Monday, August 08, 2005
Nice and nasty. posted by Richard Seymour
I can't remember who first pointed out that 'characters' like John McCririck, Jimmy Saville and Boris Johnson adopt a veneer of whackiness and loveable hilarity to conceal what are basically nasty, sometimes broodingly sociopathic personalities. But consider this :We've all got to be as British as Carry On films and scotch eggs and falling over on the beach while trying to change into your swimming trunks with a towel on. We should all feel the same mysterious pang at the sight of the Queen. We do indeed need to inculcate this Britishness, especially into young Muslims, and the problem is how. ( Via )
I can imagine the raffish glow that comes to Boris Johnson's cheek when he thinks up such things. The Telegraph's reader's eye must moisten to think of it: "Britain, eh? Where else could be so strange, snug, funny and wonderful. Gawd save the Queen." Johnson hasn't a chance, of course, since no one is British in the way that he would like them to be. I hate Carry On films, scotch eggs and the beach. I especially hate the fucking Queen.
But what is interesting is just how a deeply corrupt cultural authoritarianism is sugar-coated and sold as quirky cuteness. Wild-haired Boris, umming and aaahing, yawning, dropping a bollock from time to time. Dontcha just love him? Er, no. I forgot to mention - I hate that fucking pillock most of all.