Yes, Izzard's campaign video was quite something wasn't it. Hard to tell if he's running for selection to a position of parliamentary responsibility or auditioning for Widow Twanky in Sheffield's panto this year. Something to fall back on, perhaps.
As you say, it's heartening that Miriam Cates stood up in PMQs and showed at least one current MP is willing to ensure Mermaids are held accountable (in the proper democratic sense of that word) to safeguarding standards. I heard her speaking on BBC Woman's Hour afterwards and she clearly understands this scandal is bigger than Mermaids and that gender ideology is particularly harmful to children who will grow up to be gay men and lesbians.
It was astounding though, that the presenter, Emma Barnett, would only respond to Miriam's points by repeating the line that the safeguarding failures at Mermaids were only allegations and that no findings had (yet) been made by the Charity Commission, even when Miriam made it clear she has established her understanding of this issue over the previous months by speaking to many of the affected parents directly.
Even more shameless was the way Emma finished the interview by presenting Mermaids' (rather fishy) claim that they had had to withdraw their helpline due to abuse as if it was undeniable fact (what happened to "allegations"?!), and put Miriam in the position of having to condemn it, which of course is just a way of associating her (and anyone else raising safeguarding concerns) with hateful conduct against a charity.
It was hard not to see this as a case of our national broadcaster happily complicit in reinforcing the "It's just a transphobic smear campaign by bigots" narrative that Mermaids & co. have been peddling, and it reminded me of the shameful Newsnight interview to which Glinner was subjected.
As ever, a great Queen's Speech. Haven't missed one yet. Billy Bragg? What more can I say?
Was a caring man when I wrote this tune / Misogynistic now and a bit of a loon / People ask on twitter “what’s a woman and a man?” / I block them straight away / Just because I can
They loved me then as I love ME still / Used to put me on a pedestal / Now ask “what happened Bill?” / I don't feel bad about letting them know / That I’m still working class, now I’m off to my chateau
I don't want to change my mind / I'm not looking at the facts now / I'm looking the other way / I don't want to change my mind / I am really in too deep now / So I'm looking the other way
I hate the words they write to me / I close my eyes so I can’t see / The broken women they can’t mend / The children who just need a friend
I saw two famous stars last night / I pissed on them ‘cause they were only terfy shite / It’s right to piss on those who dare / Question me that I should care
I don't want to change my mind / I'm not looking at the facts now / I'm looking the other way / I just cannot change my mind / I am really in too deep now / So I'm looking the other way
Looking the other way / Looking the other way / Looking the / Looking the / Looking the other way / Fingers in ears la la la la la la (fade)
I am broken-hearted at Billy Bragg's stance on this. He was always such a champion of vulnerable people and someone I really admired. I can't make up my mind about the chat show host. I'm not sure whether he is taking this position because he is ideologically convinced by it or whether he has just not thought about it very deeply. It's a strange feeling to squeal with laughter at some of the hilarious things you two come out with when discussing such serious matters but it's a great way of alleviating the horror! Thanks both. Brilliant episode again.
Graham Norton is either ideologically convinced or just not thought about it deeply? How about option three, he's a shallow, disingenuous, greedy, pretentious, selfish, cowardly person who'd rather bask in his celebrity limelight than use it to illuminate the darkness of gender ideology and the harm it causes.
Yes, Izzard's campaign video was quite something wasn't it. Hard to tell if he's running for selection to a position of parliamentary responsibility or auditioning for Widow Twanky in Sheffield's panto this year. Something to fall back on, perhaps.
As you say, it's heartening that Miriam Cates stood up in PMQs and showed at least one current MP is willing to ensure Mermaids are held accountable (in the proper democratic sense of that word) to safeguarding standards. I heard her speaking on BBC Woman's Hour afterwards and she clearly understands this scandal is bigger than Mermaids and that gender ideology is particularly harmful to children who will grow up to be gay men and lesbians.
It was astounding though, that the presenter, Emma Barnett, would only respond to Miriam's points by repeating the line that the safeguarding failures at Mermaids were only allegations and that no findings had (yet) been made by the Charity Commission, even when Miriam made it clear she has established her understanding of this issue over the previous months by speaking to many of the affected parents directly.
Even more shameless was the way Emma finished the interview by presenting Mermaids' (rather fishy) claim that they had had to withdraw their helpline due to abuse as if it was undeniable fact (what happened to "allegations"?!), and put Miriam in the position of having to condemn it, which of course is just a way of associating her (and anyone else raising safeguarding concerns) with hateful conduct against a charity.
It was hard not to see this as a case of our national broadcaster happily complicit in reinforcing the "It's just a transphobic smear campaign by bigots" narrative that Mermaids & co. have been peddling, and it reminded me of the shameful Newsnight interview to which Glinner was subjected.
Gonna rate this five stars.
Cheers mate!
The Queen's Speech Twitter doesn't sound like you or Clive! Is someone else running it?
As ever, a great Queen's Speech. Haven't missed one yet. Billy Bragg? What more can I say?
Was a caring man when I wrote this tune / Misogynistic now and a bit of a loon / People ask on twitter “what’s a woman and a man?” / I block them straight away / Just because I can
They loved me then as I love ME still / Used to put me on a pedestal / Now ask “what happened Bill?” / I don't feel bad about letting them know / That I’m still working class, now I’m off to my chateau
I don't want to change my mind / I'm not looking at the facts now / I'm looking the other way / I don't want to change my mind / I am really in too deep now / So I'm looking the other way
I hate the words they write to me / I close my eyes so I can’t see / The broken women they can’t mend / The children who just need a friend
I saw two famous stars last night / I pissed on them ‘cause they were only terfy shite / It’s right to piss on those who dare / Question me that I should care
I don't want to change my mind / I'm not looking at the facts now / I'm looking the other way / I just cannot change my mind / I am really in too deep now / So I'm looking the other way
Looking the other way / Looking the other way / Looking the / Looking the / Looking the other way / Fingers in ears la la la la la la (fade)
I am broken-hearted at Billy Bragg's stance on this. He was always such a champion of vulnerable people and someone I really admired. I can't make up my mind about the chat show host. I'm not sure whether he is taking this position because he is ideologically convinced by it or whether he has just not thought about it very deeply. It's a strange feeling to squeal with laughter at some of the hilarious things you two come out with when discussing such serious matters but it's a great way of alleviating the horror! Thanks both. Brilliant episode again.
Graham Norton is either ideologically convinced or just not thought about it deeply? How about option three, he's a shallow, disingenuous, greedy, pretentious, selfish, cowardly person who'd rather bask in his celebrity limelight than use it to illuminate the darkness of gender ideology and the harm it causes.
Can't wait!!!
Entirely irrelevant, but how can I get involved with GMN, Dennis, and is it active up here in Scotland?
Norton can prove there is no cancel culture just by saying Eddie Izzards a man. Easy peasy