Why Rupert Murdoch considers it worth his while to pay David Aaronovitch a large six figure sum for such puerile antics as tweeting that I am insane, is a conjecture I find difficult to resolve. Today this exchange occurred on twitter:
David Aaronovitch: This suggestion that if elected Corbyn could be quickly ousted is utter bollocks. Democracy allows Labour to commit Hara Kiri.
Mark Doran: @DAaronovitch I hope everyone is watching how these servants of the micro-elite try to paint “attracting popular support” as “committing suicide.”
Mark Doran: @DAaronovitch Craig finds the elite-serving contortions every bit as funny as I do
David Aaronovitch: @MarkJDoran I tend to find Craig Murray unpersuasive on the grounds of him being unhinged. I can see why you like him, though.
Mark Doran: Says the man who managed to find Bush and Blair credible. I can see why you liked them, though.
It is remarkably ironic that on being referred to an article which argues that views outside a very narrow neoliberal establishment narrative are marginalised and ridiculed by the media, the Murdoch hack’s response is that the author is unhinged. Aaronovitch could not have more neatly proved my point.
But something else struck me about the twitter record. Aaronovitch’ twitter account claims to have 78,000 followers. Yet of the 78,000 people who allegedly received his tweet about my insanity, only 1 retweeted and 2 favourited. That is an astonishingly low proportion – 1 in 26,000 reacted. To give context, Mark Doran has only 582 followers and yet had more retweets and favourites for his riposte. 1 in 146 to be precise, a 200 times greater response rate.
Please keep reading, I promise you this gets a great deal less boring.
Eighteen months ago I wrote an article about Aaronovitch’s confession that he solicits fake reviews of his books to boost their score on Amazon. In response a reader emailed me with an analysis of Aaronovitch’s twitter followers. He argued with the aid of graphs that the way they accrued indicated that they were not arising naturally, but being purchased in blocks. He claimed this was common practice in the Murdoch organisation to promote their hacks through false apparent popularity.
I studied his graphs at some length, and engaged in email correspondence on them. I concluded that the evidence was not absolutely conclusive, and in fairness to Aaronovitch I declined to publish, to the annoyance of my correspondent.
Naturally this came to mind again today when I noted that Aaronovitch’ tweets to his alleged legion of followers in fact tumble into a well of silence. I do not even tweet. The entire limit of my tweeting is that this blog automatically tweets the titles of articles I write. They are not aphorisms so not geared to retweet. Yet even the simple tweet “Going Mainstream” which marked the article Aaronovitch derided, obtained 20 times the reactions of Aaronovitch’s snappy denunciation of my mental health. This despite the fact he has apparently 10 times more followers than me. An initial survey seems to show this is not atypical.
In logic, I can only see two possible explanations. The first is that my correspondent was right and Aaronovitch fakes twitter followers like he does book reviews. The second is that he has a vast army of followers, nearly all of whom find him dull and uninspiring, and who heartily disapproved en masse of his slur on my sanity. I opt for the second explanation, that he is just extremely dull, on the grounds that Mr Aaronovitch’s honesty and probity were never questioned, m’Lud.
Resident Dissident
““Miss-selling IS a crime Habbabkuk; read the fraud act 2006:”
Unfortunately the Fraud Act 2006 came in after the problem of mis-selling had been recognised.”
__________________________
You got him there, RD! 🙂
An to think that Mr Scorgie told us he was a lewyer!!
LOL
“This is the alternative Resident Dissident would like to see to Vladimir Putin.”
Another day another lie I’m afraid – I have never said I would like to see Khodorovsky or any of the the corrupt oligarchs replace Putin. If you understood anything about Russia it would be that Putin allowed most of the oligarchs to carry on with even greater rapacity while he and his friends joined in. Those he excluded just wouldn’t accept that Putin was in charge. Think of it as Al Capone asserting his authority against other Mafia bosses and you’ll get it.
If Mr Goss doean’t believ me perhaps he should look down the full list of the beneficiaries in the loans for share transactions and consider where the vast majority are today.
