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Author
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Topic: Need only the mealymouthed apply?
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skeptikool
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11389
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posted 25 February 2006 04:41 PM
London's mayor, Ken Livingstone is in hot water and faces suspension for his comparison with fascism when he reportedly asked an Evening Standard reporter, Oliver Finegold, whether he had ever been a "German war criminal". The mayor, allegedly, went on to describe Finegold's employer, Associated Newspapers, as "a load scumbags" and "reactionary bigots who supported fascism"
The mayor, known as Red Ken, as a member of the Greater London Council, (abolished by Margaret Thatcher) delighted in being a pain in her butt.While the mayor refuses to apologize, the issue appears to have been blown out of all proportion and stinks of caving in to a vocal minority seeking to pounce at all opportunities. Some may see fascist excess in the legal costs equivalent to $160,000 Canadian with which Livingstone has been saddled.
From: Delta BC | Registered: Dec 2005
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skeptikool
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11389
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posted 25 February 2006 05:02 PM
unionist asks:
quote:
While my sympathies were with Ken on this issue, I could be swayed... Tell us more about this "vocal minority". Who would that be, skeptikool??
Ha! You're not sucking me in on that one! We're not told what "provoked" the mayor's angry question. One thing certainly, the reporter got a story out of it. I quoted an AP article published in today's Vancouver Sun - if any wish to read more. [ 25 February 2006: Message edited by: skeptikool ]
From: Delta BC | Registered: Dec 2005
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skeptikool
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11389
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posted 25 February 2006 05:42 PM
ok Mr, Magoo. You win. It's a group of Gypsies (and perhaps some of the Jewish faith) who have come to believe that others may just enjoy a special, more-favored status when insulted or facing other forms of public disdain.Now, having answered your question, do you have any OTHER commentary on the topic?
From: Delta BC | Registered: Dec 2005
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skeptikool
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11389
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posted 25 February 2006 11:10 PM
In the opening post, note the reference to "stinks of". I would rather posters referred to the topic that I introduced than look for a bigot for the board to gang up on. I Googled the Evening Standard and didn't find this story but encountered controversy regarding its "doom and gloom" presentations. Mayor Livingstone may have felt justified in his confrontation with the reporter. Some can certainly be thoroughly obnoxious - as can mayors, of course. Whether Muslim, atheist, Christian, Jewish, feminist, gay, politician, of a minority or majority, or whatever, does not inoculate one from being a total horse's ass.
From: Delta BC | Registered: Dec 2005
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rici
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2710
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posted 25 February 2006 11:36 PM
Also being discussed here.Red Ken's explanation of why he won't apologize is available courtesy of the BBC The mayoral reception in question: quote:
The exchange with an Evening Standard journalist happened as the mayor left an event marking 20 years since Chris Smith came out as the first gay MP.
... which might provide some background for Livingstone's remark about the Evening Standard's policy for which mayoral receptions they choose to send reporters and photographers to cover.
From: Lima, Perú | Registered: Jun 2002
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skeptikool
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11389
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posted 26 February 2006 01:34 PM
rici,Thank you for the greatly informational links.
Being reported yesterday, caused me to initiate this thread. Not surprisingly, with so many topics under discussion, things will be missed. I'd have preferred commenting in the previous thread - which is excellent reading, as is Livingstone's answer in the BBC link. The reporter typifies the paparazi at its worse. It appears he was part of "his" media's homophobic assault on the celebration of the 20th anniversary of an M.P.'s "coming out" - a first for a U.K. Member of Parliament.
From: Delta BC | Registered: Dec 2005
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unionist
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11323
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posted 26 February 2006 02:50 PM
quote:
Originally posted by rici:
Red Ken's explanation of why he won't apologize is available courtesy of the BBC
Thank you so much for this link, rici. Livingstone's statement is both moving and inspiring. It provides a complete refutation to the right-wing hysteria generated by the Daily Mail group and its allies in government. By the way -- because these things seem to matter to so many people -- I am the child of parents both of whom were the sole survivors of their respective extended families, who were murdered in that part of the Holocaust that targetted European Jews. Those who attack Ken Livingstone should do so on their own behalf -- not in my name.
From: Vote QS! | Registered: Dec 2005
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