Showing posts with label The Fourth Estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Fourth Estate. Show all posts
Friday, 2 May 2008
I bothered the Fourth Estate again.
But of course I forgot to tell you. Here it's. it was written in response to this. I couldn't let it lie you see...
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Bothering the Fourth Estate, again...
You all heard that Gordon Brown is apparently considering reinstating the post of Secretary of State for Scotland to full-time status right? Oh you didn't? Well, luckily for you I wrote a letter to The Herald talking about it. Just so you know...
Not since the times of Willie Ross and Jack MacLay has the Secretary of State for Scotland had arguably any real relevance to the political climate. Andrew Marr described Willie Ross as viewing Scotland as "his own fiefdom". Douglas Alexander, on the other hand, has managed to make the position more of an irrelevance than it was even under Margaret Thatcher.
Gordon Brown's consideration of the reintroduction of the position to full-time status is nothing more than a tokenistic gesture designed to pay lip-service to his numerous critics in the country of his birth, now that he's got the big job down south and is making a show of his "Britishness". Far better than restoring the Secretary of State to full-time status would be to recognise the politics of not just Scotland but the UK itself has changed. More co-operation between Whitehall and Holyrood would be a start.
And of course, the all important link for posterity: http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/letters/display.var.1470046.0.0.php
And before anyone starts moaning about my thesis and me not having time to write letters, the letter is of direct relevance to what I am writing! And funnily enough I just co-wrote a joint paper last week that discusses the role of the Secretary of State for Scotland in the post-war period at great length. It is apparently finding its way into a book about economic leadership in small countries in the twentieth century. Don't worry about finding it, I'll let you know ALL about it when given half the chance.
Not since the times of Willie Ross and Jack MacLay has the Secretary of State for Scotland had arguably any real relevance to the political climate. Andrew Marr described Willie Ross as viewing Scotland as "his own fiefdom". Douglas Alexander, on the other hand, has managed to make the position more of an irrelevance than it was even under Margaret Thatcher.
Gordon Brown's consideration of the reintroduction of the position to full-time status is nothing more than a tokenistic gesture designed to pay lip-service to his numerous critics in the country of his birth, now that he's got the big job down south and is making a show of his "Britishness". Far better than restoring the Secretary of State to full-time status would be to recognise the politics of not just Scotland but the UK itself has changed. More co-operation between Whitehall and Holyrood would be a start.
And of course, the all important link for posterity: http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/letters/display.var.1470046.0.0.php
And before anyone starts moaning about my thesis and me not having time to write letters, the letter is of direct relevance to what I am writing! And funnily enough I just co-wrote a joint paper last week that discusses the role of the Secretary of State for Scotland in the post-war period at great length. It is apparently finding its way into a book about economic leadership in small countries in the twentieth century. Don't worry about finding it, I'll let you know ALL about it when given half the chance.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
How long until the Running Man becomes reality?
After reading this I can only come to the conclusion that the film The Running Man, starring good old Arnie, will be a reality possibly within 10 years.
"Lights out Christmas tree!"
From the producers of Big Brother- I know I know, who would have thought THEY would be able to come up with such an idea- we now have a new nadir. I get the feeling they have plenty more nadirs lined up in the coming years for us though. At least it's a good sign that I'm getting old when I start to find certain tv shows objectionable. Actually come to think of it, I've always found certain tv shows objectionable. Brookside, Take The High Road, Crossroads and QVC (okay, not technically a tv show per se, more a way of life I know) to name but a few. They've all suffered in comparison to the joys of Corrie, Eastenders and The Simpsons. I like it when people claim to hate tv and that there is never anything on it that they like. I think it is almost always false. The One Eyed God/Window To The World/Idiot Box has far too much to offer to be of no interest at all surely? I don't even own a tv and don't have any intention of owning one but I can see its merits. Not quite enough to buy one though, I like the new One Eyed God/Window To The World I'm staring at right now.
"Lights out Christmas tree!"
From the producers of Big Brother- I know I know, who would have thought THEY would be able to come up with such an idea- we now have a new nadir. I get the feeling they have plenty more nadirs lined up in the coming years for us though. At least it's a good sign that I'm getting old when I start to find certain tv shows objectionable. Actually come to think of it, I've always found certain tv shows objectionable. Brookside, Take The High Road, Crossroads and QVC (okay, not technically a tv show per se, more a way of life I know) to name but a few. They've all suffered in comparison to the joys of Corrie, Eastenders and The Simpsons. I like it when people claim to hate tv and that there is never anything on it that they like. I think it is almost always false. The One Eyed God/Window To The World/Idiot Box has far too much to offer to be of no interest at all surely? I don't even own a tv and don't have any intention of owning one but I can see its merits. Not quite enough to buy one though, I like the new One Eyed God/Window To The World I'm staring at right now.
