Thankfully, at the time of writing, the EgyptAir hostage situation in Cyprus appears to be over after the hijacker in question emerged from the plane with his hands held up. Reports indicate that all hostages have been released and no one was harmed aboard the flight that was bound for Cairo but diverted to Larnaca early this morning.
Its over. The #hijacker arrested. #LarnacaAirport # Egyptair
— Cyprus MFA (@CyprusMFA) March 29, 2016
It's the best possible outcome to what could have been another horrific situation. Given the timing of the incident, it's fair to say that, despite the severity of the situation, no one was particularly shocked by the initial reports this morning. It was, for all intents and purposes, another horrific situation to add to quite a few that we've seen over the past few weeks.
The initial assumption among the vast majority of us would have been that it was yet another example of wide-scale terrorism, designed to provoke fear and panic among as many people as possible. Which is why it's understandable that Joseph Barton decided to 'go off on one' for want of a better phrase this morning when it looked for all the world that this was another example of religious extremism.
The only problem is that, as Barton was giving his two cents worth, it was transpiring that this was more than likely not a case of international terrorism. Instead, it appears, according to local media, to have been a lone individual who diverted the plane in an effort to deliver a hand written letter to a woman who is thought to be his wife.
Much to the anger of some and the entertainment of others, the Burnley midfielder was not aware of that when he decided to go on one of his perfectly erudite but nonetheless questionable twitter soliloquies.
Another monotheistic knobhead decides it's a great way to convince others his 'God' is real by hijacking a plane of innocent people.
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 29, 2016
Well surprisingly no it won't. It will actually only make people think you're a c**t...
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 29, 2016
...and if your 'God' does exist (as highly unprovable as that is!), he must be a c**t for permitting your existence.
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 29, 2016
You can add Brussels and Lahore to the previous statements. If you believe in something. Do it in peace. Just stop killing innocent people.
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 29, 2016
By the time, he had reached the final message, we can only assume his twitter mentions were on fire with the number of people telling him what was actually going on.
And then, despite all the above, came the inevitable climb down and apology to those that he offended.
Or not as the case may be.
Whatever, you may say about Barton, he's not one to be easily swayed by the opinion of others. After all the above, 'still clearly a knob' is the perfect way to sign off.
Seems this hijacker isn't using his 'God' as an advocate for death and destruction this time. Still clearly a knob whatever his reasoning.
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 29, 2016
