Saturday Reading | Gernika

The Basque cultural legacy is complex. On one hand, it is a deeply nationalist culture that has preserved an ancient language and sense of identity; on the other, because of its prosperity, its openness to France and to the sea, it has long been a most cosmopolitan society. It is no mistake that the playful new museum made to house the best of international art was designed by an outsider, or that the wonderful new bridge in Bilbao was designed by Santiago Calatrava, also an outsider.

Novelist and broadcaster, Colm Tóibín, writes in The Guardian, here, on the history of Guernica, Picasso’s abstract portrayal of the savage bombing of the Basque town in 1937.

British Intellectualism: An Oxymoron?

Timothy Garton Ash wrote in defence of British Intellectualism in yesterdays Guardian, here. His description of an intellectual was fairly generalised:

“It is the role of the thinker or writer who engages in public discussion of issues of public policy, in politics in the broadest sense, while deliberately not engaging in the pursuit of power.”

Surely this description would include most serious political bloggers? Few bloggers seek real power, much less, actually gain any. And we do debate issues relating to the socio-political sphere. Agreed we often descend into pointless, incessant feuding, but European Intellectuals are hardly above lengthy bitchy grudges either.

Here in Britain we have always suffered the ‘arm-chair’ pundits, uncles who bore you to tears with political and cultural musings, philosophising taxi drivers, and opinionated pub regulars, but they rarely – a la the French – sit around in Cafés smoking strong Turkish cigarettes, and name-dropping Czeslaw Milosz or quoting Sartre. The British, as Garton Ash explains, consider such conduct “airy-fairy,” and not something an Anglo-Saxon would be caught doing, lest he be branded a Catholic or a “cheese-eating surrender monkey.”

Of course I’m stereotyping, as well as enjoying some mild Francophobia, but Garton Ash is right when he argues, that the British consider the term somewhat pejorative. While reading the article I began to consider my own position. I have a literature degree, several professional qualifications, and I waste far too much valuable time discussing politics, history, and culture. While I have never smoked a Helmar, I do enjoy a glass of single-malt, while I argue long into the night, with anyone unlucky enough to be cornered mid-rant.

So am I an intellectual?

I don’t think so. For a start I’m not bright enough; I’m much better at bluff than delivery, and my knowledge of most subjects is incomplete, which often leads me to conclusions I am soon forced to abandon. I also tend to believe the last book I read - although the same could have been said of Adam Smith. And my blog, while occasionally a source of mild titillation, is hardly the London Review of Books. But I guess these are value judgements, and the thrust of intellectualism is in the endeavour, not the conclusion.

Garton Ash argues that Britain is a hotbed of intellectualism, and that our dislike of the classification belies a genuine cerebral rigour in British culture: -

There are probably more genuine, substantial, creative debates about ideas, policies and books - and reaching a wider public - in Britain than there are in France, the homeland of les intellectuels. The south bank of the Thames is less elegant but more intellectually alive than the left bank of the Seine.
Nowhere else outside the US has such an array of thinktanks. Every month seems to bring a new literary festival, with large audiences queueing up to hear eggheads and boffins galore. We have the best universities in Europe, and some British academics still manage to escape the ghastly, Soviet-style clutches of the government-imposed Research Assessment Exercise, and other bureaucratic nightmares, for sufficient time to share their knowledge with a wider public. We have the BBC, especially BBC radio, to help them do that, in programmes such as Melvyn Bragg’s In Our Time and Andrew Marr’s Start the Week. In laying out his vision for the future of the BBC earlier this week, its director general, Mark Thompson, reaffirmed his commitment to the third leg of the Reithian tripod: to educate, as well as to inform and entertain.

I would agree with this sentiment. Radio Four is an oasis of wisdom; our newspapers and magazines are informed and aware. And with channels such as More Four and BBC4, even our television is becoming seriously intellectualised.

But in my opinion it is the blogosphere, and the freedom of self-publication, that will offer the greatest source of new debate, and probably, will allow the next great wave of thinkers to find a voice.

