Parlez~me~'n~Tory

Rightly Wry, Satirically RIGHT

I started this blog back in July 2009 some 14 months ago and have promised to sort out some of the structure ever since.

Today I undertook some serious spring cleaning which has involved moving the widgets (left hand side bar stuff) into a more agreeable order and removing the categories and placing them into a drop down menu. Part of the clean was to remove the R4 podcasts as they had very little outlinks.

One vital area of cleaning was the removal of the “RIGHT way to blog” blogroll. It has been replaced with Coalition, Opposition and Alternate and if you’re reading this and wish to be placed amongst the listed please let me know on @Parlez_me_nTory

One other area that changed today is that ALL new blog posts including this one are automatically pre-fixed with the Twitter hashtag of #BlogParlez – this will facilitate finding of all blog posts from within Twitter, this is something I believe that ALL bloggers should emulate for their readers benefit.

If you have any suggestions for further changes please get in touch as I would love to hear your views, thank you.

This morning on Twitter I asked the question “what does it mean to be a blogger”.

I received an amazing array of responses including “bringer of justice” – “open access” – “holder of integrity” – “freedom to intrude” – “to be corrosive”.

For myself, I was under the impression that to be a blogger it was about honesty and fairness, to rise above the gutter that the mainstream media inhabits so often.

I care not if you are reading this and thinking I am only writing this because William Hague is a Conservative, you’re wrong. This would have been written whoever the public figure was and my recent stance on Twitter would’ve remained the same that what Paul Staines has done has brought a bad stench on the world in which we bloggers inhabit.

I know not why Guido decided to go after Mr Hague and/or Mr Myers in such a fashion. I have shared my suspicion a number of times on Twitter and shall do so again in the next sentence.

I personally believe that Paul Staines was given a tip off from a past victim of his who is trying to ingratiate themselves with Guido. That tip off may have only been that the room was shared and an over eager imagination set to work.

I know not why I feel so strongly about this but perhaps it has something to do with the world that I feel so strongly about, the one with honesty and fairness has been badly sullied due to the actions of a once great activist.

I don’t have an issue with the premise of what Guido has done but I do have a major issue with the way in which he undertook his work, it is reminiscent of the gutter press at its very worst.

Perhaps he is obliged because he has column inches to fill, perhaps he is obliged because of the expectation that weighs on his shoulders, perhaps he’s stepped over the line of what it means to be a blogger?

Late last evening as I was pondering closing my eyes I noticed a little gem of a Tweet from our old friend @BevaniteEllie in response to the news that Tony Blair had felt that Labour “got it wrong” on Fox Hunting the tweet read

“So Blair didn’t really want to ban fox hunting… I think for the next few days I may have to refrain commenting on any of this-safer.”

Realising just how poetic this was given the strength of arrogance of Dear Ellie and how much she has personally invested in the past leaders of the Labour Party I opted to RT this in the following tweet

“This is pure comic genius RT @BevaniteEllie: Blair didn’t really want to ban fox hunting…have to refrain commenting on any of this-safer”

Now, bearing in mind we are limited to 140 characters I have kept the true meaning of the original and commented accordingly.

This morning I arose to the following tweet at which, in truth I feel quite offended

“@Parlez_me_nTory That is not an RT. Observe Twettiquette or be judged, fool. @BevaniteEllie did not say that.”

Of course, for sanity purposes I checked what I had tweeted and you can see it above so I responded with the following

“RT @tenseMoo: @Parlez_me_nTory That is not an RT. Observe Twettiquette or be judged, fool. ..You are wrong, she did say it”

and…

“@tenseMoo check her timeline, twettiquette is if words removed for size add "…" – you will note fully observed, now please retract "fool"”

I shall not be holding my breath for too long as I am not really expecting an apology though for the sake of their own inner calm one does think that they should check before shooting off at a tweep.

Don’t waste time reading this, get BBC2 on and watch Five Days That Changed Britain…then consider coming back

Good day to you, one and all. Time is short and so shall this be.

If you don’t know why I do this then read carefully.

Are you still clogging up the Twitter servers with #ff recommendations? Still shouting at the WhaleFail when as a result of your overuse of the #followfriday hashtag it appears all too often?

Why not think outside the box, harness the power of individual thought and step outside?

Henceforth from this moment explanations as to why a recommendation is made will not accompany a Political Tweep nor a SmileMaker Tweep as I believe they speak for themselves.

1. Politics (10)
Pam_Nash
AliBulger
DeclanLyons
ToryDoc
JonBoyes
SamCEllis
Firebird2110
LadyHaylon
SensibleCharity
ELJMayes

2. Smile Makers (5)
TheKeithChegwin
CaroleHarry
ChaosAltar
PPWFC_MGraham
DaveMBruce

3. Humour (1)
Kelsey_Grammer has long been a favourite of mine and I only discovered his Twitter presence 10 days ago

4. Newly Discovered Tweeps (2)
RAFairman a decent man doing a decent job
PearlyDean makes his debut today as I found him via RAFairman

5. Because I Want To (1)
GaryMurning / check Gary’s blog and I have promised to buy his book

Got anything to say about why I issue these blog posts on a Friday? Do get in touch. Want to feature in next week’s blog post? Do interact.

Oh and have a great weekend.

We all know the premise behind 1984, Big Brother and all that, watching, manipulating and channeling your very thoughts until you obey. Forbidding the power of individual thought and ensuring you conform. Well, “that ain’t me”! So, if you feel the same please read on, if you disagree then read on and comment.

