Someone wrote me offlist with the very interesting and pertinent question: why are laboristas so bitchy? Why the constant assertions of authenticity, and the constant dis'ing of (essentially sympathetic) intellectuals? And why the intense sensitivity to criticism? One thought my correspondent had was that when you're losing so big in the real world, then you lash out at easy targets - because your real enemies are too busy ignoring you. I dunno. But it's an interesting question, and an interesting hypothesis for an answer. But I'd love to hear more.
[WS:] Bitchiness and public displays of emotions, especially anger are blue collar culturally coded expressions of earnestness, sincerity, and seriousness. They are opposed to the polite, reflective and conditional forms of talk of the intellectuals that symbolize flip-floppiness, wishy-washiness, and insincerity in that code. Yet another expression of anti-intellectualism, if you will. Bush used it quite effectively against Kerry. Also a secret beyond the popularity of shock jocks and gangsta rappers.
Wojtek