Paddy Ashdown RIP

LoveCurryPies · Post by **LoveCurryPies** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 8:13 pm

Announced he had cancer a few weeks ago. Sadly lost his fight rather quickly.

taio · Post by **taio** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 8:14 pm

RIP.

(LCP, sorry beat me to it)

ALP · Post by **ALP** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 8:16 pm

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 8:19 pm

RIP Paddy.

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 9:44 am

R.I.P
Old school public servant.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:45 am

Had a 13 year career in the Royal Marines during which time he commanded a section in the elite Special Boat Service.
Always had my respect.

R.I.P Sir

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:31 am

RIP. Always liked him.

Cirrus_Minor · Post by **Cirrus_Minor** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:41 am

RIP.
I can't say I liked though.

basil6345789 · Post by **basil6345789** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 1:24 pm

Paddy Pantsdown

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 4:42 pm

This individual is so typical of some people in public life, so let’s share some of the other side of Ashdown:

Ashdown married Jane Courtenay in 1962. The couple had a son, Simon, and daughter, Katharine, along with three grandchildren. In 1992, following the press becoming aware of a stolen document relating to a divorce case, he disclosed a five-month affair with his secretary, Patricia Howard, five years earlier from which he acquired the press nickname 'Paddy Pantsdown'.

So for all his slimey persona there was and is the dishonesty of cheating on his Wife, Son and Daughter.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 4:59 pm

Not going to quote either of the two previous posts as they are disrespectful to someone who has recently passed away.
I'm sure many of still have a little smile when we remember that "Sun" headline, but they have no place on an "obituary" thread, and if we're going to castigate everyone who's had a short affair with their secretary (or similar) and got caught then a lot of obituaries will need to be re-written.
Is it only people in public life who have short term affairs? Not from what I see and hear.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:11 pm

nil_desperandum wrote:Not going to quote either of the two previous posts as they are disrespectful to someone who has recently passed away.
I'm sure many of still have a little smile when we remember that "Sun" headline, but they have no place on an "obituary" thread, and if we're going to castigate everyone who's had a short affair with their secretary (or similar) and got caught then a lot of obituaries will need to be re-written.
Is it only people in public life who have short term affairs? Not from what I see and hear.

Clearly the truth hurts with some people.

brigante · Post by **brigante** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:14 pm

Ashdowns to ashes

taio · Post by **taio** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:15 pm

nil_desperandum wrote:Not going to quote either of the two previous posts as they are disrespectful to someone who has recently passed away.
I'm sure many of still have a little smile when we remember that "Sun" headline, but they have no place on an "obituary" thread, and if we're going to castigate everyone who's had a short affair with their secretary (or similar) and got caught then a lot of obituaries will need to be re-written.
Is it only people in public life who have short term affairs? Not from what I see and hear.

Precisely - it's bad taste and like dancing on someone's grave.

Aclaret · Post by **Aclaret** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:26 pm

Not what you expect on a RIP Thread but each to their own I suppose.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:26 pm

taio wrote:Precisely - it's bad taste and like dancing on someone's grave.

Nonsense but what is bad taste is condoning or ignoring the cheating on you family by a public figure.

Also the blatant disregard for standards, when people put themselves up for office part of their public responsibility is to lead by good example and not by low life standards.

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:42 pm

Remember him be ing announced leader of New Liberal (and David Steele having been gutted). He was a breath of fresh air on the political scene for years and Liberals best chance of gaining power... though he'd lost a lot of his popularity when the affair came public (it mattered back then that people were honest). In later years he looked like a broken man, convinced he could have changed the country and that the rest of us were getting it wrong without his guidance, much the same as football managers and ex-players become world beaters in the studio.

Not someone I voted for but I think on balance a good man of the level we need in today's shambles of politics if he was on the scene now I'd probably have voted him (in his prime) given the level of intellect served up by the options now. All in all the world is slightly worse off by his passing. RIP Paddy

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 6:50 pm

South West Claret. wrote:Nonsense but what is bad taste is condoning or ignoring the cheating on you family by a public figure.

