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tripps
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12/01/2009
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22:52
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I received today my 60 pounds electoral bribe generous bonus from Gordon Brown. I imagine a few other contibutors will also do so. As a pathetic and futile bi-digital gesture of comtempt for this government. I have decide to give it away. After at least a full minute's careful consideration, I have bought Stanley's Bancroft book, and given the balance to the site fund.
I did not donate last year, as I was not happy with the direction we were going in, but now we seem to be back on track (purely a personal opinion of course), so it's back to contributing.
Good stuff this French brown ale.........
Edited by - tripps on 12/01/2009 10:53:54 PM
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 29/03/2011 : 04:44
Shades of Winston Churchill when he accused a member if being 'a stranger to the truth'. Hitler got it right when he said that the 'Big Lie' was a legitimate political tool. Today's big lie is 'We're all in it together'.
I can remember doing a course in Open College once called 'Study Techniques' which included forensic textual analyis. I was asked in an interview what why I thought it was the most valuable segment of the first year and I said that it meant I could never listen to a politician again without questioning every word and phrase. So much of the language used in statements is solely aimed at disarming criticism and inserting loopholes to be used later as a get-out clause when things hit the fan. Add lazy ministers and bad briefing and you have the norm for todays politicians.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk  |
Bruff
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Posted - 29/03/2011 : 11:42
It's interesting isn't it that the 'we're all in this together' claim is hardly made anymore. That was probably an 'economy with the actuality' too far and one any normal person would see through straight away. The other week, The Observer had a list of Government Ministers' responses to the direct question, 'what are you doing as part of your contribution to the Big Society?', on the occasions it had been asked of them. To be fair, some had pretty good answers and demonstrated a long-held commitment to voluntary activities (albeit not of the bum-wiping or litter-picking type, rather as member of a Board of Trustees). Mr Cameron is apprently helping to save his local pub (good on him).
But others were pathetic, where they weren't outright nonsense, and of course a good many 'refused to answer the question'. Danny Alexander apparently 'goes to a rugby club and plays a bit of cricket'. Right. Mr Maude spluttered along, 'Gosh, what I do do? Errmm...yes. Hmmm. Ooooh that's a very unfair question'. I see.
But as usual, it's left to Mr Clegg to lead the way in opening mouth and inserting both feet: 'As Deputy Prime Minister I'm very, very busy, and with young children it's really very difficult to find the time'. Aren't we all.........
Richard Broughton
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 30/03/2011 : 07:12
Good point Richard and I suspect you're right. Some lovely examples there of politicians caught flat-footed. My favourite was when Woollass was handbagged by Lumley on the Ghurka question. It should have been enough to get him ejected from the Hof P but of course it took a court case. I'm afraid that Clegg looks lightweight to me. But what do I know about these high political matters.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Bruff
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Posted - 30/03/2011 : 11:39
Stanley - On politicians being caught flat-flooted, I'm not one for crediting Mrs Thatcher with anything but I vividly recall a stunt many years back when she was PM pulled by a TV programme. During Conference season, PMs and Ministers being interviewed by the press pack, were asked by a member of the TV programme 'what's your favourite fish?'
Poor old Mr Benn said 'what a ridiculous question', and ignored it. Mr Archer esssentially called the questioner an idiot, whilst muttering 'Fish? Favourite fish?' On and on it went, with politicos being either thrown or dismissing the questioner with various degrees of scorn.
But step forward Mrs Thatcher. Asked the question, without missing a beat she replied: 'Haddock. Battered, with chips, and out of a newspaper'.
Richard Broughton
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 31/03/2011 : 05:22
They were all looking for the hidden agenda, She had no fear because she was convinced she was always right. She was usually fireproof but I well remember the TV interview when the lady from the Sires handbagged her. Was it about the sinking of the Belgrano?
My Mate Daniel once had to do a pic of her and asked to be allowed to take pight levels in the office first while she was out. He did his chacks, all went well and then a smart picture editor looking at the contacts suddenly went rigid and told Dan he had achieved a world first. He had snapped her handbag on the desk. I think that pic made Dan more than the one of Maggie he had gone to get.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
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What are you spending yours on?
