While I agree with you almost entirely
I've limited sympathy for Brown - he had to apologise not for being wrong but for being a fucking idiot in saying what he said whilst being the prime minister of the country . In that position you don't say "my, what a bigot" any more than you say "Silvio is a shockingly corrupt whoremonger and borderline paedophile, don't you think?" ... no matter how true either might be.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 13:40, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

He said what he said in private.
So I will alter my statement slightly. I would have refused to apologise whilst kicking the cunt who leaked the tape right in the face.
( Kroney, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 13:43, Reply)

no, he thought he was in private.
for you or I, that's an excuse. For the prime minister of the country, that's no excuse at all.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 13:46, Reply)

Another reason why I shall never be a politician.
For me, the office of Prime Minister makes me Prime Human.
( Kroney, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 13:47, Reply)

You are Lord Voldemort
AICMFP
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 13:56, Reply)

See above
He should have known better than to not check the incredibly basic fact that his microphone was off, but everyone has to be able to switch off sooner or later. He's not on Big Brother and he's only human. The rules that the media impose upon modern-day politics are not what he's been used to dealing with during his career, and not, in my opinion, what they should have to get used to.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 13:45, Reply)

no, they shouldn't have to, but they do.
and they know they do. I don't like the rules any more than you, but if they can't hack the rules, they shouldn't play the game. I've got a soft spot for Brown - he's the last decent economist we've had in any serious position of power, for a start - but absolutely no sympathy there. He fucked up, and he knows it.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 13:48, Reply)

I agree with both of you, which is why I'm posting my reply in between, like a sexy political sandwich
I suppose my complaint is with the media more than anything else. I disagree with the notion that we should be privy to every aspect of our politicians' lives, if only because no-one under that kind of scrutiny can be expected to do their job well. I also hate the way Sky jumped on what he'd said as if he'd just advocated ritual sacrifice. The woman WAS a bigot. No, he should not, being mindful of the importance of public appearance, have said so. But who are Sky to assume that the nation as a whole would be outraged by it?
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 13:55, Reply)

you're totally right
the media are cunts. Sky especially so. See also - banging on like the moral guardians of the world because a footballer did a swear and then fucking constantly repeating the footage for the next ten minutes whilst going "we're sorry this is offensive but it's important you see it" ... if it's offensive, stop fucking showing us. Anyway, who are you to tell me that a 13 stone neanderthal skilled only in booting a pig's bladder saying "fuck" is offensive? isn't that up to me? ...

*rant over*
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:00, Reply)

it was completely not important that anyone saw it either
such a non-event
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:05, Reply)

I fucking hate the advent of 24 rolling news channels
There isn't enough news to go around, so let's over-sensationalise whatever's out there and blow it out of all proportion. People are stupid, they'll lap it up.

And, what's worse, they do.

As regards what Rooney did, he should have known better by the same measure that Brown should (I know it's not the same thing in terms of their profession, but nor is yelling down a camera the same as thinking your mic's off) but he has nonetheless been made an example of by a terrified FA, struggling to adapt to the new rules laid down by their main source of funding.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:06, Reply)

Oh, I know what you're saying about Rooney
It's a valid argument, but not the only one. I don't for one second see why he should regard himself as a role model, for a start. If your children are swearing on the football pitch that's your fault as a parent, not Rooney's. You might as well say that if all things people aspire to are role models, we need a "professional rock stars association" handing out 4 gig bans every time your guitarist snorts coke of some groupie's tits. I'm sick of this obsession with everything being someone else's fault, Darth. It's pathetic.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:15, Reply)

I couldn't agree more, TMB
"My child is overweight, it's not my fault, it's the junk food adverts all over the TV" - who lets him watch the TV and who gives him pocket money? If your child eats crap outside of the house, give him healthy food within and make a correlation between the two apparent. Ban the adverts? Ban your fanny until you can look after what plops out of it
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:19, Reply)

Blimey!
Its all getting a bit serious on here today innit?
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:21, Reply)

ban your fanny.
That shall be our political slogan when we take over the world.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:21, Reply)

We'll need a party name too
Something with a mission statement, but broad appeal. How about the "We've got your kids party"? Works on two levels.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:23, Reply)

Darth has no use for one

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:23, Reply)

Everyone needs a political slogan, Sporters

(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:26, Reply)

Fuck 'em all

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:26, Reply)

You see this, this right here, and no reason other,
is why you're not Prime Minister
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:30, Reply)

This is a good thing for the rest of the country

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:31, Reply)

Nonsense
You'd be an awesome PM. Obama could do with being a mite less serious, being called a bender at a G8 summit is exactly what he needs.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:44, Reply)

you talk a disturbing amount of sense
what are you doing here?
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:23, Reply)

This^
I didn't come on here for reasoned discussion and knowledge. I want strikethroughs and name calling.....and tits
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:27, Reply)

Fine
You're a wanker tit

Happy?
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:29, Reply)

Perfectly

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:30, Reply)

Sorry sir.
I'll get back to calling Darth a screaming Mary forthwith.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 15:20, Reply)

This month's When Saturday Comes
has an excellent editorial and several articles on this given the Sky anniversary. I commend it to you.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 14:34, Reply)

They're the rules of the game
and if you want to play you have to abide by them. Brown couldn't do that. It was indicative of his unwillingness to change and learn if you ask me
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 13 Apr 2011, 13:49, Reply)