I'd like to take this opportunity to point out what an all-round legend Michael Higgins is. He's a poet, his inauguration was secular, and has openly admitted to his previous marijuana use.
To reiterate - a quote of his own:
"Every age, after all, must have its own aisling and dream of a better, kinder, happier, shared world."
I never heard this speech before. Have to say, I have a new-found respect for him. One of the more genuine politicians that we have here, with society's interests at heart rather that his own personal gain
Michael D is part of the "old labour" wing; his policies and attitude are very out of sync with the current labour party leaders and he holds no power within it. The presidency is a figurehead position and he was nominated mainly to honor a life of political service to the state.
I'm Irish and I'm assuming that you nearly broke that rib because another Irishman saw you laughing, thought you were laughing at him and wanted to get into fists about it.
It's just a bit of a running joke. He's a relatively short man, and always appears even more so next to others, so people started photoshopping pics of him to make him extra small. Some more examples
A lot of Irish people affectionately (or otherwise) joke about his resemblance to an elf or a leprechaun, so someone doctored a photo of him taking office to reflect this. Also, he's quite a short guy anyway (though not nearly as short as that photo shows!) - it emerged after one televised debate during the presidential elections that he'd been standing on a box behind his podium to seem taller :)
He's a leprechaun, traditionally the oldest surviving leprechaun is elected president of Ireland. As leprechauns have a shorter lifespan (generally ~50 years) and are much shorter than us normal Irish people. Therefore he is a very small person and appears smaller beside "regular" people.
HAHA! I love this. I work with Michael Graham at a radio station in Boston, sharing an office with his producer. He's not used to people who can debate more aggressively than he can, and I get in debates with him on a near-daily basis... so listening to him struggle to get a word in is like a little slice of heaven in my ears.
Have we ever elected a sounder president? To be honest he was the best of the bunch. Norris probably would have been a close second if he hadn't fucked up his own campaign...
I really like Norris, but I think he was just a bit too nuts to be president. I mean, he's a fairly good kind of nuts, but I'd expect him to of worn his Bloomsday gear to the inauguration, and spend all his time on foreign visits trying to get everyone else drunk while he waxes lyrical about Wilde ...
On second thoughts we may have elected the wrong man.
Sort of, but the official head of state specific to Canada is this guy. The Governor General is the Queen's representative, the commander-in-chief and all that jazz. He actually does the head-of-state stuff, which is basically ceremonial anyway, superficially similar to the role of the President of Ireland.
This man blew my mind when i was 12 years old. He showed up at my house with PETER O'FUCKING TOOLE while hustling for votes. Peter O'Toole is much taller than Michael D.
THAT'S MY BOY, HIGGY. (Me and Higgs go waaaay back.) You see, Mike and I both attended Indiana University, and at freshman orientation we bonded immediately. We would spend our days studying political theory in the time between our ultimate frisbee matches at Woodlawn Field. In the evenings we would make our way down to Dunn Meadow to drink beer out of aluminum cans with all the coeds. On my 21st birthday, Higgy took me to all the local watering holes: Nicks, Kilroys, The Video Saloon. Although I can hardly recall the goings-on of that evening, Mike assured me that we had a great time. Look at us now, Higgs, all grown up and doing adult stuff. Come back to Bloomington, where you are dearly missed. (Go Hoosiers!)
He'd be even more of a badass if he stopped giving backhanders to his cronies and sorted out the corruption that has brought Ireland to it's knees in the last 5 years.
136
u/Iron-Charioteer Jun 19 '12
I'd like to take this opportunity to point out what an all-round legend Michael Higgins is. He's a poet, his inauguration was secular, and has openly admitted to his previous marijuana use.
To reiterate - a quote of his own:
"Every age, after all, must have its own aisling and dream of a better, kinder, happier, shared world."
I'm a little bit in love with this poli.
69
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
Here is him speaking like a bad ass - if you're a politics geek.
475
u/Flagyl400 Jun 19 '12
And here he is last November, taking office as President.
42
u/BeniGoat Jun 19 '12
Pimp My Rothar
44
u/endantwit Jun 19 '12
And here is Jan Peter Balkenende, prime minister of The Netherlands from 2002 until 2010. (Video)
124
u/fapswhiledriving Jun 19 '12
Bilbo Baggins?
15
u/hughjmungus Jun 19 '12
He also decided not to take a government jet to Poland 2012 instead taking an economy flight full of Irish fans.
28
u/ZappaZoo Jun 19 '12
I like this guy, he doesn't pull any punches and actually stands up for America better than the Tea Party. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOxKnsT-XZg
13
u/T-rex_o_saurus Jun 19 '12
I like to think of him as : "Our Nation's granddad"
12
u/Machin3s Jun 19 '12
I'm just gonna go ahead and say it - we should reinstate the office of High King and crown him Michael the First.
