Things I Didn't Know Still Made Me Angry

[ailbhe]

So everyone knows that the church-run state-funded school, orphanages, reform schools and other Places To Hide Inconvenient Children In Ireland were hotbeds of abuse and corruption, and now there's an official report on it. That's not what's making me angry, because really, I've been sickened and angry about it for about fifteen years now.

But on the page entitled Reaction to Irish abuse report, there's a quote from the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, a man for whom I had very little respect to begin with.

While the government can put in place procedures and measures for the protection of our children, we all in society must be alert to the dangers that exist and be vigilant to what is going on in our communities and have the courage to intervene when the welfare of a child is put at risk.

Well that's ok then.

Comments

[schmoomom.livejournal.com]

THey just make me sick. The whole "ah sure, you should have said something about it." LIke anyone in Ireland speaks up about ANYTHING.

[redshira.livejournal.com]

What the. I have tried to formulate a coherent comment but there's so very much wrong to unpack in what he said that I can't come up with anything better than laksegr;FIAH;ue;ajl;WAIUREDDSJSJD unless I rant for about half an hour and end up in a tearful migrainey mess.

[tiggsybabes.livejournal.com]

I was EXTREMELY ANGRY when the terrible child abuse tragedy came to light in Jersey last year. I was born there & lived there til I was 33. It was reported in the UK media that all the islanders knew & kept quiet. I & everyone I know, had no idea, & I felt like throwing up when I first read about it.

[iuil.livejournal.com]

Cowen is a pr*ck at the best of times

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

I hear you. I so hear you.

[webhill.livejournal.com]

Perhaps obviously I have no idea of the specifics of this but while I tremble to admit it, I have to say I don't see what is wrong with the quote you reproduce here. It's absolutely true, seems to me, that there can be laws out the wazoo regarding health, safety, abuse, or whatever, but if the people on the ground or in the field turn the other cheek, don't speak up, fail to report, etc etc, then children will continue to be abused and hurt. Officials *should* be telling people, and telling them loudly, not to be afraid of being whistleblowers, not to be afraid of reporting problems, especially when it comes to children at risk. So while certainly it's inappropriate to place blame on anyone retrospectively, the quote here seems ok to me as presented...

[ailbhe]

What happened when people complained, or tried to report abuse, was that they were ignored or silenced and in extreme cases the raping priest was moved to another parish.

[webhill.livejournal.com]

Oh. Well then clearly THAT is outrageous beyond expectation or belief. But hopefully the good people of the region have not been so spiritually downtrodden that they will fail in the future to report such things, should they occur. Because I really think every member of a society bears responsibility for the well-being of the dependent members who can not speak for or help themselves. You know??

[ailbhe]

*Now* people speak out, yes. As much as people anywhere, I think. But that's not what he's responding to. (I'm going to assume that "beyond belief" was hyperbole and not an actual accusation of lying because I think that's what you meant - if you actually meant you don't believe me I'm sure you'll make that clear).

And yes, I do believe that I am responsible for everyone around me, except where they are responsible for themselves. And I act on it, to varying degrees.

[webhill.livejournal.com]

Yes, hyperbole. I believe you of course.

[pauamma]

Same as in the US, then?

[ai731.livejournal.com]

And Canada.

[micheinnz.livejournal.com]

The fuck.

[hitchhiker.livejournal.com]

*shudder*

[pauamma]

*growl*

[cat63.livejournal.com]

there's a quote from the Taoiseach

Would that be pronounced "Tosser" in his case by any chance? I'd never heard of the bloke before but now I find myself possessed of and urge to slap him repeatedly.