I found this piece sad too, but mostly because it is part of a years-long effort by progressives to understand what "really" animates Trump voters.

We already know! It is racism, misogyny and misinformation. I know that sounds condescending or whatever but it's simply what all evidence suggests.

You cannot placate these people. You cannot reach an end. Round up every refugee in camps and they'll want the next cruelty. Their 'concerns' are not about society, the economy or public safety, they're an ever moving target of fear and hatred that cannot be sated, it has to be challenged.

Sorry it ended up as so many tweets! I had intended fitting it in one haha

Eventually the government parties just gave up and called it a day because the opposition wouldn't let them get on with anything

The real opposition is rightly calling bullshit and basically just kept interrupting.

The ceann comhairle was also basically gifted the job as part of those independents and hasn't got the experience for the job, couldn't control the chamber, and is rightly being accused of not being impartial

Main government coalition is going to be FF and FG but they need a few independents to make up the numbers to be a proper majority. Those independents - despite now being in government - want to be counted as opposition and use up opposition speaking time rather than government speaking time.

Obsessed with this RTE news pic of Danny Healy-Rae where he looks like he's on the phone with Jason Bourne who has a sniper rifle trained on him.