It’s that time of the week again and after the week Twitter has had it is clear there is not enough capacity on those Twitter servers, therefore we should all being doing our very best to help them out.

Hence, if you read this post last week or this post today from @SpiderPlant88 aka Lisa, then you will understand the path and stance that I am taking.

BTW, Lisa’s addition is a good route to take and demonstrates how we can all have the power of individual thought!

If you wish me to follow you on Twitter the best way is to engage me in conversation or debate, I like reasoned people from all sides. I will not follow people simply because they follow me but again, simple interaction may be all that is required. After all, that is the big idea behind Twitter.

Similarly I will not issue a #ff simply on the basis that I was issued one by a Tweep but I am extremely grateful for all and every single #ff or #followfriday I receive. Once you understand my stance and rationale you will agree, I am sure that being selective will enhance the whole experience.

New rules:

1. Politics (as this is the reason for my existence on Twitter) will have 10 nominations per week, no more, no less. They will be a mix of Coalition, Opposition, Libertarian, Independent.

2. Smile Makers will have 5 nominations

3. Humour will have a single nomination

4. Newly Discovered Tweeps will have 2 nominations

5. Because I Want To will have a single nomination.

Once more into the breach…..

Politics (10)
If you are easily offended then why not run the gauntlet with @OboTheClown a pure Libertarian

Here’s a bit of a ménage à trois and really rather entertaining in the Political sphere @Political_Fun @James_Monk and @CateyMaxx

We have lacked something since Lady Thatcher left office so thankfully we now have @LadyHaylon

An everpresent and intellectually astute Tweep @eljmayes

Whatever the reason some people are just on the wrong side of the house, (IMO) but that doesn’t make them bad people, in fact, it is a good thing and promotes healthy debate hence one of my favourite Opposition Tweeps is the very lovely @Tchee

It should be noted that there are amongst others quite a number of nice Opposition members ;o) and this week I shall include both @SamCellis and @MattJNewman in those ranks who are always civil and utterly friendly

Last but most certainly not least this week in this bracket we have @AliBulger who desperately needs a lock on his Political chambers!

Smile Makers (5)
The sole reason I started this blog and still my favourite Yorkshire lass @CaroleHarry

Following a brief recollection of Floyd’s Brick in the wall this morning I have to thank @PhilipCMeyer (who’s planning his “field” trip to Pilton) for uplifting my mind today

You can choose your friends but not your family, sometimes that’s a good thing as you may not choose the right family. I am proud to nominate my father @WicksieSnr in this bracket this week following his 50th Wedding Anniversary last Saturday

A few months ago I was surprised to find myself enjoying BBC Question Time with Richard Madeley as a guest. I’ve always quite liked Richard but I was impressed at how “on the ball” he was in his perception of current affairs and Politics hence he is a firm follow that I recommend to you via @richardm56 in the knowledge he will at some stage share a nugget of wisdom that will make you smile

Whilst This Tweep could fit into a number of other areas within this post @NeilWigg is safely in the smile maker bracket today as his honesty and refreshing Tweets help amongst the mud slinging that sadly goes on within Twitter

Humour (1)
Without a shadow of a doubt you will smile at least once a day courtesy of @TheKeithChegwin (yes, it really is Cheggers)

Newly Discovered Tweeps (2)
Some rather entertaining discussions this week regarding The Chicken Song with @CarolynAWebster

Following an incredible F1 race in Canada and an exchange of “related” topics I am pleased to be following @bnzss though it should be noted he “could” fit into the Political arena under Libertarian

Because I Want To (1)
In my past life I interviewed an incredibly intelligent and fascinating man, the man who brings science down to the human level; the first man since Johnny Ball to do that. It is no surprise that @slsingh is also an incredibly talented author

Didn’t feature this week? Please don’t be offended, it is always going to be hard selecting only 19 recommendations but interact and you never know what’s around the corner…

This is the first in my singlehanded attempt to change the way in which Twitter is hijacked every 7 days.

I am guessing that you are reading this because you are already a member of Twitter and therefore I don’t need to explain what #ff or #followfrriday is and if you don’t you should probably read this blog post.

So, who have I chosen for this weeks suggestions as my #ff/#followfriday’s?

To note, Coalition Tweeps probably won’t feature within this first post as it will take time to add the majority of those so those will retain the existing method at least for this week.

Also, there are a huge number of Tweeps that have interacted yet it is very difficult to determine “where they sit” Politically hence they have been left off at least for now.

Well, as stated in my previous blog I shall identify

those that I have discussed with during the previous week, debating partners, considered intelligentsia of the political world (whatever flavour)

Generally I wake early of a morn and share my good cheer with my timeline, occasionally some fellow Tweeps report back, those that bother at such an ungodly hour deserve a mention: @d_kitchenham

Those that need a lift this week include: @lmlc

My Labour Tweeps this week: @SamCellis @Tchee @Neilwigg @thedancingflea @DarrellGoodliff

Generous to a fault this week: @sensiblecharity

My smilemakers: @dolbsterpoet

Lastly, I offer @WicksieSnr who I shall be spending time with this weekend at his 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Not happy? What? Were you expecting the masses of recommendations that you see every week from most Tweeps? May I refer you to the first line of this post again?

This is the first in my singlehanded attempt to change the way in which Twitter is hijacked every 7 days.