George Best Media Deathwatch

[aclivity]

This media frenzy around a footballer who used to be popular but is now better known for being an alcoholic is quite sickening. They seem to be reporting on him every day now, and despite hundreds of words employed to get their 'live from outside the cromwell hospital' piece on camera, they are essentially saying "he's not dead yet, we expect him to be very soon".

My open message to the fourth estate:

I don't care.
If I had cared, your constant attention would have drained me of any human compassion I ever had.
If, as and when he does meet his end, I won't watch, read, or listen to any of your pathetic, populist eulogies that will no doubt get prime spots in the news.

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by aclivity

This media frenzy around a footballer who used to be popular but is now better known for being an alcoholic is quite sickening. They seem to be reporting on him every day now, and despite hundreds of words employed to get their 'live from outside the cromwell hospital' piece on camera, they are essentially saying "he's not dead yet, we expect him to be very soon".

My open message to the fourth estate:

I don't care.
If I had cared, your constant attention would have drained me of any human compassion I ever had.
If, as and when he does meet his end, I won't watch, read, or listen to any of your pathetic, populist eulogies that will no doubt get prime spots in the news.

Agreed.

Even more so especially because his death is brought on by self-inflicted alcohol abuse.

Every time it comes on the radio I end up changing stations. After all, he was just a footballer - football isn't the b-all and end-all of life, you know.

[NotDeadYet]

Originally Posted by aclivity

they are essentially saying "he's not dead yet, we expect him to be very soon"

I'd just like to officially say that reports of my death are being exagerated. Though the latter part is right, I am still expected to be Not Dead Yet very soon.

Must agree. Other than a general feeling of sympathy for a sick guy in hospital, I don't have a great deal of empathy. My aunt died of liver failure because some useless twat of a locum doctor couldn't be arsed checking her records and prescribed drugs she was allergic to. They refused her a transplant but a long term alcoholic gets one and then continues to drink just as before. What I do have sympathy for is some poor sod that probably deserved the liver a hell of a lot more than he did and missed out. Sorry if that offends.

[Mr T.]

Agreed Andy - but alas, other than his innate skill as a football player, they [the media] made him; and they can tear him down just as easily. What they're doing is objectionable in the extreme, but they didn't ask/force him to drink.

Such is the ephemeral currency of celebrity


Edit: Ironically, Best will have the last laugh when he does go; when we shall have the media clamour and reams of reportage and eulogy:

Last scene from Hamlet:

Originally Posted by Hamlet

The rest is silence...

[Noel Johnson]

Not that it's any use now but I would have asked for the liver back if it was a relatives of mine. Aparently the "George Best" syndrome has put back organ donations quite a bit.

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by Noel Johnson

Not that it's any use now but I would have asked for the liver back if it was a relatives of mine. Aparently the "George Best" syndrome has put back organ donations quite a bit.

Hi Mate,

I don't doubt it and TBH most people having stared death in the face would leap at the chance of prolonging life and for Best to have wasted this chance is an insult to the doner their family and everyone else involved.

That said there a few people in this world who do deserve to die but addiction and stupidy AFAIC doesn't qualify for that category, but it does make you wonder though if an alky off the street with the same complaint would have got the transplant when according to yesterdays news if you have a BMI over 30 you wont be eligable for 15 surgical proceedures in the Ipswich area

Safe diving,
Steve

[Richie]

I did hear mutter that "they" were using him as an example to get over the dangers of the demon drink.

Can't see it working somehow..........

[Mr T.]

Originally Posted by Richie

I did hear mutter that "they" were using him as an example to get over the dangers of the demon drink.

Can't see it working somehow..........

Exactly - anyone remember these names from the panoply of those who've supped deep of the Bacchanalian/other drug of choice cup and we still haven't learnt:

Jim Morrison
Jimi Hendrix
John Bonham
Janis Joplin
Keith Moon
Leah Betts......?


We all have a self-destructive button to some degree or other: depending on our environmental and other circumstance dictates whether we press it or not.

[Brian Jarvis]

He had everything and pissed it up the wall. He had a liver transplant which would have been denied most other 58 year olds and he still pissed it up the wall. Total and complete selfishness, put the people who love him through hell and they are still suffering.

George Best, has been brilliant football player. Now pathetic alcohol junkie. Who cares.

I hate the media circus but if it stops just one more poor sod avoid the slippery slope then I will happily put up with it.

[Pigpen]

Whilst I am certainly not an apologist for George Best, and the way he has conducted his life, lets not forget that we are talking of the iminent death of a human being, who has family and friends.

Perhaps a little compassion is called for.