At the risk of sounding like an elderly aunt looking at the modern world through her glasses, pearls clutched firmly in one hand and a scented handkerchief in the other, what’s wrong with people these days?
Specifically, that young conservative, gay Willy something, who used the Internet to send “intimate” photos of himself to someone he had never met and who turned out to be a blackmailing, honey-trapped bastard.
Gods, as my grandmother would have said, how different from the home life of our dear (late) Queen.
The fact that he is (soon to be “out”, I suspect) a member of Parliament is, of course, shocking, and the reason the story is all over the news.
One expects something better, etc. Although God knows why: if a lifetime dedicated to politics and politicians has taught me anything, it is that they are just as prone – if not more so – to the temptations that assail us all from time to time. .
Money, sex, drink, drugs: very few are immune, except perhaps William Hague, who is the only politician I have ever met who really seems to have no vices (unless you count being wildly conceited and self-satisfied). And maybe Ann Widdecombe. The rest are as susceptible as anyone else.
That young conservative, gay Willy something, who used the Internet to send “intimate” photographs of himself to someone he had never met and who turned out to be a blackmailing, honey-trapped bastard. In the photo: William Wragg.
Money, sex, drink, drugs: very few are immune, except perhaps William Hague (pictured), who is the only politician I have ever met who genuinely seems to have no vices.
Years ago, when my ex was briefly head of the Conservative party, most of his time was spent dealing with parliamentary peccadilloes, some so bizarre they defied belief.
It was quite a revelation.
I can understand succumbing to temptation after a few lemonades on a night out, especially given the intense pressures of work. Long hours, late nights, chemistry: it’s easy to see how a chap (or chapette) can lose his mind, especially when faced with the temptations of a professional trickster (as he appears to be).
But I’m afraid that exposing yourself on the Internet baffles me.
Let’s face it, the human male reproductive organ is not the most photogenic appendage. Arguably the female equivalent is even less so. But for some reason, women aren’t as likely as men to capture their nether regions on camera.
This may have something to do with the fact that the male anatomy is somewhat more accessible than the female.
Still: what the hell is wrong with them? Although I’ve never had the displeasure of being sent a ‘cursed photo’, probably because I’m at an age where I’m technically invisible to most men (and waiters), I’ve been led to believe that – requested or otherwise : they, or their variations, are common currency. To me this is simply unfathomable. How hopelessly narcissistic (or deluded) can someone be to think that others want to see a photo of their dangling parts?
I suppose it’s vaguely possible for a gym-honed Adonis, but invariably these people are not like that, and certainly not this particular MP.
I can understand succumbing to temptation after a few lemonades on a night out, especially given the intense pressures of work. But exposing yourself via the Internet, I’m afraid, just baffles me. In the photo: archive photo
But it’s not just that. I grew up in a time before image obsession, when only models and famous people were photographed. The rest of us were only occasionally in front of the camera, in school photos, at birthdays, weddings or Christmas, maybe on the beach or on vacation, or in some dreaded passport photo. Smiling like idiots, red-eyed and gangly, unlike today’s Instagram-savvy young people who snap out their best angles the moment someone pulls out a smartphone. None of us had any idea what to do in front of the lens, which is why we all looked so hilariously horrible. But at least we were authentic. And much less prone to narcissistic self-obsession.
We weren’t raised to spend hours staring at our reflections in the little electronic pool we all have now.
Certainly, vanity of the kind it takes to send a picture of the possibly least attractive part of one’s anatomy to someone for any reason other than an urgent medical reason was not as widespread.
But it’s not just that.
It’s also something porn. Internet pornography – free, unregulated and uncensored – has changed a lot in society, and none for the better. In particular, pornography glorifies, encourages, and fundamentally normalizes assertive male sexual behavior and perpetuates the myth that, no matter how much the object of desire pretends not to be interested in the man and his anatomy, he actually can’t get enough of watching him. . he.
In other words, in the land of hardcore, the one-eyed trouser snake is king.
And this is what is really at the heart of not only the MP’s case, but also the growing reports of women receiving unsolicited images.
Ultimately, why is anyone surprised that a generation of men raised on Internet pornography consider it normal to expose themselves in this way?
Not me, that’s for sure.
An unidentified mother shouts during a demonstration with others who have daughters among the girls abducted from Chibok Government Secondary School in 2014.
Never forget Nigerian girls.
Today marks a grim anniversary: ​​six months after the October 7 attacks, in which Hamas terrorists raped and murdered nearly 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped some 250, including 30 children.
But next week marks an equally dark milestone in the annals of Islamist terrorism: a decade since the Chibok school hijacking in Nigeria.
One night in April 2014, members of Boko Haram kidnapped 276 teenagers who were gathering for a physics exam.
Some escaped, but the vast majority were taken as sex slaves and forced to marry jihadists. The fate of more than 100 of the girls is still unknown.
My heart goes out to their families and to the victims and relatives of the atrocities of October 7. I pray to God that they do not suffer a similar fate.
It has been suggested that Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen’s marriage was in trouble before actress Rebel Wilson described him as a “jerk”.
Still, there’s something off-putting about the way Wilson seems to revel in the attention, especially considering that Fisher’s “friends” say Wilson’s accusations were “a catalyst” in their decision to announce their split.
Let’s not forget that this is a family breakup, with three children involved. Maybe cut back on the gloating a bit?
It has been suggested that Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen’s (pictured) marriage was in trouble before actress Rebel Wilson described him as a ‘jerk’.
Still, there’s something off-putting about the way Wilson (pictured) seems to revel in the attention
Let it go you two
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are fighting again. Who knows what the truth is about their fights?
One thing is for sure: the only people who benefit when divorce disputes continue like this are the lawyers.
As someone who is happily divorced and remains great friends with the father of my children, believe me: it is much better (and cheaper) to lovingly let go and move on.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are fighting again. Who knows what the truth is about their fights? In the photo: Together in 2015
Wisely, police Scotland said they would not arrest JK Rowling, on suspicion of violating the new hate crime law, despite her tweets claiming that several trans women were, in fact, men.
This is known as “misgendering”, something the SNP says could lead to someone being investigated.
Either SNP ministers didn’t understand their own legislation (go figure!), or the police felt that arresting JK would simply make them less popular and her more popular.
Either way, it served to underline the courage of Rowling, who, ironically, has proven to be a woman with balls of steel.
Wisely, police Scotland said they would not arrest JK Rowling (pictured) on suspicion of breaching the new hate crime law.
Thanks to London’s disgusting mayor Sadiq Khan, the speed limit in the capital is now almost universally 20mph.
This means motorists are constantly overtaken by electric bikes, electric scooters and other plug-in paraphernalia traveling at 50, sometimes 35 mph.
I wouldn’t care if it weren’t that none of these vehicles are licensed or insured, nor do they pay road tax or parking fees. When will Mr Khan’s road apartheid end?
Two officers have been rightfully fired and face prosecution after seven aid workers were killed in Israeli missile strikes in the Gaza Strip.
The Hamas fighters who raped, mutilated and murdered innocent civilians on October 7 should also face the consequences of their actions. But of course they won’t.
And that is the difference between soldiers and terrorists, and why Israel – despite the propaganda war waged against it – deserves our continued support in this unpleasant conflict.