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Ireland could elect first openly gay president

Do you think Ireland is ready for a gay President?

By
PATRICK COOPER,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Monday, February 22, 2010, 10:59 AM
Updated Monday, February 22, 2010, 2:24 PM

 

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David Norris

IrishCentral.com Poll

Do you think David Norris should be President?

Yes. It would really reflect Ireland's diversity


No. Ireland does not need a gay President


A major effort is underway to elect Senator David Norris, the Dublin-based politician, as the first openly gay president of Ireland.

Norris, 65, a former Trinity College Dublin lecturer who has led the campaign for gay rights in Ireland for a generation, is a highly respected figure in both literary and political circles known equally for his Joycean expertise as his advocacy of liberal causes.

The Irish presidential election is scheduled for 2011, when current occupant Mary McAleese steps down after two terms.

The Irish President does not play a role in party politics, which is left to the  Prime Minister, but has a powerful symbolic and legal oversight function. Occupants such as McAleese and former President Mary Robinson have greatly increased the visibility and importance of the job

A group of influential liberal supporters have now begun circulating a petition and forming a Facebook site for Norris to run for president.

The online petition states in part:

"In 2011 we will have the opportunity to change Ireland again. We accomplished great feats and broke long-standing barriers with Election of President Mary Robinson in 1990. We believe it is time to make history again, We believe it is time to put real vision and passion back into the role of the president, and to reignite national debate on Ireland's future.

“We believe that Senator Norris is an individual of principle, pride and social justice and that his values reflect those of a changing Ireland.

We only ask for you signature, a small part in ensuring that the best Candidate becomes Ireland's next Head of State.”

Norris may well have good prospects for the job. The negative attitude towards party politicians in the current recession means he may be in a position to capitalize as an independent voice.

Norris is also a skilled campaigner and debater and would appeal to the more upscale Dublin electorate who voted heavily for Mary Robinson when she ran.

Last year Norris acknowledged that he has macular degeneration in his eyes, a progressive condition that could eventually blind him.

However, he stated that so far the condition has not affected him appreciably apart from giving up night driving.

