Peter Kellner, YouGov and ASH (continued)
Friday, October 22, 2010 I've been a bit busy this week so I haven't had a chance to post about an open letter to Vince Cable from Peter Kellner, president of YouGov and a trustee of ASH. Now is the time, we are told, to choose between the smoking lobby and the British people. Note the implication that you can be one or the other but not both.
And since when did Peter Kelner and, by implication, ASH represent "the British people"?
You can read the full article and the comments HERE. I particularly like this response:
Many people believes that YouGov is independent but how can it be when 'Peter Kellner is president of YouGov and a trustee of ASH'. He should resign now in order that YouGov can be trusted.
I agree and I urge you to comment too.
But first you might like to read a post I wrote in 2008 on the subject of Kellner's links with ASH and the potential conflict of interest this creates when ASH commission YouGov to conduct opinion polls on their behalf:
Peter Kellner, YouGov and ASH (October 2008)
Reader Comments (15)
This is a brilliant debate and all the more pleasing because we, the British people and not the anti-smoking industry, make more sense.
The spiteful and self interest reasons for the ASI's continual promotion of hatred and anger towards smokers - the British people - is obvious.
Well done particularly to Dave Atherton for his reasonable, evidence backed common sense arguments. Thanks Dave :>)
God bless Dave Atherton (blessed be his name!).
I see the Tobacco Control advocates from numerous quangos were out in force repeating lies and disinformation,,,,, until Dave appeared, with references and, strangely, they all disappeared.
My God, I wish we could get them in a courtroom so they could be exposed once and for all.
Did they disappear because it was 4 pm on Friday?
Simon, please don't forget to approve references. :)
I did this
Hurrah for Dave A who can present evidence no matter what nugget of spin they come up with.
Very interesting that the captains rallied round to support Kellner's letter via a comment thread. And why aren't there comments from the usual foot soldiers like 'David of New Mills' or Rollo, were they told to keep out of the way of the big boys? And why Vince Cable - he's not responsible for their funding, is he?
Vince Cable, as Business Secretary (?) should be the person to write to about regulating business ... shouldn't he?
Good point, Belinda (slaps head!). I suppose I just tend to think that the business secretary will deal with the bigger picture, business with a capital B as it were, not whether the corner shop can display twenty B&H/ a two litre bottle of Lambrusco/ a packet of extra large cream buns (because they'll never stop and that's the logical conclusion).
If I did a blog I would be doing a tribute to Dave Atherton tonight
Dave Atherton .
He cut em to bits.!
Well intae em.
Go Dave !
Hi guys thanks for your very kind comments.
I have been asked by various German organisations to provide figures and papers on pub closures in the UK for presentation to the German government and their 12 regional assemblies. Smoking bans are done state by state in Germany.
We have won the argument on economics.
Whatever little respect I once had for Kellner (never that much, it's true) has now completely evaporated. It's a masterpiece of spin, bogus morality, and bankrupt ideology.
At its core - as Simon correctly points out - is that glaringly false dichotomy between The Tobacco Lobby (for which, read 'Evil Tobacco Manufacturers') and The British People (for which, read 'Innocent Victims of Tobacco').
Is there a subliminal suggestion here that 'British People' don't smoke ? And if so, is this preposterous notion an example of malice aforethought, or mere verbal clumsiness ?
The REAL disitnction, of course, is what it has always been, and will continue to be until the day this madness ends: between those who believe (primarily) in Freedom and Choice, and those who believe (primarily) in Direction and Control.
Kellner - being an adamantine Lefty - is a natural Controller, and therefore is prone to distorting the facts (and elaborating the fantasies) to his advantage.
Are Cable and the others sharp enough to spot The Clunkingly Obvious ?
They haven't shown much sign of it up to now.....................................
Martin V - "Is there a subliminal suggestion here that 'British People' don't smoke ?"
Yup - but it's an intentional part of "Denormalisation." they keep dropping little nuggets like this about until the message sinks in and we should be excluded from everywhere.
Denormalisation is the stage before making tobacco illegal and criminalising smokers with wide public approval and support.
Yes, Pat -
It IS all about Denormalisation, of course.
When the Ends justify the Means (as they see it), what need for Honour, Truth, and Humanity ? Such archaic values have no place in our Modern World.
Maybe that's why I find them so sexy....................................
I find them terrifying :(
I reckon Clarkey boy is an insider. Work it out folks.