The Words of Wisdom of Boris Johnson - Foreign Secretary

SwingsitlikeHogan

SwingsitlikeHogan

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Love him or hate him our Foreign Secretary is cast from a different mold from most. And his utterances are I think worthy of a thread of their own - as we track the wisdom of Boris Johnson from pre-referendum vote through the negotiatons; into life post-Brexit. And see how his counterparts and others overseas react.

Not sure how he'll get on as he grows into his job as Foreign Secretary, or how successful he'll be as he tries to become more diplomatic in his utterances - but we'll see.

And in this thread I'm not suggesting we debate the rights or wrongs of his statements - just his language and others reaction :)

Let's start with a couple from this week

On Freedom of Movement

It is a “myth” and "bollocks" that the free movement of people is one of the European Union’s founding principles, according to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Shortly after Mr Johnson’s interview appeared, the Prime Minister’s spokeswoman said: “The point the Foreign Secretary made in that interview was about how the concept of free movement of people has evolved over the life of the European Union.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...movement-myth-immigration-eu-uk-a7419026.html

On Prosecco and Fish and Chips

Boris Johnson has been accused of "insulting" an Italian minister in a bizarre Brexit row about who would sell more prosecco or fish and chips.

Mr Johnson had suggested Italy should back a generous post-EU deal to avoid losing sales of the sparkling wine, it is claimed.

But Italian economic development minister Carlo Calenda said Mr Johnson's approach to EU withdrawal appeared to be based on "wishful thinking".

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/poli...-with-insulted-italian-minister-a3397396.html
 
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^^^ You say you don't want to debate the 'rights and wrongs' of his statements but you selectively pick quotes to ridicule the man's phraseology.
 
drdel said:
^^^ You say you don't want to debate the 'rights and wrongs' of his statements but you selectively pick quotes to ridicule the man's phraseology.
Click to expand...

Yes indeed I did. He is our Foreign Secretary and should not be saying such ridiculous things. Any sensible things he says are getting lost in the nonsense.

The purpose of this is to see whether he is able to move from a position of saying such daft things, to one of being a diplomat and getting the recognition from others that the UK Foreign Secretary is due. Because at the moment his utterances make us a bit of a laughing stock, and no-one is taking him seriously. If he is to remain FS he has to be taken seriously.

The 'rights and wrongs' of what he says can be debated under the Article 50 thread - no point in splitting that discussion.
 
I personally think that the word "bollocks" should be used more often in diplomatic circles

might actually result in getting some things done.
 
It seems that Johnson is intelligent,comes from a background of wealth and privilege and has enjoyed an enviable education and career. However, all this seems to have left him without any humility or self awareness. All his advantages seem to have provided him a sense that he is "fireproof". Whatever scrapes personally or professionally he has landed himself in, he has known that he would land on his feet.
He now finds himself holding one of the highest offices of state in the land. At this particular time of Trump and Brexit, the last thing we want is a Foreign Secretary who indulges himself by giving gratuitous offence to the very people whose cooperation we will desperately need. He needs to rein in his ego and think about his responsibilities.
 
Why would you want a thread about one political person when everything he says or does is always related to a subject that is already been discussed to death on multiple other threads - is this the equivalent of Roland Garros for yours and Socket Rockets verbal tennis in regards "EU/Brexit" ?!?
 
Hobbit said:
Both quotes are about the EU, and you don't see a point in splitting the discussion... Mmm, now there's a good example of bollocks.
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I don't - I am only quoting what he says. Agree or Disagree with what he says if you want. My OP was about his careless use of language and how he expresses his ideas through silliness - of which he has discovered folks in the UK have found funny and endearing - but in his position as FS paints him as an idiot, rude and buffoon.

Anyway - sod it - close it.
 
