Ordinary Joe vs. the volcano

Following on form the last post on competence over perception.

Totnes Primary: now, how big is Sarah Wollaston's house?

It’s simply a fact of life, as there seems no ‘better’ way: the gatekeepers control the game because they own the pitch and the ball.

The players my change a tad, and the scores may vary, but running the game and its rewards is still theirs.

It’s true from anything from local awards juries to debating panel selections… to how ‘we’ get to ‘choose’ our leaders.

But, I have to say, this seems a tad better than before, and hence a direction to be applauded and supported.

If only for this: ‘…The career politicians out there should take note.’

And I could give a rat’s pitootie for what an MP’s house size is so long as they are paying for it honestly whilst doing the job they are meant to do, and well.

WUVI-journos, of all hues, take note.

The right person for the job is the right person

The problem for Harriet Harman…

…to assume that [this] balance* can best be achieved by a tick box quota…
*Plus, IMHO, most else.

However, in today’s world, and especially its governance, this seems pretty much to be the way things are ‘run’.

Which might explain our current, and future, predicaments.

However, in just a few areas, those of lifetime job security, unwarranted pay awards, index-linked salaries, etc, in just a few sectors, this policy does at least still seem more than rewarding.

Oddly.

Whipped into shape

Labour discipline is breaking down

There does seem to be a fine line between laudable discipline and rampant self-delusion, especially when it comes to governing/serving your country. That would be a democratic, freedom of speech-appreciating one that in theory elects proxy representatives and not tribal party rulers with Whipping boys and girls as their unacceptable 'fronts'.

IRONY ALERT - If a tree falls in the forest, and no one PR's it...

Gordon Brown's summer holiday – social working for a week or two

Especially this.

Equally unique

Tories will allow TV product placement

Cripes, I am running out of options to vote for come election time.

Certainly this writes off the Conservatives for me.

At best... a horde of new staffers to be wined and dined to 'objectively' shovel tat onscreen in the name of 'saving' money. PTOO! (Pull the other one!)

Or, at worst, there is even less connection between actions and accountability by 'losing' it in the Council Tax???! Barking.

When in doubt, play the person

And make sure your have a referee that is 'selective'.

Watched the Sunday Andrew Marr Show.

A very able substitute interviewer in Stephanie Flanders, though I did feel she softened a tad for her last guest (ms. Harperson). Sisterhood? As I have heard this 'if all else fails' strategy trotted out by Labour ad nauseam, and unclarified/checked by some who sit across from their spokespersons, is it really true that the Opposition is spending all its time 'arrogantly' claiming the election is in the bag. If so it would indeed by unwise, but I cannot recall personally having heard any such thing. The Conservatives can hardly be blamed for the claims of the media about them, much as some in the media might see merit in allowing a very tired Government to try and spin things this way.

Telegraph - Pandora's outbox: good luck burying bad news in the Internet age

Here was me thinking it was going to be a more political commentary in nature.
And I was going to challenge it.
Because, with a few notable exceptions, the Westminster brigade do a pretty good job of ensuring that what the MSM covers on TV and in print seldom comes close to what actually seems to surface and simmer a while in the blogosphere.
For instance, Ms. Harman is doing the rounds of the BBC claiming the Tories are crowing they have the next election in the bag, when I have heard no such thing (dumb if they did). Oddly, to date no interviewer seems to have been as rigourous as some out there in the ether in asking where they might see evidence of this.
As to this, I’d hardly put it under ‘burying bad news’. It’s more a caution on having odd reporting standards, poor editorial check and balance systems and how not to handle the PR crisis management of a cock-up subsequently.
Burying bad news is a whole new level of cynical news management and, sadly, too many are still getting away with it… or being allowed to by a way too comfy selection of lazy media types who seem to think they are an ‘elite’ by having access, in turn granted only by the audience their employers provide those with a story to spin (or hide).

Boycott Birmingham Airport

Birmingham airport parking charge a rip-off

Just got back from that greed-dripping, box-ticking farce of a system they now run at the airport.

Not only is it a total rip-off, there was a huge jam as several drivers hadn't twigged that they really were expecting you to not drop off but park, exit the car and pay before exiting. And no clear signage to deal with that not unsurprising lack of comprehension at how low these 'businesses' can sink.

So in fact the whole thing is designed to, and only increases congestion! So the 'claim' that this is to make things smoother and/or aid security is total b*ll*cks.

When the bean-counters and box-tickers rule the world goes to hell.

Where I have a choice, they are no longer one of them. Interesting business model.