Referendum!

[springbrigid]

Anyone inclined to give an opinion? I am leaning towards a yes/no vote, the yes to remove what I see as sexist language in the constitution, the no because the government are so appalling in terms of providing services and rights to disabled citizens and I feel the clause is paternalistic and pushes care on families yet again

Subliminal messaging. Too obvious to be effective I'd have thought, but maybe that's only true for those of us who are old and cynical.

Right wing isn't a slur in and of itself though is it. It's just another way of saying quite conservative. It's when it's used as a descriptor for the extreme elements that it becomes a slur.

@DanielGault the way the term "right wing" is trashed around at the moment is to imply that all who don't tow the party line are hardcore extremists.

No, it's not. However, in the current environment it is being used as a slur, albeit it is the term "far right" rather than "right wing" that is used. I did assume @VoteNONO was using "right wing" as meaning "far right".

My issue is not so much that I see the use of the term "far right" as a slur but rather that it is being used to dismiss the concerns of anyone who does not toe the line.

You don't want a person with a penis who identifies as a woman in the showers in the gym with you? Far right transphobe.

You are concerned about 250 asylum seekers being housed in your community of 2000 people where the school is already overcrowded and you struggle to get an appointment with the GP? Far right racist.

It shuts down debate. Listen to peoples' concerns. Address them. Sure, there will still be transphobes and racists but not everyone who raises concerns is transphobic or racist.

That's kind of what I said!

Sorry @DanielGault, you are completely right re your right wing definition. @OchonAgusOchonOh yes I meant "far right" thank you! I'm not making much sense tonight😅 Settling down now for the debate!

I think I get what you're saying here. But my god, I'm so sick of the trans thing coming into every single last discussion. It's impossible to have a discussion about it it without someone jumping down your throat. (Off topic, sorry, but it seems to wheedle it's way on to every second thread on here).

Get the popcorn 🍿!

I guess that's because of the negative impact on women's rights and women are rightly concerned about that.

I know. But it really does get dropped in everywhere.

Is there a definition of a durable relationship?

m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/durable-relationships-could-be-defined-by-a-couple-getting-a-christmas-card-says-chair-of-electoral-commission/a1922458908.html

😁😁😁

What channel?

I think it's safe to say the courts will be overrun if that durable relationship thing stands. Clear as mud.

Tv3

I feel uncomfortable when I find myself agreeing with McDowell

@DanielGault he knows his stuff. I feel he looks like he's holding back, looks like there's much more he wants to say.

He's v experienced to be sure.

I think McEntee finished on a fairly pathetic note - but McDowell did too.

Many years ago I thought I was in a very steady "durable" relationship, I let down very badly. I still thank my lucky stars that we had no children. But we were engaged & it took me years to get my confidence back.

He won that. I'm glad he got in about Mothers Day on Sunday.

She wasn't exactly convincing. Really don't get why they put these amendments forward at all with seemingly so little thought/planning.

I thought the mother's day bit was a pretty weak appeal to emotion and he really should have not bothered with it.

I think it's quite poignant. They chose International Women's Day & Mothers day weekend deliberately.