Let's all take Blindboy seriously now...

The First Bredi

OnDraught wrote: »

The idea that male suicide is on the rise because of feminism is pure bollox in my opinion. The Dubliners were singing Pete st Johns lyrics in the 70’s that went

“By trade I was a cooper
Lost out to redundancy
Like my house that fell to progress
my trade's a memory”

This is nothing new and absolutely fukk all to to do with feminism. It’s a problem caused by capitalism and it’s only going to get worse.

Sure if in doubt blame capitalism , seems to be the trendy choice.

You say it has fukc all to do with feminism, yet you don't know what is causing it, you are just surmising like everyone else.

um7y1h83ge06nx

My opinion on Limerick property.

The Ennis Road generally is a good part of the city, some parts better than others and some worse. But overall it would be a good part of Limerick. People are trying to run it down by saying it is close to Moyross and Ballynanty. That is true but doesn't reflect badly on the area. Imo the most expensive part of Limerick is North Circular Road and that's a fairly short walk to Thomond Park and onto Ballynanty and Moyross.

For those talking about the affordability of houses in Limerick, the last few years you could buy a semi-D in a decent suburb like Dooradoyle or Raheen for approximately 160-200k. That's not bad at all in my opinion. Back in the boom they were making 280-300+ k.

Limerick, even in the boom, was probably the cheapest of our large urban areas for houses. I'm in my early 30s and the majority that I know around my age here in Limerick own their own homes.

OnDraught

OnDraught wrote: »

I think a lot of people have a problem with the rubberbandits because they are issue jumpers. Whether it is recreational drug use, suicide, feminism or whatever it is next month. They seem to jockey on to whatever is the cause of the day. There is no follow up. This is true of most social commentators but they lose all edge and it could be anyone making the point as a result.

Indeed, issue jumpers. Whatever's populist they'll have a speel about it.
Some of the comments in here seem to be actually written by Blindboy, I wonder is he posting here anonymously ............. sort of like the plastic bag on telly.

Kinsley Future Carrot wrote: »

............

Limerick, even in the boom, was probably the cheapest of our large urban areas for houses. I'm in my early 30s and the majority that I know around my age here in Limerick own their own homes.

Indeed.

Yet Blindboy (same age as you) proclaims NONE of his friends or peers own their own homes or can look forward to buying.

He's a full of sh1t populist spoofer looking to line his own pocket.
Could see him as a TD in the future :pac:

RocketRaccoon

Kinsley Future Carrot wrote: »

My opinion on Limerick property.

The Ennis Road generally is a good part of the city, some parts better than others and some worse. But overall it would be a good part of Limerick. People are trying to run it down by saying it is close to Moyross and Ballynanty. That is true but doesn't reflect badly on the area. Imo the most expensive part of Limerick is North Circular Road and that's a fairly short walk to Thomond Park and onto Ballynanty and Moyross.

For those talking about the affordability of houses in Limerick, the last few years you could buy a semi-D in a decent suburb like Dooradoyle or Raheen for approximately 160-200k. That's not bad at all in my opinion. Back in the boom they were making 280-300+ k.

Limerick, even in the boom, was probably the cheapest of our large urban areas for houses. I'm in my early 30s and the majority that I know around my age here in Limerick own their own homes.

I'm in my early 30s and of my close friends and even extended friends I can think of 2 who own their own houses.

RocketRaccoon

RocketRaccoon wrote: »

I'm in my early 30s and of my close friends and even extended friends I can think of 2 who own their own houses.

But are you from the Ennis Rd? :pac:

pumpkin4life

Junkyard Tom wrote: »

What do you mean by this?

The people that are most subject to ideologues are not dumb people (because they can't understand what you are saying) and not smart people (because they're usually less exposed to idealogues/can out-think what you are saying) but average intelligence to above average in intelligence people.

Feminism appeals to women who are smartish, but not very smart for example.

The other problem with this is that these people can be awful to be around, because they know/are used to the fact that they're above average and this gives them a massively inflated confidence on how the world around them works.

Blindboy is intelligent enough to accept feminism, but he can't make that next step to see it is full of dem swiss cheese holes.

