TTT - // AH: "Money and success breed envy and malice - no change there." - yes they also provide a womb for growing self delusion and self importance. The belief that money and success must bring wisdom and importance. //
Absolutley no argument there.
But a little self-delusion can be ignored because kit can go with the territory in some people's reaction to fame and fortune.
But that's a long way away from the pure vitriol that is being expressed on this thread, and in the wider world, and I think a little perspective is needed.
Mr Lineker has done what millions of people do every day - expressed an opinion as a private citizen, which he is fully entitled to do.
He has not spoken as a 'spokesperson' for asylum speakers, or for the BBC, purely as a private citizen, and as such, I believe he is entitled to express an opinion.
The BBC is making noises about 'impartiality', which is nonsensical, given that Mr Lineker is a sports presenter, and cannot remotely be seen as compromising the objectivity of the BBC in any way at all.
Quite why he draws down such malice and hatred for simply expressing a viewpoint is something which speaks to the increasingly nasty nature of social media and the fall-out from it.
Personally, I have less than no time for any of the self-aggrandizing people who feel that their view is something that must be shared with millions of strangers, but that does not mean that I would ever wish to stop anyone who wishes to do so, from carrying out their wish.
I don;t agree with Mr Linkeker's view, and I despise Twitface, but we enjoy the right of freedom of speech, and that is not withdrawn on the basis of strangers disapproving of the salary you earn, or the size of the house you liv in.