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Fun Stuff => CHATTER => Topic started by: pwhodges on 03 Jun 2015, 01:36

Title: RIP Charles Kennedy
Post by: pwhodges on 03 Jun 2015, 01:36
A purely UK concern, Charles Kennedy (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32970337) was one of the most respected politicians of my lifetime, whose career was sadly brought down by chronic alcoholism - taking the future of the Liberal Democrat party with him (if he had remained leader, he would not have taken them into coalition with the Conservatives at the next election)...
Title: Re: RIP Charles Kennedy
Post by: BenRG on 03 Jun 2015, 01:55
Today's papers disgust me. They're already turning over rocks and hauling his reputation through a wood chipper. The mockery and scorn that his alcoholism got from the media clearly wasn't enough for them. Having effectively killed him, now they've decided to trash his posterity too!
Title: Re: RIP Charles Kennedy
Post by: Thrillho on 03 Jun 2015, 03:08
At the risk of sounding ridiculous - Charles Kennedy may be the most influential politician on me personally so far.

Kennedy had a relaxed charisma, a trustworthiness. It was he who got me interested in politics, and as a matter of fact, I partially voted Lib Dem in 2010 on the back of the belief in that party that I was given by Kennedy, who got their best ever result at the '05 election (a result that under other electoral systems would've got his party something like 25% of the seats in the Commons).

He seemed to me to be a man of honour, he was pretty funny, and - and this is a somewhat farcical measure, but sadly now part of the political landscape - always good fun on Have I Got News For You.

I respected Charles Kennedy a great deal, always hated the media's jokes about his alcoholism and his loss at such a young age is truly tragic.

And in fact, it was my loyalty to Kennedy that made it such a personal slight when the Lib Dems steadily exposed themselves as being as bad as other politicians over the previous five years (although I'm even revising that viewpoint but that's a discussion for another thread).
Title: Re: RIP Charles Kennedy
Post by: hedgie on 03 Jun 2015, 12:23
Even though I'm USAian, I have found this bit of news saddening.  He always seemed to me that he possessed a genuine kindness and personal integrity that isn't often found in political circles, as well as a sharp mind. 
Title: Re: RIP Charles Kennedy
Post by: Kugai on 03 Jun 2015, 14:58
Today's papers disgust me. They're already turning over rocks and hauling his reputation through a wood chipper. The mockery and scorn that his alcoholism got from the media clearly wasn't enough for them. Having effectively killed him, now they've decided to trash his posterity too!

Par for the course with most of todays Media, Rupert Murdoch and 'People' like him have much to answer for.