Forum Topic

Seen elsewhere: Andrew Marr right to ask GB about his drugs and depression?

Some feel it is relevant to ask the PM about his mental health and use of MAOIs, holding as he does the most responsible office of state. I would ask is it in the interest of the electorate to know whether the man with the nuclear button is coping with his mood-altering medicine?

Colin Murphy ● 6079d42 Comments

You are overwrought and weak-minded, but at least a lie-down with some valium will help you with one of those.

Colin Murphy ● 6076d

"'Little Joshua' is a vehicle to enable just the mawkish locals."You are absolutely disgusting. Do you think you can get a personality transplant on the NHS or should we start an appeal for you?

Stephanie Kitsune ● 6076d

Gordon Brown affects everyone in Brentford but in contrast 'Little Joshua' is a vehicle to enable just the mawkish locals.

Colin Murphy ● 6076d

It seems Colin Murphy that you are much more concerned posting on The Brentford Forum that:- 'Is Gordon Brown on drugs to control depression?' and ......'Andrew Marr has the right to ask GB about his drugs and depression' Excuse me... but was not your point that Joshua does not even LIVE in Brentford?  Does Gordon Brown??????????????

Fran Naughton ● 6077d

How on earth would you, as a supporter of New Labour, have the faintest idea of what a genuine socialist would do?Abandoning Labour for UKIP? No! labour abandoned me and the rest of the UK working class. The vote for UKIP was, as I have explained before, tactical voting, not unconditional support. Mind you, if Tony Blair gets the EU presidency, UKIP's election hopes will get a huge boost. I am not pro UKIP, I am anti the pigs-in-the-trough practices of the EU which I, as a UK taxpayer (the UK having always been a net contributor to Europe) have unwillingly helped pay for.

Mick Brent ● 6077d

Some "genuine socialists" may have abandoned the Labour Party but I can assure you that no "genuine socialist" would ever abandon Labour for Ukip (which is what you did). Ukip are the lunatic fringe of the Tory Party. They were founded on a hatred of foreigners.

Robin Taylor ● 6077d

It is nice to see that you are keeping up the New Labour level of intellectual debate Robin, McBride and Draper would be proud of you. The rest of us just think you are a little sad.I was merely trying to get people to acknowledge that there was a difference between what the general public regard as "being depressed" and the very real illness of clinical depression. I hadn't even offered my view on the GB situation, but you just couldn't resist the opportunity for a childish little dig could you? And you wonder why hundreds of thousands of genuine socialists have abandoned your joke of a party............

Mick Brent ● 6077d

Come on everyone..Even £1.00p might help to save a little boy's life who lives in Brentford.... those who just keep posting and posting and posting  on the silly posts on this forum... come on!!!!!!!! At this time do we really care about the parking in Eastbourne Road or the Islamic development? FORGET ABOUT POLITICS FOR ONCE ON THIS FORUM and lets do what this forum is about..'THE BRENTFORD COMMUNITY FORUM... GIVE PLEASE?

Fran Naughton ● 6077d

"One is a normal part of life and the other is an illness which can profoundly affect a person’s ability to function “normally.”"Of course, some mental illnesses can even cause people to vote Ukip.

Robin Taylor ● 6077d

By today’s standards Churchill would not have been allowed to run the country. He was a heavy drinker, insomniac manic depressive. He still ran the country brilliantly with the help of a very good Cabinet.

Neil Chippendale ● 6077d

Quite agree re depression. But at the moment it seems like character asassination by innuendo, rather than based on fact. Until there is proof, and I have no take no view on this until there is, attack by innuendo is dishonourable. Equally to suggest that wealth per se separates Cameron from res publica is also a silly and needless mistake.Can't comment on the other issue because I am not bothered to read the thread to which you refer. But let the lady be addressed correctly.

George Knox ● 6078d

@ Robin Taylor – “Oh, and if your deliberate misspelling of Manria's surname as "kur" (which you've now done twice on this thread) is supposed to be witty then I would advise you to keep the day job, because stand-up is not for you.”Pot calling kettle black Robin (see my post on the “planned Islamic development” thread).@ George Knox – “It might well be argued that someone is depressed just exactly because thay can see reality more clearly. In which case they might be relied upon to make a sounder judgement. Whereas someone who claims they are rarely depressed might well be judged to be regarded with suspicion.”There is a world of difference between someone who is depressed (something we all go through from time to time) and someone who is suffering from clinical depression. One is a normal part of life and the other is an illness which can profoundly affect a person’s ability to function “normally.”

