Comments on: Window-dressing reforms

by: French Blue

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:00:49 +0000

I’m not convinced that even ‘cynical’ is the mot juste. That at least would ascribe some sort of thought-out attitude. What’s depressing is the default ’so what?’ attitude that seems so prevalent, the kind of amorality that says “everybody does it, what’s the problem?”. Not sure whether there’s much of a choice between the shameless and the slick…sinking into november gloom!

by: Tim

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:14:42 +0000

You are of course absolutely right. However what shocks (I think that is the word) me about Ms Dati’s latest move is its pure cynicism. “Better” politicians might try to dissimulate in some way, turn on the spin. Maybe her approach, more honest, is better.

by: French Blue

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:03:30 +0000

“a bunch of individuals who are supposed to have some integrity”…
Welcome to the world as it is now is, Tim. There appear to be few Western governments not composed of self-seeking lightweights, with notions of integrity and ethics being dismissed as ‘idealism’. Whether it’s pork-barrel politics in Washington, Blairite lies in London or multi-mandates in Paris, it all comes to the same thing. They like to call it ‘realpolitik’. Real it ain’t. Window-dressing has replaced policy-making, empty promises and plain untruths have become the norm and anything that proves difficult just doesn’t happen. “L’Omnipresident” continues to distract attention with his rather engaging hyperactivity, but it seems increasingly to be the case that he can’t distinguish between activity and action. Once upon a time we had politicians who wanted to change the world to make it a better place - now we have people in government whose apirations are at about the same level as those of reality TV contestants.