Why Bread and Circuses?

I'm expecting this blog to focus on politics more than anything else, although I hope there will be time and space for other issues.  The blog title comes from a quote by the Roman satirist, Juvenal, which to this day has a certain resonance in politics - that the public only really want two things from politicians: the basics in life, and a little fun.  That seems to be a pretty decent summary to me of what politics should be about.  More from Juvenal in future entries, no doubt.


The urge to write a blog comes from a love of the internet and an eagerness to contribute to it.  Take the phrase 'Bread and Circuses' as a start.  Googling the phrase brings up the following eclectic mix covering the essential elements of net society:


Conspiracy Theory, including the traditional allegations of the state murder of Princess Di


A Star Trek episode (well, it is the internet)


Trots, a dying breed on the street corner, but still alive and well and living in the past in cyberspace


A New Labour MP, a clean-cut chap who you wouldn't recognise in the street


and, for political balance, Right Wing Racists, a site which includes a rather nice vote of support for the BNP from a serving police officer.  Hardly a surprise, but worrying nonetheless.
29.4.06 15:45