Potanin was the architect of shares for loans
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-18/russia-s-richest-billionaire-says-impact-of-sanctions-is-waning
“Traces of polonium were also on the British Airway planes that Litvinenko took to and from Israel.”
Evidence for this please – Russian Insider doesn’t count. I suspect that this has just been made up by the Mr Goss’s friends in the KGB as a usual diversionary tactic. The only planes where polonium traces were found were travelled on by Mr Goss’s friends. If they were found on flights between London and Israel on which Litvinenko travelled – then I am pretty certain that Russian sources would have been the first to get their hands on such information – while western sources are totally unaware.
With all due respect, the discussion of “mis-selling” does not appear illuminating; and perhaps it is not intended to illuminate.
Professor Peter Cartwright, an acknowledged expert on Consumer Law wrote this on mis-selling in his frequently cited text, ‘Banks, Consumers and Regulation’ (2004): “In many cases where there is fraud or deliberate mis-selling a criminal offence will have been committed”. As you may notice the book was written before the Fraud Act, 2006 was enacted. In his footnotes Cartwright specifically references the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Thanks for the speech by Dr. Caldicott Brian, I could not agree more with her analysis.
Fukushima has been kept out of the news and suppressed, now in desperation for more control over our energy policy, the Government has decided that we should enslave ourselves to nuclear power, pay for the construction, the decontamination costs and the legacies for generations, a very bad deal for us.
And I agree with Dr. Caldicott when she says, NGO’s and the opposition is more concerned with staying alive, looking after themselves, then with the causes they espouse to.
This from the eastern Daily Prattle. Leiston, in colonel land Suffolk, is preparing itself for the joyful construction phase of ten years plus.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/energy/sizewell_c_moves_closer_as_edf_makes_progress_1_4176215
It might be Putin sending a thinly-veiled warning to others or…
Which is something Putin and his KGB antecedents have plenty of form for, from at least Trotsky onwards.
A previous one to Litvinenko (and possible cause of Litvinenko). Also drank tea. Several more indicated.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Anna_Politkovskaya
The shared sympathy with Chechnya is also of interest.
Putin or Kadyrov are the major suspects. Kadyrov with Putin’s deniable knowledge and approval.
Fred’s right about commercial polonium: it’s used as an antistatic measure in some processes. However, I see the story has been adapted to involve Israel*, and an unverifiable flight to collect it, so it didn’t come from the internet. Where the difficulty of buying ricin rather than glucose and a long prison sentence was demonstrated just last week.
*Which, if we are allowed to speculate, is exactly where the Russian state-controlled media would divert the attention of Western woo fans. Believing every word emanating from RT, Voltaire, or [insert antiestablishment-looking outlet], punting exactly the same story, and disposed (not least by Israel’s brutality and stupidity in other directions) to believe Israel is a global villain, the conclusion for the tinfoil hats is obvious, isn’t it? Acceptance of the sideways – looking not-quite explicit narrative would be automatic.
“I see the story has been adapted to involve Israel”
One of the great things about the polonium evidence is that it creates a precise trail of Litvinenko’s movements from the time of ingestion. If he was in Israel there will be traces of polonium on his seat in the departure lounge at Ben Gurion.
In any case, provided we know which flight he was on when he entered the UK we should know which was his departure airport.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch teams are being kept busy this weekend.
http://news.sky.com/story/1529006/bin-laden-plane-crash-doesnt-make-sense
http://news.sky.com/story/1529047/car-festival-resumes-after-fatal-plane-crash
‘TV and radio presenter Chris Evans, who created the festival, said police have advised organisers that it is best to continue.’
Of course you had to continue today Mr Evans. Good heavens, lose a day’s takings? What next!
~~~~
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/air-accidents-investigation-branch/about#who-we-are
One of their previous reports, 243 pages!, on the 777 that touched down before the runway in January, 2008.
https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/5422f3dbe5274a1314000495/1-2010_G-YMMM.pdf
MJ
Stop diverting – where is the evidence that there was polonium on a BA flight between London and Israel other than on websites that are known propaganda fronts for Putin. If only the latter then it is pretty clear that it has been made up – i.e. it is a lie aimed at diversion.
