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Replying To Freethinker:  "You seem to have something against me. Can't figure why. But it's getting a little tiresome. I am not mocking anyone's accent. I simply said that a high profile individual once had an American accent and now he sounds more English. How is this mocking. This is a fact. So, please, cut me a little slack. I would never knowingly mock any aspect of any personality as, there but for the grace of god go I."
Nothing against you whatsoever.

I regularly read the opinions on the non-GAA forum and my take is that it is mainly left leaning. I've no problem with that at all - people have opinions and are free to express them. The house rules here are healthy.

But there is a lot of bashing of people with opposing views. Described in derogatory language and if not that, then it is the news sources they avail of or their education levels. That is possibly a reflection of how society has gone in general but when one side continuously mocks the other and makes efforts to make them fearful of posting their views,, I think that is wrong.

There are a lot of opinions in this thread I disagree with but many are well thought out, well researched and mean well. When it descends into mocking or making it unfashionable to express certain opinions, I think that's a problem.

I think Canuck's post on this thread earlier was really good and I agree with a lot of it. Perhaps a good example of how to express views, certainly expressed in a manner I aspire to anyway.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6586 - 08/10/2025 23:31:03    2639010

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Looks like a bit of progress in Gaza still a long way to go and limited trust on either side following through and sticking to it

In fairness to trump he seems to be making progress in getting some form of descalation.

Im sure there will be some tieing themselves in knots to try not give him any credit only the bad stuff

jm25 (Galway) - Posts: 1685 - 09/10/2025 08:36:29    2639016

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "That's a myth. A criminal cannot claim against the homeowner either civil or criminal if they enter the property unlawfully."
Its not a myth, the Government only amended legislation in May 2022 to prevent criminals seeking compensation if they got injured during a crime. So while it has been changed, it was only changed recently and thus is not a mythical story.

There was several cases in Letterkenny and Sligo recently, where accused individuals facing charges had in excess of 100 previous convictions, some with in excess of 140 previous convictions.
In my opinion, if you enter a court with over 100 previous convictions and you have just committed another serious criminal act, then it should be an automatic 20 year sentence, no parole.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1486 - 09/10/2025 08:59:36    2639022

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Replying To Commodore:  "Its not a myth, the Government only amended legislation in May 2022 to prevent criminals seeking compensation if they got injured during a crime. So while it has been changed, it was only changed recently and thus is not a mythical story.

There was several cases in Letterkenny and Sligo recently, where accused individuals facing charges had in excess of 100 previous convictions, some with in excess of 140 previous convictions.
In my opinion, if you enter a court with over 100 previous convictions and you have just committed another serious criminal act, then it should be an automatic 20 year sentence, no parole."
Cases are different and should be treated on particular circumstances.

https://eamondelaney.wordpress.com/2014/10/17/1575/

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8265 - 09/10/2025 09:56:41    2639028

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Replying To slayer:  "Nothing against you whatsoever.

I regularly read the opinions on the non-GAA forum and my take is that it is mainly left leaning. I've no problem with that at all - people have opinions and are free to express them. The house rules here are healthy.

But there is a lot of bashing of people with opposing views. Described in derogatory language and if not that, then it is the news sources they avail of or their education levels. That is possibly a reflection of how society has gone in general but when one side continuously mocks the other and makes efforts to make them fearful of posting their views,, I think that is wrong.

There are a lot of opinions in this thread I disagree with but many are well thought out, well researched and mean well. When it descends into mocking or making it unfashionable to express certain opinions, I think that's a problem.

I think Canuck's post on this thread earlier was really good and I agree with a lot of it. Perhaps a good example of how to express views, certainly expressed in a manner I aspire to anyway."
You have explained almost exactly my view of the world - and these forums. As I said, I would never knowingly mock anyone - anywhere. I see no halo while shaving in the mornings and surprisingly don't see many when I'm out and about. My views of the world have always been a little left of centre. Neither the hard left or right hold any particular interest for me - other than to say that the extremes can be manipulated by shadowy figures with agendas and some people can be drawn into their web. I have never been a fan of Mr Trump but I will congratulate him on this Gaza ceasefire. I sincerely hope the thing holds and becomes a permanent treaty so that the unfortunate residents of Gaza and the West Bank can lead something approaching a decent life. The scars from the last 2 yrs conflict will not be easily calmed, but it's a start. One loose cannon in this whole thing is Netanyahu, enabled by those 2 Ultra or extreme members of his cabinet.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1888 - 09/10/2025 10:06:21    2639030

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Replying To slayer:  "Nothing against you whatsoever.

