In the 'He's being maligned by the 'Sun' for political purposes' camp sit LfaT, Longrider and Mr E.
In the 'This behaviour is inexcusable in a Head of State' camp sit Constantly Furious, Obo and Anna Raccoon.
Me? I think it's possible to agree with both camps. The fact that he shouldn't have sent a handwrittten letter full of mistakes out and then tried to imply that it was the recipient's fault for being unable to read it in no way detracts from the shabby actions of the 'Sun' in seeking to make hay over this.
Perhaps the best post I've yet seen on this though is the one by Oxford Springs, which points out that this isn't really about what it seems to be about:
"Is this story about handwriting? No.It would be ironic (and sad) if this was the straw that broke the camel's back, and forced his resignation, wouldn't it?
Is it about spelling? No.
Is it even about Guardsman Jamie Janes and his family? I dont believe so.
At the heart of this story is Gordon Brown, and the fact that he has lost all sense of conviction with the British media and its readership. Leaders of governments need gravitas, oratorical skill and hard-earned respect. Otherwise they become just jobsworth politicians, or dictatorial menaces."
It would be neither ironic nor sad!
ReplyDeleteBut that's probably what you meant anyway...:)
You can't tell what's in Brown's mind (and frankly who wants to go there?) but you have to face the prospect that he feels genuinely sorrow.
ReplyDeleteThat said, if it's true he takes a lot of trouble over these letters, aside from all the mistkes, why does it consist entirely of condolence-clichés?
He's an educated man, skilled writing speeches (one supposes) surely he could have thought of something original to say?
Gah! Adverb fail! Always the case, isn't it, when your comment mentioned writng errors?
ReplyDeleteThe cynic in me says the reason these letters are full of Hallmark cliches is that he does it for effect rather than out of any genuine emotional conviction.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Dave H. The phenomenon you're talking about now has a name. It's called 'Muphrey's Law'
Kevin B
Tbh, I still maintain this is a non story being pushed by the Sun as payback for all the idiocy that Labour went through when they withdrew their support.
ReplyDeleteWas the sun's attackon Brown unfair? Certainly. Has Mr. Brown benefitted fromunfair attacks on his opponents? You bet. He made no intervention when Damien Green was arrested for doing what he himself did as a matter of course in opposition. Hemade no protest at similarly unfair attacks on the preceding administration. He empoyed Mr. McBride.
ReplyDeleteso he's hardly in a position to object ehen the same tactics are used against him.
"But that's probably what you meant anyway...:)"
ReplyDeleteHeh! Maybe...
But no, it would be sad because it'd be the wrong reason to dispense with a PM who has so many more important failings.
"He's an educated man, skilled writing speeches (one supposes) surely he could have thought of something original to say?"
Well, he's had so many of these to write...
"He empoyed Mr. McBride.
so he's hardly in a position to object ehen the same tactics are used against him."
Yes, there's a certain 'hoist on his own petard' flavour to this whole affair, isn't there?
Quoth Kevin B as Anonymous #4: "The phenomenon you're talking about now has a name. It's called 'Muphrey's Law'". The phenomenon is actually called "Muphry's Law." Any internet comment on matters of spelling, style or grammar is a hostage to fortune, and well-nigh bound to fall victim to Mr. Muphry. This comment is no exception: I am sure pedants could, if they wished, pick holes in it.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Brown brou-haha, my opinion is that it is now acceptable to use any available stick with which to beat him. He is such a disgraceful Prime Minister and human being that all weapons should be deployed against him, regardless of fairness or decency. It is important not only that he and his gang of cockroaches be defeated but that they are given such a hiding that Labour is out of power for generations. We need to so tarnish the name of Gordon Brown that it evokes an involuntary shudder of disgust in children not yet born.