"Acting the maggot": A primer.
On Pierre Poilievre's cryptic reference to Justin Trudeau's Private School Daze.
So-and-so “snaps back” is an instance of a loathesome American neologism. It’s a lazy, TikTok-type headline euphemism of the kind that has been spreading throughout the Anglosphere in recent years and dumbing down the vocation of journalism, which is doing a splendid job dumbing down all by itself without the aid of this sort of thing.
As in Christian Horner snaps back at Nico Rosberg about Sergio Perez in awkward exchange, which is about some fuss at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. Or DeSantis snaps back as heckler calls him a ‘fascist’, which is about something that happened over the weekend that’s about what you’d think it’s about.
Or Snapping back must’ve felt good but Trudeau shouldn’t feed the trolls, which was the headline on a Macleans magazine opinion piece during the 2021 federal election, noticing that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had “sunk into a shouting match with a streetside boor.”
Late last week it was Trudeau snaps back at Poilievre jab about his teaching career during heated debate, which morphed into questions about the way Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre “snapped back” (Good Lord now I’m doing it) at Trudeau in the House of Commons: “The high school drama school teacher. . . if he were made of chocolate he would eat himself. . . and he left right in the middle of a semester and I’m having a little trouble remembering why.”
This was immediately construed to mean that Poilievre was covertly insinuating that there was some credence to be afforded a “conspiracy theory” that was making the rounds four years ago. The story goes like this.
During his time as a teacher at the posh West Point Grey Academy in Vancouver, Trudeau had involved himself in an untoward liaison with a student. This fact about his abrupt mid-semester departure is not publicly known owing to a non-disclosure agreement.
Backstory: In October, 2019 I was made privy to correspondence from Academy headmaster Clive Austin in which he attested to complete certainty that there was absolutely nothing to the story, or conspiracy theory, or rumour, or speculation.
In Austin’s recollection, Trudeau told him near the close of the 2000-2001 school year that he was harbouring a desire to return to Montreal at some point in order to re-enrol in university. And that’s why Trudeau left when he did.
Trudeau parted on good terms with the school, and “at no time was there a need for any non-disclosure agreement to be contemplated or entered into by the school at the conclusion of Mr. Trudeau’s tenure at WPGA,” Austin noted.
Subsequent rumours or third-hand accounts alluding to Trudeau’s alleged illicit dalliance are occasionally brought to my attention. None have been accompanied by anything rising to so much as a shred of evidence.
Anyway, now there’s speculation or a conspiracy theory or a story that has turned to disfavour Poilievre, to the effect that his reference in the House to Trudeau’s leave-taking from the Academy was intended to resuscitate the “defamatory” non-disclosure agreement story, or rather non-story. At a press conference Monday, Poilievre took pains to assert that by referring to Trudeau’s abrupt departure from the school, he intended no such thing.
“It is just a fact, and this prime minister has a track record of not completing what he starts and bragging about what he hasn’t done, and that has spilled over into his policy positions.” Like the Trans-Mountain pipeline - $27 billion over budget and still not completed - and Trudeau’s promises about an electrification economy and mines that don’t get dug and climate-change targets that don’t get met and so on, Poilievre told reporters. “You’ll have to ask him why he left that school.” Here’s the Global News clip if you like.
Believe or disbelieve Poilievre as you want. It seems to me that in either case, which is to say to one degree or another, no matter his intent what Poilievre was doing in the House was a thing that is known in the Holy Land (not Israel the other one) as “acting the maggot.” This is a distinctly Irish expression that I’ve long thought would enrich the lexicon of political discourse in Canada.
And so, because I am weary of this newsletter being solely devoted to backstory and inside-story insights into the depths of incompetence and betrayal and dishonesty and creepiness to which our political class has sunk, I thought I’d lighten things up with 14 examples of the usage of “acting the maggot” in various newspapers from The Auld Place. I do so to familiarize Real Story subscribers with its expansive range of utility and to suggest a consideration of the expression’s potential applicability in Canada.
GARDAI need to “blitz” the streets of Dublin 24/7 to eliminate the problem of “feral youths acting the maggot,” it is claimed.
