BS: How credible is The Spectator?

01 Aug 14 - 10:17 PM (#3647532)
Subject: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: GUEST,JTS Dawkins

fodder for discussion

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02 Aug 14 - 01:00 AM (#3647549)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

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

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02 Aug 14 - 01:47 AM (#3647553)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion

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.

≈M≈

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02 Aug 14 - 01:50 AM (#3647554)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion

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'?

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02 Aug 14 - 01:19 PM (#3647710)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

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.

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02 Aug 14 - 01:28 PM (#3647713)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion

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

≈M≈

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02 Aug 14 - 01:29 PM (#3647714)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion

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.

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02 Aug 14 - 01:33 PM (#3647715)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

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

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02 Aug 14 - 03:15 PM (#3647739)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Richard Bridge

It's part of the lunatic right.

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02 Aug 14 - 03:22 PM (#3647740)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: pdq

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.

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02 Aug 14 - 03:44 PM (#3647744)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

The Lebedevs also own The London Evening Standard.

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03 Aug 14 - 12:05 AM (#3647831)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: GUEST

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.

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03 Aug 14 - 03:18 AM (#3647857)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Musket

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....

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03 Aug 14 - 12:44 PM (#3648010)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

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."

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03 Aug 14 - 03:21 PM (#3648053)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: GUEST, topsie

Nothing to do with how credible The Spectator is, but

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

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03 Aug 14 - 04:20 PM (#3648068)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: GUEST

Not

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04 Aug 14 - 03:53 AM (#3648169)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Musket

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."

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04 Aug 14 - 11:16 AM (#3648256)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: Jim McLean

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

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04 Aug 14 - 12:24 PM (#3648274)
Subject: RE: BS: How credible is The Spectator?
From: MGM·Lion

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

≈M≈

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