Texts and Emails, Wednesday 18 August 2010

Topic: The economy and how to fix it

Panelists: Colm McCarthy (Economist/"An Bord Snip"), Margaret Ward (Irish Times columnist/Personal Finance Expert), Brendan Keenan (Economics Editor, Independent) and Tom Lyons (Sunday Times )

How many TD's Ministers are insolvent with loans form Anglo etc.?

Tom, Longford.

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Our children are being educated here to work in other countries because we have no jobs. Where is the justice in free college education? we are paying tax for the children to take their skills to other places in the world and nothing is being given back to us in this country.

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What about the equality issue that has been trotted out? Please stop giving USA example. It's not a good system. Do we ruin our country and go back to days when somebody with money matriculated What about the greater good for society.

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They took back some of the Disabled Allowance, so why can't they take back 3rd level education for the rich?

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Fair play to your woman there. I agree the Government should keep driving down the wages. How dare the people of Ireland think they are entitled to have enough to pay their mortgages & put feed their families. Let them go to bed hungry.

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Brian Cowen is an embarrassment to this country. One panel member appears to be muzzled. 

C O'SUllivan.

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Rent is not down by any means in college towns and cities.

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I have a child in college in Dublin. Her rent was EUR5000+ last year and the cost of keeping her there was another EUR4000. We also paid 1500 registration fee and books on top of that. I am a teacher earning 55000. Does this sound like free education?!

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The hard message will not be accepted until the guilty ones get hard punishment.

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Cutting costs in public service? Get rid of 'middle managment'on 60k - 80k p.a. For doing nothing. 

Grade 4 hospital Admin worker, N. Barry.

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'Decent skin'...Ba..Ba.wheeler n'dealer Bertie Ahern should be in Arbour Hill !

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Presume colm children get free education because he's a lecturer.

Brenda.

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Newsweek? Are you sure it wasn't the National Enquirer that did that top 10?

Lorraine, Limerick.

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All this Ireland bashing by the media in my opinion is starting to get ridiculous. Today's new failure is some of our kids are failing maths. What are we expecting a nation of 100% Einsteins? Its time to cut the constant negative talk and to print headlines about what we as a nation are good at! Just because a certain few in the banking and construction sectors failed it doesnt make the whole nation a failure. At the moment I'm working on projects for Google, Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Intel, Hewlett Packard and Sap. Now you don't have to be a genius to figure out we must be doing something right, there are plenty of countries out there that would give their right arm for half of those companies on their cv. We need to get pride back into us to make Ireland rise!

John McDonagh, Newbridge.

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When pope John Paul II appeared on frönt cover of Time magazine as man of the year, he quickly reminded editorial staff Adolf Hitler was awarded same place 50 years laois previously.

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Discuss! The economic world is going through a once in a couple of centuries major change i.e. western world been outperformed by Asia. Ireland with its selfish so called leaders is but a fly buzzing around the table where coumtries sit.

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Why are we not out on the streets marching to bring down our mortages to the level they have dropped in value and also if we were 2 pay interest only would that affect a tracker mortgage?

Mary sullivan.

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What does the 'E' stand for with Margaret E ward?

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Leaving cert results out today, road safety on about them driving and to watch out for drunk ones, rape crisis on about being safe, helplines crawling out everywhere as obviously school failing to teach coping skills, oh they are also getting reminders to check back from Spain about college places! What's wrong with cycling to school to get your results and just deal with stuff, we need more cotton wool so they can ram their exams, go on the piss to celebrate, get laid and head off to Spain and forget to get their college place! What sort of pussy cats are we breeding?

Seamus, Dublin.

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Do all our academic institutions have to answer for supporting the false economic boom?

Eoin, Waterford.

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The simple question I want to ask tonight is, What is the Goverment going to do about getting the housing market moving again? why don't they follow the builder's and do a rent to buy scheme and get the housing market moving again? As far as I can see they're not doing anything and the banks aren't giving any money to people! Look at the amount of people still in rented properties that just can't afford to rent and apply for morgage?

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I totaly agree with Brendan Keenan. The state bodies in this country are top heavy. The people at the top  are getting big salaries, hold on to their jobs. Even when they are not doing what they are employed for, and the low paid workers lose their jobs.

