tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post7247985580862433684..comments2023-11-03T15:48:35.688+00:00Comments on Paul Linford: Blog Wars and Think TanksPaul Linfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01977920120772282561noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-54943384257414161252007-02-15T17:05:00.000+00:002007-02-15T17:05:00.000+00:00Henry GSincere apologies. The post in question app...Henry G<BR/><BR/>Sincere apologies. The post in question appeared on Caroline Hunt's blog and was evidently made by another Henry.Paul Linfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977920120772282561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-17883033989845635842007-02-15T16:02:00.000+00:002007-02-15T16:02:00.000+00:00I've never called Tim Ireland a fascist. I don't e...I've never called Tim Ireland a fascist. I don't even know who he is. Fascism is too serious a subject to toss around as a cheap jibe. Could you point out the post where I've called someone a fascist?HenryGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14663417566055322428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-55081684487743293952007-02-15T07:54:00.000+00:002007-02-15T07:54:00.000+00:00Blogging policeman dropping his ethical standards?...Blogging policeman <A HREF="http://praguetory.blogspot.com/2007/02/losing-argument-break-golden-rule-of.html" REL="nofollow">dropping his ethical standards?</A> Thin-skinned Brownite MP breaks the golden rule.Praguetoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16520923731691837948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-28509866887091269932007-02-14T13:13:00.000+00:002007-02-14T13:13:00.000+00:00Andy WBut you have to look at what constitutes a c...Andy W<BR/><BR/>But you have to look at what constitutes a charatable purpose under the Charities Act - if you look at the Commissioners website this definition is actually very wide e.g. advancement of education, advancement of citizenship, prevention of poverty, promotion of industry and commerce - the only thing that would seem to be out is the overt promotion of political parties. <BR/><BR/>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-71345674819937420462007-02-13T19:08:00.000+00:002007-02-13T19:08:00.000+00:00Paul,You wrote:-Andy WThe idea of political think-...Paul,<BR/><BR/>You wrote:-<BR/><BR/>Andy W<BR/><BR/>The idea of political think-tanks as non-partisan is ludicrous. Think-tanks are players in the political process each with a distinct political ideology. I repeat, to expect an institute set up to further the work of John Smith not to be close to his political heir, Gordon Brown, is nonsensical.<BR/><BR/>Please check the charities commission CC9Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-72609906098912026332007-02-13T17:35:00.000+00:002007-02-13T17:35:00.000+00:00UnityAm aware of the "old story" re Guido, and it ...Unity<BR/><BR/>Am aware of the "old story" re Guido, and it sounds about as relevant to the present-day as David Cameron's schoolboy spliffs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-70764264543580388242007-02-13T16:59:00.000+00:002007-02-13T16:59:00.000+00:00Some political blogs give me the idea that Im sitt...Some political blogs give me the idea that Im sitting in a deep cushioned seat, around a big log fire having a drink and excellent coversation ,other's sitting on a hard chair with a pint in my hand in the local Legion ,even some in a square ring waiting for an opponent.<BR/>All have there charms , would I ban any of above NO.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-61169214847122355772007-02-13T16:58:00.000+00:002007-02-13T16:58:00.000+00:00Paul > Just to clarify, I have never called Guido ...Paul > Just to clarify, I have never called Guido a racist either<BR/><BR/>I am aware of that, Paul.<BR/><BR/>Where this is coming from is an old story that resurfaced over the weekend that was briefly posted by Sunny and a few others, withdrawn and is now 'on hold' while 'Guido' gives his version of events.<BR/><BR/>The story is not quite what it appears to be and the circumstances behind it areUnityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17718085232700149823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-76439464101461917762007-02-13T16:06:00.000+00:002007-02-13T16:06:00.000+00:00Perhaps someone could develop some standardised gu...Perhaps someone could develop some standardised gutter blog ratings - for some fun please find my first stab at such ratings below:<BR/><BR/><BR/> Guido Dale Manic<BR/> <BR/>Unsupported allegations/libel<BR/> 9 4 2<BR/>Illiteracy<BR/> 6 4 5<BR/>Sense of humour failure<BR/> 2 4 9<BR/>Obsessiveness<BR/> 7 5 10<BR/>Furthering own career<BR/> 1 10 1<BR/>Furthering own finances<BR/> 10 10 1<BR/>LackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-42396168894619522962007-02-13T15:48:00.000+00:002007-02-13T15:48:00.000+00:00If politician's were open and honest in there deal...If politician's were open and honest in there dealing's ,and the way they see thing's ,and stopped trying to treat people like trash ,remind themselves that we employ them ,the HOC is not a club ,what happen's in the HOC effect's us all ,then we may not need political blogs ,until that happen's they get what they deserve even if it goes beyond the paleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-34807888038429964342007-02-13T15:03:00.000+00:002007-02-13T15:03:00.000+00:00It is wrong to label Guido as a racist as a facist...It is wrong to label Guido as a racist as a facist - but he is politically motivated (not a crime) and does make (or accept) comments that are libellous and unfairly upset and offend people. I for one care rather less about Guido being offended than most of his victims.<BR/><BR/> However - he is the most popular political blogger around - is there anything that can be done to deal with gutter Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-38173210455794386412007-02-13T14:38:00.000+00:002007-02-13T14:38:00.000+00:00Just to clarify, I have never called Guido a racis...Just to clarify, I have never called Guido a racist either (although both Caroline Hunt and "Henry G" have called Tim Ireland a fascist.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-35523318437132130432007-02-13T14:13:00.000+00:002007-02-13T14:13:00.000+00:00Paul > But I stand by the view that neither the SI...Paul > But I stand by the view that neither the SI nor the Policy Exchange has actually done anything wrong here.