Category: the Rant Board
Right! I know there's another topic about our current home secretary, David Blunkett, on the news and views board, but today something quite unrelated to the Kimberley Quinn affair has annoyed me about him. Writing in the sunday Telegraph and in the New Statesman and Society, Frances Becket explains how she has had dealings with Mr Blunkett over the years, and has found him to be a rude3 and difficult man. All right so far, you may think, but the article then continues, and I quote, "I remember kicking my heels in corridors for what seemed like
hours until the great man was ready to see me, then receiving a
curt instruction as he marched on to meet more important folk.
But one day I thought I saw the chance for a proper conversation.
At a reception, I saw him alone, and went across. I told him -
truthfully - that he had performed exceptionally well in the
syndicated broadcast interview I had arranged for him. He said,
in a voice dripping with angry sarcasm: 'Yes, yes, Francis, we
will use you again.'
I retired hurt and embarrassed. Years later I read in his
autobiography that, being blind, he had no way other than
rudeness of getting rid of people who bored him at receptions." and there ends my quotation. Now, look back at the last sentence: what a stupid, pathetic little man! Is he trying to tell us that he's no more social graces than one of the young offenders he always pontificates about locking up? Is he trying to tell us that just because he is blind, he is automatically granted an exemption from the general requirement to treat others with courtesy? Whatever he's trying to say, millions of people will read this and what are they going to think? I hope that they will see this latest nonsense for what it is, but some might consider that Mr Blunkett, on behalf of blind people, is claiming that we have a general right to be discourteous because we have no sight. Well I've got news for you, you socially inept pillock: I've met many a person to whom I'd rather not talk at receptions, parties, presentations etc. but I don't tell them, in effect, to sod off and then point to my eyes and say 'and you have no right to complain about my discourtesy, I'm blind, you know.' If you can get rid of them in some other way, then do so, and if you can't, then just grin and bear it! what a dreadful message Mr Blunkett is sending out on behalf of not only himself, but also you and I, and that's what angers me the most.
i agree with you ll. it seems blind people use their blindness as an excuse these days for a lot of things they do and how they act. rather pathetic, really...
I don't like the fact this person thinks he has a right to be an ass and use blindness to justify it. But I wonder if you think it's sending a message, how many people are receiving it? Most people don't do a lot of thinking about the blind at all, good or bad image aside.
Well, the only thing that he's really proving is that blind people also have the right to be jerks and socially inept. Too bad people do stereo typing and I can't see him reinforce anytying positive about blind people through his behavior. I really hope at least they won't take his blindness into consideration when they discuss/determine whether to make him resign or not. He's gone way too far and should resign (BBC posted the liberal democrats view on this and they say that too, he used his official posoition in a personal capacity, that is wrong to do for any position/job, let alone one in the highest authrity in the social structure).
What a bastard *sigh*.
Labyrynth, there are numerous misconceptions about blind people that sighted people have. Not all sighted people, I grant you, but a significant proportion. now, if Mr Blunkett writes things like this in his biography, and then they appear in a newspaper, you're talking about several million people, are you not? francis Beckett quotes this particular passage, I believe, to illustrate the absurdity of it, but as I say, some people will not be able to see that, whilst others will think that blind people really do claim this right to uncontested discourtesy. I have, I should add, written to the sunday Telegraph on this matter to congratulate Francis beckett on drawing this idiocy to my attention, and I shall put the letter up as it is published, if it is published.
Couldn't agree with you all on this. No need to further comment.
OK, LL, you've got a point. I guess in the end it depends on how he's viewed by most people. Do they see the blindness first or the fact he's a public official first. Either way, he's got no good reason to act that way and something just has to give.
Intriguing, Blindvi, that you say you couldn't agree with us all on this, but then say that there's no need for further comment. If you can't agree with us, I'd like to know why I'm sure. The Sunday telegraph has received my letter safely about this subject so I hope they will consider it worthy of publication. Labyrynth, I think that people generallly see him as a blind cabinet minister, which is really not surprising as he's the only blind person to be a cabinet minister. In short, his blindness is something that is associated with him by a lot of people, which obviously makes the comment more worrying.