Temple Bar boss Martin Harte called on more Gardai to stamp out the scenes that have shamed the city in recent weeks as it emerged that some pubs are shutting early to avoid the chaos.
“I think it's the only way to stamp it out and get rid of it. It's all auld shite really, there's no need for it.
“It only adds aggro late on in the game. I'm all for it if fellas are acting the maggot, raising their hand or throwing little things.” - Kerry GAA legend Darran O'Sullivan favoring sterner penalties for tomfoolery in sports.
Hundreds of trainee gardai were reportedly placed on 24-hour lockdown after alleged antisocial behaviour at a charity event at the Garda Training College in Templemore, Co Tipperary in recent weeks.
It is understood to have involved around 200 officers, and it's believed misconduct took place during an afterparty. A source told the Irish Mirror: "A few of the students were acting the maggot and ultimately seniority decided to punish everyone. It didn't seem fair really."
Investment in €140 million cheese plant stalled in planning row, Dáil told.
Concerns are growing that judicial reviews are becoming a new instrument to “frustrate and delay” major production and infrastructure projects, the Taoiseach has told the Dáil. Micheál Martin said the range of projects currently held up “has to be a cause for concern overall” because it has resulted in investment challenges and problems with job creation.
Independent Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath accused “idealistic people” in An Taisce [the National Trust] of acting the maggot, “which is damaging our economy and causing devastation for young farmers.”
A number of hay bales were targeted by vandals in a field in County Cork over the weekend.
The bales in question – about 10 in total – had their netting ripped off, with three rolled out onto the ground and two more tipped over. The field is located between Fermoy and Mitchelstown, according to the owner of the bales, Dave Hawe.
“I was down taking the dog for a walk on the Monday morning when my uncle rang me telling me ‘you’d better ring the guards, the netting is cut on the bales’. I rang the guards then and they came out. The guards said that hopefully it was just someone acting the maggot,” Hawe said. “I have my own baler and tractor so it’s not the end of the world.”
Gardaí investigate after Kenmare homes hit by hail of baked beans
Gardaí are confident they have identified one member of the group responsible and will follow up on the matter.
“We think it’s a bunch of kids, between 14 and 16, with bugger all to do with their lives,” local woman Chris McEvilly told The Kerryman. Sgt Derek Fleming of Kenmare Garda Station says Gardaí don’t believe at this point that there’s a sinister motive behind the incidents and that these are, instead, cases of “young fellas acting the maggot rather than anything against the person in the house.”
Allow anonymous complaints to tackle anti-social behaviour in Mayo
The possibility of allowing anonymous complaints in an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour will be considered by Mayo County Council. A new anti-social behaviour policy for the county is being compiled and will come before members of the housing committee on October 14.
Councillor Neil Cruise said there are the few bad apples who are persistently causing issues. Council policy, he said, was 'light touch' and mired in red tape. It should be simple: “Three strikes and you're out.” He added: If you are acting the maggot in an estate, on the third warning you’re on your bike.”
A Gilford schoolgirl is set to take to the stage in a leading role for RTÉ’s Toy Show The Musical in Dublin next month.
Clare Keeley is one of three girls who will play the lead character Nell in this brand-new, original Irish musical at The Convention Centre Dublin, which opens on December 10. The Toy Show Executive Producers said: “These young girls are extraordinary; they each embody Nell’s character from head to toe. It’s honestly like they were born to play this role. Singing, acting, dancing, and acting the maggot. . . all at once.”
Rassie Erasmus has been banned AGAIN for acting the maggot on Twitter.
On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of the Ireland and Australia teams ahead of Saturday's test at the Aviva, and we hear from Andy Farrell.
Family living in fear after mysterious 'woman in white' appears in home. The spooky figure has appeared a number of times this week.
A father-of-three has pleaded for a priest to visit his home immediately after a mysterious "woman in white" appeared on their staircase and in their kitchen. Declan Doyle, 42, claims his wife Kellyann will not stay alone in the house in Avoca, Co Wicklow, after a series of spooky events earlier this week.
