As a result of all this there have been times over the past year when I have opened red-top newspapers and despaired of their sensationalism. But if red-top values are the price we pay for an open society, I would rather that – with all the attendant controversy and prurience – over the closed minds bred by a less free press. … [Read more...] about Phone hacking: media reputations are at stake
Who taylor swifts songs are about reputation
Trump is ‘surprised’ that Biden chose ‘nasty’ Kamala Harris because she called him ‘essentially racist’ during 2019 primary fight – then claims first black female VP candidate is his ‘number one pick’ to face off against
The pandemic had largely grounded Biden in his home state of Delaware throughout the summer, and also upended some of the ways he had expected to build a rapport with the running-mate contenders. There were no joint rallies or carefully orchestrated, yet casual-looking, outings to local restaurants in battleground states. Biden was also accepting few in-person visitors at his home. … [Read more...] about Trump is ‘surprised’ that Biden chose ‘nasty’ Kamala Harris because she called him ‘essentially racist’ during 2019 primary fight – then claims first black female VP candidate is his ‘number one pick’ to face off against
Talk to your child about porn. No one else will do it, or should
This isn’t about being a nation of prudes – introducing the topic of pornography to your child is difficult – but who else will, but you? Sex education in schools can’t do everything. As for your child maturely and responsibly broaching the subject with you… Give them a tiny break! Just like the porn itself, this is not something teenagers should be expected to deal with. Nor are helpful porn stars likely to turn up at your door. If any parents (or kids) out there have already dealt with this, then sincere respect to you. Everyone else: I’m afraid this is down to you. … [Read more...] about Talk to your child about porn. No one else will do it, or should
Gently does it
You will notice that no one ever asked Adams about whether he believed aliens existed or not; the question would be as preposterous as asking PG Wodehouse what he thought about the English class system. Adams was always writing about this world, and if he got sidetracked into sci-fi comedy the joke was always on us. From The Salmon of Doubt : "Time travel?...The evidence is all around us. I'm talking about how every time we make an insurance claim we discover that somehow mysteriously the exact thing we're claiming for is now precisely excluded from our policy." The single funniest item in the book is an anecdote about a stranger eating his packet of biscuits at a train station, told better here than in So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish . We learn that the book he was proudest of having written was about earth: Last Chance to See, with Mark Carwardine, on endangered species. And it is indeed his best: imagine Bill Bryson with a point, and a message. … [Read more...] about Gently does it
Freeze them out: Call for boycott of ‘woke’ US ice-cream company Ben & Jerry’s for condemning UK attempts to curb Channel migrants (and a reminder of how former hippy founders sold out to multinational Unilever)
In September 2014, anti-hazing activists raised concerns about the ice cream flavour 'Hazed & Confused', which had been released earlier that year. The concern was that the name could be perceived as belittling of hazing and bullying problems. The company has noted that the name was based on the word hazelnut and a play on the phrase 'dazed and confused', which is both a song popularised by Led Zeppelin and a 1993 film. The decision was made in October to not rename the flavour. … [Read more...] about Freeze them out: Call for boycott of ‘woke’ US ice-cream company Ben & Jerry’s for condemning UK attempts to curb Channel migrants (and a reminder of how former hippy founders sold out to multinational Unilever)
