scotscor wrote: olivia o'leary said last week use him or lose him, lots of rte were saying similar for months. fg dropped the ball. obviously promised some such in the talks about runing for fg. madness

 

The following is from Vincent Browne's column in yesterday's Sunday Business Post - I wonder if George had been complaining to some of his media chums, in recent days:-

"Look at George Lee. He was doing a hugely valuable national service as economics correspondent for RTE. He and David Murphy, together, were delivering sharp and informed insights into what was happening to the economy and to the financial institutions, until Lee had a rush of blood to somewhere and decided to go into politics last summer.

He has been missed in RTE’s coverage of economics and financial affairs Lee has disappeared into the thickets of the Fine Gael backbenches.

You expect him to emerge on a high-profile RTE documentary some night to tell us how lonely he is, and how much he wants to come home.

Maybe, most of the time, it doesn’t matter if we have a charade for a democracy, but I think it matters right now. This crowd in government has got us into an unholy mess through its incompetent management of the economy, and through its negligence in letting the banking crisis engulf us. It has also deepened an injustice at the heart of our obscenely unequal society. There is nothing we can do about them until the next election."

Shame to see George leaving the Dail while lumps of living slime like Cyprian Brady and Sean 'my daddy was a great man' Haughey continue to pollute its corridors.  

 

Armin Tamzarian wrote: Like so many things in Ireland, politics is about who you know and what clan you belong to, rather than talent. It's possible to break through this but only if you start at 14 and tow the party line. Change in official Ireland is almost impossible. BTW I don't see this as a FG failing per se, the whole polical system is fcuked up. Reform of the political system - PR system, term limits, constituency changes are badly needed. That's the real lesson of today. Goerge Lee's resignation is not the story - the real story is the malaise of the system that allows a men like Cowan and Ahern lead the country and concentrates the top 3 jobs in the country and the opposition leader in the hands of former TDs.

Nail on the head AT..
For a country and a public that moan and whinge so much we don't take any action.

George Lee imho is one of those people who chose to try and change but has seen the light that it is nigh impossible with some of the mush heads in charge...

I think we need to adopt the French approach and final take matters into our own hands, march demand the heads on a stake of those who have screwed the country over, make the heads pay back what they took and they hang, draw and quarter them... We're far too accepting as a society

Mind you I'm not GL biggest fan!

Ruck Savage wrote: I must get the posters printed I've a By-Election coming up.

Talk nicely to Maria Corrigan and she may give you a quickie in the car park.

 

The Better Half wrote: Ruck Savage wrote: I must get the posters printed I've a By-Election coming up. Talk nicely to Maria Corrigan and she may give you a quickie in the car park.

I believe FG have already approach Jedward to run...

My2Cents wrote: The Better Half wrote: Ruck Savage wrote: I must get the posters printed I've a By-Election coming up. Talk nicely to Maria Corrigan and she may give you a quickie in the car park. I believe FG have already approach Jedward to run...

George Flee!  (Matt Cooper!)

 

The Better Half wrote: My2Cents wrote: The Better Half wrote: Ruck Savage wrote: I must get the posters printed I've a By-Election coming up. Talk nicely to Maria Corrigan and she may give you a quickie in the car park. I believe FG have already approach Jedward to run... George Flee!  (Matt Cooper!)

On Matt Cooper now

Rebelettepaddy wrote: Armin Tamzarian wrote: Like so many things in Ireland, politics is about who you know and what clan you belong to, rather than talent. It's possible to break through this but only if you start at 14 and tow the party line. Change in official Ireland is almost impossible. BTW I don't see this as a FG failing per se, the whole polical system is fcuked up. Reform of the political system - PR system, term limits, constituency changes are badly needed. That's the real lesson of today. Goerge Lee's resignation is not the story - the real story is the malaise of the system that allows a men like Cowan and Ahern lead the country and concentrates the top 3 jobs in the country and the opposition leader in the hands of former TDs. Nail on the head AT.. For a country and a public that moan and whinge so much we don't take any action. George Lee imho is one of those people who chose to try and change but has seen the light that it is nigh impossible with some of the mush heads in charge... I think we need to adopt the French approach and final take matters into our own hands, march demand the heads on a stake of those who have screwed the country over, make the heads pay back what they took and they hang, draw and quarter them... We're far too accepting as a society Mind you I'm not GL biggest fan!

Not quite what I meant actually!

Don't agree with that "take to the steets" stuff.

I do think we need a commission on political reform, with the results debated in the media and the Dail and a proposal put to the country.

We need an end to the PR system, larger constituencies, fewer TDs, term limits for instance 

The Better Half wrote: Ruck Savage wrote: I must get the posters printed I've a By-Election coming up. Talk nicely to Maria Corrigan and she may give you a quickie in the car park.

