Health chief steps down after crude 'e-cig' rant on Twitter

[readeuler]

So. "Strong disapproval" and "mitigating circumstances" and it's back to business as usual.

Wouldn't it be nice if they "strongly disapproved" of vaping the same way they "strongly disapprove" of his actions? Put on a little farce, let us voluntarily do as we please, and then never mention us again?

Granted, it would probably improve public health to actually praise us as 'early adopters', but I'd prefer being ignored instead of what's currently happening.

I know, it's a thought straight out of fantasy island, but the incongruity is always amusing.

 

[Nate760]

FPH’s President Professor John Ashton has taken a voluntary leave of absence following an exchange on social media, during which he used inappropriate and offensive language. Professor Ashton and FPH have apologised unreservedly for the comments made.

FPH’s Board of Trustees has discussed the matter at length, given the nature and seriousness of the situation. The Board has registered its strong disapproval of Professor Ashton’s comments, noted the mitigating circumstances and given clear direction on the necessary steps to support Professor Ashton’s return.

We look forward to Professor Ashton’s continuation in the role of President, so that both he and FPH can focus on championing FPH’s vision of delivering “better health for all”.

This sounds like it could just as well be one of those "we're forcing you to resign, but we'll make it look like you left of your own accord" things. If Ashton issues a statement a few weeks down the road that says "Not wishing to be a distraction from the important work of my colleagues, I have chosen to voluntarily step down as President of FPH," don't be surprised.

 

[DrMA]

This sounds like it could just as well be one of those "we're forcing you to resign, but we'll make it look like you left of your own accord" things. If Ashton issues a statement a few weeks down the road that says "Not wishing to be a distraction from the important work of my colleagues, I have chosen to voluntarily step down as President of FPH," don't be surprised.

I'm not gonna hold my breath on that.

 

[AndriaD]

I'm just trying to figure out what circumstances could possibly be mitigating. He was drunk? He hates women? He's totally incompetent? His wife left him? (because he's a drunk incompetent woman-hating sack of dog excrement?)

Andria

 

[DC2]

I'm just trying to figure out what circumstances could possibly be mitigating. He was drunk? He hates women? He's totally incompetent? His wife left him? (because he's a drunk incompetent woman-hating sack of dog excrement?)

Andria

I'm guessing drunk was a big part of the equation.

 

[AgentAnia]

I'm just trying to figure out what circumstances could possibly be mitigating. He was drunk? He hates women? He's totally incompetent? His wife left him? (because he's a drunk incompetent woman-hating sack of dog excrement?)

Andria

According to tweets posted by various Ashton supporters, he's offering the schoolyard bully's classic retort: "But *they* started it!" Which of course is bollocks, as canny vaping tweeters took screenshots of his offensive tweets that he quickly deleted, which show the correct timeline.

I'm guessing drunk was a big part of the equation.

No way to know if he was drunk, or suffering a mini collapse after making a fool of himself during two media interviews just prior to his tirade on twitter.

Whatever. He is clearly not fit for purpose, and it says everything about the FPH that they're basically whitewashing the whole affair. You'll notice that everyone there is expressing "strong disapproval" of the words he uttered, but remaining silent about the fundamental attitude behind those words. That, to me, says it all.

 

[Kent C]

Whatever. He is clearly not fit for purpose, and it says everything about the FPH that they're basically whitewashing the whole affair. You'll notice that everyone there is expressing "strong disapproval" of the words he uttered, but remaining silent about the fundamental attitude behind those words. That, to me, says it all.

I think he fits their purpose well. What happens with these types is they get promoted - even lionized. He may end up as the head of WHO.

 

[AndriaD]

I think he fits their purpose well. What happens with these types is they get promoted - even lionized. He may end up as the head of WHO.

Which would fit perfectly, since apparently WHO is just full to the gills with incompetent sacks of dog excrement.

Anyone here watch "Person of Interest"? Last season's finale and this season's opener had a "terrorist" group holding the entire government hostage and putting them on trial for their lives, for their actions. I think that's exactly what needs to happen; we need to hold WHO, CDC, and FDA hostage and put them on trial for their lives, regarding their stance on e-cigarettes and other THR.


Andria

 

[NorthOfAtlanta]

I think he fits their purpose well. What happens with these types is they get promoted - even lionized. He may end up as the head of WHO.

Maybe not, this might be the Peter Principle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia kicking in.

 

[Kent C]

Maybe not, this might be the Peter Principle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia kicking in.

That basically applies to business. With gov't, or gov't type agencies, like everything else done through gov't - it's 180° opposite - where the terminally mediocre rise to levels they would have never gained in private enterprise.

And that is why their in gov't, not their "caring" or wanting to 'serve the public'.

 

[NorthOfAtlanta]

That basically applies to business. With gov't, or gov't type agencies, like everything else done through gov't - it's 180° opposite - where the terminally mediocre rise to levels they would have never gained in private enterprise.

True dat, also appears to apply to NGOs.

 

[AndriaD]

Maybe not, this might be the Peter Principle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia kicking in.

So, they just leave him in his current position, never letting him get promoted again... and slap a muzzle on him when he gets back? I could live with that.

Andria

 

[twgbonehead]

Wouldn't it be nice if they "strongly disapproved" of vaping the same way they "strongly disapprove" of his actions? Put on a little farce, let us voluntarily do as we please, and then never mention us again?

Granted, it would probably improve public health to actually praise us as 'early adopters', but I'd prefer being ignored instead of what's currently happening.

I know, it's a thought straight out of fantasy island, but the incongruity is always amusing.

Hey, I'd prefer to be part of a group of ignorant {MODERATED} over being a part of his fantasy world. Or the real-world regime he is trying to create.

But they've decided that he's back. Perhaps we need to form a group, the ICS, to fight him. (I mean, wouldn't that be awesome?)

 

[twgbonehead]

So, they just leave him in his current position, never letting him get promoted again... and slap a muzzle on him when he gets back? I could live with that.

Andria

Unfortunately, he is already too high up in the structure. Doesn't need a promotion, and already has the platform. I'd like to slap something on him, but it wouldn't be a muzzle. Handcuffs, rotten fish, lawsuit, grand piano are the things that come to mind.....

 

[Nate760]

where the terminally mediocre rise to levels they would have never gained in private enterprise.

If someone ever asks me to describe Hollywood in 20 words or less, I'm repeating this.

 

[Kent C]

If someone ever asks me to describe Hollywood in 20 words or less, I'm repeating this.

They're in private enterprise but yeah, it would apply to them too, if they tried to get a real job.