Kismet: Blunt is the nadir of 60 years of English pop music.

I squarely blame every spunk guzzler that hates Morrissey for this

London is full of foreigners so my point holds.

And tell me what action you’re taking when the Government reams you daily?

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…

“Hi Merck,
Hope you’re well. I should mention that for reasons I’ll probably never understand, NME have rewritten the Moz piece. I had a read and virtually none of it is my words or beliefs so I’ve asked for my name to be taken off it. Just so you know when you read it.
Best,
Tim”

He then followed up with another email in which he said:

From: Tim Jonze
Date: October 26, 2007 6:57:55 AM PDT
To: Merck Mercuriadis
Subject: Moz shows

Hi Merck,

Was great to meet you yesterday. Interview was really good, I was surprised how open and charming and humble Moz was. I’m sure you could tell I was quite nervous, I’m a big fan. Anyway, you said that you might have some guest list spare for tonight. So I was wondering if I could get these on to the list for Friday (tonight), in order of importance..
…
Tim x

This is a man who had just been subjected to what he now characterises as a “Morrissey rant about UK immigration policy, a series of ignorant, racially inflamatory statements (based on no factual evidence)” in the “language of the BNP and Enoch Powell” who was planning to write a “piece [which] was very critical” and who was so disappointed when the “NME decided to tone it down”, that he insisted on having his name taken off the piece.

He then wrote a letter to Morrissey’s manager gushing about Morrissey’s charm and humility, followed by an apologetic letter to Morrissey’s manager, that he now says was an expression of frustration at NME’s refusal to allow him to denounce Morrissey as a racist. Because, obviously, you’d write to a racist’s manager expressing your exasperation at being censored.

This just sounds odd to me.

ANYHOW…

Forgive me for posting my blog entry here…

When Morrissey sang:

‘I’ve been dreaming of a time when
To be English is not to be baneful
To be standing by the flag not feeling shameful,
Racist or partial’

in a ditty entitled Irish Blood, English Heart, he was enthusing about a Britain in which ones “blood” didn’t matter at all. What counts, rather, is where one’s affections lie.

My parents came to this country, and settled here, because they very much wanted to be part of it. The overwhelming majority of people who come to this country, and their children, feel the same way. We chose to live here, in a country with a rich culture and an inspiring history which tells the story of a people gradually chipping away at privilege and supersition, to create a strong liberal democracy which values freedom and human rights. That is one of the reasons we came here after all.

What astonishes most of us immigrants, is the way that a sliver of liberal opinion appears to regard “Englishness” with suspicion or scorn.

While we are standing by the flag, feeling appropriately proud, we’re told by some particularly smug British bastards that we ought to be feeling shameful, partial, and – if we are white – racist.

And if we’re not white: well then we’re Uncle Toms.

I work in an office which is particulary multi-”racial”. My British-born colleagues, irrespective of the proportion of melanin in their skins, are all palpably British. We share common cultural reference points and talk with regional British accents. One of my colleagues, who comes from Singapore, has a knowlege of English literature which shames me. The children of those who were not born here, will all be British if they are brought up here, because they will engage in, and form part of, the common culture which defines this nation.

Here’s a story from a friend of mine:

Great moments in integration from the Great British Melting Pot #234

Woolies Toy Dept, this afternoon.

LITTLE POLISH BOY, tugging at mother’s arm: “Polishword polishword polishword Dalek polishword polishword polishword Tardis polishword polishword Doctor polishword polishword polishword Cyberman.”

POLISH MUM: “?????????”

There are certainly legitimate debates to be had about how to tackle ghettoisation, of the capacity of our infrastructure to deal with new arrivals, and the best way to promote integration and social cohesion. In particular, there’s a serious discussion to be had about how we can encourage confidence and pride in our cultural and political heritage.

But, it doesn’t help when, as the same friend put, the NME conducts itself like Rik from the Young Ones, and Morrissey behaves, as usual, like an unreasonable martinet.

Disappointed to see you set store by Harold Wilson’s quote Tony Benn “immatures with age”. I liked Harold a lot. It was he that got me interested in politics – and it was Tony Benn that for me, kept hope alive.

All the other politicians you mention are like ships in the night.

http://rupahuq.wordpress.com/2007/11/28/another-immigration-row/

which is critical then

http://rupahuq.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/morrissey-he-speaks-he-sues-and-if-he-seems-little-dotty-thats-because-he-is/

after I found policy positions in it many good lefties could agree with.

British culture to me is one of taking it up the bum and saying thank you.
We are also a rare bread as we wait our turn. Try getting on a tram anywhere else in Europe and see if the queue moves in an orderly fashion.