Read on Twitter
[thread] on Tim Montgomerie https://twitter.com/montie/status/1254320810808029185">https://twitter.com/montie/st...
Now I gave a very short response to Tim& #39;s recommendation that this thread was worth my time
And I got a response from Tim
And I got a response from Tim
Now I follow Tim Montgomerie
And many other conservative and right wing accounts on Twitter
God I even follow Sean Hannity
I do so so as not to live in a "bubble" and so I make an effort to read the Spectator, Mail, MOS, Telegraph & others
And many other conservative and right wing accounts on Twitter
God I even follow Sean Hannity
I do so so as not to live in a "bubble" and so I make an effort to read the Spectator, Mail, MOS, Telegraph & others
So to make it clear as a disclaimer
I am a left of centre/centre voter who have voted for a range of parties across my lifetime at local council, scottish parliament, european parliament and UK parliamentary elections
I am a left of centre/centre voter who have voted for a range of parties across my lifetime at local council, scottish parliament, european parliament and UK parliamentary elections
I have lived in areas represented by parties whom I voted for and parties whom I didn& #39;t
And in all those occasions I want those parties to do well
I want those parties to govern to the best of their abilities and be clear in what and how evaluate and pursue policy wise
And in all those occasions I want those parties to do well
I want those parties to govern to the best of their abilities and be clear in what and how evaluate and pursue policy wise
I want them to justify their policies
Not unlawfully prorogue parliament
Not make up assaults to spin news
Not hide in fridges
Not flee from Andrew Neil after your opponents haven& #39;t
Not make up Fact Check UK
Not invent "more" nurses to include retention of existing staff
Not unlawfully prorogue parliament
Not make up assaults to spin news
Not hide in fridges
Not flee from Andrew Neil after your opponents haven& #39;t
Not make up Fact Check UK
Not invent "more" nurses to include retention of existing staff
Ironically as a left of centre voter - the two politicians I tend to quote most on Twitter
Are Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher
Are Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher
Maybe in my old age I am veering , drifting towards being right of centre
I don& #39;t know and that is exciting being open to change, being open to being persuaded to having my mind change
I don& #39;t know and that is exciting being open to change, being open to being persuaded to having my mind change
A bit like Liz Truss - after all if she can change her mind on brexit
Then surely she can use that skill to clearly explain how and why what changed her mind https://twitter.com/trussliz/status/745339549132464128?lang=en">https://twitter.com/trussliz/...
Then surely she can use that skill to clearly explain how and why what changed her mind https://twitter.com/trussliz/status/745339549132464128?lang=en">https://twitter.com/trussliz/...
So anyway back to Tim
Tim thinks that me writing a thread about something is of no value and I should go for a walk instead
I thank him for his advice on going for a walk - I always endeavor to make the most of my daily exercise session in what is rare sunshine
Tim thinks that me writing a thread about something is of no value and I should go for a walk instead
I thank him for his advice on going for a walk - I always endeavor to make the most of my daily exercise session in what is rare sunshine
Now if he wishes to criticise my writing style, level or ability
Or the worth of what is gained by my writing it or by someone reading it
That is ok
Tim is entitled to have a view on it
Or the worth of what is gained by my writing it or by someone reading it
That is ok
Tim is entitled to have a view on it
Oh yes and I think I can just about spell Pinocchio so am not illiterate as Stanley Johnson would class me
And unlike him - I actually thought covid was serious well before Boris Johnson was infected, tested and hospitalised
And unlike him - I actually thought covid was serious well before Boris Johnson was infected, tested and hospitalised
I never made any claim to be a good writer - indeed by high school english teacher would vouch for that
I never made any claim that my writing would be widely read or have an wide impact
I prefer reading to writing
I never made any claim that my writing would be widely read or have an wide impact
I prefer reading to writing
And I find that social media whether it be Facebook or Twitter a helpful tool
Both to read output from news organisations
AND also to see so many experts directly with their output
Both to read output from news organisations
AND also to see so many experts directly with their output
Yes experts - those things that the UK didn& #39;t need any more of back in 2016
https://www.civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/ministry-justice-bring-outside-policy-experts-dfe-style-fellowship-programme">https://www.civilserviceworld.com/articles/...
https://www.civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/ministry-justice-bring-outside-policy-experts-dfe-style-fellowship-programme">https://www.civilserviceworld.com/articles/...
