The Intelligence from The Economist In vino, veritas: Boris Johnson under fire
Jan 13, 2022
Avantia Chulcoti, an international correspondent for The Economist, delves into how religious institutions have adapted during the pandemic, selling assets and embracing online services to maintain community connections. Meanwhile, Daniel Knowles, the Midwest correspondent, highlights the alarming escalation of road rage incidents in America, including the tragic story of Sarah Nicole Morales. They discuss the contributing factors behind this surge, including urban stress and increased gun ownership, revealing a grim intersection of road rage and firearms.
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Boris Johnson's History of Dishonesty
- Boris Johnson's career involved several instances of dishonesty, from fabricating a quote at The Times to lying about an affair as an MP.
- Despite this, his career progressed to bigger roles, highlighting a tolerance for dishonesty in politics.
Johnson's Paradoxical Honesty
- Johnson's appeal lies in his image as a rogue rule-breaker, which paradoxically translates to a peculiar kind of honesty.
- He compensates for dishonesty by delivering on key promises, such as funding the NHS and Brexit.
Johnson's Vulnerability
- This scandal significantly impacts Johnson because it targets his core strength: popularity.
- Losing popularity makes him vulnerable within his party, as he lacks other qualities like administrative competence or strategic thinking.