Dannyriver

Augeo wrote: »

But are you from the Ennis Rd? :pac:

The Ennis rd is a massive area where a very small section of it , namely the north circular road could be considered as posh/plush. The rest of it are housing estates such as Greystones, Clareview, Caherdavin which are 3 bedroomed mostly and in no way considered posh and certainly not owned by anyone who has the money to buy their children houses ...hope that makes it clear for you.

frozenfrozen

Augeo wrote: »

Some of the comments in here seem to be actually written by Blindboy, I wonder is he posting here anonymously ............. sort of like the plastic bag on telly.

Specifically call out which posters you think are BB posting anonymously

Cienciano

Noveight wrote: »

Criticizing ≠ begrudging. Probably suits him better that it does, mind.

I like blindboy, but I agree with you. It's as if we can't dislike anyone famous, if we do it's because they're successful. Some people dislike famous people because they think they're ****, simple as that. For instance, I really dislike Ryan Tubrity. Can't stand the guy. But I like Graham Norton. Surely I would dislike Norton more because he's doing so well for himself. Begrudgery almost doesn't exist, certainly not to the extent some famous irish people make it out.

The Moldy Gowl

frozenfrozen wrote: »

Specifically call out which posters you think are BB posting anonymously

Wibbs

frozenfrozen

frozenfrozen wrote: »

Specifically call out which posters you think are BB posting anonymously

Is that not against the charter?

Dannyriver wrote: »

The Ennis rd is a massive area where a very small section of it , namely the north circular road could be considered as posh/plush. The rest of it are housing estates such as Greystones, Clareview, Caherdavin which are 3 bedroomed mostly and in no way considered posh and certainly not owned by anyone who has the money to buy their children houses ...hope that makes it clear for you.

Hold on now Fred, I'm not alluding to anyone getting a house bought for them.
Private estates comprising of 3 bed family homes ......... what is the norm is that much of the kids grow up, go to 3rd level / do a trade / get a remotely decent job and go on to buy their own home.

Limerick house prices offer a great opportunity to do that.

Blindboy claims NONE of his friends/peers have done so, completely unbelievable and so utter horsesh1t.

frozenfrozen

Augeo wrote: »

Is that not against the charter?

Wasn't against site rules when the guy from fair city was accused of posting about himself?

You can consult a mod to ask but I would see no problem with you backing up the statement you already made by being specific about the posts here you think were written by BB.

Hector Savage

Christ he has a book !!

frozenfrozen

frozenfrozen wrote: »

....................

You can consult a mod to ask ..............

I'm hardly going to consult mod to see if answering a question YOU asked me is against the charter

Like, I know the answer to the question you are asking :pac:

The Moldy Gowl

Hector Savage wrote: »

Christ he has a book !!

Whats the problem with that?

Its a collection of short stories he wrote himself.
Heaven forbid he wants to do something creative on the side.

Boom_Bap

Mod
Please don't try to link any account here to someone in real life. It's against the charter.







Regards,

BlindBoy
Boom_Bap

Boom_Bap

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Mod
Please don't try to link any account here to someone in real life. It's against the charter.............

Thank you for the clarification.
I thought that was the case.

Billy86

c_man wrote: »

Ah that Willie o'Dea song was pretty funny. Problem for them was that there's a certain geographic boundary to how far jokes about Limerick and drugs go (things didn't work out on C4 for example) so no international breakthrough, and people here got pretty bored of the hole schtick. Yeah, we get it you singing about yokes and robbing stuff... *snore* So that led to the pivot to where they are now i.e. right-on, PC stuff. It's given them a huge new audience and devoted following.

I had a look at their Twitter during the last "controversy" about them. Wow. Apparently anyone who expresses the sentiment that they're not funny anymore is a right wing troll. Says them anyways.

What's funny there is I've shown a few Rubberbandits videos to people from outside Ireland, they absolutely love them and find them hysterical - Black Man and Horse Outside particularly.

Yet I don't know that I've met a single non English or British person who 'got' Father Ted.

Insect Overlord

Augeo wrote: »

what is the norm is that much of the kids grow up, go to 3rd level / do a trade / get a remotely decent job and go on to buy their own home.

Limerick house prices offer a great opportunity to do that.

Blindboy claims NONE of his friends/peers have done so, completely unbelievable and so utter horsesh1t.

"horsesh1t" indeed.

