Thursday 31 March 2011

Where Is Ananias of Damascus When You Need Him?

How glorious to watch Sami Khiyami, His Excellency the Syrian Ambassador to the Court of Saint James, slap down some insolent presenter on Newsnight. If you wouldn't take it from Davina McCall, then don't take it from Jeremy Paxman, either.

Something similar applies to the Today programme lot and other disc jockeys. If you wouldn't take it from Chris Moyles, then don't take it from John Humphrys. If you wouldn't take it from Chris Evans, then don't take it from Jim Naughtie. None of them is a patch on Fern Britton, who got Blair to admit that he would have invaded Iraq anyway.

Of course Israeli opponents of the Syrian-led land for peace scheme might very well be behind the trouble in Syria. As His Excellency was trying to convey, so might militant Islamists, partly, though not entirely, for the same reason. No one else is, or could be. So, which do we prefer, and why? Which does the BBC prefer, and why? Which does Jeremy Paxman prefer, and why?

1 comment:

  1. Condescending Arabist grandee passing the port at a Durham high table.

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