Okay, it’s time again for a wee break.
I have a lot on, and the week has been very stressful indeed. I need a break from the internets - to switch off, and recharge.
See you soon.
Sphere: Related ContentI suppose I shouldn’t write this. And I certainly wont be linking to the post that prompted this — after all, the blogger in question is someone I admire and someone I don’t (and this is a first for me) want to offend.
But, seriously, why blog if you’re just going to post noise?
Why blog if what you write is just pointless drivel? Even if it’s witty and concise, what’s the point of taking time out of your day to write the sort of rat-spit that makes people mutter “huh” or “heh”?
Isn’t there enough noise in the blogosphere and on the internet in general?
That’s what twitter is for: the idle, inane mutterings not worthy of a considered 200-word blogpost.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done it. In the past I blogged regularly. Two or three times a day at the height of my “powers”. But then I decided that my time is worth more than nothing. I blog when there is something I really want to say. I’m not beholden to some idea of daily blogging. In these days of RSS and group-blogs, is there really any room for the pointless daily crowing of the bedroom-bound blogger?
Everyone deserves a voice. This is a not a rant about quality. If you want to blog every day that’s fine. It’s your life and your time. But don’t be deluded into thinking that, just because you post every 6-hours, that people are going to give a smelly wet turd as to what you have to say. Chances are they don’t.
This is not the era of rampant bloggery. Now everyone, from the most respected commentator to the funniest comedian, blogs. If you have a post that really rocks, it will - if you alert the editors of larger blogs - be registered. It will gain traction, but don’t think that you will pierce the upper echelons of the UK’s blogosphere by following it up with random rants that offer no new insight.
Cream will rise. If you’re a great writer with something exceptional to say, you will be recognised. Blogging, unlike the MSM, is not a closed shop. But if you write a post that says nothing new — no matter how many swear-words you use — people will ignore it.
My advice is that you blog when you can’t not blog. When you have an itch so irritable it must be scratched, you fire-up your computer and you rant away. But please, if you value your time, don’t just blog for the sake of it. People simply will not care.
Sphere: Related ContentIain Dale has posted a YouTube video explaining why lefties are so out of order for complaining about his post yesterday about the late Jack Jones. Dale used the post to point out his opinion of Jones’ shortcomings, and for this the Tory blogger has been accused of being insensitive.
Whatever, Trevor.
Criticising people in the days after their death is insensitive. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it. Iain Dale can say what the hell he likes on his blog. And readers and political foes can call him on it, if they so wish. It’s really not a big deal.
And it will also not be a big deal when Lady Thatch’ finally parts this world for the fiery depths of hell. The left will enjoy toasting to her demise, and will revel in the thought of her reuniting with Reagan and Pinochet, as they in turn take it up the arse from the devil himself.
I for one salute Iain Dale for standing up for our inalienable right to pick at the still-warm carcass of our political enemies.
Thank you, Iain.
Sphere: Related ContentDan at Wikio, possibly appreciating my busy schedule, has kindly offered me some free content for the blog, in the shape of this Month’s Wikio rankings.
So without further ado, I present the Wikio Blog Rankings for April 2009.
As you can see, the top four remain resolute — encased in carbonite and refusing to budge. And in the poptastic voice of Tony Blackburn, I can also tell you that Political Betting is still the fifth member of the blogging Beetles, remaining at 5.
LibDem Voice continues to climb the rankings, and DK bounces back after a month at number 9.
How Wikio comes up with these rankings can be found here.
Sphere: Related ContentAndy Worthington provides a comprehensive account of Guantanamo’s last remaining Brit, Shaker Aamer.
Hagley Road to Ladywood reports on The Sun’s one-sided report about a group protesting returning Basra troops.
Political Betting asks why RBS is politically vetting its customers?
Tim Ireland has more on the reptilian Paula Murray (and her slippery editor, Martin Townsend).
Jonathan Calder wonders just which ancient cult the lovely Lynne Featherstone has got herself mixed up in. Sounds like a case for Robert Langdon is you ask me, which you didn’t.
Oh, and all that blogging bitchery over twitter. Our Sunny wisely points out that all involved are a bit daft - and wonders if they shouldn’t be doing something a little more constructive?
A bit rushed for time this morning, so why not pop over to Neil’s blog for his “selected reading”? Go on… Shoo!
Sphere: Related ContentA frog done a poo…
A bird spots the poo…
Bird eats poo.
Naughty bird.
(this is either deeply profound, or I’m a complete idiot*)
*I’m a complete idiot
Sphere: Related ContentWhen someone asks me to spend 5-seconds sending a tweet to raise awareness of violence against woman, I am, according to John Band (whose blimp-like sense of self-importance you’ve probably seen elsewhere across the internets), supposed to check the veracity of the facts before I send such tweets.
Sadly I didn’t do this, so John has decided that I lack integrity and am, to quote, an idiot.
