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Horrible linguistic solecisms department, Part 4.
More linguistic horrors: peninsula/-ar; media is; data and agenda; singular subjects with plural verbs, and vice versa; a dead clich? and two persistent misconceptions.
The appointment of John Scarlett
Concerns, some legitimate, about the appointment of the new head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6): the failure in the WMD dossier affair to maintain the essential distinction between (a) the collection and analysis of intelligence, and (b) the formulation and public presentation of government policy.
Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners
The abuse of Iraqi prisoners and others by Coalition troops: UK ministers’ failure to recognise that abuses by the Americans are a British concern, too; growing tendency of ministers to excuse their failures by claiming not to have been told about them, not an acceptable let-out. The beheading of an American in Baghdad. Spreading anti-Americanism in Europe: its causes, but a lamentable phenomenon.
Why I resigned from The Special Immigration Appeals Commission
In January 2004 I resigned from The Special Immigration Appeals Commission. This explains why.
Hitting children
The government’s supine refusal to ban hitting (“smacking”) children as part of the new legislation on child abuse, despite our obligation to do so under an international Convention which we have ratified.
Alastair Campbell at the Royal Festival Hall
A night at the Royal Festival Hall with Alistair Campbell: a colossal ego trip before an adoring audience, but a good night out.