A lot has been made of the way in which New Labour controls the media so as to present itself in a favourable manner. There are two reasons why I think this is entirely justified. Firstly, in an age of electronic communication where images can be flashed around the globe in seconds, appearance is vitally… Continue reading New Labour is right to treat the media with contempt
Category: Society
The end of the road for the Guardian and me
It’s been on the cards for a while and a long time coming, but it is today that signals the end of the road for the Guardian and me. I’ve been reading the Guardian steadily for about 12 years, sometimes on a daily basis and at others just a few times a month. It’s been… Continue reading The end of the road for the Guardian and me
Tracksuits Vs The Daily Mail
The woman opposite me on the train is reading The Daily Mail, flicking through it leisurely reading the strap lines and looking at the pictures of angry white people from the home counties – I paid, I want, I deserve, I need. She’s eating Snack a Jacks which are low in fat but have made… Continue reading Tracksuits Vs The Daily Mail
Prostitution in Sheffield
I watched a bit of TV before I went to bed last night, Britain’s Streets of Vice, presented by the pious Sally Magnusson. Only the BBC would have a joyous Songs of Praise presenter front a program about something deemed so unholy. Like the program before it, Skint, it provides BBC viewers like myself with… Continue reading Prostitution in Sheffield
Street violence
I’ve spent most of this weekend thinking about the woman I saw getting beaten up outside my flat on the early hours of Saturday morning. Horrible, the sight of a big strong man repeatedly punching someone smaller and weaker while her friends watched, terrified. There are few sounds more repulsive than that of a bony… Continue reading Street violence
The Army are not to blame
The humiliating treatment handed out to Iraqi prisoners of war by a handful of British soldiers last year was, and still is, a shameful disgrace. There are no two ways to look at the final result, it’s embarrassing and potentially dangerous for both Great Britain and the British Army. That’s even before we even get… Continue reading The Army are not to blame
Julie Burchill is not a Chav
I’ve always had a lot of respect for Julie Burchill. Her uncompromising opinions, stinging criticisms and fantastic use of the English language make for exiting and funny reading. I stopped reading the Guardian when she stopped writing for it, her hilarious critique of the middle classes seemed like the only thing keeping the paper in… Continue reading Julie Burchill is not a Chav
Essex is a proper county
Dave Fulton from the US was a high point in the line up at the Comedy Store in Leicester Square last night. His genuinely funny views on London living, the British and the Bush administration had everyone in complete stitches. A very politically correct Scottish woman the audience took exception to his mocking Condi Rice… Continue reading Essex is a proper county
Push pigs at Ikea
I was utterly amazed on waking to the news this morning that people had spent hours queuing outside the new Ikea in Edmonton for the opening at midnight, not only that, but six of them where actually taken to hospital with heat exhaustion and crush injuries! Are people really willing to subject themselves to this… Continue reading Push pigs at Ikea
Piety, What is it that you dislike about the Army?
Piety, you just couldn-t resist that slot on last nights 10 O’clock news could you? A prime opportunity for some of that anal seepage style smug sincerity that has won you two elections and probably the next. The scripted rhetoric must have taken the duty spinmiester all of five minutes, probably over a mobile phone… Continue reading Piety, What is it that you dislike about the Army?