So the "revolution" continues a pace, as Tony Blair shows no signs of stopping until he has completed his plan to turn Labour into the New Conservative Party. Forget New Labour, what about the New Conservatives! Blimpie (the token Tory) over at the Sharpener has got a new name for "Blairism": Majorism with marketing. Now Blimpie wrote that on April 27, but can there really be much question any more what Tony "is thinking"? (well, I guess it'll do since we never quite figured out what the Tories "were thinking" after all).
Truly, the increasingly Orwellian attempts to spin Blair's attempt to create a new Conservative Party as being in the best tradition of the Labour Party is getting ridiculous. Highlights from today's press conference:
1) More privatization (not necessarily a bad idea, but from a Labour Party? Is this what the electorates of all those northern constituencies in Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, etc. that enable the Labour Party there disproportionate majority really want?)
2) Crackdown on yobs (not a bad idea, but endorsing a Kent mall's ban against wearing baseball caps? Of course Tony explains how this really is "progressive," so its all right)
3) New noises about Iran (now this is a bad idea - does Blair really think this is a bridge he can cross? I saw 7% support for an American-led invasion of Iran in a poll a month or two ago)
4) Firmly opposing his own party's (not some Brussells directive) choice in the European Parliament to end Britain's exemption from Europe's work week limit. Again, let me emphasize that this occurred only because Blair's own party members chose it to be so. But never fear, I'm sure Tony can explain how this is keeping with the best of the Labour Party's tradition
Tony's "listened" to the electorate, and he's decided what they want is what he wants after all. See more on Blair's logic, via the Sharpener (plus the bonus of being a hit piece on the silly Kettle article I smacked down below).
Well, at least David Blunkett's back in the cabinet . . . we know he'll be a counterweigh to Blair
Well, thanks for some fun links for someone unexposed to the UK poly blogosphere.
I especially liked Blimpish's "Tony Blair is horrid, horrid!" post, which made a lot of sense to me about where the electorate sits these days.
-----
And on a completely different topic...
Didja see that George Galloway is going to testify in front of Norm Coleman's Oil for Food committee within the week?
How surreal is that going to be?
Posted by: Petey | May 12, 2005 at 03:44 PM
My Fellow Progressives!
As you know, the theory of framing in George Lakoff's book Don't Think of an Elephant is meant to be helpful. But, as political activists are finding out, its not something that we progressives can make hay with. Why? Because Lakoff's idea is to trick people into supporting progressive proposals by trying to trigger their supposed unconscious need for a "nurturing parent." That's his theory of "framing." But trickery is exactly what the two major parties do!
Secondly, who really has a need for a "nurturing parent" in our government? Do you?
We progressives need to try a new approach for communicating our policies to the people. Let's try showing respect for the conscious rationality of the people for a change. Why not talk to them as intelligent adults?
Learn how in:
Progressive Logic: Framing A Unified Field Theory of Values For Progressives.
Progressive logic is the logic of values that has always moved American progressives. It is the unified field of values that progressive activists and voters have shared for generations, but without being fully aware of it.
Only now have the elements of that unified field of values become fully articulated. Learn how that logic gives our values their unity. See how the unified field is present in the progressive positions on such issues as:
*Abolition and the Civil War;
*Child labor and public education;
*Consumerism and the loss of community;
*Criminal justice system as Christian theater;
*The quality of life revolution;
*Abortion and the right to die; and,
*Religion in politics.
Also included, for activists and campaigners:
*A winning strategy for a new "New Deal."
Read the Introduction and sample pages at my website:
www.empathicscience.org
Special offer! Buy the book at the author's website for only $10.00, shipping included in that low price!
Also available at: amazon.com, …
Please distribute this email widely.
William J. Kelleher, Ph.D.
Author, lecturer, political scientist - bio at:
www.empathicscience.org
Posted by: Bill Kelleher | March 12, 2006 at 02:46 PM