Can democracy function without the truth?
I have just finished reading a book called "The Rise of Political Lying" by Peter Oborne. I found it very interesting and have decided to analyse the situation myself.
One of the chapters in this book, "Why do politicians lie", I thought I could answer in just three words -
to get elected - but Oborne gives some good analysis in far more detail. This I shall not go into but I will confess that the whole time I was reading the book I was thinking that dishonest politicians are the reason that our democracy is in such a mess. One of the biggest fundamentals, in my opinion, of democracy is the need to make an informed choice given the facts. Not being in possession of the facts denies us this right (as Oborne explains throughout the book - something that really got me thinking).
I will make it clear now that I do not claim some kind of moral high ground here. I myself have been dishonest for the very reason given above. I stated in a recent manifesto that I had been actively involved in the organisation of Go Green Week when at the time I had only been to one meeting. I had done very little for the organisation of Go Green Week, though would have done more had I not gone down with a bad case of the flu so I guess I can be excused. I had taken something and exaggerated the situation to sound better.
Despite my own dishonesty, I believe that democracy cannot function properly without the truth. How can some average guy on the street make an informed decision on any issue without hearing the facts from all sides of the arguement. Without the facts, we cannot be properly informed. This, I believe, is the root of all political lying. If Tom, Dick and Harry (or should that be Sarah, Mohammed and Abdul in today's equal opportunities obsessed society?) knew everything then most of our MP's would be out of the job at the next election. It is in the average politician's best interests to be economical with the truth.
Interesting happenings
Well most people will probably think that they are boring but I just want to explain why it has been so long since I last posted on this blog. I have, for once, not been ill but I have been busy. I spent the weekend at a Christian event in London and when I arrived back at uni was the AGM of one of my societies (Christian Focus) and I was elected as prayer secretary for the coming year. In the next week I have a couple more exec elections that I am standing in - well, I like to be busy. Last Wednesday I resigned from the craft society exec because I wanted to take on a different challenge in the coming year.
Also last week I decided to drop out of uni. This is not going to be a permanent thing as I hope to be back in October studying politics. I will be staying in the area in the mean time as here is where all my friends are and there is just too much that I am involved in (and a ball at the end of term 3 to help organise).
The dreaded lurgie
I haven't updated this blog in ages so I will post something quick now. It is because I have yet again been ill. In fact, I only seem to have not been ill for one week this term and that was elections week so I didn't exactly care too much about attending lectures. I'm now almost certain I am going to fail the year. I wouldn't be too bothered but I need to pass to get onto the politics course that I really want to do next year. On a weird and slightly off tangent point, events this term for me can be seen as proof I'm destined to be a politician and not a physicist but that is just my weird way of thinking. Hopefully I will be in better health for the rest of this term, even if the only thing I manage to achieve is a good night out to celebrate my birthday that's at the end of next week - arrgh, I'm getting old!
Still recovering from last week
I guess "I didn't get to bed until 4:30am" is not the best of excuses for not doing an integration worksheet but I am still procrastinating. I've actually been procrastinating all of this term. It is true that I attended more lectures in week 5 than I did in the entire rest of this term put together. Having been too tired to concentrate during 66% of the lectures I have attended this term is really not that good. I can say, however, that PMQ's has not contributed to me missing any lectures this term,
unlike last term where it was a major factor in my lack of attendance. Falling asleep in random places has taken over.
I'm hoping that next week is much better. Maybe I could continue the trend and attend 4 lectures next week, then 8 the week after. In fact, I really should get in a week when I attend all of my lectures at some point.
I actually had an interesting conversation with a friend last night when I returned home from the party. It started when I was trying to explain why I left the party in tears having heard "
Don't look back in anger" but went on to being about courses. We even managed to come up with our plan to take over the world in some distant future.
My political career may be over for now but I will not give up and one day world domination will be mine! Oh the ideas I come up with at 2:00 in the morning.
I've been thinking during today what I could do next year. I will be looking into my options and I will work out what is doable. I know that there are still a couple of officer positions up for grabs that nobody stood for and I could be on one of the committees if I wanted. I will, however, make sure I am back bigger and better than ever before next year.
