Labour MP refuses to apologise for calling Pfizer 'rapists'

[arista]

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/5/14/1400081559094/Austin-Mitchell-009.jpg


The Labour MP Austin Mitchell has refused to apologise for likening the US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to "rapists" over its controversial takeover of AstraZeneca.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/may/14/labour-mp-refuses-apologise-pfizer-rapists



Typical of Mitchell

[joeysteele]

He's always been rather forthright and more often than not silly in his outbursts.

[Kizzy]

He was speaking metaphorically, wow look at the ignorant hordes queuing to express their outrage at this mortally offensive word. :bored:

[smudgie]

He was a great newscaster.

[arista]

He was a great newscaster.


Sure
but the sooner he leaves the better


his good days are over

[Kizzy]

That's quite an ageist remark arista, if he is still compos mentis he can do his job.

[arista]

That's quite an ageist remark arista, if he is still compos mentis he can do his job.



Wrong others his age are not reckless

[Kizzy]

Get some perspective it was just a word used out of context that resulted in a smear campaign.

[arista]

Get some perspective it was just a word used out of context that resulted in a smear campaign.



No its not just the RAPE word
its the Fact he stands by it.

[Kizzy]

Yes he admits the correct term was rapacious .... big deal.
It wasn't malicious or used to cause anyone any offence, but of course it will be spun that way.

[Nedusa]

I quite like it when mature politicians (who are not standing for re-election) dispense with the political bull**** and say it like it is.

It's actually a shock to a lot of people to actually hear a real opinion unsanitised put out there for everyone's benefit.

Like it or not that his his view and it's a view I would wager that is shared by more than a few people. This Govt and probably quite a few preceeding this one are scared to stand up to the US on any area. that was the point Mr Mitchell was trying to make although his use of the word "rapist" was a bit questionable.

[Livia]

Sure
but the sooner he leaves the better


his good days are over

True. He's completely out of touch with the soundbite age. He's a liability to his party.

Imagine how this thread would read if a Conservative had referred to an organisation as being akin to rapists!

[Kizzy]

I quite like it when mature politicians (who are not standing for re-election) dispense with the political bull**** and say it like it is.

It's actually a shock to a lot of people to actually hear a real opinion unsanitised put out there for everyone's benefit.

Like it or not that his his view and it's a view I would wager that is shared by more than a few people. This Govt and probably quite a few preceeding this one are scared to stand up to the US on any area. that was the point Mr Mitchell was trying to make although his use of the word "rapist" was a bit questionable.

Agreed and he has already clarified the misinterpretation so it's another storm in a teacup.

[arista]

True. He's completely out of touch with the soundbite age. He's a liability to his party.

Imagine how this thread would read if a Conservative had referred to an organisation as being akin to rapists!


Bang On Right

[Kizzy]

He's not the first politician to make a grammatical mistake and he won't be the last.

[Livia]

Likening people to rapists isn't a grammatical error. An error of judgement maybe, but grammar? No...

[joeysteele]

Likening people to rapists isn't a grammatical error. An error of judgement maybe, but grammar? No...

I agree, unless you are dealing with that serious issue of rape then avoidance of ever using the word in any other context should be the norm.

[Nedusa]

I agree, unless you are dealing with that serious issue of rape then avoidance of ever using the word in any other context should be the norm.

Actually the term "rape" is latin in origin and means to snatch or grab or carry off with force.

The Romans then changed the word to "raptus" which meant carrying off a woman by force and since then "rape" is always associated with sexual assault/violence.

I agree Mr Mitchell should not have used that word in the context of one Drug Company trying to takeover another Drug company.

[Mystic Mock]

Get some perspective it was just a word used out of context that resulted in a smear campaign.

He shouldn't give the opposition ammunition then if he doesn't want people to "take it out of context" I mean I'm not even a Politician and even I know that.

[Kizzy]

Likening people to rapists isn't a grammatical error. An error of judgement maybe, but grammar? No...

Have you read the article? It was a simple mistake...

rapacious
rəˈpeɪʃəs/Submit
adjective
aggressively greedy or grasping.
"rapacious landlords"
synonyms: grasping, greedy, avaricious, acquisitive, covetous, mercenary, materialistic, insatiable, predatory, voracious, usurious, extortionate;

[Kizzy]

He shouldn't give the opposition ammunition then if he doesn't want people to "take it out of context" I mean I'm not even a Politician and even I know that.

Good for you, People shouldn't take every quote down to base level in order to score imaginary points imo.
That's not politics it's playground grandstanding.
Maybe if some expanded their vocabulary a little these errors wouldn't seem so offensive?

[Livia]

Have you read the article? It was a simple mistake...

rapacious
rəˈpeɪʃəs/Submit
adjective
aggressively greedy or grasping.
"rapacious landlords"
synonyms: grasping, greedy, avaricious, acquisitive, covetous, mercenary, materialistic, insatiable, predatory, voracious, usurious, extortionate;

Yes, of course I've read it. He furiously back-peddled. That still isn't a grammatical error. The man is a liability, and if he was a Conservative you'd be singinig a very different tune.

[Livia]

Good for you, People shouldn't take every quote down to base level in order to score imaginary points imo.
That's not politics it's playground grandstanding.
Maybe if some expanded their vocabulary a little these errors wouldn't seem so offensive?

Yes, absolutely. I'll remind you that you said this.

[Kizzy]

Yes, of course I've read it. He furiously back-peddled. That still isn't a grammatical error. The man is a liability, and if he was a Conservative you'd be singinig a very different tune.

Supposition...
Why are you nit picking? I could argue semantics with you all day... but I won't.
I've made my point.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Pillaging is a more apt word than rape perhaps

next he will be saying that there is a n-word in the log pile!

[joeysteele]

He shouldn't give the opposition ammunition then if he doesn't want people to "take it out of context" I mean I'm not even a Politician and even I know that.

He shouldn't Mock,you are right, he doesn't care however as he is standing down at the next election anyway.
Actually Labour will be the better off for being rid of him in my view.