The Words of Wisdom of Boris Johnson - Foreign Secretary

[IanM]

Publish and be dammed eh?

Get the police eh? Oh how we laughed.... any other similar stories about? Surely only racists would say ....

 

[Hobbit]

Sorry - just no way Brian - it was not a mistake and the risk that it could be interpreted as ridicule of Muslim women (quoting Iain Dale) would have been pointed out to him. But publish and be damned - he have said - knowing full well that in the darker nether regions of the party as well as that same part of the wider electorate - it would have been welcomed and praised - as indeed it has been.

It's almost as if the main thrust of his article has been ignored and that he is advocating an anti-naqib/burka position. And so the man builds and strengthens his position and popularity making it even harder for May or the Tory Party to castigate or censure him.

If he meant it he should never have a prominent lead role in the government of this country. If he did not mean it - then by his incompetence and insensitivity - he should never have a prominent lead role in the government of this country.

C'mon Hugh, neither of us knows for certain if he meant to insult muslim women or not. Personally, I think he's very excitable and occasionally is prone to make huge gaffs. Being a politician he doesn't know how to admit he's wrong and apologise.

What does worry me, and not just with Boris, is that there seems to be an increasing number of idiots becoming MP's/politicians. They are getting traction with the electorate, quite often with sound bite politics akin to Boris' gaffs.

 

[Slime]

Before the article was published Johnson knew exactly what he was doing and knew the very likely response - therefore it was premeditated. The fact that he has not apologised for what he could have said was a silly misjudgement - that he has said he will not apologise - and that he has run away on holiday whilst this continues and destabilises further Mrs May surely tells us all.

Now you're just making yourself look silly.

 

[hors limite]

Double standards/hypocrisy.Leavers have complained bitterly about being criticised as ill informed and driven by an anti immigrant agenda. In turn, they say that this criticism is insulting and makes them harden their resolve and be less likely to reconsider their position. Now that Bojo has chosen to make a perfectly valid argument but to sprinkle it with insulting comments which may upset the Muslim community, Leavers are lining up to defend his right to free speech.
Don't they see that their champion is guilty of precisely the behaviour that they, when on the receiving end, have disliked so much?

 

[Tashyboy]

Double standards/hypocrisy.Leavers have complained bitterly about being criticised as ill informed and driven by an anti immigrant agenda. In turn, they say that this criticism is insulting and makes them harden their resolve and be less likely to reconsider their position. Now that Bojo has chosen to make a perfectly valid argument but to sprinkle it with insulting comments which may upset the Muslim community, Leavers are lining up to defend his right to free speech.
Don't they see that their champion is guilty of precisely the behaviour that they, when on the receiving end, have disliked so much?

I voted leave, I haven't criticised, I don't have double standards
i haven't said this critisism is insulting, but my resolve has been hardened by the remainers moaning of the forthcoming Brexit apocolapyse.
and I don't see any comparison between Bojo and the Rammel you have said trying to compare your left hand with your right.
for the record, it seems the voters are in support of Boris, ( but no one asked me).

 

[Hobbit]

I voted leave, I haven't criticised, I don't have double standards
i haven't said this critisism is insulting, but my resolve has been hardened by the forthcoming remainers moaning of the forthcoming Brexit apocolapyse.
and I don't see any comparison between Bojo and the Rammel you have said trying to compare your left hand with your right.
for the record, it seems the voters are in support of Boris, ( but no one asked me).

In a poll published today 60% of responders are in support of Boris for speaking out. However, he is still behind Theresa May in popularity, although 50% of responders don't want either of them as PM.

Bearing in mind no political party has recently polled anywhere near 50% of the votes in an election it would appear that he has support from more then just Tory supporters.

 

[Tashyboy]

In a poll published today 60% of responders are in support of Boris for speaking out. However, he is still behind Theresa May in popularity, although 50% of responders don't want either of them as PM.

Bearing in mind no political party has recently polled anywhere near 50% of the votes in an election it would appear that he has support from more then just Tory supporters.

Am a bit perplexed Hobbit, are the supporters in vote of what Boris said, or are they in support of free speech or both. listening to some on here that makes 60 % of the Joe public, ill informed, racists from all parties. Do some support what he has said coz they want the Brexit that was promised by the Tories ( who never thought it would be voted for ). The same Tories that are making a pigs ear of it and think he could do a better job. Come what may Boris,Burka, Brexit is not getting any clearer.

