Mired in trivia, British political discourse is utterly unfit for times of war

Wise heads choose their words painstakingly and experts feel speechless, but here the void is filled with ignorant chatterhere is not enough argument in British politics, although there is no shortage of dispute. Maybe the distinction is pedantic. The two words can be interchangeable.

When there was an explosion at a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday night, the surge of outrage and condemnation did not wait for confirmation of what had actually happened and who was responsible. The presumption that it was aerial bombardment moves more nimbly through channels that are primed to expect the worst ofthan data supplied less than 24 hours later suggesting it was an Islamic Jihad rocket misfiring.

And yet I sympathise with anyone who now reaches for the dial when the news comes on. I get the lure of avoidance, which is not the same as apathy. I know plenty of people who are deeply engaged in politics, not despairing of British democracy, determined to vote at the next election, but who are also finding contact with news media distressing to the point of physical repellence.

Swathes of what passes for debate about the Middle East has the character of displacement activity. It is the spectacle of people, left and right, grasping for agency when confronted with events that demand action and moral urgency but are unfolding way beyond their control in a complex geopolitical and historical context for which their routine shtick is pitifully inadequate.

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

England wise to South Africa’s ‘curveballs’ before World Cup semiEngland defence coach Kevin Sinfield said on Tuesday they are aware of South Africa's potential tactical surprises before this weekend's Rugby World Cup semi-final in Paris.
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »

A riot drill and Golden Gate fog: photos of the dayThe Guardian’s picture editors select photo highlights from around the world
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Guardian Essential Report: the factors that sunk the yes vote – Australian politics podcastGuardian Australia’s political editor, Katharine Murphy, is joined by Essential Media’s Peter Lewis to discuss the latest Guardian Essential poll
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Rough Seas and a Putin-Orbán handshake: photos of the dayThe Guardian’s picture editors select photo highlights from around the world
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

‘Like a cat with nine lives’: how the British corner shop has survivedThere are almost 50,000 convenience stores in the UK, offering everything from fruit and veg to home-cooked curries. Here’s how they have fought off Covid, shoplifters, the cost of living crisis …
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

British Museum thefts were ‘inside job’, says George OsborneChair of trustees tells MPs security has been tightened and that recovered items will go on display
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »