If you didn't laugh, you would probably cry about how the main opposition party keeps getting itself in such a mess over something so basic.

I have avoided starting threads about Labour anti-semitism in the UK forum as it's such a depressing subject.

If you can't laugh at some of this bollocks you would spend your life in suspended depression.

On anther funny note



You think he would know better than to pose with a blank piece of paper! Hehe

Why don't you post that article if you wish to see a serious discussion about the issue? I on the other hand felt like putting up a satire piece. I cannot help to think you are trying to somewhat derail this post to fit with the fact you do not seem to appreciate satire.

....between real life and satirical political news these days

We have reached the stage where Spitting Image puppets from the 80's look more appealing, with more integrity than than the politicians of today.

"Ken Livingstone resigns to spend more time with Hitler" could be seen as unnecessarily inflammatory. It got a silent eyeroll from me.

And that's from someone who's no defender of Labour, and long ago despaired of Livingston's loudmouthed antics, which detract from any valid points he may have, to the point where he'd be better off not bothering (Gaby Hinsliff's article mwooldri linked above covers many of the bases of my own reactions). Oh, and I'm fond of satire in the right context, whatever that may be.

I don't think what mwooldri did there was an attempt at "derailing". All over DU, people challenge OPs and/or add background information every day. It's part of what keeps the place ticking over. A thick skin is sometimes necessary when reading responses.

On my last forum - which also had right wing voices I got heartily sick of what I assume are white middle aged men telling me my posts would be so much better ...if only I did what they thought was correct. I find it irritating but I had a very stressful day at work and I may have overreacted slightly.

On Ken, a long time ago when he was still MP in Brent he behaved in way towards me that was really nasty. I was young and trying to do my job and he got right in my face for the camera for London news media. The people who were being effected by certain government changes came to my defence because they knew how hard I had fought for them, but to him I was easy fodder for the base. It was horrible. He is not a nice man. And I did read the article. Gaby is not wrong.

My main memory of Livingstone is from way back in the GLC "Red Ken walks on water" days, when I knew a number of younger people living in London who appreciated what he was doing in office, but I could see him being a bit of a bully at times. It seems that side of his personality just got stronger over the years.

As for satire ...

Link to tweet

One could say the joke wasn't in super-good taste; but then Ken isn't very good taste either. (And this is from someone who ardently supported him in the 80s when I lived in London and Maggie was abolishing the GLC).