On a blog without a name » News / Politics

Johann Hari: Tony Blair Says Full Gay Equality Is Coming to America — and Clashes With the Pope

Nicholas — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:41:00 +0000

Commentary on T. Blair’s time in office and his current campaign for Gay Rights by Johann Hari:

Tony Blair Says Full Gay Equality Is Coming to America — and Clashes With the Pope:

Wrapped into this little interview was the paradox – and the tragedy – of Tony Blair. When he chose to fight on liberal issues, he was passionate, and brilliant. But he did it only a few times – and he willingly suspended these, his most impressive and admirable instincts, to embark on a bloody barn-dance with the worst President in living memory. Why?

Be careful what you say

Nicholas — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:08:55 +0000

If you are a presidential candidate, or you think you may one day become one, remember the following simple piece of advice: the internet makes it difficult to lie.

Facts have become easier to check, and inconsistencies easier to display. And while the internet of a few years ago was a rather more boring place, a video is worth ten thousand words.

So, candidates of the future, do not be tempted to tell a small, convenient lies to get you through a single speech or debate, because someone, somewhere with video editing software and far too much time will be ready and waiting.

In the interests of non-partisanship, I offer the examples of clips featuring McCain, Obama and Clinton, whose ‘sniper fire‘ – um – ‘blip‘ became national news, of course. Which in turn prompted this spoof.

And if you are going to have to lie, dear candidate, just remember that unless you are 100% consistent, someone is going to point it out. And while the cable news channels are going to tire of such things, YouTube won’t.

Clinton(s) and the Voters

Nicholas — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:01:35 +0000

Today shows the the Daily show doing what it does best – showing Clinton’s reassessment of the Democratic Primary process, and illustrating the move from her position “The Voters get to decide” (when she thought they’d pick her) to her new position: “voting is part of the process”, but they don’t really know the candidates. Hmmm. I suppose voters shouldn’t get to have the final say in November, either.

Star Wars and American Politics

Nicholas — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:52:41 +0000

Everything you need to know about why the primary result this week is a disaster for the Democrats. With help from Star Wars:

She’s no Bill

Nicholas — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:15:02 +0000

I’ve written elsewhere about not writing HRC off – yet, anyway. But, I have to say, even when she is using lines that got her husband great applause, she just can’t quite get the oratory right.

Grounds for suspicion

Nicholas — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:35:38 +0000

If we really have become this kind of society, where anything out of the routinely ordinary is grounds for suspicion, the chilling effect on individuality is going to amount to a positive frost.

Lobby of Parliament

Nicholas — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:43:31 +0000

Yesterday thousands of people lobbied Parliament asking for a referendum on the EU Constitution currently being debated in Parliament.

The BBC hardly mentioned it at all, and on their online site used what can best be described as sarcastic speech marks in the headline.

Growing up in the UK, I like to believe that the BBC is impartial, independent and covers all important news stories in unparalleled detail. Often, I feel that they are testing my faith.

President Blair

Nicholas — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:47:46 +0000

With thanks to The Adam Smith Blog:

Blazing a path

Nicholas — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:23:09 +0000

In an interesting choice of words, John Edwards “suspends” his bid for the Democratic nomination, so that “History can blaze its path”.

That’s what history always does, of course, though it must hurt to just feel that one is in the way.

Also stepping aside is “They Mayor of America”, now no longer seeking the Republican nomination. Despite his leadership after 9/11, and his record as Mayor of New York, after reading pieces like this one in the N. Y. Times, I’m not surprised.

The remaining Republican candidates are much less complex figures in many ways, and stand a much better chance against a Clinton or Obama campaign, either of whom the Republicans will want to be able to paint as “divisive”. Giuliani, for all his strengths, simply isn’t what the Republican party needs for this election.

The Media and the US election

Nicholas — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:25:55 +0000

One can usually trust Jon Stewart for insightful comment not only about American politics, but the media coverage of it. Yesterdays segment is particularly good:

And if you enjoyed that, you’ll enjoy this follow-up segment well.