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Brexit: Article 50 to be triggered 29 March

I've never been that naive since I attained the age of reason. All forms of government are flawed, some are more flawed than others. I think an independent judiciary, media free from state control, and (mostly) an uncorrupt public service are huge advantages that this country has over many others. I don't expect perfection, so I'm not disappointed when I don't get it.

Here's something I was reading last night:

'We live in what is called a democracy, rule by the majority of the people. A fine ideal if it could be made to work. The people elect, but the party machines nominate, and the party machines to be effective must spend a great deal of money. Somebody has to give it to them, and that somebody, whether it be an individual, a financial group, a trade union or what have you, expects some consideration in return. What I and people of my kind expect is to be allowed to live our lives in decent privacy. I own newspapers, but I don't like them. I regard them as a constant menace to whatever privacy we have left. Their constant yelping about a free press means, with a few honorable exceptions, freedom to peddle scandal, crime, sex, sensationalism, hate, innuendo, and the political and financial uses of propaganda. A newspaper is a business out to make money through advertising revenue. That is predicated on its circulation and you know what the circulation depends on."'

It was written over 60 years ago, but it's just as true today, and was just as true 60 years before it was written.
Was it written by the 'pragmatist' known as Rupert?
 
Was it written by the 'pragmatist' known as Rupert?

Nope.

Hint 1: it is reported speech in a work of fiction, published in 1953. The reported speech does not necessarily reflect the views of the author. Hint 2: the author went to the same school as P G Wodehouse, at around the same time.
 
Nope.

Hint 1: it is reported speech in a work of fiction, published in 1953. The reported speech does not necessarily reflect the views of the author. Hint 2: the author went to the same school as P G Wodehouse, at around the same time.
Was this fictional speaker later played by Sterling Hayden in an loose adaptation of the book?
 
Nope.

Hint 1: it is reported speech in a work of fiction, published in 1953. The reported speech does not necessarily reflect the views of the author. Hint 2: the author went to the same school as P G Wodehouse, at around the same time.

Nigel Farage wrote that? Really? :)
 
I've never been that naive since I attained the age of reason. All forms of government are flawed, some are more flawed than others. I think an independent judiciary, media free from state control, and (mostly) an uncorrupt public service are huge advantages that this country has over many others. I don't expect perfection, so I'm not disappointed when I don't get it.

Yet my post never claimed perfection - merely that we are taught our system is a beacon for democracy.

I don't disagree with any of what you say, but I do suggest that (in the modern era) media free of state control is a double edged sword, particularly when people assume they are reading a free press or freedom of expression and it is being heavily influenced by those in power.

Thailand is utterly corrupt. Everyone knows it though and acts accordingly. It's not insidious. The state therefore does not play the public to to the same degree (although it does no doubt pay some of them on occasion).

My issue is with the corruption of democratic ideals through various means. Electronic media being one mentioned here a lot. FPTP and boundary changes being another.
 
Yet my post never claimed perfection - merely that we are taught our system is a beacon for democracy.

I was never taught that, either. Even if I had been, I'd have taken it with a handful of salt. Maybe I was just really bright for my age.
 
@ merlin: apropos the pic in post #91, some of us are in the habit of catching up with this forum at work, maybe at lunchtime. I did so, and had to quickly close my browser in case it offended colleagues, or drew attention. Please could you refrain from posting NSFW material in threads where it isn't likely to be expected to be found?

Tony, please could you either flag the thread as NSFW, or maybe donk the image in the post?
Thanks.
 
@ merlin: apropos the pic in post #91, some of us are in the habit of catching up with this forum at work, maybe at lunchtime. I did so, and had to quickly close my browser in case it offended colleagues, or drew attention. Please could you refrain from posting NSFW material in threads where it isn't likely to be expected to be found?

Tony, please could you either flag the thread as NSFW, or maybe donk the image in the post?
Thanks.

Did it put the wind up you?
 
It's an album cover Steve. I've removed the post.

Wasn't aware that people might be offended.

Guess Benny Hill You Tube links are out the question then. :)
 
Thanks merlin. Personally, not offended in the least, but I work in an office which is over 50% female. I didn't realise it was an album cover, and I suspect neither would many of my colleagues. It's clearly a pastiche of 1970s and 80s porn films, and any suggestion I was taking an interest in the same, while at work, could be embarrassing, possibly career-limiting.
 
Nope. Not even close. Next!

Raymond Chandler.

IT WAS ABOUT ELEVEN O’CLOCK in the morning, mid October, with the sun not shining and a look of hard wet rain in the clearness of the foothills. I was wearing my powder-blue suit, with dark blue shirt, tie and display handkerchief, black brogues, black wool socks with dark blue clocks on them. I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn’t care who knew it. I was everything the well-dressed private detective ought to be. I was calling on four million dollars.*

Basically me in the mornings.

Stephen

*The Big Sleep
 


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