Osborne in autism jibe - Page 2

SlackDad · 03-10-2006, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntiSilence

They may well be misunderstood, but that doesn't mean that everyone should get offended about it.

Maybe not, just adds to the lack of understanding.

AntiSilence · 03-10-2006, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlackDad

Maybe not, just adds to the lack of understanding.

A fair point

**Damien** · 03-10-2006, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlackDad

A bit generous there Chris. The journalist's comment was quite blatant and Osborne being a politician should have had the sense to see it for what it was. He could have just as easily suggested that he wasn't going to make jokes about autism or ignored the comment completely, but instead used it to make a cheap jibe at Brown. Both are to blame but the difference is you would expect it from the journalist, not the politician.

I think the difference is that the journalist made a joke but at no one. Osborne used it to make a joke about Gordon Brown. So Osborne is more in the wrong even without the fact he is in a position of responbility. That said I think it is a overaction.

Although if it was a Labour Minster saying it the reaction would be worse

Stu038 · 03-10-2006, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlackDad

That would be so unjust

I'm glad you agree with me

**Hugh** · 03-10-2006, 18:53

And here it is from the journalist's viewpoint (in today's Times) - if only the context had been reported at the time.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...9-2385602.html
Tasteless, yes - but surely no offence was intended

By Mary Ann Sieghart

"Nobody in the room took it as more than a joke, albeit a slightly tasteless one.
I thought no more about it. I knew that the columnist Robert Harris had already suggested in print that Mr Brown was a tad autistic, and it is an epithet that plenty of politicians and journalists have used lightly about the Chancellor. He does, after all, have an obsessive personality and rather low emotional intelligence. That is why the audience laughed: Mr Osborne’s joke resonated with them."

**Chris** · 04-10-2006, 09:07

I have moved several posts from this thread into a new one entitled 'Tory Economic Policy (or lack of?)', as there are two distinct discussions now going on.

Could we keep this thread on the topic of autism now please.

etccarmageddon · 04-10-2006, 09:48

cheers Mr T

**Hugh** · 04-10-2006, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by etccarmageddon

cheers Mr T

Pity the fool going off-topic when Mr T's around, fool!

hatedbythemail · 04-10-2006, 12:41

well everyone is coming out of this smellingh of roses. labour apparently believes suggesting one of its advisers was once a tory is worse http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....over_joke.html

**Hugh** · 04-10-2006, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatedbythemail

well everyone is coming out of this smellingh of roses. labour apparently believes suggesting one of its advisers was once a tory is worse http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....over_joke.html

I thought the government since 1997 had been carrying out Conservative policies, so obviously some of it's members had been Tories!