Pathetic Shark said:
And long may we able to keep using the word BOLLOCKS on this forum without getting an infraction!
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I was "quoting". However the forum server employs a sweary word filter which replaces sweary words with asterisks, so if you set that off its naughty step as is swearing with asterisks to disguise your sweary word.

the fact that this word does not trigger the filter means that it is not on the naughty list
However I would only like to see it used in extreme moderation and not flung around willy nilly, so to speak

gratuitous use will still incur the wraith of The Global Moderators
 
PhilTheFragger said:
I was "quoting". However the forum server employs a sweary word filter which replaces sweary words with asterisks, so if you set that off its naughty step as is swearing with asterisks to disguise your sweary word.

the fact that this word does not trigger the filter means that it is not on the naughty list
However I would only like to see it used in extreme moderation and not flung around willy nilly, so to speak

gratuitous use will still incur the wraith of The Global Moderators
Click to expand...

PhilTheFragger, a man of Great fortitude and held in the highest of esteem By all who wish to follow in his footsteps on this hallowed forum.
However Phil, ones thoughts on the word Bollocks also known as bollox to those who use the word on a regular basis are of poor Judgement.

The use of the word Bollocks goes back to the 13th century Oxford dictionary, and was used in the first ever English bible in the 14th century. It is a word that can be used as both a negative ( Bollocks I think I have lost that ball, bollocks that lipped out). Also as a positive, ( that putt was the dogs Bollocks, you had some Bollocks playing that shot over the water).
On the course it can be used as example of today's weather " am freezing me bollocks off", although that is a bit limited to male playing Side. It can be used to ask your partner to be quiet for a bit " you have talked Bollocks for 16 holes".
The last sentance may well be pointed in Boris Johnsons direction re " talking bollocks", but using the same word, others think he is the " Bollocks".

Hope all the above " Bollockspeak" helps.👍
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Why would you want a thread about one political person when everything he says or does is always related to a subject that is already been discussed to death on multiple other threads - is this the equivalent of Roland Garros for yours and Socket Rockets verbal tennis in regards "EU/Brexit" ?!?
Click to expand...
As well as some of the bollox you have posted :whistle:
 
PhilTheFragger said:
I was "quoting". However the forum server employs a sweary word filter which replaces sweary words with asterisks, so if you set that off its naughty step as is swearing with asterisks to disguise your sweary word.

the fact that this word does not trigger the filter means that it is not on the naughty list
However I would only like to see it used in extreme moderation and not flung around willy nilly, so to speak

gratuitous use will still incur the wraith of The Global Moderators
Click to expand...

hey relax, legally we are on a sound footing ;-)

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/...er_defends_sex_pistols_in_bollocks_trial_1977
 
My favourite quotes of Bozza's go as follows.

I-I-I-I-I I-I-I-I-I I-I-I-I-I... Well-well-well-well Well-well-well-well Well-well-well-well

Bluster-bluster-bluster-bluster Bluster-bluster-bluster-bluster Bluster-bluster-bluster-bluster

*Shakes dishevelled blond hair a bit and blusters a bit more*
 
I did read in I think it was The Sunday Times that the German foreign minster was a bit tired of his 'lovable buffoon' schtick. But then again I suppose the Germans won't be overly impressed with him after his role in brexit. And probably just think he is a buffoon.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
I don't - I am only quoting what he says. Agree or Disagree with what he says if you want. My OP was about his careless use of language and how he expresses his ideas through silliness - of which he has discovered folks in the UK have found funny and endearing - but in his position as FS paints him as an idiot, rude and buffoon.

Anyway - sod it - close it.
Click to expand...

How dare you! This is what the people who voted out think (what Boris said), so he's sticking to his guns and still saying what we want him to say. Good for him. And the Proseco thing is true. Italy are selling shed load of the stuff to us over here as it is now THE goto drink of the Ladies (a la Pub Landlord voice). Sure we sell a few fish over there, but nowhere near as much as the booze the Italians are shipping over. So if they want to keep on selling it to us, they'd better play ball.
 
Crazyface said:
How dare you! This is what the people who voted out think (what Boris said), so he's sticking to his guns and still saying what we want him to say. Good for him. And the Proseco thing is true. Italy are selling shed load of the stuff to us over here as it is now THE goto drink of the Ladies (a la Pub Landlord voice). Sure we sell a few fish over there, but nowhere near as much as the booze the Italians are shipping over. So if they want to keep on selling it to us, they'd better play ball.
Click to expand...

yeh right
 
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