Oh sorry my bad
He actually said think tanks were fantastic and he had a great respect for them https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ifs-propaganda-praise-gove-duncan-smith_uk_57456a3de4b03e9b9ed4fa2d">https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ifs...
He actually said think tanks were fantastic and he had a great respect for them https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ifs-propaganda-praise-gove-duncan-smith_uk_57456a3de4b03e9b9ed4fa2d">https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ifs...
"respected Institute of Fiscal Studies" http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3036613/Labour-manifesto-promises-cut-deficit-year-says-Ed-Miliband.html">https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...
"Britain& #39;s most respected economic forecaster " http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11568086/Labours-tax-plans-savaged-by-IFS.html">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/gene...
"widely respected Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS)" https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/politics/541839/blow-for-balls-as-50p-tax-rate-criticised/">https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/...
Anyway I have went off on a slight tangent
See told you I wasn& #39;t a good writer
I have already let the focus of this drift from its intent
See told you I wasn& #39;t a good writer
I have already let the focus of this drift from its intent
Back to the blog post that Tim got upset at my response to
I read it and gave my short response
Tim didn& #39;t like my short response
So I thought I would to coin a phrase strain every sinew, ramp up my thoughts on that blog post - my thoughts mind - not my capacity for thoughts
I read it and gave my short response
Tim didn& #39;t like my short response
So I thought I would to coin a phrase strain every sinew, ramp up my thoughts on that blog post - my thoughts mind - not my capacity for thoughts
So
We begin
Here https://twitter.com/Effiedeans/status/1252141581227999233">https://twitter.com/Effiedean...
We begin
Here https://twitter.com/Effiedeans/status/1252141581227999233">https://twitter.com/Effiedean...
Now first of all "journalism is missing the mood of the country"
Which mood is that then?
Which mood is that then?
"the mood of the country indicator over time become essentially invalid. One is not comparing an apple with an apple. ...this standard question about the âmood of the countryâ is an ambiguous & potentially misleading indicator of public opinion" https://www.surveypractice.org/article/2930-understanding-the-meaning-of-the-mood-of-the-country">https://www.surveypractice.org/article/2...
So first of all why would you title this as attacking journalists?
From the very first you have title it solely and exclusively at one profession?
From the very first you have title it solely and exclusively at one profession?
After all back in 2017 there were many politicians who told us their mailbags were overflowing with praise that the country was coming together https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/james-obrien/country-coming-together-soundbite/">https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/pre...
After all that was a general election where politicians and journalists were telling us brexit meant brexit and were out to crush the enemies of the people
I have no idea what the mood of the country is
Certainly in Scotland where our First Minister was "nudging" warnings over covid on mass gatherings, schools, business and lockdown ahead of Boris Johnson
I am thankful
Thankful at Scotland moving slightly ahead of the UK
Certainly in Scotland where our First Minister was "nudging" warnings over covid on mass gatherings, schools, business and lockdown ahead of Boris Johnson
I am thankful
Thankful at Scotland moving slightly ahead of the UK
But overall my mood is one of respect and concern:
for each and every person afflicted both by this disease
for each medical, carer, emergency or essential worker dealing with response to this disease
and by the broader socio-economic impacts of this disease
for each and every person afflicted both by this disease
for each medical, carer, emergency or essential worker dealing with response to this disease
and by the broader socio-economic impacts of this disease
"Twitter is an interesting metaphor for infectious diseases."