So please either put up or shut up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Litvinenko_assassination_theories
The administration of Polonium 210 seems a very elaborate method of killing someone.
Ben Emmerson QC of Matrix Chambers (Cherie) appeared for the widow.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/27/putin-ordered-alexander-litvinenko-murder-inquiry-told
What happens next after six months of this? Anything? Cost to the taxpayer so far?
11.54am Oooh er Missus!
John S Warren
The burdens of proof under the two pieces of legislation are quite different. Given that civil claims are usually time barred after 6 years – my guess is that we would already start seeing criminal prosecutions if there was a strong legal case for them under legislation at that time – it isn’t as though there aren’t enough lawyers interested in making claims in this area is it?
The Indian Ocean, the ocean that keeps on giving.
http://news.sky.com/story/1529113/mh370-search-metal-object-found-on-beach
Any ideas?
http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2015/8/2/409366/default/v2/debris-found-on-reunion-1-992×558.jpg
‘Pictures taken before police took the object away show a twisted piece of metal with symbols etched into it, with a handle that looks as if it is made from leather or plastic.
Bowden said that although it is not known if the object is from the doomed Malaysia Airlines flight or from a Boeing 777, it had Chinese and Malaysian writing on it and was thought to be from the inside of an aircraft.’
Resident Dissident
1 Aug, 2015 – 10:58 pm
“Unfortunately the Fraud Act 2006 came in after the problem of mis-selling had been recognised.”
……………………………………………………..
What is your point there ResDis?
The Fraud Act 2006 replaced fraud offences covered by the Theft Act 1968.
The offences we now call fraud were covered by sections 15 to 20 of that act. Obtaining property, for example, (i.e. money in this case) by deception.
On 6 April 2011, the Competition Commission released their investigation order designed to prevent mis-selling in the future.
So the frauds continued anyway.
“where is the evidence that there was polonium on a BA flight between London and Israel”
As I thought I made clear, the evidence of Litvenko’s movements lies in the records of his flights and the polonium trail. I don’t know what that evidence tells us, only that it should be reasonably straightforward to identify. If he flew from Israel then he flew from Israel. If he didn’t then he didn’t.
The reference to different ‘burdens of proof’ looks to me like a logical ‘petitio principii’; and I doubt if a “guess” decides very much of interest.
“Stop diverting – where is the evidence that there was polonium on a BA flight between London and Israel other than on websites that are known propaganda fronts for Putin.” *
* Evidence is only admissible if from propaganda fronts approved by Resident Dissident.
“The Fraud Act 2006 replaced fraud offences covered by the Theft Act 1968.”
Not quite the case if you could be bothered to check
http://www.addleshawgoddard.com/view.asp?content_id=2448&parent_id=2439
As for the speed of the Competition Commission in responding to changes!
The point I’m making is that if lawyers felt that they could make a case for criminal prosecutions to stick then they would do so on in relation to the cases that have become time barred – the fact that they haven’t suggests that they don’t share your view. This isn’t an area where lawyers are known for their shyness/willingness to kow to authority, or to restrict their interest in fat fees.
Oh dear, as my 2 year old nephew would say, which he learnt from BBC children’s TV.
http://www.voltairenet.org/article188307.html
Turkey’s president Erdogan, controller of the Daish Terrorist Fantasy, and upsetter of Obama by plotting to sell oil to US’ enemies, has now run out of time to form a government.
Turkey’s population will not accept Turkish boots on the ground in Syria, and itself fall into a civil war like the one it created in Syria. Then I suppose it will fall on David Cameron to find a way to bomb Damascus without a parliamentary vote to back him. Blair-like eyeball swivels will shortly seen on the smooth visage of the UK Prime Minister.
Oh dear!
“Any ideas?”
Well, the absence of any seaweed or algae would suggest it hasn’t been underwater for a long time, if ever. Stuff that’s been in the sea soon turns green and slimy. When it washes up the goo dries on like a dark veneer.
Des Res:
“…the fact that they haven’t suggests ….”
that it would be more expensive in legal costs to prove that they had not committed fraud than to compensate the people they had de-frauded.
