bookmark_borderAARGH!

BBC Anything But Impartial (via Vaughan)

I should really muster more energy from the rage this has given raise to, but I simply don’t want to waste it on something that is soooo far beneath us all.

“I watched the BBC’s output during the war … posing questions that revealed an anti-war and anti-American agenda, not to mention the huge issue of chasing Tony Blair around for the crime of being so friendly to the Americans.”

*sighs*

Anti-war = anti-American?

“the BBC displayed the biases of Britain’s chattering classes — that Bush was a moron, that the war was illegal and immoral, that the American people were too stupid to elect a man who ends up running the world, and that somebody smart enough — like the Brits — should take over that all-important job.”

“Bush was a moron” – ahem.. “WAS”?
“the war was illegal and immoral” – it was.
“American people were too stupid” – Eh? I think you’ll find that it was a clever designed voting system that ‘elected’ George W.

I read a comment somewhere (sorry can’t recall where) that the whole ‘Janet/nipple’ debacle has prompted a federal investigation, this is despite the fact that a war that is STILL claiming lives has taken a year to get to that stage and doesn’t seem to be getting much further.

No, I’m not saying any more.

Mind you, I’ve got a full crate of ‘pent-up rage’ energy here… any offers?

bookmark_borderDude, where's my country?

Michael Moore is intelligent, funny, and an excellent public speaker. He is obviously (demonstrably) passionate about his beliefs and puts across his point lucidly and with a large degree of verve.

So I guess it’s time to pin my colours to the mast and all that. I’m a leftie. Not far left as I’ve never really identified with any type of extremism, in fact I’m probably around left of centre (Suzanne Vega wasn’t it?). I do have a reactional right-wing side to me but it is just that, short-term, reactionist, and not really how I feel.

Anyway, back to Moore. He is on a book tour, but didn’t read anything from his book (despite picking it up, flicking through some pages before discarding it). He talked mainly about the War in Iraq, the decisions behind it, and ‘challenged’ us to provide an answer to the question of what Tony Blair gained from the war? He prefaced a lot of ideas using humour but was quick to remind us of the reality behind the politics. He took the opportunity, on Remebrance Day, to read out the names of the 53 British soldiers who have died in the Iraqi conflict. Punctuating each name with the word DEAD, it was moving, evocative and very poignant.

I agree with his principles, as I’m sure most of you do as he speaks with a common sense liberal attitude, pro-environment, pro-choice, anti-Bush, it’s an easy hand to play, particularly in these politicallty correct times. In fact this sense of ‘being seen to do the right thing’ was a definite undercurrent, and (although I’ve never been to one) I’m guessing the whole experience was akin to being at a political rally. It’s a captive audience, already in agreement with the majority of the speakers viewpoints, and willing to be lead on others. Liberalism through suggestion? Hardly, the audience is obviously aware of the realities of the world they live in, but there was a hint of exclusivity about the whole thing.

In fact it’s easy to see how, with a few extensions of character and ideals, extremist movements come about.

Take one charismatic speaker, able to emote his ideas and appeal to the masses, one set of ideals that are easily put forward, add a twist of supremism and you aren’t too far away from a certain man named Adolf.

OK, not that close, but you get my point. I hope…

So all in all, an enjoyable, thought provoking and some what sobering evening. But not surprising, and I think that was the biggest disappointment for me. Ultimately, whilst I admire and support his views, and for once in my life may get off my middle-class fat arse to demonstrate against George W.Bush in Glasgow next week, it wasn’t anything new. But maybe that’s his point. It’s not new. It’s been going on for years.

bookmark_borderPetrol

“That is not the way to make policy in Britain and as far as I am concerned it never will be.” – Tony Blair.

Totally agree Tony. Well said. We can’t have a government that is dictated to, that’s the entire point in voting, elections and the democratic process.

Slight problem though, aren’t the people we voted for supposed to act on our behalf? Aren’t they supposed to listen to what we say, take it on board and at least consider it? Mr.Blair’s reaction seems rather childish. He is already lifting what is a simple campaign, based around one simple idea (we pay too much for our petrol) into the political arena, and trying to stamp his authority on the matter. Aside from that small matter of not being able to take someone… who uses pauses…. far too much…. when speaking to…. the public, seriously, I think this is another example of the basic flaw that every politician develops.

We think we are paying too much for our petrol. The government says, we’ll sorry…tough. So we ask again and start a small scale campaign (the ‘don’t buy on the 1st of the month’ one). Response from the government, yes we do hear you, but we can’t do anything. We start a blockade. The government gets twitchy and starts getting authoritative.

So, we ask, and ask, then act. The government politely declines us twice, then clamps down (to stop the matter getting out of hand, no doubt). What is stopping them acting? What are they afraid of?

They have just launched a £1billion initiative to get more of the UK online. What the hell are they spending it on? The last published figures, from the government, stated that around 60% of households in the UK are online, with over 85% owning and using a computer. Schools all have computers (usually shiny new iMacs that no-one uses, the staff not having received any training).

We work longer hours than every country in Europe, pay more tax, and earn less. So, the government receives, per head, more money from us than any other company. We have less in our pockets, so obviously we shouldn’t mind paying high prices for just about everything.

What is the government afraid of? They are afraid that if they act over the current petrol dispute, they will very soon be put under pressure to lower prices, tax etc on many, many other things.

We need a strong government. I don’t doubt that. I am fully aware that there is no quick fix. Mr.Blair and the Labour party need to learn one thing very quickly. What they are doing right now is not being strong. They have been pushed into a corner, and want to come out fighting. This is not a display of strength, this is a display of petty schoolboy (public schoolboy?) arrogance. I’m all for keeping integrity, and stay focussed to reach goals that will benefit everyone. The hardest part of keeping your integrity is learning when to give it up.