In this episode Dara is looking at two significant news stories from the big nations to Ireland’s east and west. At the weekend just gone, Donald Trump, Republican presidential candidate and bete noire of liberals and humane humans everywhere, survived an assassination attempt. In Germany not long afterwards, England’s national football team contested the final of the EURO 2024 tournament, and lost.
The US and England in recent years have become more and more troubled states with huge social unrest and unconvincing politics and leadership, leaving their respective citizenry highly agitated and discontented. Dara wonders if both countries would have benefited measurably more if the outcomes of both news stories had gone the other way. Would Trump’s removal and England’s triumph become unifying events for their embattled nations?
Exploring both alternate realities, different things are considered: how can an Irish person be okay with their old oppressor enjoying sporting glory? Why does the England team’s uncertain identity reflect that of the country it represents? What dark spell would be broken if Trump was no more? In what way would his supporters awaken and greet the new dawn? Wouldn’t people rather get on with their neighbours? Or never hear them?
Further to that last question Dara knows he would much prefer if the US and England were quietly and boringly going about their business.
Also in this episode, doing your best, the ripple effect, the sensitive human race, and the ugly egos of powerful men.