Social media whether it be Facebook, Twitter or blog sites all I find are useful things
How they are used or consumed
Social media whether it be Facebook, Twitter or blog sites all I find are useful things
How they are used or consumed
Depends on the audience I guess
I certainly find all of them have their short comings and strengths
Some of those reside in how I choose to use it and consume or output onto it
I certainly find all of them have their short comings and strengths
Some of those reside in how I choose to use it and consume or output onto it
Are they "infectious"
Perhaps they are in the sense their R number and what they carry
But that is also true of any communication mechanism
It it true of the printed word
It is true of radio
It is true of television
It is true of internet technologies
Perhaps they are in the sense their R number and what they carry
But that is also true of any communication mechanism
It it true of the printed word
It is true of radio
It is true of television
It is true of internet technologies
After all when your online army goes awry it can be messy https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexspence/these-leaked-messages-show-how-tory-hq-used-a-twitter-army">https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexspenc...
As to the "diseases"
Well I find that they can be used to carry light and dark and every shade in between
As with all things
It is down to how humanity use it
Well I find that they can be used to carry light and dark and every shade in between
As with all things
It is down to how humanity use it
After all many nation states find it a weapon
https://www.washingtonpost.com/gdpr-consent/?next_url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.washingtonpost.com%2fpolitics%2f2019%2f11%2f18%2fhow-russia-weaponized-social-media-got-caught-escaped-consequences%2f%2fwww">https://www.washingtonpost.com/gdpr-cons...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/gdpr-consent/?next_url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.washingtonpost.com%2fpolitics%2f2019%2f11%2f18%2fhow-russia-weaponized-social-media-got-caught-escaped-consequences%2f%2fwww">https://www.washingtonpost.com/gdpr-cons...
We could talk about a British government that is suppressing a report into its use as a weapon https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/bipartisan-senate-report-says-2017-intel-assessment-about-russian-interference-n1188696">https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/...
In terms of writing and competing for view - I agree with her
There are so many competing news feeds, channels, timelines, choices, lists, bubbles
And word of mouth to compare to the technical retweet or like is always a sign to a writer their words have been seen/appreciated
There are so many competing news feeds, channels, timelines, choices, lists, bubbles
And word of mouth to compare to the technical retweet or like is always a sign to a writer their words have been seen/appreciated
"We don& #39;t want blame"
I wasn& #39;t aware journalists were blaming anyone
Journalists are asking questions about how we got here, where we are and where we are going
I wasn& #39;t aware journalists were blaming anyone
Journalists are asking questions about how we got here, where we are and where we are going
By journalists and blame let me point at you a litany of decades of lies and propaganda from a multitude of "newspapers" https://boingboing.net/2016/10/26/eu-lies-and-the-british-tabloi.html">https://boingboing.net/2016/10/2...
oh yes and on one of those chief liars who since his days spaffing bullshit from his pen has went on to higher office https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/24/boris-johnson-prime-minister-tory-party-britain">https://www.theguardian.com/commentis...
oh yes a reminder that 82% of the british print media were biased towards propagandising for the cause of brexit https://blog.lboro.ac.uk/crcc/eu-referendum/sun-no-longer-hedging-bets-brexit/">https://blog.lboro.ac.uk/crcc/eu-r...
and yes the television media is another case
and they face the same accusations from all side of being biased and of not being capable enough https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/academy/entries/c5a2e842-bec7-4d72-b138-041885dfd04a">https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aca...
and they face the same accusations from all side of being biased and of not being capable enough https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/academy/entries/c5a2e842-bec7-4d72-b138-041885dfd04a">https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aca...
Still it paid Boris Johnson well and helped with the upkeep of his herd right https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-daily-telegraph-salary-wage-column-parliamentary-register-interests-a8567351.html">https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p...
Thoughts and prayers as to how he is surviving on the salary of a Prime Minister https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-ministers-salary-not-enough-a7976641.html">https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p...
"we don& #39;t want argument as if this were a General Election"
I would refer you to Boris Johnson in my previous tweets
He really didn& #39;t want an argument
He didn& #39;t want it so badly he cowered in a fridge
I would refer you to Boris Johnson in my previous tweets
He really didn& #39;t want an argument
He didn& #39;t want it so badly he cowered in a fridge
Oh yes and having waited until all his opponents had faced Andrew Neil
He chickened out
Imagine doing that
Worse - imagine defending that
He chickened out
Imagine doing that
Worse - imagine defending that
"as if this were a general election"
I am sorry does the role of the 4th estate change dependant on whether it is a general election or not?
