[Closed] Student burns £20 in front of homeless man

What a asshat, this will haunt him the rest of his life.

Really? It sounds like an entrance exam for the Tory cabinet.

£20 on making the tory front bench by 2030?

Neck like a turtle with a pencil shoved up its arse.

[img] [/img]

If he was one of mine, I'd give his allowance to the homeless person for the rest of his stint at University.

See how he liked that.

How punchable is his smug face?

Total ****er
Hates the Poor
Lacks enough practical knowledge to set fire to paper.

I for one welcome our 2040 Tory Prime Minister.

I bet none of us have had a single moment of dickheadedness in our teenage years.

£20 ???
Well , I guess we are in times of austerity.
Didn't you have to burn a £50 to get into the Bullingdon club ?

Utterly deplorable.

Next thing you know he'll ride past an unemployed person on a bicycle which costs more than a years Jobseekers Allowance.

[i]a single moment of dickheadedness in our teenage years. [/i]

Most of our moments of dickheadedness probably didn't show our complete underlying contempt for those who were less fortunate than ourselves?

Cheapskate!
It's £50 to get into the Bullingdon Club.

And also, Tory w*%^$@

APF

I bet none of us have had a single moment of dickheadedness in our teenage years.

I did plenty. Never burned money in front of a homeless person, tho.

This shouldn't be a partisan issue. Bloke is just a bit of a nob. Hopefully lesson learned.

It has been rumoured that burning a £50 note in front of a homeless person is one of the initiation ceremonies of Oxford's notorious Bullingdon club.

[i]didn't show our complete underlying contempt for those who were less fortunate than ourselves?[/i]

I also spent no time whatsoever helping in a homeless shelter charity.

Hey, he sounds like a ****, but judging someone on a story in the Daily ****ing Mirror? **** that.

In the video, Coyne, a distant relative of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, is heard saying "some homeless shelter".

Coyne is the nephew of the First Minster's sister-in-law's ex-husband.

Talk about a tenuous link!

I bet none of us have had a single moment of dickheadedness in our teenage years.

plenty, not as idiotic as this though.

[i]I also spent no time whatsoever helping in a homeless shelter charity.[/i]

I'm not sure teenagers are given a choice between:

A) Taunt the homeless
B) Become Mother Teresa.

Mostly ignoring homeless people and throwing some money in a tin every now and again when they think about it is all that society expects of teenagers surely?

as noted we all did daft things as kids/yoofs but that is not daft it is heartless. I never did anything remotely that showed a lack of empathy for fellow humans much less fortunate than me and i certainly never did it for a "Laugh"
who knows if it was out of character or not but it is most unlikely they would not have said what they have said.

Having read a lot of the threads on this site over the years, I'd imagine he goes to the same watering hole as several of our "contributors".
😥

plenty, not as idiotic as this though.

dunno, i bet i'm not alone in being glad mobile phones and the associated ability to record & share everything, for ever wasn't around when I was younger and stupider.

Most of our moments of dickheadedness probably didn't show our complete underlying contempt for those who were less fortunate than ourselves?

True, but you seem to be showing a underlying contept for those more fortunate than yourself 🙂

haha who is called Ronald in the year 2017

jam bo - Member

dunno, i bet i'm not alone in being glad mobile phones and the associated ability to record & share everything, for ever wasn't around when I was younger and stupider.

You're not. Many many incidents spring to mind! 😳 😯

Having read the whole story he seems like a decent chap that made a mistake - goaded into it/drunk?

I've done worse than that to more people in my youth, plenty will have if they were honest enough to stop for a minute and think about it. I was never at Cambridge though nor a Tory. Not only did he got caught where many of us didn't, he got caught in a period of time where his actions can be immediately dissected on various forms of media and he will no doubt be hounded for it for the weeks to come.

in life, some people deserve a good hiding............Fact

what did you do beat up the homeless or burn their sleeping bag?

I bet none of us have had a single moment of dickheadedness in our teenage years.

This.

Teens and young adults make monumental c*ck ups. It is how we learned, it is how they learn. This does not mean that behavior like this is somehow OK, it is unacceptable and wrong. There should be consequences - but ones the lad can learn from and move on in life from a wiser and better person for it.

km79

I've done worse than that to more people in my youth, plenty will have if they were honest enough to stop for a minute and think about it.

