Kesher Talk

Greatest idiotarian hits of 2002. No New year's Day is complete without 10 Best or Worst Lists. Tim Blair takes us month by month, through journalistic errors, either in basic facts or in prediction. Some examples:

January.

* The Sunday Telegraph columnist Leo Schofield decides that the war in Afghanistan isn't working: "The so-called war against terror has been going for 100 days now – with what results?" Within weeks schools are re-opened. Men remove their beards. Television is permitted. Women and girls can return to school. Stonings and summary executions cease . . .

September

* Morag Fraser, in The Age, believes hugs can cure Saddam Hussein: "I met a woman who could tutor George Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard to their profit – if only they would stop and listen. She was a schoolteacher. 'I can tell you a bit about anger,' she said. 'I have this kid in my class. He is the angriest little boy I have ever known. Do you get angry back?' we asked. 'No. I am going to stick with this little boy day in day out,' she said, 'stick with him until he is whole. I am going to nurture him, I'm going to love him until he turns back into a happy child'."

* SMH television reviewer Bruce Elder demands perspective: "Just remember that while terrorists killed more than 3000 people in the events of 9/11, that 150,000 die each year (that's nearly 3000 a week) because of drunk driving throughout the United States. Perspective. That is what is needed most." What Bruce needs most is a calculator. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 17,448 people died in alcohol-related road accidents in the US last year – around 2665 fewer per week than Elder alleges. . . .

Tim also makes some predictions for 2003.

posted by Judith @ 1/01/2003 11:12:55 PM