Measles and MMR: Peter Hitchens in The Mail repeated a few days ago what I thought back when the controversy over the MMR versus single, separate immunisation jabs was raging in the headlines and, no doubt, in the hearts and minds of parents. Given the colossal waste of money going on in our not-so-beloved Nationalised Health Service, surely the government of the day could have allowed people a choice between the two proposals whilst the scientific validity of the doubters was tested. Today, of course, there is a massive panic on as regional health authorities use emergency procedures to vaccinate thousands of youngsters whose parents opted out all those years ago. Massive panic, of course, means massive expense, so they didn't save any money.
Beyond irony: According to The Mail, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Commons, the fragrant, dainty, saint-like Sally Bercow who took part in a Celebrity Big Brother Show but was, in a surprisingly tasteful decision by the mostly moronic viewers booted off at the first opportunity, has let it be known that she will not be attending Lady Thatcher's funeral. Her reason is that Lady Thatcher "was very divisive… She also ushered in a very greedy and selfish society". In the meantime, this delightful specimen of all that is best about English 'gels' is busy looking for some Labour party suckers supporters to provide her with a Parliamentary seat to fight at the next election. Can anyone doubt that she will make an excellent parliamentarian and prime minister, certainly capable of out-classing "that woman" . . . sorry . . . didn't quite catch that . . .
Taking UKIP seriously: Well, that's what young Master Fraser Nelson is doing over at The Coffee House. Last week he dropped in to a UKIP rally meeting in Worcester expecting to find three men and a dog and maybe an elderly lady looking for the Women's Institute. Instead, he found the main meeting room packed and when a second room with a broadcast loudspeaker was arranged that too quickly filled to over-flowing. Of course, Nigel Farrage was speaking and there is no doubt that he is one of the most gifted political speakers of this age and a lot of people would be happy just to hear him reading his laundry list. Still, Nelson was more than somewhat surprised at the turnout and in his interesting article he analyses the popularity of the UKIP and the effect it is likely to have. The forthcoming local elections should give a clue.
Alinskyed, by Jove! An interesting article at The American Thinker by Thomas Lifson which follows on from my post yesterday concerning the corrupt behaviour of the Left-wing American media in refusing to report on the mass baby murders executed by an abortionist in Pennsylvania. Apparently some Right-wing journos have studied in detail the writings of Saul Alinsky, Obama's political Godfather, and have applied his methods back onto his advocates. Thus, dictum #4: "Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules" and dictum #13: "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it" is being used against individual journalists and their organisations who have resolutely ignored this case. Such fun!
More music - sorry! I risk becoming a bit of a bore on the subject of music - sorry! But, even so, how in hell's name can I have missed Tchaikovsky's symphonies? Obviously, like most kids I loved Tchaiko's 1812 Overture decades ago when I first heard it, and I have liked and admired it since despite the pitying smiles from friends with, er, more sophisticated tastes - or so they would have me believe. And everyone knows and loves the gorgeous ballet music he composed and which reduce us all to romantic goo after a few bars. But, dammit, I have been demanding to know in the last few weeks why did no-one tell me about the symphonies, especially the 5th and 6th? They are just superb beyond description and, I am ashamed to confess, I have had all six of 'em on my shelf for years - unplayed! Now, I ask you, am I a totally daft, mad, old coot or what ? - don't answer that question!
I blame Tony Blair! When he refused to say in the HoC that his new baby, whatsit, had had the tripple jab on the grounds that it would breach the child's right to privacy - we all knew that Cherie had put her foot down (removing it from her big mouth) and whatsit was getting HIS shots separately. Only the peasants had to have the triple shot.
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Sunday, 14 April 2013 at 16:40
Yes, BOE, I remember that - what a pair of A1 shits!
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 14 April 2013 at 17:27
"dictum #13: "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it": purest Thomas Jefferson, that.
Posted by: dearieme | Sunday, 14 April 2013 at 23:35
"Now, I ask you, am I a totally daft, mad, old coot or what ? - don't answer that question!"
Okie dokie, this Arkie will not answer that question.
Posted by: JK | Monday, 15 April 2013 at 02:33
Wise move, JK. I admit I was tempted to respond but decided to let sleeping used car salesmen lie, as it were.
Posted by: Andra | Monday, 15 April 2013 at 05:04
Bloody hell, DM, I 'm going to have to read up on Mr. Jefferson to find out why he makes you so bilious.
"used car salesmen lie" - an inadvertent pun, Ma'am, I'm sure!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 15 April 2013 at 08:39