Mick Brent ● 6078d

"You say there is no truth, but you have no credibility you see while you peddle such bare-faced lies in the media such as the one on the W4 forum where you claim that Ann Keen is "an active constituency MP all year round, and she knows her constituency well."  So you keep on with the rubbish from the sausage machine and we'll all continue to laugh at your (and Comrade Taylor's) efforts."Manria is probably too polite to tell you where to get off, Colin, but as you'll be aware - I'm not.It's interesting that you refer to a comment on the Chiswick site but no longer post there. Did the "coming out" thread frighten you off? Or was it just the fact that so many people disliked your incessant anti-Keen and anti-Gordon bitching that all you can do now is be a W4 lurker?Oh, and if your deliberate misspelling of Manria's surname as "kur" (which you've now done twice on this thread) is supposed to be witty then I would advise you to keep the day job, because stand-up is not for you.

Robin Taylor ● 6078d

Sorry, but they are only for people who are proven to be unhinged.So I can't help.

George Knox ● 6078d

Really does it matter what questions he asked who. Do you think Gordie or Davie are going to give an honest answer. If you do, well, all I can say is Gordie is not the only one medication. PS where can I get some

Robert Ayres ● 6078d

I'm sorry, I did not want to continue this argument because it really is pointless .. but, although I can see you clearly have no time for the man, you have absolutely not proven he is "unhinged" nor has anyone else.  If trying to keep GB afloat in a financial wasteland when virtually the whole world is going down the plughole means he is unhinged - well Thank God for that.  Did you actually see the interview with Andrew Marr?  If so, did you really think to yourself - yeah he's on drugs and unhinged keep going Marr you're doing a great job.I saw it and I was appalled.  I also saw his interview this week with David Cameron and fail to see the relevance of his wealth except to emphasise the fact that he is obviously very far removed from the ordinary man in the street - but oh, I forgot, his wife was wearing a pair of shoes that cost £29.95 so clearly for all his wealth he is a man of the people.  Yeah right!  Nevertheless Andrew Marr (who I have always quite liked) went out of his way to seem even handed in asking equally stupid and personal questions that do not really help anyone.The bottom line is Andrew Marr's interview was not good journalism it was toe curlingly out of order. End of.

Bernadette Paul ● 6078d

You seem bright enough to answer my question.So far you have failed to answer the question directly. Are you a Mr Can or a Mr Can't?Your second paragraph is the subject of a different debate, and leaving aside inflammatory language, could be a useful discussion for some. 

George Knox ● 6078d

I would perhaps be inclined to answer your question if you could construct your sentence a little better.The question remains whether the electorate have the right to know he is unhinged. The compelling catalogue of the failings of his personal and professional qualities is a side issue, provoked by the diversions posted by Ms'. Paul and Kur.

Colin Murphy ● 6078d

For X number of reasons you oppose Mr Brown and try to persuade that others should agree. Are you saying that now it should X plus Y? The Y factor being that you think that GB is taking medication and for depression and those factors make for an additional Y factor reason why people should not vote for him?Simple question. Have you the integrity to give a Yes answer?

George Knox ● 6078d

Maria Kur, the leak came from within the civil service, not his political opponents. But then, he seems to have as many opponents within his tent as without. If you think it's a strategy to win power, then you conveniently overlook the many failings of the clunking fist that is the Prime Mentalist (sorry, Minister) and fail to realise that this story will have no impact upon the outcome of the election. It is the utter failure to achieve and  the abandonment of the working man that will see the demise of the New Labour project, leaving a vacuum that I anticipate will to some degree be occupied by the BNP. You say there is no truth, but you have no credibility you see while you peddle such bare-faced lies in the media such as the one on the W4 forum where you claim that Ann Keen is "an active constituency MP all year round, and she knows her constituency well."  So you keep on with the rubbish from the sausage machine and we'll all continue to laugh at your (and Comrade Taylor's) efforts.

