[thenightwriterblog] The Night Writer: Nanny nanny boo-boo

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Posted by The Night Writer:
Nanny nanny boo-boo
http://thenightwriterblog.powerblogs.com/posts/1168990067.shtml


   We're all used to the drill now when celebrities or prominent people
   screw up: they drop out of sight for a couple of days and then call a
   press conference where they remorsefully confess what everyone already
   knows, reference a supposedly mitigating circumstance from their past,
   plead for understanding and forgiveness and usually mention they are
   entering rehab. There's probably even a website somewhere with
   form-letter speeches where you simply fill in the blanks based on your
   indiscretions (and wouldn't this make a great "Mad Libs" parlor
   game?).
   I've just read a report that follows this now tried and true format --
   but for a brand new and unexpected offense. It wasn't one of your
   typical "I'm sorry if anyone was offended by my drunken
   rantings/vehicular homicide/botched joke/lack of underwear error in
   judgment" spiels, but for a new heinous offense on the social radar:
   smoking.
   As [1]reported here earlier, last year Scotland instituted a
   nation-wide smoking ban in public places, including pubs and offices.
   Recently a Scottish government official was caught [2]smoking at his
   desk, having puffed three coffin nails during a magazine interview.
   Jim McCabe, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, then had to apologize
   for the incident and vow that it would not happen again.

     McCabe told the BBC: "I have been a smoker since my mid-teens and,
     as smokers across the country will understand, it is an extremely
     difficult habit to give up, even with the wealth of support that is
     available.
     "As I have been unable, so far, to give up the habit, I do as a
     matter of practice leave the council building when having a
     cigarette.
     "I am currently attending a smoking cessation clinic, and I hope
     this will have the desired results."
     He added: "I accept that I was in the wrong on this occasion and I
     apologise."

   The story didn't mention whether or not the owner of the council
   building where the violation occurred would, like Scottish pub owners,
   face a large fine for allowing someone to flout the law on the
   premises.
   How long do you think it will be before some celebrity tearfully
   appears on television confessing to, in a moment of weakness, eating a
   Big Mac?

References

   1. http://thenightwriterblog.powerblogs.com/posts/1168358108.shtml
   2. http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news_detail.aspx?articleid=26023