Sir, – Congratulations to Kathy Sheridan on her piece "Negativity has leached into the nation's pores" (Opinion & Analysis, February 24th).
It certainly seems to me that the constant criticism of everything being done either by Nphet or the Government is pervasive in our society. The media, and in particular both radio and television, are out to feed a frenzy. Good investigative journalism I’m all in favour of but unfortunately our current media are falling over themselves in negativity, bleak news headlines and a competition in trying to trip up politicians and officials day in and day out.
I hope I’m not alone in believing that our politicians and all those both in the public and private sector who are in any way involved are doing their damnedest to get us through this pandemic. If they make mistakes on the way, that is inevitable. I think we should remember that to err is human. It is good to remember that none of us alone have all the answers and that there are many elements to the solution, chief among them being the vaccine.
If I am to believe that the vaccine is being administered as fast as we are getting it, and I have no reason to believe otherwise, isn’t that good? As far as I’m aware there is nothing within the Government’s capabilities that can speed up delivery. So let’s try a little positivity. Let’s be optimistic. It sure beats the hell out of negativity and being down in the dumps constantly. – Yours, etc,
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C McNAMARA,
Templeogue,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – It certainly is so much easier to be sitting on the Opposition benches than on the Government benches and trying to lead the nation through this terrible pandemic.
The Opposition TDs do not have to make any hard and often very unpopular decisions. They have the luxury of appearing on news bulletins with well-worn and divisive soundbites after the Government has made more lockdown announcements.
We are in uncharted waters with this virus and we all need to steer the ship with constructive ideas and possible solutions. – Yours, etc,
MARY BARRETT,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.
A chara, – A once-prominent football pundit made for himself a long and successful career, extending far beyond sports commentary, by following a simple game plan – when results are poor, vehemently blame the manager (or government, or whatever), whose ineptitude strains credulity and who must be dispatched as soon as possible; when results are better, credit is to be confined strictly to the players (or the general public or whatever), those heroes and veritable titans, whose hard-won victories are achieved despite their manager’s criminal shortcomings.
This narrative of lions led by donkeys is flexible and always serviceable, and has come into its own during the present pandemic. RTÉ radio interviewers are skilled practitioners. However, Opposition politicians have brought the ploy to its purest form, and their howls of outrage on any and every issue should be carefully studied by all fledgling media commentators and ambitious populist politicians. – Yours, etc,
NEIL CRONIN,
Mallow, Co Cork.