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https://www.youtube.com/watch?edit=vd&v=cDHd7o6R1Z0
Source: Órla Ryan/TheJournal.ie
Updated: 16.45
LUKE ‘MING’ FLANAGAN has said that the Irish people have got to “save” themselves as no one else will do it for them.
“We’ve been waiting for 100 years for someone to come along and save us. I think we’ve worked out that no one is going to come along and save us.
“We’ve got to do it ourselves. We’ve got to put our name on the ballot paper and we’ve got to try and change things. Rather than say ‘There’s no one on the ballot paper to vote for. Boo hoo, poor me.’”
Exit polls show the Independent TD could get about 20 per cent of the vote in the four-seat Midlands North West constituency.
He said he “couldn’t say” he was surprised at his level of success, given the positive reaction he has been getting from the public.
“I have been canvassing on and off for about 17 years and I never ever got a reaction even close to it. For example, when I got out of the car in Cavan it took me two and a half hours to get about 60 or 70 yards away from the car. I had a bizarre situation – I didn’t go up and canvass people, for some reason they came over to me.”
Flanagan said it was “very heartening” that so many independent candidates were being elected, adding that he hoped Marian Harkin would also secure a seat in Europe as they could “work very well together”.
He added that if independent candidates stuck together, there could be 10-12 extra non-party TDs elected in the next General Election.
Flanagan believes the success of non-government candidates sends a clear message to Fine Gael and Labour: “People do not believe that their tactics in reviving the economy are working. People don’t see it geting much better in the next few years.”
He said he would miss working in the Dáil if elected but added that moving to Europe was “all part of a process to try and improve the lot of people in this country”.
Flanagan said a lot has changed since he ran for a seat in the European Parliament in 1999.
Back then it was very hard to find issues that actually chimed with people on Europe and this time around there were issues that directly effect people. When it came to rural post offices. When it came to turf cutting. When it came to the use of your land. Or when it came to the bank debt and people not having any money, people did make a direct link to Europe.
He admitted that the Parliament has “limited powers” but said it is “the only forum to discuss these things”.
“If Europe doesn’t listen, what does that say about Europe?”
Flanagan said that Irish politicians were not telling Europe the full extent of the country’s problems, adding that there’s “no chance of a debt writedown if you tell Europe everything’s alright”.
Quoting economist David Williams, he said Ireland had only shown Europe “the good room” and not the fact that some people are “barely able to buy clothes in second hand shops”.
We have brought the European Union into the good room and we’ve said ‘Look it, isn’t it lovely. Look at the bit of China we have here and there. Look at the lovely setee, but we haven’t shown them the rest of the house.
Flanagan is undecided as to whether or not he will join a political group in Europe, if elected.
The Roscommon native who is not known for wearing suits at Leinster House was looking particularly sharp in the count centre in Castlebar today.
“The first time I ever ran for election, I wore a suit. I wear a suit when I want to wear a suit and I don’t wear one when I don’t want to ear one,” he said.
The retuning officer has said the first count from Midalnds North West is not likely to be known until tomorrow afternoon.
So what will Flanagan be doing in the mean time?
“I haven’t seen my kids in six or seven weeks so we’re going to head to the sea, maybe have a bit of a swim. Freshen up and live a bit of real life.”
Originally published: 12.49
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You never know what crosses other people are carrying. To be unhappy in your own body for so long is a terrible burden. Best wishes to the author on putting the burden down and getting on with her journey.
These articles are turning people gay
There is far far more stuff in the media turning gay people straight.
Though it doesn’t seem to be working…
So you admit it.
Yup – articles like this have no effect on people’s orientation, because people’s orientation is innate.
Deirdre, John is a renowned homophobe who thought it appropriate to bring up the fact that I don’t like men on an abortion article yesterday. He is only into cheap point scoring at your expense.
Might be letting them experiment but not turning them gay…
So it is a fact that Ailbhe does not like men. As I assumed.
Also, please go easy on the homophobes. It is not their fault that they were born homophobic.
John now body Is born homophobic. That is learned behaviour as I am sure you know considering you have learned it and aced it yourself.
James
You are some mess.
That would be you John not me.
The banks do that with married people too by the way. I think dealing with banks is a whole new echelon of hell. Fair play to you.
Great article, well done.
I’m very unhappy in my body , I feel I should have a 6 pack and no body fat , actually it’s my right to have them blah blah
There are real problems in the world, and yet some people are so wrapped up in themselves that they invent an issue like being trapped in the wrong gender. It’s ridiculous that so much media attention is focused on this in order to show how liberal they are. A nonsense of a problem.
Shut up.
@contro pure ignorance and prejudice
Great article Deirdre. I especially like the point you make that your genitalia are nobodies business unless you’re in a relationship. I don’t see why people need to know what’s between somebodys legs or defines them by that. Its so immature and narrow-minded.
It really is. Doctors should guess the sex of the patient when treating. Vets with animals too.
Should we have no signs on toilet doors then?
Is the toilet door between the person’s legs? Read my comment again folks. You’re clearly struggling to understand
It’s not my point but some could argue it is.
IMac, what’s between a person’s legs is their business unless they choose to share it with others. Inuding their Dr or partner or friends or shout it from the rooftops.
Sorry, Kmac
The signs on toilet doors do not depict genitals – they depict gender presentation. So when I go to the loo wearing a dress, the signs make it pretty clear which loo I should use.
