Revoltaire

Was reading how the guys really in charge of the Iranian elections were a bunch called the Council of Guardians.

That all sounds suitably Marvel(as in comic)icious.

Sort of Voltaire-lite: 'We may not agree with what you say, but we will sort of tolerate it... so long as you are not an Israeli'.

Which is the odd caveat we seem to be seeing from libertarians closer to home.

To 'a little bit pregnant' I guess we need to add 'freeishdom of speech'.

Makes you proud to be in a cradle of democracy.

Another 'wrong' result. Apparently.

Curses, Canada!

I just have to add this to a growing list...

Guardian - Idiot voters deliver wrong result, again.

When will they ever learn how democracy works, eh (that last bit is in 'homage' to the people of your fair country)?

Meanwhile, back in this country, did someone mention 'nails' in a list that excludes leadership qualities...

'...a strange man with an awkward gait, an absence of social skills, and the dress sense of that guy at the back of the hardware store...'

Bless. At least another election at last gets a mention over here. Even if it has generated the 'wrong' result.

If only God the gift hae' ge' us..

ILL DESERVED VICTORY FOR THE EVENING STANDARD

Naked political bias and lack of balance in reporting and commentary by independent media is, of course, unfortunate, if inevitable. Mechanisms to try to prevent this do of course exist (see associated blog post on these pages about TalkSport firing an over-partisan DJ), but they are few and far between, not always applicable or effective.

I do not live in London so I was not exposed to The Evening Standard's shenanigans, but was certainly aware of those by others not mentioned here, such as The Guardian, for instance. It is in fact being noted now that by trashing the ability of the public to make a decision, in a democratic vote, by some who seem to believe they are better placed to know what's 'right', may have actually served in reverse of what was intended. Darn those independent minded voters... how dare they rain on other's agendas. The fools! Or succumb to the wiles of 'blonde Tory buffoon Boris Johnson..' who, apparently, is now '..where he can quaff champagne and caviar and wonder what the hell he has got himself into.' I guess London is just going to have to find out what IS going to happen, but will be guided, I am sure objectively, by many media outlets on the journey.

Will we also, I wonder, along with age be treated to the perceived (by whom, and what measure?) affiliations of all who get mentioned in future. Because, other than being right in this case at least, I don't recall reading before about YouGov as being 'run by Tory Peter Kellner, partnered with the Standard'. Ta for the heads up.

Like many, this has served me well. So, before hitting the keyboards in future, I think I might try a bit of Burnsian looking in the mirror first. Just to make sure I am not being as bad, or worse, than those I see fit to critique.

Gaurdian - Tough at the toff

Another cherished notion disabused

Times - Elections only prove that the system is failing

I, for one, did not know there was no longer a secret ballot. Good job it's not Zimbabwe, esel we'd have the goons round to 'persuade' us for next time.

That darn electorate again

'Listening' politicians are a menace

'If a politician does what I want and not what is best, that is not what I pay my taxes for'

To use a common political and media practice and take just one thing out of context, I just have to say, to this above at least... say what?

Who is it you think knows, and can be trusted to know 'best'.

Nothing wrong with selling as such. It's the product that really matters.

I just listened to the current leader of my country on BBC and the SKY 'explaining' what he was going to do after what has recently transpired.

And my jaw dropped that the best he, and his crack squad, could come up with in the time since the series of drubbings is... more of the same bunker-denial: 'they have learned and are listening and are getting on the the job..'. and a score more hackneyed, meaningless and now discredited (hint: check the election results from the people) sound bytes!!!!?

This is a badly cracked record that is not playing... at all.

The interviewers could barely keep the incredulity out of their voices that fair questions could not elicit anything more substantive than vague, future-alluding drivel... ignoring the 12 years trying.

Interesting to note the main thrust of the 'counterattack/defence/whatever it gets spun as' , from a government either bereft of actual suggestions and/or replete with way too many that have gone pear-shaped, is to dismiss the opposition as just 'salesmen'.

Yes, so? I can think of no aspect of life that does not involve selling, and people who are good at doing it are pretty good leaders. Seems better than pretty much (looking at the polls) having policies no one is buying.

The Tories will now have to flesh out their substance a lot more now, and they have had a luxury by being in opposition a while now to enjoy the role of critic.

Thing is, it seesm optimistic for the incumbent to figure the best way to stay calm in the bunker is say nothing is wrong down there, and pointing everywhere else (including the electorate) as being at fault for not seeing this emerging truth.

Let's see what happens over the next 2 years. It's for the Conservatives to lose. And in my county even more, as Labour doesn't even bother to field a candidate, so there will be no sending messages or tactical stuff, just trying to see what might actually make the future worth.