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Forgive me for being somewhat cynical about this...
The Sun saves the earth
By DEREK BROWN
APRIL 25, 2007
IT’S time for The Sun to save the Earth.
Britain’s favourite newspaper is today launching a special event that, with your help, is literally going to change the world.
Mark your diaries for JULY 7 because that is when The Sun is launching its first ever Green Day.
On that day we will be asking our huge army of readers to do just ONE small thing each that collectively will make a huge change to the planet.
We are all aware of the dangers of global warming and know we must change our ways to prevent the Earth heading towards certain catastrophe.
Temperatures are soaring and as polar caps melt, sea levels are threatening to rise to dangerous levels.
Many animals face extinction and figures released in the past year prove that if we do not make changes soon, the Earth will be in real peril in just a few years.
But just a small change in your lifestyle can make a huge difference.
Natural power ... ride your bike and hang-out washing to save energy
And to prove how easy it is, we want all of you to take part in Green Day.
Look at the list on the right. On Green Day, for one day only, we want you to do just one of those things. That’s all, it really is as simple as that.
To make things even easier, The Sun’s Green Day will coincide with the huge Live Earth pop concerts taking place around the globe.
On the big day, huge shows will be beamed across the world from Sydney, China, South Africa, the UK and the US. Stars who have signed up include the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna.
Do your one thing from our list and you can sit back and enjoy the events knowing you are making a real difference.
Unlike other charity events marked by a day in the calendar, we will not have a conventional “totaliser” where you see cash racking up.
You do not spend any money so we do not need one.
But we will have a totaliser clocking up how many millions of tonnes of carbon emissions you are saving by doing your one simple thing.
On July 7 you might choose to change one lightbulb in your house to an energy-saving one.
You might want to walk, cycle or take public transport to work or school, or even share a car.
You may plant a shrub or hang your washing out instead of tumble-drying it.
You may pledge to switch off all your appliances at the wall for a day or not switch on any lights in your house unless absolutely vital.
Turn it off ... have a tea-free day and switch off lights
Or think big. You can install a wind turbine or solar panel, switch to a “green electricity supplier or ditch your gas-guzzling car for good.
Whatever you do will make a difference — and we want to know about it.
We want every reader, classroom of kids, office and group of friends in the country to take part by choosing one simple task from our list and ticking it off.
If you can think of something not on the list, that’s fine too.
Tell us about it by emailing features@the-sun.co.uk, texting to 63000, going to our website or by writing to Green Day, The Sun, 1 Virginia Street, London E98 1SN.
Then we will be able to predict how much carbon Sun readers have saved in just one day.
To remind you of Green Day we will be bringing you updates and a countdown to the big day itself so you can plan ahead.
It may seem a tiny gesture, but together we can make a huge difference to the planet.
---------------------------------------------------
Wowsers, The Sun cares! No really it does! Man, I'm going to start buying the paper now it's finally showed its caring side. I always knew it had one, it just needed something small, maybe like Global Warming, to help it reveal its true colours. Thank goodness! It's funny that it is has taken The Sun several yers to jump on the greenwashing bandwagon, BP did it years ago with its fancy new green-sun logo. The Conservatives are at it right now with their new tree logo. But maybe the Sun's different! Oh wait, I've just remembered Wapping. And Hillsborough. Maybe it's changed though? I mean they were a few years ago right? Nah, its editor is Rebekah 'Paedo bashing and friend of New Labour' Wade and its proprietor is Rupert Murdoch. I guess that puts paid to any semblance of being a caring paper nowadays. I wouldn't even wipe my backside with that rag, it'd be dirtier than before. Bams.
By DEREK BROWN
APRIL 25, 2007
IT’S time for The Sun to save the Earth.
Britain’s favourite newspaper is today launching a special event that, with your help, is literally going to change the world.
Mark your diaries for JULY 7 because that is when The Sun is launching its first ever Green Day.
On that day we will be asking our huge army of readers to do just ONE small thing each that collectively will make a huge change to the planet.
We are all aware of the dangers of global warming and know we must change our ways to prevent the Earth heading towards certain catastrophe.
Temperatures are soaring and as polar caps melt, sea levels are threatening to rise to dangerous levels.
Many animals face extinction and figures released in the past year prove that if we do not make changes soon, the Earth will be in real peril in just a few years.
