Constructive cynicism

The recent lack of posts belies the fact that the couple of weeks have been eventful for The Beak. Keen followers may have noticed the storm-in-a-teacup that brewed in the aftermath of the Demeaning article, but if you didn't, here's the gist of it: an accusation about an individual was made in an anonymous comment, counter accusations flew back and forth and somehow The Beak ended up getting blamed for it all. The Beak was forced to protest its innocence and close comments on the matter.

Nevertheless, a disgruntled reader followed up (or tried to) with a comment arguing that The Beak had taken a turn for the negative and had therefore lost his or her readership. This after two posts respectively praising a councillor and a decision that did away with needless bureaucracy. Tough crowd.

Around the same time, Dick Sawle mentioned The Beak in his Motion for Adjournment speech, but suggested it stick to positive and constructive criticism. Evidently, constructive criticism is going to be the buzzword of the Tens, everyone is using it. Even Roger Edwards bowed to pleas from a public meeting and made a concerted effort to start off on a positive note in his speech. What’s with the obsession with positive, constructive criticism all of a sudden? Is there really no place for cynical criticism?

Constructive criticism serves a purpose, I admit. One could have, say, written to the Speaker of the House pointing out that Gavin Short referring to the new Director of Community Safety as “Head Bobby” during a LegCo meeting was somewhat inappropriate and undermined Mr Finchett even before he arrives in the Islands. Furthermore, one could have said, perhaps Mr Short would like to use the correct title for heads of department in future, while representing the electorate at least. But, could one have commented on how it seemed to be a cheap and puerile dig at the Chief Executive and his restructure? Probably not, so cynicism too has a role to play.

Alternatively, The Beak could follow tack with the new Penguin News editor and go on a few weekend jollies in camp, write about what it means to be a Falkland Islander, and pepper the rest of the publication with granny-pleasing photos of face-painted kids. Come next November there could even be a commemorative issue, The Beak will charge people extra for it and accuse them of being un-Falkland Islander if they don’t buy it.

So no, The Beak will not be making any New Year’s resolutions to indulge in more positive, constructive criticism. Partly because cynical criticism is just as necessary in a democracy, but largely because The Beak was started as a satirical blog and as such, relies on cynicism and, believe it or not, humour.

Maybe one day the Falklands will have a House full of tax-dodging, expense-overclaiming MPs (governing and opposition) like Britain. Maybe one day The Beak will form part of that opposition and, without hint of an innuendo, refer to fellow MPs as Honourable Members. Perhaps then The Beak will make only positive and constructive criticisms. That day, however, is nowhere near, so apologies Mr Sawle and apologies disgruntled reader, but The Beak will not be dropping its cynical side just yet.