 

[Hobbit]

Am a bit perplexed Hobbit, are the supporters in vote of what Boris said, or are they in support of free speech or both. listening to some on here that makes 60 % of the Joe public, ill informed, racists from all parties. Do some support what he has said coz they want the Brexit that was promised by the Tories ( who never thought it would be voted for ). The same Tories that are making a pigs ear of it and think he could do a better job. Come what may Boris,Burka, Brexit is not getting any clearer.

The poll had a number of questions, including his thoughts on the naqib and in more general terms about freedom of speech. They supported his comments, and a subsequent question/response was that an even greater majority are concerned about the increasing loss of the freedom to speak out about controversial issues.

Personally, I think that if someone is going to speak out about something controversial, this being a prime example, it has to be done with sensitivity. It is a debate that should be had but I think Boris was clumsy with his throwaway comments. Its a shame really as elsewhere in the piece he speaks in support of wearers but then makes an absolute pig's ear of it. It could be argued he is actually sitting on the fence. He writes that he doesn't agree with the ban elsewhere but then makes derogatory comments.

 

[MegaSteve]

The poll had a number of questions, including his thoughts on the naqib and in more general terms about freedom of speech. They supported his comments, and a subsequent question/response was that an even greater majority are concerned about the increasing loss of the freedom to speak out about controversial issues.

Personally, I think that if someone is going to speak out about something controversial, this being a prime example, it has to be done with sensitivity. It is a debate that should be had but I think Boris was clumsy with his throwaway comments. Its a shame really as elsewhere in the piece he speaks in support of wearers but then makes an absolute pig's ear of it. It could be argued he is actually sitting on the fence. He writes that he doesn't agree with the ban elsewhere but then makes derogatory comments.

Think he sometimes overplays being the buffoon...

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Double standards/hypocrisy.Leavers have complained bitterly about being criticised as ill informed and driven by an anti immigrant agenda. In turn, they say that this criticism is insulting and makes them harden their resolve and be less likely to reconsider their position. Now that Bojo has chosen to make a perfectly valid argument but to sprinkle it with insulting comments which may upset the Muslim community, Leavers are lining up to defend his right to free speech.
Don't they see that their champion is guilty of precisely the behaviour that they, when on the receiving end, have disliked so much?

Spot on.
You can also add BBC bias and 'no plan B' to your double standards list.

 

[IanM]

https://twitter.com/mralfredgarnett/status/1027967710888644608?s=21

There you go. Guardian said it...silence. Boris said it, faux outrage.

 

[Tashyboy]

Ian M. I am offended. 😂

 

[Hobbit]

Ian M. I am offended. 

You can’t be offended because I am professionally offended on your behalf. I will apply for a grant from the local council to set up a support group. You may be entitled to counselling for the trauma.

IanM must be a narrow minded bigot... but wait a minute. He is now victimised. I must be professionally offended on his behalf.

Sorry Tashy but the local council have now withdrawn your funding and you are now listed as a banned organisation.... what? Corbyn wants to invite you to tea at the House of Commons! You are oppressed?! Diane Abbott wants to know if there’s more than one Tashy... maybe several hundred?

You can’t be oppressed, there’s a waiting list to get on the oppressed list. Perhaps the UN will intervene? Maybe you could invite them round with a peace keeping force but that might construed as favouritism.

 

[Tashyboy]

You can’t be offended because I am professionally offended on your behalf. I will apply for a grant from the local council to set up a support group. You may be entitled to counselling for the trauma.

IanM must be a narrow minded bigot... but wait a minute. He is now victimised. I must be professionally offended on his behalf.

Sorry Tashy but the local council have now withdrawn your funding and you are now listed as a banned organisation.... what? Corbyn wants to invite you to tea at the House of Commons! You are oppressed?! Diane Abbott wants to know if there’s more than one Tashy... maybe several hundred?

You can’t be oppressed, there’s a waiting list to get on the oppressed list. Perhaps the UN will intervene? Maybe you could invite them round with a peace keeping force but that might construed as favouritism.

I was just gonna say the same thing.The world is full of gunnas and offended.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

In a poll published today 60% of responders are in support of Boris for speaking out. However, he is still behind Theresa May in popularity, although 50% of responders don't want either of them as PM.

Bearing in mind no political party has recently polled anywhere near 50% of the votes in an election it would appear that he has support from more then just Tory supporters.