Nobody will ever get rid of me that easily!
I know most of my blog postings have been a little boring lately but I will try not to drag any of my rants about any recent events much further. I, for one, would much rather focus on something positive.
Why do they always play really emotional songs at really emotional moments?
I made it to all of the party, but only to be disappointed. The election I was standing in was really close but I missed out. Congratulations go to Katt though.
The very last song they played before we were kicked out of the Union was
"Don't look back in anger" by Oasis. I love the song. It reminds me of my last day at primary school. Even now, nearly 9 years later, it still makes me cry. This is because I was bullied and had a really bad time that year. I was desperate to escape from it all. The song reminds me of my need to escape and has so many emotional feelings attached. This is not only because of the fact that I listened to it on repeat for most of my last day, but also because of the words.
Slip inside the eye of your mind
Don't you know you might find
A better place to play
You said that you've never been
But all the things that you've seen
They slowly fade away
So I'll start a revolution from my bed
cuz you said the brains I had went to my head
Step outside, summertime's in bloom
Stand up beside the fireplace
Take that look from off your face
You ain't ever gonna burn my heart out
And so, Sally can wait
She knows its too late as we're walking on by
Her soul slides away
But don't look back in anger
I heard you say
Take me to the place where you go
Where nobody knows
If its not our day
Please don't put your life in the hands
Of a rock and roll band
You'll throw it all away
I'm gonna start a revolution from my bed
cuz you said the brains I had went to my head
Step outside, cuz summertime's in bloom
Stand up beside the fireplace
Take that look from off your face
cuz you ain't ever gonna burn my heart out
And so, Sally can wait
She knows its too late as she's walking on by
My soul slides away
But don't look back in anger
I heard you say
So, Sally can wait
She knows its too late as we're walking on by
Her soul slides away
But don't look back in anger
I heard you say
So, Sally can wait
She knows its too late as she's walking on by
My soul slides away
But don't look back in anger
Don't look back in anger
I heard you say
At least not today.
It is for a completely different reason that the words have such meaning for tonight. I have put so much effort into this last week. I've been out there with the people and it has been really good. I have enjoyed it so much and my only real regret is perhaps getting a bit too involved. I never saw Katt flyering in the snow or nagging random people in the coffee shop in the Union to vote for her. She just had a better manifesto than I did and her posters weren't taken down on the day voting began by really annoying people from the university (like mine were, but that is something I really do not want to go into right now).
I did what I thought was best and am glad I put in so much effort. I most certainly don't look back in anger at what has been such a good week and such an interesting experience. It is just that tonight was really emotional and I was really disappointed. The DJ didn't even know who I was, let alone the fact that I was bullied at primary school. How could he have known that I was going to leave the Union building in tears. The memories brought back by this song, and events of tonight, were just too much when put together at the end of a very stressful week.
Finally, whatever happens next year, I will not go around just annoying people like I did on Friday. I should actually make an attempt to be nice.
Can I really cope with tonight?
I'm procrastinating right now because I can't be bothered to do an integration worksheet. I'm still recovering from last week and would quite honestly rather be in bed. However, I plan to go out tonight. There's a free party in the Union and the results of the officer elections will be announced (or they will be if enough people voted!). If I am to find out the results at the same time everyone else does, then I really should go. I can just see myself not wanting to socialise and not actually caring about the results (other than Democracy Committee Chair) so maybe I should just pop in at 11:30 and then leave again as soon as I find out which one of my opponents was elected. I guess I should go now and have lunch as that should hopefully give me the energy that I need to do the worksheet and actually be awake at 11:30 tonight.
Links
If anyone links to me and I have not linked back then please let me know and I will provide a link to you.
Similarly, if anyone notices a blog that has linked to me and I have not linked back then please also let me know and I will link to there. In other words I will link regardless of whether or not you own the blog.
Lastly, if you do not think that you are in the right section (or can suggest ways of amending my blogroll so that it better describes the blogs I link to) then please also let me know and I will get it sorted.
