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TODAY MARKS THE 25th anniversary of when the world-famous Hubble Space Telescope was first launched into space.
This revolutionary telescope, which uses a series of high-resolution cameras to observe the visible universe, has sparked the awe of the public with its stunning images and captured the hearts of the scientific community with its wealth of data.
From the mysterious nature of dark matter to the birth of stars and the atmospheric composition of exoplanets, Hubble has taught us about the many dazzling wonders of our universe during its 25 years in space.
Believe it or not, this is a real Hubble image, and that bizarre blue ring toward the right is an optical illusion produced when gravity bends light in a phenomenon called gravitational lensing. Astronomers have used this technique to discover some of the smallest, faintest, most distant galaxies in our universe.
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Lucinda got one thing right recently when she said in debate that Fine Gael and FF are one and the same. Two wings same bird. Now media are talking up FF. BEWARE
And as an ex FG politician who still lives in 1960′s catholic Ireland Lucinda is worse than either of the other two parties and will hopefully just go away after this election.
Well said!
Do you remember this Lucinda.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KLcDE0Ml8k
Seriously??? A thick paddy comment if ever there was one! Teddington…try being an adult for a change.
Well said ,Teddington!
There is no such thing as bad publicity.
Anyone who considers themselves a watchdog has serious grandiosity issues. Lucinda thinks that she has a monopoly on morality. Renua are completely irrelevant Lucinda…
@Tom… Calling the electorate ‘whingers’ is pretty bad.
More like two cheeks of the same arse.
Grandiosity issues? I think the word you are looking for is “notions”. Easier and more appropriate than “grandiose”.
Everyone has notions. Easier maybe but hardly more appropriate. I was trying to be precise.
Someone calling me a thick paddy and asking me to be an adult at the same time, I wish I was good at spotting irony because I’m sure there’s plenty to be found in that.
On Friday do the unthinkable…at the ballot box.
‘ A thick paddy comment’ nice bit of racism there.
The really important question I need answered before Friday. Where’s EHobbs?
He’s too busy counting his money after making a killing on defaulted mortgages and repossessions in Detroit……the Irish vulture.
As an obedient blueshirt, Lucinda played a leading role in ramming the Fiscal Treaty down the nation’s throat in service to her fellow EU elites.
The financial constraints of the Fiscal treaty make it illegal under E.U law for Ireland to address our mounting social problems such as the homeless epidemic.
Lucinda has always been a reliable watchdog for the interests of the powerful and wealthy.
Here Lucinda. Throw your watchdog eye over this misery that you and your establishment elite have helped to create.
http://www.thejournal.ie/homeless-children-increase-2617711-Feb2016/
@Wally,
“The financial constraints of the Fiscal treaty make it illegal under E.U law for Ireland to address our mounting social problems such as the homeless epidemic”
There’s a leap.
No, the fiscal constraints prevent us from having a massive budget deficit. We are free to address any social issue of our choosing.
The problem is that there are many issues which need resolving, but we have a choice. We can raise taxes. I’d suggest raising the property tax, or abolishing it in favour of rates, and let local councils receive those rates directly to provide for capital outlay on social housing, along with current expenditure on emergency provision etc.
But you can’t have it every way. You have 3 options: tax, cut, reform. Borrowing massively ad infinitum is an idiotic policy which runs countries into the ground, particularly in a practically zero inflation (eurozone as a whole) environment.
She doesn’t need any help with that.…
I like some of her justice policies especially forcing parents to fund their brats legal bills.
Agreed, though these stories about her owing BIK on her own legal fees seems somewhat ironic right now even if it is completely cleared up as she has intimated.
The idea to charge motor tax through petrol or diesel consumption is a good idea, but it ends there …I would never vote for fine gael part II
“ it’s impossible to influence the direction of the country from opposition”
Lucinda must have missed the magnificent water charges campaign which has the establishment falling over themselves making concessions and bribes trying to get their latest banker tax established. The call for a mass boycott of the water charge is led by the opposition TDs of AAA-PBP.
A pity that like everything in Ireland even when we get new parties it’s the same old sh*te thrown at us again. The country is crying out for genuine reform and another viable option for Government but we get this instead.
