsible for children taking, for the 23 children who died in his departments care, during his term of office? I don't see protests on the streets or cries in the media for 'retribution' against those responsible. Has anyone called for the prosecution/imprisonment for those who put those children at risk? Has there been any call for the Minister to resign? Of course not - attack the church .... they're an easier target. The Church has accepted responsibility for the tiny minority of p*dophile within its ranks.... but the Department for Family Affairs and Children, will forever be in place, will continue to feed out meaningless statistics, compare our 'failure' with other jurisdictions ( as if that makes any difference to a dead or abused child) - and no one will be held responsible for their carelessness - I suppose the reason being, is that dead children can't complain.
Thank you for the link: You specifically referred to "The last presidential election.." The Last presidential election was contested in 1997, however:
"The Irish presidential election of 2004 was set for 22 October 2004. However, nominations closed at noon on 1 October and the incumbent president, Mary McAleese, who had nominated herself in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, was the only person nominated. Accordingly she was re-elected for a second seven-year term of office without the need to hold an election. This is the third time a president has been returned unopposed, following Seán T. O'Kelly in 1952 and Patrick Hillery in 1983. Mary McAleese's re-inauguration took place on 11 November 2004."
The fact that she was the only nominee, and her nomination was accepted by ALL parties, an election was unnecessary - her "election" was by consensus of those whom we had elected to represent us in the Dail. Effectively she was re-appointed - without the need for an election by the people.
That's completely different from saying that she "won it" uncontested, and to suggest that the Constitutional provision is a joke is a step too far. The constitution is the 'will of the people' ... at least have the decency to respect that.
I agree with you Poldy - but someone started this thread specifically about Norris being President, and I note you include him in the list with Haughey, Ahern, Burke, Lawlor and I suppose we could also add the recent Senator caught on the 'expenses' scam ..... but what you can Not do is put our President anywhere near the categories of those you mention - hence the Dignity of the Presidency MUST be preserved. I wonder how straight honest Norris has been with his 'expenses'? So yes, we should wait to see the candidate list.
I fail to see how, or in what capacity the Church has, in the Presidency. It's the people who elect the President, uninfluenced by ANY Religion - but I'm sure you enjoyed your pointless rant against the Church.
Someone else mentioned that President Mcaleese was elected 'unopposed' - they mustn't have remembered that Rosemary Scallan 'Dana' and another candidate whose name escapes me, but was a retired Garda, also ran for Office.
This thread was about a Gay being elected to the office of the President whose only function (as President) was to shake hands - so there is nothing bigoted at all in my comment that his preference may be to shake another part of one's anatomy.
The fact that there are those who don't understand or appreciate the importance and the role of the President merely exemplifies their own ignorance, which must bring into question the risk of allowing them a vote - if they don't know what they are voting for.
The Presidency is above politics, and President Macaleese has raised the Office to the highest standards possible in modern times. She is deserving of our respect, both as our President and as a person, who is honoured by every nation she has visited on our behalf. I doubt that Senator Norris will bring the same dignity.
"At home the President undertakes a wide range of engagements with particular emphasis on valuing the contribution of local community and self-help groups and in promoting peace and reconciliation throughout the island of Ireland. Whether participating in formal ceremonial, addressing international conferences or meeting people in a wide range of informal settings, the President is giving expression to the undertaking in the oath of office to "dedicate my abilities to the service and welfare of the people of Ireland".
You're a clown because like a few other clowns here, apparently haven't a clue about the hugely important role the Presidency has. Maybe you would like a Gay in the aras - he could shake some other part of you anatomy instead of your hand then; IF that's what you think the Presidency is about ...... and to think brave men and women died for clowns like this ....shhheeeessshhh
Trealach01 Forum Posts (394)
RE: Stephen Hawking: God did not create Universe
For those who believe in God - no explanation is necessary. For those who DON'T believe in God - no explanation is possible ..... as is evidenced by these continuing pointless, endless and 'unproven theories'.