• RSS
  • Text Size:
  • -
  • irishtimes.com - Posted: May 28, 2009 @ 1:40 pm

    Equality of the sexes

    Kilian Doyle

    We’ve had a bit of grief over our previous post about the foxiest female election candidates.

    While it was clearly intended to be a light-hearted post highlighting the sad fact that many people vote with bits of their anatomy other than their brains, some readers failed to see it like this and asked would we treat men the same way.

    The answer, as you can see below, is yes.

    Others called for the balance to be redressed by the publication of a similar photomontage of handsome male candidates. Again, their wish is our command.

    Before any of these five fine things get too big for their boots, we must point out that this is most certainly not a definitive list. We just pestered a few female colleagues, one of whom, as you can tell, has a thing for the unshaven look.

    L-R John Lyons (Labour), Ross O’Mullane (Independent), Hugh Lewis (People Before Profit Alliance), Eoghan Murphy (Fine Gael), Ronan Callely (Fianna Fail)

    Everyone happy now?

    campaignwatch@irishtimes.com

    • 15 Comments »

    1.
    May 28, 2009
    2:50 pm

    I can’t believe that the irish times would degrade the irish male political animals like this, wouldn’t you agree Peter?

    Comment by Colin
    2.
    May 28, 2009
    3:16 pm

    I feel so cheap and sexy.

    Comment by Ross O'Mullane
    3.
    May 28, 2009
    3:40 pm

    Well actually Colin I do. But then again they’re suffering a revenue short fall so will do anything to get some attention. Don’t see why the supposedly “objective” media should comment on peoples appearance let alone run a shortlist of candidates based on apparent sex appeal. Conducting a male pole doesn’t detract from the fact that it’s degrading, debased and serves only to re-inforce the idea that looks are important in society (regardless of the fact that it’s billed as a bit of tongue in cheek humour). This idea has to be tackled across the board. It is an extremely damaging view that has a severe impact on the mental health of our society, particularly teenagers.

    Comment by Peter
    4.
    May 28, 2009
    5:13 pm

    Or even a poll, Peter.

    Comment by citizen girl
    5.
    May 28, 2009
    6:49 pm

    Peter, I’m sorry if you’re offended, but I think you’re getting the wrong end of the stick.

    By posting these photos, what I was attempting to do, albeit clumsily, was to satirise the situation we have here in Ireland whereby many people will vote for anyone with a pretty face without bothering to find out what they stand for.

    Sadly, the poll results detailed in the previous post are a damning indictment of democracy, where good hair and a winning smile are more important than policy and action.

    And that is really what’s damaging.

    Comment by Kilian Doyle
    6.
    May 28, 2009
    7:16 pm

    I’d like to point out that my winning smile is complimentary to my awesome idea of using technology to create a direct democracy.

    Comment by Ross O'Mullane
    7.
    May 28, 2009
    8:43 pm

    Kilian,

    It’s a pity you had to explain yourself. Your original point was bloody obvious and responding to someone as precious as Peter pays him more respect than he deserves.

    Peter,

    If you have a problem with people being judged on looks then try complaining to the parties who produce them rather than the media. Start a campaign for political posters that have slogans that mean something and snappy policies and ban mug-shots. I’ll gladly support you – the damn ugliness of most of the candidates is intrusive, hurts my eyes and spoils my mood.

    I think it’s high time all the IT bloggers agreed to a disclaimer on the blog index page. The amount of frankly ridiculous posts about how the Irish Times shouldn’t be let do this, that or the other – in particular that ridiculous canard about ‘balance’ – because one of you bloggers dares express a personal opinion or makes a throwaway statement is really starting to grate.

    Comment by dealga
    8.
    May 29, 2009
    9:27 am

    The issue isn’t about what the paper can and can’t cover. The issue is as sure as night follows day there will be a highbrow editorial in 6 months time about some local council and their inevitable failure on a development plan or something. At which point we will be treated to a lecture about the poor quality of local representation.

    By it’s approach to these local elections the national media is deciding to abrogate it’s responsibility to cover issues like planning and local economic development and what candidates and parties have to say on them. Fair enough if you want irony and tongue in check. There was a daty when journalism and the role of a free press meant more than this. Now is the time to be asking the policy questions not 6 months time!

    Comment by Michael Mc Loughlin
    9.
    May 29, 2009
    3:18 pm

    I’m with Peter – No jokes or fun ever in the Irish Times please.

    I would prefer, like Peter, if the IT would confine itself to report on the visits of foreign royalty and admirality to Dublin Castle and the wedding announcement of Mawbury Hattingford-Westie and Mary O’Toole-MuckSavage.

    Comment by An Fear Bolg
    10.
    May 29, 2009
    5:15 pm

    This is a disgrace! How can these men be competition for Ronan Callely’s chiseled pop star good looks!!

    Comment by Carl Kelly
    11.
    May 30, 2009
    12:44 pm

    Alasandra Mussolini was quite good looking in her day let’s all vote for the far right then?

    Comment by Michael Mc Loughlin
    12.
    May 30, 2009
    6:55 pm

    This is hilarious!!
    I’m a firm Hugh Lewis supporter, granted mostly because of his delish campaign poster, but I didn’t think the Irish Times would stoop as low as me.
    Makes me feel a whole lot better!

    Comment by Claire Mahon
    13.
    June 2, 2009
    9:18 am

    Well Michael it’s bloody obvious that you didn’t ‘get’ the point of the original post either, and it’s quite clear you’re incapable of distinguishing between the purpose of the blogs and the actual newspaper.

    I’d almost move to Meath to not vote for you. But then that would mean moving to Meath…

    Comment by dealga
    14.
    June 7, 2009
    11:38 pm

    Ross O’Mullane has a face like the back of a banjo – Cowen is even foxier.

    Comment by John Magee

    Leave a comment

    When submitted, your comment will be moderated and, once approved, will appear on the site.

    The Irish Times reserves the absolute right not to publish comments.


Search Campaign Watch