But just a small change in your lifestyle can make a huge difference.
Natural power ... ride your bike and hang-out washing to save energy
And to prove how easy it is, we want all of you to take part in Green Day.
Look at the list on the right. On Green Day, for one day only, we want you to do just one of those things. That’s all, it really is as simple as that.
To make things even easier, The Sun’s Green Day will coincide with the huge Live Earth pop concerts taking place around the globe.
On the big day, huge shows will be beamed across the world from Sydney, China, South Africa, the UK and the US. Stars who have signed up include the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna.
Do your one thing from our list and you can sit back and enjoy the events knowing you are making a real difference.
Unlike other charity events marked by a day in the calendar, we will not have a conventional “totaliser” where you see cash racking up.
You do not spend any money so we do not need one.
But we will have a totaliser clocking up how many millions of tonnes of carbon emissions you are saving by doing your one simple thing.
On July 7 you might choose to change one lightbulb in your house to an energy-saving one.
You might want to walk, cycle or take public transport to work or school, or even share a car.
You may plant a shrub or hang your washing out instead of tumble-drying it.
You may pledge to switch off all your appliances at the wall for a day or not switch on any lights in your house unless absolutely vital.
Turn it off ... have a tea-free day and switch off lights
Or think big. You can install a wind turbine or solar panel, switch to a “green electricity supplier or ditch your gas-guzzling car for good.
Whatever you do will make a difference — and we want to know about it.
We want every reader, classroom of kids, office and group of friends in the country to take part by choosing one simple task from our list and ticking it off.
If you can think of something not on the list, that’s fine too.
Tell us about it by emailing features@the-sun.co.uk, texting to 63000, going to our website or by writing to Green Day, The Sun, 1 Virginia Street, London E98 1SN.
Then we will be able to predict how much carbon Sun readers have saved in just one day.
To remind you of Green Day we will be bringing you updates and a countdown to the big day itself so you can plan ahead.
It may seem a tiny gesture, but together we can make a huge difference to the planet.
---------------------------------------------------
Wowsers, The Sun cares! No really it does! Man, I'm going to start buying the paper now it's finally showed its caring side. I always knew it had one, it just needed something small, maybe like Global Warming, to help it reveal its true colours. Thank goodness! It's funny that it is has taken The Sun several yers to jump on the greenwashing bandwagon, BP did it years ago with its fancy new green-sun logo. The Conservatives are at it right now with their new tree logo. But maybe the Sun's different! Oh wait, I've just remembered Wapping. And Hillsborough. Maybe it's changed though? I mean they were a few years ago right? Nah, its editor is Rebekah 'Paedo bashing and friend of New Labour' Wade and its proprietor is Rupert Murdoch. I guess that puts paid to any semblance of being a caring paper nowadays. I wouldn't even wipe my backside with that rag, it'd be dirtier than before. Bams.
Monday, 16 April 2007
Bothering The Fourth Estate.
The Herald decided to print my latest offering of one of my many potshots at the Union, details below:
Word power
Speaking of long words, I too await a day. The day when the antidisestablishmentarians of the Unionist parties in Scotland get their comeuppance. Not long now, I suppose.
I'm not in the habit of using ridiculous verbosity normally (honest), but it was a response to the following letter:
Count on it
Your previous correspondents (Letters, April 6 and 8) have come up with the usual suggestions for the longest word in English.
But anyone with a Chambers dictionary and too much time on their hands can find a word 16 letters longer, as I am afraid I did a long time ago.
Though I have never been able to slip it into conversation, I await the day with relish when I meet a person with a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silicate or quartz dust so that I can say: "Ah, you must have pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis."
And you thought my letter was tenous...
And for posterity, the link to the paper, http://www.theherald.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1329112.mostviewed.points_of_view.php
Word power
Speaking of long words, I too await a day. The day when the antidisestablishmentarians of the Unionist parties in Scotland get their comeuppance. Not long now, I suppose.
I'm not in the habit of using ridiculous verbosity normally (honest), but it was a response to the following letter:
Count on it
Your previous correspondents (Letters, April 6 and 8) have come up with the usual suggestions for the longest word in English.
But anyone with a Chambers dictionary and too much time on their hands can find a word 16 letters longer, as I am afraid I did a long time ago.
Though I have never been able to slip it into conversation, I await the day with relish when I meet a person with a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silicate or quartz dust so that I can say: "Ah, you must have pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis."
And you thought my letter was tenous...
And for posterity, the link to the paper, http://www.theherald.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1329112.mostviewed.points_of_view.php
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