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Cheating doesn't pay

Friday, 18th July 2008

Today has been a good day for cheats having to suffer the consequences of their actions.

First , Dwain Chambers has failed in his bid to make cheating pay. Athletics is struggling to be seen any longer as a fair sport rather than a freak show, and a High Court imposition of Chambers on the British Olympics team would have made things a lot worse.

Secondly, the Charity Commission's report into the Smith Institute is pretty damning, finding against it on most of the charges. Since Gordon Brown is happy to lie to the House of Commons, it should come as little surprise that what is, in effect, his own private think tank should be so cavalier about complying with the law.

As something of a think tank veteran (and having recently been involved in setting up a new one), I know that the laws concerning think tanks which operate as charities are onerous and ought always to be at the front of any director's mind. Onerous, yes; but also pretty clear. It's easy to know where the line should be drawn. And I simply refuse to believe that those involved in the Smith Institute did not know full well that they were crossing it.

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Mr Mhena

July 18th, 2008 7:25pm

I've heard of these things, these think tanks, along with steering groups, centres of excellence, investors in people, and lots of things which, on the side of vans, insist that they will work together with something else for a better future or at least not chop too many trees down.

What's happening? Why can't they just do what they do and leave it at that?

This cocoa's cold.

Alexandrovich

July 19th, 2008 12:04am

Mr. Mhena: they sure as hell could use someone like you over on M.Phillips blog. The gloom is unremittingly stygian.
Thanks for the belly laugh.

Mr Mhena

July 19th, 2008 1:10pm

Thanks A. I look in almost every day over on MP's blog, her courage and tenacity turn up vital aspects on what's happening. Given her pursuit of this subject matter, it's impossible to avoid wading through some very murky waters.

I do find it difficult to ask questions of people who comment there though, it's assumed too readily that all questions are barbed. If I comment at all these days, I like to get in before the rotweillers start showing teeth at each other.