Blogroll update
While I’m thinking of my young virile mate Paul Macmanomy I’ll just note that he has been removed from my blogroll. For no other reason than Paul appears to have gone blogging AWOL again and the URL of his site has been picked up by what appears to be one of those horrible blog advertising sites. Therefore I have no desire whatsoever to give it linkage for which I’d advise other colleagues to do likewise.
Paul, if you come back let us know and back up you go.
17th July 2007 in Labour Party, Techie Stuff
Paul macmanomy responded on 17 Jul 2007 at 8:22 pm #
Won’t be back mate – I’ve given up childish things.
Political Penguin responded on 18 Jul 2007 at 12:49 am #
Paul, you’re an intelligent man who’s quite capable of articulating yourself to a much higher degree than ‘I’ve given up childish things’ or summing up all of someone else’s arguments as just ‘spin’.
You know as well as I do that blogging is what you make it. Yes, there’s a lot of dross and pointless rubbish out there but there’s also some real nuggets of good written quality stuff. Dismissing it all as childish things is about as valid a criticism or comment that all Welsh people shag sheep. You of all people I would have though would be able to differentiate between such things and take a more considered approach and evaluation, not to mention avoid the trap of putting all people of a particular group into one basket and labeling them.
Equally I’ve come to the conclusion and this is not specifically aimed at your comment but I’ve simply noticed it appear much more in what some might regard as the political discourse. The common practice of dismissing without consideration other people’s points or arguments by describing it as ‘spin’. Spin is fast becoming a dirty word in the English language but interestingly it is often used to cut off or discount what others say without offering an alternative or reasoned criticism.
I’m a bit of a fastidious sod sometimes but I like people to set out their stall, their argument but most of all to justify their position. Dismissing someone else’s point of view as just ‘spin’ is the equivalent of saying ‘whatever’ or ‘as if’ in ‘yoof slang’. It is the inability to engage or convey ones argument in a structured and coherent manner and given the level to which political discourse has sunk I’d hate to think that someone like yourself Paul had succumbed to such a simplistic approach to political discussion.
That said Paul, your blog was good, something different and really gave people who are not aware of what goes on, a little window into the workings of Walsall Council. OK, you didn’t write any political essays or thesis’s on the management of public sector bodies but what you added is in short supply so for that I will miss it. The irony is of course that by your withdrawing your more considered blogging, you’ve ended some good quality content which I’m sure will have its place taken by the next dipstick with a gob that far outstretches their cranial capacity. Like the Labour Party mate, you’ve got to be in it to have your say, not in it, you can’t do anything when things happen that you don’t like.
Paul Macmanomy responded on 18 Jul 2007 at 4:29 pm #
My job means that I change people’s lives every day of the week and that’s more than enough for me – writing about it just became self indulgent.
Political Penguin responded on 18 Jul 2007 at 5:33 pm #
Quite understand mate.
The secret club responded on 10 Feb 2008 at 2:03 pm #
I hear a rumour that the Labour Party is bringing back Waheed Saleem to stand in Palfrey as a Councillor. Many people may remember Waheed, who was elected in 2002 as the youngest Councillor and was embroiled in controversy which ended by him being suspended for one year. I wonder that the electorate would say about his comeback?? There’s even talk that Bruce George, MP changed his mind and wanted to stay on as MP to enable Waheed to be selected by the Labour Party just before the next election. A conspiracy or genuine political brinkmanship??
Political Penguin responded on 11 Feb 2008 at 12:36 pm #
What credence I should give to someone using the name ‘The Secret Club’ and a false e-mail address I don’t exactly know.
Should I question whether there are those with a specific interest in the deliberate propagation of mis-information?
I will leave you hunting for other ‘Walsall Blogs’ to try and spread your ill-informed and factually incorrect machinations, feel free not to bother coming back here.
As for your actual assertion and any credence for which my readers should feel they should give it then I would simply add that Allah Ditta has already been selected as the Labour Party candidate to contest the Palfrey Ward in May so your first point is clearly rubbish. With that in mind, I think it best not to even consider the possibility of your second point.
Waheed Saleem responded on 15 Mar 2008 at 1:10 pm #
I have been informed of this blog mentioning my name, especially the posting of mis-information about my political intentions. I fully agree with political penguin, that the statement by someone calling themselves the secret club can not be taken seriously. I would like to categorically state that I have no intention of standing for elections locally, nor has there been any ‘deals’ struck with Bruce or anyone else. I have been out of politics for four years, and enjoyed every bit of the four years and therefore I am no intention of making any sort of come back. I am somewhat surprised that after four years someone thinks to post something like that on a blog? I would ask if that person has the ‘balls’ to state their name and where they heard the rumour from??
Political Penguin responded on 17 Mar 2008 at 1:24 am #
Dear Waheed,
Sadly anonymous postings on blogs are an occupational hazard. Usually perpetuated by the technically illiterate who have some form of vested interest. I wouldn’t hold much hope of anyone owning up, such people are natural cowards. I have a distinct feeling that it may have had something more to do with the then re-selection campaign by Bruce George than anything to do with yourself. That said, good to see that Bruce received the overwhelming support of the Walsall South constituency party and it’s affiliates, and congratulations go out to him on his re-selection.
Waheed Saleem responded on 25 Mar 2008 at 8:35 pm #
Here here, excellent news on Bruce getting re-selected, no doubt he will trounce the opposition at the next election. Long may he continue as the MP for Walsall!
I’d be interested in who has been behind the campaign to de-select Bruce, maybe you should investigate and report on.
PS Excellent blog page, full on very useful information, you will do the Advertiser out of business very soon!! Oh has the good hacks of the Advertiser read this, dont worry I still think your the best local newspaper!!
Political Penguin responded on 27 Mar 2008 at 12:39 am #
Hi Waheed, yes very good news on Bruce’s re-selection. I wouldn’t say there was any real campaign to de-select Bruce, more a couple of people with strange idea’s who thought they might stand a chance of joining a party, signing up a few mates and family members and using that as a method for self-aggrandisement. The upshot is that Bruce was overwhelmingly supported by the branches and affiliates so that was that.
On the Advertiser, yes the lads from there do pop round here but don’t worry, I’ve no plans to become some kind of media outlet, happy with my little blog.