This is the problem with the blogosphere. People take it too seriously. It matters little. It matters almost nothing.
I have, over the past few weeks, become more and more frustrated by this medium - and that similar time-sink, twitter. And as the guff mounted I became more and more fed up.
So that’s it. It’s over. The blogging. The twittering. All of it. Over.
If you want to continue to waste your time shouting at a computer screen, knock yourself out. It’s your life to piss away.
I’m going outside. The sun is shining (for now).
Comments are off. But then I wouldn’t be replying anyway.
UPDATE: Before I burn my login… It’s not John B - and it would be completely unfair for him to feel shitty. It’s a few things. Just had enough. Finite. Etc. I really need to concentrate on things that really matter. I mean, what’s the point of all this? It doesn’t put food on the table, it’s just an indulgence I don’t have time for anymore.
Timothy Egan on how Rush Limbaugh’s apparent anointment as the leader of the GOP, is great news for the Dems.
Laurie has a piss-yer-pants funny piece of how to dress during this year’s Summer of Rage.
Jonathan Calder has a quite wonderful story for you. A Liberal one.
Heresy Corner writes the alternative Brown speech to Congress.
Matt Wardman follows up on this Boing Boing story. Seriously, THIS is why we fight against the encroachment of our civil liberties. Bad laws WILL be abused.
Hagley Road to Ladywood asks if union proposals from Spain might be a tonic for our financial woes.
John’s Labour blog on why electioneering is no fun in the rain.
Sphere: Related ContentIt seems harsh to pile in on the embattled Derek Draper this morning - as it seems an unholy alliance between The Guardian and the Tory blogosphere has timed an assault to undermine today’s official launch of LabourList. And as Draper was kind enough to invite me to this morning’s launch breakfast (I had to pull out at the last minute), it would be the height of bad form to have a pop.
But take him to task I must…
There was a line in his article at CiF yesterday that left me bristling ::
In the society we are trying to build, such language is plain wrong, so itís [sic] good to know that, for the first time, Tory bloggers no longer have free reign over the blogosphere.
Well, I for one am glad that our shining white knight appeared when he did. Because before he came galloping out of the mist, I was convinced we were fucked.
Oh do get some perspective, Derek. LabourList may have some high-profile politicians writing for it, but it’s a long way from gaining any serious influence in this medium. The sheer number of detractors LabourList has garnered does not indicate that the blogosphere is in flux at its arrival, it just means that bloggers are so desperate for something to write about, they’ll happily bitch for weeks about you and your site.
And let’s not get carried away with the Tory hype machine. They do have some very popular blogs, but if you think that blogging will mean anything more than a handful of votes at the next election, you’ve been drinking too much Kool-Aid (see Sunny).
The Tories have not had it all their own way. Liberal Conspiracy has made serious inroads into Tory “dominance”. And Sunny has done this by allowing talented writers to dissent from party talking points, not to mention some serious industry and resourcefulness. And even before Sunny put together LC, he and many others were writing excellent and popular blogs that pushed the liberal/leftist agenda.
So before you pat yourself on the back, and make Bush-like claims of “mission accomplished”, you ought to give some credit to those who have been fighting for progressive politics long before you penned your first blog post.
Sphere: Related ContentSpy Blog reports that the Serious Crime Act 2007 is being abused to harass activist site Indymedia.
Sunny has a pop at internet-pest and wannabe Karl Rove [sniggers], Donal Blaney.
Mike Ion is suggesting we abolish prescription charges.
Philosopher’s Tree has an update on the crack-down on photography in public places.
Hagley Road to Ladywood has a video of a Noel Edmond’s rant from his cack new show on Sky. Warning: It’s painful. Apparently, pitchforks and torches are provided for the audience as they leave.
Political Blogging wonders if the bankers appearing before a commons committee could become a problem for No.10?
Sphere: Related ContentFirst, cabalamat predicts that Obama will win in 2012. His prediction is based mainly on the idea that Republicans are idiots, which seems fair enough to me.
Next, Jim pads up and goes out to bat for Socialist Unity.
Jennie’s in the know re. the latest Wikio stats.
No Right Turn wonders if you’re aware that it may soon be illegal to take a photo of a policeman in this country? Punishable by a fine and up to ten years in the clink. Think about it.
Philosopher’s Tree on why we should ban those evil cluster-bombs. He’s right. We should.
Btw. The utterly glorious Sadie never fails to make me giggle.
Mark Pack has news that Labour MSP Charlie Gordon is alleged to have fiddled his expenses. This isn’t the first time Gordon has been in the shit. Iain Dale would like you throw a hissy-fit. But Dale’s not holding his breath, so I don’t see why you’d bother.
Speaking of Dale, watch this. Via. teh Monkey. Heh.
Hagley Road to Ladywood has some linky-love for those covering the “Wild-Cat” strikes, including our Unity, who as always, is shining a light into the darkness and finding rats!
