Cyril Smith - The Paedophile MP - Channel 4 - 12/09/13
alcockell
Posts: 25,160 Forum Member
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Hi all - jjust airing now - anyone watching?
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alcockell
Posts: 25,160 alcockell
Posts: 25,160 alcockell
Posts: 25,160 alcockell
Posts: 25,160
Comments
It's almost as if the 'razzle dazzle' of showbiz as blinded folk to the potential for political scandal....
I think you've got it in a nutshell there. It's also maybe why this programme is on so late and why the thread is so empty!
I don't know about god, but something feels different....
If you believe that, what does it say about your god that it let all the stuff happen in the first place?
He's on talk talk?
Smith was a repulsive looking man, what these poor boys endured doesn't bear thinking about. I think many people wish that he and Saville were still alive, so they could be brought to justice.
There are probably others out there cowering in fear, waiting to be found out.
Smith and Savile were alike in portraying themselves as loveable larger-than-life harmless eccentrics-on which terms many people were happy to accept them.
In days gone by those "in positions of power" thought they were untouchable, and probably were above the law.
You see this in all aspects of life from incompetent, corrupt police (Hillsborough), abuses of power (Union officials lining their pockets) Councillors taking backhanders from property developers and child abusers being allowed to roam free at Childrens care homes.
It is a throwback to the old "officers and men" military way of doing things. I have worked for several companies where idiot directors have circumvented company procedures with disastrous results, and to be told I should not question their actions as: "they are a director".
A proper culture of whistleblowing is needed.
But then you look at what has happened to people like Assange (or Andrew Mitchell - plebgate) to see what happens when those in power feel threatened.
I watched this programme, what happened and how, was a disgrace to society.
I wouldn't say it was (in this case) the police who ignored it - it's clear that they did what they could to prosecute him - at least in the early decades. But they were thwarted ultimately by political interference at MP and Government level, and subsequent "orders from above".
It seems to me that the corruption was at the interface between political/Government figures, and senior policemen who must have behaved like quasi-politicians instead of real policemen. I wonder if the method of appointing Chief Constables was a factor and if it could happen again?
Lets not take this thread in the religious direction, mm?
That was absolutely unbelievable. People with friends in high places.
Edit: I'm sure there was a post in General Discussion that had a link to a blog thing that named him as doing this sort of thing. People just dismissed it though.
A friend lived in Rochdale around that time, from what he says it was fairly common knowledge around the town.
I can imagine that being the case. That a lot of people could know.
I think the larger population though only see something as being real if the television and newspapers tell them it's real. Then they see it as fact.
If the TV and the papers don't confirm it then it never happened.
It would be great if he now apologised but won't hold my breath.
I wish some would realise that your brother....sister...son....daughter could actually be guilty of things they are accused of. Just because they are a sibling/family member does not make them not guilty.
The same was said of Savile at the BBC - but as Ian Hislop said on HIGNFY - there was no evidence.
Just thought I would mention that if anyone else wanted to see it.