Their lips are moving

I think 'we' could do with 'them' getting a reality check...

This shambolic blame game is set to pull Labour apart

'Let's start with one curious and well-made point from Alan Johnson today. He observed that when it came to the big issues, Gordon Brown's government hadn't done so badly.'

A few have already cranked an eyebrow at that one, as much for the person who tried to make it stick as the one trying to stop in sliding down the wall.

There does seem to be an interesting breed of clearly delusional Emperors with New Clothes and sycophantic fashion critics in the politico-media establishment these days, operating on a 'Not My Fawltyesque' 'I think I may have got away with it' by dint of only listening to those who tell them what they want to hear.

Watching Mr. Marr amble along with Mr. Johnson yesterday, and Steven Pound just now on SKY, with both trying to tell us what Hazel meant when she said 'YouTurn if you want to' was really highly supportive, was worth it indeed.

But I really am getting a tad tested with certain folk from this same discredited cabal telling me what I think and am really concerned with, when... they haven't a clue.

Indy - NEW - It's almost heartbreaking – these people are so clueless - Not a usual hat-tip, but this one is tellingly spot on.

It is a source of some irritation to me that in my county Old/Nu/Whatever hue Lab doesn't even bother putting up a candidate. Because, whatever else I do in the election, I want the whole sorry crew to know what I think of them.

And I want it to be so crushing, so humiliating, that even the promise of dodgy pay systems and unwarranted pensions and unethical non-exec directorships won't be enough to make it worth it in compo.

But also so that whichever of the remaining venal bunch that I get presented with as alternatives grasp that my 'mandate' is a precious thing, and I am getting a tad tetchy with it being totally abused by dishonest incompetents, much less idiotically claimed as such from a poor % of an even poorer turn out.

What they forgot to mention

If the BBC learns generosity, it can become untouchable

cynosarge16 Mar 09, 1:19am

But one example, but well sai... written. I believe the Guardian might benefit from noting that some do get frustrated, or worse start to question the value of material that might be viewed to be tainted by 'bias of omission'. Certainly my eyebrow cranked with an opening that starts: 'We need the BBC', wondering if the author had merely assumed that included me or thought she had asked. Only on reading the information in subsequent comments do I come to understand what was meant, if rather making an unfortunate point in passing by the way phrased.

I also note, with interest, the recommendations to comments here, though I guess they are easily manipulated.

This is the online section of the Guardian, which I think would itself proudly boast to be a good FoB (Friend of Beeb), with a close financial relationship (recruitment ads) that in turn leads to other 'bonds' (the author's relationship with the subject of her story, and others).

With a readership to complement all this.

So far I merely note most comments reckoning that the BBC, especially with its news, would benefit from getting back to reporting facts objectively (especially in my pet area of frustration, namely science) without 'enhancing narratives', 'interpreting events', facilitating 'emerging truths' and a host of other weasels for a self-appointed, incestuous, over-powerful, privileged-by-position media 'elite' imposing their values of what is 'right' on 'wrong' on what they seem to feel is a misguided majority in need of redirecting to assist their personal, and indeed corporate group-think agendas.

Meanwhile, the 'I see the BBC bashers are out' argument (which it isn't - and rather proves another point) -deployers and their attempts at defence of this attitude (mainly comprised by using it themselves) are getting zippy... plus short-shrift.

Ouch!

On more than one occasion I have had occasion to question the abilities and/or motivations of our major commentariat.

Thanks to a person with a spectacular memory and awesome filing system, I think I know why...

Brown shows he can forgive and forget

Specifically:

GoldenAxe
Oct 03 08, 1:23pm

Oh, and who said:

"who can now doubt that the macho spin-machine created by Campbell and Mandelson has been horrifically damaging for Labour and for the reputation of politics generally?

and this

But like so much that Mandelson gets involved with, you don't feel you are getting the facts straight. For once, the Tories have it right: the word "slippery" seems highly appropriate for this arch plotter.

Hello Jackie!

Superb. In an age of commentary and opinion elevated way beyond rational value, it is nice to see a simple dish of facts served cold and hard.

One hopes that, with pieces like this being added to the body of work on the CV, others in the family will be there to cover the mortgage... and banner. Oh.

The owners and brand guardians of the paper must be so proud.

Newsnight - Reshuffle Questions

Why does the expression 'A few Jokers short of a deck' spring to mind in this context?

While, to be fair, the same holds true elsewhere. Why is it that, with 30M able-bodied adults to choose from in the UK, we seem to be subjected to the same, limited selection, from the same stagnant pool time after time.

Looking at the punditry being cranked out on this, especially, Oh, Lord, Mr. Mandelson, I am struck by the disconnect between 'in-Village' and the real world, with talk already of 'giving chances,' 'has grudging respect of peers,' etc.

No matter how you try to intellectualise it all, the possible brainpower of aspirant leaders is not much good if no one fancies following them. Tricky finding the calibre required of course, as I am minded of the notion that the right person for the job would not be in their right mind to apply, much less accept it, these days.

I have a vision of a plucky khaki crew on the Western political front. At the head our Dear Leader crying 'Charge... I am the one to sort this out!' as... if... when he emerges from the bunker to stick his head over the parapet, reluctantly followed by a few who really have no choice not to and are all out of options. With a few chatterati cheerleaders back in a chateau a wee bit further behind the lines, penning some more cheering them on.

Meanwhile the rest of us in the trench are just hunkering down, hoping we can hang on until there's a vote.

Gaurdian - 'Masterstroke, or desperation?'

Ooooo, tricky one. Let me see, based on past strokes of the master...

Gaurdian - Mandelson is back where he belongs

I know I am not a skilled, well paid spinmeister, but I have to say headlining a piece '...back where he belongs.' in any context these days, but especially a political one, a labour political one at that, and with a character whose past is so 'colourful', seems a well interesting choice.

Guardain - O brother, here art thou

Gaurdian - This 1997 tribute band is out of tune with our times -

Speaking as you do, of a 'Government of All the Talents'.

The Minister for Dark Arts arrives and... coincidentally, time for a GOAT sacrifice or two.

The Party must be soooo proud.

Must be fun being a headhunter for high office types these days.

'Must be capable of swallowing pride, kissing ass, principles and career goodbye... for the cause, you understand'.

That'll get the quality guys in.

ps: 'The Bootleg Soclialists?'

You hum 'em, I'll play 'em.

Telegraph - Peter Mandelson 3: The Return of the King

Times - The Cabinet reshuffle: supergroup, or a sad tribute act?