Photography and the dictators

[Gabriel M.A.]

Very good points and observations, Jocko (Ian).

But I can't shake this, I'm a bit perplexed by the "so much for"...

As an overtly Tory thinker he opposed slavery, racism and European colonialism from a conservative viewpoint. So much for the idea that "truth has a well-known liberal bias".

Oh, well. As far as ironic twisters go, I leave with another one:

"Ironic, isn't it Smithers? This anonymous clan of slack-jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That's democracy for you." -- Mr. Burns

 

[Jocko]

Very good points and observations, Jocko (Ian).

But I can't shake this, I'm a bit perplexed by the "so much for"...



Oh, well. As far as ironic twisters go, I leave with another one:

"Ironic, isn't it Smithers? This anonymous clan of slack-jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That's democracy for you." -- Mr. Burns

Gabriel, firstly thankyou.

What I meant was that I feel that many people judge an idea not by it's nature but by where it comes from, when in reality things can often be deceptive. Sometimes thinkers - like Johnson - who identified themselves as conservatives and who were often regarded as reactionaries - proved to be the real progressives. Sometimes it works the other way round. One might think of the late-19th century Socialists - Galton, or even H.G, Wells - who, heady on so-called social darwinism, advocated genocide or euthenasia of the "socially useless".

I now think my point was not entirely fair, and based on a hasty misunderstanding of the quote. I have no doubt that truth (or better, good) is liberal, if by the latter we understand generousity of spirit, independence of vision and mutual respect. But I would not identify truth as true simply because of the political label it might wear in a given time or place.

All the best, Ian

 

[Dfin]

Thanks Ian/jocko for the correction with the quote, I was all ways under the impression it was Churchills. Johnsons meaning could well be applied to the spin doctoring which passes for news to-day. What is the real meaning of imbedded (in bed with) photographer/jounalist, where are the weapons of mass destruction ? and where`s Wally, sorry Ben Laden ? Who do goverments think they are fooling? after Vietnam. I stand by what I said, Lyndon did drop the ball, he missed the seismic shift in public opinion. Too many body bags on the 6.o-clock news, no end insight and No Excit stratergy!! Sound familiar.