Less Ordinary

I am irritated by (mostly) politicians and (also) media-types referring to "ordinary people". I don't mind being a regular, normal, ordinary chap, but when they wield it, the phrase comes with the patronising implication that they are somehow better than ordinary. And as we have seen for a long time and especially in recent years, many politicians in particular and journalists in general tend to range from 'ordinary' downwards. I log occurrences here and send offenders a postcard.

Showing posts with label Bridget Kendall. Show all posts

Monday, 13 April 2015

#10b Bridget Kendall again, while James Naughtie and Justin Webb come close

A promising start to the day:

Bridget Kendall (#10) again reporting from Russia for BBC Radio 4 Today described the view of 'ordinary people'. 40 minutes in.

The Today hourly news headlines read by Webb (#16) at 7 o'c and by Naughtie at 8 o'c described Hilary Clinton's pitch for the presidency as aimed at 'ordinary Americans'. I guess that escapes censure. I note that for the 9 o'clock news the script changed to 'everyday Americans'.

A review in this week's Spectator by A.N. Wilson of Peter Brown's The Ransom of the Soul: Afterlife and Wealth in Early Christianity, describes an argument between Gregory of Tours and "one of his priests [who] believed that ordinary people did not have everlasting life'.

Rachel Reeves on Radio 4 PM referred to "small people and small businesses" - that's probably worse than 'ordinary'.

Saturday, 14 March 2015

#10 Bridget Kendall & #11 Prof. Michael Sandel

Bridget Kendall

Prof. Michael Sandel

Two sightings on radio 4 today, at 17:20 and 20:30 (the latter twice in
one sentence). Details to follow.

The first was Bridget Kendall, presenting PM and introducing a report on the Pope. Image from Wikipedia.

The second was Prof. Michael Sandel, The Public Philosopher, discussing democracy. Image from the BBC.
97p for the postcard to Cambridge MA.