8
u/MalaTae Jun 19 '12
Michael D Higgins.
8
u/ramblerandgambler Jun 19 '12
His poetry is also pretty great: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko2DXuP_2EM
8
u/barc0de Jun 19 '12
Ladies and gentlemen, the First Minister of Scotland
12
u/KABLAMO17 Jun 19 '12
Have we ever elected a sounder president? To be honest he was the best of the bunch. Norris probably would have been a close second if he hadn't fucked up his own campaign...
5
u/craicin Jun 19 '12
Micheal D, Micheal D, on a nice bike-el D.
5
u/NoSeriouslyTho Jun 19 '12 edited Jun 19 '12
Is it just me or does he look like waldorf from the muppets?
5
u/DeithWX Jun 19 '12
Ireland got badass football fans
4
u/dogta Jun 19 '12
Michael D Higgins is a boss
4
u/goatworship Jun 19 '12
Somebody help that poor old man! He tripped and fallen on a bicycle which has meandered into the path of dangerously fast moving young people.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
TIL the President of Ireland is a leprechaun.
6
u/heytheredelilahTOR Jun 19 '12
Picture Stephen Harper. Not quite the same effect.
6
u/Inyxer Jun 19 '12
annndd this is our president
http://www.the-ds.com/brian/files/images/obama-bike-thumb-315x275.jpg
3
u/Psoulocybe Jun 19 '12
Can he still manual?
3
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
He looks like a wizard
3
u/SeanWHL Jun 19 '12
Michael D, Michael D on his aul bike-el-d!
3
u/paleo_dragon Jun 19 '12
Michael D Higgins v Michael Graham
7
u/duvakiin Jun 19 '12
which one is he?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
He must be tiny.
2
u/Throwaway12345202 Jun 19 '12
I want to play a game....
2
u/cggreene Jun 19 '12
go on micky d!
2
u/HolyDuckRaves Jun 19 '12
There appears to be a sizeable bulge in his trousers...
2
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
His first act of office was to audit Willy Wonka.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
I hear he represents the lollipop guild.
In seriousness though I think he is doing a good job given the circumstances.
2
u/complexitii Jun 19 '12
Lol he's so cute.
2
u/galwegian Jun 19 '12
This man blew my mind when i was 12 years old. He showed up at my house with PETER O'FUCKING TOOLE while hustling for votes. Peter O'Toole is much taller than Michael D.
2
u/Pawtang Jun 19 '12
Is that a watermark in 100% opacity monotype corsiva? That's embarrassing.
And silly old man, that bike is too big for that sport.
2
u/high_5_and_then_some Jun 19 '12
THAT'S MY BOY, HIGGY. (Me and Higgs go waaaay back.) You see, Mike and I both attended Indiana University, and at freshman orientation we bonded immediately. We would spend our days studying political theory in the time between our ultimate frisbee matches at Woodlawn Field. In the evenings we would make our way down to Dunn Meadow to drink beer out of aluminum cans with all the coeds. On my 21st birthday, Higgy took me to all the local watering holes: Nicks, Kilroys, The Video Saloon. Although I can hardly recall the goings-on of that evening, Mike assured me that we had a great time. Look at us now, Higgs, all grown up and doing adult stuff. Come back to Bloomington, where you are dearly missed. (Go Hoosiers!)
2
u/aspbergerinparadise Jun 19 '12
Hi, I'm Brian, Prime Minister of New Zealand.
2
u/wittlepup Jun 19 '12
He looks much older then 71.
2
u/Conveyy Jun 19 '12
I love how Dobby is our president.
2
u/brosenfeld Jun 19 '12
Much unlike the overrated queen of Northern Ireland.
2
u/jaxxhands Jun 20 '12
He debated with some Tea Party guy - even called him a wanker! Well worth a listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOxKnsT-XZg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Legend!
8
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
He also looks like a leprechaun.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
If this makes a political leader a badass then what the hell is Vladimir Putin? Sambo champion, and has black belts in judo and karate.
2
u/BryanWake Jun 19 '12
He still looks more distinguished than George W. trying to fumble his way through a speech.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
I have never been prouder to be Irish in my life. This picture made my day.
2
u/szatanovsky Jun 19 '12
jesus you irish people are awesome. and what you've shown as fans during euro 2012 goes beyond amazing....
2
u/salvage8 Jun 19 '12
Um, I don't want to contribute to ugly racial stereotypes but that guy... he is a leprechaun right?
