I agreed with you.It’s important to understand the full context before passing judgment. While scolding residents is certainly wrong, especially for someone serving the public, it is also important to ask what circumstances led to that behavior. Context does not excuse the mistake, but it does provide a fuller picture.
In any case, the remarks were made in private exchanges with friends, not in an official capacity. He has since apologised, showing accountability. Some individuals with their own agendas will naturally seize on this incident to sabotage him, especially with the timing so close to polling day. At the end of the day, it is easy to judge someone based on selected snippets, but it is much fairer to assess the full story and a person’s willingness to acknowledge mistakes and grow from them.
Unfortunately, politics are extremely dirty. Whatever you did in the past from the day you are born till today will be scrutinised by the intelligence network of your opponents. Whatever you did or said in the past will be dung up, etc. Some people may consider this a low class way of dealing with your opponents. You may be ok but you can't see for the boomers. They are less forgiving. That's why politics are not meant for most people because you will be subject to all kind of bullies, be it online or physical.