Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
Back On The Wire
I’m back. Apologies to those who have missed my posts. Thanks to the hundreds who have asked where I am.
Truth is that I was under the cloud of a vile, vicious, unforgiving flu virus. If anything ever deserved the unremitting attentions of the Israeli Army and everything that Mossad has to offer then it was this. Misery, depression, lack of motivation – nothing could have been more unforgiving and merciless in its attack.
I survived. Perhaps Palestine will not.
As I emerged from under this dark cloud there was one thing that helped me through. I have read about it for months. The HBO series, The Wire. I have seen it described as the best thing ever on television. These superlatives seemed different from most and as I immersed myself in the stories of Baltimore I understood why.
This is magnificent television. Wonderful characterisations not based on “star quality” or reputation but on acting ability. Utterly credible dialogue, surely much of it improvised.
What seems at first glance as just another American cop show is revealed as the very best in drama, capturing every nuance of the human condition.
I pray for the people of Palestine. I curse the evil Israeli state. I look for hope in mutual understanding through drama like “The Wire”.
Police Misconduct
The outrageous arrest and detention of Tory MP, Damian Green is a dangerous and worrying mistake of the most serious proportions.
Those responsible for this must be held to account for an error of judgement that is, literally, unforgiveable.
In this the Metroplitan Police should look to the BBC for an example rather than the banks or the government. The people responsible must lose their jobs without compensation.
The full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7756047.stm
Strictly Politically Correct At The BBC
I will not add any more sustenance to the well deserved success that everybody’s favourite dancer has achieved but what nonsense is this at the BBC? They’re going to refund the cost of calling to vote for him! How utterly stupid and paranoid. This betrays a real lack of proportion and judgement by someone. Next those poor victims at Sky who pay to watch the footie will be getting refunds if their favourite primadonna is off sick!
Anyway best of luck to you John. You’d never have beaten Christine…or Rachel…or Lisa and that’s not even mentioning the other men – but you’ve triumphed over them all!
John Sergeant for PM!
The full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7737447.stm
Charles At 60: The Passionate Prince
This was a gem of a TV programme. I have always been a fan of our Prince Of Wales. I remember his investiture vividly as a major event in my childhood.
It is also worth saying that I am one of the silent majority who, I believe, as well as loving and admiring Charles also felt the same way about Diana. The two points of view are far from incompatible and Charles himself is the best example of this.
I was tempted to title this post “Supreme Intelligence” because that is how I would sum up what I saw. He is a man of great wisdom, insight, patience and vision. It was good to see his mother’s endorsement of him yesterday too.
One of the issues addressed in the programme was how, when he assumes the throne, he will be have to abandon his “hands on” involvement with issues. This, I believe, is wrong. In fact, this will be his contribution to the modern monarchy. He already treads a difficult tightrope between involvement and detachment. I believe he has the ability to continue to do so in a way that will be to the great benefit of our nation.
Watch it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fky55/Charles_at_60_the_Passionate_Prince/
No More Excuses In Haringey Or Downing Street
The story of Baby P is a national scandal of monstrous proportions. Appallingly handled by Gordon Brown in the House yesterday, even the silky, smooth Ed Balls cannot cover up the Prime Minister’s inability to deal with David Cameron’s questions. Closer though to the shameful failures that allowed this child to be tortured to death is Sharon Shoesmith, the Director of Children’s Services at Haringey. Putting aside for a couple of sentences the question of her culpability in Baby P’s death, we simply have no room for anyone who demonstrates such utter incompetence in communications. She must be dismissed immediately. No question of being allowed to resign. She must be sacked.
The full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7708398.stm
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE – Bankers On The Run
It is infuriating to see them now scurrying and rushing to reduce their interest rates after the outcry at their dilatory and greedy response to the Bank Of England’s massive rate cut.