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I recall a single transferable transport ticket in Frankfurt in 1975. Here we're saying "Ten years delay"... How's 35 years behind mainland europe. Third world for whites. That's us!! :-)

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The taxpayers didn't create the deficit. Two Brians God help them were conned by disgraceful greedy Wall St when will we hear an end to shambolic rhetoric? Can 2 Brians shut Anglo whats the problem? Who or what is really running our country? Its sinful to say the least, to let things go on and on. Article in Indo revealed IOU's paid to some workers in U S A Lehman etc. are only part of problem. German low interest rates usual con job on their part. De valera and Collins must be turning in their graves. ColM McCarthy should shift himself out of his restricted mindset and stop stifling the economy which is grinding to a halt. Because all the advances made, are ruined think again before we are finished off altogether. What solutions can he offer? Less of the cha cha get a heart. Charity to our citizens isnt the solution we need jobs.

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Brendan Keenan made a most valid point tonight. The status quo is dead ! Trying to salvage the same old show is a waste of Irelands potential. We need complete change and an election!

Morgan, Newbridge.

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The sooner we have a general election and resign Cowen and Leninhan and the Greens to the history books his polices aren't working Leninhan dosent care about health cuts because he gets the best of care in Blackrock clinic. He's miles away from the public.

Joe.

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Fianna Fail should be made an illegal organisation.

Joe Hara, Rooskey.

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Sam. You're bang on. As Einstein said: "You will never solve a problem using the same level of intelligence that created it".

Frank, Co clare.

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I am very impressed with your panel. They are making such sense! Is there anyone listening out there? What can I say but well done and Play it again Sam!:-}

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We should get rid of all the freeloaders who are claiming social welfare here and not in their own European country and also begging on the streets that would rate a lot of money.

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Brendan Keenan is incorrect. The anglo guarantee should be reversed.

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IRELAND = A new constitution BASED on TRUTH, JUSTICE & FREEDOM, With real religous, political, & Law reform. Leads us 2 The PROMISED LAND.

Robbie Wexford.

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Will we ever reach a point where the Government will actually appoint the right people for the right job, rather than appointing their own political cronies, whether that be for political/geographical reasons or for personal favours, that we could put the right people in the right place, treat the government departments and semi states as private companies, but perhaps without the same ruthlessness? What about the point that has been made that the Government and Unions worked hand in hand to price ourselves completely out of competitiveness, that we never looked at our European counterparts, just jumped on the gravy train and hoped the ride would continue forever? I blame Bertie personally, he was the boss and the buck stops with him.

Robert Leen, Limerick.

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When is the rhetoric going to end and progress going to begin?

Gordon Daly, Longford.

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I've followed all the Bank Failure before it happened with a Canadian Banker now retired. He felt the mistake made was saving Anglo Irish Bank. We both felt it should hav been let go? A nationalised AIB and BOI, and it may av worked. If NAMA had been the smaller of those two after a year. At present we have same idea again we will have a Double Dip! Tragedy is no one is to blame? Even though Canadian Bankers new The Regulator wasnt doin his Job? Just one thing shows it the moving of 80 million between two BANKS and nothing was done about it? COULD GO ON. The Uprise will cum after the forthcoming budget. And more cash is goin to be needed to keep banks. GREECE UR NOT ON UR OWN.

David, Co Wicklow.

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Typical TV3. Knock the Taoiseach.

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some of my Business/Economics could do better than the bankers, regulator, Cowen and his sidekick. Time for a radical clearout of top bankers+CEO of Semi-states will give Lenihan/Cowen benefit of doubt. Am sick of hearin Fianna Fail on about public sector reform could save €€€€'s here board snip roll on! Dissolve VEC's etc. Hard to talk When you see business trying to get on with it and grow exports. A bit done, lots more to do.

Karen, Roscommon.

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Wasn't Bertie reckless always throwing out money in benchmarking.

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What a pair of gobshites the 2 lads. Same old story frm the right wing.

Seamus O'Boyle, sligo.

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Nobody can say Cowen's team have any vision. Graft and scam and greed are the words we all associate with FF.

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Unbelievable. Astonishing that that the Person who has us swimming in 'The slurry pit'- is nominated in best leaders. So much for the truth. we are 'Doomed'

Jon Rabbitte.

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Cowen is admired for measures taken to get up out of our financial mess. What they dont know is the link between the cartel of bankers, developers and politicians that has existed for years. They are still working together to limit the damage to each other by covering up the real truth. They can all destroy each other but still drip feed info hoping to cover up their collusion.

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Sam. Able enough as host, but Ms Ward is surely beauty with the beasts

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Why do we have an 'American Chamber of Commerce' in this '51st State' of a Republic?

Evelyn,Dublin.

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Tell that git Smyth to take that stupid grin off his face.

