The gushing from all quarters has been revolting. But their astonishment that those of us who didn't know Liddle personally, and who quite reasonably thought that the stuff in his opinion pieces reflected his *actual opinions*, and so didn't like him has been surprising. Presumably they will all stand around at his inevitable memorial service, bemoaning how thick we all are for not 'getting the joke'?
I don't believe a genuinely warm & witty human being could churn out the bile Liddle produced. If he was 'only doing it for the money', that makes it worse. But his documented actions, such as assaulting his pregnant girlfriend, make me think it's his apologists who have got it wrong & who have overlooked too much from him. This is presumably how other individuals make it to the ends of their lives without facing consequences. They're making fools of themselves.
These disgusting “tributes” are what the word “Hagiography“ was created for.
Whilst I have understood what the word means, looking up where it comes from screams what this all is.
“Hagiographies get written to inspire devotion, teach moral lessons, and validate religious or political authority, rather than to record objective historical facts”
And let’s not forget. The idea that a journalist is brave for saying things that sell papers and magazines to like-minded right wingers is for the birds. Making money out of being offensive is feeble and lazy. His views could be found in the pub - they weren’t at the cutting edge of public discourse attracting diverse readership from across the political spectrum. They were views trying to claw their way back from the 70s like an undead, frothing at the mouth public school teacher that longed for the days of empire again and only having to teach white male students.
Thank you Mic, a much needed palate cleanser followed the indigestible dross spouted, fawning over an over-promoted pub room bore (although that's a little offensive to most pub room bores)
My immediate reaction to the news of his death was , “he was a nasty piece of work.” I kept it to myself. I have just been listening to Fi Glover saying how wonderful he was. I had some interactions with him on on Facebook which didn’t change my opinion of his character.
Whenever anyone punctuates their writing by saying something akin to a sullen: “I suppose this might be seen as racist,” they are telling you that is exactly what it is. Feeble attempts to defang the incoming and obvious critique do not diminish the reality a jot.
He described Welsh nationalists as "miserable, seaweed munching, sheep-bothering pinch-faced hill-tribes" and described the country as "rain-sodden valleys".
There are plenty of journalists/pundits who make the journey to the right, and that's where the money is so it's no surprise. It's possible Liddle played the game of seeing how far he could go - a long way as it turns out. But I agree with Louis Barugh who said on Facebook - 'An absolute toilet of a man.'
The gushing from all quarters has been revolting. But their astonishment that those of us who didn't know Liddle personally, and who quite reasonably thought that the stuff in his opinion pieces reflected his *actual opinions*, and so didn't like him has been surprising. Presumably they will all stand around at his inevitable memorial service, bemoaning how thick we all are for not 'getting the joke'?
I don't believe a genuinely warm & witty human being could churn out the bile Liddle produced. If he was 'only doing it for the money', that makes it worse. But his documented actions, such as assaulting his pregnant girlfriend, make me think it's his apologists who have got it wrong & who have overlooked too much from him. This is presumably how other individuals make it to the ends of their lives without facing consequences. They're making fools of themselves.
I agree. I don’t believe you can be a ‘good’ person and produce what he did.
These disgusting “tributes” are what the word “Hagiography“ was created for.
Whilst I have understood what the word means, looking up where it comes from screams what this all is.
“Hagiographies get written to inspire devotion, teach moral lessons, and validate religious or political authority, rather than to record objective historical facts”
This is the best obituary I've read for Rod Liddle.
Thank you.
Radio 4 should be ashamed of itself.
Thanks for this!
It was embarrassing this morning.
Yes; shocking.
But fings ain’t wot they used to be, are they?
And let’s not forget. The idea that a journalist is brave for saying things that sell papers and magazines to like-minded right wingers is for the birds. Making money out of being offensive is feeble and lazy. His views could be found in the pub - they weren’t at the cutting edge of public discourse attracting diverse readership from across the political spectrum. They were views trying to claw their way back from the 70s like an undead, frothing at the mouth public school teacher that longed for the days of empire again and only having to teach white male students.
Thank you Mic, a much needed palate cleanser followed the indigestible dross spouted, fawning over an over-promoted pub room bore (although that's a little offensive to most pub room bores)
My immediate reaction to the news of his death was , “he was a nasty piece of work.” I kept it to myself. I have just been listening to Fi Glover saying how wonderful he was. I had some interactions with him on on Facebook which didn’t change my opinion of his character.
As soon as I heard the news, I thought 'I wonder what Mic will have to say?' Not disappointed - well said Mic!
I did sit with it for a little while!
Whenever anyone punctuates their writing by saying something akin to a sullen: “I suppose this might be seen as racist,” they are telling you that is exactly what it is. Feeble attempts to defang the incoming and obvious critique do not diminish the reality a jot.
Thank you for writing this - I’m glad he’s gone, just sorry it took his own death to take away his platform.
Thanks, Julia.
Beautiful writing this. And every word of criticism deserved..
He described Welsh nationalists as "miserable, seaweed munching, sheep-bothering pinch-faced hill-tribes" and described the country as "rain-sodden valleys".
Mic smashed it here
There is a god
Thank you, Mic, I needed this. It has restored my equilibrium after all the nonsense spouted on the BBC.
Self-flagellating notice from the BBC too!
Nail/head.
Cheers, Paul.
There are plenty of journalists/pundits who make the journey to the right, and that's where the money is so it's no surprise. It's possible Liddle played the game of seeing how far he could go - a long way as it turns out. But I agree with Louis Barugh who said on Facebook - 'An absolute toilet of a man.'