My own personal blog. UNISON NEC member for Housing Associations & Charities, HA Convenor, London Regional Council Officer & Chair of its Labour Link Committee.
Newham Cllr for West Ham Ward, Vice Chair of Local Authority Pension Fund Forum, Pension trustee, Housing & Safety Practitioner.
Centre left and proud member of Labour movement family. Strictly no trolls please.
Promoted by Luke Place on behalf of J.Gray, Newham Labour Group, St Luke’s Community Centre, E16 1HS.
Friday, December 04, 2009
"The more he talks, the less he says"
Brown on Cameron: Check out that PM Question time on Wednesday 2 Dec. Hat-tip thingy Dan McCurry.
Political or military commentators, like astrologers, can survive almost any mistake, because their more devoted followers do not look to them for an appraisal of the facts but for the stimulation of nationalistic loyalties(3). And aesthetic judgements, especially literary judgements, are often corrupted in the same way as political ones. It would be difficult for an Indian Nationalist to enjoy reading Kipling or for a Conservative to see merit in Mayakovsky, and there is always a temptation to claim that any book whose tendency one disagrees with must be a bad book from a literary point of view. People of strongly nationalistic outlook often perform this sleight of hand without being conscious of dishonesty.
I agree with some of what he states, but it doesn't validate your point that we all believe everything we say.
As for his point on a Conservative seeing merit in Mayakovsky, I cannot see most Tories taking umbrage at a poem such as "You" - although I've only read a few of his poems so I cannot account for all of them.
As for Kypling, I had an Indian friend who was quite passionate about his writing - not sure if she was a nationalist though.
I disagree with a lot of Chomsky's work, but I still think he's a good read.
Likewise, I'm no great fan of Peter Hitchens but he writes a good book.
No, you have misunderstood me. I was actually agreeing with what you appeared to be saying. You now appear to think that anyone who disagrees with you is telling porkies!
I don't see you as the enemy; I do think your loyalty to Wales and his cronies as being naively misguided.
Giving the impression that everyone is less pure than me? You'll have to explain how I do that.
Don't you think that just a little kettle calling the pot? Some of your blogpost come over as more than a little holier than thou - especially when you rant on about the Tories. I just write that off as just being your style.
Here's my explanations (although I think they'll be self evident to most):
"Grow up John!" - Making up a meaning that isn't there is pretty juvenile.
"If I think your telling lies I'll let you know" - that means, if I think you are telling lies I'll query the validity of what you say.
"arsehole" and "fuckwit" - were not arguments, they were just what I thought of you at the time based on your responses (I don;t recall referring to you as a "fuckwit" but it does seem fitting... IMO).
Yes, I know using both terms is juvenile... but I couldn't resist it.
Now, what is it that makes me purer than everyone else... I'm starting to believe it.
nice shoes she has
ReplyDeleteNOT
This could be said of Gordon the amount of time he restates, rehashes or rewarms policies he never enacted in the first place.
ReplyDeleteNah anon
ReplyDeleteGordon actually believes in what he does and say.
Oh bless and you believe in him too. How touching
ReplyDeleteBrown may well, believe in what he does, and he may also believe in what he says but it isn't always true.
ReplyDeleteHi Anon
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Hi Mike
I think that sums up 100% of all of us?
Does it???
ReplyDeleteMore cod psychology... how do you know that 100% of the population believes everything they say?
Doesn't hold up with some of your other comments on this blog.
Hi Mike
ReplyDeletelook what happens when I try to be nice to you!
So you think that everyone lies all the time?
No, but I do think a lot people tell lies for a myriad of reasons.
ReplyDeletePolitical or military commentators, like astrologers, can survive almost any mistake, because their more devoted followers do not look to them for an appraisal of the facts but for the stimulation of nationalistic loyalties(3). And aesthetic judgements, especially literary judgements, are often corrupted in the same way as political ones. It would be difficult for an Indian Nationalist to enjoy reading Kipling or for a Conservative to see merit in Mayakovsky, and there is always a temptation to claim that any book whose tendency one disagrees with must be a bad book from a literary point of view. People of strongly nationalistic outlook often perform this sleight of hand without being conscious of dishonesty.
ReplyDeleteQuoting another Blair I see.
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of what he states, but it doesn't validate your point that we all believe everything we say.
As for his point on a Conservative seeing merit in Mayakovsky, I cannot see most Tories taking umbrage at a poem such as "You" - although I've only read a few of his poems so I cannot account for all of them.
As for Kypling, I had an Indian friend who was quite passionate about his writing - not sure if she was a nationalist though.
I disagree with a lot of Chomsky's work, but I still think he's a good read.
Likewise, I'm no great fan of Peter Hitchens but he writes a good book.
Hi Mike
ReplyDeleteNo, you have misunderstood me. I was actually agreeing with what you appeared to be saying. You now appear to think that anyone who disagrees with you is telling porkies!
Grow up John!
ReplyDeleteWhere did I state that?
I didn't read your Orwell quote as contradicting me; I just made a few of my own observations about his statements.
You can disagree with me as much as you like; if I think you're wrong, I'll say so.
If I think your telling lies I'll let you know, but on the whole I just think you have very wonky logic.
Hi Mike
ReplyDeleteWhether or not you realise it - You give the impression that everyone is less pure than you.
Even if someone agrees with you they are still the enemy!
I'm surprised you didn't add "IMO".
ReplyDeleteI don't see you as the enemy; I do think your loyalty to Wales and his cronies as being naively misguided.
Giving the impression that everyone is less pure than me? You'll have to explain how I do that.
Don't you think that just a little kettle calling the pot? Some of your blogpost come over as more than a little holier than thou - especially when you rant on about the Tories. I just write that off as just being your style.
Hi Mike
ReplyDeletetake off your blinkers and read your comments may help (IMO).
I'm writing a post at the moment for tomorrow which may explain my views of your Tory mates.
No John,
ReplyDeleteRather than just throw out a comment, explain the thought behind it.
Tell me where I'm giving the impression that I’m purer than everyone else. I’m intrigued.
Hi Badman Mikey
ReplyDeleteYou are getting milder in your old age but..
"Grow up John!"
"If I think your telling lies I'll let you know"
also what about the "arsehole" and "fuckwit" arguments?
Here's my explanations (although I think they'll be self evident to most):
ReplyDelete"Grow up John!" - Making up a meaning that isn't there is pretty juvenile.
"If I think your telling lies I'll let you know" - that means, if I think you are telling lies I'll query the validity of what you say.
"arsehole" and "fuckwit" - were not arguments, they were just what I thought of you at the time based on your responses (I don;t recall referring to you as a "fuckwit" but it does seem fitting... IMO).
Yes, I know using both terms is juvenile... but I couldn't resist it.
Now, what is it that makes me purer than everyone else... I'm starting to believe it.
Hi Mike
ReplyDeleteI think the correct term is purile not pure!
Measuring it against some of your comments here, I can live with that.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike
ReplyDeleteThe truth can be difficult.
For you, evidently!
ReplyDeleteHi Mike
ReplyDeleteLike Abe I cannot tell a lie! But truth is often subjective! You should know that by now at your age!
Great post you did about me last night on your blog. No truth to it whatsoever. IMO of course. I must make a comment.
comments closed.