..."I remember kicking my heels in corridors for what seemed like hours until the great man was ready to see me,..." So is this not considered RUDE behaviour..?? WHAT?!?!?! can ONLY Public Officials be considered "Rude," and not like the Others in the various situations surrounding "Important Folk?" ---- "Kicking of heels" I should think ought to be given to the considersation of "BEing RUDE," certainly, "Childish! to say the least." Now, I realize it is the Great ENGLISH Speaking and Writing Folks that are present here at THE Zonebbs that are given to view my AMERICAN-English as in opposition to ENGLISH-English as being= shall we say mis-spelled. All I gotts to say to that one is that I am using Amer. Eng- USA and NOT Eng. ENGLISH-London/Oxford Style. Furthermore to my knowledge, I have NOT ENGLISH Blood in me, get that..??, eh..?? ..CG here
Really CG, your contributions are not so tiresome when you make them on a discussion that is not trying to tackle a serious and substantive topic, but when you just ramble aimlessly with your sprinkling of punctuation about nothing pertaining whatsoever to the main point of the debate, you make me wonder whether you're capable of rational thought at all, or at least of putting that thought into words and a constructive argument. I will attempt to reply to your central point - or at least I think it's your central point - about kicking of heels being rude: when one kicks one's heels one usually does so quietly while one is waiting to see someone, so no, I don't consider that rude behaviour. You also fail to notice that the discussion centres around the last sentence of the quotation I reproduced. Your observations about english ar not on point; your main point is not a good one; your contribution in general wastes everyone's time.
...So when Did You LawLord Land back on dry ground..??? Last time we talked on the Boards you were left a Drown-ing .... someone must have been "kind" and rescued you.... *grin* CG here
CG, for the record, I'm a very strong swimmer and used to regularly do the 1500 metres. Do you actually have an opinion on the subject under discussion - one which, unlike your last rather tenuous point, directly addresses the quotation?
in the absence of fresh Blunket news I'd have to inquire some more about that particular swimming career of yours, were you ever involved in international competitions such as the European championships or the parallympic games? My main event was 400 and 200 medley and I was active from around 1992 to 1999, did the Germany European Championship and then disappeared from that scene. Never liked the 1500 much, it would put me to sleep after about 800 meters .
Anyways, not doing a good job staying on topic but I am just awaiting further news on the scandal trusting LL to keep us up-to-date with the latest and greatest gozzip about our favorite blind person.
cheers
-B
No news today about the blunkett affair, except that, what a coincidence, the home office originally wanted the inquiry to be done entirely on paper rather than one that hears oral testimony! Interesting, isn't it, that when he was leader of the opposition, Tony Blair demanded that allegations into dodgy dealings by Conservative MPs be heard by an independent committee appointed annually by parliament, whereas today when Michael Howard demands the same thing, he says he never was in favour of such an idea? anyway to answer your questions, being involved in international competition would have meant giving up pork pies, sausages, black pudding, bacon sandwiches etc. in short, I never had the commitment and only did some national competitions. I competed in the Oxford versus cambridge judo tournament at the varsity games in 2001, and that's the highest level sporting event I've been in to date. I was a pretty effective sprinter as well as not a bad long-distance swimmer, a bit like the thorpedo but without the talent, commitment and australian accent.
More news has rroken on the Blunkett affair: now he is to face a second inquiry. I can't find details as to the second inquiry yet, but will of course pass on the information as soon as I have it. We'll finish him off, you'll see.
Well, Lawlord, the question burning on my lips has to be: is there anything you can't do?! Now you're a top sportsman aswell as everything else hmmmm....And leave poor old Blunkie alone, he's only human after all eh? Frey. PS no don't believe you like that disgusting black pudding stuff.
I am about as close to being a top sportsman as I am to being a driving instructor. The only sport I play now is cricket, and usually I field close to the bat as I'm not a bad catcher so I don't have to do any running around. Black pudding is great stuff, and you don't even have to cook it to eat it so it's a handy food if you're coming back from the pub, or rather immediately on your return therefrom. And yes, our Cassanova of a home secretary is only human, just like Peers Merchant and david Mellor, and of course cecil Parkinson before him. Compare what the Labour party were calling the government to introduce to judge those people at the time, with what Blair is refusing to convene now. No further questions, your honour, no further questions.
o.k. o.k. NO further questions. Some Vannila Pudding with some Mmm Fresh ripe Ra=ra=raspberries and just a dolup, er a maybe two *worried look* of COOL WHIP Topping. Coffee too, please, on the side with Hazlenut Flavoring, Ahh, such a nice quiet Desert-N-CoffeeCafe you folks have here for taking in the News on a World-Wide-Non/Wrrestleing level. All Good Holiday Cheer One an All. ..CG here --- Freya, those Sugar Cookies in Holiday Pine Tree Cookie Cutter Shape have just a hint of Lemon Flavoring, do have some! Truly D E L I C I O U S you understand. CG
Rigt the second inquiiry being faced by david Blunkett is one commissioned by the parliamentary ombudsman which will examin ethe alleged misuse of expenses, misuse of civil servants i.e. getting them to perform tasks such as providing lifts for Mrs quinn in order that they might further prosecute their passions out in the country, and things such as that. It's terrible, and I must say I'm glad that Mr Blunkett is being held to account over such matters. The inquiry also includes the first class rail tickets scandal, another privilege Blunkett has misused.
