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WHY DO I EVEN BOTHER

You try your best, crushing dissent and undermining democracy every chance you get, and still I’m not named as a member of the right-wing syndicate helping to set the climate of public debate, working in ideological lockstep with the Government and often narrowing the terms of the debate.

Posted by Tim B. on 02/01/2007 at 10:12 AM
  1. I’m so sorry, Tim. You first few beers are on me. This must be horribly disappointing news. Try not to kick the dog too hard when you get home.

    Posted by Mr. Bingley on 2007 02 01 at 10:20 AM • permalink

  2. I believe Tim is part of the double-secret right wing cabal. Even more impressive.

    Posted by Latino on 2007 02 01 at 10:25 AM • permalink

  3. #2 Oooh, the part of the SUPER-TOP-SECRET secret cabal, eh? That Agent Tim Blair guy is one clever fellow.  Say Tim, what brand of vodka do you drink?

    Posted by Texas Bob on 2007 02 01 at 10:30 AM • permalink

  4. Well I wish somebody would do something about the nature of ‘the debate.’ At this very minute the BBC is running a hand-wringing piece about the poor, displaced people of the vanished island of Locachara, victims of rising sea levels (and George Bush.) Haven’t we already done this debate? How come it never seems to make any difference?

    Posted by SteveGW on 2007 02 01 at 10:31 AM • permalink

  5. Tim, you should be grateful. Clearly you’re having such a great impact that everyone is afraid to speak your name. It’s kind of like being a member of the Mafia really.

    O/T, I got $300 worth of Borders (book/cd/movie) vouchers for my birthday. Any recommendations of what I should get?

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 02 01 at 10:32 AM • permalink

  6. #4, very difficult to hold a debate when you can’t read. They rely on their helpers to do the reading for them, but often their helpers can’t be bothered and so tell them that there was no response, etc.

    Or at least, that’s what I would do.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 02 01 at 10:34 AM • permalink

  7. Clearly this calls for more oppression. Lets buy Webdiary and then turn off their server.

    #5 - I found ‘In Defence of Global Capitalism’ by Johan Norberg to be a fantastic read.

    Posted by Ian Deans on 2007 02 01 at 10:36 AM • permalink

  8. #5 Ash_

    My goodness! $300 worth of vouchers! All I got was a single carbon credit

    Posted by aussiemagpie on 2007 02 01 at 10:39 AM • permalink

  9. #5, anything by Victor Davis Hanson.

    Posted by Latino on 2007 02 01 at 10:40 AM • permalink

  10. “Working in ideological lockstep with the government”

    What does that marching cadence sound like? “Right, right, right, right . . .”

    Posted by paco on 2007 02 01 at 10:49 AM • permalink

  11. (wronwright reviews list of cabalists,  anonymously faxed from a Kinko’s to Clive Hamilton and Sarah Maddison, with Tim Blair’s name crossed off)

    When Andrea gives me back my Zulu spear and William the Conqueror Norman shield she brazenly stole, Tim Blair’s name goes back on.  Until then, he will continue holding the reputation of being a nice and moderate opinion editor.

    Posted by wronwright on 2007 02 01 at 10:50 AM • permalink

  12. #9

    I’d actually recommend stealing a copy of Gore Vidal’s latest pile of poo.

    Three reasons:

    1.  You don’t want the bastard to recieve any royalties.

    2. It gives an insight into the bitter, intellectually dishonest and idiotic mindset of Vidal and his fellow travellers.  I now understand the source of stupidity that I encounter when arguing with anti-American zombies.

    3. You realise that Vidal’s dissenting patriotism anti-Americanism and visceral hatred of FDR and Truman stems from the fact that his boyhood sweetheart was killed at Iwo Jima.  That statement sounds harsh, but reading Vidal say that WWII was not worth the life of his [boy]friend, makes one realise how much of a bitter, selfish, egotistical old queen he really is.

    Posted by murph on 2007 02 01 at 11:00 AM • permalink

  13. #8, Aussiemagpie, I suspect it has a lot to do with being part Italian and not speaking to the ‘people’ in my family.

