24 September,2009 07:36 AM IST | | Balaji Narasimhan
Many like him have said the wrong thing on Twitter
Much has been written about how Shashi Tharoor committed a political gaffe recently with his cattle class comment on Twitter. But our minister for cattle (Oops! He is the minister of state for external affairs) is not the first to make a donkey of himself on the popular microblogging site. Let us take a look at some interesting mistakes made on Twitter:
>> Robert Henson: This Washington Redskins rookie called fans 'dim wits' and asked how people who work '9 to 5 at Mcdonalds' could know what is best for the team. He later apologised to them and then shut down his Twitter account. (Pal, at McDonalds, you only put burgers and not your feet in your mouth)
>> Nick Barnett: The Packers linebacker decided to quit Twitter after inviting all who booed him for celebrating a tackle to 'KISS MY ASS'. (Thanks, old boy, but I would rather kiss a Wookie)
>> El Heraldo: The Hondouran news outlet published a headline that read 'Actriz Jaclyn Smith sufre accidente en Honduras' and this started rumours that the actress had committed suicide. Later, El Heraldo said that the woman who was shot was Sandra Franklin, Jaclyn Smith's stunt double for Charlie's Angels. (Now, was that a shot in the dark or what?)
>> Brian and Glennis McDonald: This retired couple in Aberdeen had their house gate crashed by 150 drunken students. The party was hosted by their teenage granddaughter, who advertised this on Twitter. (Maybe, they should put a note on their gate that says 'Twits not allowed')
>> Sarah Palin: She said that President Obama's health care plan includes 'death panels' and realised her blooper when she found out that the death panels did not exist. (You will be the death of me, lady!)
>> Israel Hyman: He posted on his feed that he and his wife were 'preparing to head out of town' and then a burglar stole stuff from his home. (He probably now has a sign saying 'Home TWEET Home')
>> Tharoor: And how can we forget our own Minister? His 'holy cows' line is bound to haunt him in the days to come. Ah, well, such is politics. Later, he wrote 'I now realise I shldnt assume people will appreciate humour'. (We do appreciate humour, Shashi next time, please talk of chickens that cross the road)
And before we part, another line on Tharoor rumour has it that many people are these days travelling Business Class so that they can avoid loud mouths like him.
QUICK TAKE
>>Tharoor will be happy he has company online
>>This is because many Twitter users say dumb things
>>Users should think thrice before posting anything on a public forum
A good quote
Poor Tharoor is feeling quite sheepish because his comments have drawn so much ire, but we at IT ADDA feel that this issue has been blown out of proportion. And this is why we shall give a quote of Tharoor on information 'In the modern globalising world, information sows the seeds of prosperity, and those who are without access to information are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to building a better future for themselves and for their children.' (A longwinded way of saying that information is power; maybe, Sonia ji should also talk to him again and insist on austerity measures in speech)