Blair on the ropes

The more insider-gossip I read of John Prescott’s affair(s), the more I feel there is a political motivation for the timing of the revelations. Yes, yes, I know that the Daily Mirror broke the news, and for all intensive purposes the paper is Labour through-and-through, but whatever sources prompted the running of the story, their timing was not a coincidence. Whatever ideological motivations the Mirror may have for protecting the government, the chances of missing out on a titillating exclusive, weigh heavier on the ambitious newspaper editor.

The troubles in the Health Service, the Home Office, and recent pressures on Ruth Kelly, and Tessa Jowell, have compounded this week, with the first Tory demands for resignations. Has the Prescott story been slipped out, to further undermine Labour’s chances, in next Thursday’s local elections?

Probably.

Rumours are rife that the bigwigs at Labour HQ are hysterical, and that they predict major loses in traditional Labour wards, chiefly in London, wherever the Lib Dem’s are organised. And news that two major urban Labour leaders have written to the PM to demand he steps down, will certainly add pressure. Add into this combustible mix, the fractious musings of progressive thinktanks, such as Compass, and you have Red Indians in every direction.

If Thursday’s elections are particularly disastrous for the party, it’s hard to imagine Blair surviving untill the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May.

One of the more interesting absences of the past few weeks has been that of the Chancellor. Blairites are more than aware of Brown’s penchant for disappearing when things get tough, not wanting to be exposed to the indelible taint of the Court of Tony. Commentators would be wise to draw conclusions from Brown’s utter lack of solidarity with his cabinet colleagues, and his inability to share criticism. Abdication is not exactly a leadership quality now is it?

Where was the perspiring Chancellor, when Blair needed him? Having an important conference call with pregnant Hollywood sexpot, UN goodwill ambassador, and sometime Tomb Raider, Angelina Jolie. Comparisons with Mr. Blair’s predicament, could hardly be more stark

Next weeks local elections look set to be far more inflammatory, than last year’s general election, so expect some blood on the carpet in its wake.

Competing against Dell

An interesting post on The Guardian’s Technology blog, here, highlights one of the realities of globalisation: it’s cheaper to buy a PC from Dell, than to construct one yourself from the constituent parts.

The article explains some of the factors, that contribute to Dells low cost:-

Dell certainly isn’t paying $111 for a Pentium 4 and $89 for a copy of Windows XP. And it doesn’t only get discounts for massive volumes, it probably also gets advertising support payments for mentioning Intel and Windows in its ads.
Finally, Dell bundles a bunch of stuff that people pay it to install on new PCs, such as links to ISPs and trial versions of anti-virus programs. These payments could even provide the majority of Dell’s profits. Home users, of course, generally don’t get paid to install stuff when they build their own PCs.

A bird for each Jag…UPDATED II

Is the third woman in Prezzer’s life Rosie Winterton MP?

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UPDATED!

Someone has also added this gossip to her Wikipedia page, at 18.10 today!

Finklestein on the Euston Manifesto

Danny Finklestein, whose performance on More4’s excellent The Last Word show, have been very balanced and informed, has asked, ‘what’s the point of the Euston Manifesto?’

Fox News viewers, may not be Fox News Viewers after all

Fox News presenter John Scott, on the announcement that former Fox News presenter Tony Snow, will replace outgoing Press Secretary, Scott McClellan:

[Tony Snow] a face familiar to many of you, if you’re a Fox News viewer.

Clearly, some Fox News viewers resent being referred to as ‘Fox News Viewers’. Remind you of a certain tabloid, here in the UK, that shares the same proprietorship as Fox News?

A bird for each Jag…UPDATED

Top Westminster gossipmeister Guido Fawkes has hinted that the “Humberside Humper” may have another former mistress, as yet unexposed….

Clarke’s Statement

I have just been watching on BBC Parliament, the statement by Home Secretary Charles Clarke. Clarke is of course defending reports that foreign nationals, having been convicted and imprisoned here in the UK, have been released back into society, not, as is policy, deported to their country of origin.