'Out in the country' eh, naughty, naughty Blunkie he's a bit of a lad isn't he? And as for misusing civil servants well that is unforgiveable....So now you're a driving instructor in your spare time LL, can I book a course of lessons perhaps? Frey.
LL, looks like you got yourself quite a fan here.
I personally would have to disagree with you on the black pudding, this being an Icelandic "delicacy" I never got into it even if I do appreciate its merits (no cooking needed, very filling for sure). :) Yes indeed, the Thaurpito without the training talent or indurance same could be said for 99% of the population. I shuld check but I think/hope I still hold the 200m freestyle European record for the blind (b1) from Italy 1997 .. now I am happy if I make it in under 2:45 .. sad as it is
cheers
-B
p.s. oh yes, ;) and mr Bluknet, well, you guys know what to do with him .. the world is watching.
Can you believe it? Can you really belive it? i certainly can't! Blunkett, it turns out, has really gone on the offensive, but not against the people you'd expect! oh no, against his colleagues, his friends, his government! He has said that the chancellor is a bully, the prime minister hates being told the truth, the education secretary hasn't lived up to expectations, the culture secretary is hopeless, and the foreign secretary was a disaster when he used to be home secretary! The man's lost the plot, I tell you, but for once he's absolutely right about most of his cabinet colleagues. I wonder how long it will be before they all start describing his personal attributes, but I look forward to that day. The bell is ominously tolling, and the sword of damocles hangs ever more menacingly over the head of Blunkett's political career. Incidentally, I notice that we've digressed away from the original topic of the blind claiming the right to discourtesy and have instead adopted a sort of Blunkett bitching session, but I love it! We'll get back on topic, I'm sure, if my letter is published in the Sunday Telegraph this weekend.
PS: Wildebrew, black pudding is superb and it's a Scandinavian import that has done much more for England than one or two other pieces of rubbish that part of the world has sent us, like Sven Goran Ericson for example.
Lets here it for black pudding! And I am just back from the pub,Failte if I was any more relaxed you'd have to check my pulse.
............................................................
There are few more delicious things than a cold pint of Harp Irish lager and black pudding freshly fried with bacon sausage crisply fried potatoes egg sliced sausage
known as a Dublin Grill!. And no I'm not a fat b*st*rd.
grin.
...Well, here here now, don't necessarily desire for you to be THAT relaxed or else,*worried look*, there may be NO pulse present at all to check. Crisply fried potatoes, eh..? Well, fling some over here will ya and with some of that Frreshly prepared salsa with mildly hot peppers would be perfect. Now, will someone please be so kind as to give further explanation as to what all this interesting chatter is all about says CG while enJOYing the pleasenteries of this Cafe that goes beyound deserts n-coffee. CG here listening....
CG I don't think 'all this chatter' is difficult to follow. I'm sure that if you read the discussion from start to finish, you'll get the idea. Good luck.
Oh No! Lawlord, not at all difficult to follow just well, I trust it shall lead somewhere.. and all this Chatter appears to be rather going quite well I might be given to add. Lead on, Oh and please just a bit more of THAT Wonderous midly HOT salsa, so very spicy and tantelizing, Mmm Ahh Yes, and some Homemade by Ally Guacamole, here allow for me to dab your chin with this napkin of softly woven linen design. Well, Yes! of course I realize you can do it yourself. I know you are not helpless, it is just, well, it is just, well, I enjoy our closeness... Now, back to the Topic at hand, please go on. Listening. You were saying?
I notice3 that during prime minister's questions yesterday, when Michael Howard was pointing out that David Blunkett had described the chancellor, Gordon brown, as a bully, Mr Blunkett who aas sitting next to Mr Brown at the time put an arm around him. The papers say that the chancellor looked discomforted, disgusted and disconcerted, whilst the rest of the cabinet looked on in horror as Michael Howard reeled off the nasty things David Blunkett has been saying about his colleagues. so, now that his Blairite friends don't want him anymore, what hope is there for our poor home secretary?
I cannot believe this whole affair has been allowed to drag on for soo long,surely the knives are sharpened beyond reason.
I suspect cowardice and the fear of a nasty all too revealing backlash from old Blunkers,I wonder what he's got hidden away on Howard et al.
Apparently old Mags used to pet his 1st guide dog on the head but then she did the same to most of her cabinet, so its hardly what you'd call a privilage.
