Last week a number of people were in shock about the news that James Delingpole had his last column at the Telegraph. It was all rather abrupt. As to why, I have the inside scoop.
I asked James directly, and in a nutshell it was three things.
1. They paid him poorly, ’nuff said.
2. They never seemed to appreciate the kind of traffic and exposure he’d brought. Remember, Delingpole was the first MSM columnist to break Climategate, and I’m pleased to say he got the scoop from WUWT. But, they didn’t really recognize the asset, even though he won an award for his Climategate coverage. When Delingpole’s column won the Bloggie award for “Best Weblog About Politics“, they didn’t even mention it in the print edition or in the online main page. Usually when a columnist or writer wins such an award, the paper crows about it.
3. Often, they didn’t like the content. As we know, James skewers the left and in particular greens. He reports he was getting increasing pressure over his environmental essays.
Usually when people are the most angry at someone for something they’ve said or written, it’s because what they’ve said or written has some truth in it. While Delingpole pulled no punches when it came to describing (with great flourish) the defective nature of some aspects of the environmental movement, some ‘proper’ folks found it hard to stomach.
Of course, then we have this, which I find even harder to stomach:
Andrew Montford cited this as an example of Delingpole’s prescience.
So, now, the Telegraph’s loss is Breitbart’s gain, and just three days later, James has come out swinging:
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-London/2014/02/16/Lefty-Lies-UK-Floods
All in all, quite an exit mirrored by a grand entrance.
Finally, all this leads me to something I’ve been remiss at doing simply because the day to day business of running WUWT often gets in the way, and that’s to recommend James most recent book. He kindly sent me a copy, and while the title admittedly made me cringe, once I started reading it, I found it lighthearted and hilarious. It reads a bit like a dictionary, except every definition has a punch line. Highly recommended, click the cover to have a look.
Also, be sure to add Breitbart London to your bookmarks. Delingpole’s latest is: Whose Life Is More Important? Yours, Or A Shark’s?
Oh, and what essay on Delingpole by yours truly would be complete without this photo courtesy of our friends at “Skeptical Science”?
Ox AO says:
February 20, 2014 at 12:20 pm
“RichardLH Ok, assuming it still exists and it has never been used in over 100 years.
Obviously not much control by the Monarchy part is it? ”
You miss the point. The final, ultimate power is in the hands of someone who, as you correctly observe. rarely/never actually uses it. But the point is that it is not in anyone else’s hands either. Therefore cannot be subject to abuse.
Ox AO:
This thread does not exist for you to promote, cite and quote Naz1 propaganda, and I am astonished that you think it does.
Also, if you really want to know the immense power of the British monarch then read this and the subsequent discussion in the thread.
Please note that it was because Edward VIII was was a Naz1 he was forced to abdicate before being Crowned because in 1936 it seemed that we may be about to go to war with H1tler. This was spun as being his desire to marry a divorced woman which – given the marital history of British monarchs – has to be one of the greatest pieces of political spin in the history of the world!
I have now dismissed all the bollocks with which you have been polluting this thread so please desist from promoting your obscene political views and discuss the subject of this thread.
Richard
Back when Mark Steyn left the Telegraph I complained about it. The folks at the Telegraph sent me a very nice email saying they would like to have him back, but somehow it never happened.
I’d like to see Dellingpole get something better than Breitbart. I don’t see a good quality of writing there when I do visit. The Telegraph is read by the whole political spectrum, but not Breitbart, which is only read by conservatives. The people who need to hear him most, won’t. Bad choice D-pole.
Now this question: why did Mark Steyn leave the Telegraph? It wouldn’t surprise me if this if the exact same political and money thing happened to Steyn some years back.
It’s the Telegraph’s loss any way you put it.
Labels can generate more heat than light. There are different forms of socialism, just as there are of conservatism & capitalism. There is even for instance state capitalism, which is a form of socialism. Some of these terms have both economic & political connotations, obviously.
However, the historical fact remains, uncomfortable as it may be for some democratic socialists, that NazIsm & Communism are forms of socialism. The bitterest wars are internecine.
The key issue IMO, is who is sovereign, individuals or the state. Who is right, Locke or Hobbes? They cannot both be.
