Brexit, the economy and house prices part 5

TrickyTree83

ilovehouses wrote: »

.. or maybe you don't have a cynical bone in your body.

I don't think his letter is indicative of a Stasi being set up but the book excuse sounds like BS especially given the time it took to think it up. However, let's keep an eye out - brexit and how it's taught by academics sounds like a page turner.

I suspect he was more likely playing politics with brexit and got called on it.

The content of the letter itself is innocent, completely innocent.

Only if you start extrapolating many steps past that can you get into tinfoil hat conspiracy to silence critics of Brexit, which is what people have done.

If the MP had called for pro-EU professors to be silenced then the outrage would be justified. The MP didn't, so all of this outrage and suspicion just makes people look ridiculous.

mrginge

Ballard wrote: »

I care about the country being wealthy enough to provide things such as the NHS. For that to happen the country needs as much employment as possible and companies such as Bloomberg provide some very well paid jobs. Well paid jobs generally means high taxes and that is good for the country.

Some people aren't able to see beyond jealousy and would seemingly prefer that everyone earned working class wages despite the dramatic effect that that would have on the country.

For the record I don't earn a massive amount for London (although admittedly above the national average) but I don't feel the need to become envious of those who earn big amounts and pay their taxes as this can only be to the good of the country.

Sounds like classic Tory ideology to me.

Herzlos

TrickyTree83 wrote: »

No I can't see it, because I'm normal.

No-one is normal.

The man asked for information on a particular topic from Universities and their professors/lecturers.

The man asked for information on a very politically charged and controversial subject, which academia generally disagrees with the government, using government letter-headed paper, from a government which has been very vocal about dissenting views.

That you can't see how anyone would be concerned by that is beyond me unless you're being willfully ignorant.

Of course there would be no outrage if he was asking about cake, because as far as I'm aware the Tory government hasn't threatened to withhold contracts from companies who have a differing stance on cake, or that there was any divisive referendum on cake.

The wording appears pretty innocent, if bizarre, but it has clear implications. That they were missed presumably just goes to show how out of touch our MP's are.

Perhaps you should of thought to actually answer these questions yourself before jumping to conclusions.

I did, that's why I asked. His "book" story reeks of a poorly thought up excuse, like our incumbent government is so fond of. I don't believe for a second he's thinking about writing a book on academic teaching about Brexit.

cogito

Herzlos wrote: »

academia generally disagrees with the government.

This is the nub of the issue. Academia totally disagrees that the UK should exit the EU. So is it not a matter of interest to us all to know what exactly students are being taught about Brexit? Are they hearing all sides of the debate or just the one that conforms with academics' view of the world? I suspect that we know the answer to that one. If academics were teaching a balanced view of the subject, why do they appear to be so unwilling to let us all know?

That said, the MP's letter was beyond stupid but that doesn't mean that the debate shouldn't be had.

TrickyTree83

Herzlos wrote: »

No-one is normal.



The man asked for information on a very politically charged and controversial subject, which academia generally disagrees with the government, using government letter-headed paper, from a government which has been very vocal about dissenting views.

That you can't see how anyone would be concerned by that is beyond me unless you're being willfully ignorant.

Of course there would be no outrage if he was asking about cake, because as far as I'm aware the Tory government hasn't threatened to withhold contracts from companies who have a differing stance on cake, or that there was any divisive referendum on cake.

The wording appears pretty innocent, if bizarre, but it has clear implications. That they were missed presumably just goes to show how out of touch our MP's are.



I did, that's why I asked. His "book" story reeks of a poorly thought up excuse, like our incumbent government is so fond of. I don't believe for a second he's thinking about writing a book on academic teaching about Brexit.

Being concerned whilst complying with the request is very different to being concerned and claiming that the MP is a modern day UK equivalent of the Stasi or the Commissars.

I'm not being ignorant, I'm just not painting a picture in my own head of what's going on that suits me, just taking it for what it is.

The guy asked for information, nothing more.

He claims it is research for a book, what possible evidence is there to disbelieve this?

If going into circumstantial conjecture in order to find this MP guilty is acceptable to portions of UK society, don't you think that is equally as bad as what you're claiming he is guilty of? These learned people, some in positions of significant influence have been the judge and the jury and passed sentence with no evidence whatsoever. That is what worries me in all of this, not some innocuous letter.

Herzlos

TrickyTree83 wrote: »

Being concerned whilst complying with the request is very different to being concerned and claiming that the MP is a modern day UK equivalent of the Stasi or the Commissars.

No-one has claimed they are a modern day Stasi?

Why comply at all, if it's a stupid request from an individual with no official backing? They probably wouldn't even reply if I'd sent them that letter for my book.

TrickyTree83

Herzlos wrote: »

No-one has claimed they are a modern day Stasi?

Why comply at all, if it's a stupid request from an individual with no official backing? They probably wouldn't even reply if I'd sent them that letter for my book.

If not compliance, then there is no need to speak out that they believe he is trying to silence them is there?

If they're freely able to choose to comply or not, then there is no censorship, right?

setmefree2

Originally Posted by CKhalvashi
The UK is in recession.

Pound Strengthens After UK Economic Growth Exceeds Forecasts

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that gross domestic product grew 0.4% sequentially in three months ended September. The statistical office revised its second quarter growth to 0.4% from 0.3%.

http://www.iii.co.uk/alliance-news/1508925926027176300-3/pound-strengthens-after-uk-economic-growth-exceeds-forecasts

Ballard

I can’t help but wonder what the reaction would have been had Diane Abbot sent a similar letter.

Thrugelmir

Ballard wrote: »

I can’t help but wonder what the reaction would have been had Diane Abbot sent a similar letter.

She struggles with simple facts. How would she cope with a book. Unless someone wrote it for her.