Goblin shall I tell you what David blunkett says about Michael Howard? He says that Michael Howard was, and I quote, 'The first home secretary who was really serious about cutting crime'! Maybe he's about to cross the floor? My views on Margaret Thatcher are well-known.
Are they not by me?.
Hmm maybe and isnt it sickening the way blair is flaunting his "support" in public,I detest these false shows of unity.Would the tories accept blunkett I can't see him being an asset can you.
...Well, hmm Now Lawlord can you visulize this guy being like an asset? I wonder... By the way, Goblin, Yes, please I should enJOY just a bit more of THAT salsa with a dolup of Sour Creme, here have some with these FRITOS CORN CHIPS, the salty crunch with the Spicyness of the Salsa and the cooling Sour Creme, delightful Ahh Yes!... please! Lawlord, I am listening, please continue on this discussion that is most interesting. CG/ConnieG here
CG you talk crap on almost every post you inflict upon us. We have the misfortune to read them, but they do nothing for the topics you seek to post to. In fact they confirm that you don't actually have a clue how to post properly. Please learn before you post again, for the sake of us all.
Come in to my parlour said the spider to the fly!.
And you gave the idiot what she craves attention! Really LL I expected better of you.
I did too! Now, Lawlord, When are You going to get back "on topic?" ...CG here
Lawlord, oh Lawlord where did you go? A waiting your most valued responses. Why Goblin, this parlour is absolutely divine. The plush red velvet cushions. Lawlord, really now, where are you? ..CG here
Right, here I am. goblin my response to CG last time was sheer irritation, nothing more, nothing less, but anyway back to the topic as requested: my letter to the Sunday telegraph which I wrote last week and which really is the driving force behind the discussion we are currently having has been published! So now, I hope, the impression about blindies claiming the right to be rude just because they can't se has been corrected amongst the readers of that newspaper. I shall post a copy up here for you all to read in due course, once I have checked whether or not I have retained the copyright to the letter's contents. meanwhile, whom do we think will replace Blunkett when he goes?
To Lawlord, Congradulations are in order for your writngs being published. I haven't intended to irritate you. Must be my "american-Way" about me. Not being English I have not the Tone of Language shall we say that your writngs are apart of. I trust we can Each be the INDIVIDUAL that we are and strive towards understanding. CG here
Darn it LL, I forgot to buy my 'usual' copy of the Sunday Telegraph yesterday so do please post up a copy of your letter for our delectation and delight hmmmm...What do you mean 'when' he goes, he hasn't definitely said he's going yet has he? Frey.
All right, the lawlord has checked and it seems that I have retained the copyright to the contents of the letter. It reads as follows: Sir - I was shocked to read in Francis Beckett's article (Focus,
December 5) that the Home Secretary feels discourtesy to be the
only way of getting rid of people he finds tiresome at receptions.
What Mr Blunkett is reported to say in his biography shows that he
has no more social graces than the criminals he constantly
pontificates about locking up, but more worrying by far is the
nonsensical and daft implication that blind people have the right
to be gratuitously discourteous by reason of their impairment.
As a blind person currently training for the bar, I have often had
to deal with people I'd rather avoid at receptions, and I haven't
felt it necessary to claim my blind person's right to be rude.
Might I suggest to the Home Secretary that in future he listen
out for a familiar voice in the crowd and amble very casually
over to them at an opportune moment or, alternatively, do the
unthinkable and just grin and bear it? After all, having sight
isn't everything at a busy gathering, as the Foreign Secretary
will tell him.
Well said LL! Let's just hope Blunkie gets around to reading it...Frey.
He won't read it but I'm hoping one of his minions will. Maybe I should have written to The spectator instead? that would have had a beautiful irony about it wouldn't it? I presume Mrs Quinn would have to have a sight of it if I'd written to that magazine, she's the publisher after all! meanwhile, ladies and gentlemen, the net closes ever tighter around Mr Blunkett and the vultures gatherr. It appears, my friends, that Mr Blunkett has fast-tracked yet another visa to satisfy the caprices of the lovely, but meretricious, Mrs Quinn.
When I say 'lovely, but meretricious' I don't speak from experience of course, but if Mr Blunkett managed to charm her into submission, then there's hope for every blind person on the planet isn't there?
The net has swallowed him! Check out the blunkett quits topic on the news and views board for more info. Amazing what one letter to the Sunday Telegraph can do eh? now then Lawlord, I'm sure it wasn't your letter that made him resign......Oh dear so now he's started talking to himself on the boards as well, dear oh dear.
No, blind people should not use their disability as an excuse to be discurtious. There, back on subject. lol