This entry was posted on
Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at
8:32 pm and is filed
under The Political Weblog Movement.
A tease? Yes.
(Oh, you *love* it….)
–
UPDATE – Hell, yes:
The UK Today – Sympathy for the Devil: From what I know of Paul and others with similar issues, the next three months will be difficult. So, in a gesture of non-partisan solidarity and support, I’m going to forswear alcohol for the next month, and be safely tucked up at home by 9pm every night. Furthermore, any other bloggers who wish to show Paul that it can be done, that he can master alcohol instead of being ruled by it, you’re all welcome to join me.
Make that us.
No beer, booze or wine, at home by nine.
30 days.
(What can I say? I’m feeling frisky after the fags.)
By Sim-O May 15, 2008 - 9:39 pm
You had a good day in the city then?
By Manic May 15, 2008 - 9:49 pm
Workin' for The Man every night and day.:o)
By bigdaddymerk May 15, 2008 - 10:29 pm
You're all mad, I'm not sure I could go 30 hours without booze.
By Manic May 15, 2008 - 10:37 pm
And there's only one way to find out.:o)
By Jim Bliss May 15, 2008 - 10:46 pm
I tend not to read many right-wing bloggers (Tim Worstall being an honourable exception) as they depress the hell out of me. So most of what I know about Guido comes from his cringeworthy Newsnight appearance and what I read here and at Justin's place. As a result I don't have a very high opinion of the guy, but I've always borne in mind the fact that — excluding his making a fool of himself on TV — that opinion was formed by people who clearly don't like him very much and may, therefore, contain a certain level of bias (whether conscious or not).But having read the piece you just linked to, where he completely trivialises his actions, I now understand where you guys are coming from.I once spent several days sitting next to the hospital bed of someone I loved very much, and watched as she slipped from a coma into death because some stupid fuck decided to drive his car while drunk. As a result, my position is obviously clouded by emotion. Nonetheless, Guido's cavalier attitude towards drink-driving is a stark demonstration of what a deeply flawed and truly obnoxious man he is.I would not wish my experience on anyone, not even Mr. Fawkes, but I hope to hell that some day he acquires some humility, and perhaps some common decency.
By bigdaddymerk May 15, 2008 - 11:25 pm
@Manic. – Nah, not for me, I'll support you lot, from the boozer.I love a drink probably more than most and I do feel a little for Paul not to be able to have a night out for the next three months.That said I've never once been tempted to get in my car after a drink and for that I loose all sympathy.Anyone who drinks and drives deserves to have the book thrown at them, just ask anyone who's lost someone to a drink driver.
By Professor Paul May 16, 2008 - 7:59 am
Sorry Tim, as Duncan Bannatyne would say, I’m out.I find it’s only possible to read the drivel over at Guido’s site when I’ve had a few.Unlike him though, I’m not daft enought to drive afterwards.
By Letters From A Tory May 16, 2008 - 9:46 am
Unfortunately, much as many people on this site may hate Guido, he has done the world of politics a huge favour by exposing some of the lies and deceit that politicians and journalists feed us day-in-day-out.You might not like his methods or him as a person (assuming that you have actually met him) but politics need people who are willing to hold politicians to account for how they behave and he does precisely that.
By Manic May 16, 2008 - 10:57 am
Not if they themselves refuse to be held accountable, LFAT. We all know what that leads to.And your assuming that I've met him line shows that you don't know half the background you should before ruling on this.
By Justin May 16, 2008 - 11:21 am
So where do you draw the line 'Letters'? Paul Staines not once, but twice, has been convicted of drink driving. On the later occasion he was without insurance.So, please tell us. If you yourself are ever unfortunate enough to be involved in a traffic accident with a drunk and/or uninsured driver, will you first ascertain his contribution to politics before deciding whether to condemn him? I doubt it. I imagine a more knee-jerk response will be forthcoming.
By Letters From A Tory May 16, 2008 - 12:32 pm
Manic, the law has dealt with him and the law is the only thing he should be accountable to. His exposure of politician's behaviour obviously leaves him open to criticism of his own behaviour and I have no problem with people reacting to what has happened, but that doesn't detract from the importance and relevance of many stories he has dug up. Politics need politicians to be held to account and Guido is one of the few people who pursues this.Justin, I personally would never ever condone his behaviour as my views on drink-driving are extremely strong and I don't think the punishments are tough enough in this country – but the law has passed its judgement and everyone has to accept that.
By Manic May 16, 2008 - 12:52 pm
"the law has dealt with him and the law is the only thing he should be accountable to"That's just what Paul Staines said about Lord Levy.
By Sim-O May 16, 2008 - 7:55 pm
At last!! Typekey is letting me sign-in. I think it's my rubbishy pc at work.Anyway, if it's not too late I have this to say:LFAT:Guido is a nasty piece of work.He may have exposed a politician, and claimed to have exposed many more, but he has also 'exposed' others that have done nothing, like Tom Watson and his relatives, and gone for those that challenge him with smears and sockpuppets.His drinking and driving and the stick he is getting for it is irrelevant to his form as a blogger. except that the blog is where most people know him from.For an analogy, think of a pub and all the people in it. It doesn't matter who you are or what you do, if you act like a twat in the pub, people will take the piss and talk.