You must surely realise that there was a prolonged recession in this country which resulted in thousands and thousands of young people emigrating to Australia, Canada, the USA, Britain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and elsewhere. Those of us who stayed behind in Limerick were limited to very unstable working prospects. Tradesmen were out of work with the lack of building projects in the area so the old reliable apprenticeship of the boom years disappeared too. Limerick City had an unemployment rate in the 20-27% range for much of the last few years. What cash-strapped financial institution is going to offer money to young lads who might only be working three days a week?

The Limerick Re-generation project ground to a halt after the initial stage where a load of properties were demolished in various housing estates. The promised new homes still haven't been built in any appreciable numbers.

Even among my own graduating class of newly qualified teachers (approx 400 young workers in 2010 when mature students are taken out of the equation) I'd estimate that less than 10% have homes of their now. The ones who do have mortgages are mostly married to other teachers, and I know from close friends that they still struggle to cover bills despite combining incomes from a traditionally "safe" profession.

I can think of 4 lads from my Leaving Cert class who became doctors and even they've been moving from one short-term rent for another while they try to get a foot-hold in different hospitals. Out of the 150 of us who did the LC together, I'd say maybe 20% are still living in and around Limerick. Everyone left when they had the chance. They're all in Dublin or the UK now, or on the other side of the planet.

Billy86

c_man wrote: »

Well a straight google search for Blindboy gets you his name and picture, among other details. So let's leave the anonymous thing aside as it's a non-runner, obviously anyone who's interested can seek him out. What we're left with is that the bag, mock accent et al is part of the character. You wouldn't seriously claim Shirely Temple Bar had the wig and all so yer man could shop in Dunnes in peace.

Question:

Both of these are extremely famous athletes in their own fields, but which one of them is more likely to be recognised on their every day routine by random members of the public where their sports are most famous, in a celebrity obsessed world?





Is it going to be the one everyone sees in a t-shirt and shorts, or the one everyone sees in a helmet with a visor that completely blocks out their face?

Billy86

Insect Overlord wrote: »

The problem with your suggestion is that Blindboy often operates on a level that is, arguably, above that of his critics. He's a very eloquent and well-read man. His thick accent seems to belie this, especially when it comes to people who haven't really listened to him before trying to argue with him.

The Joe Duffy interview when they had first broke through was particular gold here.

Billy86

lazybones32 wrote: »

Never listened to him, never will. Read written articles about him and not gone on him/them.
I understand daft punk doing the mask thing; Sia too, but a serious gulf in talent exists between those three.

Stature sure, but I wouldn't say on talent. And within Ireland they're extremely well known so it would be a big issue. Well ok, maybe on Daft Punk, but I'd have them as one of the best and maybe most influential acts of the last 50 odd years! :pac:

Billy86

Kolten Ambitious Rodent wrote: »

The begrudgery line...yawn....not everyone has to take his nonsense like men need feminism/sjw bandwagon for gospel..

There definitely is an element of it in my experience though to be honest - in plenty of other places if John across the office gets promoted I've seen a lot more congratulating and others trying to raise themselves to John's achievements abroad, while by comparison in Ireland I notice more of a grumbling about how John didn't deserve the reward and attempts to drag him down.

Very broad stroke that of course, and doesn't even nearly apply to everyone. But it's a definite difference in Ireland compared to other countries I've lived in.

Stab*City

Sky King wrote: »

People do know this is a character right? And not an actual person?

Does it strike anyone else as strange that a made-up persona with a fake voice, parody accent and a fking plastic bag on his head is treated like a normal, regular person in debates and current affairs TV shows? And given the same credibility and respect as an actual real person?

Alternatively if you prefer holding on to the bag, you could try going back to... you know... being funny. And less preachy.

Man you come across way more preachy than Blindboy. You are worried about fake accents yet half the population of the east coast just took it upon themselves to make up and accent to sound more affluent and to distinguish themselves from the more working class people.

His persona is just that. Nobody is themselves on tv for chri$t sake! Its time people started to look past the exterior and see what these people actually have to say. There is an orange man with fake hair running the most powerful country in the world but now when he speaks people listen. they may not agree but hey not everyone looks like you or me.

Dannyriver

RocketRaccoon wrote: »

I'm in my early 30s and of my close friends and even extended friends I can think of 2 who own their own houses.

Thank you it's infuriating having people come on here stating that most people in their early 30's own their own houses. I was asked by the bank if I have a partner to which I said yes and it was wink/winkl suggested that if I married her they d review my mortgage request because she s earning a ****ty wage with 1 year contracts also.