Does it change if a local election, euro election or Scottish/Welsh or NI devolved election?
Let me know how?
I am sorry does the role of the 4th estate change dependant on whether it is a general election or not?
Does it change if a local election, euro election or Scottish/Welsh or NI devolved election?
Let me know how?
"we want a contribution to the national effort to get us out of this crisis"
Pray tell what do you mean by this
What should journalists write such that are supporting the national effort?
Pray tell what do you mean by this
What should journalists write such that are supporting the national effort?
A reminder from an earlier pandemic
I find myself reading and quoting from this quite a lot in the current age https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22148/ ">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK...
I find myself reading and quoting from this quite a lot in the current age https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22148/ ">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK...
"In 1917 Senator Hiram Johnson made the since-famous observation that âThe first casualty when war comes is truth.â
"The U.S. government passed a law that made it punishable by 20 years in jail to âutter, print, write or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the government of the United States.â
"One could go to jail for cursing or criticizing the government, even if what one said was true. A Congressman was jailed. Simultaneously, the government mounted a massive propaganda effort."
"An architect of that effort said, âTruth and falsehood are arbitrary termsâŚ. There is nothing in experience to tell us that one is always preferable to the otherâŚ. The force of an idea lies in its inspirational value. It matters very little if it is true or falseâ "
"The combination of rigid control and disregard for truth had dangerous consequences. Focusing on the shortest term, local officials almost universally told half-truths or outright lies to avoid damaging morale and the war effort. "
"They were assistedânot challengedâby the press, which although not censored in a technical sense cooperated fully with the government& #39;s propaganda machine."
So 27 January 2020
"we are well prepared and well equipped"
"The UK is one of the first countries in the world to have developed an accurate test"
"we are well prepared and well equipped"
"The UK is one of the first countries in the world to have developed an accurate test"
Move on to the current age of ramping up to oh what was it oh yes 100,000 tests a day
No sorry the capacity for 100,000 tests a day
No sorry the Prime Minister with his 250,000 tests a day
No sorry the capacity for 100,000 tests a day
No sorry the Prime Minister with his 250,000 tests a day
Oh and on prepared/equipped
While a party claimed the "sun was shining" and they were "fixing the roof"
They were selling off / reducing disaster preparedness stocks https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/12/revealed-value-of-uk-pandemic-stockpile-fell-by-40-in-six-years">https://www.theguardian.com/world/202...
While a party claimed the "sun was shining" and they were "fixing the roof"
They were selling off / reducing disaster preparedness stocks https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/12/revealed-value-of-uk-pandemic-stockpile-fell-by-40-in-six-years">https://www.theguardian.com/world/202...
Oh yes and here& #39;s another paper warning of the low levels of equipment stocks https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/14/britain-planned-pandemic-didnt-address-chronically-low-ppe-stocks/">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020...
"We want hope optimism and faith in our country. We need less negativity."
Well damn that Daily Telegraph for not being optimistic, having faith and being less negative.
Well damn that Daily Telegraph for not being optimistic, having faith and being less negative.
Oh yes and here& #39;s an example from an earlier age of what Keynes described as a "masterful deception" https://www.livemint.com/Politics/CbDKdJ2iFbGjX1t3tWVncN/Bank-of-England-1914-war-loans-and-a-patriotic-coverup.html">https://www.livemint.com/Politics/...
Going back to that article on Spanish flu
"One lesson is clear: In handling any crisis, it is absolutely crucial to retain credibility. Giving false reassurance is the worst thing one can do.. almost as bad as outright lying is holding information so closely that people think officials know more than they say."
