Is anyone else incensed...

parkview



Joined: 12/03/2009
Posts: 1123

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 13:50

After reading in the Cyprus Today that the new book shop opened by Martina Cole is suggesting that Mr Richardson a former member of the infamous Richardson Gang might be coming over to give a speech about his new book, have we become so obsessed with the cult of celebrity that a person with a background of maiming and torturing can be regarded as some kind of celebrity, what sort of message does this send out to youngsters.

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 13:54

Surely, if he is a reformed charachter, he is the best person to pass on the message to the younger generation not to fall in to the trap?

Just a thought.

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 14:07

Which one is going over, Charlie, the oldest, must be 76 at least. Presumably the talk about his book will be attended by adults.

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 14:13

Parkview



I take your point but I would hardly describe Mr Richardson as a 'modern day' celebrity. He is a published author whose book received a degree of critical acclaim. He 'did his time' and as far as I am aware has not re-offended since. I for one would be interested to hear what he had to say.



Unfortunately, I would be much more concerned about the example that current 'celebrities' set for our children e.g. Jordan, some footballers etc, rather than an 'old lag' from the 60's.



Regards



Paul

MsGarnet


Joined: 04/01/2009
Posts: 989

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 14:18

Bush and Blair are the worst war criminals on every level, this generation will ever know - yet they make billions from talking about how they intentionally, mendaciously, nefariously - had (told to "by God" of course - no taking personal resposibility from these two reprobates)! millions murdered, maimed, families destroyed, countries destabilised, et cetera - I know nothing of the Richardson family, but clearly what they did, is a drop in the ocean compared to Bush and Blair and their cohorts.........yet millions buy their books (I was in Waterstones recently, and asked why Blair's book wasn't in the War Crimes section)!

parkview



Joined: 12/03/2009
Posts: 1123

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 14:20

I wasn't thinking that youngsters would be going to the book signing I am just concerned about the image this portrays, so let me put it this way, if one of your family members had been hurt by this man would you feel that he has done his time, I am not saying he should still be in prison just that he should not be looked upon as someone who should be pulling in the crowds because of what he had done in the past.

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 15:17

Message 6.....Image to who? its way in the past. Don't know why you are so concerned. I came from the Downham estate in South London, I frequented Mr Smiths as a teenager and went to school with Richard Harts niece, so what. The Richardsons and the Krays were part of life then and everyone has moved on. Your living in Northern Cyprus for goodness sake, wouldn't exactly say that everyone is squeaky clean and not likely to be either.

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 17:14

Indeed seems a reformed character to me, or at least going straight.

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 17:17

Why all the cocern over a South London scrap dealer.

Scoty


Joined: 23/05/2010
Posts: 846

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 17:22

I am sure that more of our 'celebrities' nowadays have more influence, but is it the right kind?

Certain unfaithful football players spring to mind just as an example to all young boys what playing football and earning stupid money you can get away with. Hey, even your country will let you play for them.

An old has been, time served etc., who next to nobody knows!

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 18:50

Not incensed but totally indifferent. I could look from cover to cover of a Hello magazine, watch a TV so called celebrity show, and many things similar and not be able to put a name to a face. I only remember and admire people of substance in all walks of life plus friends and family.

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 20:33

Good to be indifferent, but wouldn't it be better for the reputation of North Cyprus, which, let's face it, has a lot of negative problems, to have someone who represented the good things in life. Maybe Mr Richardson has served his time, and I am sure if I personally knew the man I might think he is an O.K. guy now, but 'celebrity' - no.

Has he apologised to all the families he helped destroy? I don't know, I haven't followed his 'career' pre, during or post prison, but it does seem to me that he is perhaps not the best first celebrity to come over to give a talk.

And no doubt he will be selling autographed copies of his book. Now perhaps if the proceeds of salesx went to charities that help youngsters with drug problems that might be a way of putting right the past.



But I am reeally interested as to what others think. The age of the audience is not the important thing, it is the publicity for the TRNc that worries me.

cypgab


Joined: 09/01/2010
Posts: 338

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 21:44

In my response to message 6 (so it was message 7) I said



'Get real.' This is a fair comment to someone who seems to have taken issue over someone who has been properly judged and already served their sentence .



My comment has been removed without any discussion or reason given. I find that to be high handed and discourteous.



Any comments moderator, or will this also be removed?

IbrahimAbi


Joined: 24/10/2010
Posts: 245

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 21:58

But would it be OK for a time served paedophile to be invited to sign copies of his childrens' book?



Obviously I am just extending the debate here, no suggestions intended

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 22:03

Message 12...If the publicity of this person going to NC worries you then maybe you should take your concerns to the person who invited him. Judging by the other thread regarding the opening of this bookstore, there seems little concern of a potential aged ex con, book in hand, from South London arriving soon.



BTW, Lapta Old Peoples Home, housing people who are suffering from Altzheimers and Dementia, need bed linen, curtains, clothing, expecially mens and a hoist for the bath.

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 22:58

Maybe this forum is just a chance for folk to express how they feel. Obviously, everyone can vote with their feet, in the final analysis, and maybe none of them would feel they COULD express their concern to the person who invited Mr Richardson over, for various reasons.



Having read Cyprus Today and reading that some of the Eastenders cast are friends of Ms Cole, perhaps it would be more fun if they came first!



As to the last sentence of message 15, could I suggest a separate thread would attract attention and maybe a good response rather than putting it under the heading of this thread? And also tell folk where they could give such items or a phone number or such.

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 20:33

Message 16 you obviously did not get the point of my last paragraph, if I have to spell it out to you(but I suspect you already know) is put your "worries" to what is actually happening now in NC and not to a book signing by a has been.

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 20:43

Ah but I care about ALL the worries in this place. Too much heart, that's my problem.



And please start a thread for the Lapta Old People's home. I am sure there are folk who would help but who can't be bothered to read this thread.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 20:49

Maz a great cause and I hope lots can be done for them. I know lots of us do xxxx The eldery folk need our help as much as animals. We forget as we are lead to beleive the families take care of their own but having visited and realise some do not have family, yes they need help. x

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 22:30

Times are changing, Lilli, all over the world, and many societies which used to always take care of their old folk (including U.K) now have no time or energy or will to do so. So, someone has to care, and if the state won't, then it is up to the community, isn't it.



If it is Love that makes the World go Round, then it is up to us to keep it turning.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 23:35

I remain underwhelmed by the significance of this person and his book and whether or not he has paid for past transgressions. I suppose it could be said of the visit that an old lag is being brought to book !

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 23:42

Tee hee - but he is selling the book, not buying it!