Speedposting Thread - Irish Politics is Rife With Sexism

[Dr. FIVE]

Even as Cowen said on the day it wasn't his intention doesn't change that it was.

[Dr. FIVE]

Cowen once told James Reilly that if FG backbenchers didn't stop heckling him he would organise FF deputies to drown out Kenny every time he spoke in the Dail.

This isn't the same thing at all Baron!

[Baron von Biffo]

Crying wolf happens but that doesn't change the amount of incredibly subtle and blindly obvious imbalances that pass unmarked. Likewise it doesn't change that much of the criticism directed a female politicians (or any woman in the public eye), how it's delivered and right down to how they are portrayed and treated is inherently sexist.

Its there, everywhere, in ways the both of us couldn't even begin to grasp.

I'm not denying that there is sexism. In fact I think Burton is one of the most sexist politicians in the Dail. That doesn't alter the fact that the 'rein her in' comment was just a normal cut-and-thrust thing with no sexist overtones.

Shortall's attack on McSharry was however, unquestionably sexist and it's hypocritical for the likes of Burton and Bacik to ignore it when they would be very loud in their criticism if the shoe was on the other foot.

[Baron von Biffo]

This isn't the same thing at all Baron!

It's absolutely identical. Cowen was telling the deputy leader of FG to control his backbenchers or face the consequences.

[Dr. FIVE]

That doesn't alter the fact that the 'rein her in' comment was just a normal cut-and-thrust thing with no sexist overtones.

Does it not occur to you that the normal cut-and-thrust of things is sexist?



Crystal

It's absolutely identical.

Nope. Surely you see the difference between party and an individual?

[C. Flower]

You have this backwards Baron. It's not the phrase.

The delivery and what it meant is the issue. Among all the shitehawking that goes on in the Dáil you never ever see a party leader told to control their backbenchers or settle them down or anything. Nothing close. The issue with Cowen's remark was he was instructing Gilmore to control Burton. It was directed at Gilmore, while Joan was present. Cowen has a problem with Joan he should have said it to her. Not assume or demand Gilmore could or should put manners on her.

Absolutely.

Cowen referred to Burton as if she was a domesticated animal.

[Baron von Biffo]

Does it not occur to you that the normal cut-and-thrust of things is sexist?

No. I'd regard such a view as paranoid.

Crystal

Nope. Surely you see the difference between party and an individual?

The situations were identical. Cowen was being seriously niggled and he lashed out. It was the same as Bertie's 'Waffler' outburst - a politician under pressure lashing out.

[Baron von Biffo]

Absolutely.

Cowen referred to Burton as if she was a domesticated animal.

And were Alex Salmond, Len McCluskey, Lance Armstrong or Barack Obama being referred to as domestic animals when the same expression was used about them?

Was it ok for Roisin Shorthall to launch a sexist attack on McSharry and call him a violent criminal?

[Baron von Biffo]

I don't think so. I doubt you will find any use of it in relation to a woman being told to rein a man in.

On DriveTime just before 6.00 this evening Mary Wilson was discussing the crisis Shatter/judiciary crisis with Dearbhail McDonald. After McDonald had reported comments made today by Susan Denham, Wilson asked her if it was now time for Denham to rein in her judges.

Now just so there's no misunderstandings here - A female radio presenter asked her female guest if the female Chief Justice should 'Rein in' the male judges who've been making comments on the controversy.

Is 'rein in' no longer sexist or will it still be sexist if a man is speaking about a woman? Just thought I'd ask though my expectation of an answer is small.