BS: How credible is The Spectator?

Subject: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: GUEST,JTS Dawkins
Date: 01 Aug 14 - 10:17 PM

fodder for discussion

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 01:00 AM

A Brit Conservative magazine, allied with the Daily Telegraph. Little of interest to those outside of UK.

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 01:47 AM

I am not sure the "credibility" or otherwise of the Speccie is that much at issue in the particular copy/print OP above, as it is not a feature from the current issue of the magazine itself, which has today's date, but an associated blog [look at its date]; so that it represents the views of the blogger, but not necessarily the editorial line of the Spectator itself, any more than a Letter To The Editor would.

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Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 01:50 AM

And what's with "allied to the Telegraph", Q? Not in any way that I know of as a longtime subscriber, in sense of sharing any publisher, specific editorial policy, staff... No idea what you mean by that. How 'allied'?

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 01:19 PM

The Spectator is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who own the Daily Telegraph (and the Sunday Telegraph), and held through the UK holding company, Press Acquisitions Limited, wholly owned by the Barclays,
through Press Holdings (registered in Jersey by the Barclays).
They also own May Corporation Ltd (Jersey-registered), a partner in Press Acquisitions Ltd.

I haven't checked on other interests of the Barclays.

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 01:28 PM

Is that so? Well, apologies. One learns something new every day!!

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Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 01:29 PM

I reiterate my point, however, that the OP paste is blog, not editorial feature; so the question of the credibility of the magazine as such is not really raised by it.

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 01:33 PM

Correct, but a look through the blogs makes one wonder.

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 03:15 PM

It's part of the lunatic right.

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: pdq
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 03:22 PM

What I find interesting is that The Independant and three other UK papers are owned by Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev.

Alexander Lebedev is a former KGB operative who served under the Poo Tin.

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 03:44 PM

The Lebedevs also own The London Evening Standard.

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 14 - 12:05 AM

Contrary to what was said in the Guardian blog post and the Spectator comment on it, Dawkins' quotes are not anti-feminist or Islamophobic. They're not tactful, nor particularly helpful, but they don't make him a bigot and they shouldn't alienate liberals.

But I did enjoy the Terry Eagleton quote in the Guardian blog post:
Imagine someone holding forth on biology whose only knowledge of the subject is the Book of British Birds, and you have a rough idea of what it feels like to read Richard Dawkins on theology.

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Musket
Date: 03 Aug 14 - 03:18 AM

I see him as the lad who points out the emperor has no clothes.

Dawkins did his research on evolutionary biology and genetics, publishes and lectures and then people say that as it contradicts superstition it can't be right.

You can see where his anger comes from....

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Aug 14 - 12:44 PM

Did Guest open this thread to find comment on Dawkins' beliefs, or comment on The Spectator for printing a blog about him?
In any case, it has nothing to do with the content or perceived bias of that magazine.

Dawkins wrote an article, much reproduced, "Why There Almost Certainly Is No God." He expresses the views of many, if not most scientists, and does it in a way that will attract thinking readers. It perfectly reflects my thoughts with a clarity that I could not hope to emulate.

www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-dawkins/why-there-almost-certainl_b_32164.html

Some of the reader's comments are amusing. or make a point. Comments by "Spinoza" are pertinent.
The quote from Epicurus on temporal natures and death is worth repeating-
"God should not concern us.
Death is not to be feared.
What is good is easy to obtain.
What is bad is easily avoided."

"Death is nothing to us, since when we are, death has not come, and when death has come we are not."

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 03 Aug 14 - 03:21 PM

Nothing to do with how credible The Spectator is, but

I'm not afraid of death. I am afraid of dying.

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 14 - 04:20 PM

Not

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 Aug 14 - 05:52 PM

"I'm not afraid of dying I just don't want to be there when it happens."

Spike Milligan

but I suspect not original with him...

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Musket
Date: 04 Aug 14 - 03:53 AM

I would have thought a wannabe luvvie would use a different quote Michael?

Woody Allen said he doesn't want to be immortalised through his work, he wants to be immortalised through not dying.

About the same time he produced "Honey I Fucked the Kids."

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Jim McLean
Date: 04 Aug 14 - 11:16 AM

I always say if you can't take it with you, I'm not going.

Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 04 Aug 14 - 12:24 PM

Yay?: and just try telling Old G Reaper Esq that, when he comes a-calling with his hourglass & scythe...

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