Humour
Light Relief: Talking Cats, Speaking Robert Jay QC And Leveson
Ever felt you have a fair grasp of English and a passable vocabulary? Watch this video clip of Robert Jay QC at the Guardian and think again.
Esther Addley provides a good summary of the Leveson inquiry.
The above is light relief, or just more comedy, depending on how you view David Cameron’s reaction to the Leveson report.
And who said that the Tories weren’t clowns.
Update 1: Leveson report: the speed read is handy.
Clive Dunn And Corporal Jones on YouTube
Clive Dunn has died.
The BBC And The NHS
I think Martin Shovel doesn’t get the recognition that his wit and drawing skills deserve.
In this case he details with the BBC’s attitude to the NHS:
Those readers unfamiliar with the issues would do well to read Oliver Huitson’s and openDemocracy contribution:
“The BBC’s coverage of the NHS bill represents a profound failure to inform the public on an issue of the utmost importance. To summarise, it appears that:
– the BBC never questioned or explored the lack of democratic mandate for the changes to the NHS
– they consistently presented the bill using the government’s own highly contested description
– expert critics were not given the space and opportunity to highlight the true nature of their objections
– financial links between healthcare firms, the Conservatives and the House of Lords were never reported
– the significant role of the private sector in Lansley’s new health market was never explored
– fears over privatisation were occasionally stated but never explored or explained
– the role of private firms in commissioning care was not properly explained, if at all
– the role of private firms in creating the bill was never examined or reported
– sources with significant links to private healthcare were presented without a disclosure of their interests
– the BBC censored key stories, particularly as the bill reached its final stages. On 19 March 2012 when the bill was finally passed in the Lords, BBC Online published not a single article of news or analysis on the bill. “
Mitt Romney, Nick Clegg And The Art of Parody
Nick Clegg’s insincere and poor apology has brought forth a few spoof videos on Youtube, but to my taste they lack a certain punch.
Elsewhere YouTube is full of good parodies of Mitt Romney and I enjoyed this one:
Update 1: The Daily Show tears into Romney.
RomneyShambles on YouTube
This video clip is lovely for condensing down Mitt Romney’s idiocy whilst in London:
Mitt Romney On Twitter
Mitt Romney is being pulled apart by the British media and on Twitter under the hastag #RomneyShambles
There are far too many good contributions, but these struck me as about right:
At this point, Mitt Romney is making George W. Bush and Sara Palin look like Rhodes Scholars. #RomneyShambles
Michael Pacholek @MichaelPacholek
When Boris Johnson looks smart and sane by comparison, you know your trip to Britain is in #RomneyShambles.
Organic Democrat @organicdemocrat
#RomneyShambles The sad part is that @MittRomney was up all night learning his lines for his meeting with PM.
#romneyshambles: More Romney fallout: ‘Apparently devoid of charm, warmth, humour or sincerity’ and this was one of the better reactions.”
If readers see any other good ones, please let me know.
Even the America media are getting in on the act.
Update 1: Vanity Fair covers it:
“Mitt Romney’s disaster of a European vacation continues to implode. In an Olympic ceremony in Hyde Park this afternoon, London mayor Boris Johnson mocked Romney’s earlier gaffe—Disconcerting-gate—and Romney’s dumb name. “There’s guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know if we are ready. Are we ready? Yes we are!” Did Johnson make air quotes with his hands when he said “Mitt Romney”? “
Update 2: The NY times touches on his real reason for visiting London:
“Although Mr. Romney hasn’t won over the British Prime Minister or the British Olympic Committee, at least some Londoners seem to have embraced the Republican candidate. The Telegraph reported yesterday that executives at Barclay’s—the bank that paid a huge fine over the Libor scandal–have donated $1 million to Mr. Romney. (All American citizens?) The Guardian said there is a fundraiser for him tonight in Mayfair for between $50,000 and $75,000 a ticket. “
Update 3: Time haven’t missed out either.
TPM points to the real issue, money:
“With his London visit mired in controversy, Mitt Romney is also facing criticism for taking money from individuals implicated in an ongoing banking scandal.
Barclays executives have donated over $1 million to Romney’s campaign, according to the Guardian, and many are expected to be in attendance at Thursday’s fundraiser, raising eyebrows on both sides of the pond.”
Update 4: It’s on the BBC too.
Update 5: With the Huff Post picking it up I can’t wait for the YouTube spoofs to appear.
Politicus USA hasn’t missed out the comparison, Romney in Shambles as Britain Proclaims Him Worse than Sarah Palin.
Update 6: Romney and vanity go together rather well, as the Salt Lake City Olympics commemorative badges (pins for American readers) demonstrates.
Update 7: Over at the Atlantic, The Best of #romneyshambles.
Update 8: Romney gaffes in full.
The WSJ’s Romney’s Not-So-Secret Meeting With MI6.
No gold medal for Mitt Romney from British press.
From 2007, Mitt Romney: I won’t let US go the way of UK.
Mitt Romney’s Olympics blunder stuns No 10 and hands gift to Obama.
John Cleese Vs. The Sun
These Letters of Note between John Cleese and Kenneth Donlan of the Sun are amusing and speak volumes for News International’s journalism.
Robert Pirosh‘s letter is delightfully witty too:
“Dear Sir:
I like words. I like fat buttery words, such as ooze, turpitude, glutinous, toady. I like solemn, angular, creaky words, such as straitlaced, cantankerous, pecunious, valedictory. I like spurious, black-is-white words, such as mortician, liquidate, tonsorial, demi-monde. I like suave “V” words, such as Svengali, svelte, bravura, verve. I like crunchy, brittle, crackly words, such as splinter, grapple, jostle, crusty. I like sullen, crabbed, scowling words, such as skulk, glower, scabby, churl. I like Oh-Heavens, my-gracious, land’s-sake words, such as tricksy, tucker, genteel, horrid. I like elegant, flowery words, such as estivate, peregrinate, elysium, halcyon. I like wormy, squirmy, mealy words, such as crawl, blubber, squeal, drip. I like sniggly, chuckling words, such as cowlick, gurgle, bubble and burp.
I like the word screenwriter better than copywriter, so I decided to quit my job in a New York advertising agency and try my luck in Hollywood, but before taking the plunge I went to Europe for a year of study, contemplation and horsing around.
I have just returned and I still like words.
May I have a few with you?
Robert Pirosh
385 Madison Avenue
Room 610
New York
Eldorado 5-6024 “
Doonesbury On Newt Gingrich
Says it all:
Soupy One 