Clarke’s prepared statement was the usual offering of muddled rhetoric and non-information. Clarke offered little, if anything, new. The response from David Davis, however, was loaded with dates, statements, concerns, and errors. He capably highlighted the grave concerns about this issue, repeatedly voiced, by various Members of Parliament, during Clarke’s tenure. Davis closed by stating that the Home Secretary’s position is untenable.

Clarke’s rebuttal included a reaffirmation of his acceptance of responsibility, which belies the overnight mutterings from the government that blamed civil servants; a point rammed home by a defiant Nick Clegg. Clegg was sat next to an inert Ming Campbell, whose motionlessness was in contrast to Dave ‘The Chameleon” Cameron, who was nodding like he’d been denied his medication.

Further criticisms and calls for his resignations continued, as the main frontbench movers and shakers, shuffled from the house.

I don’t believe that Clarke should resign. Not because he’s innocent of blame, quite the opposite, Clarke is absolutely culpable. The reason I believe Clarke should remain is that the Home Office brief is a huge responsibility, and demands a heavyweight politician. Clarke is a strong player, and the abject weakness of talent within the Parliamentary Labour Party, suggests that we would be left with an even more incompetent Secretary. Any cabinet that suffers ‘Ma’ Becket and Patricia “Best year ever” Hewitt, is clearly in need of an injection of new able blood.

This news couldn’t have been of more help to the BNP, who will use this ignominy, to further their local election push next month.

A bird for each Jag

News breaking this morning that the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, 67, had a two-year affair with one of his secretaries is sure to both animate sketch-writers, and cause yet more embarrassment to a struggling administration.

Of course questions must be raised over the judgement of civil servant Tracey Temple, 43, who entered into a sexual relationship with the hulking Prescott. Bizzarre.

From the Daily Mirror:

The two-year affair took place during repeated meetings at Mr Prescott’s grace-and-favour flat in Whitehall.

But Tracey’s fellow civil servants say there was an obvious spark of attraction between her and Mr Prescott from the moment she was appointed as his Assistant Private Secretary, Diary Manager.

He was soon regularly complimenting the attractive blonde divorcee on her clothes and even sharing saucy jokes with her in front of other Cabinet ministers.

Once he teased her about her bright red leather trousers in front of Minister for Sport Richard Caborn.

Mr Prescott was also spotted springing out in front of her while pulling a funny face to make her laugh.

His other staff began noticing he was making trips into to his department - seemingly just to chat with Tracey. The level of flirting between the pair began to rise, much to the surprise of other civil servants in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

The flirting and suggestive remarks were transformed into a full-blown affair at the office Christmas party in 2002.

Tracey looked stunning in a revealing low-cut black cocktail dress which buttoned up at the back.

As soon as Mr Prescott arrived he jokingly lifted her skirt to see if she was wearing stockings.

The couple danced together almost all night and after many drinks allegedly confessed their sexual attraction.

After the party, some of the staff were invited back to Prescott’s flat.

Tracey was eventually given a lift back to her hotel by a driver at 3.30am.

The next day Mr Prescott hosted drinks in his office for ministers, dignitaries and senior policemen. He and Tracey lay on the office settee cuddling each other.

Expect the usual righteousness from politicians about family privacy. Let’s get one thing straight, if you’re a politician, you can’t enjoy extra-marital affairs and expect to get away with it. Capiche?

A Wonderful Film

My favourite film is Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). It’s a film of such overwhelming sentiment and beauty, yet it addresses universal questions about the nature of man.

I’m not even a particular fan of Jimmy Stewart (who plays main protagonist, George Bailey), although this must, alongside the astonishing Donna Reed, be his seminal performance. From the opening scene with Clarence the Angel (a deliberately bumbling performance by Henry Travers), to the closing finale, it’s a film that is both affecting and wise.

But why is it my favourite film?

It’s a Wonderful Life certainly doesn’t conform to my usual cinematic choices, which are usually defined by grit and realism. My favourite genres are crime, history, and spy-thrillers. I also have a healthy approach to foreign language cinema, and would put the light-hearted German drama Goodbye Lenin, and Russian crime film Brat (Brother), in my top ten.