On my release from prison I will be
seeking the parties nomination. Can I
count on your support at the local
convention OD?

Just said on Last Word that he will be going back to RTE

 

High praise for George from another wise man who walked away - Jim Glennon.

And now Eoghan Harris proceeds to put the boot in - George is middle class, South Dublin, has a sense of entitlement and a RTE mindset - he simply didn't understand that politics is a tough game for hard tough men with balls of granite.    He's no loss to politics.  

 

Armin Tamzarian wrote: Rebelettepaddy wrote: Armin Tamzarian wrote: Like so many things in Ireland, politics is about who you know and what clan you belong to, rather than talent. It's possible to break through this but only if you start at 14 and tow the party line. Change in official Ireland is almost impossible. BTW I don't see this as a FG failing per se, the whole polical system is fcuked up. Reform of the political system - PR system, term limits, constituency changes are badly needed. That's the real lesson of today. Goerge Lee's resignation is not the story - the real story is the malaise of the system that allows a men like Cowan and Ahern lead the country and concentrates the top 3 jobs in the country and the opposition leader in the hands of former TDs. Nail on the head AT.. For a country and a public that moan and whinge so much we don't take any action. George Lee imho is one of those people who chose to try and change but has seen the light that it is nigh impossible with some of the mush heads in charge... I think we need to adopt the French approach and final take matters into our own hands, march demand the heads on a stake of those who have screwed the country over, make the heads pay back what they took and they hang, draw and quarter them... We're far too accepting as a society Mind you I'm not GL biggest fan! Not quite what I meant actually! Don't agree with that "take to the steets" stuff. I do think we need a commission on political reform, with the results debated in the media and the Dail and a proposal put to the country. We need an end to the PR system, larger constituencies, fewer TDs, term limits for instance

if he feels he was sitting around doing nothing then we definitely need less td's.  No one should be paid that much to do so little. 

Did someone here not say they mailed him for help on a mortgage related query recently and did not get a reply?  Granted it could be considered outside a TD's remit to advise on but if he was so bored im sure he could have had a look

Hugged Rugger wrote: Armin Tamzarian wrote: Rebelettepaddy wrote: Armin Tamzarian wrote: Like so many things in Ireland, politics is about who you know and what clan you belong to, rather than talent. It's possible to break through this but only if you start at 14 and tow the party line. Change in official Ireland is almost impossible. BTW I don't see this as a FG failing per se, the whole polical system is fcuked up. Reform of the political system - PR system, term limits, constituency changes are badly needed. That's the real lesson of today. Goerge Lee's resignation is not the story - the real story is the malaise of the system that allows a men like Cowan and Ahern lead the country and concentrates the top 3 jobs in the country and the opposition leader in the hands of former TDs. Nail on the head AT.. For a country and a public that moan and whinge so much we don't take any action. George Lee imho is one of those people who chose to try and change but has seen the light that it is nigh impossible with some of the mush heads in charge... I think we need to adopt the French approach and final take matters into our own hands, march demand the heads on a stake of those who have screwed the country over, make the heads pay back what they took and they hang, draw and quarter them... We're far too accepting as a society Mind you I'm not GL biggest fan! Not quite what I meant actually! Don't agree with that "take to the steets" stuff. I do think we need a commission on political reform, with the results debated in the media and the Dail and a proposal put to the country. We need an end to the PR system, larger constituencies, fewer TDs, term limits for instance  if he feels he was sitting around doing nothing then we definitely need less td's.  No one should be paid that much to do so little.  Did someone here not say they mailed him for help on a mortgage related query recently and did not get a reply?  Granted it could be considered outside a TD's remit to advise on but if he was so bored im sure he could have had a look

This is the whole problem with the Irish system. Politicans should not be there to give out mortgage advice or get pot holes filled.

Unfortunately the electorate seem to think they are. That's why we end up with gombeen men rather than talented people.

On an seperate matter, Eoin Harris on on Matt Cooper now. What a moron.

Armin Tamzarian wrote: On an seperate matter, Eoin Harris on on Matt Cooper now. What a moron.

You can hear why Bertie appointed him to the Senate - two rats from the same West Cork sewer.  

 

Listened to him on Matt Cooper, he more or less slated Kenny.  Said Kenny was putting "spin" on his decision to leave. 

I'm wasn't one bit convinced by Lee though.  He only spoke to Kenny about his unhappiness last week and told him he had his mind made up anyway.  Does this not strike anyone else as a complete cop out?!?  Kenny offered him a front bench position and said he would be more involved in policy change.  If Lee really wanted to make a go of it this should surely have appeased him. 

In reality he's not cut out for it, he's a thinker not a doer.  With the summer and Christmas holidays counted, he gave it a go for about 5 months, pathetic!