Now I do think there is a place to be had for optimism
But it has to be credible and you have to be prepared to answer to it
But it has to be credible and you have to be prepared to answer to it
Like suggesting that 100,000 tests a day is not a promise on tests but a promise on capacity
Well... that& #39;s just spin
And it is easy to spot
Well... that& #39;s just spin
And it is easy to spot
A bit like trying to deflect from PPE shortages by
threatening whistleblowers
oh yes and accusing staff of misusing it
Anyone who sold that bullshit and then clapped for carers or the NHS
Well I can tell you where you can shove your claps
threatening whistleblowers
oh yes and accusing staff of misusing it
Anyone who sold that bullshit and then clapped for carers or the NHS
Well I can tell you where you can shove your claps
Congratulations on the RT ratio
I object
Not because I am hostile to the Government
Not because I voted remain
But because I expect better of them
I expect better of the "natural party of Government"
I expect them to discharge their duty of care to their citizens
I object
Not because I am hostile to the Government
Not because I voted remain
But because I expect better of them
I expect better of the "natural party of Government"
I expect them to discharge their duty of care to their citizens
With shielding family, with family locked down in care homes from BEFORE THE UK GOVERNMENT made a decision - care homes in scotland who listened to a Scottish First Minister and nudged their behaviour ahead of the UK
I am thankful for that
I am thankful for that
I want the government to manage a pandemic properly and competently
That is all
It is unlikely to change my vote at any election
But hey I don& #39;t want to die
And I don& #39;t want fellow citizens to die
Simple really
That is all
It is unlikely to change my vote at any election
But hey I don& #39;t want to die
And I don& #39;t want fellow citizens to die
Simple really
Oh we are back to repetition on the "mood" bullshit again
Covered it earlier
Like how you repeat it again for added effect of those who have been gulled by it so far
Covered it earlier
Like how you repeat it again for added effect of those who have been gulled by it so far
I never once thought a global pandemic was a general election
Not quite sure why anyone would correlate a deadly disease to a 5 year election
Bit of a meaningless comparison to be honest
But I get you are reinforcing that people critiquing it are hostile to the current Govt
Not quite sure why anyone would correlate a deadly disease to a 5 year election
Bit of a meaningless comparison to be honest
But I get you are reinforcing that people critiquing it are hostile to the current Govt
"Brits have gone beyond politics"
Really?
That& #39;s weird given the political slurs and division trope garbage you have used to defame those who simply want the government to be competent and be able to defend its record
Really?
That& #39;s weird given the political slurs and division trope garbage you have used to defame those who simply want the government to be competent and be able to defend its record
So morale, national unity and common purpose do all matter
I agree with you - see it is possible even though I am a "hostile" "remain voter"
I agree with you - see it is possible even though I am a "hostile" "remain voter"
However invoking them again in the name of expecting journalists to be propagandists is really quite pathetic - but then again thats the whole thrust of your piece so I understand your reinforcement of as many things as you can to achieve it
Describing Boris Johnson as a "fighter"
Can& #39;t say that I am particularly troubled by the use of that language
I know some did
And I can appreciate the subtleties in the choice of language https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52216542">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-p...
Can& #39;t say that I am particularly troubled by the use of that language
I know some did
And I can appreciate the subtleties in the choice of language https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52216542">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-p...
"A person or a people who believe they will win in the end is much more likely to do so."
Oh really
Oh really
Boris Johnson prior to 23/6/2016
âOf course EU countries will continue trading with us on a tariff free basis - they would be damaging their own commercial interests if they didnât. Thatâs why EU politicians would be banging down the door for a trade deal on Friday 24/6/16â
âOf course EU countries will continue trading with us on a tariff free basis - they would be damaging their own commercial interests if they didnât. Thatâs why EU politicians would be banging down the door for a trade deal on Friday 24/6/16â
Perhaps he just didn& #39;t believe enough
Shame
Does that also apply to those many solutions to the NI border and Vote Leave said they had and what they finally resorted to to "get brexit done" ?
Shame
Does that also apply to those many solutions to the NI border and Vote Leave said they had and what they finally resorted to to "get brexit done" ?
