Mike Tyson the hero

[TiredOfRain]

According to Portsmouth Guildhall who say 'Throughout his career, Tyson became well known for his ferocious and intimidating boxing style as well as his controversial behavior both inside and outside the ring'. 'Controversial behaviour' including rape. If you feel strongly that he shouldn't be held up in this way, there's a petition you can sign.

Exactly SGM, it depends what is meant by hero.

Roman Polanski is a talented film maker, Chris Brown is a talented musician, Mike Tyson is a talented boxer, DSK is a talented economist.If I wanted to get good at film making, music, economics or boxing, I might read a book about their techniques.

I sure as hell wouldn't consider them heroes.

Stupid phone.

Sorry just caught up with this thread - amazed that an independent fostering agency will be even inadvertently sponsering this event.

Line runner

I thought that - so I contacted them, the reply is copied and pasted below.

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention, Fostering Solutions certainly does not wish to be associated with behaviour such as you describe and we are very grateful to you for taking the time and trouble to contact us.

As a child-centred organisation, Fostering Solutions sponsored a youth team for one season at Fareham Town Football club a couple of years ago and our logo was added to their website at that time. I suspect the logo remained there in error.

I have contacted the Club's Website and Programme Editor, Paul Proctor (name and contact details available on the Club's website) and requested our logo be removed from the Club's website with immediate effect.

I shall check the website regularly to ensure this is undertaken.

Many thanks and kind regards.

Apparently Fareham have cancelled as well - will try to link.

here

Two council leaders in Portsmouth and Fareham potentially involved here - 'not bad, not bad at all'.

If you can believe wikipedia, Tyson as recently as 2011 was seemingly encouraging vigilante violence. He seems unhinged. I don't understand why anyone would defend his right to be exploited and exploit others through his ghastly 'evenings', other than plain old misogyny.

Hero is defined as a man of distinguished courage of ability admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

I see nothing in the above statement that describes this monster?

Barnsley are now taking on Mike Tyson as an after dinner speaker link

signed and shared

Thanks DoMeDon, singed it earlier.

Thanks. Signed.

I've signed the petition and contacted the venue's 'partners', the answers have been:

Yorkshire.com

We do support the Barnsley Metrodome as we feel it is a terrific venue and an asset for our visitor offering.

However we do not have any influence over the events hosted at the BPL.

Investors in People
As Investors in People is a voluntary framework, under our complaints procedure we aren?t able to intervene in individuals? cases in matters which are covered by employment and other law, or are the subject of grievance, tribunal or other legal proceedings until these are completed beyond any appeal. We don?t, for example, have rights of entry into organisations as we have to be invited on site. Therefore, we would be unable to influence BPL?s choice of guests for their events ? or influence what these people might or might not say - as it is simply not part of our remit. Presumably you are making representations to the organisation itself about Mr Tyson?s conviction twenty years ago and how this may or may not be a part of his ?act? now.

Barnsley Hospice
Thank you for your email. It has been passed on to senior management for discussion.

As a charity we do not make political statements.

What happened in Portsmouth, did he not speak anywhere?

Those sponsor statements are a bit wishywashy

In what way complexity? It's a hospice

No, I don't believe Mike Tyson appeared anywhere in the Portsmouth / Fareham area.

I don't think a lot of charities think about sponsors until a controversy arrives.