Why is the liberal media fawning over the North Korean regime?

At Westminster, it’s half-term. Britain’s schools are off too. Politics is taking a breather, and while the Reaction team will work on through because there is plenty to write about that has nothing to do with Westminster, I’m taking a few days off. That means this week I will not hit you with a 1500 word newsletter/essay. Stop cheering. Instead, here are some thoughts and observations as I turn off my BlackBerry (yes, I still use one, the keyboard works for me for journalism).

Also, the Reaction Daily Email, Monday to Friday, edited by the brilliant Olivia Utley is being expanded and upgraded from later this week, as an added benefit for paying subscribers. There will an introductory subscription offer. If you know someone who might enjoy unlimited access to Reaction and my weekly newsletter, please send them our way. Subscriptions, along with events, are vital to help us expand Reaction.

Anyway, several thoughts:

Why is the liberal media fawning over the North Korean regime?

Although some of my friends use it all the time, I dislike the term “liberal media.” It has a rather sad Trumpian ring to it. But sometimes there’s no better description when the liberal media excels itself in liberal media muppetry. The New York Times fawning over the sister of the North Korean dictator at the Winter Olympics is just such an example. Over the weekend, the paper tweeted: “Without a word, only flashing smiles, Kim Jong-un’s sister outflanked Vice President Mike Pence in diplomacy.” No, she didn’t. There was similar stuff – highlighting the supposed diplomatic skill of the dictatorship – on other outlets such as the BBC and CNN. Reuters claimed that North Korea had been judged winner of “diplomatic gold at the Olympics.” Had it? What’s the measure? One of the most corrupt regimes on earth – which starves and terrorises its citizens – put together a group of uniformed cheerleaders and paraded the sinister sister of the dictator, and she… wait for it… smiled. How is that in any meaningful sense a diplomatic victory? Look, much of the media dislikes Trump. I get that. As an admirer of Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan, I’m not overly keen on Trump myself. But surely, dislike of Trump should not blind journalists over what is really going on here in terms of manipulation and spin. Just because the North Korean regime are not Trump does not make the North Korean regime the good guys.

German coalition talks beyond extra time and now going to penalties

One of my favourite Remainers used to lament the rubbishness of Britain by comparing us unfavourably to Germany. “Now, there’s a proper country. Germany is a proper country,” he used to say. This always struck me as an odd view. Germany is, indeed, a great country. Its cultural legacy is as rich as that of any nation on earth. Its wine is an underrated marvel. A manufacturing powerhouse was forged out of the wreckage of 1945. No-one takes penalties in football competitions like the Germans. All of which means that, in many respects, Germany is pretty fantastic. But Germany, the West and the unified nation since the end of the Cold War, is in a lucky position among the leading powers. It has not had to pay for its own defence, because America did so with some British help. For understandable reasons Germany is not a leading power on security and intelligence. On universities, it comes nowhere close to the UK. Now, its politics – so often cited by Europhiles as the ideal example of calm consensus and pragmatic grown-up brilliance – are deep in crisis with “grand coalition” talks going beyond extra time. The exciting penalties have started, and the SPD leader Martin Schulz has been humiliated. He has withdrawn as potential foreign minister and party members will vote on the whole deal. Some people are reluctant to call this a crisis, because it contradicts the narrative in which Germany is supposed to be a perfect powerhouse and a “proper country”that makes us silly Brexit people look daft. On the contrary, right now Germany’s erstwhile Chancellor Angela Merkel looks about as strong and stable as Theresa May.

Brexit clock ticks on

Come back! Don’t stop reading! I’ll keep the Brexit bit short. Is the British government’s plan to make such a mess of things, by declining to come to clear decisions on what the UK wants from Brexit, that the EU gets so discombobulated it panics and makes mistakes in its handling of the negotiations, thus giving cunning Britain some supposed advantage? No, that explanation seems too far-fetched. The division in May’s cabinet is genuine and (incredibly) the UK is only weeks away from going into the phase two talks on the future trading relationship. Yet it has not told the EU what it would like. The EU does seem quite spooked by its dealings with Team May. Britain’s reputation for diplomacy and statecraft was traditionally pretty high. Now, less so. But then, when you consider the position of the EU27… no, I can’t do this. You need a break for a few days from Brexit. And so do I.

Oxfam and its moral superiority complex

The Times exposure of a scandal at Oxfam shames one of the UK’s leading charities. What has been uncovered – firings at Oxfam over sexual misconduct with victims of the Haiti earthquake in 2011 – is astonishing. Some parts of the media were slow to follow this story up, in contrast to the firestorm that greeted the recent revelations about the goings-on at the President’s Club in London. That charity dinner was closed down and charities gave back donations they had received. Oxfam is being treated differently, although the story is gaining momentum as more emerges. There is one other potential aspect of the aftermath of the scandal that is worth bearing in mind, however. Oxfam has been particularly strident in recent years, straying into domestic UK policy and criticising the government over poverty in Britain. At times, Oxfam has been far too smug in positioning itself on top of the moral high ground when taking on the Tories. Now, here is the same charity exposed for moral failings. Those leading Tories being most critical right now are motivated primarily by concern for those in Haiti, I’m sure, but the attacks have extra bite for a reason. Oxfam has been lecturing everyone else in recent years. Now, it is found wanting itself.

The passing of Johann Johannssen, a modern musical great

The Icelandic composer was found dead on Friday, in his Berlin flat. He was only 48. If you haven’t listened to IBM 1401, A User’s Manual, his 2006 album, I urge you to seek it out. A computer is a strange subject for a piece of classical composition, but Johannssen was inspired by recordings made by his father of repair instructions for a classic old IBM. What emerges is a haunting ode to the computer age and, I think, to his father and the importance of connection. Johannssen went on to become, arguably, the leading film composer of his generation. But IBM 1401 is probably the purest expression of his captivating talent.

Scotland win at rugby

Hurrah! After a drubbing against Wales, Scotland beat France 32-26 in the Six Nations on Sunday. What a terrific performance they put in. Greg Laidlaw was the architect of a stirring victory. But mighty England looked even more formidable at the weekend. They play Scotland next, in Edinburgh a week on Saturday. For Scotland fans like me, what could possibly go wrong?

This was supposed to be a quick note of a newsletter, but I’ve prattled on for 1201 words. Enough. If you are on half-term and away, enjoy the break. If you are not, enjoy the roads, trains and pubs being quieter.