That’s right, and that’s the genius of the American Experiment: it’s based on the sovereignty of the individual. This principle is constantly under attack by tyrants of all stripes, whatever they call themselves. The greatest danger to the Experiment today is not from America’s enemies without, but from the Statists within, not the least of which are the Climate Parasites and their fanatical followers.
/Mr Lynn
. . . And with that, you will note, we have brought the thread full circle, back to our celebration of the work of Mr. Delingpole and his constant defense of the Open Society and individual freedom against the mind-numbed Watermelons, Eco-Fascists, and Climate Parasites.
/Mr Lynn
Ox AO says:
February 20, 2014 at 2:43 am
“Since royalists don’t exist and never will exist again …”
This may well be the case in that benighted nation, the United States of America. However, in God’s own country, the Commonwealth of Australia, royalists – termed here “monarchists” – abound.
Two items of evidence. In 1975, the elected government tried to govern without being able to pass into legislation the Budget – there was a majority in the Senate against passing the Budget. The Governor-General, the Queen’s representative and hence our Head of State, sacked the Prime Minister, installed the opposition leader as Prime Minister, the Budget was passed and elections were called. The actions of the Governor-General were vindicated by the landslide vote for the former opposition, now new government.
In 1999, there was the culmination of several years of agitation for Australia to become a Republic. A Constitutional Convention was held, at which those for and against the change put their points of view. The Republicans eventually came to a form of Republic on which they thought they would win the vote at the subsequent Referendum (needed to change our Constitution). The Referendum was put to the vote – it lost in all States and the Northern Territory – only in the tiny Australian Capital Territory (equivalent to Washington DC) did the referendum pass. End – virtually – of all push for a change to a Republic.
Left wing – right wing, yes, all references to the original meanings of the words have disappeared from common use, just as in the USA all references to Democrats, Republicans and Liberals have apparently lost their former meanings.
“Climate Parasites” – I like it. One can only hope that Mr Delingpole will be able to use the term, and bring it into favour, in his new position.
After thought – perhaps the USA ought to borrow from the Australian Constitution the power for a Governor-General (President, in its case) to call new elections for the House of Representatives and Senate when they will not agree to pass a Budget?
@Dudley Horscroft
Thank you. I looked at the other thread. I better refrain from what I think what is taking place.
Mr Lynn says:
February 20, 2014 at 5:45 pm
The CACA trough-feeders are an excrudescence of the monstrous 21st century state.
American Experiment is apt. Well do I recall Lady Professor Dr. Margaret Gowing, historian of science at Oxford, who used to confound Marxist students by noting that Lenin’s “scientific socialism” was anything but, while among the Founders of the USA were actual scientists.
One reason IMO why the American Republic succeeded & the first & all subsequent French Republics but the last (so far) failed was that the US revolution was led by men who already had succeeded in their chosen fields, & were imbued with the tradition of civic virtue. IOW, there was no Washington in France, not only willing but anxious to lay down power & return to his farm & distillery, so that unfortunate but blessed land ended up with the upstart opportunist Bonaparte instead.
I am thinking of cancelling my telegraph subscription – the metropolitan elite seem to be writing almost everything at the moment – there is a distinct lack of balance creeping in. The remaining exceptions to that being Booker (on environment and family law), Evans-Pritchard (on financial stuff) and Tebbit (on politics). I’ll give it another month or 2 to see how the dust settles, but so far it’s not looking good.
Ox AO says:
February 20, 2014 at 2:13 pm
…
Wow!
…
I had a good reason to restrain myself from commenting on this thread once it took off in this very hostile direction—despite the importance of the subject and the unfair insults hurled.
I was extremely busy and I did not want to enter the argument without being able to give it my full attention that I knew would be required. In May 2013 I made an offhand but factual comment about the start of WWII. I was nearly immediately smeared. I did not understand why, I tried to reason with the attacker—whom I otherwise deeply respect—but it did not go anywhere. If interested, you can read the history here:
Warm regards,
Colorado Wellington
P.S. I share your focus on language and its controlling effect on our ability to think.
@Colorado Wellington
I am sorry. last post meant to go too you.
I honestly don’t know why these simple statements are getting inflamed into something they are not. Though I think it might be intentional.
