tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521994112802976470.post4204816771080032269..comments2023-02-25T09:39:06.950+00:00Comments on Walking the Streets of Forest Hill, SE23: "Be Nice to the Mayor" CampaignRobert McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17384607673163426191noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521994112802976470.post-60342917256750816622007-12-14T10:49:00.000+00:002007-12-14T10:49:00.000+00:00I make heavy use of Google Alerts: I've got over 5...I make heavy use of Google Alerts: I've got over 50 set to all kinds of keywords so whenever anything pops up of personal or political interest online, I get an email almost the same time with a link.<BR/><BR/>While I am a political animal, my blog, regrettably dormant for too long, has attempted to look at the topic in a different way. That said, my non-political life makes more demands on me than when I've got this hat on so things do slip.<BR/><BR/>I was one of the original bloggers that turned up for Andrew's drink in 2006 at the Jolly Farmer's although I regret it was my last one. And I have posted fewer posts this year than the month of December 2006! I do hope to try and be more active in 2008.<BR/><BR/>And on that note, Merry Christmas to you too!Jens Wintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06585705947805924847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521994112802976470.post-60611729049311463912007-12-14T10:31:00.000+00:002007-12-14T10:31:00.000+00:00It IS an attempt to sway him, I make no bones abou...It IS an attempt to sway him, I make no bones about it (I wouldn't have posted about it here otherwise, would I?).<BR/><BR/>However, I thought he might appreciate it coming in a genuinely nice and positive message rather than the usual rant. I'm sure that will be fairly unusual for his post bag.<BR/><BR/>Have a nice coffee! I might do the same.<BR/><BR/>Merry Christmas, then!<BR/><BR/>By the way, are you a regular reader or how did you come across the post? I like to find out a little about my readers when I can - we bloggers get little enough feedback. It helps us write more interesting stuff (although I think I'll steer clear from politics and campaigns for a while).Robert McIntoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17384607673163426191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521994112802976470.post-52706328422470453302007-12-14T10:25:00.000+00:002007-12-14T10:25:00.000+00:00I was not aware of your screen name until your las...I was not aware of your screen name until your last post. It appears otherwise as Robert Mcintosh.<BR/><BR/>I have no problem in accepting your wishes for me in having a Merry Christmas. I really don't! And if you want to do the same for Sir Steve, then please, don't let me stop you!<BR/><BR/>This is not even a matter worth falling into that old chestnut of "We can agree to disagree".<BR/><BR/>I just think the wily old Mayor will see your gesture simply as another means to try and sway him. And I think you know that deep down too.<BR/><BR/>Oh and thanks for recommending I have a cup of tea but my morning brew is a coffee which I'm about to go for now.<BR/><BR/>Cheers!Jens Wintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06585705947805924847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521994112802976470.post-47163440500091586272007-12-14T10:13:00.000+00:002007-12-14T10:13:00.000+00:00I should point out that my screen name (for a vari...I should point out that my screen name (for a variety of reasons) is RobWinton - this may not have been immediately apparent, so it was a genuinely congratulatory comment, not a dig.<BR/><BR/>Fine, we can agree to disagree. Or rather, I can agree with your point (which happens to be totally unrelated to my issue), and you can continue to mock. Thanks!<BR/><BR/>My good wishes to the Mayor, as a person, are genuine, and I encourage others to do the same, but there is no harm to use the opportunity to make a point as well. It is not cynical, it is just a note.<BR/><BR/>I'd wish you a Merry Christmas too, but I fear you might think I was mocking you too or maybe being cynical?Robert McIntoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17384607673163426191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521994112802976470.post-44007575952970404082007-12-14T10:02:00.000+00:002007-12-14T10:02:00.000+00:00Isn't free speech a wonderful thing? No one is res...Isn't free speech a wonderful thing? No one is restricting your right to wish anyone a Merry Christmas, anymore than I am being prevented from mocking it on this occasion. What I find alarming is that your gesture is not an end in itself - and arguably one that most of us express in private when it is truly genuine - but rather as part of a means to publicly obtain some redress down the road.<BR/><BR/>The Mayor may be directly elected but that doesn't mean the democratic will of the people have been served. I am not alone with this view here: http://bringbackdemocracy.org.uk/bbd_home.asp<BR/><BR/>This is not a personal attack against you anymore than you might find my surname a point of interest.Jens Wintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06585705947805924847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521994112802976470.post-81761462526372703822007-12-14T09:30:00.000+00:002007-12-14T09:30:00.000+00:00Wow Jens! Have another cup of tea.Let me point out...Wow Jens! Have another cup of tea.<BR/><BR/>Let me point out that this is not a political blog, so I have no axe to grind in any direction. <BR/><BR/>My personal feelings about a directly elected Mayor that has the range of powers over the council that he has is beside the point. I am not campaigning here to change that (although I might at another time).<BR/><BR/>I have a specific goal. To raise the profile of Forest Hill's issues with the person who, currently, has the greatest ability to change resolve them.<BR/><BR/>I could do this by sending complaining notes, standing outside his offices with banners, etc. There are certainly those that do this, and they can certainly continue to do so - did I say somewhere that they should not?<BR/><BR/>I thought that, as it is Christmas, I might take a different approach. If it has no effect, so be it. It cost me 30 seconds to write the card, 24p for a stamp, and a few minutes walk to the post box.<BR/><BR/>Brown nosing? A bit harsh for someone who wished someone who, whether we like it or not, is a directly elected official, Merry Christmas.<BR/><BR/>Stockholm Syndrome? Am I somehow a hostage in my own home without realising it? <BR/><BR/>Forced sentimentality? I added a personal request to a simple good wish which we traditionally send at this time of year.<BR/><BR/>Appeasement? Are we trying to draw comparisons between the state of forest hill's ills and some war around the world?<BR/><BR/>I must say I have not come across your name before (good surname!), but I have now briefly visited your blog. I think that this response does not add to my view of local politicians. By all means disagree with me or the campaign, but this verges awfully close on a personal attack on a community minded local resident. Not very nice Mr Winton!Robert McIntoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17384607673163426191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521994112802976470.post-23069472710530470702007-12-14T09:10:00.000+00:002007-12-14T09:10:00.000+00:00So let me see if I have this right. It's not enoug...So let me see if I have this right. It's not enough that the Mayor has almost total control over Lewisham by himself and is amply rewarded for it. It's not enough that Councillors elected by the people can only stand by and watch this happen with little means to combat it. Are you advocating that those with justifiable grievances against this one-man show should instead appeal to his ego? To indulge, if not in a form of brown nosing, then to surrender to some kind of Stockholm Syndrome?<BR/><BR/>And do you think there is even an ounce of sincerity in this form of sucking up? Do you think the Mayor will be turned by such forced sentimentality when he knows you are trying to wrap up complaints among the cooing?<BR/><BR/>Appeasement never works. Be respectful by all means but please don't ask people to demean their or the Mayor's dignity.Jens Wintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06585705947805924847noreply@blogger.com