Bright's Blog

24 comments from readers

Gregg
18 July 2008 at 13:55

But Dr Johnson has been dead for 224 years.

Martin Bright
18 July 2008 at 14:06

Yes Gregg. Paul is what you might call "a veteran journalist".

knave
18 July 2008 at 16:07

You sound happy Martin that Brown is a getting a kicking from Maggies old pal.

Didn't he do a hatchet job on the miners for the handbag lady

BegbiesEvilTwin
20 July 2008 at 21:56

When you say "a veteran journalist" (your quotation marks), should we take that to mean an alcohol saturated old fart who works for a paper that gave up reporting news a long time ago?

Speaking of which the NS is looking a bit light recently.

knave
21 July 2008 at 07:09

BET

As a daily mirror labourite I take it personally that you attack my daily read.

BegbiesEvilTwin
22 July 2008 at 01:26

I hate to break the news to you knave but these days the Mirror reminds me on the Daily Star. The only difference being that the former gets a bunch of mammary glands* to produce the content.

*I'm trying to cut down on the offensive language.

knave
22 July 2008 at 07:44

BET

This is uncalled for old boy.

They have the best sports writers in the boys Holt and Reade, although Collins in mail, barclay and winter in the telegraph are very good.

Also readey writes the only column that isn't either neo con or liberal democrat in nature. good old fashioned class war stuff.

BegbiesEvilTwin
23 July 2008 at 02:10

If you say they're worthwhile on the sports front that's good enough for me.

The Mirror's politics are entirely fine but in all sincerity they could do better. Like the Guardian both seem to have dropped most of their health and social issues coverage. When they do it's fairly anodyne and usually well away from the first few pages.

Of of the mainstream UK papers IMO the FT's Nick Timmins does an a much better job of covering these issues in well considered detail. Can't rate him highly enough.

niceguy
23 July 2008 at 13:10

Maguire, Reade and Routledge are all well worth a read for their tiresome Tory bashing. Always good to see some proper socialist columnists in the papers unlike the neo-con hate spurters who sold out to the green Dollar... Bright, Cohen, take heed.

knave
23 July 2008 at 13:14

Yes I have heard about him.

A nice man as well by all accounts.

knave
23 July 2008 at 13:17

I agree niceguy,

Readey for all his faults is more honest than the standpoint south park republicans like Bright and Cohen.

niceguy
23 July 2008 at 13:25

Sorry, that was meant to read tireless not tiresome. How can Tory Bashing ever get tiresome (except Islam bashing in the case of Bright)?

Morgan seems awfully quiet on this one by the way.

BegbiesEvilTwin
23 July 2008 at 14:42

Reading the Mirror is a bit like reading the Express in the eighties. One day they would be reporting on a royal scandal while making the most bizarre justifications for the royal family being the best thing Britain has ever produced. That's what hacks me off about the Mirror. The Mirror denies the fact that the current Labour leadership is now centre-right while demonising their opponents for exactly the same thing. Bashing opponents can be entertaining but counterproductive because it:

-Is too easy.

-Usually distracts people from recognising the strengths of your opponents.

-Usually acts as a distraction to the weaknesses within your own grouping.

The Guardian's approach is more complex:

-For decades Rusbridger's wife is best mates with Tessa Jowell.

-The decision to pull out all the stops to for the US market has forced them to tailor their content for that audience. On reading their news pages (which has noticeably dropped in quality and content) makes me feel like I'm reading a hazy, confused comic.

-Even before the decision to go US-centric they had been spreading themselves too thin.

What's more at a recent talk at the Frontline Club Rusbridger didn't give me any faith that he had a clear plan for the paper*.

One minor detail that's worth mentioning. My female companion remarked that whoever dyes his hair is terribly good. Any blokes out there looking to rid themselves of their grey locks can ask him for advice on where to go.

*Here's a link to the Rusbridger interview. http://www.frontlineclub.com/club_videoevents.php?event=2354

niceguy
23 July 2008 at 15:02

Yes, I agree on the point that the Mirror has a schizophrenic approach towards journalism, but Maguire, Routledge and Reade have never pulled their punches with Blairite politicians in the Labour party. I don't think there's anything wrong with highlighting the lesser evil, especially with the pro-tory blurbs which fill any other tabloid you read.

Will check out the video later, as it's not working on my work computer.

knave
23 July 2008 at 15:20

I agree with niceguy one on this. Readey and Routledge hated Blair and you get the feeling that Brown is not the old Labourite they thought he was.

Morgan097
23 July 2008 at 15:31

niceguy:

Out of lugubrious nostalgia for the halcyon days of the Long March, you antiquated pink narcissists continue to relish performing endlessly repetitive circles within your itsy bitsy pond.

As you should all know by now, the only columnists of real geopolitical significance are Steyn, Krauthammer, Will and Taranto.

Morgan097
23 July 2008 at 15:40

And "Ask Miss Manners."

niceguy
23 July 2008 at 15:57

Awww, you missed out Brighty. No Skoobt Snacks from master for you tonight.

Morgan097
23 July 2008 at 16:08

But niceguy,

Why Al Jazeera, when the Beeb's already so completely in the tank?

Was it the grating of Orla's grim voice, or the infantilism of Plett's sobs?

niceguy
23 July 2008 at 16:14

Simple, I'm in Jordan and couldn't get my beloved beeb on the TV.

Morgan097
23 July 2008 at 16:19

Good for you!

Finally, a man who puts his britches where his mouth is!

Be so good as to convey to Glubb Pasha my fondest regards.

niceguy
23 July 2008 at 16:53

Certainly will do, but think it will have to be a descendent.

knave
23 July 2008 at 17:16

As you should all know by now, the only columnists of real geopolitical significance are Steyn, Krauthammer, Will and Taranto.

Never heard of them.

I would imagine they are appalling right wing journos and to be honest Morg were swimming with those at the moment such as Brighty, Cohen and the rest.

Morgan097
23 July 2008 at 21:29

Ahh, c'mon knave,

You know damn well that if I were to swim with anyone other than the badger, Rommel would cry for a week.