@Wally. People were opposed to water charges anyway, had nothing to do with AAA or SF for that matter. They simply saw the anger and opposition to the charges grow and jumped on the bandwagon and claimed to orchestrate the whole thing.
Nonsense Beano. The Socialist Party led the boycott of the water charges when it was first attempted in the 1990s and again the AAA/SP have been in the vanguard in fighting the latest banker tax through mass non payment.
http://socialistparty.ie/2014/10/10000-march-in-limerick-with-message-no-way-we-wont-pay/
I’ll let SF defend their own record in this battle.
I have to admit their idea of a flat tax makes lots of sense. But as usual Irish people are too thick to realise it, as usual more than happy to take as gospel the usual bullshit from FG/FF that the only way for our economy to keep a low corporation tax and screw the people out of their hard earned wages. When really the low corporation tax is now dead duck.
As someone who worked abroad for long enough, I know well that the biggest deterrent to coming home was the scandalous tax rates here and the fact that you get nothing for them. I recommend reading up on the flat tax, it’s about the one thing in this election that makes a screed of sense.
Hello? Lucinda? It’s the 50′s calling – they want their policies back…
Backwards together would be a better slogan .
Renua’s policies are completely out of touch with modern Ireland. It’s important to remember why the party was established in the first. I’ll concede that their stance on justice is impressive, however, their economic and social policies are destructive in terms of the working people. A flat tax is inherently unfair and their views on social matters i.e. abortion, marriage equality etc. is not fit for a modern society. Hopefully people consider Renua in its entirety and not just a soundbite that they keep delivering as an elective ploy.
Fred,
Although as you correctly point out Lucinda Creighton has an AC stance, Renua, the party, do not.
The party has an open (whip) position on the matter with individual members free to to vote with govt or opposition bills and also bring forward private members bills.
Nobody suggested that Renua were pro marriage equality when Lucinda Creighton came out in favour of marriage equality.
Regards.
Did you read their document on the flat tax Fred? Current policies enjoyed by the Irish people are completely out of touch with anything that’s going on in the world. Why do you think that anyone with any sort of work ethic has left the country in the last 8 years? Why do you think we can’t get any of them back?
What exactly is modern Irelands perfect policies then, taxing the working class into the ground while giving multi billion euro multi nationals a free lunch?
Renua as “Watchdogs”? Don’t Fine Gael already have Goldman Sachs for Moral Guidance? Honestly, Lucinda is a terrific conviction politician. I disagree with her ultra conservative views but don’t doubt her talent and ability. I do feel her party in Government would represent a terrible blow to those of us who want to repeal the 8th amendment.
So do we want our mothers, sisters and wives to have the same self-determination of their bodies as men have, or do we want the Renua Watchdog disrupting the march of equality? I know which way I’m leaning…
http://trickstersworld.com/2016/02/19/no-country-for-young-women/
Tony,
Although as you correctly point out Lucinda Creighton has an AC stance, Renua, the party, do not.
The party has an open (whip) position on the matter with individual members free to to vote with govt or opposition bills and also bring forward private members bills.
Regards.
Point taken,
I would say that in my working life I’ve never worked for an organisation that didn’t take it’s lead from its Leader. Tone From The Top pervades both Corporate and Political Spheres. I’ve seen enough evidence of this over nearly 40 years and would not be as confident as you. But (and I mean it) I would be delighted to be proven wrong. I believe in Social Democracy, not the current Chumocracy. See…
http://trickstersworld.com/2016/02/13/goldman-sachs-pillages/
Regards
TG
I think Renua’s official stance on this is somewhat disingenuous. As a party, they will not introduce or support any measure to repeal the 8th Amendment or even liberalize abortion laws in line with Supreme Court ruling.
That they’re, in theory, ‘generous’ enough that they’ll let individual Renua TDs hold their own views, introduce bills, or campaign, without the support, funds or even votes of the party leadership is an evasion on their part.
They’re against change, and all they have to do to accomplish that is not be *for* change.
Besides, I predict Renua’s official stance to evaporate like the mist it is the moment a referendum on the 8th is called. Does anyone genuinely believe they’ll sit on the sidelines claiming not to have an opinion on a referendum campaign?
What ‘party’?
