Twats. Tweets. Twits. Whatever you wanna call them Twitter is obviously big news these days, particularly with the slightly older generation (and celebrities). Obama, ever the trendsetter, started using the service for his election campaign in '08, although he notably failed to use it for several months following election. However, it is in UK politics where, over the last few weeks, Twitter has become a bit of a trend. David Cameron (now notoriously) commented on it. It became the centre of the we love the NHS campaign. And most absurdly of all, Gordy just appointed his very own Twitter Tsar in the form of Labour MP Kerry McCarthy.
First of all I'm gonna have to mention that Tsar seems to be Gordy's favourite word and that if you're an MP on the hunt for a job.... But on a more serious note I respect that our Government is using new media to access us. However, Obama doesn't have a chief adviser for Twitter affairs. Do we really need an appointed official to handle this job? Especially one with Kerry's CV. Here are some highlights:
"A qualified solicitor, she began her legal career in the late 1980s working at a magistrates’ court and a Legal Aid firm, but then moved to work in the corporate/banking sector and became a specialist in financial markets law"
She's a lawyer. She's probably a very good lawyer. And she's probably a great specialist in financial markets law as mentioned. Financial Markets and Technology go hand in hand right? Nope I don't see it either.
" In the June 2009 reshuffle she was made a Junior Whip"
Aha. She is clearly popular in the party as she is climbing up the ranks. And, ok, popularity is a useful tool. But still, no mention of technology. And finally:
"Kerry's main policy areas of interest are: the economy; tackling poverty; international aid and trade; transport; and crime and justice."
Technology? Nope. Computer Science? Nope. Development of our information infrastructure? Not even that. And twitter? Most certainly not. So we have a Twitter Tsar without any seeming qualifications. But no! There is but one - that she tweets at the most annoying rate known to man. Great, my faith is so totally restored. I'll stick to good old fashioned ministers myself.
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