Also the blatant disregard for standards, when people put themselves up for office part of their public responsibility is to lead by good example and not by low life standards.

Other than being outed for an historic extra-marital affair, which, let's be honest, isn't exactly an uncommon occurrence in people's private lives nowadays, in what areas of public life did he set low standards?
Do you trash the reputations and legacies of (e.g.) PMs Churchill and Major on the same grounds?

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 6:56 pm

nil_desperandum wrote:Other than being outed for an historic extra-marital affair, which, let's be honest, isn't exactly an uncommon occurrence in people's private lives nowadays, in what areas of public life did he set low standards?
Do you trash the reputations and legacies of (e.g.) PMs Churchill and Major on the same grounds?

More nonsense, so you think that simply telling the truth is wrong now.

Just go’s to show where your standards are then.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 6:56 pm

South West Claret. wrote:Nonsense but what is bad taste is condoning or ignoring the cheating on you family by a public figure.

Also the blatant disregard for standards, when people put themselves up for office part of their public responsibility is to lead by good example and not by low life standards.

Low Life is a bit over the top. Did his wife forgive him?

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 6:59 pm

tim_noone wrote:Low Life is a bit over the top. Did his wife forgive him?

Irelivent as to what his wife did or did not in the circumstances.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:06 pm

South West Claret. wrote:Irelivent as to what his wife did or did not in the circumstances.

For 'Irelivent' read Irrelevant.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:06 pm

South West Claret. wrote:Irelivent as to what his wife did or did not in the circumstances.

Is that so....

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:09 pm

tim_noone wrote:Is that so....

Quite so.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:12 pm

South West Claret. wrote:Quite so.

I don't recall him ever going to prison for such a deed..

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:19 pm

Dazzler wrote:I don't recall him ever going to prison for such a deed..

Well your memory’s right but not sure what prison has to do with it either.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:22 pm

South West Claret. wrote:Well your memory’s right but not sure what prison has to do with it either.

Think about it 'perfect' poster...

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:23 pm

South West Claret; John 8; 3-11.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:24 pm

Rip paddy. I'm sure you are forgiven for any misdemeanours in your life...safe journey

Billy Balfour · Post by **Billy Balfour** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:35 pm

South West Claret. wrote:Irelivent as to what his wife did or did not in the circumstances.

Unless the affair had implications for our national security, which it didn't, then it should have remained a wholly private matter between the individuals concerned. Weird moralising Mary Whitehouse types need not get involved.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 8:36 pm

South West Claret. wrote:More nonsense, so you think that simply telling the truth is wrong now.

Just go’s to show where your standards are then.

I didn't mention anything about truth nor did I say that I approved of his conduct, I was simply implying that the majority of us - as fallible humans - are not capable of attaining and maintaining the impeccable moral standards that you have obviously adhered to throughout your blameless life.
Well done you.
(I'm aware of most of my own shortcomings, and the wife is usually able and quick to point out those that I'm not already aware of).

Bfcboyo · Post by **Bfcboyo** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 9:13 pm

South West Claret. wrote:Nonsense but what is bad taste is condoning or ignoring the cheating on you family by a public figure.

Also the blatant disregard for standards, when people put themselves up for office part of their public responsibility is to lead by good example and not by low life standards.

Are you serious!

Low life standards would be bringing up someone's failures as news breaks they have passed away. How is life up there on the high ground , enjoy the fall down sunshine.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:21 pm

PAddys secretary was obviously SWC's mrs!

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:28 pm

South West Claret. wrote:So for all his slimey persona there was and is the dishonesty of cheating on his Wife, Son and Daughter.

Man has affair shocker. Grow up and have some respect to somebody who has recently passed away. If you didn't like him then don't post at all.

He was a good public servant and the country was well served by him. Not just in politics but in the armed forces and his work for the UN too.