The family claim a female apparition appeared at the top of their staircase on Monday. A short time later his wife and sons say the same figure reappeared in the kitchen of their home in Brook Meadow.
"This woman was on the stairs and my son was on the landing. She has long blonde hair, in her late 30s and she was wearing a white dress, like something they would have worn back in the 50s or 60s.” She had her two hands in the air and she was looking in the sky.
"This is not acting the maggot. This is the truth. I have three young kids at home and the wife and she won't stay in the house alone. I'm not afraid but the chaps and the missus are terrified."
RAGING mountain infernos like those that have ripped through five counties in recent days are usually started by “people acting the maggot” — and not barbecues or climate change, it is claimed.
Experts, who for years have watched a “minuscule” number of people responsible for deliberate acts of carnage being convicted, insist the State doesn’t care about what happens up on higher ground. As fires destroyed thousands of acres across Kerry, Cork, Galway, Down and the plains of the Curragh in Co Kildare, Padraic Fogarty from the Irish Wildlife Trust told the Irish Sun:
“All this talk of barbecues causing the fires is nonsense, it’s ignoring what experts have been saying for a long time. Fires don’t start naturally in Ireland. . . It’s quite possible some are caused by people acting the maggot.”
Best-selling author Roisin Meaney has revealed how she was called a “dirty slag” by a “young pup” as she was walking into town minding her own business.
The Limerick-based writer who is currently working on her 20th book, recalled the nasty incident in a Twitter post that garnered dozens of supportive messages. “Walking into town earlier, three young pups, 12 at most, coming towards me acting the maggot,” she wrote. “When the two in front reached me, one yanked my beanie off my head. I whirled and grabbed it back, and the third called me a dirty slag as he passed.”
A MAN in Portlaoise hospital phoned the gardaí at 2.30 a.m. to arrest him but when they arrived, he said he didn’t want to be arrested.
However, the gardaí were informed by staff that the man had been highly abusive to nurses and doctors. Just over a month later, on 18 February at 3.20 a.m., gardaí were called to the man’s home, where he was found in a highly intoxicated state and had to be arrested for his own safety.
Arising from both incidents the 23-year-old was before a recent sitting of Portlaoise District Court last Thursday. The court was told that the man had 12 previous convictions and that gardaí have been dealing with him for the past seven years.
Judge Andrew Cody said: “Doctors have a difficult enough time as it is. The hospital has enough to be doing without having to deal with people like this acting the maggot.” The judge went on to convict the defendant of threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour in the hospital, and handed down a six-month suspended sentence.
There's been a baby boom in Dingle as three penguin couples have welcomed five chicks in recent weeks.
The search is now on to find names for Oceanworld Aquarium's newest fluffy residents whose parents were brought to the area from England last year.
Aquarium director Kevin Flannery said their good health is due to the fresh fish on the menu. A local fishing vessel donated four tons of sprat for the birds. He said that the babies are "growing quite rapidly" and within a few short weeks "they'll be wandering around the place acting the maggot."
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I suppose you could say that, after a fashion, this newsletter is an instance of acting the maggot.
THE END.
There are at least four completely different questions at play here: Is there enough evidence against Trudeau stemming from his time at WPGA -
(1) to take to trial on a criminal charge of corrupting a minor? Obviously, no.
(2) to take to a professional disciplinary hearing for teachers? Obviously, yes; though whether you would get a "conviction" and if so what the penalty might be is anyone's guess.
(3) to trust your daughter with Trudeau in a private setting (when he was single, in his 20s, and not under the gaze of politics)? That, I suppose, is for every parent to judge. I wouldn't.
(4) to "disqualify" him as a candidate for political office? By Trudeau's own standards, obviously yes. He has disqualified candidates for far less than being excessively handsy with minors. This guy's character, as revealed by nearly everything he does, is so repulsive I have a hard time understanding why anyone votes for him still.
Wondering, is it wrong for me to enjoy Poilievre's jabs at this PM? I also quite enjoyed his answer to the questions, for it is "just a fact". And facts seem to matter little anymore in this political climate.