Thomas Creamer
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thomascreamer.bsky.social
Thomas Creamer
@thomascreamer.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.1K following 460 posts
Leitrim native with notions.
Very much a personal account, looking for a lesser evil in terms of managing the social media addiction. @tmcreamer on the other site. #speirgorm
(He/Him)
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thomascreamer.bsky.social
I am ashamed to confess immeasurable disappointment when I glanced at the name of this coffee chain in Guangzhou and realised that I had mistaken the "L" as an "F".
Photo of "luckin coffee" outlet
November 12, 2025 at 5:47 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
I can't celebrate the inauguration of my President Catherine Connolly with my usual Bulmers today, sadly, but this Chinese apple cider vinegar drink will have to do. 😤
"Apple vinegar beverage" in a green can.
November 11, 2025 at 11:58 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Came across the first Popeyes in my life just there - granted, this *is* at an airport, but I did not have the impression that Popeyes was some sort of premium restaurant chain, because this is making Dublin look downright reasonable.
Order screen for Popeyes at an airport with "popular products" - a "Maxi XL menu" meal costs €24.50, and a "Maxi Popchicken menu" meal costs €23.50.
November 7, 2025 at 9:59 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Came across the first Popeyes in my life just there - granted, this *is* at an airport, but I did not have the impression that Popeyes was some sort of premium restaurant chain, because this is making Dublin look downright reasonable.
Order screen for Popeyes at an airport with "popular products" - a "Maxi XL menu" meal costs €24.50, and a "Maxi Popchicken menu" meal costs €23.50.
November 7, 2025 at 9:56 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Almost forgot I wrote this letter responding to Fergus Finlay.

I wouldn't have picked that title myself, but I do think it is a bit of a slippery slope to argue that a threshold sufficient for Michael D. Higgins or FFG is not sufficient for Catherine Connolly.

www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/your...
"Once elected, who cares by how much?" Fergus Finlay argues that Catherine Connolly’s democratic mandate is somehow weakened because if “you divide her vote arithmetically by the size of the electorate, the answer is 25.29%”. It strikes me as a strange argument, since I recalled Michael D Higgins winning his re-election in 2018 on an even lower turnout than this year — with support from “only” 24.18% of the total electorate. Yet I do not recall Finlay being so concerned that Higgins had to feel obliged to “prove” he was an inclusive president. And if we want to continue this game further — 25.29% is also the proportion of the electorate Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael won in the general election last year, and it does not break past 27.5% even when you add in the nine pro-government Independents. No serious commentator would argue that a government should be concerned about being elected on such a share of the electorate, so I’m not sure why the presidency should be any different. Tomás Creamer, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim
November 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Harris would be on stronger grounds to claim he is treating the subject of migration sensitively if he also didn't fail to conflate aslyum seekers with migration in general.

Like, yes, it is a "point of consideration" elsewhere, yet you haven't learnt anything!

www.thejournal.ie/simon-harris...
Extract from Journal.ie article, with quotes from Simon Harris; “Migration is a legitimate public policy point of consideration in our country and across the European Union.” He said the fact that 80% of asylum applications are rejected in Ireland were what led him to believe migration numbers are too high, and said that fact “should raise a red flag for government”. He also said that general migration figures, separate from asylum applications, are also “too high”. “We can continue to go around and put fingers in ears and not listen to people if we want, but we can actually do what political leaders do – engage on topics.
October 31, 2025 at 10:49 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
I mean, there is the National Party (and a few other equally mad ones) and Independent Ireland seems to be trying to fill that space, but maybe the latter isn't yet explictly racist enough for the racists, while the National Party is just too openly racist. Basically, as per the dril tweet;
wint @dril - turning a big dial taht says "Racism" on it and constantly looking back at the audience for approval like a contestant on the price is right 6:03 AM · Mar 15, 2017
October 27, 2025 at 7:13 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Not that I have not made it blatantly obvious, but I am voting for Catherine Connolly tommorrow.