BrianFujisan
Even the hardened tips of conventional weapons present a fatal hazard to anyone who comes into contact with them.
David Cameron has personally bought nuclear weapons. Not is a shopping trolley of course. The Tories live in a priveledged world where things are done for them. Anyone crazy enough to grow their own vegetables is doing recreational gardening. If they collect missile scrap from war zones, and get cancer, they made that life choice themselves.
It is an appalling extension of Thatherite dogma about the undeserving poor. The only coping mechanism they have for the Fukushima melt-down is complete denial that they have brought destruction of enourmous proportiions upon their allies and their own selves.
Habbabkuk:
The temperature in Tel Aviv is 22 degrees C and the place is buzzing.
While you are rubbing salt into the barbecue meat why not rub some salt into the Palestinian wounds?
You have to admire the guts and pluck of the refugees getting through war torn Europe to reach the safety of Blighty.
Giyane
“Habbabkuk:
The temperature in Tel Aviv is 22 degrees C and the place is buzzing.
While you are rubbing salt into the barbecue meat why not rub some salt into the Palestinian wounds?”
__________________
I wouldn’t wish to do that, Giyane. But if you like I could stick a red-hot chili pepper up your capacious fundament.
David Cameron WILL hand out House of Lords peerages to super-rich Tory donors
1 August 2015
Tory donors who poured millions into the electoral war chest will be given seats in the upper House as a reward for getting him into Number 10
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/david-cameron-hand-out-house-6178329
Look out for Bamford, Lupton, Mone, Griffin and Spencer.
One Lupton. He’s in the money. Look at this list of donations over 7 years. £2m+
http://powerbase.info/index.php/James_Lupton
He’s in this list which exposes the corruption within the Tory partei.
‘Selling off NHS for profit’: Full list of MPs with links to private healthcare firms
17 November 2014
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/selling-nhs-profit-full-list-4646154
He is ex Baring Bros and replaced Fink as co treasurer of the partei.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2274185/Ex-Barings-boss-control-Conservatives-general-election-fighting-fund.html
In that list of recipients of donations is Priti Patel, Priti by name but ugly of nature. She is a sidekick of IDS. Repellent and stupid.
Outrage as Tory MP claims she felt threatened by a ‘thug gang’ of campaigning OAPs and disabled people
1 August 2015
Members of the group were shocked and distressed by Employment Minister Priti Patel’s attack
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/outrage-tory-mp-claims-felt-6179403
An entry in her register of interests is noteworthy.
Name of donor: Henry Jackson Society
Address of donor: Parker Tower, 43-39 Parker Street, London WC2B 5PS
Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value): costs of visit; approximately £2,500
Destination of visit: Washington, DC, USA
Date of visit: 2-5 March 2013
Purpose of visit: delegate at the AIPAC Homeland Security Forum on Middle East and International Security Issues including a programme with HJS in Congress pursuant to UK and allied interests in the economic and security spheres.
(Registered 25 March 2013)
Plus a four day visit to Bahrain in 2010 to meet government ministers paid for by the Bahrain Embassy. Value £3,279
Kim Jong-un has been awarded a prize for global statesmanship.
The North Korean dictator is to receive the award from the Bali-based Sukarno Centre. The news was announced by the daughter of Indonesia’s founding president, after whom the award is named.
Rachmawati Soekarnoputri said: “We will give the award to President Kim Jong-un because he has been consistent in carrying out the ideals of the great leader, Kim Il Sung, which is to fight imperialism.
So this will be a sequel, where we give the award to Kim Jong-un for his persistence in fighting neo-colonialism.
Other previous recipients of the award have included Mahatma Gandhi and Aung San Suu Kyi.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/kim-jongun-is-awarded-global-statesmanship-prize-by-indonesia-10432451.html
Someone has droll sense of humour giving the North Korean dictator the award,is almost as farcical as the EU winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.
Oh dear NATO is on fire. Eerdogan is trying to deal with the Kurds at the same timer ISis having a go at them,what an utter farce the west is presenting,
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/kurdish-leader-demirtas-calls-for-ceasefire-with-turkey-a-1046263.html