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Posted by God/Yaweh on Sep 01, 2010, 06:12 AM EDT
Dear Advocate, Have you forgotten My single greatest Commandment, to love your neighbor? Here you are proclaiming My Sons and Daughters, your brothers and sisters as "evil." Yet, who follows My single greatest Commandment most faithfully? I command them to love, and they love. I command you to love .. and you incite hatred. Where is evil, truly? Which of my children do you think causes me greatest "upset"? I have not appointed you as My Judge on Earth. It is not your place to assume this position. Nor may you reference My Holy Book as if in support of your poisonous and hateful messages. Remember that only I am fit to judge My People. Live and let live. Love and let love. Sow good, reap good. Sow Evil, reap Evil.
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Posted by barneyjo on Mar 06, 2010, 09:06 PM EST
Sure neither was Eamon Devalera and he still made President
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Posted by seanomelbourne on Feb 28, 2010, 12:06 AM EST
spirit anger is spewing his trash again
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Posted by Spiritranger on Feb 26, 2010, 12:23 AM EST
So, dear darakeenan, you're behind old Norris, are you? Ye, gods, "behind!" I've done it again! Sorry...
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Posted by darakeenan on Feb 25, 2010, 02:26 PM EST
I think that many of those placing comments here are out of touch with the Ireland of today. Nor am I proud to associate with Irish-Americans who have written such distasteful and ignorant comments. Senator Norris is in with a very good chance of becoming president. As for the papal visit in 2011, don't expect Pope Benedict to be welcomed with open arms and greeted with the same reverence given to Pope John Paul II in 1979. Like I said, the Ireland of today is a very different place than that of yesteryear.
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Posted by Spiritranger on Feb 24, 2010, 05:37 PM EST
My word, dear Watereskhill, did you say he would "have a better crack at it" next time. Poor choice of words given Norris' proclivities, aye? Not sure if the bugger has a chance... oops, pardon my own poor choice of words. We need honest politicians who will be straight with us... good, God, I've done it again...
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Posted by kickstar on Feb 24, 2010, 05:33 PM EST
His sexual preference aside, The guy is an idiot and I have met him.
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Posted by Advocate on Feb 24, 2010, 09:56 AM EST
Yahweh/God is obviously very upset with what is left of OUR America and our silent tolerance of EVERY FORM of Evil, including gay's, is the reason. If Ireland follows, it too, will fall! We the SHEEPle have placed a 'stranger' over us and our demise is certain--- Why? Simple... We no longer care! (Read Deut. 17:15 and 28:43)
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Posted by irishathens on Feb 24, 2010, 09:37 AM EST
Dubslaine, just to let you know you got the wrong country. The prositute/porn star was Cicciolina and the country was Italy. Her love party got the majority in Rome of all places.
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Posted by kickstar on Feb 23, 2010, 09:20 PM EST
The guy is not even Irish for chriss sake.
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Posted by Watereskhill on Feb 23, 2010, 08:08 PM EST
WELL said 'hyattsville'! I just believe David Norris's timing is off in running for President. He may have a better crack at it next time around. Why? The Election is in 2011. Several months later the already scheduled Papal Visit of Pope Benedict to Ireland. A gay Head of State? Regardless of his many attributes for the job, piety and Conservatism will be a huge factor with the Electorate with the red velvet shoes already en route from Italy. I already hear the whispers " T'would be a disgrace on us His Holiness welcomed at Dublin Airport by one-of-THEM!" A furtive sign of the cross to shield us from all harm. Indeed Benedict might well feign ailments in Rome, stay at home, and the whole shabeen called off if Norris is installed President. He'd rather shake hands with derelict clergy than an honest gay man.
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Posted by erlemann55 on Feb 23, 2010, 08:07 PM EST
God help any country who feels it is okay to have a gay president!
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Posted by jacersisityourself on Feb 23, 2010, 06:05 PM EST
(Contd fm below) I beg to differ with hyattsville. Although David Norris is a member of the legislature (a Senator, elected only by a small section of Irish society, graduates of Trinity College), his background is nowhere legal – a English literature college lecturer, a theatricals fun guy (Bloom’s Day), a declared human rights campaigner but only for LGBT people and with not a whim of respect for the beliefs and human rights of the majority of Irish people (mostly Catholics) unless they are gay, atheist or non-Catholic (he’s Church of Ireland - I’m not against that - but his frequent and particularly unjustified abrasive attacks on TV and radio on the Catholic Church in Ireland is notable). Moreover, he’s not even native-Irish, he was born in the Congo. Not qualified to be President of my country, I’m afraid, unless you consider David to be a vehicle to cavort our Presidency like a circus clown on the International stage of the World. But he might change his ways, pls God.
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Posted by jacersisityourself on Feb 23, 2010, 06:00 PM EST
David Norris is a great character in present-day Irish society. He’s funny, he’s serious, he’s an enthusiastic vociferous speaker, he’s temperamental (some just say mental), widely regarded as a joke and thus acceptable to the mores of those who want something different. Sadly he’s got macular disease, possibly worsening each week (don’t get me wrong... I’m going deaf, so I know David’s fear of losing one of one’s senses). The Office of the President of Ireland requires the President to sign into law whatever is enacted by the legislature (Dail Eireann). A person affected by blindness is not going to satisfy that requirement of office. Who knows what law written on paper a blind president may be asked to sign? - A law he or she does not even see on paper or the line to sign on? The President is also required to examine the law before him or her and to decide if he or she needs to refer it to the Council of State, if in doubt about its legality, for further consideration by the Supreme Court of Ireland. Several recent Presidents have been from legal backgrounds – Mary McAleese, Mary Robinson, PJ Hillary (a doctor, yes, but with over 35 yrs experience in enacting laws) and Cearbhall O’Dalaigh (more...)