I regularly read the opinions on the non-GAA forum and my take is that it is mainly left leaning. I've no problem with that at all - people have opinions and are free to express them. The house rules here are healthy.

But there is a lot of bashing of people with opposing views. Described in derogatory language and if not that, then it is the news sources they avail of or their education levels. That is possibly a reflection of how society has gone in general but when one side continuously mocks the other and makes efforts to make them fearful of posting their views,, I think that is wrong.

There are a lot of opinions in this thread I disagree with but many are well thought out, well researched and mean well. When it descends into mocking or making it unfashionable to express certain opinions, I think that's a problem.

I think Canuck's post on this thread earlier was really good and I agree with a lot of it. Perhaps a good example of how to express views, certainly expressed in a manner I aspire to anyway."
Ah where's the fun in that? Bash them all if they don't agree with you ;-)

Seriously though it's an anonymous forum, anything negative on it shouldn't be taken to heart.

Bear in mind also that some of us use it to test other posters reactions to ideas, good or bad.

I've had plenty of my own opinions changed for me by other lads pointing out where my thinking is wrong also.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17185 - 09/10/2025 10:10:14    2639031

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I recently started to re-watch the critically acclaimed TV drama series The Wire. In my opinion, still the best TV series ever made, surpassing even the likes of The Sopranos and Breaking Bad.

Got me thinking, there would be scope for an Irish equivalent? Thankfully I don't think Dublin, or any other city in Ireland has problems as bad as some of Baltimore. But there is a drugs issue (Kinahan vs Hutch angle?), a housing issue, a homeless issue, always a political issue (the current Presidential election fiasco, immigration, IPAS etc) and a health services issue. Could some of Ireland's creative writers develop something similar?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10072 - 09/10/2025 10:35:23    2639037

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Cases are different and should be treated on particular circumstances.

https://eamondelaney.wordpress.com/2014/10/17/1575/"
Admin, the URL link button doesn't seem to be working since the option to flag some posts was added?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8265 - 09/10/2025 10:48:07    2639038

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Replying To jm25:  "Looks like a bit of progress in Gaza still a long way to go and limited trust on either side following through and sticking to it

In fairness to trump he seems to be making progress in getting some form of descalation.

Im sure there will be some tieing themselves in knots to try not give him any credit only the bad stuff"
During Biden's last year, circa 50K Palestinians died in the conflict, since Trump came in it's significantly down but it needs to stop.
But Irish people love the democrats, the bias is unbelievable. If Biden traveled to Dublin in the future he would receive freedom of the city, like Obama. I would not attend a pro-Palestine march because a significant number of protesters are radical racists who want the genocide of the Jews. I am sick of hearing about poor Hamas, real peace rallies should not have their flags allowed, it's total hypocrisy. Hamas did their best to destroy Israel, they are not our friends either.
Should the GAA allow the Hamas flags in our stadiums? Long live freedom of speech.

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1765 - 09/10/2025 10:50:39    2639040

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Pray tell when did anyone in this country ever utter the words "poor Hamas"?

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1367 - 09/10/2025 11:38:02    2639048

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I recently started to re-watch the critically acclaimed TV drama series The Wire. In my opinion, still the best TV series ever made, surpassing even the likes of The Sopranos and Breaking Bad.

Got me thinking, there would be scope for an Irish equivalent? Thankfully I don't think Dublin, or any other city in Ireland has problems as bad as some of Baltimore. But there is a drugs issue (Kinahan vs Hutch angle?), a housing issue, a homeless issue, always a political issue (the current Presidential election fiasco, immigration, IPAS etc) and a health services issue. Could some of Ireland's creative writers develop something similar?"
Could be very good Lockjaw. Love Hate and Kin covered the drugs war but have we had a really good show covering that, the cops angle and the politicians?

I found Homicide: Life on the streets a few months ago. Set in Baltimore, made before The Wire, but not focussed on the drug war. Seen a few episodes years ago and it's well worth a look, some great characters. The Americans, an underrated show about Russian spies in the US, is also worth a look.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8265 - 09/10/2025 11:38:50    2639049

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Lockjaw, I may be wrong but
you sound like a reader to me. If
you rate the Wire try reading some
of George Pelecanos books. He was
a writer on the Wire.