<BR/><BR/>Well yes and no, Paul.<BR/><BR/>Neither would appear to me to have done anything that would warrant deregistration but charities do have to be mindful of their 'public character' and both have sailed rather close to the mark - sufficient for the CC to issue them with 'Unityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17718085232700149823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-85081397544249940672007-02-13T13:44:00.000+00:002007-02-13T13:44:00.000+00:00I think Guido had found a nice little niche in blo...I think Guido had found a nice little niche in blogland for himself ,from what I could see he has a go at everbody ,left ,right,or centre, I can't see why Tim and his friends are jealous ,as there are some fine blogs out there and are even a better read than Guido's,as far a policing the blogs why, you make them illegal and what happens nothing, the jails are full, self regulation that will last Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-82570297689151309132007-02-13T12:48:00.000+00:002007-02-13T12:48:00.000+00:00Quite comical to see Guido resorting to legal thre...Quite comical to see Guido resorting to legal threats in order not to be libelled himself. But the whole think outlines a more serious point - political blogging really has 3 choices. First choice is just to become totalled devalued by allowing a complete free for all confined to anoraks trading gratuitous insults (the status quo). 2nd choice is some form of legal regulation - the current libelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-12300389468320384912007-02-13T12:43:00.000+00:002007-02-13T12:43:00.000+00:00Now I can - partisan attacks? What else is there t...Now I can - partisan attacks? What else is there to do between postng "when I am next on the telly" or "who I got really drunk with because I am sort of part of the establishment now"?stalin's granhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14152454150416060673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-69070026503833361782007-02-13T10:30:00.000+00:002007-02-13T10:30:00.000+00:00Can't seem to comment using a google account - any...Can't seem to comment using a google account - anyone know why? - StalinsgranAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-18996504568232640902007-02-13T10:05:00.000+00:002007-02-13T10:05:00.000+00:00Further to above, I should also point out that if ...Further to above, I should also point out that if I believed Policy Exchange had done anything wrong, I would not be accepting advertising from them on this blog (via MessageSpace.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-82763301485868403142007-02-13T09:40:00.000+00:002007-02-13T09:40:00.000+00:00Quite a bit to go at there...IainInterested in wha...Quite a bit to go at there...<BR/><BR/>Iain<BR/><BR/>Interested in what you mean by the phrase "cash-for-access." This implies that Gordon was taking backhanders for allowing the SI access to No 11. You don't really think he would be that stupid, do you?<BR/><BR/>Andy W<BR/><BR/>The idea of political think-tanks as non-partisan is ludicrous. Think-tanks are players in the political process Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-82193442246458655542007-02-12T23:49:00.000+00:002007-02-12T23:49:00.000+00:00This whole thing is a crock.Iain Dale - what about...This whole thing is a crock.<BR/><BR/>Iain Dale - what about the CPS and access to Thatch? The outrageous double standards of you Tories knows no bounds! Paid any of those dodgy foreign loans back yet?<BR/><BR/>What's your boss saying about cannabis classification now?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-36613771089302663892007-02-12T23:30:00.000+00:002007-02-12T23:30:00.000+00:00No one's smearing Gordon Brown , the Smith Institu...No one's smearing Gordon Brown , the Smith Institute is being investigated for the second time by the Charity Commission , not I might add , an organisation known to be partisan or even that pro-active. Why do you imagine this investigation is taking place Paul????? <BR/>To say you're sitting on the fence is not credible and disingenuous. To borrow your phrase the Smith Institute 'simply stinks'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-46606985731349078892007-02-12T22:18:00.000+00:002007-02-12T22:18:00.000+00:00"...resulting revenge attacks..."Can't speak for a..."...resulting revenge attacks..."<BR/><BR/>Can't speak for anyone else by that certainly wasn't my motivation. I believe both main parties (and possibly the Lib Dems too) have relationships with think tanks which are, let's say, questionable.<BR/><BR/>Despite what some have suggested, I've no brief for Labour or for Brown. (For the record, I've never been a member of any political party and Garryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08188217045700587288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-52476517828068455172007-02-12T22:04:00.000+00:002007-02-12T22:04:00.000+00:00The acid test is whether Iain and Guido would comp...The acid test is whether Iain and Guido would complain about what Gordon did if it was a Conservative Govt and a Conservative Chancellor! If the ready answer is yes, then fair enough but I beg to disagree. If the answer is no, then I am not that impressed.<BR/>I don't think they, or anyone else are consciously smearing Gordon (although some out there probably are, in any case for all my politicalPaul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-36583108218945428272007-02-12T21:56:00.000+00:002007-02-12T21:56:00.000+00:00Well, I think Leon is right as it happens, and wha...Well, I think Leon is right as it happens, and what we're seeing now is probably a foretaste of what things will be like once Gordo and Dave and their respective supporters in the blogosphere go head to head.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12845739.post-73266686994927490422007-02-12T21:13:00.000+00:002007-02-12T21:13:00.000+00:00Paul,These 'think tanks' are registered charities ...Paul,<BR/><BR/>These 'think tanks' are registered charities and as such are obliged to be non-partisan.<BR/><BR/>Yes they can have different ideologies but they must work in this non partisan manner.<BR/><BR/>It could be argued that neither the Smith Institue nor the Policy Exchange appear to operate in such a non partisan fashion. <BR/><BR/>If that is true it contravienes their charitable statusAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com