Things may come and things may go

When I took a break from blogging I felt I needed to take stock of the situation and ask myself a few questions about what I wanted to do. I came to the conclusion that my terms of reference were a bit narrow. This is odd, since most successful blogs have a clear and maybe narrow remit. Some are avowedly political, some are just ranty, some are musical and some defy description. I had to think about my USP and the nearest thing I could identify is to go with my personality. My personality is that I am a dilletante, a dabbler, a butterfly; I am interested in so many things that I could spend forever doing this.

And so it is that, with the indulgence of my readers, who I get such a kick from, I shall do more of the real me - that is, the Weasel whose interests extend beyond political commentary and ranting. Stand by, for example, for more music. I love music. And I love art. If this blog is anything, it should be a reflection, not only of my daily toil and strife, but of my life and loves. So be it.

And so it is with a not very heavy heart that I say "goodbye" to Tom Harris MP.

Tom's blog is interesting and enjoyable to read. However, of late Tom has seen fit to ban my comments. The latest was one on Alastair Campbell.

You can read his post HERE. 

I felt this puff for the former and not so former spinmeister was a little to subjective, so I thought I would try to balance the view using mostly the words of those who are in a position to know.

Here is the reply that Tom banned. Make your mind up yourself as to whether the censorship is justified or the reasons why:



You are basically saying Campbell is a nice, brave, misunderstood man who, like the rest of us, occasionally takes things to heart.

You obviously missed the last ten years of stories of how journalists have been threatened and abused by the same Alastair Campbell, in language that makes Malcolm Tucker look like Valerie Singleton?

This post flies in the face of reality.

"Your modus operandi was about bullying...I’m turning out people to vote in my own constituency. Many of whom were worried about some aspects of what you represented in the Labour Party" (Diane Abbott, This Week)

"You were screaming abuse down the phone on a daily basis." (Michael Portillo, This Week)

"I particularly – had got myself into a situation where combat was the only language being spoken" (AC)

Insiders like Lance Price (Campbell's Deputy) have confirmed the view that lies and deceit were at the heart of the Number Ten spin machine:

"some policies that weren't really ready and which the civil service knew weren't ready and which actually the ministers concerned knew weren't ready that were announced ahead of time simply because we wanted to regain control of the media agenda at a time when other stories that we didn't like were all over the front pages." (LP)

Campbell is a self-confessed official liar, (Cherie Blair) as was and still is the Number Ten press office.

The atmosphere is poisonous, poisonous enough to hang Peter Watt out to dry and poisonous enough for Gordon's advisors to think that Watt's failure to be prosecuted was "bad for Gordon"

Nobody is doubting his devotion to the cause, but that is the preserve of anybody who thinks the project comes ahead of integrity and truth.


10 comments:

Richard said...

If he wants to ban you, let him. His loss. I haven't had to ban anyone from my blog as yet, but I would only do so if their comments were either actionable or grossly offensive to me or people I care about. Banning someone for posting something you disagree with is a bit like the students of the 70s no-platforming speakers on the grounds of freedom of speech. What's blogging about if it isn't about debate?

Wrinkled Weasel said...

Well, of course, I agree Richard. I think Tom has become a little nervous of late, given the looming election, not to say tribal, but then again, he always bans posts that criticise many of his Scottish colleagues, even if they are regularly in court.

Richard said...

Here in Wales we have the Taffia - I wonder what the Scottish equivalent is called? They certainly seem to have a grip on the levels of power these days.

I like your description of yourself as a dabbler and dillettante. That would describe me pretty well, too. I say my blog is on current affairs and motorcycling, but it's really anything that enters my head at the time. If people like it, good; if not, meh.

Richard said...

*Levers*

Idiot.

Trident said...

Welcome back sir, I personally have given up caring what any of the other blogorati say or do towards me (my recent post on the police interview).

You have an outlet which allows you to express yourself, that's great - if it's cathartic even better.

Personally I missed you, we may not always agree, that's fine. As a blogger you are interesting, with individuality and personality which shines through - that's worthwhile, welcome back, if back is where you want to be.

I look forward to your, hopefully, inflammatory posts, which I violently disagree with.

Clara

Wrinkled Weasel said...

Thanks Clara. A breath of fresh air!

Trident said...

I have challenged you though - did you see what I did there? :-)

Welcome back

Mrs Rigby said...

Good to see you back, I've woken up your link.

Good luck with your dilettanting, it'll be good to read.

Jim Baxter said...

Tom harris has faith in Camble''s inegreity. They are all drawing together aren't they, like rats in a bag.

It's understandable, pitiable but understandable, that w ell-meaning but none-too-bright man migfht be dazzled by Blair into believing in him, but to be dazzled by Campbell?

Stratsruck, that's what he is, just like Dale.

Wrinkled Weasel said...

Thank you Mrs Rigsby. Your recent post on "usless parents" is a cracker.

Jim, I also never had much faith in Tom Harris' upstairs department, but I was willing to go along with it whilst he had some semblance of sanity and an understanding that truth is not something you fuck around with.