The idea in my preceding post that the worse fate that can befall us is not erosion of our freedoms, but an erosion of the very idea of freedom reminded me of this: The biggest problem is not that TV shows’ plots are too complicated, but that shows have any plots at […]
What of Liberal Fascism in practice? The picture as seen from Europe is depressing, and getting worse. In the USA the range of ideas, choices and voices heard is far wider than here. When some new policy is proposed in the USA it is likely to meet a […]
(Transparency Note: I met Jonah on a cruise back in 2005 and enjoyed his ideas and company. But we were not lovers.) What to make of Jonah Goldberg’s remarkable (if long) new book Liberal Fascism? Plenty. His basic thesis boils down to three propositions: First, non-trivial parts of today’s Western Leftist/progressive style and […]
I have been invited to take part in a debate in London later this year to discuss the proposition that "Western Policy in the Balkans since 1991 has been a Disaster". As someone involved in formulating part of that policy I am down to argue against this proposition. What to […]
More hitherto uncollated rock ‘n’ roll echoes from the arcane world of diplomacy. By which I mean some sort of reference to actual diplomatic practice, not a passing word such as in Cheap Trick’s "I Love you Honey but I Hate your Friends": That limp wristed two-fisted diplomat Better draw a […]
Background on the fascinating saga of my leaked email back in 2005 which was splashed over the front page of the Sunday Times. What do EU Budget negotiations and Clint Eastwood have in common? Lots. Once upon a time the EU decided that it needed a new Treaty to move […]
Are political processes and indeed state structures based largely on ‘ethnicity’ or ‘national’ principles Good, or Bad? As we had an amicable exchange about the latest tensions in the Balkans the other evening, a former senior colleague of mine said something to the effect that it was high time in modern Europe […]
British MPs take an important vote today on the Treaty on European Union. A fine British Parliamentary moment looms. The Conservative Party are calling for a referendum. The Labour Party say that one is not necessary. The LibDems are being ordered not to vote, or something. From the classic UK […]
And how does someone trying to follow US Presidential campaign footage on TV or via YouTube tell these days? Update: the mighty kos himself weighs in. Very dark… Update: Dirty Politics!
