Yesterday the current Irish president, Michael D. Higgins, signaled that he's going to run for another term. He'll probably be unopposed, with broad support, and no election needed. If you're not Irish, allow me to blow your mind with the state of Irish politics ...
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First off, President Higgins is a Poet, and though his poetry won't be what he's remembered for, it's decent enough and makes you reflect. He writes in English and Irish (our national language). Speaking of which: every Irish president has been at least bi-lingual. Anyway ...
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The Irish Presidency doesn't have executive or veto power the way the American one does. It's a soft power position, though the president can also refer bills to the supreme court for a constitutionality test, it rarely happens. The main job is to represent and inspire.
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President Higgins comes from the left of Irish politics. In US terms he'd be to the left of Bernie Sanders. There's really no equivalent place on the US political spectrum. He's pro-labour, pro-social-justice, pro-immigrant, to give one example ...
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back in 2006, 40 Afghani's occupied St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin demanding answers for their asylum claims. Michael D. Higgins showed up and spent hours with the occupiers and offered to represent them personally. I was there and saw him get a lot of stick for it.
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Replying to @colmmacc
Hey, COLM. I was there too! As was Jim Breslin - now SecGen of
@roinnslainte1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
I thought I might have a photo of you here, but I found these ones with @noirinphttps://www.flickr.com/photos/colmmacc/albums/72157594148637174 …
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