Thursday 17 April 2014

How to Fail at PR.



Not long after I began delivering stuff around London I entered one of those glossy, or should I say 'glassy' new blocks of flats just south of the river.  I walked through the glass door, opening it first, and looked for the lift.  I couldn't find it!  I was trapped for a few moments  in walls filled with floor to ceiling mirrors and at first it was difficult to work out what was what.   More by luck than discernment I found the buttons, pressed and a mirror slid back to reveal the lift.  My floundering was over, embarrassment gone, and life continued as before.  
I watch David Cameron's sad attempt to catch a few votes at Easter time from Christians as see him floundering desperately for success.  Turning this way and that he reaches out to 'Hoodies,' 'gays,' the City, and the 'church,' and never at any time really considers that it always looks like a cheap PR stunt. Christians are living amongst those at the bottom of the pile, even those with money, as churches provide many of the 'food banks' his policies, well George Osborne's policies, have given us.  Almost a million people have at least once used such places, and this in a nation Cameron claims is a 'wealthy nation.'  There are few votes gathered from those with their eyes open Dave.
Dave appears to have little concept of how his mutterings are received.  He offers so many pronouncements on a variety of subjects and nothing positive occurs.  It is all publicity to him, PR was the one job he attempted before politics, and judging by the use he makes of his own PR, standing in Waitrose with a shopping basket, visiting a 'porridge factory' when in Scotland, or racing to be seen in Oxfordshire when there was flooding (he arrived later in Somerset where floods had arrived long before), it is clear he must have been made redundant from that job. 
This was a muddled view on Christianity, even his speech writer appears to lack knowledge of the subject, in truth he does not know what it entails.  Hopefully someone this weekend will tell him the truth about sin, judgement, repentance and the meaning of the cross.


It was 18 years ago at the Easter weekend when I arrived here.  Easter was at the end of March that time and life was difficult for the first few days as everything closed down and I had nothing with which to feed the electric meter which at that time worked on a card basis. It was not possible for reasons I forget to obtain cards until after the weekend was over, five pounds had to stretch four days in an all electric house!  It was freezing!  I spent much time in places that were open or huddling over a candle to find some heat!  Today is somewhat more comfortable but the heat element while enjoyable is ebbing away once again.  For reasons I fail to understand Easter brings colder weather, maybe this is a sign?  I can remember going to watch Fulham playing Plymouth one Easter just to see George Best play in the flesh.  Easter Monday is an important day in England's football calendar and naturally enough the sleet spent all afternoon attempting to neutralise my face!  I recall reading about the Battle of Arras in April 1917.  Then too attacks were to be made at night so the darkness gave some cover to the attackers but a deep layer of snow made them stand out whatever they did!  That was one way to spend Easter, face down in front of a 'pill box!'  Now the wind is coming from the north and Sunday offers rain, it must be Easter.  




7 comments:

Carol said...

Adullaman, I am speechless, as I should be at this time of reflection. Instead, I give thanks.
Have a Happy Easter Aman.

Jenny Woolf said...

I have little time for politicians' PR efforts, but the idea of a "porridge factory" did make me stop and think. I wonder what it looks like....

Lee said...

The weather at the moment is exquisite where I am; and from all prediction it is to remain so for the duration of Easter and beyond. The beaches will be packed to the hilt over the extended weekend; and all the theme parks will be brimming with happy families.

Me...I'll be happy here away from the madding crowds.

Have a good Easter, Adullamite...doing what makes you contented. :)

the fly in the web said...

Children used to have new clothes at Easter...so inevitably the weather decided to provide arctic blasts and antediluvian deluges....

Unknown said...

Quite. (Or should it be quit?) No, I will go with quite for the sake of appearances.

Adullamite said...

Carol 'speechless?' You?

Jenny, The picture saw him with a bowlful at table with a far from pleased employee. His face was a picture as PM posed for something he thought was Eton gruel.

Lee, Far from the crowd or a crowded beach? It's hard to decide....

Fly, New clothes? Only hand me downs in my house. I hated having sisters!

Jerry, Quiet!!!

Lee said...

Both and all, Mr. Ad-Man.