Brummiejoe (UK) - Posts: 11 - 09/10/2025 11:56:57    2639053

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Could be very good Lockjaw. Love Hate and Kin covered the drugs war but have we had a really good show covering that, the cops angle and the politicians?

I found Homicide: Life on the streets a few months ago. Set in Baltimore, made before The Wire, but not focussed on the drug war. Seen a few episodes years ago and it's well worth a look, some great characters. The Americans, an underrated show about Russian spies in the US, is also worth a look."
If the island of Ireland is included, does the show Blue Lights cover a lot of what Lockjaw mentions?

As an aside - big fan of both the Sopranos and Breaking Bad. Both had unforgettable, iconic scenes where the acting was superb.

I've never watched a minute of the Wire. Worth a watch?

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6586 - 09/10/2025 12:43:23    2639061

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I recently started to re-watch the critically acclaimed TV drama series The Wire. In my opinion, still the best TV series ever made, surpassing even the likes of The Sopranos and Breaking Bad.

Got me thinking, there would be scope for an Irish equivalent? Thankfully I don't think Dublin, or any other city in Ireland has problems as bad as some of Baltimore. But there is a drugs issue (Kinahan vs Hutch angle?), a housing issue, a homeless issue, always a political issue (the current Presidential election fiasco, immigration, IPAS etc) and a health services issue. Could some of Ireland's creative writers develop something similar?"
If you like The Wire you should also try The Shield. Every bit as brilliant. And if you liked Breaking Bad you should try Ozark and Black Rabbit.

SouthGalway (Galway) - Posts: 45 - 09/10/2025 13:29:22    2639072

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Replying To Brummiejoe:  "Lockjaw, I may be wrong but
you sound like a reader to me. If
you rate the Wire try reading some
of George Pelecanos books. He was
a writer on the Wire."
I am indeed.
Currently reading Shantaram. An enjoyable read even if some of the tales seem a bit far-fetched.
I'll be sure to give the Pelecanos books a try. Thanks.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10072 - 09/10/2025 13:33:35    2639075

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Replying To slayer:  "If the island of Ireland is included, does the show Blue Lights cover a lot of what Lockjaw mentions?

As an aside - big fan of both the Sopranos and Breaking Bad. Both had unforgettable, iconic scenes where the acting was superb.

I've never watched a minute of the Wire. Worth a watch?"
I am actually a bit jealous of you that you haven't seen The Wire yet.
I've recommended it to loads of family and friends, many of whom gave it up too early. You need to give it time and attention. Every character has been cast brilliantly. You also have to bear in mind that it was set in the late 90s/early 00's so the technology used by drug dealers and cops alike is amusingly quaint when seen through 2025 eyes.

The writers shine a brilliant light on the many issues which faced America. Probably even more apt now.
Drugs, industry decline, political corruption, the education system and the media are all brilliantly dissected.
I insist you give it a watch! If you have Sky Plus/Now TV I think they're all available there.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10072 - 09/10/2025 13:39:17    2639079

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Replying To slayer:  "If the island of Ireland is included, does the show Blue Lights cover a lot of what Lockjaw mentions?

As an aside - big fan of both the Sopranos and Breaking Bad. Both had unforgettable, iconic scenes where the acting was superb.

I've never watched a minute of the Wire. Worth a watch?"
Definitely worth a watch.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8265 - 09/10/2025 15:23:11    2639094

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I see the mega-bucks RTE presenters are falling away like snow off a ditch, and not before time. Fair play to The new Director General.

tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 417 - 09/10/2025 17:21:08    2639121

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Replying To Bon:  "If someone is on your property without permission with an intent to cause harm they've waved their rights goodby."
100% agree. What happened to Padraig Nally (RIP) after he rightfully dealt with those who terrorized him for months still leaves a sour taste around these parts.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11785 - 09/10/2025 17:52:30    2639128

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Replying To slayer:  "If the island of Ireland is included, does the show Blue Lights cover a lot of what Lockjaw mentions?

As an aside - big fan of both the Sopranos and Breaking Bad. Both had unforgettable, iconic scenes where the acting was superb.

I've never watched a minute of the Wire. Worth a watch?"
The Wire, The Shield well worth a watch.
Gomorrah is subtitled but worth the effort.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2229 - 09/10/2025 17:54:00    2639130

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