@Dudley Horscroft
In the US the media makes it a bigger issue then it really is when a budget isn’t passed. The way it works if something isn’t passed nothing new is started. Last time it took place I think it was over 85% of the government was deemed essential services which means they were in full operation without any changes. They shut down the parks so people have to write their congressmen to open the parks again.
Personally i don’t want our politicians too ‘get along’ it means more money for idiotic projects like saving the planet from earths virus called humans, in other words ‘global warming.’ It means more watching what we type and read. Screw that.
Question: about James Delingpole and Mark Steyn which were past tense part of the Main stream news. Are there any more conservatives or libertarians left in the main stream news other then John Stossel?
Thank you
Colorado Wellington:
At February 20, 2014 at 6:30 pm you say
It would have been helpful if you had joined me in objecting to the deflection of the thread from its subject onto promotion of Naz1 ideas and objectives.
I was shocked when at February 19, 2014 at 2:27 pm in this thread here Ox AO quoted, cited and referenced Joseph Goebbels as a correct, accurate and authoritative source.
WUWT has lost all credibility when H1tler’s Propaganda Minister is accepted as being an arbiter of truth.
And Ox AO comes here doing that as a newcomer and not as an experienced contributor to WUWT threads. But he/she/it knew there are people – including you – who have a record of promoting such views on WUWT. so the blatant assertion of such ideas was certain to ensure that this thread would not get back on track.
And when promotion of Naz1 views began to stall then Ox AO started an anti-monarchist Red Herring. Of course, you wanted to return to the other side-track which you have so often attempted on WUWT in the past, and you made your post I am answering.
There are some attempts to start this thread discussing its subject; e.g. by MarcusJuniusBrutus at February 20, 2014 at 6:21 pm. Your support of the trolling by Ox AO hinders those attempts.
Richard
richardscourtney said, “WUWT has lost all credibility when H1tler’s Propaganda Minister is accepted as being an arbiter of truth.”
Do i really need to defend myself with this post? honestly?
It was written by the NYT. Stating exactly what Goebbels said and yes i agree with what Goebbels said.
That the Nazi’s and Communists were similar enough that the meeting they were having should merge the two parties together. Was it wrong for me to point out they had a meeting for the merger or wrong for me to quote Goebbels? I honestly don’t understand your disagreement.
Goebbels said a lot of things that make sense to me such as, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”
Does that make me bad? I don’t think so. by that is my opinion.
I will be perfectly clear on this point. Joseph Goebbels was a very evil person which helped in the killing of millions of innocent people. I am glad he died a most gruesome death.
Given my last statements honestly as i can and feel I am being unjustly accused.
I would suspend your account here if I had any authority over this board for attacking a number of people (Another case: Colorado Wellington last post) here for no apparent reason.
How many people have you scared off this site or was able to ban for you distorted vile attacks?
Ox AO:
In your flaming of me in your post at February 21, 2014 at 3:24 am you ask me
I answer: NONE because I have never made any “distorted vile attacks”.
I wrote
That, of course, is simply true.
In your post I am answering you wrote
Stop making your distorted vile attacks of WUWT.
Strewth! Some anonymous trolls are despicable beyond belief!
Richard
richardscourtney says:
February 21, 2014 at 2:16 am
Dear Richard:
Even at first glance it is clear you’ve made some very serious statements and false accusations. My workload today doesn’t allow me to respond fully and immediately. It will be late in the day in our hemisphere, maybe even night, before I’ll have the time to reply. I hope you understand.
I will be back, however, and ask you to defend what you have written.
Respectfully,
Colorado Wellington
Colorado Wellington:
re your post at February 21, 2014 at 6:56 am.
Yes. You are right. I confused you with someone else and in my anger at what was happening in this thread I did not check the matter. As you rightly say, that is inexcusable..
My statements and accusations which you quote are untrue of you and are misdirected.
I have no excuse because none are possible.
I offer my complete, unreserved and abject apology.
Also, I ask the Moderators to add a note to my post at February 21, 2014 at 2:16 am which is http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/02/18/delingpoles-new-landing-pad-the-inside-scoop/#comment-1573168 which says I have withdrawn and apologised for my untrue allegations against you.
