Irish journalist under 'fire'

Irish Times ^ | 10 February 2004 | self

[Happygal]

Your thoughts?

[Happygal]

Ping

[Happygal]

Admin...I'm not sure if this thread it okay, because I can't link directly to the article, and the quotes I've used from Myers piece were sourced from other comment pieces.

I thought it was worth discussing here, because this is a 'hot topic' in Ireland today.

And it's interesting how conservative opinions on unmarried motherhood, are being now vilified in Catholic Ireland.

Anyway, please remove if I've made a posting faux pas. :-)

[BenLurkin]

America has undergone a continuing "bastard boom" that has had devastating effects on our society.

This guy deserves a medal -- not complaints.

TRUTH: "Even as things stand, we are bribing the unmotivated, the confused, the backward, the lazy into making the worst career decision of their young lives, and becoming professional unmarried mothers, living off the State until the grave takes over. Our welfare system is creating benefits-addicted, fatherless families who will be raised in a culture of personal and economic apathy - and from such warped timber, true masts are seldom hewn."

[Happygal]

and from such warped timber, true masts are seldom hewn."

It's a good analogy alright. One of the best I've read in a while! :-)

[Congressman Billybob]

The strongest indicator, statistically, for failure in life is being borne a bastard. This one fact correlates more to all of life's failures, than any of the other presumed dominant factors such as race, religion, poverty, or lack of education of parents.

All of these factors incline the child to grow up as a high school drop out (very likely), or get into drugs (likely), or into crime (less likely but common). Yet being borne illegitimate creates a greater likelihood of all these factors than any other.

Sometimes the truth is very harsh. But it is precisely in those instances that it's most important that the truth be told.

Congressman Billybob

Click for latest, "Was Howard Dean behind a Daring Art Theft?"

[general_re]

The bloggers are starting in - not positively, I should add. Beware the salty language: here and here.

[Happygal]

Well, yeah.
Funny how those outraged by the truth and the use of the word 'bastard' in it's dictionary sense - are more vile in their criticism.

Ahhh, the double-standards the lie in liberal-ville!

[general_re]

"That &*@^! *%!@^# son of a b*%&!# said 'bastard'!"

:^)

[Happygal]

Pinging you guys to this for your thoughts, if any! :-)

[NeoCaveman]

And it's interesting how conservative opinions on unmarried motherhood, are being now vilified in Catholic Ireland.

How far we have all fallen.

Common sense and morals have been replaced with realtivism and statism.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Kevin's outraged the liberals of Ireland by referring to these women as 'MOB's' - an acronym for Mothers Of Bastards."

Kinda harsh, but a child is best served growing up with a mother AND father...MUD

[Colosis]

Yes, the language is a bit strong, but the debate is good and we must face up to the issues.

I hear that in Dublin, there are now 5th generation of families on the dole. Single families breed single families and the cycle continues. Add the influx of pregnant women from Africa and you'd think we're a Simon community nation.

I'm just glad that at least someone has the balls to speak up for what a silent majority feel.

[slane]

I quite like Kevin Myers. Haven't read him since the Irish Times became a subscription site but as I recall he made a lot of sense. He is simply stating the obvious here and the outrage is that he would be attacked and vilified for it.

[Happygal]

Well, all I know is, if the Irish Times fire Kevin it will be just another good reason NOT to purchase the Irish Times.

[Happygal]

Myers has been posted on here quite a few times.

Next time I come across him here, I'll ping you.

Nice meetin' ye, btw! :-)

[cyborg]

I'm staying away from this thread. It's obvious that the ideal is a two parent household but life doesn't work out that way. Bastard is a disgusting word.There are no bastard children just bastard parents.

[Happygal]

To be honest, I don't believe Myers was being critical of the children...

...but he was criticising the career-welfare moms, who deliberately go out and get pregnant for a welfare cheque, and childrens allowance. An unemployed single mother with one child can get about €1,000 a month (that's about $1,250) in Ireland. It's a problem.

[Happygal]

BTW, they also get free health care, and rental allowance.

[slane]

An unemployed single mother with one child can get about €1,000 a month (that's about $1,250) in Ireland.

Are you joking me - €1,000 a month! Things have really changed since the days when I got 25 quid a week for nearly killing meself working on a farm! Had a friend who was on the dole for a while and got about the same - but that was in the 80s when the economy was banjaxed.