Maybe if he had given his plan to Theresa May
14/6/2016 Daily Telegraph
"To that end, Boris Johnson & Michael Gove, the 2 leading figures in the Leave campaign, have drawn up a blueprint for implementing a Brexit. Sensibly, it calls for flexibility and a period of reflection"
14/6/2016 Daily Telegraph
"To that end, Boris Johnson & Michael Gove, the 2 leading figures in the Leave campaign, have drawn up a blueprint for implementing a Brexit. Sensibly, it calls for flexibility and a period of reflection"
"This is why morale matters so much to armies."
Yup morale matters
You know what also matters having a leader who is honest, has integrity and can demonstrate in how he leads what his guiding principles are
Yup morale matters
You know what also matters having a leader who is honest, has integrity and can demonstrate in how he leads what his guiding principles are
A reminder that Jacob Rees Mogg when asked prior to the election of Boris Johnson as leader of his party could not answer yes to the question of whether he has a moral compass
Not a judgement on his morals
But simply if he has a compass
Not a judgement on his morals
But simply if he has a compass
Jacob and so many others in his party simply viewed Boris Johnson as a useful buffoon
Somebody who would how shall we put oh yes - "get brexit done" https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1201096472235847681">https://twitter.com/PandaScot...
Somebody who would how shall we put oh yes - "get brexit done" https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1201096472235847681">https://twitter.com/PandaScot...
Oh yes and on the soldier reference
Here& #39;s a reminder of what Matt Hancock said in relation to someone proroguing Parliament - let alone unlawfully proroguing it
Here& #39;s a reminder of what Matt Hancock said in relation to someone proroguing Parliament - let alone unlawfully proroguing it
It would go against âeverything that those men who waded on to those beaches fought and died forâ, adding: âAnd I will not have it.â
Again you turn everything in your article into an attack on journalists
Quite sad really how you will weaponise the prime minister& #39;s health to attack a profession that he himself was part of and demonstrated what a liar he was as he peddled for it
Quite sad really how you will weaponise the prime minister& #39;s health to attack a profession that he himself was part of and demonstrated what a liar he was as he peddled for it
It& #39;s nice to see you have allowed yourself to be impressed by a "few" journalists
Even if the "most part" have disgraced themselves
Even if the "most part" have disgraced themselves
I would of course say that the government and its scientific advisers should be the ones doing the explaining of the illness, the economic effects and the government strategy
I most of all look forward to Jacob Rees Mogg and his common sense or his use of horoscopes given his past 4 years of rubbishing economists
"skim a few journals and think they are qualified"
What you mean like super duper Dominic Cummings and his herd immunity garbage and his SAGE role ?
What you mean like super duper Dominic Cummings and his herd immunity garbage and his SAGE role ?
"24 hour news programmes are full of relentless negativity."
oh we are back to the negativity slur again + "relentless"
Again government simply has to put people up to attend these news programme
oh we are back to the negativity slur again + "relentless"
Again government simply has to put people up to attend these news programme
After all if you did believe that they were being negative
And you were capable of defending your record
You wouldn& #39;t be no-showing Radio 4 or Channel 4 or Newsnight or others
You would be turning up and making your case
And you were capable of defending your record
You wouldn& #39;t be no-showing Radio 4 or Channel 4 or Newsnight or others
You would be turning up and making your case
"They pick up on one issue such as ventilators"
Oh they pick on one issue
You don& #39;t think this is an issue that should be focused on in detail?
What is the gap between what is "Too little" focus and "too much" ?
Oh they pick on one issue
You don& #39;t think this is an issue that should be focused on in detail?
What is the gap between what is "Too little" focus and "too much" ?
"Obsess about PPE"
Dear god the level of BS
The government said they were well prepared
Why can they not defend themselves on PPE?
Instead they threaten whistleblowers and accuse medical staff of misusing PPE
Again play the ball
Dear god the level of BS
The government said they were well prepared
Why can they not defend themselves on PPE?
Instead they threaten whistleblowers and accuse medical staff of misusing PPE
Again play the ball
"Comparison between countries"
What you don& #39;t like this?
That& #39;s weird
I thought open global Britain as it stands unshackled from the EU on the world stage, the lion resplendent would have no difficulties with comparisons of rest of world
What you don& #39;t like this?