Colin Murphy ● 6078d

But the whole point is whether Andrew Marr was right to raise the issue. I doubt that any of you are psychoanalysts able to pronounounce authoritively on how depressed Gordon Brown is, and like any profession they have their own disagreements. It might well be argued that someone is depressed just exactly because thay can see reality more clearly. In which case they might be relied upon to make a sounder judgement. Whereas someone who claims they are rarely depressed might well be judged to be regarded with suspicion.And even if he were to be pronounced as being depressed, the next question would be - is that sufficient to get in the way of him making sound or unsound judgements. Unsurprisingly, none of us can agee on that as evidenced by say this thread. We cannot agree partly because some have very strong and opposite political views. So knowing if the top dog experiences depression in this case cannot be a decisive factor in whether to vote for him.So I consider that the implications flowing from airing this issue could never come to a consensus. It is totally unprovable in the public realm whether GB is on the pill and whether it is for depression. It should therefore have not been raised, knowing full well that some unthinking people may be susceptible to innuendo. It should not have been raised also as it was rudely intrusive, just as it was stupid to ask about David Cameron's wealth.

George Knox ● 6078d

There has been a similar discussion to this one on CW4, and it has followed much the same course, with people talking about Gordon Brown as if he really is on tablets.  This is just a smear story that has been started by his political opponents.  The implication of Colin Murphy's posts is that GB is actually on mood-altering medicines, and this is clearly the strategy which the Conservatives are going to use to try and win power.  I agree with everything that Ms Paul says on this thread, and I'd like to say that if this is how the Conservatives intend to win, then it'll be a very hollow victory.  The bottom line is that there is no truth in the smear campaign against GB, and even if there was, it doesn't change the fact that he is a fairer PM than David Cameron would ever be.

Manria Kaur ● 6078d

I'm not positing alignment with any party, just whether the electorate has the right to know whether the top dog is mentally unstable and consequently whether he needs to be replaced.Another leader may be able to steer the S.S. New Labour away from the iceberg, but it seems that Brown is determined to go down with the ship.Thatcher certainly was no 'heroin' (sic) to me, but I was at least fortunate to be educated during her tenure as P.M.

Colin Murphy ● 6078d

I know now what? You just told me what?  This is a pointless argument.  Andrew Marr was obnoxious about something that was absolutely none of his business (and the BBC had plenty of complaints from the public that evidently agree with me) and certainly none of our business.  Gordon Brown love him or hate him is in my opinon the best man for the job in the current climate bearing in mind the alternatives.  You may of course think differently but then you would wouldn't you. All gab no substance much like the party you clearly follow.God help us all next year!  I remember thinking the same thing when Thatcher was elected - how right I was and how bonkers was she but I suspect she was a heroin to you.

Bernadette Paul ● 6078d

Did you not read the article?'To conclude: ...in 1940, his inner world of make-believe coincided with the facts of external reality'Not the case today and consequently we'll pay the price for generations.

Colin Murphy ● 6078d

Hardly surprising.You know now - I just told you, but I wouldn't expect you to be aware of current events, given your political alignment - it tends to go hand-in-hand.

Colin Murphy ● 6078d

Yes but was Churchill in a fit condition to lead the country?

Tony Wood ● 6078d

Frankly I have no idea what you are talking about.  "His insulting sycophancy at the D-day celebrations when he referred to 'Obama beach'" - I don't even know whether he said that or not but if he did so what don't we all make exactly the same sort of errors of speech from time to time?  Frequently embarrassing - seldom meaning the person has lost their mind or is on drugs.Everything else you accuse him of seems to me to stem from your obvious dislike of the person, political differences and lack of understanding of the financial crisis we are actually in.  Do you really believe Cameron or that twerp Osborne could do better?  I will admit he lacks charisma and showmanship but I believe Gordon Brown to be a genuine, intelligent man who has done pretty much all the right things in this crisis  but of course that is just my opinion to which I am entitled as indeed are you to yours.

