The picture shows the President queuing behind a member of the public to use the ATM.
As far as I know he's not required to do this, of course. He could have someone go for him etc.
In the UK it's very unlikely the Head of State would queue for an ATM and people who prefer the pageantry, pomp and ceremony of Royalty might feel this kind of behaviour demeans the office and is not worthy of a HoS. On the other hand, people holding more republican values might feel proud of their choice in electing a person who lives as they do.
I hadn't noticed the security thing. Ireland is neutral, guns are stringently controlled and no existing paramilitary group has a motive to assassinate the President. The security is probably there to mitigate the slightly increased risk of a 'lone nut' attack and not much else.
Thanks for the response. I was afraid I was wading into a mine field of politics that I did not understand. After reading your response I think that this is not a uniquely Irish predicament; I think this is an example of a universally "polarizing" question in any modern democracy. GWB was especially good at playing up the populist "a guy you would want to have a beer with" angle. Personally it has always been a non-issue to me. PotUS is not just like me or my friends and family and respectfully I will submit that your president does not live just like you do. I have never had a security detail escort me to the ATM and I cant imagine anyone would take my picture if they saw me standing in front of the ATM.
Comments
Sure.
The picture shows the President queuing behind a member of the public to use the ATM.
As far as I know he's not required to do this, of course. He could have someone go for him etc.
In the UK it's very unlikely the Head of State would queue for an ATM and people who prefer the pageantry, pomp and ceremony of Royalty might feel this kind of behaviour demeans the office and is not worthy of a HoS. On the other hand, people holding more republican values might feel proud of their choice in electing a person who lives as they do.
I hadn't noticed the security thing. Ireland is neutral, guns are stringently controlled and no existing paramilitary group has a motive to assassinate the President. The security is probably there to mitigate the slightly increased risk of a 'lone nut' attack and not much else.
Thanks for the response. I was afraid I was wading into a mine field of politics that I did not understand. After reading your response I think that this is not a uniquely Irish predicament; I think this is an example of a universally "polarizing" question in any modern democracy. GWB was especially good at playing up the populist "a guy you would want to have a beer with" angle. Personally it has always been a non-issue to me. PotUS is not just like me or my friends and family and respectfully I will submit that your president does not live just like you do. I have never had a security detail escort me to the ATM and I cant imagine anyone would take my picture if they saw me standing in front of the ATM.