U-turns

Journopukes on both sides of the Atlantic like to crow "U-turn" after governments abandon a proposed or actual policy when arguments against it prevail, or more often if it proves too politically difficult to implement.

First of all the term is grossly over-used: "U-turn" describes a complete reversal of policy, which is unusual. If the strategic intent remains the same, then the abandonment of a failed or politically unworkable tactical means is simply pragmatic common sense.  

Furthermore it is more than a bit too strong for journopukes to demand foresight and consistency in others when they themselves never admit to being mistaken - about anything. Yet they are only playing with words. Very few journopukes are capable of making the transition to doing something practical. 

What puzzles me is why ministers so often tie themselves in knots to avoid admitting they made a mistake. It is as though they become infected by the laughable culture of omniscience that has Whitehall denying errors for decades even after a blatant policy failure like the Falklands War, complete with official inquiries and histories designed to demonstrate that the Mandarinate can do no wrong.  

One of the least esteemed virtues in politicians is when they have the wit to recognize they are in a hole, and stop digging. Something along the lines of: "It seemed like a promising approach to the problem, but it has proved unsatisfactory in practice/impossible to implement" would deflate most media bubbles.