One movie that reminds me of Capra’s masterpiece, is Giuseppe Tornatore’s 1989 film, Cinema Paradiso, whose main character, Salvatore, shares George Bailey’s romantic idealism and sense of adventure. While Salvatore’s dreams are manifested in an obsession with cinema, Bailey dreams of travelling the world and living his own adventures. Both films are at the same time, optimistic and heartbreaking, with joy and tragedy in equal measure. And yet, ultimately, the stories have one significant difference; Salvatore leaves his pious village and becomes a successful director, fulfilling his dreams - even if he never seems truly happy; but George is a victim of circumstance and responsibility, unable - at least to himself - to realise his potential, or sate his desire to travel. Both are sad, but certainly redeemable, characters,

I guess I love It’s a Wonderful Life, because deep down I harbour a desire to travel, and write about, the world. While I don’t share Bailey’s depression, or his nihilism, I understand the realities of responsibility. I have a family who is dependent on my labour, and I cannot - and wouldn’t want to - dislocate myself from this duty. I will never take the risk of grabbing my toothbrush and passport, and travelling the world indefinitely. It’s a Wonderful Life addresses this universal hunger for adventure, and through the suicidal Bailey, and the helpful Angel, Clarence, asks you to look at the life you do have, the people who you love, and who love you, and beseeches that you value this life, and do not take it for granted.

Good advice? No, it’s wonderful advice.

More local-election musings

With the approaching local elections, the issue of mainstream electoral apathy will no doubt raise its head. It also shouldn’t come as a surprise, that Labour is inflating the threat of the British National Party. Whenever Labour is on its knees, as it undoubtedly is at present, they predictably mobilise their grass-roots support with dire warnings of a neo-fascist landslide. This Far-Right victory never materialises, but the otherwise indifferent Labour supporter will don his or her poppy, and trot down to the polling booth to blindly pledge allegiance to their standard.

As I have already outlined in previous posts, it wouldn’t surprise me if swathes of the working classes, do align themselves with the BNP. Since the last elections we have seen the July 7th London Bombings, various terror attacks across the Middle East, the Lozzles Road riots, a deterioration of the situation in Iraq, and the Mohammed Cartoon fiasco.

Inter-racial relations are tense, and white Britons feel angry and disillusioned at perceived racial inequalities within our institutions. Dog-whistle journalism by the right-wing press has succeeded in convincing sections of the public that asylum-seekers and immigrants are roaming our streets; raping, pillaging, and dealing drugs, they are protected by a politically correct society. Faced with a body politic that is unable or unwilling to address the failure of political multiculturalism, they turn to the only party engaged in the debate -the BNP.

It is therefore difficult to know, what to think about the threat of the BNP this May. We will have to wait for the results, to see if this far-right threat is a Labour construction, or a genuine shift in sentiment.

Hattersley on Miller

It was then that I realised that much of what Miller thought, believed and wrote was built on patriotism - the belief in a better America than the country McCarthy had polluted.

I really enjoyed this Op-Ed from Roy Hattersley, in today’s Guardian, here. I love Arthur Miller, and especially The Crucible. I really want to catch the film Good Night, and Good Luck, which is also based in McCarthy’s America.

More reflection on Iraq

Anatole Kaletski is honest about his support for the Iraq War in the Times, here.

Although many intelligent and well-intentioned people in America and Britain backed the Bush-Blair campaign to overthrow Saddam Hussein, very few are now willing to admit it — and with good reason. For a generation of politicians, commentators and concerned citizens, the war in Iraq has become a litmus test of judgment, intelligence and personal integrity, like Suez in the 1950s or appeasement in the 1930s.

Another Bateman Painting

I love this painting.

It has a wonderful sense of anticipation and mystery. It’s as if you’re heading over the hill, and every footstep will offer up a greater view of the vista ahead. I also love snow.

The paining is in motion, you’re not simply observing from a fixed and chosen position, you’re moving - heading into the picture.