Numerology: How to make MP pay rises look very small
on Nov 13, 2009 in All WW Comment Politicker In March 2008, before the MP Expenses scandal had been broken into the wider knowledge of the public, even though some of us were writing about it (Hem-Hem!), a research paper (08/31) was published by the House of Commons to give background context t...

Numerology: MOD Expenses and Savings
on Nov 12, 2009 in Uncategorized Savings from Planned Cuts to Territorial Army Training and Bonuses Paid to MOD Staff.Savings from Planned Cuts to Territorial Army Training and Bonuses Paid to MOD Staff. Sources: Defence Management, Times Online Post from: The Wardman WireNumerolog...

Clay Shirky Interview on The Impact of Social Media
on Nov 11, 2009 in Uncategorized Clay Shirky is one of the most perceptive commentators on the evolution, and impact, of the Internet. Here he gives an interview to GRITtv’s Laura Flanders.Clay Shirky is one of the most perceptive commentators on the evolution, and impact, of the...

Financial Coincidences on the Road to Rome
on Nov 11, 2009 in Uncategorized I don't normally do church politics on the Wardman Wire, or at least not the sort of Church Politics which are currently in the news - those about Members of the Church of England who wish to leave and join the Roman Catholic church. But this is irr...

Libel Law Redux: Latest Reports on the Defamation Roadshow
on Nov 10, 2009 in All WW Media Politicker There have been several good reports in the last day or two about UK Defamation Law. Let me highlight two which are particularly well argued, and a good summary.There have been several good reports in the last day or two about UK Defamation Law. Let...

Take Action: Libel Law Consultation on Multiple Publication Rule
on Nov 10, 2009 in All WW Media Politicker Following on from my earlier post about English Defamation Law, Paul Bradshaw (who blogs mainly about the future of Journalism) highlights an important opportunity to start the process of reforming our Defamation Laws. The "Multiple Publication" rule...

Afghanistan letter controversy: Gordon Brown has my sympathy and my support
on Nov 9, 2009 in Uncategorized I agree with a relatively small number of the policies of the Brown administration, and I have been bitterly critical of Mr Brown in many areas. I also believe that there have been more casualties than necessary in Afghanistan, some caused by mistake...

The Pope’s extraordinary offer: an apostate’s view
on Nov 9, 2009 in All WW Comment Politicker We've heard a number of religious views about the Pope's extraordinary offer to allow Church of England priests who can't stomach women bishops to convert to Rome. Here is the view of an excommunicated apostate. Isn't this really about some extremely...

Secret Inquests, Jack Straw, the IRA, Forced Marriages, Killer Heels: From the Independent
on Nov 9, 2009 in Uncategorized Four stories from today's Independent. Jack Straw's hidden Inquests (Not on the website) A Labour backbench rebellion against Jack Straw's latest attempt to reintroduce secret inquests (Ed: for the third time) is in prospect, lead by Andrew Dismore.

Twit-Fit of the Week from Nicholas Lezard: It’s Monday, so let’s Wibble about Twitter…
on Nov 8, 2009 in All WW Media Politicker Articles in newspapers complaining about bloggers and twitter users seem to come along like bills from the taxman - at a rate of about 5 a week. We have had the remarkable exhibit of Janet Street-Porter (or "Janet Self-Publicist") complaining about...