Guido Fawkes - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Strange Famous · 04-17-2009, 10:32 AM

Im talking about the modern Guido Fawkes (Paul Staines) rather than the original one.

This guy has already probably directly claimed the scalp of one cabinet minister (Peter Hain), and now he has finished off McBride and seems to have Tom Watson in his sights. Even Gordon Brown is shaken by the whole "Smeargate" mess... although in light of the allegations involved I can understand it. Given Brown's own personal history I find it impossible to believe that he could have been involved in making up the story that Cameron's son (who died recently) was disabled due to David Cameron having an STD... a truly disgusting lie that really transcends the term "smear". I think Brown maybe secretly is as appalled as anyone else, or at least appalled that his attack dogs have been caught out.

But the question I wonder about is, are people like Guido Fawkes a new force, or the end of an old one... anyone can hide behind an internet persona and publish things which newspapers are too scared of being sued to. Does this mean that the news becomes more democratic, that the truth cannot be so easily contained by the old boys club? Or does it mean that the truth becomes lost in the noise of many competing voices, all shouting out from the "blogosphere"?

loquitur · 04-17-2009, 10:37 AM

It means that the means and performers of gathering and spreading information are still in flux - the technology is still relatively new and we have not yet reached an equilibrium. And when we do it will still be temporary, and will be superseded when technology moves forward again, whenever that might be.

You must admit, though - 10 Downing really WAS asking for it, wasnt' it?

04-17-2009, 10:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Strange Famous follower of the child's crusade?	Guido Fawkes Im talking about the modern Guido Fawkes (Paul Staines) rather than the original one. This guy has already probably directly claimed the scalp of one cabinet minister (Peter Hain), and now he has finished off McBride and seems to have Tom Watson in his sights. Even Gordon Brown is shaken by the whole "Smeargate" mess... although in light of the allegations involved I can understand it. Given Brown's own personal history I find it impossible to believe that he could have been involved in making up the story that Cameron's son (who died recently) was disabled due to David Cameron having an STD... a truly disgusting lie that really transcends the term "smear". I think Brown maybe secretly is as appalled as anyone else, or at least appalled that his attack dogs have been caught out. But the question I wonder about is, are people like Guido Fawkes a new force, or the end of an old one... anyone can hide behind an internet persona and publish things which newspapers are too scared of being sued to. Does this mean that the news becomes more democratic, that the truth cannot be so easily contained by the old boys club? Or does it mean that the truth becomes lost in the noise of many competing voices, all shouting out from the "blogosphere"? __________________ "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas

04-17-2009, 10:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
loquitur Junkie Location: NYC	It means that the means and performers of gathering and spreading information are still in flux - the technology is still relatively new and we have not yet reached an equilibrium. And when we do it will still be temporary, and will be superseded when technology moves forward again, whenever that might be. You must admit, though - 10 Downing really WAS asking for it, wasnt' it?