    They have an obligation to give me stuff for free, but I’m stunned that they’ve actually given me stuff that might make me happy. In previous years they’ve given me jewellery (from Kleins, I’m sure), Noam Chomsky books, books about the 9/11 conspiracy (three of my cousins sent me the same book in one year, and even after ‘reading’ it three times, it was still crap), and that beautiful tale about the truth about the election that made George W Bush president.

    I never knew that most of Alaska, Atlanta, Virginia, Wisconsin, California, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota and Massachusetts were taken off the voter rolls. I suppose that’s what happens when you want a Democrat to win.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 02 01 at 11:03 AM • permalink

  14. No matter if Tim is off this list - on Andrew Bolt’s blog yesterday one very kind poster gave Tim the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval - because there is not an infestation of trolls here as there is on Bolta’s blog

    Thank you Andrea

    Posted by aussiemagpie on 2007 02 01 at 11:03 AM • permalink

  15. #8, Aussiemagpie, I forgot to mention, how on earth did you get precious carbon credits from Paco Industries so cheap?! $300 for 1? I’m sure Paco quoted me at least $4000.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 02 01 at 11:05 AM • permalink

  16. #13 Ash_

    I never knew that most of Alaska, Atlanta, Virginia, Wisconsin, California, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota and Massachusetts were taken off the voter rolls. I suppose that’s what happens when you want a Democrat to win.

    Yes and also Mr Howard has forced me to live in a fascist dicatorship and I have to wear the Aussie flag at all times draped around my shoulders and if I can’t do that at least have a sticker on my car saying “Australia if you don’t love it leave”

    It’s just a living hell

    But please enjoy your vouchers - as a bookworm whose home is full of books I’ll be pleased to know later what you’ve bought

    Posted by aussiemagpie on 2007 02 01 at 11:11 AM • permalink

  17. #15 ash_

    I’m afraid my carbon credit was a cheap carbon copy (made in China) - not the real deal from Paco

    Posted by aussiemagpie on 2007 02 01 at 11:13 AM • permalink

  18. #16, Aussiemagpie, being proud of a country is pure hell isn’t it?! Wait until my Leftie friends find out I’m not a citizen, but a permanent resident. I’m kind of lazy about telling them. I can’t be bothered with the real arguments. Because we’re all between 20 and 25, my fiancee’s theory is that their parents are sick of the current government, and so they are, without thinking about it. He may have a point.

    And But please enjoy your vouchers - as a bookworm whose home is full of books I’ll be pleased to know later what you’ve bought ... I like to read stuff I haven’t read before, which is the reason why I’m asking for advice. Though I see Ms Fits (I’ve had too many drinks to spell her first name) recommends a “Confederacy of Dunces” I suspect that the effect would be the same as a boiled egg. Hard and nothing to spill out.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 02 01 at 11:26 AM • permalink

  19. Ash: Edward Cline’s Sparrowhawk series is a good read.

    Posted by Franklin on 2007 02 01 at 11:30 AM • permalink

  20. Ash_

    If you are a bit mathematically you could try “A new kind of science” and if you get to understanding “inherant complexity” you might start laughing at imposible task of “climate modelling”.

    Basically Climate Models can’t even get to GIGO.

    Posted by Rob Read on 2007 02 01 at 11:57 AM • permalink

  21. #18: Actually, A Confederacy of Dunces is a comic masterpiece, and the story of how it came to be published - recounted by, I believe, Walker Percy in the introduction - is also extremely interesting.

    Posted by paco on 2007 02 01 at 12:05 PM • permalink

  22. You’ll always be a part of the vast right-wing syndicate to me, Tim!

    Posted by blogagog on 2007 02 01 at 12:07 PM • permalink

  23. I thought Tim was one of the Secret Masters of the VRWC, privy to the Dark Lord Rove’s liquor cabinet and Andrea’s weapons room (are you sure Andrea is the one who took that spear thing, wronwright?).  As such, why would he want to be part of some ordinary right-wing syndicate helping to set the climate of public debate, working in ideological lockstep with the Government and often narrowing the terms of the debate?  After all, the best work is done here.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 02 01 at 12:14 PM • permalink

  24. Where and when will the new secret password and handshake be available?  Will lapel pins and license frames be available?

