Met FortyEight, the Global Hangover designers, today and had my first glimpse of the work in progress. Designers use a ‘thought board’, which is basically a collection of sketches and ideas, cut outs and so on, to try and formulate things. I was also shown some designs for the logo, which is a crucial element to the project because it’s obviously how everyone will know us, and I think we’re onto a winner. It looks great, and after I offered some minor alterations I think it’ll be the one we go with. I can see no harm in posting a copy of it up here when we’ve got the finished version.
I was taken out to lunch, which was very kind of them, and we further discussed the project. If I had a strong hunch that this company were the right choice to do this before, then it’s concreted in my mind now. They are continually offering invaluable suggestions and sensible advice. They are also so enthusiastic about it, and seem to be genuinely excited about the project, that it makes things far easier for me. Their ideas are so valuable, and they’re throwing them into the project for free, essentially. When this site does get built, which is still a long way away, then quite a lot of how it looks and operates will be because of them. It would be rubbish if it were only Wade and I putting elements in.
From there it was over to HSBC to open the company bank account. I can’t tell you how excited it made me to have a sheet of paper from the bank with ‘Global Hangover Limited’ at the top. Then of course came the added realisation that this was actually starting to happen, and that it’s not just a big game, and that’s quite nerve wracking. Why can’t I just continue in my zero responsibility non-job that is stand-up?
Anyway I think the main news of the day came when I picked up a copy of the racist Daily Express in the pub and read, with some disbelief, probably the most shameful thing I’ve ever seen in a national newspaper. For those of you outside the UK, the Daily Express and the Daily Mail are right wing papers that basically want Britain to be some sort of 1930’s postcard of thatched cottages and steam trains running down a branch line with children waving hankies at the driver, who gives a merry toot of the whistle to say hello. I’ve often said that I’d love to live in the 1930’s, but I recognise that this is a fantasy, that it is in fact the 21st Century, and most importantly quite like the diversity of our modern culture. I am also not a national paper read by millions of people.
So today’s Express… What’s really remarkable about the following is that it wasn’t written by a columnist, so not a personal opinion, but it appeared in the paper’s ‘leader’, which is supposed to represent the opinions of the newspaper and therefore isn’t credited to an individual writer. They are frequently written by the editor. The front page story was about how Prince Charles, should he become King, would have two coronations. The first being the official ceremony, in which he is made King in the “by the grace of God�, and then – for the first time – a second ceremony which would be for those in this country who follow different religions, i.e. Muslims, Jews and Buddhists. This makes sense because what he’s saying is “I’m every British person’s King� essentially. I think it’s a sensible thing.
So of course the Daily Express hate this. ‘How dare he have a ceremony for all those undesirables’ is their opinion. But the leader comment goes far, far further. Here’s what it reads:
‘If Prince Charles presses ahead with his plans for two coronations – the second being a ceremony to reflect the multicultural diversity of this country – he will be very unwise.’
Typical objection there. But then, in the second paragraph, it says:
‘For a start, people from all shades of the political spectrum now admit that multiculturalism simply does not work and that people who come to this country should adopt British customs and traditions.’
Sorry? What? ‘Multiculturalism does not work’? What on Earth do they mean by that? Not only is that complete rubbish, as any sane person can see, it’s also incredibly offensive. So… it doesn’t work having black people in this country, regardless of their religion? Is that really what they mean? It doesn’t work having Jewish people in the country?
You’d be hard pushed to find such a blatant and blinkered comment in a BNP newsletter.
It continues: ‘to style himself “defender of faiths� rather than “defender of faith� means that, in actual fact, he is the defender of nothing at all. Britain wants a British king to be crowned in a British coronation.’
It would be a British coronation! The same old stuffy service they’ve used for 1,000 years. And then there would be one to represent and respect people of different religions. What the Hell’s the matter with that?
The Daily Express is revolting. That’s the sort of mad rant you’d get from some posh little thirteen year old living in a castle. “Daddy, Daddy, the German’s smell don’t they Daddy?�
I think it’s time to write my first letter to a newspaper, not that they’ll publish it. I’m sure none of you buy the Daily Express, but if you see anyone reading it then be sure to hit them over the head with their copy. That was on page 11, and then over the page on 13, they had a story about the Nazis. Interestingly, they seemed to be quite critical of the Nazi’s… What double standards.
Is it almost illegal to publish statements like ‘multiculturalism does not work’? Surely it inspires racial hatred? Bloody Daily Express… If want a good laugh, look out for their TV ad and spot the token black person.
Whilst I’m on, thinking about how they said “People who come to this country should adopt British customs and traditions� it is a fair point. We blended in brilliantly when we invaded India. Couldn’t tell us apart from the locals could you?
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