PeterParker957

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Mod
Please don't try to link any account here to someone in real life. It's against the charter.







Regards,

BlindBoy
Boom_Bap

It's the same initials - I knew it!!!!!!

(Please don't ban me, I've just settled in!!!)

Dannyriver

Insect Overlord wrote: »

"horsesh1t" indeed.

You must surely realise that there was a prolonged recession in this country which resulted in thousands and thousands of young people emigrating to Australia, Canada, the USA, Britain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and elsewhere. Those of us who stayed behind in Limerick were limited to very unstable working prospects. Tradesmen were out of work with the lack of building projects in the area so the old reliable apprenticeship of the boom years disappeared too. Limerick City had an unemployment rate in the 20-27% range for much of the last few years. What cash-strapped financial institution is going to offer money to young lads who might only be working three days a week?

The Limerick Re-generation project ground to a halt after the initial stage where a load of properties were demolished in various housing estates. The promised new homes still haven't been built in any appreciable numbers.

Even among my own graduating class of newly qualified teachers (approx 400 young workers in 2010 when mature students are taken out of the equation) I'd estimate that less than 10% have homes of their now. The ones who do have mortgages are mostly married to other teachers, and I know from close friends that they still struggle to cover bills despite combining incomes from a traditionally "safe" profession.

I can think of 4 lads from my Leaving Cert class who became doctors and even they've been moving from one short-term rent for another while they try to get a foot-hold in different hospitals. Out of the 150 of us who did the LC together, I'd say maybe 20% are still living in and around Limerick. Everyone left when they had the chance. They're all in Dublin or the UK now, or on the other side of the planet.

Fair play to you for this post I actually started one explaining this and I didn't have the stomach for it, sometimes it's not worth the bother. Some people were posting Abbeyfeale as viable property for people living in Limerick.

Insect Overlord

Insect Overlord wrote: »

"horsesh1t" indeed.

You must surely realise that there was a prolonged recession in this country which resulted in thousands and thousands of young people emigrating to Australia, Canada, the USA, Britain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and elsewhere. Those of us who stayed behind in Limerick were limited to very unstable working prospects. Tradesmen were out of work with the lack of building projects in the area so the old reliable apprenticeship of the boom years disappeared too. Limerick City had an unemployment rate in the 20-27% range for much of the last few years. What cash-strapped financial institution is going to offer money to young lads who might only be working three days a week?

The Limerick Re-generation project ground to a halt after the initial stage where a load of properties were demolished in various housing estates. The promised new homes still haven't been built in any appreciable numbers.

Even among my own graduating class of newly qualified teachers (approx 400 young workers in 2010 when mature students are taken out of the equation) I'd estimate that less than 10% have homes of their now. The ones who do have mortgages are mostly married to other teachers, and I know from close friends that they still struggle to cover bills despite combining incomes from a traditionally "safe" profession.

I can think of 4 lads from my Leaving Cert class who became doctors and even they've been moving from one short-term rent for another while they try to get a foot-hold in different hospitals. Out of the 150 of us who did the LC together, I'd say maybe 20% are still living in and around Limerick. Everyone left when they had the chance. They're all in Dublin or the UK now, or on the other side of the planet.

So how does your speel make his claim not horsesh1t?

"Blindboy claims NONE of his friends/peers have done so, completely unbelievable and so utter horsesh1t."

Dannyriver wrote: »

Thank you it's infuriating having people come on here stating that most people in their early 30's own their own houses. I was asked by the bank if I have a partner to which I said yes and it was wink/winkl suggested that if I married her they d review my mortgage request because she s earning a ****ty wage with 1 year contracts also.

You seem aggrieved that you are on a sh1tty wage, you should channel your energies into bettering your career etc.
Most people in their early 30s might be doing better than you, that accepted they might be in a better position to buy a home.

c_man

Billy86 wrote: »

Is it going to be the one everyone sees in a t-shirt and shorts, or the one everyone sees in a helmet with a visor that completely blocks out their face?

You don't live in a hurling county, do you?

RocketRaccoon

Augeo wrote: »

So how does your speel make his claim not horsesh1t?

"Blindboy claims NONE of his friends/peers have done so, completely unbelievable and so utter horsesh1t."

Do you know his friends? Do you know for a fact that any of them own houses?

