GREENYGREY’S RAMBLES

At the height of the British political expenses scandal of last year, the nation’s revolutionary fervour inspired the BBC to move their Question Time political debate programme from its usual late night slot to peak time.  So, far from the BBC acting to hide the scandal, they worked to increase its exposure.  To me, this shows that they are not entirely state lackeys, as some people might think.

The British Velvet Revolution Now On BBC4

About a year later, the nation’s understandable wrath seems to have subsided, and democracy is stable again.  Did democracy work?  Has anything changed?  I don’t know, and only time will tell I guess.  Action has been taken, but whether it will bring real lasting change is unclear.

Last week, a doc-drama about how American journalist, Heather Brookes, tried to uncover the excess political expenses before the story was eventually leaked to the Telegraph newspaper (another sign of the media not being state lackeys), was shown on BBC4 (thanks to the Yorkshire Evening Post review for reminding me).

On Expenses suggested Brookes was a rebel who wanted a Watergate style story, while the establishment was defensive and secretive.  Commons speaker, Michael Martin, was shown to have rejected traditional protocol, but to have used expenses as much as possible with a kind of ‘workers’ rights’ rationale that was suggested to have been inspired by his working class roots.

It’s still available to watch until March 9th on BBC iplayer.

The Islamic Fundamentalist Revolution on Channel Four

If On Expenses reminded me of my rebellious youth opposing the system, the Dispatches documentary about those said to be working to create Britain’s Islamic Republic showed why my revolutionary zeal has subsided, and I’m thinking better the devil you know these days.

There’s a lot of debate about the programme on the above site, and how dangerous the Islamic Fundamentalists shown in the programme really are; but the sexism, homophobia, racism and fascism that these groups are known for was clearly apparent to all. 

This was evident in the actual footage of fundamentalists’ speeches; conversations with Islamist activists boasting about how they were using the democratic system to promote and finance themselves and their religion/beliefs/structures; and the testimony of moderate muslims who know how they work and have bravely decided to oppose them. 

It’s available to watch throughout March on the Channel Four website.

Also, congratulations to prominant Islamic theologian, Sheikh Tahir ul-Qadri, for issuing a fatwa against Islamic Fundamentalists carrying out terrorism, declaring those who do it will not go to paradise.  And the Pakistan army for having Al Quaeda on the run.

Gordon Brown is supposed to have been threatening retribution against any Labour MPs that try and oust him. 

Chomsky and Media Hegemony

Chomsky et al argue(d) there is a ‘conspiracy’ between the media and politicians in the US (west).

In my research on this I found that the relationship was not as close as Chomsky made out; that was for the British media anyway.

Telegraph and Media Show Democratic Spirit

The Telegraph exposure of the politicians’ inflated expenses seems to show that the British media is more attack dog than lap dog, using the terminology that the Americans like to use for comparison of journalistic tenacity.

While the politicians called the media undemocratic for releasing the expenses information I think that the media have done the job that true politicians should be doing in a democracy: providing a voice for the people and trying to get an accountable leadership.

Let’s hope a better political class emerges after it all settles down.

A few years ago I stated a simple explanation for the differences in society, theorising that we are still naturally divided into warriors and clerics; two of the main groups that existed in Mediaevel society.

While it may seem better for society to become clerical, and live in peace, this might result in a loss of some of the better characteristics usually acquainted with traditional warriors, such as honour, sacrifice, duty and chivalry.

Bankers and Politicians

The recent scandals involving bankers and politicians can be seen as a clerical society out of control, with no honour, sacrifice, duty or chivalry involved, and the only cause for concern seeming to be how much money they could attain.

I don’t want to be too romantic about warrior culture, as double-dealing and treachery can be a part of wars too, but for the average soldier joining the army and putting their lives at risk, financial reward is one of the least important issues.

World Science

This came back to mind now because a World Science article suggests a ‘warrior gene’ exists.

This suggests that those who get involved with gangs have a visceral urge to fight; as much as those without the gene may abhor physical confrontation.

Conclusion

While society is right to go the way of the cleric rather than the warrior, it should incorporate the good values usually associated with warrior culture; such as honour, duty, sacrifice and chivalry; and not let them be smothered by an obsession with wealth and image.

In the classic Vietnam War film Apocalypse Now Marlon Brando played a US officer (Kurtz) who had gone awol and set up a bandit colony in the jungle.

Kurtz and Martin: a Comparison

Another American officer (Martin Sheen as Willard) was sent to assassinate Kurtz, and towards the end of the film Kurtz is shown mumbling ‘the horror, the horror’.

The equally gruesome ending to the story of renegade House speaker Michael Martin, as he mumbled in horror before meeting his maker amongst his bandit colony reminded me of Apocalypse, although I’m pleased to say that Martin will live out his days in luxury.

Michael Martin: What was it all about?

As Martin was a working class bloke done well he should have been an example to the people he represented, but like so many of the current political class he was led astray by shiny baubles and a feeling of being above the rest of the country.

This led him to put personal wealth and prestige above the people and democracy, and that’s why he had to go.

It was an honourable decision, and he shouldn’t be used as a scapegoat for the rest of the House.

British politics is once again dominated by allegations of sleaze and greed.  While it is easy to see how this situation might arise, it is little different to the banking storm that erupted last year, and is still affecting the economy.

The Greenygrey called for politicians to put their positions before greed in June last year.

Political Expenses

Now, just under a year later, the storm has once again erupted.

When politicians claim they are underpaid, using the city as a comparison, it only worsens their position.

They are public servants, supposed to be doing their job out of a sense of service, rather than profit, and so they should be putting their constituents before any rivalry with their friends working in the city.

Rich in Comparison with the Majority

They are well paid compared to the vast majority of people in the country; people that put them in their positions with their votes.

Like banking and the economy, hopefully the current political crisis will lead to a better UK and world.

It’s a shame we have to go through all this muckracking to get anywhere though.