For a candidate with the legal and language skills perfect for the role of scrutinising legislation in need of constitutional review.
I'm voting for Catherine Connolly
October 23, 2025 at 4:16 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Also, if you don't believe the "raadical left", here is the literal Fianna Fáil Minister for Justice saying precisely the same thing:
Tweet from Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly), quoting Jim O'Callaghan; "💬 Jim O’Callaghan: “I've noticed in recent years from all sides of the political spectrum, criticism being directed at lawyers because of the clients who they represent. I don't think it's correct or fair to criticise lawyers because of the actions you [took] in the past… “I think it's important that we all realise that for the administration and justice to operate effectively in Ireland, there has to be parties represented by lawyers, no matter how unpopular or how unvirtuous those clients may be.”"
October 20, 2025 at 11:32 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Precisely what Rory Hearne TD proposed
Reacting to the news, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne said the idea that a company that could provide hundreds of homes a year was set to close because of a “lack of orders” was shocking. He appealed to the Government to use the Land Development Agency and “step in and buy the factory” so that it could be kept open to deliver homes.
October 18, 2025 at 1:19 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
🤔
October 15, 2025 at 9:51 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
My earlier tweet about Catherine Connolly hiring a former prisoner, in the form of a letter to the Indo.

m.independent.ie/opinion/lett...
Title: "Ní Shionnáin served her sentence - surely she is allowed to rebuild her life?" I want to clarify something – is it the view of the Taoiseach, and of commentators, that former prisoners should be denied opportunities to rebuild their lives away from violence or criminality, even after they have served their sentence? Given her qualifications, Ursula Ní Shionnáin was perfectly suited for the role of administrative support for a TD working on the Oireachtas Committee for the Irish language, and Catherine Connolly was in the right to give her a chance. I think it is much more concerning if our Government thinks that prisoners such as Ní Shionnáin should not be given the opportunity to rehabilitate when they demonstrate a willingness to do so. As a former employee of the Irish Prison Service, that seems to go against everything that I was told during my training. Tomás M Creamer, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim Published 4th October, 2025, on the letter section of the Irish Indepedent.
October 4, 2025 at 11:53 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Thank Christ, Leitrim decided to dodge that bullet!😅
Tweet from "Ireland Votes" - "BREAKING: Leitrim County Council votes not to nominate Maria Steen as a Presidential candidate 9-7 against the nomination. Yes: 5 FF & 2 IND No: 4 SF, 3 FG, 1 FF, 1 IND" Published at 2:38 PM · Sep 22, 2025
September 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Granted, I don't discount the idea that Twitter is so broken that the search function isn't working properly, but the nearest result I got with Harris was a reply to this tweet claiming he never said anything about Melissa Hortman either.
Tweet from Simon Harris, published at 6:39am on 11th September, 2025 - "The killing of Charlie Kirk in Utah is appalling and shocking. Young children have lost a father and a wife has lost her husband needlessly. Such despicable acts of violence are utterly abhorrent."
September 11, 2025 at 10:10 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Genuine question - did our Taoiseach post anything similar when Melissa Hortman, an actual US elected official, was assassinated a few months ago?
Micheál Martin, tweeting at 7:34am on September 11th 2025 - "My thoughts and prayers go to the family and loved ones of Charlie Kirk after his horrific murder in Utah. We think especially of his wife and young children today. There is no place for the gun in politics, no justification for violence in democratic debate."
September 11, 2025 at 9:44 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
I read this article (via "means").

Apparently "for most Israelis, overseas travel is not considered a luxury but a basic necessity", since "life in Israel can feel like a pressure cooker"...call me uncharitable, but it is quite staggering when you consider the situation for Palestinians.
Article written by Judy Maltz from Haaretz, published 11st August 2025: "For Israelis travelling abroad this summer, a big question: do we say where we are from?"
August 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Irish Independent extract from article titled "Enoch Burke wins Court of Appeal challenge over make-up of dismissal appeals panel", published 25th July 2025: "The judge said her finding, which was concurred with by Mr Justice Donald Binchy and Ms Justice Nuala Butler, was made due to the nature of Mr Christie’s role in the ASTI. She said Mr Christie had an “institutional association” with remarks made by ASTI deputy general secretary Diarmuid De Paor in a newspaper interview that students should be generally referred to by their preferred pronoun. The judge also said the instruction given by the then principal at Wilson’s Hospital closely mirrored advice the ASTI gave to schools on the use of names and pronouns for transitioning students. “The position adopted by the ASTI executive runs counter to the appellant’s position. In that circumstance, an apprehension of objective bias arises if Mr Christie remains on the disciplinary appeals panel,” the judge said."
July 25, 2025 at 4:14 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
This is the ideal summer weather.