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Posted by hyattsville on Feb 23, 2010, 12:59 PM EST
David Norris would be perfect as President. He is intelligent, very well versed in politics and the arts, a witty and engaging public speaker, and courage in his convictions. His sexuality should not be prohibitive in any way. At least he has always been honest about who he is not like the hundreds in their soutanes living a life of hypocrisy. Some of the comments here are so ignorant.
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Posted by barneyjo on Feb 23, 2010, 05:11 AM EST
mrkennedy and dubslaine; God help you both. You really are lost souls in every sense of the word.
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Posted by Ernesider on Feb 22, 2010, 11:03 PM EST
David Norris will be perfect for the job in 2011. We are so blessed in Ireland to always have the right person for the job. Now it is up to the intelligent electorate to put this man in the seat and make Ireland once again a leader in doing the thing that is not only in the best interests of Ireland but the world can learn from us. God bless who ever came up with this marvellous idea.
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Posted by seanomelbourne on Feb 22, 2010, 06:24 PM EST
I wonder if dubslaine feels that Sir Roger Casement was a person of character,he gave his life for Ireland and was allegedly gay. I think the prostitute was an Italian MP and so what. The proportion of gays in Ireland is no different than anywhere else therefore a % of hero's, politician's,artist's and so on were gay,just as a proportion of people are homophobic.
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Posted by rcrdskpr@aol.com on Feb 22, 2010, 05:40 PM EST
ireland will have a real gaylick as prez!
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Posted by dubslaine on Feb 22, 2010, 05:38 PM EST
The country is in the ditch financially. Do you want to ruin it morally as well. Electing that yahoo would be a disgrace to the history of IRELAND. AND TO ITS MEN AND WOMEN OF CHARACTER WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE. THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE COUNTRY AND ITS CHARACTER. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND AND TO CONSIDER SUCH A PERSON FOR ELECTION IS A DISGRACE. WE WOULD BE LAUGHED AT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. REMEMBER THE PROSTITUTE WHO WAS ELECTED IN GREECE
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Posted by howareya on Feb 22, 2010, 04:16 PM EST
Judge him on what he has done...or can do for Ireland. Not on his sexual orientation. Should be the best man or woman for the job!!!
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Posted by maryosullivan on Feb 22, 2010, 03:14 PM EST
To quote the great Keith Olbermann MSNBC " what's it to you" Surely Ireland has more important things to concern itself with rather thesexual proclivities any citizen
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Posted by ChrisButler9999 on Feb 22, 2010, 02:50 PM EST
Norris is just as much a traitor as the rest of them in Dail Eireann. He is out to get what he wants and the people do not matter. Norris knows about successive so called Irish governments stealing from Social Welfare Recipients and decided to do nothing. He likes the use of opinions which they falsified the Irish Constitution to get, because opinions in law turn public servants into gods. Their word is law and nobody challenges them.
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Posted by Oonaghx on Feb 22, 2010, 12:01 PM EST
The qualifations and experience of the person should be whats important. Not their sexual orientation, race or religion.
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Posted by upperdobsie on Feb 22, 2010, 11:46 AM EST
Personally, I wouldn't care what his ethnicism, religion or personal likes or dislikes are as long as the man or woman knows what the hell their doing and doesn't lie his way to the presidency just to be elected. If this guy is truthful with his way of life...It's a good start.
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Posted by mrkennedy on Feb 22, 2010, 11:43 AM EST
My beloved Ireland continues to fall deeper into the "ABYSE OF WOE!!!!!"
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Posted by barneyjo on Feb 22, 2010, 11:09 AM EST
As a (hetrosexual) resident of Northern Ireland, I dont have a vote. If I did, I would be more than happy to cast my vote for David Norris, if I judged him to be the best of all the candidates for the Presidency.
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Posted by seanomelbourne on Feb 22, 2010, 11:02 AM EST
I am sure his sexual orientation would not prevent him from doing a great job if he is elected. The homophobes can put up their candidate, isn't democracy a fantastic gift.
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Posted by CanadianPat on Feb 22, 2010, 10:58 AM EST
Noriss is a bit of a joke,the butt (excuse the pun)of a lot of Irish jokes,not a serious contender; however after putting a real (Puppet)turkey into the European Song Contest who can tell what the young (everything is a joke) Irish voters would do !
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Posted by irishathens on Feb 22, 2010, 10:49 AM EST
I met Senator Norris here in Athens when he gave the best lecture I have ever attended on James Joyce. Needless to say his reputation preceded him and and the event had to be an invitation only evening. After the lecture and QA session he then spent over 3 hours chatting with people. If as Prsident of Ireland he only uses half the humour, intelligence and charisma he showed here then as a country we will be more than blessed. Mandokeith as a nation we have worked together to stamp out any form of bigotry therefore your comment on sexual orientation is now considered as nothing more than a dated diatribe.


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