To think Liz Jones is a bitter and twisted old hag?

I am reminded of a story.

A house in a village went on sale. The first people who went to see it liked the house, but went for a stroll to see the village. When they met an old man leaning on a gate, they stopped to chat and asked "And what are the people like here?"

He replied, "How do you find the ones where you live now?"
"A lot of stuck-up, stubborn so-and-sos who can't bear it if you point out any ways they could be doing things better than they do now."

"Well, you'll find them just the same here."

The next people to view did the same, and asked the same old man,"What are the people like here?"
"How do you find the ones where you live now?"
"Oh, they are so pleasant. We all help one another, and support each other when trouble strikes."

"Well, you'll find them just the same here."

Many of the comments have been about criticing bitching and bullying, which, in my humble opinion, is a subject of worth.

And this is relevant to what. Bitching about a fellow human being? Whatever you think of her.

Surely a thread can go on as long as people feel they have something relevant to say?

But as I said earlier - she gets the readers for the Mail.

Does anyone remember those bullying girls at school? That is where Liz Jones seems to be coming from. There are ways of affectionately teasing people but Liz Jones approach is spiteful.
The trouble is she seems to think she is just being clever and doesn't understand how nasty and spiteful she appears to most other people.

How much longer is this ridiculous thread going to be at the top of Actives?! bad title and a topic not worth discussing, apart from the horses.

I don't follow horse racing but having seen CB on TV she does come across as someone who knows her subject and as for her appearance, she always seems well turned out to me.

As for Liz Jones, I used to find her column amusing but once she moved to Somerset she did indeed become bitter and twisted. She tried to lecture the farmers on the care of their animals, she wrote about fancying the local (married) vet, she claims she was shot at whereas all that happened was someone had shot at her mail box (something not uncommon in the country), she wasn't present at the time. She continually goes on about how she bought a house for her sister and was upset to not get a Christmas card from an previous assistant even though "I bought her a Gucci bag". (or some other designer!)

These days I may start to read her column but usually give up somewhere around the second paragraph - and yes I do buy the Mail!!

I think if this Liz person was really genuine in her love of animals she'd use the money she spends on facelifts and designer clothes to help them. Can't help but feel that your love of horses is far more sincere than hers.

crimson I don't doubt that. All I'm saying, as someone who loves horses, I couldn't stomach the business of racing. I suspect LJ feels the same.

Not every owner, Sel. And very few horses will show a profit, with training fees being in excess of £10,000 a year. The blog I mentioned isn't about a racing racehorse, it's a horse that has been rehomed by one of the racehorse charities..he's now a show horse. I found the blog by chance and realised it was a horse I'd followed for a couple of years. I also traced a horse from many years ago that had been a brood mare; found the person that had given her a home in her old age along with another ex racer. I'm under no illusion as to what happens to a lot of horses, but can only do what I can in small ways such as supporting charities such as Greatwood. Little Katchit who won the Champion Hurdle a few years ago died of colic last week; he'd spent his retirement at his trainers yard where they all adored him and are heartbroken. I can't defend racing, but there are people in it who do care deeply for the horses, and give them long and happy retirements.

You could borrow her book from the library, Nanado It's called The Exmoor Files and is one long whinge from start to finish. Apparently she used Phil Spencer (Location,Location,Location) to 'find' her house for her. She hates him as well!

Nanado, you wouldn't have to buy "that paper"! It is available online, you know...

Clare Baldwin has tweeted, "Please don't turn today into a Liz Jones hatefest. I'm not upset at all. She has merely justified my choice not to be interviewed by her"

Why do I want to go "Ooooooooooooooh"

Now that's a refreshing point of view perhaps I should reserve my judgement until I've read her diary, but then I'd have to buy that paper.

Re Liz Jones, I've read her diary for many years and think she's hilarious. I'm not quite sure who she upsets so much..she's a woman, on her own, earns her own money, doesn't ask for anything from anyone, loves animals, fashion, massages...what's to get upset about ladies? I'm intrigued.

Never heard of her, don't think I've been missing out....but then I'd never heard of Hugh Jackman until yesterday on GN. What a boring sheltered life I lead

You'll have to wait until Sunday, sylvie. She rarely writes anything during the week. She used to have a weekly 'Jones Moans' column which was full of her usual vitriol - normally against shop assistants but it was dumped. I wonder why?

I received a lovely letter from her many years ago and have met her a few times on the racecourse. Always pleasant and approachable. Seems to me to be the perfect presenter, being someone that you feel you could sit in a pub with and have a jolly nice conversation. However, she's probably less approachable now that she's got such a high profile. Will get the book when it's in paperback; someone offered to lend me a copy but I refused as I'm terrible for not getting round to reading things.

Crimson an owner will care for a horse, if it gives a return againt his investment. Sad but true. If it doesn't then it's the knackers yard. It's just a business.

I don't think she writes in it every day anyway - does she?

No - that only increases their circulation. read it in a library (or if you are unscrupulous, read it in WHSmiths and then put it back!)

tell you what, I'm going to buy the Daily Mail tomorrow/ Gotta find out who this women is!

Most of the time Liz Jones seems quite unhinged. Whether flouncing round the fields in Prada boots or collecting up animals she seems unable to care for properly and it's just one crisis after another. For someone who claims to only buy designer she usually looks pretty awful and presumably thinks that if it cost enough it must be good.
Clare Balding on the other hand always dresses smartly and appropriately. At Aintree last year we had the usual Z listers wearing a gruesome selection of pantomime costumes while Clare was looking very classy in a beautifully cut winter coat. And I loved her book as well

crimson I don't doubt your feelings - but racing. horses, it's a business. To keep a horse in training is expensive, the only way it's viable is if they win races. It's sad, it's why I'm out of it. I love horses and to see the finest examples of the genre treated the way they are was too much for me. And that's on the flat. Jumpers are another thing.