Shaving cream

[barber olly]

He'll be out in three weeks. Charlie Gilmour got 16 months.

Another pointless drain on the public purse and legal system!

[Flosshilde]

I'm not sure that I did miss your point, bo. I don't agree with it. Whether it's a foam pie, a banner, fireworks or a pistol, I don't want any other halfwit making 'points' in this way. I see it as essentially the same egotism that leads to July corpses on the Tube.

or on a Norwegian Island.

but I don't think either are anytrhing to do with shaving foam or custard pies in the face, which have a noble heritage in slapstick comedy of bringing the recipient down a peg or two.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-clown-about-with-custard-pies

[Ariosto]

but I don't think either are anytrhing to do with shaving foam or custard pies in the face, which have a noble heritage in slapstick comedy of bringing the recipient down a peg or two.

Good point Floss.

[Flosshilde]

Good point Floss.

but not very gramatical

[Stillhomewardbound]

This sentence is an absurdity. As a media mogul who has made fortunes out of hurling much worse than shaving foam at anyone whom it pleases, he got away so lightly.

Ted Heath India inked, well and truly ... Mandelson fittingly guacamoled ... any number of politicos omletted, scrambled and eggs benedicted ... are we seriously been told these are gaolable incidences.

The law too often seems to have a self-defeating habit of making 'a ass of itself' at the worst possible moments.

[amateur51]

Quite simple really......

Don't put yourself down Mr Pee!

That's my job!

[hackneyvi]

The law too often seems to have a self-defeating habit of making 'a ass of itself' at the worst possible moments.

If a member of the public had attacked - by however frivolous means - a defendant in a court, would you expect a custodial sentence to be passed on the attacker? If you would, is it because proper behaviour is invariably required in some places?

This act did nothing to take Murdoch down in any way - it made the MPs and policemen and the clown look like fools but I don't see it as anything but an inappropriate distraction by an attention-seeking cock.

[cavatina]

In the states, a six week-sentence would be out of the question for misdemeanor battery: in some states, it's up to six months and a year of probation.

The sole purpose of giving someone a pie in the face is to strip them of their personal dignity. Not funny, no matter how much you personally dislike the victim. What if someone walked up out of nowhere and pied your elderly father? Your wife, your son, your daughter? You'd want to throw the book at them, and rightly so.

[french frank]

This sentence is an absurdity. As a media mogul who has made fortunes out of hurling much worse than shaving foam at anyone whom it pleases, he got away so lightly.

Well, there is a principle that everyone is equal before the law, and that extends to victims. That means that murdering a gangster is still murder. Foam pie joke or not, this was still a physical attack.

Are people's views on the 'absurdity' of the sentence coloured by what they think of Murdoch? I think they shouldn't be.

[Lateralthinking1]

Two things.

One - The speed at which these kinds of incidents are dealt with. It goes to show that when it wants to the legal system can move like a fox. Generally, it is more of a tortoise, particularly on straightforward matters of some significance.

Two - It may indeed be that certain views are being coloured by perspectives on Murdoch. It is realistic to expect it. Where the morality is blurred although the law is unyielding, the country might benefit from the introduction of a very British version of Sharia.

[Stillhomewardbound]

My view is unchanged. Egg attacks on the likes of David Cameron, John Major and John Prescott never resulted in custodial sentences. Leila Deen who threw green custard at Peter Mandelson was merely cautioned.

The only comparable levy I can find is a lady who threw a pot of red paint at Ted Heath on the steps of No.10. She was handed down a three month sentence - and that was suspended.

I did not suggest this person should get off scot free, but his main offence seems to have been assaulting the dignity of this particular person. That said person was appearing before a parliamentary committee in regard to accusations of criminal conduct, that job could be said to have completed already.

Now back to Grocer Ted and that pillar box red daubing. Here's a wonderful backstory piece by a journalist who witnessed the attack at close quarters when he was just four years old:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/article545382.ece

[eighthobstruction]

>>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/lif...icle545382.ece<< <<....yes interesting....THAT woman....

[french frank]

My view is unchanged.

It is in the nature of online forums!

One aspect of this is that the assailant (if I may call him that; 'comedian', if you prefer) was carrying out his assault/comic act, knowingly, in front of the eyes of the world. This was intended to be a serious investigation into wrong-doing which had been going on. Dealing with this case firmly and promptly gives at least the semblance of nil partiality against the Murdochs. Giving the impression that deep down people were applauding would be the wrong message to send out. 'Exhibitionist clot gets three weeks.'

It's actually quite difficult to compare the severity of three months' imprisonment (suspended) to six weeks' imprisonment (actually three).

[Flosshilde]

What if someone walked up out of nowhere and pied your elderly father? Your wife, your son, your daughter? You'd want to throw the book at them, and rightly so.

But wouldn't a book - especially something like the OED - do more damage?

[Flosshilde]

This was intended to be a serious investigation into wrong-doing which had been going on.

Indeed it was. The Murdochs managed to convert it to farce, without the 'custard' pie.