Funny how Creighton was all fine with boom and bust politics at one stage as a member of FG. They will say anything to get into power with ministerial pensions easing the burden.
Gotta love Lucinda – Ireland’s self-appointed custodian of the constitution and the ovaries of the women of Ireland.
Don’t tell Dana that Lucinda stole her job.
Lucinda just adores gay people and same sex marriage ( cough cough)
She has the attitude of a cast aside fag hag.
Lucinda Creighton eventually came around to be in favour of marriage equality.
Yeah when then outcome was already decided as indicated by opinion polls, not one for missing an opportunity to take credit for other people’s work is Mrs Creighton.
Not only may Lucinda and her merry bunch not be watchdogs in Government but may they not have any representation at all in the Dail.
Break, hopefully.
Two articles in a row about snakes.
Well at least her party is showing ambition to be in power. Whether or not people agree with her personal opinions, she’s sure to show better oversight as a watchdog than Labour, Greens or the I’ll fated PDs. She’s showing a lot more gumption than certain other parties who are content to sit in opposition and catcall across the chamber at the government.
I cannot see a lot of difference between her and the PDs who propped up Bertie between 1997 – 2007( when the damage was done), they only differ on social issues. Renuea is her party, it was started up to promote an ambiguous politician who could not bide her time in FG.
….isn’t that what Eamonn Gilmore said at the last election, about keeping FG in check ?? …..and look how what worked out……….
Didnt Liebour claim the same spouting how their the bulwark against FG right wing policies?
Have to admire her starting a centre right party when every party in Ireland is centre left FF and FG or hard left SF most independents etc.
Good ideas on crime limit free legal aid and end the laughable sentences some criminals get
Has become a bit of a hate figure for the mainstream media who see her as a far right extreamist
Laughable is you calling FF and FG centre left. Swing the dial a fair bit right mate.
OK in Britian, France or Sweden FF and FG would be centre left.
High social welfare spending high personal taxes jobs for life in public service
Lots of protected quangos
All centre left policies ie FF and FG
Finna Renau is the Same as the other Gangsters
I think she has proved pretty conclusively that she would extricate herself from policies that she didnt agree with and as such would be a good watch dog in the milleu. How many politicians are principled enough to walk away from a prominent position in a party and a cushy presence in brussels? Not many. She is principled in contrast to joan burton who presided happily over a rent certainty veto in recent times amongst many other policies fine gael introduced. Whilst i think her justice policy on 3 strikes out is pretty right wing i am pretty interested in the fact that she realises the future of this country doesnt reside in self reliance on american companies but in indigenous industry and smes and wishes to finance this accordingly. Also the flat rate of tax sounds interesting in particular if tax loopholes currently enjoyed by the extremely wealthy are blocked off as she promises.
Saoirse – clearly she agreed with all the austerity policies by FG then – she extricated herself because of her personal beliefs – so not such a good watchdog.
@Patlyndo. Fine Gael did not self govern until after they extricated themselves from the bailout which was Dec 2013. This government effectively implemented all directives outllined by the troika in the Memorandum of Understanding until that date. Looking at the finance.gov.ie website its actually cringeworthy to see the letters of intent drafted by Noonan and addressed to Juncker, Draghi, Dijsselbloem and Sadzius. (http://www.finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/LOI%20to%20EU%20Signed%20Nov%202013.pdf) ‘We’ve been very good and have implemented all your directives. Can we leave now please?? I think that should be made alot clearer and stated a lot more often. Fine Gael did not govern this country. They merely implemented directives from elsewhere. Yes they have had a say since dec 2013 and true she did resign for personal beliefs but in doing so she relinquished a 85k salary immediately. Cant see too many doing that for any reason. I dont back any political party but I must say that manifesto’s drawn out by some of the Independents including renua spell a welcome departure to the usual suspects .
And she voted on all the policies saoirse – except the one that she disagreed with out her own beliefs.
“Cant see too many doing that for any reason”
She didn’t do it for any reason, she did it for one reason. Should she be applauded for standing by her beliefs, no, because you cannot put yourself before party.
“she agreed with all the austerity policies by FG then”
the point I was trying to make above is that austerity policies by FG then wasn’t FG party policy. It was AJ Chopras policy et al. Fine Gael didn’t govern they were governed.
