News International phone-hacking trial

[french frank]

I am pleased that Coulson got his comeuppance. Is that so very wrong of me?

But I think I was making a different point: I wouldn't call his conviction a 'misfortune', nor was he 'unfortunate' to be convicted (nor was Huhne 'unfortunate'). They were guilty, they were convicted, they were sentenced.

But over the Huhne-Coulson affairs there hovers the spectre of the coalition (not to mention Murdoch), Cameron, Clegg, the general embarrassment and discomfiture of the parties concerned. Would one have any more than a passing interest in the trials if these people had not been who they were? [Verging on Pedants' Paradise here] And did that have nothing whatsoever to with the pleasure in seeing them convicted?

[jean]

But I think I was making a different point: I wouldn't call his conviction a 'misfortune', nor was he 'unfortunate' to be convicted (nor was Huhne 'unfortunate').

I agree; that's why I think Schadenfreude is the wrong word.

Would one have any more than a passing interest in the trials if these people had not been who they were?

If they hadn't been who they were, Coulson and the others would not have been in a position to do what they did.

Huhne is a bit different, but the arrogance of the man contributes to the satisfaction felt at seeing him convicted.

[french frank]

Huhne is a bit different, but the arrogance of the man contributes to the satisfaction felt at seeing him convicted.

Which is, in my view, the reason why Schadenfreude is the right word. If one experiences satisfaction/pleasure/enjoyment, the essential issue is that you already harbour, separately, some sort of animosity towards the person. You wouldn't feel it if your best friend had some sort of misfortune. This is the source of the 'malice', isn't it? I don't like you: I'm glad someone damaged your new car.

[jean]

All right - I'll accept it in Huhne's own case, but not for the phone-hacking lot.

[french frank]

All right - I'll accept it in Huhne's own case, but not for the phone-hacking lot.

Score draw, then. :-)

[amateur51]

Jonathan Aitken offers wise words of advice to Harris & Coulson on doing your porridge ...

http://www.standard.co.uk/comment/jonathan-aitken-the-best-way-to-do-time-for-two-different-crimes-9591401.html

[jean]

Not a bad article, except that he assumes that everyone who protests their innocence but is convicted really is guilty, and we know that's not true (though it was in his case!)

[amateur51]

Not a bad article, except that he assumes that everyone who protests their innocence but is convicted really is guilty, and we know that's not true (though it was in his case!)

Ah well he's laid down his trusty sword & shield and found God, I understand

[jean]

A good account of what Rebekah did or didn't know in the new Private Eye.

[Serial_Apologist]

A good account of what Rebekah did or didn't know in the new Private Eye.

Thanks for the tip, jean.

[amateur51]

Will Coulson have to stump up £750k in costs?

Where's his money gone?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/25/andy-coulson-phone-hacking-trial-costs

[amateur51]

After the puff for the Private Eye coverage, here's the puff for the book Hack Attack by Guardian's Nick Davies

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jul/25/-sp-rupert-murdoch-passive-power-hack-attack-nick-davies

[jean]

Next Friday afternoon, on Radio 4:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2014/40/beyond-contempt