That& #39;s weird
I thought open global Britain as it stands unshackled from the EU on the world stage, the lion resplendent would have no difficulties with comparisons of rest of world
If we were doing really well - then perhaps the rest of the world would be looking to the UK for lessons
But they aren& #39;t
But they aren& #39;t
Again preparedness - I will remind you of my earlier on a government that was warned of pandemic risks and CHOSE to reduce pandemic disaster stocks by 40%
Oh yes and see that Operation Cygnus that gave lessons of a simulation exercise
Why would a government suppress it?
Oh yes and see that Operation Cygnus that gave lessons of a simulation exercise
Why would a government suppress it?
"The worst of all is the daily press briefings."
I agree
They are the worst of it all
Badly structured deliberately by government to minimise questions being answered properly or follow up questions
And led by a cavalcade of useless ministers
I agree
They are the worst of it all
Badly structured deliberately by government to minimise questions being answered properly or follow up questions
And led by a cavalcade of useless ministers
"ignorant childish questions from journalists"
Ah again with such generalist BS slurs
I think the questions have been disappointing
They haven& #39;t been forensic or as ranging as I would like
Ah again with such generalist BS slurs
I think the questions have been disappointing
They haven& #39;t been forensic or as ranging as I would like
See the link at the end of this thread where I compiled a small list of questions I would go for
I stopped in the mid 30s range
I was trying to get to 72 questions in honour of a novella title penned by one Boris Johnson
I stopped in the mid 30s range
I was trying to get to 72 questions in honour of a novella title penned by one Boris Johnson
"journalists trying to score political points "
no they are simply trying to get answers
again why if the government did the right thing at the right time - should there even be the opportunity to score political points?
no they are simply trying to get answers
again why if the government did the right thing at the right time - should there even be the opportunity to score political points?
"trip up a minister"
I would suggest ministers be better prepared for the daily briefings then
if they are tripped up by simple questions then they should be better briefed
I would suggest ministers be better prepared for the daily briefings then
if they are tripped up by simple questions then they should be better briefed
"There has never previously in the whole world been such a lockdown. The only insight from the Sunday Times was that hindsight is a wonderful thing."
Actually there were lockdowns - ahead of the UK - see the below https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52103747">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/worl...
Oh yes and
"Let us not forget that isolation, quarantine, and total lockdown are recognized public health measures that have been used for a long time." https://www.livemint.com/news/india/life-lessons-from-the-history-of-lockdowns-11585312953744.html">https://www.livemint.com/news/indi...
"Let us not forget that isolation, quarantine, and total lockdown are recognized public health measures that have been used for a long time." https://www.livemint.com/news/india/life-lessons-from-the-history-of-lockdowns-11585312953744.html">https://www.livemint.com/news/indi...
And on Strictness UK rules compared to other countries https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/24/how-strict-are-the-uks-distancing-rules-compared-with-other-countries">https://www.theguardian.com/world/202...
Making a mistake is not the key thing
Admitting it and learning from it is
Instead we have a government who hide behind tropes
And who are using scapegoats of medics misusing PPE, China, Labour politicising covid oh yes and of course your article on journalists herein
Admitting it and learning from it is
Instead we have a government who hide behind tropes
And who are using scapegoats of medics misusing PPE, China, Labour politicising covid oh yes and of course your article on journalists herein
What is interesting is your timeline here
As mid-end January is when Dr Fauci - you know he is right because you say you did a lot of reading around covid
Admits community transmission was confirmed then
As mid-end January is when Dr Fauci - you know he is right because you say you did a lot of reading around covid
Admits community transmission was confirmed then
Oh and that& #39;s without the president& #39;s intelligence warning on coronavirus that had he not been golfing or doing whatever the hell it is he does might have read and acted upon https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1252967036399091713">https://twitter.com/PandaScot...
Here& #39;s a reminder of the WHO timeline https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/27-04-2020-who-timeline---covid-19">https://www.who.int/news-room...