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I am tired of hearing what should have been done. Talk Talk with the past 2 yrs. My question is how can we dig ourselves out of the mess we are in?

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Great topic. Great panel. Mr mccarthy is part of the establishment now. Do the others not realise that? Jack,Waterford.

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Why are all the Cutbacks mostly in the West of Ireland while millions of euro will be spent on a metro system to Dublin Airport when motorways and buses are already in use, another hospital in Dublin when there are enough while shutting down hospitals outside of the Pale.

J, Mayo.

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Never mind them economy. Catherine - 27 thinks Mr Smith is hot! Love the suit and the glasses! True.

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How much did Mr McCarthy get paid 4 doing his report. We soon wont be able to 'eat cake'.

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What wage cut has colm McCarthy taken. i bet he still has treble the average industrial wage. As have Brian cowen and his pals. They have ruined our country.

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The head bankers will not be sacked because they were political cronies who were incompetent.

Jk.

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Collapse of banks could be related to post war in Iraq Good panel especially M Ward.

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Brian Cowan is saving the country by robbing the people! I am not responsible 4 the national debt and yet its me and my work mates that are made to pay it back. If i can't pay my mortage, can I put my hand in his pocket? Hes doing it to me.

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cowen is nothing more than a sham where is he, smoking pot ln connemara.?

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Open your eyes, Ireland is led by blind fools who are self deceived and don't care about the tax payers or the country they jokingly serve. We are led by the blind who dont know where they are going. A man gets back what he puts out. That day will come.

Robbie.

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Colm McCarthy never answered what he thought about Cowens selection on the Newsweek list. He went off on a tangent about 'Lula''s poster

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The award to Mr Cowen is a joke, an insult, that like telling us George Bush Jnr was the greatest peacemaker in US history, did he gave the Yanks free bonds?

Mattie Greville, Co Westmeath.

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Colm says the cuts are painful. Well not for him and his buddys he wants to slash welfare even more. Its painful trying to surive on 196 euro per week ask colm to try it some time.

Thomas, Enniscorthy.

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We are paying 3 percent because economic sharks know we are desperate not to default.

Bob.

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Their Lula is a Brazillian, our Loolas 'haircut' turned out to be more like a brazilian.

Pat, Drumcondra.

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Is mugabe no 1, is it april 1st version of newsweek.

Don, Limerick.

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If Brian cowen is among the best leaders in the world? By god we really are in big trouble Worldwide. They are an embarrasment & are completlly lost in what to do next. Please can we get them out soon?

Des, wicklow.

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In the USA, the people involved in the banking were charged. If you have the same friend's as Vincent you probably won't air this.

Kiljoy, Drogheda.

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I've never heard such a panel of wafflers. Roll on Sarah Carey.

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Let's export Cowen to New York. Wall street journal experts pay for his upkeep and call him their leader. They are welcome to take Greens too.

Geri, Dun laoghaire.

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Two of the most unctious establishment dicks on your panel. The usual white washers for political landlordism. The same old smarmy establishment

Robin Good

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Cowen to retire within two year's with full ministerial entitlement's and his Anglo pot safe from taxpayer's money and FF to sell it as a leadership coup which is a change for good.What would the bet be for that?

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Just proves we live in a banana republic. Its now on paper.

Paul in Mayo

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Before ye lose the run of yerselves with Brian Cowens 'award', lets wait till the next Red C Poll AND see what those on the receiving end of these 'wonderful' austere decisions think.

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Would we be better off ditching the two Brians and calling in the IMF ASAP. Also could we have a referendum to get rid of the government jets? cheesed off.

Sean

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How now BRIAN COWen ?

Ned.

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Will there be any money in the economy when the cutbacks come into force after the next few budgets? Policies are hitting the poor cut from the top.

Teresa, Dublin 18

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It's all a question of context. You could argue that Hitler was a great leader getting Germany back to full employment. meanwhile, he was plotting world domination and genocide.

James, dun Laoghaire.

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I would not let Cowen mind a Downes Syndrome child. He should attend a special needs school with the dunce Dempsdey

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What is the panels opinion on NAMA PAYING THE DEVELOPERS?

James.

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The nomination of Brian Cowen as an outstanding world leader is analagous to the naming of the greatest sportsmen from Ireland when Ronnie delaney gold medallist in 1956 olympics in Melbourne.

John, Killarney.

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He is a waster.

Michael, Co. Kerry.

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Why is Fingleton still walking around a free man. He is an enemy of the people.

Joe Cashin

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Banks screw the people. Investment worth nothing

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I think Brian Cowen is useless and he should resign and let someone else take responsibility

Tracy, Tullamore Co. Offaly.

