Topic: Does Councillor Rod Bluh write his own column in the newspaper?

[Ringer]

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As anyone read Rod Bluh's column this week? Only some one asked me does he write it himself?

[Des Morgan]

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I doubt the does write it himself. But dare anyone ask him?

[Muggins]

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I think he does write it, it carries a tone and content much like when he speaks in public.

[Mr Bojangles]

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My guess is it's written by Douglas Campbell - Rod's political assistant.

[bobwright]

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I am not sure about the original thoughts behind the question however I know Rod is more than capable of writing such a column. My own concern is how it has moved away from being an informative column and more about reasons or possible reasons for failure. Detailed below is a letter I have sent to the Advertiser on the matter. It is also a view I have related to Rod personally.

Dear Editor

Over the last few weeks the Rod Bluh column has moved further and further away from providing public information on council activity and more and more to denouncing opposition to the administration. This is starting to feel like a position of desperation rather than someone who is meant to be in control of the council.

The probable catalyst for opposition has been the Administrations own arrogant behaviour, its lack of transparency and its disconnection from those who it is meant to serve and represent. Is it a surprise that residents have become suspicious about the councils behaviour when it does not answer straight forward questions, it hides behind commercial confidentiality and arms length companies. Companies owned and controlled by the Administration but whose apparent autonomy means the Administration can not answer questions on public money use. Thus preventing reasonable scrutiny and examination of activity which if handled well could aid the removal of concerns. Summarised the opposition is the product of the administrations own behaviour.

The good news is that the fears and paranoia of the Administration is limited to their own imagination. Investors are usually interested in business plans; return on investments and potential for growth rather the views of political opponents unless of course they concern the legitimacy of the process. I doubt very much that a thorough debate will take place because the release of information is not something that comes easy to this administration. However there should be nothing to fear except fear itself unless of course it is the truth revealed.


Yours Sincerely

Bob Wright

Councillor for Central ward

[Outoftowner]

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Bob you get your "Wordsmith" badge for that.  Wear it with pride.

[Steve Wakefield]

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Bob
You know my view on this matter is contradictory to your own. You know my strategy on this and it is good that your letter demonstrates you are taking your own steps on this. Both Rod and you are both entitled to have your say, it is after all only opinion and fair comment? Some of us would prefer to see some of the the empirical data to back up such protestations/claims. But that may not make it such easy good reading would it?

 

I know Rod is more than capable of writing such a column.

If Rod is capable, is it he or the administration that is Paranoid or unimaginative? Why would an administration only act out of a perceived fear to their power/view opinions? They are after all the elected majority party administration? *So do all 40 conservative councillors agree with the column?

The good news is that the fears and paranoia of the * Administration is limited to their own imagination.

Will you be perceived to have  displayed  temerity irresponsiblity  for writing such a clever  forthwright letter? If you are correct then will you be dealt a stinging robustly  strong reply to your letter?  If the reply to you is not a rebuke, is treated as a welcomed an observation on political differences and you are thanked for your contribution what will you do then?  Possibly thank them for your thank you?

Finally Bob, you may wish to consider the saying "never let the facts get in the way of a good column story"? Whose truth are we actually talking about here? Is truth a perceived version, or is it a universal concept in politics? Does plularism in politics, accept that there are more than one version of the truth?

An observation  for what it is worth. Yes the Truth is out there, but personal experience has taught me that finding it is the challenge.   Some people would not dream of spending their  time searching the columns of a newspaper for the truth, after all  it is not everyones political holy grail. As my youngest lad has often said to me over the years dad get real, get a life, can you pass me the sports pages!

Replying to the version we are bombarded with, again for some is clearly not worth the bother, as it would appear to them to be easier to pass a camel through the eye of a needle. The enormity of such a task does not daunt others from having a go! Look at those in our midst Des Morgan, Geoff Reid, Chris Watts to mention a few are all have a go heroes in some way. However this may ultimately depend on your point of view?

I like everyone else accept that when you start the search for the truth at first you will be ignored. Carry on and you will be met by venhement denial.  However you must push on  for the truth uncovering  the facts and evidence. When you present the facts and evidence  you suddenly find that woe and behold the truth  becomes self evident!

Maybe one for our programme?
 

PS You know my personal view on political columns, as a reader of them that is. In my own opinion they are in general nothing more than political delusionment  codswallop and good for a laugh.

[bobwright]

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Steve I have no criticism of Rod having a column, I have criticism about some of the content. Time and time again complaints are made about Politicians not communicating information about their activity or how their decisions will affect peoples lives. For Rod to criticise a contrast to his own ideas/views and apportion potential blame for failure on opposition rather than the quality of his own works seems to me having both ways (If we succeed it was down to the Administration if we fail it is down to opposition). I do not think it is right for Rod to have a 'two headed coin' in his role or Administration in order to set residents minds against those who have a contrasting views.

Unlike some I will give credit where credit is due. His column this week does not set out to discredit and I think it is a lot closer to his heart and ideas about what he would like society to be like. It seems to me he avoids using the word Cooperative however I find no difficulty in using the word or working with someone whose views are different from my own. There is the crux of it, whilst my opinions differ from yours or Rods I respect your rights to your views and I try to learn from them so that my own thoughts and actions improve. I see that oppositon does contain truth and can obtain truth for the betterment of society.

