Why am I bothering?

DRAFT

Really, I'm not sure.

There are various things going through my head, most of them hurt, and none at this moment contain alcohol.

One thing is, I would like to improve my writing. You can probably see it's a bit ropey, but there are many things I could write about, so perhaps I'll start with the title. Everyone today - not just politicians, the media, PR departments and other professional liars - eveyone seems to be solely interested in making a pantomime. I assume this is some attempt to amuse us as we pass from the darkness on one side to that on the other, as we watch jaded by so many years of this nonsense. Perhaps an example would help. I first created this with a notion of ranting about Nick Griffin's appearence on - was it Question Time? But I quickly realised that was pointless, however the incident affords a simple glimpse into the type of thing I'm talking about. The answer is simple as far as I can see.

• Was the BBC right to have Griffin on? Yes.
• Were they right to have pretty well all the questions about Griffin or his party?No.
• Was whichever Dimbleby is the Nationalised one right to allow Jerry Springer style - well, what would you call them? Ape noises? Absolutely not
• Is there any point to Griffin making a complaint against Auntie? None whatsoever, it'll just waste license payer's money. Take it in your stride!

However, what happened the next morning was fascinating. The BBC came out with an opinion poll showing that 22% of Britons would consider voting for Griffin's odious party. There are two things here. First is that presumably the BBC had this poll already available, since they knew there would be a backlash. You see? Pantomime. Secondly, 22% of Britons are not going to vote BNP. What this is telling us is, 22% of Britons want to tell the mainstream parties that they think they are worthless. You see? Even what may be assumed to be the general public: pantomime.

We all dance this merry dance of perception above reality - anyone who has followed any of the police blogs will have run across perception based policing. It doesn't matter how many people get beaten up, or houses robbed, as long as key voters perceive themselves safer, that is all that counts. And if you're not a key voter - that is, one whose opinion may be swayed, and who is in a sufficiently marginal area, and be of a sufficiently large and identifiable group to make a difference. Probably some other stuff too. Pensioners seem to ba a favourite, but don't forget those honest toilers at the benefits coalface, Wayne and Daz and Britney and Shaz down on the council esatate, they too form an identifiable group with a clear understanding of what they want the government to give them. And they're voters too.

I hope that gives you a general idea of where I'm coming from. For the record, politically I regard myself as a left leaning centrist. Roughly, that means I believe in a net being there to catch the vulnerable and unfortunate. But don't take the mickey.

So here are a few things I'm hoping to look at. If I get time and can be bothered keeping this thing up. Hey, it's called "managing expectations"

• Climate Change. Is it happening? The left, and some right, say yes. The right, and some left, say no. Lots and lots of scientists seem to be saying yes, but some say no. There's a claim that those who do say yes are ignoring all scientific principle and just following the money. It's hard for me to believe all those scientists are doing that, but one I do respect, John Brignell over at NumberWatch does believe that. So what on earth is going on? Investigation needed. I'll write up what I find out, subject to the usual disclaimers. This bit might actually be useful to someone. I'll be sure to label it carefully so you can ignore all the rest of this rubbish if you like
• Politicians. What are they for? Are any of them worth the paper they make their tigers out of? What about the "political class" as Peter Oborne calls it? I already think his ideas have at least some merit, but more on that later. Is it possible in the 21st century to have a political argument without at least one side claiming the other is either Nazi or Communist?
• Religion and Society and Possibly Morality and all that. Yeah. There's something there I want to look in to, and I'll record my thoughts. Someone seriously bored, or looking for someone to have an excuse to save (or blow up) might find it useful. Maybe.
• There Was a Fourth Item. But I forgot what it was. Maybe I'll readit.

And there'll probably be some ranting. It's a blog from someone of no real importance and possessing little power in the world; there is always ranting.

On the other hand, who am I kidding. It'll turn into a substitute for therapy just like every other blog.

Yeah. I really don't know.

Just to finish, here is something that is illustrative of... something. It's related somehow to the concept of the pantomime, but I can't quite make the connection. Here is an interesting investment opportunity.

I'll reedit later to insert some links - I have to get back to work!