    And can we have some new symbols?  That eye and pyramid thing is getting a little shop-worn now that everyone knows what it is.  Perhaps the Primary Artists Co-op Organization can come up with something, eh?

    Posted by Winger on 2007 02 01 at 12:24 PM • permalink

  25. Don’t feel bad, Tim.  Your loyal readers think you are worse than Hitler!

    Posted by Mystery Meat on 2007 02 01 at 12:26 PM • permalink

  26. Tim, my condolenences.

    his has to be absolutely devastating.

    Nevertheless, congrats to Andrew Bolt and the others.

    Can an expat join the club?

    Posted by Jack from Montreal on 2007 02 01 at 12:29 PM • permalink

  27. Well, of course that would be ..“This ....”


    Perview is my fiend

    Posted by Jack from Montreal on 2007 02 01 at 12:31 PM • permalink

  28. Tim just doesn’t want us to know that he personally ordered his name to be redacted from the Hamilton/Maddison piece in order to keep his high-ranking VRWC status a secret.

    Posted by PW on 2007 02 01 at 12:40 PM • permalink

  29. ”...and often narrowing the terms of the debate.”

    Ooh, perish the thought of focusing in (i.e. narrowing) the debate to things that are real.

    They hate it when someone tries to actually address what happens in the real world with real people.  They want to continue with their fantasy debate, about a fantasy world, with fantasy happenings.  If you exclude BDS and other fevered imaginings, they don’t have much material to work with any more.

    Posted by kcom on 2007 02 01 at 01:38 PM • permalink

  30. We know and value your contribution Tim, even if they dont.  Together we will kill all the Polar bears.

    Posted by bondo on 2007 02 01 at 06:09 PM • permalink

  31. Perhaps Tim should take a leaf out of Groucho Marx’s book.

    ” I wouldn’t want to join a club that would have me as a member”.

    Posted by Pogria on 2007 02 01 at 06:22 PM • permalink

  32. #13 Ash_

    and even after ‘reading’ it three times, it was still crap

    and you’ll never get that time back.

    Posted by kae on 2007 02 01 at 06:41 PM • permalink

  33. #13

    Oh, and Ash_
    I suggest you don’t buy ANY of the books mentioned on a previous thread….

    Posted by kae on 2007 02 01 at 06:43 PM • permalink

  34. Tim, you bother because you love it.

    And WE appreciate you!

    Posted by kae on 2007 02 01 at 06:45 PM • permalink

  35. Maybe an ”

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2007 02 01 at 06:47 PM • permalink

  36. Take two.
    Maybe an “STARVING AFRICAN BABIES TASTE BETTER THAN POLAR BEARS” T-shirt would help.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2007 02 01 at 06:49 PM • permalink

  37. Great. I shall immediately subscribe to the Quadrant,  and donate to the Centre for Independent Studies and the Institute of Public Affairs.

    Thanks for the tip fellas.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 02 01 at 07:59 PM • permalink

  38. #5 Buy my reusable carbon credits.

    Burn carbon guilt-free!

    And they are reusable!

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 02 01 at 08:02 PM • permalink

  39. Commiserations, Tim ... a stealthy VRWC overlord?

    Luv the KRuddy quotes at the base of the article:

    Kevin Rudd, on the ABC’s The 7.30 Report on January 24, 2005, on why he could not get the numbers to enter the leadership ballot against Kim Beazley at the time:
    WELL, Kim’s been around for 25 years in politics. I’ve been around for six, like Julia Gillard. When it comes to his ministerial experience, he was defence minister, former deputy prime minister. I haven’t been either of those. I’ve been the director-general of a state government department for several years. That’s not quite up there in the sameleague.

    Kevin Rudd, after being asked about his lack of political experience on Monday:
    I think I’ve got a reasonable background in public administration. In terms of my background in foreign policy on the one hand but also at the state government level where you’re dealing with up-front things like how schools function, are hospitals functioning, and what’s happening with the police and law and order. It’s not a bad background to have.