Yeah sure, if you define worse by illegal, ie drunk driving or illegal drugs...maybe. But I doubt the majority of people will have done anything that clearly demonstrates a sneering contempt for other people and a complete lack of empathy.

I am struggling to think of a time in my youth when I made a conscious public effort to belittle or dehumanise someone. Nope. Can't think of any.

I do vividly remember getting into a brawl with a gang of scumbags one freezing night because they assaulted the homeless guy I'd just given my hat to. Maybe that was worse.

he will no doubt be hounded for it for the weeks to come.

Years, more like.

"Nice guy who made a mistake" or no, calling out stuff like this hopefully might make someone else think twice about pulling a similar stunt. I wonder if it's crossed his mind to donate to charity / give money to the homeless by way of an apology? I may have more sympathy then.

"He was a nice guy, quiet, kept himself to himself. He only did the one murder, we all make mistakes."

What he has done is awful but modern media does seem to cause an ott knee jerk response that I am glad wasn't available in my day. I mean doorstepping his mum and tenuous linking to Nicola sturgeon for christ sake 🙁

There should be consequences - but ones the lad can learn from and move on in life from a wiser and better person for it.

It's on the interweb! I'm sure there will be inopportune consequences for him throughout his lifetime.
Once a nobba...

"He did two years of volunteering at a shelter homeless shop in Edinburgh."

Respect for that.

revs1972 - Member
£20 ???
Well , I guess we are in times of austerity.
Didn't you have to burn a £50 to get into the Bullingdon club ?

indeed, Bojo would be horrified that a waanabe Tory could only muster up a 20

I wonder if it's crossed his mind to donate to charity / give money to the homeless by way of an apology?

from the article

"It's completely out of character. He did two years of volunteering at a shelter homeless shop in Edinburgh. It's very surprising.

"He spoke to us after the event and said he'd done something very stupid and felt really bad about it.

"He went out a few nights later around Cambridge with one of his friends to do the homeless run and give out tea, coffee and sandwiches to them.

Do what? you [i]read[/i] the article?? 😉

"I never did anything remotely that showed a lack of empathy for fellow humans"

You don't seem to be showing much empathy for this lad!

This shouldn't be a partisan issue. Bloke is just a bit of a nob. Hopefully lesson learned.

Except it is, because the moron has gotten to a nice Red brick Uni, and then fallen in with the Tory boys and apparently taken up behaving like an entitled little shit... Like it or not lots of people will join the dots.

Better yet...

The Cambridge University Conservative Association (CUCA) confirmed Coyne was their [u][b]communications officer[/b][/u]...

Perfect...

What's all this talk of Bullingdon?

Wrong shade of blue!

I think he has demonstrated and communicate TOry values rather well

@jimjam, not to derail the thread but drunk driving is only bad cos it's illegal? I can't actually imagine many things that more aptly

demonstrates a sneering contempt for other people

In contrast this presumably drunken stunt, whilst abhorrent, at least didn't have the possibility in ending up in death/tragedy. Hopefully the guy will realise that he's been a monumental bell-end, and end up bettering himself.

zilog6128 - Member

@jimjam, not to derail the thread but drunk driving is only bad cos it's illegal? I can't actually imagine many things that more aptly

demonstrates a sneering contempt for other people

I was too young to drive when it was more socially acceptable to drive when drunk or after a few beers, but from speaking to people older than me it appears it was very much the done thing 20-30 years ago and didn't carry anything like the stigma it does today.

I mentioned drunk driving speculatively, considering a number of STW posters are in their 50s and 60s. Speeding would probably have sufficed for what I was trying to say.

Pre-tied bow tie - frightful.

Whilst this guy is patently an utter arse, The KLF burnt a million squid as 'art'. On national TV.

The KLF burnt a million squid as 'art'.