You obviously support the whip system which incidentally we have inherited from our nearest and dearest. Most of the countries in Europe dont have it. Why? Cos its not democratic. Its way too rigid and offensive to democratic ideals.
Who’s going to be watchdog over lucinda? We need an independent watchdog not another bloody politician pretending to do a job. What a bloody laugh.
Hallucinating creighton in govt ……a joke
Wipe this lot out along with lab.she voted yes to taking medical cards off cancer patients, and every other austerity measure.
She’s an idiot. Nobody is going to vote for her and she knows it so she’s trying to do anything to stay in the dail. She’ll polish shoes and empty the bins if she’s elected.
I fear they are like the Poor Dopes PD’s a form of F.G. Lite?
PD’s were F.F. Lite back then? Who could forget Harney and care homes???
Woof woof, go away please
If I were to give an estimate of the most party posters I have seen ripped down it would definitely be Renua.
More like a lap dog
Because it worked out so well with Labour, The Greens and the PD’s!!!!
Poll of Grey Voters …. No Grey Vote for Political Parties who support regressive taxes.
Political (whip) parties passing oppressive regressive tax laws like LPT, Car Tax, Water Tax and now taking the tax from pensioners Medical Expenses refunds when they cant keep up the tax payments. And Attachment Orders planned to take the Water Tax from pensioners pensions.
No Grey Vote for Political Parties who impose regressive taxes – forcibly without consent, no allowance for inability to pay, no appeal and no exemptions..
Progressive taxes acceptable to fund public services. Think again Renua.
Lucinda is trying very hard to make herself relevant.
Lucinda is highly relevant. Unfortunately it us as an exhibit in the museum of post-Catholic relics and other irrelevancies.
Hey Lucinda! Do you know the way to San Jose?
Fame and fortune is a magnet
It can pull you far away from home
With a dream in your heart you’re never alone
Dreams turn into dust and blow away
And there you are without a friend
You pack your car and ride away
So instead of the three amigo’s we get the four Diva’s.
SORRY, WE DONT EXCEPT “BROWN ENVELOPES” AT SINN FEIN..MABY YOU COULD TRY JOB BRIDGE.
I think that you mean accept. If you do mean except that means that you may accept them. A good dictionary is a wise investment for anyone writing for public consumption.
Her views on the 8th amendment….. Rock on girl with the old passing the problem on.
Can we all have a view on the 8 th amendment please without being ridiculed?
The guy who introduced the 1967 Act in the UK has a very interesting view which is worth reading online.
I certainly don’t want a return of the type of campaign that accompanied the Marriage Equality Bill.
We all have views that differ wildly from one another. Lucinda is entitled to her view.
Enda Kenny is now allowing a freedom of conscience vote moving away from party whip system.
Homeless children and a referendum on Housing or something similar should have taken priority over the Referendum on Age of Presidential Candidates. So much money was spent on the marriage equality bill and the three gay couples that I know have no plans to get married.
I think they are tired of everyone saying ” When is the big day ?
I wish Lucinda the best of luck.
I would vote Renua but there is no candidate in my area.
Why didn’t you run for them yourself?
More like lapdog
The Irish people have managed to break the grip of the Catholic Church on the nation..why would we go back to those sad days with Lucinda? Way past her best before date…just go away please
Watchdog, Bulldog more like! Chewing on a wasp!
She has the face for it
With the emphasis on Dog.
Lucinda is simply a weak politician, not very strong in health, taxation, world politics, economics, etc.
and when she had to endorse the will of the people she threw all her toys out of the pram and ran away.
Not sure about John Drennan’s strategy of putting out a poster campaign with a female party leader and then describing her as some sort of dog.
I know what I’d smear on her
Agree or disagree with Lucinda we need voices like hers to ask the tough questions
Yawn… Last weeks news wasn’t it? Just Lucinda trying to get her picture in the paper before crawling back under her rock…. When you’re showing lower on the polls than labour it’s pretty bad..
I’m watching lucinda…….
Sorry, Lucinda, we do not have a presumption of innocence until proven guilty, not if you’re a Republican anyway. RTÉ and the media in general take anti-Republican allegations and run with them all the way. It’s like the legal system, no need for evidence, and there’s no justice, there’s just us!
have your say