Joey Barton

[kingfunk]

He is a scumbag thug, like his family. If he wasn't playing football, I'm sure he would be in jail.

[dww]

He is a scumbag thug, like his family. If he wasn't playing football, I'm sure he would be in jail.

I think really the point of the article was that writing people off as a 'scumbag thug' is unhelpful. Seems a fair enough point to me. I don't like Barton but I wish him well in his efforts to make himself a better person.

Doesn't mean I like his actions or want to see more mud slinging from him on Twitter.

[Red_Polo]

He is a scumbag thug, like his family. If he wasn't playing football, I'm sure he would be in jail.

You're probably right, but I'm pretty sure the people who constantly harp on about him being scum in the media are only making matters worse / making it harder for him to change.

[Fredo]

You're probably right, but I'm pretty sure the people who constantly harp on about him being scum in the media are only making matters worse / making it harder for him to change.

[Vermilion]

You're probably right, but I'm pretty sure the people who constantly harp on about him being scum in the media are only making matters worse / making it harder for him to change.

100%. Many of them know it too.

[Kenneth]

You're probably right, but I'm pretty sure the people who constantly harp on about him being scum in the media are only making matters worse / making it harder for him to change.

is it their job to make it easier? Or do they have any moral obligation to do so?

[kingfunk]

He is an idiot. Anyone that sticks a cigar in a kids eye, and repeatedly punches and kicks a drunk defenceless person the street deserves everything he gets.
Aswell as been a scumbag thug he is a jumped up ****, and so so lucky to have such a career. I despise him, what a role model for kids, he should be banned from football for life. He has had is chances.

[Fredo]

He is an idiot. Anyone that sticks a cigar in a kids eye, and repeatedly punches and kicks a drunk defenceless person the street deserves everything he gets.
Swell as been a scumbag thus he is a jumped up ****, and so so lucky to have such a career. I despise him, what a role model for kids, he should be banned from football for life. He has had is chances.

Well your behaviour is exactly what's wrong. You've got to recognise it when someone is trying to change. You can't go on harping about things he did 10 years ago when it's not relevant anymore. And anyone who would use that kind of thing to wind him up is just about using the same scumbag behaviour.

[Vermilion]

is it their job to make it easier? Or do they have any moral obligation to do so?

Neither, but sometimes i think some go out of their way to make it harder for no other reason than they dislike him, and they don't morally need to do that either, i think there's a lot of that in the media tbh.

Just forget about him.

[kingfunk]

Well your behaviour is exactly what's wrong. You've got to recognise it when someone is trying to change. You can't go on harping about things he did 10 years ago when it's not relevant anymore. And anyone who would use that kind of thing to wind him up is just about using the same scumbag behaviour.

Sorry but that's a steaming pile of horse ****!

[Fredo]

Sorry but that's a steaming pile of horse ****!

You're entitled to your opinion even if it smacks of what would be great reading in the Daily Mail.

[Red_Polo]

is it their job to make it easier? Or do they have any moral obligation to do so?

Not suggesting that they should go out of their way to make it easier, different argument altogether.

What is clear is though is that if you are going to print something damaging then you need to have a good reason for doing it. I certainly wouldn't say these sort of circulation boosting servings of righteous indignation are particularly in the public interest.

[Kenneth]

Neither, but sometimes i think some go out of their way to make it harder for no other reason than they dislike him, and they don't morally need to do that either, i think there's a lot of that in the media tbh.

Just forget about him.

would be easier if he didn't commit three red card offenses in the biggest match of the season to be fair. I don't wish him ill, but if some people think he's burned his bridges then that is up to them. He has no right to expect people to forget his criminal past and the inferences people decide to make.

Personally, looking only at his on field behaviour over the last 10 years, I have very little sympathy for him. Even this season he was sent off twice.

[Kenneth]

Not suggesting that they should go out of their way to make it easier, different argument altogether.

What is clear is though is that if you are going to print something damaging then you need to have a good reason for doing it. I certainly wouldn't say these sort of circulation boosting servings of righteous indignation are particularly in the public interest.

They are writing about something watched live by about a billion people. They aren't breaking some kind of scoop known to a select few. Public interest doesn't come in to it. Editorial views are 'fair comment', ie opinions, and people are entitled to them.

[Red_Polo]

They are writing about something watched live by about a billion people. They aren't breaking some kind of scoop known to a select few. Public interest doesn't come in to it. Editorial views are 'fair comment', ie opinions, and people are entitled to them.

When did I say or suggest people weren't entitled to opinions? Argue against the points I make, not the ones you imagine me to based on pigeon-holing my stance!

Just because someone is entitled to an opinion doesn't mean that opinion or the way they express it is right.

All I said was that people harping on about him being scum in the press is not helpful to anyone. Can you honestly say that's actually a good and necessary thing?