Good point well made. That money could have been put to damn good use.

dunno, i bet i'm not alone in being glad mobile phones and the associated ability to record & share everything, for ever wasn't around when I was younger and stupider.

indeed, but here's the thing, both my kids have grown up in an era where the ability to record everything is possible and more importantly has always been a part of their lives. As it undoubtedly is for this guy, they live their lives in a public way that most of us would not want particularly. He knows full well that a stunt like this is going to be filmed, it's the point after all, to have evidence...to pass whatever idiotic initiation, or bet or drunken boast...

While I agree that growing up is all about making mistakes, I think most kids know that burning money in front of a homeless person is no way of behaving?

That money could have been put to damn good use.

is Art not a good use then?

"He went out a few nights later around Cambridge with one of his friends to do the homeless run and give out tea, coffee and sandwiches to them.

That's good, at least.

However he does have as much right to do such a thing as you lot do to judge him 😆

Junkyard - lazarus

what did you do beat up the homeless or burn their sleeping bag?

I've took the piss out of jakies begging for money before, I've also hurt people out of pure jealousy, humiliated friends out of silly competitiveness, laughed at things/people I shouldn't have and no doubt numerous other things.

Dickish behavior no doubt, but at least I'm honest about it. I've went on to lead a good life as a fairly decent human being. I can only wonder how it would have turned out if I got caught on camera and it went viral though.

His mum said: "It's been stressful. I'm starting to panic because I can't get a hold of him.

Maybe the guy has gone and done something to himself as a result. No doubt there would be some who would say it'd serve him right.

Zilog has a point, Jimjam, and this...

Speeding would probably have sufficed for what I was trying to say.

..is still tantamount to

a sneering contempt for other people

Think about the danger when someone speeding flies round a corner and hits someone assessing a situation based on the current speed limit of that stretch. It's inconsiderate, regardless. Selfish, too. Sneering is always optional...

is Art not a good use then?

I can think of better. Torching cash as a 'performance' is totally self indulgent. TBH, I'd have a lot more respect if they'd have done all the publicity guff and then given the money to a grassroots charitable cause at the last minute.

Think about the danger when someone speeding flies round a corner and hits someone assessing a situation based on the current speed limit of that stretch. It's inconsiderate, regardless

teasel

Zilog has a point, Jimjam, and this...

No he doesn't. He's moralizing based on something I said which was intended only to speculate as to whether illegal = worse purely from a point of perception. Fine, if you want to be obtuse lets start a thread and debate whether doing 71mph on an empty motorway is morally worse than burning a £20 note in front of a homeless person.

[i]...is the intent.[/i]
nothing

Whilst this guy is patently an utter arse, The KLF burnt a million squid as 'art'. On national TV.

An interesting point actually, and it says a lot about wider society, the media, how we choose to interpret such acts and what place Money/wealth and the perception of "privilege" occupies in our world...

You've got different scales there obviously, but also you need to examine the intent/message behind either act...

Were the KLF pointing and laughing at those less fortunate than themselves?
Apparently they themselves weren't too clear what statement they were making but they buggered off to a Hebridean Island and did it relatively quietly...
If it was a statement about wealth, the excessive importance of money or inequality then that was lost somewhere along the way. If they were simply being a bit "Rock'n'Roll" again it wasn't quite showy enough for that...

There's always the argument that giving the money to a charity in either instance would send an utterly different message, it's relatively easy to show the world your philanthropic deeds and recieve mostly positive vibes in return, its quite another thing to consciously and publicly destroy wealth and put it beyond anyone else's use...

You could argue both are rather self involved acts, and you'd be right, but this Tory student's had a distinctly more malicious feel to it in many people's eyes. The sums involved are (perhaps strangely?) less of a concern than the meaning...

The KLF burnt a million squid as 'art'. On national TV.

It's Ok. Homeless people don't have televisions.

Fine, if you want to be obtuse

Not my intention.

I think what matters and differentiates this persons actions is the intent.

I still think speeding is a poor example. It's invariably deliberate and if done without thought then maybe time to review one's ability to drive safely. Or with due care and attention etc.

I get the difference but both are selfish, stupid acts. I see little point in distinguishing between two scenarios that affect other folk in a negative fashion. Sure, the note burner is a contemptuous arse but so is that ****er speeding because he's late or maybe just because he wants to test his car and take his favourite corner as fast as Moss/Schumy/Current Guy. Many don't see a problem with that until someone gets killed.

