http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/kevin-myers/kevin-myers-oil-conjures-up-every-lazy-stereotype-of-the-ruthless-multinational-plundering-our-assets-2487579.html

On Monday, in The Irish Times, Fintan O'Toole wrote a piece arguing that there were vast resources of oil and gas all around Ireland, and suggesting that the government should bring in more taxes for companies exploring our waters.

Today in the Irish Independent, Kevin Myers has surgically dismantled Fintan O'Toole's piece, and ridiculed his argument.

I thought I'd attach the link, for anyone who's a fan of Kevin Myers, or just good writing, or for anyone who finds Fintan O'Toole to be an unbelievably smug, sanctimonious and over-opinionated tool. That is...95% of the population or so.

Seamus89 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 3848 - 07/01/2011 15:59:11    841516

Its hard to trust a man with "no tool" in his name

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12295 - 07/01/2011 16:02:04    841523

Of course Kevin Myers is the very paragon of fair minded and 'honest' journalism!

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 07/01/2011 16:03:24    841525

o'toole is not my cup of tea and never has been- one of these fellas who know everything after it happened, basically the man is a stone thrower and nothing else. In his piece in the times you have to sift through the nonsence regarding greek philosophers and poetry to get to the point every day- i love the way he think he can speak for the public. myers is a legend he is seriously intelligent so he just calls it as it is

liathroidboy (Mayo) - Posts: 4921 - 07/01/2011 16:15:14    841538

surgically dismantled Fintan O'Toole's piece, and ridiculed his argument

I dont think so, it was an average enough article from a writer I often find quite obnoxious to be honest. Would explain some of your posts though if Kevin Myers is someone you look up to.

Goodfella, Tir (None) - Posts: 1652 - 07/01/2011 16:15:14    841539

95% of the population dislike O'Toole??
I doubt it very much
Fintan O'Toole has had articles featured in many US newspapers and has been heard on national Public radio in the USA. Nobody has ever heard of Kevin Meyers outside of Ireland.

josh.samuels53 (USA) - Posts: 48 - 07/01/2011 16:36:56    841565

Kevin Myers talks a lot of sense, he has no time for left wing tripe, a straight talking journalist that argues in facts. His article about feminist groups ignoring the plight of Muslim women was among the best I've ever read.
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/kevin-myers/kevin-myers-muslim-girls-are-covertly-prepared-for-forced-marriage-yet-the-feminists-stay-silent-2485661.html

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 07/01/2011 16:39:12    841568

O'Toole is a wonderful writer, possibly the best Irish journalist currently working.

And to show how balanced I am, I actually like Myers.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 07/01/2011 16:56:14    841591

patrique
County: Antrim
Posts: 11085


And to show how balanced I am, I actually like Myers.

You're an old fashioned rightist deep down eh? God, you had me fooled.

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 07/01/2011 17:14:29    841622

josh.samuels53- you confirmed by point he is well regarded in america i.e the mecca of bull****. o toole is not that intelligent as i say he is a stone thrower- myers would make you go 'wow' he highlights hyprocracy like that stuff about the muslims- is hard hittin and too the point. o toole has never told me anything i diont know already and for 80k a year from the times for an hours work a day i think he is poor value for money, myers is a thinking mans journalist and his intelligence is something to behold it would be like in football terms kerry and carlow. read o tooles ship of fools and you reaction to it will immediately define your intelligence

liathroidboy (Mayo) - Posts: 4921 - 07/01/2011 17:33:47    841654

O Toole is smug, Meyers obnoxious. I don't need either of them to help form an opinion. Give me the facts and I will do that for myself.

roundball (Tipperary) - Posts: 2514 - 07/01/2011 17:35:10    841657

Josh, just because people aren't known outside ireland does that make them worse than somebody who is? For example im sure very few people outside Ireland know of Giles, Dunphy and Brady's analysis of soccer games, but does that make it bad?

77981301 (UK) - Posts: 79 - 07/01/2011 17:37:05    841660

Absolutely spot on from Kevin Myers.

paddyogall (Mayo) - Posts: 5110 - 07/01/2011 17:48:07    841675

Seamus89
County: Kilkenny
Posts: 575


I thought I'd attach the link, for anyone who's a fan of Kevin Myers, or just good writing, or for anyone who finds Fintan O'Toole to be an unbelievably smug, sanctimonious and over-opinionated tool. That is...95% of the population or so.

I have no reason to doubt your figure of 95%, just wondering where you sourced it

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 07/01/2011 18:39:22    841730

Is Kevin Myers a Fianna fail voter ? Just asking !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 07/01/2011 18:47:46    841736

A few replies:

Sergeant Slash-yes, brilliant piece yesterday alright. Myers is the only journalist, or one of the only journalists, to dare the challenge the sort of multi-culturalist dogma that someone like O'Toole would propagate. I wonder how Fintan's anti-establishment stuff will go down in a 100 years, when we've a majority Islamic population and Sharia Law is on the books. Some one said that O'Toole's only gift was being wise after the event, and that's very true. When it comes to immigration and Islam, Myers is very much a voice crying out in the wilderness, whilst The Tool just pumps out the usual liberal, open borders, 'every culture and religion is equal' crap.

Patrique-you think O'Toole is better than Myers? Seriously? One column a week, versus five columns a week, and even then every one of Myers' columns will always trounce O'Toole's sole column when it comes to originality of topic, clear reasoning of his argument and literary style. There is no competition between the two, just as there's no competition between Kilkenny hurling and Antrim hurling.

Goodfella, Tir-yes, I do look up to Myers, though I often disagree with him. When it comes to exposing and highlighting the murderous activities of Sinn Fein-IRA, Kevin Myers has been without par. I'd imagine that's what you were getting at when you said what you did.

Josh Samuel-I have no doubt whatsoever that Kevin Myers would have succeeded had he stayed in Britain and went into journalism there, or had he went to the States. Fintan O'Toole has had things published in other countries? So what? Myers had a regular column with a British newspaper for years and years. Just look at the two of them, and compare...I think most non-liberal lunatics will say that Myers is better.

Dhorse-I just plucked that figure out of the air. I'd imagine it's accurate enough though. What do you think?

Seamus89 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 3848 - 07/01/2011 19:01:05    841745

I'd say that opinions on which journalist is the best depends on which way you vote yourself and nothing more !!

If i write an article putting down F.F. i would be popular with other parties and if i put down F.G. i would have backers too !!

Its up to individuals to decide what is good journalism and whats not !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 07/01/2011 19:17:54    841763

Seamus89
County: Kilkenny
Posts: 576

"I just plucked that figure out of the air"

------------------------

With such an eye for detail and truth that you so obviously possess, perhaps Myers could get you a job at the Independent, the paper could do with someone of your integrity.

artisan (Down) - Posts: 1794 - 07/01/2011 19:45:04    841779

Seamus89
County: Kilkenny
Posts: 576



Dhorse-I just plucked that figure out of the air. I'd imagine it's accurate enough though. What do you think?

I reckon that closer to 95% of the population would have no idea about either of them as they have not appeared on Xfactor, Match of the day or winning streak.

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 07/01/2011 20:12:42    841798

Is this about Wrestling?

miketyson (Limerick) - Posts: 2748 - 07/01/2011 20:25:40    841809