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Everyone moans about what the gGvernment is doing, but what do they think any other party would do. It's a global recession not the fault of any government it's the corruption in all parties bankers etc., that should be eliminated. 

Co Mayo.

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Fair play to that woman. Talking a bit of sense.

Seamus o Boyle, Sligo.

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We're still awaiting Colm Murphy's answer as to whether he felt Brian Cowan's position in the top-ten world leader's list was justified.I wonder why?

Enda, Mayo.

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Sam, newsweek must have their heads up their arses, Brian Cowan and his government are a disgrace. Tell Mc Carthy get of the fence.!

Pat, Limerick.

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Doing a great job on presenting the nightly show Sam. Watch out Vincent your chair could be in trouble.

Mary, Clonmel Co Tipperary.

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If Cowen is in the top 10, maybe the US would swop him for Obama. We could give em Anglo Irish as a sweetner to take him off our hands.

Margaret Walsh.

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Say it again Sam, Colm did not answer question on Cowen.

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?WHY? ain't the Governemt & House locked up 4 NEGLECTING kids who died in state care. Starting with BERTIE & BIFFO Where are those kids !!!!!JUSTICE!!!!!

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A Lot of doom and gloom being talked about the country. The only good thing about it tonight is that Margaret is a super looking girl. She's very much brightened up the program.

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Newsweek said Brian Cowen was good at pushing harsh reforms through. They pushed them on Carers the deaf the blind etc. People who could not fight him back he didnt make any harsh decisions for the bankers he just lashed tax payers money into them and he punished the people who had no part in causing the recession.

Catherine Daly, Cork.

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Brian Cowen just ahead of robert Mugabe and Kim Jong Il

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Over a year ago I gave an idea to your programme.:) Taking two euro off the four sections off the nation. Pensioners, workers, non workers and children/disabled. Which everyone would have agreed to and added to that a tiered process for income over 50k 100k and so on. We would have covered the debt and started to live within our nations means. Banks or no banks and yes I did the maths and I work for a bank. Love the show.

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If cowen is so electric, how can he allow ordinary working people's electricity to be cut off!!

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The Americans think we still keep pigs in the kitchen so no surprise with cowen.

Ray.

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Brian Cowen is certainly one of the best fed leaders in the world.

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Sam you're a great presenter but you were bit harsh on young reporter Niamh Horan. I didnt know what you meant by "do you think we've let down the Irish Times?"

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Brian cowen in the top 10! Rubbish. He has destroyed this country, bit by bit and the worse is yet to come. We are falling off a cliff.

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The best laugh I got today was a freudian slip utterd by a radio presenter calling Brian Clown instead of Brian Cowen. He never said a truer word!

Sandra White, Coolock.

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Cowen should have been number one. He is a genius, and not respected enough here. 36 billion on Anglo will be paid back easily.

Jim, kerry.

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When is Vincent coming back.

Tom(20), Limerick.

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How much did cowen pay newsweek?

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Now Newsweek joins Dandy and Beano.

JD, Dublin 24.

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Newsnight are obviously not aware of our corrupt systems.

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When I heard Brian Cowen was in the top ten of world leaders, I had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1st.

John clifford, Limerick.

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This is the best country in the world I lived in USA all my life get real.

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American bull Remember Vietnam.

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I now believe it is the silly season.

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How much did it cost the Taoiseach to get Newsweek to say that about him?

Annette Cassidy.

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Make upward only rent reviews illegal in current leases and enable tenants to exit unaffordable leases.

John Corcoran, Grafton St Tenants.

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I bet he was voted by the bankers.

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Vincent Browne. They can say all they want about Brian Cowen as one of the best top ten leaders. His track record says differant. As Finance Minister he failed Ireland big time. He could not run a tap. He is propped up by yesterdays men. Birds of a feather flock together. What a joke. They take us all as blind fools.

Robbie.

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I'm not surprised by Newsweeks verdict on Cowen, after all its a procapitalist magazine.

Kieran mcNulty, Tralee.

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If BIFFO is a top ten world leader. Then Irish Media is the best media in the World. Who must over politics religon and law to lead us to the PROMISED LAND.

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Make upward only rent reviews illegal in current leases and enable tenants to exit unaffordable leases.

John Corcoran, Grafton St tenants.

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Some people think Hitler was a great leader.

Peter

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What "rag" reported that Brian Cowan was among the 10 best leaders - what spin doctor thought that one up. We the people are not fools.

Mk, Lucan.