A tiny minority of the population gets a daily mention on the journal ,while families are relying on lay litigants to fight for their homes in every court in ireland and don’t get a mention.
Why don’t you start by writing an article on lay litigants or whatever your issue is (in the same way Deirdre here has written an article) and submit it to The Journal for consideration.
Great article, well done!
Excellent article well written, detailed and helpful to many. In relation to some of the comments it’s important all parts of society shares so we all become informed and educated. Well done Journal.
…. and gay.
Transgender issues are so hot right now.
The problem lies in the brain not the body, if a woman has all the in inards of a woman yet still believes she is a male, the problem lies in her head.
Mind you for that person it is still a big problem and one I am glad I don’t have!
Perhaps one day a bit of minor surgery will solve the situation or perhaps prevent it happening earlier, in the womb, who knows!
Bill, to undergo the medical portion of transition a transgender person has to be assessed by both psychologists and psychiatrists first. Do you REALLY think that you know better than the medical experts in the field?
Talk about first world problems.
A Transatlantic attack on our culture.
Transgender people exist throughout the world in every culture.
Transcontinental so.
Contro Versial what a stupid thing to say, the news reports different aspects of society there are many problems in every aspect of life and there will continue to be, I thought this article was a nice insight into how it feels for someone having to go through with it, as for Kmac stop trolling.
I’d entertain your comment if it was the case.
Just to take you up on something you mentioned in your article. You say that – post-operatively my body stops producing that dreadful hormone called testosterone. Do you take testosterone supplements along with oestrogen as testosterone is a hormone that is vital to a woman’s health just as much as it is to a man.
Margaret,
I should have said that my body stops producing testosterone in the quantities it used to.
My body still produces testosterone – but in the same sort of quantities any woman’s body does. I don’t need supplements.
Telling bikes is going too far.
It’s a legal requirement to tell them.
So you can play ladies golf now even though you are a man?
Probably and no. I can probably play ladies golf (in theory, I can compete in the olympics as female, as I’ve fulfilled their requirements for transgender people competing in our true gender). And no I’m not a man.
The estrogen I take has massively decreased my muscle mass – I’ve lost a lot of my strength – which is why I can fairly compete as female.
You’re sex chromosones are xy if I am not mistaken.
You should be hitting off the back tees. Full stop.
John – I haven’t been tested, but my guess is that I have the Y chromosome.
So what?
Ever hear of “complete androgen insensitivity syndrome”?
Ever hear of “Monkey see, Monkey do”?
Omg John …….. LEAVE HER ALONE! Get a hobby, or actually……just f**k off! And while you’re at it, have a think about how you make people feel with your appalling homophobic comments. This is a very brave and real life story. I wonder would u be as brave publicly!
Deirdre this is a honest, beautifully written story. I have nothing but complete respect for you to come out and do this so publicly! Please please please just ignore the nasty comments. You are better than that! And braver :)
Very good article. It would have been braver to have put your name to it in order to encourage those who may be going through the same thing at this time.
She did
Sorry about that. She did alright but I did not see it.
No worries
Greetings :)
Hi Deirdre. Great article. Every happiness to you.
People are who they are through their genes, the rest is psychological???
Michael
How dare you refer to science. You homophobic monster.
Yup – no doubt it’s my genes which made me transgender.
John your humour is nearly as crazy as mine, I love myths, religions, spirituality and science, now that should split the camps lol.
Deirdre, we are more than our parts, therefore we can not use them to excuse anything as free will and belief gives reason, why is just another question?
It was an operation that made you transgender.
Homosexuality being inherited is the ultimate contradiction.
“I’m Gay Like my Parents”
John – it was being transgender that prompted me to engage with the medical profession – not the other way around.
The medical profession doesn’t give the kinds of treatments I’ve received unless you are transgender. They don’t create transgender people – they treat transgender people.
People are insane.
No John, people are ignorant. You are a prime example
Actually John, as part of medical transition transgender people are assessed by both psychologists and psychiatrists. My wife is trans and has twice been declared both sane and competent. How about you?
I am Batman. I am going for surgery next week.
John,
I’m delighted for you! It takes a lot of courage to be who you truly are in the world in spite of all the pressure society puts on you to conform.
I can only imagine the psychological, psychiatric and medical tests you had to go through before being given the all clear for your surgery.
So you are going to spend the rest of your life as batman? You are going to change your legal status? You are going to re-adjust all your social interactions? I presume you are also going to change your name? It’s a lot of work, and I wish you the best.
Deirdre
Fair play to you for showing so much tolerance in the face of what may seem like intolerance.
But I assure you it is not intolerance towards you. Most gays are a victims of an attack on our masculinity as a nation. First they sexualise our children young through Disney movies etc, then they complete the process by various means as outlined below.
https://unhappygay.wordpress.com/how-does-homosexuality-occur-in-men/
Fair play to you if you are happy but please stop spreading the idea as we need masculinity to defend our land against potential aggressors, whoever they may be.
John,
Did you just seriously suggest that I read a right-wing “christian” perspective on what causes homosexuality?!
I suppose next you’ll be saying I should go to a Nazi website to learn the history of judaism?!
Good grief.
There is more to life than sex.
Excellent article, Deirdre. Congratulations and best wishes to you!
Well done Deirdre, from your old NearFm pal ;)
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