Saturday 15 March 2014  The land of the Left -- where only laws
they like apply  Having their cake and eating it: President
Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina must decide whether the
office of president is neutral or not. Photo by Gareth Chaney
Before the inevitable criticism starts let me be clear on one
thing - I voted for Michael D Higgins for President. As much as
I may disagree with much of his politics, he was the best of a
bad lot.  I don't think I've ever been less enthused when I've
entered a polling booth. But I assumed he would be a good First
Citizen - and the least likely to embarrass us on the world
stage. Even on those issues where I would profoundly disagree
with him, he conducts himself with a dignity and reluctance to
demonise his opponents that is unfortunately rare on the Left.
Running an election campaign based on a personality and
political viewpoint that would then automatically be silenced is
one of those absurdities of a job that is about as essential as
a parachute on a boat.  B