George Michael

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/62559 /George-Michael-says-sorry-over-cocaine-arrest

Getting caught smoking a legal drug in a public place, and the long arm of the law would come heavily down on the ordinary guy, yet when a celebrity is caught in possession of illegal drugs, then they get off with a caution.

Should this pathetic person been let off once again?

A stiff jail sentence would have knocked that sickly grin off his face as well as conveying the message to his fans that Drugs are not 'Glam'.

[CKa3aHNE]

leave him alone you bully

[Ethel]

He wasn't smoking a legal drug.

And there is nothing in that report to say he was smoking an illegal drug either. It just says 'in possession'

[Quinlad]

As with all of these situations, I'd be interested to know what is the usual course of action for the police.

I think the public assume that the celebrity is getting off lightly - even though they've got little or no idea of what the police usually do.

[gina32]

why do you call him pathetic?

[anotheoldgit]

Ethel, I did not say he was smoking a legal drug

I did not say he was smoking an illegal drug either.

I was just making a comparison.

But, Isn't being in possession of an illegal drug, illegal?

[Ethel]

Oh I see! Have read it again and see what you mean.

Many many 'ordinary people' get let off with a caution for possessing illegal drugs every week.

The difference is, they make the headlines.

[Ethel]

Oh I see! Have read it again and see what you mean.

Many many 'ordinary people' get let off with a caution for possessing illegal drugs every week.

The difference is, they DON'T make the headlines.

[andy-hughes]

I think George Michael has problems, which are making him unhappy.

His behaviour, his constant cottaging and drug use certinly point to an unhappy person, which as anyone with depression issues will know, are not assuaged in any way by his money or his massive talent.

I hope he gets the help he needs.

[scotgal]

It's obvious to me that the media haven't been paying any attention to him of late.

[LoftyLottie]

Just because you are rich and famous doesn't mean you are happy and don't have problems. I find George and very likeable and intelligent guy and very talented - far from being pathetic. The poor guy needs sympathy - I don't suppose handling drugs in a public loo is something he really feels happy about. As Ethel says, plenty of people without celebritiy status are probably let off with a caution.

[LoftyLottie]

I've done it again, Andy! I didn't see your posting - honestly.

[anotheoldgit]

CKa3aHNE

Why should I? He is a 'crack head' and a bad influence to the young, to boot.

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gina32

Because he is, I could have called him much worse, but he is more to be pitied than scorned.

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Quinlad

I think the public assume that the celebrity is getting off lightly - even though they've got little or no idea of what the police usually do.

We know what the police did in this case, they let him off.

[anotheoldgit]

Yes Ethel but you are missing the point, they are not roll models to huge numbers of fans.

[Ethel]

Got to any inner city park late evening as see the druggies indulging in their habit.
The police know they are there, know who they are, but turn a blind eye.
The council hopefully clear up the mess from time to time.

There are certain public toilets where 'cottaging' goes on but is ignored by the police. The police prefer to know where this happening - by clamping down, the problems move elsewhere.

George Michael has been treated the same as a lot of people in the same circumstances

[LoftyLottie]

George Michael is not exactly a role model for the young anotheroldgit.

He is a middle aged man, in the league of other great singers and musicians much admired by people of many age groups - but not exactly someone the young are aspiring to copy!!

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

behaviour, his constant cottaging and drug use certinly point to an unhappy person,

There are thousands upon thousands of unhappy people, but they don't resort to cottaging, this is just a sexual perversion. Would you make the same excuse in Gary Glitters case?

Regarding the drugs issue, yes I agree he needs help, therefore instead of letting him off, he should be given a choice, drug rehabilitation or jail.

Lofty Lottie

He can't be very intelligent or he would not be on drugs.

[andy-hughes]

No problem Lottie - as susual, we see the issue from the same perspective.

Anotheroldgit, I have said before, and will say again, musicians are not 'role models' - they don;t ask to be, and they shouldn't be perceived as such, it's nonsense. The whole point about pop is rebellion abd breakig rules, otherwise every pop star would be like Cliff Richard!

The only honourable exception to the 'role model' concept is Amy Winehouse who is a brilliant role model for young people everywhere.

"Look at me! This is what hard drugs do to you! leave them alone!"

She should be on posters everywhere.

[LoftyLottie]

AOG. I am sorry, but that is just rubbish. A lot of extremely intelligent people have taken/are taking/will take drugs.

http://www.erowid.org/culture/characters/chara cters_drug_use.shtml

[jno]

aog, if you're arguing that George Michael should be treated the same as a non-celebrity, I'd totally agree. But is he? It does seem as though a caution is the normal response to this offence (plus of course he gets slagged off in newspapers and on websites - that's the additional punishment for being a role model).

Having a sickly grin is no reason for him to be punished more than anyone else.