The tragic case of Fiona Pilkington and her daughter highlighted the problem some people in the mainstream have with disability. Recent press and TV reports suggest that the prime minister is not immune.
In what amounts to a campaign of bullying, it was "revealed" first that Gordon Brown was on anti-depressants. Then, when that didn't discredit him, we were told he was going blind.
What next in the rumour mill? Bubonic plague?
In both cases, the subtext was that Brown was not up to the job. Plainly, his opponents are finding it difficult to challenge his running of the country, so let's get personal: admit it, Gordon, you are depressed and you are blind.
My colleague, Simeon Brody, has already covered the anti-depressants issue.
And in The Guardian this week Action for Blind People's Sandi Wassmer wrote: "Visual impairment does not affect Gordon Brown's ability to do his job. I am blind, and the only thing disabling me is ignorance."
Curiously, nobody suggested that David Blunkett was unable to carry out his duties as home secretary and education secretary. They might have disagreed with his politics but many admired the way he pursued his career despite his blindness.
So why is Brown different? If the opinion polls are anything to go by, he is an unpopular prime minister. He is far from photogenic in this age of rictus smiles, Botox, perfect teeth and celebrity. Undoubtedly he dithered over holding a general election last autumn just when the Tories were riding high in the polls.
But some economic indicators show that his fiscal package may just be starting to work. Cue panic stations among his enemies.
So what is left to challenge him on? His perceived disabilities, of course. Mental health is coated in stigma so let's accuse him of being depressed; one of his eyes was badly damaged in a rugby accident, so let's send out a rumour that the sight in his good eye is failing.
Drip, drip, drip. It's a very ordinary response when the world of politics should be setting a better example. And it is bullying.
A bit overstated, Mike. In fact there is an argument to say that it is Labour that is drip-feeding the health information on Gordon, to try to get some public sympathy for someone who is heading for an Election drubbing.