Are you from Limerick?

Dannyriver

Augeo wrote: »

So how does your speel make his claim not horsesh1t?

"Blindboy claims NONE of his friends/peers have done so, completely unbelievable and so utter horsesh1t."

You re trolling now clearly , if you re going to base everything of what Insect said there negated by the use of the word 'NONE' , that s school yard debating.

Dannyriver

Augeo wrote: »

So how does your speel make his claim not horsesh1t?

"Blindboy claims NONE of his friends/peers have done so, completely unbelievable and so utter horsesh1t."




You seem aggrieved that you are on a sh1tty wage, you should channel your energies into bettering your career etc.
Most people in their early 30s might be doing better than you, that accepted they might be in a better position to buy a home.

Ill ignore your patronising advice just to say that Im in a career that I love but unless the situation with no long term contracts low wages/no mortgage and hi house prices changes, I ll have to emigrate just like all the nurses and teachers are doing.

Dannyriver

Dannyriver wrote: »

You re trolling now clearly , if you re going to base everything of what Insect said there negated by the use of the word 'NONE' , that s school yard debating.

Well my point is that blindboy uses the word NONE and that's horsesh1t.
NONE is key to my point.

I'm 37 myself, I wasn't immune to the recession either. I worked through it rather than p1ssing and moaning though.

OnDraught

Dannyriver wrote: »

But they re not you see. They've been consistently talking about all those issues and in the case of suicide google 'Sonny' [which was their last song release] feminism and drug use read his book or listen to his podcast. Mind you your statement would look like it was a good summation if it was true.

I’m aware of their output. I actually quite like their comedy and their songs. I’ve been to see them as well.

A couple of years ago recreational drug use was a big thing for them. I haven’t heard reference of that since then. Same with all the craic around 1916. There are still commemorations and various events happening all the time but these lads have abandoned that cash cow to move on to something else.

Dannyriver

Dannyriver wrote: »

............... I ll have to emigrate just like all the nurses and teachers are doing.

Ah come on, let's not get carried away now.

Billy86

c_man wrote: »

You don't live in a hurling county, do you?

Even most of the more famous hurlers can take an hour drive a county or two away and not be noticed on the street. They're known locally, not nationally (or internationally) which you yourself pointed out in this post. Meanwhile Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Brian O'Driscoll or Paul O'Connell are going to get recognised by most people anywhere they go in the country, and probably the UK too for that matter.

Dannyriver

Augeo wrote: »

Well my point is that blindboy uses the word NONE and that's horsesh1t.
NONE is key to my point.

I'm 37 myself, I wasn't immune to the recession either. I worked through it rather than p1ssing and moaning though.

So if he d said only one or two of my friends you d have found him more credible yeah?

Billy86

Augeo wrote: »

Well my point is that blindboy uses the word NONE and that's horsesh1t.
NONE is key to my point.

I'm 37 myself, I wasn't immune to the recession either. I worked through it rather than p1ssing and moaning though.

Jesus why didn't we all think of that!? Just keep in employment with a steady income through the recession. Simple. It was so f***ing obvious!!

c_man

Billy86 wrote: »

Even most of the more famous hurlers can take an hour drive a county or two away and not be noticed on the street. They're known locally, not nationally (or internationally) which you yourself pointed out in this post.

It was an example, not a direct comparison. Of course a hurler wouldn't be recognised internationally Just like Steven gerrad wouldn't, nor the yank.

Meanwhile Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Brian O'Driscoll or Paul O'Connell are going to get recognised by most people anywhere they go in the country, and probably the UK too for that matter.

I'd put money on all of those being unrecognised walking down your average UK street. Put a hat on PoC to cover up the ears to stop any passing wondering.


But it's beside the point really. If he says he wants it for that reason, then right. He knows it'll take away from what's said, meh so be it.

If Fintain o'Toole only wore a Darth Vader mask when appearing on tv discussion and live debates, and only spoke on them through a voice modulator, people would question that too and it would take away from anything said.

Billy86

c_man wrote: »

It was an example, not a direct comparison. Of course a hurler wouldn't be recognised internationally Just like Steven gerrad wouldn't, nor the yank.

Erm... if you live anywhere but England you just recognised Steven Gerrard internationally!? I'd be sure 90% of people in this thread did, if not more.