What a week
I'm so glad it's over. I've spent far too long annoying people today and I really hope all my effort has paid off. I've been falling asleep at weird times (such as 4:00 in the afternoon) and in weird places (such as on the sofas in the coffee shop in the Union) for all of this week. I've enjoyed the bits where I have been awake but really want campus life to get back to normal. I don't like being annoying but sometimes it is necessary. I don't like walking around looking really stupid wearing a hat with a sign hanging off it but sometimes I need the publicity.
I decided to tell my personal tutor about my course switch today. She saw this as yet another opportunity to go mad at me for my commitments so I decided to say that I was downsizing (though anyone who has been around campus this last week would have been aware that I am standing for a position in the Union). I am not at all downsizing. My commitments are changing slightly. I have less time to do some but more time to do others. I hate time spent doing absolutely nothing and would much rather be doing something I enjoy in between lectures. I may have been ill due to stress at the end of last term, and stress may have made me more susceptible to the illnesses I've had since then, but it was definitely down to the fact that I was on the wrong course and not that I was having a good time in between lectures and in the evenings.
Sorry about that rant. I've been ranting at people all day after having heard that the snow was affecting turnout in the Union elections, despite the fact we have to vote online! I've never heard of a couple of inches (at most) of snow affecting whether the internet works. There is, however, some sort of weird psychological connection between bad weather and voter apathy. Apparently this is the case even when you don't even have to walk out the front door. I'm half dreading tomorrow night because I really don't want to see elections week take 2. I've also been praying all day that, even if nothing else happens, the election for Democracy Committee Chair is quorate. I simply cannot cope with another week like this one has been, at least in the near future.
Oh well, that was yet another rant. Just don't get me started on incompetence in the Home Office!
Another one (or a few of them)
Well, I'm bored and can't be bothered to work so I'm doing these quizzes.
| Your Dominant Thinking Style: Visioning |
You are very insightful and tend to make decisions based on your insights.
You focus on how things should be - even if you haven't worked out the details.
An idealist, thinking of the future helps you guide your path.
You tend to give others long-term direction and momentum. |
And my summer anthem of 2005 is my ringtone!
| Your Summer Anthem is Holiday by Green Day |
"Hear the sound of the falling rain
Coming down like an Armageddon flame (Hey!)
The shame
The ones who died without a name"
Dude, you're harshing everyone's summer mellow. |
And I never thought this would happen.
| You Are Most Like George W. Bush |
So what if you're not exactly popular? You still rule the free world.
And while you may be quite conservative now, you knew how to party back in the day! |
What a song - I love it!
| Your 2006 Summer Anthem Is |
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
"I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that phase
Even your emotions had an echo
In so much space" |
But I guess this one is pretty accurate.
| You Are Midnight |
You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits.
Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle.
Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it.
You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends. |
And I knew there was a reason I hated maths so much.
| Your Career Type: Enterprising |
You are engertic, ambitious, and sociable.
Your talents lie in politics, leading people, and selling things or ideas.
You would make an excellent:
Auctioneer - Bank President - Camp Director
City Manager - Judge - Lawyer
Recreation Leader - Real Estate Agent - Sales Person
School Principal - Travel Agent - TV Newscaster
The worst career options for your are investigative careers, like mathematician or architect. |
Last but not least, I guess I'd make a good politician!
| You Are 16% Brutally Honest |
You're not very honest - even with yourself sometimes.
While it's good to be diplomatic, all your little lies are turning you into a pathological liar! |
I like this one
I've just found this quiz from a link on
ThunderDragon's blog.
You Are a Centaur
|
In general, you are a very cautious and reserved person.
However, you are also warm hearted, and you enjoy helping others in practical ways.
You are a great teacher, and you are really good at helping people get their lives in order.
You are very intuitive, and you go with your gut. You make good decisions easily.
|
One of those days
It really has been weird. It has, however, been a good day.