I request this of the Mods. because otherwise some who read that post may miss this withdrawal and apology.
I was wrong. My comments should not have been directed at you because they are NOT true of you. And I am sincerely sorry that I made this mistake.
Richard
[Thank you. Now, of the above paragraphs, which should be appended to the comment in question, or, should that entire comment be deleted? Mod]
Mods.
Please remove my retraction and apology to Colorado Wellington from moderation and post it as a matter of urgency. And I ask you to also make the addendum to my erroneous post so none will miss that I was wrong.
Richard
richardscourtney says: “WUWT has lost all credibility when H1tler’s Propaganda Minister is accepted as being an arbiter of truth.”
Agreeing with a statement from an individual doesn’t make the person virtuous.
What is wrong with you Richard? really?
This is looney
Ox AO:
At February 21, 2014 at 8:26 am your post says in total and asks me
It most definitely is “looney” that you quoted, cited, and agreed a statement by H1tler’s Propaganda Minister as the only evidence you have to support a smear you made.
If your agreement with that most infamous exponent of the Big Lie is not refuted then it can be cited as being evidence of the often asserted right-wing nature of WUWT.
What is wrong with me is that I am enraged by your behaviour which is beneath contempt. Indeed, my anger at your behaviour is so great that I confused somebody with someone else and thus made an egregious error. I suppose you will be pleased at that, too.
Richard
Mods:
Thankyou for the bringing my apology to view.
You ask me
[Thank you. Now, of the above paragraphs, which should be appended to the comment in question, or, should that entire comment be deleted? Mod]
If you would be willing to do it then I think the appropriate thing would be to delete my post at February 21, 2014 at 2:16 am but leaving my name and the time stamp visible but adding an explanation that it was snipped at my request because it was mistaken and untrue. This would seem to be a reasonable public demonstration that Colorado Wellington was unfairly treated by me and that would seem to be the least he is entitled to.
Richard
Can we get back to what this thread is about? Main Stream media sacking good people that have some part in these great parody like this one:
and this one:
I am not sure what Delingpole did to get him knocked out but Mark Steyn was attacked over those.
The premiss of the meeting between the Nazi’s and the communist to merge in itself was the evidence. It cannot be refuted that this meeting took place. Here is the link:
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F7081EFC39551B7A93CAAB178AD95F418285F9
You can read what it says through other sources without paying the Nytimes to read it. There are books and documentaries made referring to that meeting.
The statement made at the meeting by Goebbels was a logical statement to make for what was taking place. Very simple very straight forward there is no underlining mystery here.
What is the issue? To be clear I don’t like the Nazi’s or the Communists.
Honestly I believe you’re upset I brought put this Nytimes article about the meeting in the first place.
Being a messenger of bad news often gets attacked I understand.
The strongest evidence I believe the Communists and Nazi’s were both Marxist based is the founder of fascism Mussolini was a Marxists his whole life.
Here is another one i forgot about these video’s they are fantastic:
Found them here:
http://www.academia.org/mann-made-climate-changes/
richardscourtney says:
February 21, 2014 at 7:18 am
Richard:
I accept your retraction and apology. While not privy to details, I understand that it was caused by a mistaken identity.
I regret that I was not able to respond yesterday as I am sure it caused you some anguish while you waited for my reaction. I know that you aspire to be precise and fact-oriented in the discussions of climate science and its entanglement with politics. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind about your sincerity and the sense of embarrassment it has caused you.
I consider the matter fully closed.
Respectfully,
Colorado Wellington
Richard:
I wanted my acceptance of your apology to stand alone for clarity.
I deliberately did not include any more thoughts on the subject that led to the incident. That doesn’t mean I don’t have any. To the contrary, while very busy yesterday, thoughts and ideas kept popping up in my mind through the day and into the night. I consider them relevant not only in their relation to the Delingpole post and WUWT in general but also to the discussions that so frequently flare up in the comment sections.
I would like to share them but I have a busy schedule through the weekend and I want to be very precise in my writing. I also doubt the practicality of including them in a thread that is now 4 days old. I am leaning toward revisiting the subject at a more suitable place in the future.
Colorado Wellington:
Thankyou for your generosity in your post at February 22, 2014 at 12:22 pm.
Richard