Today's discussion about the news
Comments
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Photo from a recent cabinet meeting:
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I think I just corrected you on how long he had been in politics. It's all relative of course.
Weren't you arguing that politicians should have private conversations kept private?
1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
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The furore over Cleverley's joke is a storm in a teacup.
[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]1 -
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It's classic "banter" from someone who doesn't seem to know how to behave in any situation. I guess at least now he's moved on from foreign secretary he won't be embarrassing the country on the world stage.
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Just an experiment to see if Bluesky media will display here.
In case it doesn't, screencap below. But given the context, could these be called hostages?
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It would be surprising if a similar sentiment was not echoed in Netanyahu's government. I think this would be called ethnic cleansing anywhere else. This is as modest a proposal as was Jonathan Swift's satirical baby-eating proposal.
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"It's classic "banter" from someone who doesn't seem to know how to behave in any situation. I guess at least now he's moved on from foreign secretary he won't be embarrassing the country on the world stage."
It wasn't a joke about date rape though - it was a self deprecating joke about how he's stayed with his wife for 25 years. I really think anyone that finds that offensive needs to get a grip.[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]1 -
I'd argue that there are certain topics it's best to leave out of jokes at polite company, and date rape is one, no matter how self deprecating you think you're being. And certainly making this joke in front of a load of journalists, from papers that want to see the back of your government...it's just really idiotic.
Even then, there are better ways of phrasing then "little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night" was "not really illegal if it's only a little bit"0 -
It's not a joke about date rape though.
If I said my wife only puts up with me because I put sedative in her tea it's a joke at my expense.
Were you actually offended by his joke ? My 22 year old daughter couldn't believe anyone would be and she's the demographic most at risk - young, female and drinks in clubs. Obviously he was unwise because it's politics and it's 2023 but that's a different question.
[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]1 -
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It’s not about offence is it?
It’s not a big deal in context but I really would like the leaders of the country I am a citizen of to understand what is and isn’t appropriate in their work and I feel stuff like this, which doesn’t happen in isolation, illustrates the lack of quality people in those important positions.
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There does appear to be a healthy dose of people looking for a vehicle for their moral outrage, no?
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Things that confirm what I think, are things I like to highlight, yes.
you can make it about wokery and the lack of humour but I don’t really think that’s what it is about.
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Is it just a coincidence that wokeys don't have a sense of humour then?
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I wouldn't claim to be outraged, morally or otherwise, but I am more than a little concerned that the Home Sec lacks the judgement to know he was treading on very dangerous ground, both in terms of the subject matter and the reliability of the convention that the media event at which he made the comment was "off the record".
Ultimately, what politicians need is good judgement as there are enough "checks and balances" in the system to deal with unintended c*ck ups in terms of policy.
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I thought it was a very appropriate comment as any women with the slightest bit of sense would need to be drugged to go anywhere near him.😉
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There's nothing more cringe than people who can't land a joke claiming that it's everyone else who doesn't have a sense of humour.
1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition1 -
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I would bollock a junior for making a rohypnol joke at a networking event, I don’t see why the same doesn’t apply to a member of the cabinet.
He’s not down the pub. It’s all context, isn’t it?
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I don't think it was funny either. I just can't work myself into a foam about it.
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Don't think anyone is arguing it was witty repartee. Just that there are more important things to worry about than poorly judged attempts at humour.
1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
Very few politicians are gifted comedians. I would rather they just got on with the job.
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I'm not offended, but I think "the line" of what is advisable to say at these kind of functions is probably someway off the line where you're causing wide scale offense.
I also think your example is worded quite differently to Cleverly, more mildly.
I just find the whole thing utterly cringe inducing. The whole it's not illegal if it's only a little bit just reminds me of another often repeated line during my time at university which was equally unacceptable for polite company, about it's not xxxx if you shout surprise.
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Does anyone fancy trying to dissuade me from my view that the Netanyahu-Israeli aim is to drive the Gazans out of Gaza so Israel can colonise the country?
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Nope. This was my fear from Day 1. Reference the appropriate thread.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Interesting question re the Post Office scandal. Neidle is just using his platform here to spitball about how to deal with such a widespread miscarriage of justice, for instance through a specific Act of Parliament.
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