The reciprocal closeness in the relationship between journalism and power is a prominent feature of British political history. In times of war or national crisis, media organisations are expected more often than not to behave as if they were an … Continue reading
In September, I blogged about the hollow morality of the UK & US refusing to pay hostage ransoms to ISIS because it “rewards” the crime and “puts others lives at risk”. Apart from saving lives, among the key reasons for … Continue reading
In November 2013, this blog expressed its dismay and disgust at the fact that, despite legal advice indicating that Grant Shapps may well be a fraudster, the police had decided to drop the investigation completely. You can read the full … Continue reading
Post updated: 14 June 2015 I am disgusted and exasperated by the number of, largely right-wing, ‘journalists’ and commentators who continue to express an explicit disbelief in the veracity of many survivors’ statements about their abuse and that of others … Continue reading
Charles Scott Napier, 67, whose brother John Whittingdale MP represents Maldon for the Conservative party, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for his prolific abuse of children over at least two decades. Although the charges involved in this … Continue reading
The telling sentence in NPR’s report that US attorney general Eric Holder plans to step down once a successor is confirmed came near the end of the story. “Friends and former colleagues say Holder has made no decisions about his … Continue reading
In a typically headline grabbing piece of personal PR, Richard Branson used his invitation to talk at the Clinton Global Initiative in 2006 to announce what seemed to be a game changing act of selfless philanthropy. The world was stunned … Continue reading
It is a fact that 97% per cent of all scientists involved in the study of the earth’s climate agree that its climate is changing and that human activity is a cause of this change. Given the weight of this overwhelming … Continue reading
Last week an eleven year old girl accidentally shot and killed a man who was training her in the use of automated weapons – in this case the notorious Uzi 9mm automatic. The Uzi is capable of firing 1,000 rounds … Continue reading
The risk of fraudulent, misleading and confusing ads appearing on the government’s Universal Jobmatch website is higher than private equivalents, according to the National Audit Office. Unmodified Video © Channel 4 News / ITN “Channel 4 News has obtained a 10-page document by … Continue reading
Recently, I received a comment criticising my “journalism”. It should be obvious to readers of this blog that I am not a journalist and the posts herein are not offered as news. What is presented here are my opinions or those … Continue reading
“Reformism in local government has a Faustian history, often involving shady deals, compromised principles and unexpected outcomes as much as successful attempts to establish social justice in cities. Play your cards right and you can, like Herbert Morrison’s London county … Continue reading
In former Tory MP Michael Dobbs‘ novel, House of Cards, chief whip Francis Urquhart uses the dubious personal information that party whips gather on MP’s to blackmail them into complying with the government’s (and his own) agenda. Dobbs’ (fictional) account describes … Continue reading
The US Federal Communications Commission website reported technical difficulties because of heavy traffic this week hours after comedian John Oliver called on viewers to share their thoughts with the agency about what he called “cable company fuckery”. On Sunday’s episode … Continue reading
All three of Theresa May’s appointments to lead the British government’s child abuse reviews can be criticised on the grounds of a perceived lack of independence. However, the choice of Baroness Elizabeth Butler-Sloss is especially dubious given the clear need to gain … Continue reading
I Am Incorrigible 