I understand the distinction you're trying to make but I simply don't agree.

Edit, cookeaa has made the point eloquently

Years, more like.

Give Jon Ronson something to write about.

Well said [b]cookea[/b].

Sounds like a case of an out of character act incited by the group he seems to hang out with.

Sadly being led astray is part of youths bewildered outlook.

Maybe this act committed has instilled more moral consciousness in him than not having done it.

I hope the lad centres himself and surrounds himself with family, the outfall of this could be very sad for months and years to come.

bodgy - Member

Whilst this guy is patently an utter arse, The KLF burnt a million squid as 'art'. On national TV.

I'm sure I read that it was a hoax. They also nailed £50k to a framed bit of board and advertised it for £50k !

Sounds like a prick

[url=

Drummond talks about burning one million pounds Jan 2014[/url]

"People ask me [i]why[/i], but it's for other people to decide why two blokes would burn a million quid."

Less than helpful, in fact a bit of a cop-out.

EDIT: Apologies OP, didn't mean to hijack the thread.

The KLF thing has no relevance whatsoever. Apart from the involvement of fire, there is no connection. You might as well start bringing up other ways people publicly waste money. Hey, what if a homeless guy goes into an internet cafe and reads the thread about how much we spend on bikes?! All totally irrelevant to a crap story about some kid showing off and being a dick.

I think what matters and differentiates this persons actions is the intent.

Sorry officer/m'lud, I didn't intend to lose control of my car and indavertently kill someone, so I'll be right to drive next week yeah? Hardship etc etc

I'd be interested to know if the reaction would be the same if it was some chav from a crappy northern town burning the £20.....

He made a mistake then attempted to make up for it.

How many others can say the same?

I'd be interested to know if the reaction would be the same if it was some chav from a crappy northern town burning the £20.....

Or a premiership footballer, or a London banker, or a coal miner, or a rail worker etc, etc... It's just whataboutery.

I assume in every one of these "what if" scenarios they're still waving that burning note in a homeless persons face?

If so their background and status are pretty irrelevant, it's still a symbolic taunting of those at the absolute bottom of the pile... Anyone can pick on them if they want...

Whether you live in a mansion or a council flat you at least have [i]something[/i], some sort of home...

If you need to express your status by belittling those at the very bottom of the pile, who have no voice or means, what are you telling the world about yourself?

cookeaa - Member

I assume in every one of these "what if" scenarios they're still waving that burning note in a homeless persons face?

If so their background and status are pretty irrelevant, it's still a symbolic taunting of those at the absolute bottom of the pile... Anyone can pick on them if they want...

Yup. And pretty feeble whatabooutery, since the odds of "some chav from a crapp northern town" burning a £20 note in front of a homeless person are pretty bloody slim.

"If you need to express your status by belittling those at the very bottom of the pile, who have no voice or means, what are you telling the world about yourself?"

...and if you do two years of voluntary work for the homeless what are you telling the world about yourself?

I don't buy, it would have been a complete non story.

Its only deemed news worthy because hes at a top university and has some / comes from money.

As other have said the over the top trial by media is way out out proportion. I'm by no means condoning his behaviour, its very very wrong. But he a young person who made a very poor choice.

that your mum will say anything about you , in order to defend you, to the press?????
Is there any proof to this ?anyone know the shelter so we can check ?

100% d.ckhead - should have a life ban from The Conservatives (I bet that's what happens informally). Personally I think is less slightly disrespectful than the guy climbing onto the Cenotaph but bad enough, his college / Cambridge should give him a suspension and a warning - no further nonsense.

What's all this talk of Bullingdon?
Wrong shade of blue!

@Stoner 🙂

some chav from a crappy northern town

He's from Livingston, is that far enough north for you?...

[i]anyone know the shelter so we can check ?[/i]

Ask his mum. I'm sure she'll be happy to answer questions at the mo.

I laughed at this bit:

Somewhere along the line his dad is the brother of the ex-husband of the sister of the First Minster's husband.

He might go around saying he is her nephew but he's not.

should have a life ban from The Conservatives

I'd have thought it'd be more appropriate to give him a punishment.