Insulting Talk
The Herald had a rather strange story the other day - about the antics of a Labour councillor in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire - Councillor Jim Docherty.
The councillor seems to have pulled his punches on Twitter - by calling a Scottish MSP a P**** - on his social networking site.
The full 'tweet' apparently read:
"Alex Neil MSP. M is for monkey S is for spare P is for P**** biggest in parliament."
Now everyone reading this 'tweet' must have assumed that whatever P**** stood for - it was definitely not intended as a compliment.
Quite naturally people must have assumed the councillor was calling the MSP - who also happens to be a Scottish Government Minister - a Prick.
But when asked to explain his behaviour - or at least his lack of vocabulary - Councillor Docherty told The Herald:
"My Twitter site has nothing to do with my role as a councillor or my standing in public life. Unfinished words are for the individual's own interpretation and words, no matter how you look at them, have many meanings.
Oh really - I would have thought that any politician - councillor or MSP - commenting on public issues would be making their views known as an elected representative.
And politicians of all kinds use Twitter these days - to share their views with the world.
So why call someone a P**** - but then deny that you're actually being rude and calling them a Prick.
At least have the courage of your convictions - I say - otherwise you look like a bit of a prick yourself.
But just in case Councillor Docherty wants to continue playing these word games - here are some other insulting words which can be substituted for P****.
Ass****
Bas****
Cocksu****
Dick****
Shi*
Motherfu****
Not that I would advise using them - mind you - because in my experience anyone resorting to such four and crude language has already lost the argument.
Now Alex Neil is big enough to stand up for himself - but let me just say that he is one of the few MSPs who have stood up and been counted over equal pay - in South Lanarkshire and elsewhere.
Which is more than you can say for all the Labour MSPs - and Labour councillors in South Lanarkshire of course.
The best laugh is that having initially tried to defend and justify his ridiculous behaviour - Councillor Docherty has removed the comments from his Twitter site.
What a pillock.