[Steve Wakefield]

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Unlike some I will give credit where credit is due. His column this week does not set out to discredit and I think it is a lot closer to his heart and ideas about what he would like society to be like. It seems to me he avoids using the word Cooperative however I find no difficulty in using the word or working with someone whose views are different from my own. There is the crux of it, whilst my opinions differ from yours or Rods I respect your rights to your views and I try to learn from them so that my own thoughts and actions improve. I see that oppositon does contain truth and can obtain truth for the betterment of society.

Bob

Co-op yes it is a fine word, and it has a simple meaning and it can be a very effective way of doing something. Possibly Rod or the administration does not use the word it as it is not a best fit or is comfortable to a politician  with a unitarist frame of reference? Betterment of society again whose is that? Is Nanny state a betterment? Are ID cards a Betterment?  Is motherhood and apple pie as some politicians expouse a welcome betterment?

Involving society in the betterment of one Swindon, an interesting concept, but is that not a socialist dream for some, or a rightwing state run nightmare for others? Is one persons idea of free association  different to the next person?

Blogs, Forums, Letterspages, and columns may be either enlightenment or cods for those that bother to read them? What about those that don't? *Or are they an exercise in personal vanity?

PS *That is raised with me from time to time  by some people ;)

[Des Morgan]

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His column this week does not set out to discredit and I think it is a lot closer to his heart and ideas about what he would like society to be like

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I agree and this weeks column offers a viewpoint to which others can offer their own opinion.  What it doesn't do is chide anyone for not thinking 'Rod's route to happiness' is the only way

I was pleasantly impressed this week 

[Muggins]

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In that case I will gird my loins and read it!

[Spectre]

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His column this week does not set out to discredit and I think it is a lot closer to his heart and ideas about what he would like society to be like

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I agree and this weeks column offers a viewpoint to which others can offer their own opinion.  What it doesn't do is chide anyone for not thinking 'Rod's route to happiness' is the only way

I was pleasantly impressed this week

Impressed is not a word we normally associate with Rod.

[Steve Wakefield]

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Let me see if I understand the comments on this thread. If the column is good and impressive it must probably be written by Rod? If it's not good and impressive then it must probably not be written by Rod? Have I got that write?

[Des Morgan]

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Let me see if I understand the comments on this thread. If the column is good and impressive it must probably be written by Rod? If it's not good and impressive then it must probably not be written by Rod? Have I got that write

No - I think we probably think (a) it's not written by Rod (b) it's probably written by Douglas (c) sometimes it's good (d) sometimes it's bad (e) sometimes it's excrutiatingly bad - and finally (f) tonight it's a good article.

See lifes about being fair minded - even to Coun Bluh

[Ringer]

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I put tonights adver on the windscreen of my car a few minutes ago  to keep the frost off, it is really useful for doing that. Last week I wrapped the potato peelings in it before I composted it that was very useful. What is that old saying that football managers often use? Oh yes today's headline tomorrow's fish and chip wrapper.

As I put it on the windscreen it made me pause for thought that as all publications do not put everything they publish on the internet it, anything published will disappear quickly into the recycling, no matter how good or bad it is?

[bobwright]

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Ringer -I think you have a new thread; 101 things to do with the Adver.

No matter if the article is good or bad it is the thought that counts.

[Ringer]

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Ringer -I think you have a new thread; 101 things to do with the Adver.

Would that be a longer list than things to do with a political leader?

[Muggins]

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Based on the recoomendation of this thread, (Thanks a lot guys!)I read Rod's column yesterday. I passed the bit where he said about the meeting about the Big Society, felt that I would have felt better if he had contributed something less obvious to that, but felt that at least he went and he proabably knows as much about the BS as anyone else, as it seems it's just two word, they have name for it, now they just need to figure out what it is they want! But still feeling passive, so read on......

I was doing well, until I got to the bit about picking up litter, then totally lost concentration.......

I am going off the write 'Muggins take on the Big society'  'what it should mean'.  I think my guess or opinion on that is as good as anyone elses.

[swindonlinkman]

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Today's contribution is a shocker. Come on all you developers, build all around Swindon. Don't expect us to object, we need the housing no matter what ordinary people think. But at least he's being honest!

[Muggins]

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Just the thing then after attending a funeral.

[Richard Symonds]

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Today's contribution is a shocker. Come on all you developers, build all around Swindon. Don't expect us to object, we need the housing no matter what ordinary people think. But at least he's being honest!

One has to ask the question - does he care anymore?

Is all this development to be his epitaph?

Going out in a blaze of development and then  off to France, never to be seen or heard of again?

[Geoff Reid]

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Today's contribution is a shocker. Come on all you developers, build all around Swindon. Don't expect us to object, we need the housing no matter what ordinary people think. But at least he's being honest!

I thought Rod exposed himself in his column.  Pulled his coat open wide and really bared his principles for all to see.

Must blog it tomorrow

[Ringer]

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Today's contribution is a shocker. Come on all you developers, build all around Swindon. Don't expect us to object, we need the housing no matter what ordinary people think. But at least he's being honest!

One has to ask the question - does he care anymore?

Is all this development to be his epitaph?

Going out in a blaze of development and then  off to France, never to be seen or heard of again?

Is that wishful thinking?

[Richard Symonds]

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Or will the Tories be buying his ticket?

[Drone]

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Today's contribution is a shocker. Come on all you developers, build all around Swindon. Don't expect us to object, we need the housing no matter what ordinary people think. But at least he's being honest!

One has to ask the question - does he care anymore?

Is all this development to be his epitaph?

Going out in a blaze of development and then  off to France, never to be seen or heard of again?

Is that wishful thinking?

I've heard the Himalayas are lovely at this time of year. Awful Wi-Fi service, though.