It's a tricky one with drugs because Governments are known for completely ignoring their own advisory bodies. So who should be listened to on the subject is a bit of a mystery. Clearly in this area Brand isn't being lifted up to be shot down. Instead it boils down to him publicly talking about drugs an awful lot over the years (too much) and his views on addiction.

I'm not sure that he would deserve to be universally shot down by all media regardless of what he has to say about anything. The very idea is a bit unusual. Like it or not, many people are interested in what he has to say.

Edited by sanitycheck (05 Dec 2014 10.43am)

[Link]

The sun poll of 537 people concludes that Brand is a hypocrite!

Could it be that they're used to socialist criticism from the poor, which they can dismiss as the politics of envy or resentment, but that being criticised from within, by a rich man, genuinely has them feeling threatened? This is a lesson for all who oppose todays skewed system, of course, because people must work towards a position where 'they' are genuinely threatened. In the meantime, the anti movement can cautiously welcome tactical support from anyone, without surrendering critical judgement.

Let's get one thing straight: "Film star lives in nice flat" is not a story. "Working class bloke does well for himself, repents misogyny, discovers concern for social justice and wants to put something back into the community" *is* a story, and might even turn out to be true.

Marx and Engels lived off surplus value. William Morris was a capitalist. Tony Benn was a millionaire and Billy Bragg has a nice house in the country. There is no purity under an impure system and socialism, despite what it's detractors say, is not a vow of poverty. Look at Bob Crow, he lived in a council house and they still called him a hypocrite. It's what you *do* that counts.

Being called a hypocrite by The Scum? The paper of 'Gotcha', Hillsborough and Wapping? A paper which hires middle-class graduates to write articles in a manufactured 'working class' tabloidese opposing every progressive social advance over the last 40 years, from trade union representation to LGBTQ rights? Being hated by The Scum is a compliment.

Edited by nickgusset (05 Dec 2014 6.45pm)

That makes beautiful reading.

Think The Sun have totally mugged themselves off with this one. Reminds me of when George Bush snr announced that America needs a nation 'closer to the Waltons than to the Simpsons!'.

'Better stop dreaming of the quiet life 'cos it's the one we'll never know'

It's almost as if people want to hear what he has to say .

I have checked. The number is true. I am genuinely amazed.

He has the same number of followers as people who voted Labour at the last election. Which puts all my comments about 'legitimate platforms' into context.

F*ck me. I had no idea.

God help us.

...we must expand...get more pupils...so that the knowledge will spread...