It all started this morning (well that is what normally happens!) when I was sitting in the Chaplaincy. This is a normal occurrence - in fact, I probably spend more of my free time in the Chaplaincy than all other places put together. I had an interview this morning in the politics department, which led to a really interesting conversation with one of my friends (another Chaplaincy regular) about how bird flu would affect the next election. The best I could come up with, however, was to compare it with foot and mouth in 2001. My contribution to the debate was along the lines of "I don't think it will because foot and mouth didn't have much affect in 2001 and I think incompetence in the Home Office will be much more of an issue" and every so often stating that I can't wait to see the back end of this government.
It was an interesting debate but I soon had to leave for my interview and I managed to get lost in the Social Studies Building. This was, however, not before my friend advised me that I should remove my "I love Boris" badge that I nicked from the freshers' fair back in October as it showed a political bias (I'm so obviously not sporty in any way and I don't think anyone would ever think that I would support a tennis star from 20 years ago in any way). He didn't, however, advise me to remove the huge sign I am wearing on my back all this week to encourage anyone who happens to be walking behind me to vote for me in the officer elections that are this week. I was surprised at this as I was sure it was better to go in and say "yeah, I have a political allegiance" than "I'd actually far rather be a Union officer".
The interview went really well and I was informed as I left that I just need to pass this year to be accepted on to the politics course that I really want to do.
The next bit of good news today was that I managed to get rid of loads of flyers. I still have a huge pile left but I've started to really spread the word, this time to people who seem a little more interested. Having swapped flyers with several candidates today, I have decided that I have a new policy on accepting flyers from people for the rest of this week. I will only accept flyers if the person giving them out accepts one of my flyers. I have a pile at least a couple of inches thick that I still need to get rid of.
All in all, today was a pretty successful day. I hope the rest of the week is as good.
Reasons to hate evangelism
I've had one of those really annoying weekends. I have 600 flyers to get rid of (why I decided to get that many, I do not know) so decided to stand outside the Union for a bit on Friday afternoon. Nobody was that interested in my flyers. Instead they all decided to go to the Christian Union's stall as last week was their big evangelism week. I'm currently hating the CU for stealing my customers, who surely could have taken one of my flyers
and gone to the CU stall. I really do not have a clue what I am going to do with 600 flyers because it is really obvious that nobody cares.
Yesterday was not much better. I spent much of it trying to decide what on earth to do with the flyers but managed to get absolutely nowhere. I guess I'll be out again on Monday but being less nice to everyone who happens to walk past.
Follow-up to last night's post
If you want to know why I
spent all of last night cutting flyers then go
here.
I also want to encourage all Warwick students, though don't know how many will stumble across this blog, who are reading this to follow the second link (the one called "here") and vote in the upcoming officer elections next week as well.
General rants
Well, firstly I would like to apologise for not having blogged in ages. I had the flu and have only just recovered this week, a week that has been rather busy for me.
As I sit here blogging, I should really be sorting out some very important publicity that I need tomorrow and really can't be bothered to do anything with. Why oh why did I decide that I needed 100 sheets worth of flyers with 6 flyers on each sheet? And why oh why did I decide that I should cut out these 600 flyers at 11 o'clock on a Thursday night when I'm supposed to start giving them out at 9am tomorrow morning and would really like some sleep tonight? In fact, I think that the Students' Union should realise that the only reason anyone would be up at 9am on a Friday morning is that they are still awake from the night before (unless, of course, they have a really important lecture at that time).
It is a time that doesn't even exist as far as I am concerned!In fact, I have had
some sleep already this evening. I had to go to the AGM and got so bored that I fell asleep during most of the speeches. I really don't want to go next year but it is more than likely that I will get roped into it somehow.
There is actually one more thing that I should be doing now. I am one of the most computer illiterate people around and this has been causing me all sorts of issues this last week. I only have until tomorrow to sort out these issues otherwise I will end up looking such a fool as I will be advertising myself as somewhere between a complete technophobe and someone who simply cannot be bothered with sorting out font styles etc.
I really do not know what is more frustrating out of cutting out flyers and trying to at least appear computer literate when I'm blatantly not but, either way, I'm in for a long night. I hate publicity. It would be so much easier if these kind of things could be done telepathically.
