I haven't seen the video, so I'm not qualified to comment about that, but I will say that I didn't detect any vitriol in ANTIcarrot's post. The 'slimy politician' bit may have been uncalled for, but many worse things are said on this site about all sorts of people who don't fall into the 'one of us' category.

Sean is a huge asset to RDFRS - he speaks incredibly well and punches home the main messages.

I'm willing to take that assertion at face value, although if his comment at no. 4 is anything to go by, I hope he manages to develop a slightly thicker skin.

Also...

Would you say that to my face? Let me know your name and address. I'd be happy to discuss it with you in person...

...sounds confrontational, a bit threatening, and not a little like something a character in Eastenders or The Sopranos might say. If ANTIcarrot does vouchsafe his address, I hope that Sean doesn't turn up with a baseball bat and a set of knuckledusters.

Seriously, is Mr Faircloth really willing to spend airfare, cross timezones and possibly continents to parley with the carrot over an innocuous comment, or was what he said just braggadocio?

Contrarian no. 2