Finally, Fancy winning a trip to Washington? Me too.
Sphere: Related ContentAt last some decent snow. Rather than the fabulously crap stuff we normally get. Our street, usually a perfect postcard for Broken Britain, looks quite beautiful.
But, apparently, we’re woefully ill-equiped and the whole country has frozen to a wintery halt (as you know, British people will do anything for a cheeky day-off). According to reports our vitally important transport infrastructure is hobbled, schools are shut, businesses are losing bazillions of pounds, and people are sliding around in their cars with ashen faces, as the realisation that braking and steering might be a tad dicey, suddenly dawns.
The biggest problem with all this is that now we have to suffer the obligatory rants from an army of boring political bloggers, venting - with impressive inanity - about Britain’s inability to suffer crap weather.
Well this morning I took my kids to school and it was open. My wife drove to work without careering into a ditch. The TV still works, as do the phones. We have power and hot water.
So as far as I can tell, Britain’s not completely screwballed. So let’s keep it all in perspective, eh?
Sphere: Related ContentOn the 3rd of this month I wrote about how “Jon Gaunt is the most appalling hypocrite”. I pointed out that even though Gaunty had spent years railing against New Labour’s “nanny state”, his own moral politics demand even greater state control over our lives.
In this week’s column, Gaunt’s confused and duplicitous idea of state intervention was evident, as he tackles the tricky subject of Baby P - a story that has dominated the news cycle ::
A child needs a mum and a dad if possible.
[...]
The doctrine of always trying to keep the “family” together is garbage.
Jon walks his carefully constructed nuance with the words “if possible” and “always”. He carefully checks the box marked “golden rule of rightwing social populism: the traditional family unit is best”, and qualifies it by claiming that in fact this premise is “garbage”. So which is it, Jon?
Also, this “doctrine” you speak of?
Social services remove children from their unfit parents all the time, usually to the righteous indignation of rightwing populists like as Gaunt. That the nuclear family is best, and that social services merely meddle in people’s lives, has always been The Sun’s default position.
Never has there been a doctrine of keeping kids with abusive parents. As one of our writers wrote this week, working in the Social Services is a thankless career. You’re criticised for interfering in family life, yet you’re crucified in the national press if you’re too cautious in breaking up a family and a case turns into a criminal one.
Indeed, without even the slightest awareness of his own inconsistency, Gaunt for the second time in as many columns, refers to the Social Services (who he’s arguing weren’t strict or interventionist enough) as the “SS” - unsubtly comparing the department to Hitler’s Schutzstaffel (this was also, no doubt, a little dig at his current personal woes).
You can’t, in all seriousness, allude to the SS and then accuse the Social Service system of being wishy washy.
Now Jon Gaunt grew up in the care system. So he should be forgiven for having a complex view of the role of social services in our lives - but let’s be frank, a careful and informed opinion hardly fits Gaunt’s bombastic populism, does it?
This is the problem with this brand of lazy commentary: Gaunt and others are allowed to flit between attacking the nanny state for its social excess and demanding that heads roll when they’re accused of not interfering enough.
Commentators never adhere to the same consistency they demand from politicians: a blatant disregard for the privileged position they hold in our society.
Bringing politics into the debate
Also in the same column; Jon Gaunt condemns Gordon Brown for accusing David Cameron of trying to score political points, during a PMQ session that featured a heated exchange over failures in the case of Baby P.
There was no party politics. But Labour have been playing at social engineering for the past 11 years. I believe the ultimate responsibility lies with them and the Guardianistas that they have created in every section of public life.
So in the very same paragraph where he argues that Cameron wasn’t attempting to bring party politics into the debate, Gaunt launches into a partisan tirade against who he blames for the baby’s death.
Hypocrisy? Gaunty? Never!
So it’s not with the abusive mother and boyfriend, where the “the ultimate responsibility lies”, or indeed the Haringey social services, but with the government and those loathsome Guardian readers [meme alert!].
Of course everyone directly involved in Baby P’s case must be sacked.
How very big of you Jon. Without knowing the outcome of either the police or government investigations, Lord Gaunty feels qualified to demand the immediate termination of everyone involved.
Is this not lynch mob journalism at its very worst?
Originally written for The Sun - Tabloid Lies.
Sphere: Related ContentI’m Live blogging with the guys ‘n’ gals over at LC. I’m reproducing the Live stream here in case the traffic becomes too much for LC’s servers.
Sphere: Related ContentThe Guardian has news that Sam “Joe the Plumber” Wurzelbacher (who has become a byword for every hard-working American in John McCain’s lexicon) is being courted by a record company, keen to turn him into a country music star.
Jim Della Croce, his PR spokesperson (seriously), has claimed ::
“He is a dynamic speaker and an everyman who has become an overnight celebrity…”
Substitute “everyman” for “Republican plant”, and “overnight celebrity” for “liar”, and he’s just about right.
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