We are going to to have to drag the w**ker bankers every greasy step of the way to a place where they start behaving responsibly and fulfilling their obligations to us as major shareholders. We are going to have to watch their dishonest and deceitful efforts to snaffle huge bonuses, in shares if not cash, and we are going to have to treat them as the completely untrustworthy spivs that they are.
What is clear that some of them are already getting away with it because the government has been so weak in stipulating the conditions and “mechanisms”, as Gordon Brown put it, that will control their greed and thievery.
It is time to start naming names and for the work to be done that will uncover and expose those who have manipulated the system for their own ends.
The first candidate for the WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE poster is Bob Diamond of Barclays.
Bob Diamond, Barclays
It is generally agreed that he has spurned the government’s rescue package in favour of the Arabs so that he can hang on to his outrageous, undeserved multimillion pound bonus. I will be researching his record in more detail.
Please submit your nominations for WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE bankers with as much evidence as you can.
Where Have All The Poppies Gone?
I had the misfortune to have to visit London briefly last week. I was thoroughly disheartened to see how few people in Hammersmith were wearing poppies.
They should be ashamed of themselves. More worrying though was just how difficult it was to buy one. Hardly any of the shops had them available. Even those that we should be able to rely on to show a responsible lead like Tescos and Sainsburys are letting down our heroes. None of the staff are wearing them. What is going on? Weymouth and Dorchester are doing much better and the BBC appears to make it a compulsory requirement – and that’s no bad thing.
London is a miserable place full of miserable, selfish people and it reminds me again how I have no enthusiasm for ever returning there. Tired of London? Yes, tired of death.
“Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
— Samuel Johnson, 1777
Samuel Johnson
To someone living in 18th century Britain this famous quotation may have had some relevance After all, you could walk from the heart of the city into open countryside in little more than an hour.
Today, any man, with any intelligence, will spend only as little time in London as he has to, for today London is all about death.
The death of our children as they run wild, out of control, knifing, abusing and assaulting each other.
The death of liberty as we are watched and spied on relentlessly without proper cause by jobsworths and parasites.
The death of our culture as we have allowed minorities to create ghettoes that now overwhelm our indigenous communities.
The death of integrity as those who run our government and financial systems become ever more venal and corrupt.
Perhaps the only cause for hope in London is the bright light that is Boris Johnson. This apparent disinterest in the Poppy Appeal, this insult to our heroes really is the final straw for me. London has become a vile, oppressive hot bed of greed, violence and selfishness. I shall fiddle with delight while it burns.
The Heart And Soul Of London
A Billion Words For Barack
I have found it a little depressing to see the acres of newsprint and gigabytes of cyberspace dedicated to anticipating and welcoming the new President-Elect. As a writer it makes me feel I have to shout very, very loud to be heard at all. I am delighted to join in the party though because as many have said before me, whatever his specific policies I do believe he represents a sea change in politics. When will we have the first black British Prime Minister I wonder? His is an inspiring story and a beacon for the spirit of man. I hope that everything looks and feels just as positive in a year’s time.
Jonathan Ross, The Pratt And Incompetent BBC Management
I don’t want even to mention the other one’s name because he is and always has been a complete and utter pratt. His “brand” of entertainment appeals to the lowest common denominator and generally contributes to poorer standards of taste and behaviour. There can be no doubt that he should be removed permanently from the BBC and it would be better for us all if he was never seen or heard of again.
Jonathan Ross though is an entertainment genius. It is deeply disappointing that he has blundered like this but they say that genius is close to madness and participating in this has been insane.
The other one at least has the excuse of a spontaneous mistake. No such excuse can be proffered by the editorial staff who made the decision to broadcast the show even after Andrew Sachs refused permission.
The award for the worst, most incompetent and simply ludicrous behaviour though must go jointly to the Director General and the Chairman of the BBC. What utter stupidity they have demonstrated to flounder about doing nothing for days and days and then to impose these suspensions. This is not a mistake but premeditated idiocy.
Peter Reynolds 