Bernadette Paul ● 6078d

I particularly liked this line - how apposite:'Ambition of such proportions is laden with fantasy'

Colin Murphy ● 6078d

http://www.healthieryou.com/exclusive/chanceth0196.html

Tony Wood ● 6078d

Notwithstanding your ad hominem, I'll share some examples with the readers:His state of denial at PMQs when he claimed spending would grow 0%.  His mendacity in describing announced cuts as Labour investment.His dishonesty/greed in flipping his second home designation from London to Scotland as soon as Blair announced he was going, to facilitate claiming a second home allowance.His insulting sycophancy at the D-day celebrations when he referred to 'Obama beach'.His twisted moral compass, confessing to 'procuring misconduct in public office'.Just a taster, because I know you won't read past the first, so we can ignore pension raids, gold sales and flying Nokias but you did ask.It would seem then, that this is all normal, expected behaviour of a Labour politician in your book. No wonder we get the politicians we deserve.

Colin Murphy ● 6078d

I would like you to clarify that statement.  Who says he's not functioning normally?  What exactly are you referring to when you say he's not functioning normally?You are entitled to your opinion of him of course but I suspect it wouldn't matter who was PM during the current climate if of course you are the rabid tory I referred to in an earlier post.  Can you specifically identify some irrational non-functioning behaviour? 

Bernadette Paul ● 6078d

I would like you to clarify that statement.  Who says he's not functioning normally?  What exactly are you referring to when you say he's not functioning normally?You are entitled to your opinion of him of course but I suspect it wouldn't matter who was PM during the current climate if of course you are the rabid tory I referred to in an earlier post.  Can you specifically identify some irrational non-functioning behaviour? 

Bernadette Paul ● 6078d

There's the rub: he's not functioning normally and only holds down the job by the depth of his (diminishing) fingernails.

Colin Murphy ● 6078d

I'm not medically qualified, like you seem to be - but from a lay person's view he seems fine to me, anyway what the hell has it got to do with us? Lots of people with depression and other mental health problems function quite normally and hold down responsible jobs. This is just a nasty witch hunt.

Vanessa Smith ● 6078d

Of course he was right. Where he went wrong was not asking Gordie when the rest of us were getting some, after all this man has depressed the nation. By the way what are MAOis ?

Robert Ayres ● 6078d

Are you saying he's not severely depressed and taking MAOIs?

Colin Murphy ● 6078d

That is hardly the point - if you can't take it, don't dish it out. This sort of rumourmongering is irresponsible in the extreme, and just downright rude. I am not normally a conspiracy theorist but this seems to me to be some sort of schoolboy plotting to undermine the Government and P.M. If that's what his enemies have to resort to then they must be desperate.

Vanessa Smith ● 6078d

I was aware of Marr's peccadilloes.Does he, perhaps make decisions costing billions of pounds or control the nuclear arsenal?

Colin Murphy ● 6079d

What is so annoying - and not many people will be aware of this, is that Marr went to court to obtain an injunction to stop any journalistic enquiries into his private life. Even the obtaining of the injunction couldn't be reported! Sauce, goose and gander spring to mind. This nonsense seems to be a load of stupid twaddle, designed to undermine the Government, papers should report the news, not make it up as they go along.

Vanessa Smith ● 6079d

You or I don't make decisions costing billions of pounds. You or I do not control a nuclear arsenal.

Colin Murphy ● 6079d

The only people who would suggest that Gordon Brown is any less stasble than any other politician would be a rabid tory - so yes that is exactly what I am saying.  He is probably one of the more well balanced politicians when you do a quick sweep of world leaders, America only having just got rid of a dangerous idiot probably too stupid to be depressed.So what if he may or may not get depressed - don't we all?

Bernadette Paul ● 6079d

Are you saying that the electorate does not have the right to know about the mental instabilities of the decision maker-in-chief?

Colin Murphy ● 6079d

No he did not have the right.  Saw that interview and wanted to punch Andrew Marr myself - Gordon Brown looked absolutely furious but took it better than I ever could have. Andrew Marr boobed totally and therefore had to be seen to be equally obnoxious yesterday with Cameron and how much he is worth.  Even handed stupidity I suppose.

Bernadette Paul ● 6079d

Sorry about that, my browser had frozen.

Colin Murphy ● 6079d