Comments on: Iain Dale is a lying liar

By: Manic

Manic — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:23:48 +0000

More than you'd get over at 'Guido Fawkes'. Or at Iain's blog, if you look at it in any detail:http://www.bloggerheads.com/guido_fawkes/2007/02/...I'm getting shouted down over at Iain's right now:http://iaindale.blogspot.com/2007/02/another-case...And, as I have pointed out in that very same thread; Iain is a liar. This is not an insult or abuse, it is a statement of fact. And what did he lie about? He lied about insulting me.The abuse is left to anonymous parties… which leads me to repeat this link:http://www.bloggerheads.com/guido_fawkes/2007/02/...Sometimes Iain is even kind/honest enough to deliver the abuse himself:http://www.bloggerheads.com/archives/2007/02/iain...

By: Bel

Bel — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:43:35 +0000

I would hardly count abusing Iain Dale as 'destroying' him. I'm sure he's heard worse, anyway :)I only commented because, as I explained, I just discovered this blog a few weeks ago. I followed a link from Chris Dillow's site.I just thought it might be nice to read about something other than abusing bloggers, is all. I got involved (tangentially) in one such blog war last year, and I didn't like it. It's always best to be civil, I found.It's OK, anyway. I said my two cents' worth, and you were kind enough to hear me out and respond to my post.All the best.

By: Manic

Manic — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:06:42 +0000

Isn't it, though?I think the lesson learned here is that, if I want Tories to be nice to me, I first have to destroy one of them.

By: tyger

tyger — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:02:31 +0000

Nice to see so many new friends.

By: Manic

Manic — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:02:53 +0000

"I was looking forward to seeing more of that research ability in action on real political stories."Hi Bel.This *is* a real political story (Psst! New Nick Boles post coming soon!)… and the conduct of bloggers like Paul Staines and Iain Dale impacts/reflects on us all.Far from being a personal squabble or an attempt at navel gazing, this is a determined effort to make people aware of what is really going on here.Paul Staines' facade was the first to fall, and he played a large role in his undoing. The same goes for Iain Dale.The resulting personal insults and attacks I try to take in my stride, but:1) I'm human2) They actually help to make my pointI fear that political blogging will soon be so over-populated with anonymous bullies and astro-turfers that making genuine contributions will become meaningless… and quite possibly dangerous.And I don't wish to single you out here, but it was only after I finally managed to nail jelly to the wall that Tory-leaning bloggers started coming out of the woodwork asking me to 'play nice' or 'get back on track'.(PS – The kitchen is on fire. Again. If you're looking forward to sitting down for a nice conversation over dinner, please don't interrupt the guy with the hose.)

By: Bel

Bel — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 13:35:40 +0000

Hello, ManicI only discovered your blog in the last few weeks. From what I can see, you appear to be a well-respected blogger in certain circles. I read a few of your earlier posts, and I agreed with your wider points about integrity in blogging, etc.Far be it from me to tell you how to run your blog, or what to write, but every time I visit, you appear to be attacking Guido, and latterly, Iain.Not to say that you should not be aggrieved if you feel someone is insulting you, but this whole thing seems to be taking over your blog.Going by nothing but the amount of research you put into, for example, the Guido story, I was looking forward to seeing more of that research ability in action on real political stories – one of the reasons I keep coming back. Unfortunately (for me, and perhaps other readers) it all seems to be about quarrels with other bloggers.Please do not take this the wrong way. It is just that there is nothing quite so offputting as 'blogging about bloggers'. It all seems like there is a lot of navel-gazing going on, and frankly, as Michael implied above, perhaps sometimes, it is best to ignore certain things?Kind regards,Bel.

By: Manic

Manic — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 23:22:02 +0000

Dear Michael,This is not a vendetta... this is an earnest effort to defend values that I believe have deteriorated greatly in recent months.Dale, Staines and their bully-boys are the ones lying, scoring points and delivering smears... i.e. I'm up against exactly the kind of thing that turns you off politics.And soon I hope to re-engage people just like your good self.Check Backing Blair for the closing statement...http://www.backingblair.co.uk/... then sign here, please:http://www.national-service.co.uk/Cheers.

By: MichaelP-J

MichaelP-J — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 23:13:10 +0000

Hi Tim – I've been reading your blog on and off for about two years now (since seeing the original Backing Blair video, in fact). Anyway, whilst I applaud your efforts to try and encourage more people to engage in politics, cheap point-scoring sessions such as this one are exactly the sort of thing that turned me off being involved in local and national politics myself. It seems that whether the venue is the student union meeting, the blogosphere or Parliament itself, British politics revolves around feuds, smears and general nastyness. Sadly, nothing I've seen is encouraging me to become more involved again.

By: Manic

Manic — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 22:40:53 +0000

modern conservative:1. How nice to have you back… and to see your first comment – ever – upon your return.2. Please read the following, then come back when you're ready:http://www.bloggerheads.com/archives/2007/01/brie...http://www.bloggerheads.com/guido_fawkes/2007/02/...

By: modern conservative

modern conservative — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:56:15 +0000

I've not visited Bloggerheads for ages – given the current controversy i thought i should have a look and see what was going on – And crikey it's spitting bile here isn't it! Surely Mr Ireland your getting this massively out of proportion.Why worry what Iain Dale did or disn't say – rise above it.And don't worry you're not a nihilist, just somewhat eccentric.As people say these days "take a chill pill".