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 02 01 at 08:25 PM • permalink

  40. The word cabal came from the names of ministers on committee under Charles II - Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley and Lauderdale. What we have here is a badshwamp, not a cabal.

    Posted by Contrail on 2007 02 01 at 08:47 PM • permalink

  41. #13, anything from PJ O’Rourke. Parliament of Whores is his best.

    Speaking of Christmas gifts, a relative gave me The Accidental Terrorist... I think I’ll be visiting the second hand bookstore down the road as I’m sure the moonbats that infest the place will be more than happy to take it off my hands.

    Posted by Art Vandelay on 2007 02 01 at 09:26 PM • permalink

  42. You try your best, crushing dissent and undermining democracy every chance you get, and still I’m not named as a member of the right-wing syndicate

    Good grief; there’s only one thing any self respecting dissent-crushing RWDB would do - sue the bastards!  (as long as you invite me to the piss-up afterwards)

    Posted by Stop Continental Drift! on 2007 02 01 at 09:39 PM • permalink

  43. Tim, Clive and Sarah are a bit behind the times.  I don’t think they have heard about blogs yet.

    Posted by Crossie on 2007 02 02 at 06:56 AM • permalink

  44. There’s no way that large tranches of the media work in ideological lockstep with the ALP. When they go on about reading to kiddies or literacy for littlies, as it has now become, they are ardently broadening the debate.
    Just watch lockstep with the union movement turn into the splits over the workplace/industrial legislation. Talk about flicking the switch to vaudeville - slapstick lives!

    Posted by blogstrop on 2007 02 02 at 07:06 AM • permalink

  45. Attention: Bully boy patrol of ex-grunts and toughies infesting this blog site!
    A letter to Crikey published in today’s issue:
    Steve Johnson writes: Tamas Calderwood says 20 years of chokey sounds “about right” for David Hicks. Is that a rationale to say that the Allies should have locked up German combatants following WWII? I mean, it’s a War on Terror, isn’t it? You can’t have it both ways. A War means that rules have been established to treat POWs, and the vast majority of educated and qualified people in this area seem to be saying unequivocally that Hicks is being treated inhumanely and illegally by the United States. Calderwood, along with the like-minded bully boy patrol of ex-grunts and toughies at Tim Blair’s blog, are thankfully very much in the “tiny minority”.

    Posted by percypup on 2007 02 02 at 07:49 AM • permalink

  46. A cabal is a Jewish secret society, As Far As I Know….

    Posted by wreckage on 2007 02 02 at 08:26 AM • permalink

  47. I’ve seen much the same phenomenon when editing Wikipedia. A small fraction of lefties cannot accept that people who disagree with them are allowed to participate in public debate. The idea that conservatives have a right to expound their beliefs in public leaves them gobsmacked. Some lefties get angry; these lefties are too astonished for that.

    Of course, these people are mostly young, thoroughly-indoctrinated at college and rather foolish. Many, perhaps most, will grow out of this foolish attitude.

    That the head of the Australia Institute and a lecturer at UNSW feel the same way is very sad.

    Posted by Chris Chittleborough on 2007 02 02 at 10:22 AM • permalink

  48. Ash_
    You need a few practical, fun-filled, yet educational books. I suggest starting with Art of the Catapult and Backyard Ballistics as starters.

    Cheers

    Posted by J.M. Heinrichs on 2007 02 02 at 02:06 PM • permalink

  49. “Many, perhaps most, will grow out of this foolish attitude.”

    Unfortunately, they will grow out of it just in time for the next batch to come along and make the same damn mistakes.  And the cycle repeats.  Youth really is wasted on the young.

    Posted by kcom on 2007 02 02 at 08:13 PM • permalink

  50. A small fraction of lefties cannot accept that people who disagree with them are allowed to participate in public debate.
    Then they declare the debate over?

    Posted by blogstrop on 2007 02 03 at 03:09 AM • permalink

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