Meanwhile you conceded that they would be known all over their home countries, which are 65mn with a big chunk of land and 320mn with one of the largest landmasses of any country in the world; that's more than a little different to Kerry or Kilkenny with their 150k and 25k populations don't you think?

I'd put money on all of those being unrecognised walking down your average UK street. Put a hat on PoC to cover up the ears to stop any passing wondering.

I wouldn't, especially Keane and Duff - they'd be recognised about as quickly as you recognised Steven Gerrard.

But it's beside the point really. If he says he wants it for that reason, then right. He knows it'll take away from what's said, meh so be it.

If Fintain o'Toole only wore a Darth Vader mask when appearing on tv discussion and live debates, and only spoke on them through a voice modulator, people would question that too and it would take away from anything said.

It's an interesting one though, what about someone who wears a wig and uses a posh accent or 'phone voice' as some call it when on air? I mean they are disguising their looks and putting on a fake voice.

Dannyriver

Dannyriver wrote: »

So if he d said only one or two of my friends you d have found him more credible yeah?

If he told the factual truth and didn't hop from homelessness, depression, male suicide etc etc etc depending on what was the populist speel to spout I'd find him more credible.

Billy86 wrote: »

Jesus why didn't we all think of that!? Just keep in employment with a steady income through the recession. Simple. It was so f***ing obvious!!

self employment in my case

The Moldy Gowl

Steven Gerrard would get recognised worldwide and he has been retired a few years.

Billy86

Augeo wrote: »

self employment in my case

And fair play to you on it, but the thing about Ireland being arguably the worst hit country (with considerable external dependencies) in the worst recession/depression/etc the world has seen in close to a century is that everyone just getting a job or starting/maintaining a company is that it literally just is not possible.

Boom_Bap

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

Steven Gerrard would get recognised worldwide and he has been retired a few years.

When he first went to LA he was delighted that he could become part of society again as he wasn't recognised popping out to get a pint of milk.

weldoninhio

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

Steven Gerrard would get recognised worldwide and he has been retired a few years.

Drop a pin on a map anywhere in USA, i'd guarantee 95% of the people in the nearest town wouldn't have a clue who Gerrard was

Insect Overlord

Augeo wrote: »

If he told the factual truth and didn't hop from homelessness, depression, male suicide etc etc etc depending on what was the populist speel to spout I'd find him more credible.

They're all inter-linked though.

c_man

Billy86 wrote: »

Erm... if you live anywhere but England you just recognised Steven Gerrard internationally!? I'd be sure 90% of people in this thread did, if not more.

Actually I do live in England :P I'm not going down that rabbit hole, it's going nowhere.

It's an interesting one though, what about someone who wears a wig and uses a posh accent or 'phone voice' as some call it when on air? I mean they are disguising their looks and putting on a fake voice.

I'm not sure of any such people offhand (I'm sure there are some) but yeah if it detracts from the substance, then it's a pretty stupid thing to do. Actually the fact that I can't think of any others probably points to them doing it effectively.

cantdecide

Augeo wrote: »

self employment in my case

Hence why you're on Boards during the work day :pac:

Billy86

Boom_Bap wrote: »

When he first went to LA he was delighted that he could become part of society again as he wasn't recognised popping out to get a pint of milk.

Yeah that's true, he'd be really well known in most corners of the world but North America is a little different in that sense. Henry said something similar about being able to get the subway around NY, which I'm guessing was not a realistic option for him with the London Tube. I also remember seeing Giovinco on two separate occasions pushing around his baby's buggy that he could barely see over the top of (which was pretty gas to see with the pedestals athletes get placed on) around Toronto. I wouldn't say they'd be recognised in every country in the world just like Aaron Rodgers could walk around Dublin for the day barely noticed.

Billy86

c_man wrote: »

Actually I do live in England :P I'm not going down that rabbit hole, it's going nowhere.

I'm not sure of any such people offhand (I'm sure there are some) but yeah if it detracts from the substance, then it's a pretty stupid thing to do. Actually the fact that I can't think of any others probably points to them doing it effectively.

Touché!

By the way it's an oldie but you should pop 'ghetto news reporter' into Google for the laugh if you've not seen it. The US president and the former mayor of London quickly spring to mind as two people who are (supposed to!) be dealing with very serious issues while in wigs (that thing has to be a f***ing wig, right!?).