Cash for Honours - How Blair Thought He Could Get Away With It
It has come to light that the Honours Committee is stunned by the reaction to Rushdie's gong and the though of any political ramifications to this never entered their pretty little heads. Given that the condemnation and increase in tension was entirely predictable, it's clear that Blair thought he could fly pretty much anyone past the honours committee's. His resignation list is going to be interesting reading.
The award is untimely and counterproductive. How are we supposed to build bridges with the Islamic world whilst we honour those that insult their prophet? The fact that nobody, in the committee, number 10 or the foreign Office flagged this up as having potential consequences is alarming. Equally alarming is the Pakistani Minister who say this justifies suicide bombing... and this from an ally in the crusade against terror? Another sign that all is not well.
In the meantime, it was time for New Lab to say goodbye to their bagman, Lord Levy. Funnily enough Gordon suddenly found he has another pressing engagement elsewhere. however, the fag ends of Blair's fan club turned out, Beckett, Hoon, Blunkett, Lord Bragg, Jonathan Powell and even the weaselly Peter Hain, who sneaked out of the event as soon as he could. The other deputy leadership had the good sense to stay well away.
 The honours list is a
The honours list is a farce.
The plebs are elevated into the glorious company of the "nobility" and are bestowed with titles such as "sir", "lord", "baron" etc.
The lesser plebs are given gongs in the same way that boy scouts are given badges of proficiency in knot-tying, and for what?
I do not deny the ability, sagacity, the insight, nor many other qualities of Mr. Rushdie as an author, nor do I find myself in a position contrary to much of his political thinking. I do however find myself in opposition to the knighthood that has been bestowed upon him.
Rushdie is gained fame with his publication of the "Satanic Verses" which brought about a Fatwah being pronounced against him because his book apparently deeply offended some of the religious communities of Iran.
His elevation to the ranks of the nobility is rather suspect.
Has he achieved this through an ennobling ability with his pen?
Is he more noble than the multitude of other deserving authors who have contributed as much or more? Or, is this a less than noble aggrandizement, given to someone for no other purpose than to cause aggravation, resentment and possible confrontation with a country targeted for war?
The "Honour's List" has been shown to be a "dishonours list" by virtue of the honours for cash scandal, so there is no honour in being "honoured".
Lord Rushdie may think himself a Lord, but he is nothing more than a mere pawn in the political game of chess.
Its all about an easy
Its all about an easy life. The government want it easy for them.
of course that being said there is one major flaw. They are supposed to be working for us and not the other way round. I suppose I want to make a big point here but it seems difficult because it is so big. I'll try and you can correct the blinding gaffs at your leisure.
Society is that which unites us. An ideal society is that which all feel a part of. That working together to make a better world. That isn't how it is in good old blighty.
Problems:-
bottom down edict - This makes people feel part of a system of rules and regulations. So all public service is seen as a job. The difference between a job and calling is simple. In a calling you do your best and if you can't do it you try to make sure someone else can. In a job you do the job and if you can't then take your p45 and off you go. Only someone somewhere forgot that small detail, The work needs to be done! 'take responsibility' means take your p45. responsibility and honour don't matter when you are just doing a job. If there is no boss to sake you then hehe aren't you in luck. Unfortunately its like the clown asking why don't you take me seriously...
Did Bliar attend or did all
Did Bliar attend or did all the rats do a runner from the sinking ship?
It does seem extraordinary
It does seem extraordinary that no-one monitoring the process muttered into their coffee that this might not be a good idea, whatever the merits of the case. [It was certainly my first reaction, and I'm not even interested]. And as someone said on TV last night, if you had asked literary people to suggest an author for a knighthood it's unlikely many (any?) would have come up with Rushdie's name. As is so often the case these days, one wonders if there's a hidden agenda...
Arise Sir Sal' - Gabriele at
Arise Sir Sal' -
Gabriele at medialens pointed out that Sir Sal' had gallantly rendered great service in endorsing the invasion of Iraq.
http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1181998542.html
Arise Sir Sal' Gabriele at
Arise Sir Sal'
Gabriele at medialens pointed out that Sir Sal' rendered gallant service in endorsing the invasion of Iraq.
http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1181998542.html
Arise Sir Sal' Gabriele at
Arise Sir Sal'
Gabriele at medialens pointed out that Sir Sal' rendered gallant service in endorsing the invasion of Iraq.
http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1181998542.html
Thanks for that link. It's
Thanks for that link. It's always us and them, isn't it? He can with a straight face justify war on the basis of the one Bali bomb which targeted "our innocent vacationers". But he has no time to mention the B52 bombing of a Afghan wedding party in July 2002 archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/central/07/01/afghanistan.bombing/
of other atrocities that would have given an accurate picture of the sort of carnage he was promoting.