John123 wrote: In reality he's not cut out for it, he's a thinker not a doer.

On the contrary, I feel that politics (among other things)in Ireland is about not doing, not rocking the boat. Hard to accept that, I can understand that. Leaves me extremely frustrated with Ireland.

Armin Tamzarian wrote: John123 wrote: In reality he's not cut out for it, he's a thinker not a doer.  On the contrary, I feel that politics (among other things)in Ireland is about not doing, not rocking the boat. Hard to accept that, I can understand that. Leaves me extremely frustrated with Ireland.

I think I phrased that incorrectly.  What I meant is that he's an intellectual and not cut out for the day to day bulls**t that's required to get things done.  Anyone in any job in a large organisation understands changing policy or processes requires time and patience.  Lee had never experienced this in his RTE role cause all he had to do was report on the happenings as he saw them, it was pretty straight forward. 

John123 wrote: I think I phrased that incorrectly.  What I meant is that he's an intellectual and not cut out for the day to day bulls**t that's required to get things done.  Anyone in any job in a large organisation understands changing policy or processes requires time and patience.  Lee had never experienced this in his RTE role cause all he had to do was report on the happenings as he saw them, it was pretty straight forward.

Is there room in the Dail only for Bulls**ters? We need a system which welcomes and encorages all sorts and in particular talented doers, rather than Bertie Ahern or Brian Cowan types who have never experienced or achieved anything outside of politics. George is doing us a service by highlighting the stultifying nature of the Irish political system and the story here is that and not GL.

The Better Half wrote: Ruck Savage wrote: I must get the posters printed I've a By-Election coming up. Talk nicely to Maria Corrigan and she may give you a quickie in the car park.

 

Maria is single agaim as she recently blew out Bertie's mate, Joe Burke, dont know if it was in the car park though.

Any time Lee got air time on economic matters the stuff he
came out with was rather pathetic. Fitzy outlined his CV
earlier, but you wouldn't guess it going by his debating skills.
He was ratty and childish whenever questioned on his
opinions. How on earth would he have acted if he got a
position of power in the cabinet? Not cut out for it and rather
than be seen a slight on Kenny, it should be seen as weak and
arrogant from Lee.

busbi wrote: Any time Lee got air time on economic matters the stuff he came out with was rather pathetic. Fitzy outlined his CV earlier, but you wouldn't guess it going by his debating skills. He was ratty and childish whenever questioned on his opinions. How on earth would he have acted if he got a position of power in the cabinet? Not cut out for it and rather than be seen a slight on Kenny, it should be seen as weak and arrogant from Lee.

Course he was - he was relegated to dealing with f**king potholes and tools emailing him about not getting a mortgage FFS. 

fitzy73 wrote: busbi wrote: Any time Lee got air time on economic matters the stuff he came out with was rather pathetic. Fitzy outlined his CV earlier, but you wouldn't guess it going by his debating skills. He was ratty and childish whenever questioned on his opinions. How on earth would he have acted if he got a position of power in the cabinet? Not cut out for it and rather than be seen a slight on Kenny, it should be seen as weak and arrogant from Lee. Course he was - he was relegated to dealing with f**king potholes and tools emailing him about not getting a mortgage FFS.

I think Busbi's description would have been just as valid when he was running in the byelection.

Look up the Vincent Browne shows he appeared on. He's just a short-tempered kind of bloke.

more to come on the real reasons for george leaving id say. FF will try to use this to damage FG and kenny in particular but it has very little to do with kenny.

 

Olivia Mitchell just on RTE 1. Lee was in the Dáil for just 19 weeks!!

The tool just couldn't hack it. If he could, he would remain on as an independent.

The Better Half wrote:   High praise for George from another wise man who walked away - Jim Glennon. And now Eoghan Harris proceeds to put the boot in - George is middle class, South Dublin, has a sense of entitlement and a RTE mindset - he simply didn't understand that politics is a tough game for hard tough men with balls of granite.    He's no loss to politics.

Heard that, Glennon I mean. Wouldn't listen to Harris. Have to say it was very heart warming to hear a guy who actually stood under teh FF banner speaking from a purely personal and understanding POV about a guy who would be a political opponent in the house. Obvious why Glennon wasn't cut out to be a soldier of destiny too.

Whatever gloss the blues put on it, it sure augurs badly for Inda.

Patman wrote: Olivia Mitchell just on RTE 1. Lee was in the D�il for just 19 weeks!! The tool just couldn't hack it. If he could, he would remain on as an independent.

You are kind of missing the point. He felt that he was not making the contribution that he had hoped to by entering politics. Do you think he could have made that contribution as an Independent? Why are you calling him a tool? Seems a bit over the top, imo. Have you a grudge against him? You are in the same profession after all.