RIP Paddy

Stayingup · Post by **Stayingup** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:32 pm

A proper chap and politician. Makes todays MP's look like squabbling children. RIP

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:32 pm

Billy Balfour wrote:Unless the affair had implications for our national security, which it didn't, then it should have remained a wholly private matter between the individuals concerned. Weird moralising Mary Whitehouse types need not get involved.

Some on here seem to want to ignore things like truth, lies, cheating and acting totally out of order by a public figure.

No mention of moralising or Mary Whithouse either so get your facts right and stick to the point if you do bother to comment.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:38 pm

nil_desperandum wrote:I didn't mention anything about truth nor did I say that I approved of his conduct, I was simply implying that the majority of us - as fallible humans - are not capable of attaining and maintaining the impeccable moral standards that you have obviously adhered to throughout your blameless life.
Well done you.
(I'm aware of most of my own shortcomings, and the wife is usually able and quick to point out those that I'm not already aware of).

I suggest once you get sarky as in your post above you have well and truly lost credibility.

Bfcboyo · Post by **Bfcboyo** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 2:25 am

Only person who has lost any credibility is you South West Claret.

And you probably realise now sharing old trashy news we already knew decades ago upon a man's death is as low as it gets. Best thing to do would be to acknowledge this and put the shovel down. Your acting like a teenager digging up dirt after a decent not unblemished politician has passed away.

Would you be so quick to tar your own family members murky history upon their deaths?

THEWELLERNUT70 · Post by **THEWELLERNUT70** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 1:09 pm

Great to see some top hats out again on this thread ( yep I'm being sarcastic )

Utterly pathetic

Billy Balfour · Post by **Billy Balfour** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 1:21 pm

South West Claret. wrote:I suggest once you get sarky as in your post above you have well and truly lost credibility.

Blimey. This is a bit rich coming from you. You mustn't have any self-awareness whatsoever.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 1:48 pm

One post re-balancing all the usual rhetoric associated around these national press news items of these "so called fine outstanding public figures" using words like Truth, Honesty Etc and the "cloth clap" dippers" go ballistic..."Quite remarkable" as another Spitting Image puppet Dave Coleman would say.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 1:57 pm

“Cloth cap dippers” ?

Have you not embarrassed yourself enough you obnoxious pr-ick ?

Billy Balfour · Post by **Billy Balfour** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 2:24 pm

South West Claret. wrote:"cloth clap" dippers"

Cloth cap dippers? You really are a condescending prick.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 3:37 pm

Abuse now.

You two have completely lost control.

ontario claret · Post by **ontario claret** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 9:00 pm

To err is human, to forgive divine. On the eve of His birth, remember that Jesus said to let those without sin to cast the first stone. And we are all DEFINITELY sinners.

ontario claret · Post by **ontario claret** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 9:01 pm

Besides, I quite liked his politics. He sought to bring people together. The world needs more of his type.

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 10:24 pm

South West Claret. wrote:Clearly the truth hurts with some people.

Most of the 20th Century's greatest figures were not exactly 100% faithful partners, from David Lloyd George through to Dwight D Eisenhower, Elvis Presley to Salvadore Dali, Lucian Freud to Frank Sinatra, Muhummad Ali to Nelson Mandela and two of the most notorious " Ladies Men " were Martin Luther King and John F Kennedy, whose philanderings were legendary !

CaptainKirk · Post by **CaptainKirk** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 10:37 pm

SW Claret, you really need to stop digging yourself into that hole.
I have only just logged on but it seems like you dropped a quick “look at me” comment and now are stuck in a hole of your own making.
The man had a varied and successful career and has now died far too soon - have a little respect please.

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 10:43 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:PAddys secretary was obviously SWC's mrs!

Well, the geography doesn't rule it completely out, if SWC's user name is any guide !!

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 11:07 pm

I wondered when religion was going to be quoted plus other public figures for some desperate reason..and as for hole digging I think there are quite few already down one on this thread.

Try and have a better day tomorrow it's Christmas Day you know, and a Healthy New Year.