You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like.
A weather forecast for Dublin for the next week, with daytime temperatures maxxing out at 20 or 21 degrees, with a couple of wet days and nights predicted for later next week.
July 25, 2025 at 7:04 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
Honestly, my own fault for checking Facebook and excepting anything better, but there are plenty of folk making comments underneath this that deserve to get in the sack* honestly.

Completely disgusting racism directed at a student in the midst of a genocide the UK are actively facilitating
Facebook post from The Telegraph newspaper - "Malak Hani graduated from school in Gaza with the second highest grade of any student in the Palestinian territories. The 19-year-old received a full scholarship to the University of Cambridge this year. But months later, she remains trapped in the rubble of Gaza and tangled inside a web of British bureaucracy. Read her story ⬇️ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/19/oxbridge-scholarship-students-trapped-in-gaza/"
July 24, 2025 at 9:45 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
For context - this was the definition in the Examiner article. That "Out of Hours" bit was a later section where they seemed to just be taking the oppertunity to go off on one about Gen Z feeling "entitled", which is what makes me suspicious about this concept. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
At the weekend, I read an article in The New York Times about ‘the Gen Z stare’ with a sense of recognition. The Gen Z stare is when a Zoomer is asked a question in a public setting, and instead of answering verbally, they deliver a passive-aggressive stare.
July 24, 2025 at 6:53 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
In case anyone thinks I am exaggerating - I'm literally describing an Irish Examiner article that does this.
More generally, I have discussed new workplace behaviours with various friends who are employers or senior managers in different walks of life, ranging from blue-chip corporate echelons to small businesses. The broad consensus is that there is a lack of understanding of how to behave in a professional context, and a marked interest in what works best for Gen Z employees. To take just one example, a refusal to take messages or calls outside of strictly defined working hours. So, if you forget to ask your junior employee a question before 6pm because your head is over a document, it will have to wait until the next day. Two minutes past six is too late, loser.
July 24, 2025 at 6:08 AM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
I mean, Bill Clinton of all people has essentially endorse Mamdani for the general, so it would be quite a turn if he suddenly decided to endorse Adams or something.
Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) - "Congratulations @ZohranKMamdani on your victory in yesterday’s primary election and a well-run campaign. I’m wishing you much success in November and beyond as you work to bring New Yorkers together to tackle the city’s challenges and shape a stronger, fairer future." 7:14 PM · Jun 25, 2025
June 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
...where do I even begin with this?

Literally how would lifting the rent cap affect the budget in any material sense? Why is that even included?
Tweet by X: "Why are these the only choices in the Sunday Independent opinion poll to this question? Why is there no option for a new income tax band on top earners? Or a new specific wealth tax, not inheritance?" Polling question: If the Government is faced with makimg hard choices in the budget given financial concerns, which of the followimg wpuld you agree with? Select all that would apply: - Introducing Water Charges - Lifting the Rent Cap - Raising the USC - Raising Inheritance tax - None of the above
May 30, 2025 at 5:16 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
There is also a history Gript has with encouraging harrassment as well.
Tweet from Soc Dem Cllr Elisa O'Donovan - "I blocked Gript Media in 2021 following a series of “stories” about me that created relentless harassment and incitement of violence towards me. Full support and solidarity with @RuthCoppingerSP for standing firm against these extremist media outlets that cause serious harm to the people their followers stalk and harass 😢"
May 8, 2025 at 3:16 PM
thomascreamer.bsky.social
www.thejournal.ie/how-misinfor...
Alternative media While many of the arguments used in fringe communities are taken from overseas, the report also highlights the popularity of Irish alternative media in groups that spread them. The report found that the most shared media within the fringe groups studies, by far, was of Gript.ie, a conservative alternative media site. The report noted more than 78,000 shares of Gript articles – often on the topics of health, LGBTQ+ issues and immigration. “Since the beginning of the anti-immigration protests in November 2022, Gript has published an average of 48 posts per week across Facebook, Twitter (X), YouTube, Telegram and Instagram that reference this topic,” the report says. “Four of the ten most-shared URLs within the immigration topic linked to articles from Gript and five of the most-viewed YouTube videos within this topic were published by Gript”.
May 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM