re

[MrBen]

You cant have any kind of public profile these days and not expect stuff lik ethis to come out. What I find interesting is the general media assumption that society judges everyone in the same way. The reality is that most people (especially younger generation) would find a truely honest politician refreshing. And tell me anyone who doesnt have a skeleton in their closet!

I read this article and if anything feel MORE not less likely to vote for you. To go through that life experience, come out the other side and want to help people, society and the world in general is awesome. Good luck to you.

[SimonM]

I feared the worst when I saw the Stabbing Times (name changed to minimise the possibility of any additional sales...) placard outside the Grove Vale newsagents - "Dulwich ex-junkie wants your vote" - but thankfully the article itself inside was not at all bad, especially as it was nearly all direct quotes. You'll probably now sweep the poll!(tu)

[jim_the_chin]

gosh, what a horrible thing to have to go through though, being doorstopped like that must have been gob-smacking.

the article seems a bit confused to me, as if they realise half-way though that's it's not really newsworthy stuff. i bet they turned up salivating at the scoop and then found out you weren't the monster they wanted you to be.

there's no such thing as bad publicity - good luck.

[Polly D]

Good luck CWALD

[spadetownboy]

i,ll keep my thoughts to myself.

[Michael Palaeologus]

I've read the article. At least the journalists managed to avoid making more of a sensation out of it, it is for the most part a statement of alleged fact.

Still, a horrible experience.

It is to CWALD's great credit that she went through all of that in her earlier life and has gone on to built a strong family and has put down positive foundations for her future career and life.

You're a Hero in my book CWALD.

[Maurice]

To be serious, I find your story inspiring on many levels. However, I think one is not a monster to seriously question whether such experiences qualify you for political office. It's subtext seems to suggest those who have worked hard from early days and made better choices are some how cookie cutter politicians we should disdain, while those who made poorer choices but turned it around at halftime should skyrocket into positions of power.

If I had a vote in Riverside, which I don't, I would not vote Green anyway. If I did decided to vote Green, or to vote based solely on the people and not their party, I would discount you from my shortlist. I'm being honest but again, am inspired and heartened by your ability to turn such poor choices into positives.

[Jah Lush]

After all you've been through to come out the other end with such positivity and passion in what you believe is right and good and to have rebuilt your life in such a way I can only applaud you. You're a top girl in my book and I'm full of admiration for you. Well done. You'd definitely get my vote.

[East Dulwich Angst]

Yes good luck to ya CWALD and remember, as Irish author & dramatist Brendan Behan said "There is no such thing as bad publicity"

[Brendan]

I respect you even more now Amanda.

If you wanted to you could probably make this work for you. Although I suspect you are too much of a straight shooter to go down that route.

If however the story had revealed that you used to be an estate agent or a recruitment consultant?

[Keef]

It's all good CWALD, but did they tell you where they got their story from? I suspect it started on this very forum, which is why you do need to be a bit careful.

I know you should be able to say what you like, but unfortunately we live in a sleaze mad country, and anything that can be dragged up and written about will be

[mockney piers]

Hats off CWALD, but you know I think you're great anyway.

Mind you, good luck, you'll need it in a contest against a man with a name as cool as "Rahoul Bhansali".

But maybe that's just the Hunter S Thompson fan in me coming out.

[*Bob*]

Yes Keef... if only the papers didn't dredge-up these boring old drug mule/prostitution/heroin addict/prison stories about candidates standing for public office.

[mockney piers]

Yeah, most of them do that _after_ they get elected.

[Maximay]

Sorry, am I missing the point here? Didn't it say something about drug smuggling, you have obviously never had a child hooked on heroin, and as for the sob story about doing it to pay dealers off, I wish I had a ?1 for every time I'd heard that one! A lot are dealers themselves or have to have some form of income, other than a steady job, to pay for their habit, which by the way is self-inflicted, my son's included!! thought he'd be a party animal and now has to suffer the consequences, they are not all victims! And thats without even starting on anything else. Sorry vote of no confidence!

[Brendan]

I don?t think anybody, least of all Amanda, is trying to justify or validate anything she did.

[Maurice]

But Maximay, it's very hip and cool to be able to say 'that's the past and only fuddy duddies will pay any mind'. Funny, none of these progressive thinkers here have touched the bit about finding God.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I am sure that Amanda has already told us on another thread that the one person who helped her at that particular time was a christian for which she was very grateful, so it has not come as surprise that needs to be commented on. Perhaps you need to pay attention Maurice - keep up old chap.

[Alan Dale]

If ever there was an inappropriately titled thread.

Good luck Amanda.

Maurice is right. I would never vote for a god botherer.

[Maximay]

Oh yeah, the God bit, handy that one! and used way too much, and if I could ever please have 50p for everytime I've heard that one I would be no longer amongst you all, and would instead be sipping cocktails in the bahamas! how many people do you know who've relied on that one!

[Brendan]

Maurice Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> But Maximay, it's very hip and cool to be able to

> say 'that's the past and only fuddy duddies will

> pay any mind'. Funny, none of these progressive

> thinkers here have touched the bit about finding

> God.

If I have to explain this to you, you are not going to understand.

(I know that sounds like a cop-out but it is unfortunately true in this instance.)

[Maximay]

Sorry, is it ok then if I go sell/import drugs, sell/import myself! kill other people's children, but as long as I find God after it all I'm fine, why stop there, why don't I just go shoot someone, find God and all will be forgiven.

[Nero]

Maximay, I am sure Chav thinks of what you say. If she were remorseless, that would be a problem. She isn't and has demonstrated that she wants to be of active use to society (and not, like the most of us, be a passive member who pays taxes, stays out of trouble, works hardish and is generally a good sort), which should be applauded. However, I agree that her tales of woe and subsequent redemption shouldn't necessarily push her to the front of any popularity queue. I don't like ranks of misery. Where do you stop? Nero

[Keef]

Mximay, why do you want ?1 for the paying the dealers bit, and only 50p for God? Just interested to know how you're breaking your prices down. Surely if you owe a dealer money, you're less likely to have a quid...

Seriously, you obviously have personal experience, so you are more than entitled to an opinion on this, and not everyone will be forgiving or understanding of Amanda, and she'll have to deal with that if she wants to stand on a public platform.

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Yes Keef... if only the papers didn't dredge-up these boring old drug mule/prostitution/heroin addict/prison stories about candidates standing for public office.

I was just pointing out that it might be an idea to not help them along by putting it all down on a blog and a pulic forum.

For my part, I couldn't give a toss what you've done in the past, I know you to be a decent sort, and in casting a vote, I'd be looking for a person I believed to be "straight up", and willing to push for things they thought were right.

[mockney piers]

you're all heart Maximay.

Many of us are being supportive of Amanda because we've had the pleasure of meeting her personally.

A more disarmingly frank and honest person you'll rarely meet, so I doubt it's 'a line'.

You don't want to vote for her or approve of her, entirely your prerogative, but I'd rather you weren't quite so quick to judge her on the strength of a stabbing times interview.