And yes China has questions to answer on its transparency in the early stages of its outbreak
But perhaps you screaming for propaganda journalism is something that happened in China as well as local officials being too scared to report honestly up the chain
But perhaps you screaming for propaganda journalism is something that happened in China as well as local officials being too scared to report honestly up the chain
Or as an husband to an adviser to Donald J Trump puts it here
Blaming China doesn& #39;t excuse a focus on the entirety of the timeline https://twitter.com/gtconway3d/status/1250402299815645185">https://twitter.com/gtconway3...
Blaming China doesn& #39;t excuse a focus on the entirety of the timeline https://twitter.com/gtconway3d/status/1250402299815645185">https://twitter.com/gtconway3...
Oh shit you are back at journalists
Well lets be honest you never left it
Your entire blog an attempt to peddle and reinforce attacks on them
Well lets be honest you never left it
Your entire blog an attempt to peddle and reinforce attacks on them
And using Dunkirk to try and argue for propagandist journalists
Here& #39;s a reminder of journalist coverage https://blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2017/07/24/dunkirk-stories/">https://blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2017/07/2...
Here& #39;s a reminder of journalist coverage https://blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2017/07/24/dunkirk-stories/">https://blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2017/07/2...
Here& #39;s a write up of coverage https://www.theguardian.com/film/from-the-archive-blog/2017/jul/25/dunkirk-evacuation-guardian-reporting-1940">https://www.theguardian.com/film/from...
"Germans do everything so much more efficiently than we do."
Yup they did
I thought you said you didn& #39;t want comparisons right? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/01/britain-needs-game-german-standards-battle-beat-coronavirus/">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020...
Yup they did
I thought you said you didn& #39;t want comparisons right? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/01/britain-needs-game-german-standards-battle-beat-coronavirus/">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020...
"Newspapers are going out of business. They deserve to. "
Which ones?
Please let me know a list of which newspapers
Or is it just specific staff at newspapers that need to be to pick a word "cleansed" of their disease ?
Which ones?
Please let me know a list of which newspapers
Or is it just specific staff at newspapers that need to be to pick a word "cleansed" of their disease ?
So to wrap up in conclusion
My simple one
Is irrespective of how you view the press and their coverage
My simple one
Is irrespective of how you view the press and their coverage
If a government were able to lead, derive, explain and communicate their policy clearly and capably
Then they would have nothing to fear from the press
They would have no issue with how the press ask questions or what they ask
Then they would have nothing to fear from the press
They would have no issue with how the press ask questions or what they ask
The fact that so many "Conservatives" and apologists for Boris Johnson and his rabble of lying cheating racists party *choose* to resort to such methods of attack
Rather than simply letting and encouraging a government play the ball
Is a sad reflection on them
Rather than simply letting and encouraging a government play the ball
Is a sad reflection on them
The simplest exercise
Is take a blindfold
Put it on
Pretend Labour had managed to be in government and had managed covid like this
And were playing the spin game the current government is
Would you want propagandist journalists?
Is take a blindfold
Put it on
Pretend Labour had managed to be in government and had managed covid like this
And were playing the spin game the current government is
Would you want propagandist journalists?
So that& #39;s my long answer to Tim Montgomerie as to why I didn& #39;t find the blog post useful
For those who retweeted or amplified it
Then thank you
Because you affirm just what garbage you will peddle to your followers, to your audience, to your base
For those who retweeted or amplified it
Then thank you
Because you affirm just what garbage you will peddle to your followers, to your audience, to your base
I agree with Tim
I am not a great writer
I really lost interest halfway through in constructing a response to such a bullshit blog post
I am not a great writer
I really lost interest halfway through in constructing a response to such a bullshit blog post
And on that note I am going out for a walk
Thank& #39;s Tim for the suggestion
And to those questioning what I would ask journalists to ask
I drew up a small thread (sic) below https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1253997995244294145">https://twitter.com/PandaScot...
Thank& #39;s Tim for the suggestion
And to those questioning what I would ask journalists to ask
I drew up a small thread (sic) below https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1253997995244294145">https://twitter.com/PandaScot...