I don't actually think that many are complaining about him speaking his mind - and all the right wing outrage about this being about the lefties and liberals wanting to restrict right wing freedom of speech is confected outrage. The issue is about him not apologising for upsetting women who wear that attire. We can all say what we want - that's freedom of speech - but we must accept that sometimes that might result in some comeback. And that is what he is getting.

So what are these 60% actually supporting? He spoke out and said that a burka/niqab ban would not be right for the UK. Are they supporting that? Or are they supporting his jokey comments about the attire. Are they supporting someone being rude and not apologising? Johnson could easily have simply said that he found felt uncomfortable seeing women wearing the burka/niqab - and that didn't really understand why woman would chose to wear it. And that would have been just fine and he would not have made it personal. It's by making it personal - mocking wearers not the garment - that is his 'error'. Except it's not an error - because his error has had exactly the divisive effect he wished. Stirring up resentments and divisive comments against the muslim community and outrage against curtailment of freedom of speech when it is nothing of the sort. As a very high profile politician Johnson has a responsibility to be careful about his language - he was not - he has been hugely irresponsible - all for the good of Johnson and nobody or nothing else.

 

[Old Skier]

The 60% are most probably supporting the fact that someone has had the gonads to say something even though they may not like the way he said it.

The right/left wing are always outraged when things don't go their way and then there are those who are just outraged for the sake of being outraged and use every medium they can to display their outrage.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The 60% are most probably supporting the fact that someone has had the gonads to say something even though they may not like the way he said it.

The right/left wing are always outraged when things don't go their way and then there are those who are just outraged for the sake of being outraged and use every medium they can to display their outrage.

He could easily have spoken his mind about the attire without making it personal. I have misgivings about the burka and niqab - and do feel a bit uncomfortable with it - and so just to be clear I will say that I don't really like the burka or niqab and they makes me feel uncomfortable. But I would not mock women who wear it, and Johnson could have just as easily have taken that approach - unless that is - by doing so he knew that he words would not have had the effect that he desired.

 

[SocketRocket]

He could easily have spoken his mind about the attire without making it personal. I have misgivings about the burka and niqab - and do feel a bit uncomfortable with it - and so just to be clear I will say that I don't really like the burka or niqab and they makes me feel uncomfortable. But I would not mock women who wear it, and Johnson could have just as easily have taken that approach - unless that is - by doing so he knew that he words would not have had the effect that he desired.

He said it and it's over, why keep on and on about it. IF people just left it alone it would go away.

 

[User62651]

He said it and it's over, why keep on and on about it. IF people just left it alone it would go away.

Boris is now joint favourite to be next Tory Leader (maybe PM). I dont think he wants it to go away, he's the new Farage, hero of the older right scooping up the former UKIPers. Playing a game and doing well but all about him as usual.
4.5% of the population are muslim, as many as all of Wales, 3rd and 4th generation now, not immigrants anymore. They are here because of our colonial past. Maybe Boris should think about that more carefully before opening his mouth and letting his belly rumble, worse written and proof read by his team pre-publishing.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

He said it and it's over, why keep on and on about it. IF people just left it alone it would go away.

Because he has deliberately caused upset and divisive debate as aa vehicle for building his support in the electorate and his quest to replace May as leader of the Conservative Party and to become PM. I suggest that he quite his job as Foreign Secretary because he feared he was losing out in the early jostling for position in the race to replace her; he could not say what he knew would strike a chord with many of the electorate and Tory Party members - he could not blow the dog whistle that would have them flocking to his side.

This is not something that can just be ignored as fuss over nothing.

If it was a 'nothing' then where was his apology for inadvertently upsetting a section of our community. None was forthcoming and he said he wouldn't. Why? Because he wanted his 'misspeaking' to be seen by his target audience as nothing of the sort - and once he had them onside an apology of any sorts was out of the questions - one never being on the cards in any case.

He knew exactly the reaction he'd get - he got it. And he got the divisive debate he wanted over a subject that is frankly of not that much importance compared with the other huge issues facing the country. That matters not a jot to Johnson. The attire of a tiny % of the population of this country has served it's self-serving purpose.

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson should be rejected by all who care about our democracy. The 'obnoxious right' are now shouting that complaints about what he wrote is an attempt to close down their freedom of speech - they want to be able to say whatever they want abut Muslims.

And so this morning we find Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson - looking a complete mess - wearing ludicrous shorts and shirt - smugly and innocently offers tea to journalists. Oh what a jolly plain speaking fellow. I don't think so. We tolerate him and pander to his every whim at our democratic peril.