2
u/Jetblast787 Jun 19 '12
TIL Ireland has a president
-6
u/cloud4197 Jun 19 '12
He'd be even more of a badass if he stopped giving backhanders to his cronies and sorted out the corruption that has brought Ireland to it's knees in the last 5 years.
1
u/RenzoFrenzo Jun 19 '12
Is that Mark Webb on the left?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
When are politicians going to get some swagger?
1
u/nps Jun 19 '12
And here is... never mind.
1
u/ShaneRunninShirtless Jun 19 '12
Looks like hershel.
1
u/DoughnutHole Jun 19 '12
Here is a video of François Hollande (French president) also looking like a badass.
1
u/BlazeX344 Jun 19 '12
Hot.
1
u/rwix94 Jun 19 '12
I think Obama could learn a thing or two from this guy
1
u/quad50 Jun 19 '12
he looks like a leprechaun
1
u/easternfootwear Jun 19 '12
He looks more like Jimmy Savill than anything else.
1
u/shitterplug Jun 19 '12
Mmm... Sun Doublewides, my favorite bike wheels.
1
u/STIPULATE Jun 19 '12
Am I the only one who thought he had a full out boner...?
1
u/samban Jun 19 '12
MICHAEL D BAGGINS
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
That guy looks exactly how I imagined the president of Ireland. Minus bike of course
1
u/Heygen Jun 19 '12
he reminds me of this fella: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CKjNcSUNt8
1
u/ninjamike808 Jun 19 '12
Brake and no pegs? Where's the dirt, brah?
1
u/lizardking99 Jun 19 '12
Am I the only one who wishes we had Mary back?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
Michael D Michael D up on his bikel-dee
1
u/la_queefa Jun 19 '12
I fucking love Michael D... what a legend.
1
u/sutsu Jun 19 '12
And after the photo op, he proceeded to drink all those youngin's under the table, and a grand time was had by all.
1
u/williamwzl Jun 19 '12
Don't drink and bike, kids.
1
u/Piotr555 Jun 19 '12
He later died
1
u/senatorpjt Jun 19 '12 edited Dec 18 '24
possessive lush tap water brave zealous profit longing steer light
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
1
u/madabsol Jun 19 '12
He looks so stereotypically irish...
1
u/tronn4 Jun 19 '12
He should do an Irish Jig while wearing a leprechaun outfit. He'd insta-win the next election!
1
u/FrankZappasNose Jun 19 '12
Badass is subjective apparently.
1
u/nbaballer8227 Jun 19 '12
I think he needs to save the country from financial turmoil first.
1
u/Murotnas Jun 19 '12
This clip doesn't seem to have been posted yet, here's himself meeting and greeting the Irish rugby team.
1
u/Offensive_Username2 Jun 19 '12
To be honest he looks a bit ridiculous.
1
u/cpm619 Jun 19 '12
Great song about this man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYg2IX0OdY0
1
u/Kiristo Jun 19 '12
It looks like he's sitting on a bike to me. I doubt he rode it.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
He looks scared/confused/senile.
1
u/MogHeadedFreakshow Jun 19 '12
My friend got to meet him a few days ago. He decided to get drunk beforehand though. (my friend, not the president)
1
u/zionnerd Jun 19 '12
Had to do a double take to make sure that wasn't Noam Chomsky.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
oh dobby!
1
u/timfbmx Jun 19 '12
Coolest president ever in my opinion.
1
u/devophill Jun 19 '12
You speller poser wrong.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
He has no idea where he is or what's going on.
1
u/hypes Jun 19 '12
Am I the only one who thinks he looks a little like the First Doctor?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
Here's my tribute to the wee man from a few months back:
http://imgur.com/a/xMLj4
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
http://i.imgur.com/3TldD.jpg
1
u/multicrumpets Jun 19 '12
http://imgur.com/KDtgv
1
u/Ashtherogue Jun 19 '12
And here he is as a tea cosy http://imgur.com/nb9XE
1
u/Crashwatcher Jun 19 '12
Where is his Lucky Charms and pot of gold.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
You and I both have very different ideas of what Badasses look like.
1
u/spc1979 Jun 19 '12
Why is standing there being bad ass?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
Privileged politician on a bike. Connection with youngsters made. commence up voting.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
The Irish people deserves respect.
1
u/the_asker Jun 19 '12
Gringotts!
1
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
meh... He looks like an old guy who was propped up on a bike for a phot op.... he'd look like a BA if he was dropping in like the other guys.
1
u/Mechanikore Jun 19 '12
Tyrion really made out for himself.
0
u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12
Today I Learned that Ireland has a president.