I Don't Get It!

[Coldicote]

What's the problem about a house displaying three flags and having a white van parked outside!

[ichkeria]

The "St Georges flag in the window" (and added bonus points for the White van) is one of those little icons of contemporary Britain that strike a "superior" chord with people, and not necessarily middle class people, either. (It would be interesting to know somehow how many of those fulminating about Islington since have never had the same private thought to themselves about the flag/window/van scene :-) )
Seeing a satellite dish on the front of a council house is another one. It's no more a criticism of the flag, or vans, as it is of Sky TV (!).
What on earth point this woman thought she was proving when she posed the picture is beyond me. But unlike someone's "private thought" or "casual remark" the tweet is picked up immediately and everyone goes potty about it. That is modern life and worse modern politics it seems. There were two possible scenarios following it: immediate sacking/resignation or eventual sacking/resignation after days or possibly weeks of tedious tabloid indignation.

[andy-hughes]

scooping - "If you don't get it you are as stupid as that extremely wealthy woman."

Let's park your unnecessary rudeness for now shall we - and instead I invite you to enlighten me because - although I am very far from stupid, I genuinely do not understand what this issue is about - maybe you would be kind enough to explain it to me please?

[ichkeria]

I think that if you DO understand what the fuss is about then in a sense you share the alleged prejudices of the person who posted the photo. Because you take one look at the photo and go "oh, I get it"
And then it's either"well done that woman beautifully observed" or "oh, disgraceful"
But the point is you recognise the scenario
Anyone else will just shrug their shoulders and go "so what?"

[jno]

count me among the so-whatters. The whole thing sounds like a scenario for a reverse sneer at Islington, which is apparently permissible.

[tonyav]

Apparently her Tweet was contrary to the values of the Labour party.
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/emily-thornberry-%E2%80%98damaged-labour%E2%80%99s-election-prospects-with-rochester-tweet%E2%80%99/ar-BBfnSGn

[weecalf]

We expect such high standards from our elected folk .Don't get it so nothing would surprise us with their actions .Flags and white van ,are out .Claim forms for expenses are okay .

[tamborine]

Nowt wrong but if its his hand that feeds you, dont knock him.......as Labour learned.

[BlackadderV]

I think her subtext was: "Rochester = Chavsville", not a wise thing for any politician to suggest, let alone a Labour one.

[jno]

that's the thing about subtexts, you can just make them up since they're not there.

[ichkeria]

"I think her subtext was: "Rochester = Chavsville",

But it isn't, which is why I said earlier that it should have been the rest of the place that was complaining about being tarred with the same brush :-)
Not the actual chav himself

[tamborine]

Takes breeding to be a Lady not just a title.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Thornberry

[THECORBYLOON]

She told the Mail Online website: 'It was a house covered in British flags. I've never seen anything like it before.

"It had three huge flags covering the whole house. I thought it was remarkable. I've never seen a house completely covered in flags."

The house wasn't covered and they were not British flags.

[BlackadderV]

//Not the actual chav himself//

Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!☺

[andy-hughes]

tonyav - "Apparently her Tweet was contrary to the values of the Labour party.
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/emily-thornberry-%E2%80%98damaged-labour%E2%80%99s-election-prospects-with-rochester-tweet%E2%80%99/ar-BBfnSGn"

Thank you for the link - but it really doesn't enlighten me any further.

From what I can understand, this woman posted an image on Twitter with some cryptic message which could be interpereted in any number of ways, or not at all, as in my case.

So the path was wide open for her to say that whatever 'upset' she has caused was simply misunderstanding by all, including Ed Milliband, and she could have offered any explanation at all for her action.

Instead, there seems to have been large offence taken, for reasons I am still waiting to hear - from anyone who may understand what I have missed - including scooping, who chose to be rude about his apparent superior understanding of the issue.

[anneasquith]

she said British flags ?

[BlackadderV]

The cross of St George is a British flag, as is the saltire of St Andrew, the cross of St Patrick and even Yr Ddraig Goch.