Person, policies and raging hypocrites

Don't really intend to comment much on the US election.

Congrats to the victor, and all those inspired to get out and do their democratic thing.

However, back at home...

I turned on this am to get my Breakfast News and was treated to the most racist display I could imagine, orchestrated by our national broadcaster.

Almost every invitee was either a woman, or black, or a black woman Democrat voter articulating how this was a victory for 'us'. Against whom, pray?

As evidenced by the US result the colour of skin did not trouble a large section of the electorate but evidently did inspire another major chunk.

But on the basis of the discussion I witnessed I am going for Ru Paul for PM in 2010, with Eddy Izzard as official DPM with Mandelson already embedded as actual.

A momentous day in politics; a dire day in the downward spiral that is our media reporting of it. I fear more of the same.

Newsnight

Gaurdian - Skin-deep politics

Telegraph - Barack Obama's victory will change America

Telegraph - David Cameron: I'm a bit like Barack Obama, really I am. Gordon Brown: so am I

Telegraph - US Election: is race still an issue for Barack Obama? - Telling: 'I voted against Obama, but not because he's black. You cheapen my vote and insult me with this blog!' Much as my reaction would/will be if I am told that any vote I might cast based on all manner of criteria is being guided solely by the colour of my skin. Proceed with caution media types.

Indy Letters - a letter that I am suprised was published, at least without comment: The message for all in the UK, especially British non-whites, is to start rowing the lifeboat. They need to "do a Barack" and join the local and national communities in all aspects of life – and encourage or shame the "white-trash" smug majority to do much, much more.

Watching the BBC Breakfast 'News' this morning I am reminded of the Charlie Higson artist character in the 'Fast Show'.

I do presume President Obama does have more going for him than what the BBC and those it has selected (or got in touch to say what they want to hear in return for plugging a book/website, etc) to talk to might suggest.

I, for one, would be very keen to learn more on these aspects of governance.

For a change.

Pale imitations - Oh, bless. I am sensing a racism backlash, and not in the way those that have so often misused at best perceived or at worst invented 'racism' to push their narrow agendas might find to their advantage.

Newsnight -

FWIW, ignoring the race factor (if allowed by the media), I could see the logic in voting trends because:

1) He wasn't Mr. Bush
2) He wasn't Republican
3) He wasn't from a tired, incumbent party
4) He wasn't 'not young'
5) He didn't have a VP who was 'distracting'
6) He was well supported by most media, and a pretty hefty ad budget taboot
7) He represented/s 'change'

All pretty potent, in my view. Though hardly the best basis of picking a leader or party. Mind you, if I was in Glenrothes today...

At least the system here gives slightly better senses of choice.

There' is what 'is', and that can often be different to what one wishes it to be, no matter how hard you click your red heels together. Rationality is not often present, and hence it, or rather its lack, has to be recognised, allowed for and worked around.

However in this, many things can help, or hinder, progress. Often in the way information is communicated by those in...'authority'.

For instance I was watching the BBC Breakfast 'News' this morning and was reminded of the Charlie Higson artist character in the 'Fast Show'.

I do presume President Obama does have more going for him than what the BBC and those it has selected (or got in touch to say what they want to hear in return for plugging a book/website/column, etc) to talk to might suggest.

Now I, for one, would be very keen to learn more on the postive aspects of his administration's governance by way of policy. And, if possible, without stepping on any residual guilt-ridden taboos, where there may be problems as well.

Gaurdian - Jeremy Paxman should have shown Dizzee Rascal more respect

So far, from the topic and/or interviewee choices of most media and especially the BBC, I am reminded of the Charlie Higson artist character in the 'Fast Show'.

It seems almost all usually ready to get to the front of the queue to scream 'racism' at the perceived drop of a 'diss, have decided to focus on and obsess about just one thing.

Ironic.

Guardian - When will we see a British Obama?

An interesting post/fact today that I was, at best vaguely aware of. As an ad man, I guess I should be proud. Maybe not so much at the ROI, but it does work:

In all the Obamamania, I wonder whether the Beeb will do the simple sum as to why he won? McCain spent $84 million and got 56 million votes. Obama spent $700 million and got 64 million votes. That's $10.93 for every Obama vote as against $1.49 for every McCain vote.
These numbers make Obama the most expensive president ever sold. Or should I say bought?

Hey, if them's the rules. Odd they exist in a democracy, especially one where the power of advertising was first established.

'Between love... and madness... lies... OB-session'

'course, in some cases, it's not so secret, really.

Just watching BBC Breakfast and am told to await an interview with political heavyweight Beyonce's thoughts on... oh, I don't know... whaddyareckon?

Well, we've had Dizzee Rascal so I guess they must be struggling after the A-team.

Who next I do wonder? Lenny Henry must have a thought to share.

OMG... (as they say in teeniedom). I no sooner pen the above than... there she is!

And guess what! She has a song to plug... which is 'speaking to a lot of people'.

And, miraculously, someone's people has told someone else's people who got in touch with my national broadcaster's people to trot out this absolutely not about the colour of skin effort and coincidental snippets that the President-elect went jogging with her songs on his iPod.

Look, Aunty, I have the agenda loud and clear, but this Captain Renault act is erring on smug arrogance, without the saving grace of some wit and humour.

It's not like there is not a long line of other people of showbusiness ready and willing to gush on cue in return for a free ad.

Peter 'We take things very seriously' Horrocks and Newswatch (just watched - does anyone talk to poor Ray in the canteen?). Dead air would be a more productive public service. Cheaper and more Co2 efficient, too.

'Thanks for watching.... you can be treated with distain again... next week! You only pay our salaries, after all!'

Gaurdian - Is Britain too racist to have its own Obama?

BBC - Andrew Marr Show - Fun to hear from the petulant pensioners.

un to hear from the petulant pensioners.

Quite right to rail against ongoing cynical exploitation by unaccountable bankers, but.... who is to blame for this and how is it addressed properly? More 'unacceptable' 'looking at' in the pipeline, no doubt

And while much of the conduct of the US election is to be lauded, I remain intrigued that, in a system that embodies the effectiveness of advertising as a tool to influence behaviour, more has not been made of the per vote cast expenditure by the winning campaign was somewhat in excess of that of the loser.

So while it may be true the era of big business influence may be over, especially when enhanced by 'sympathetic' free PR in support, it is still the best contest money can buy.

Indy - Did BBC News fluff its lines on a night of American history?

Wow, a print edition of Newswatch, and about as much balance... or use.

I could care less about fluffed lines, but fluffed obligations are another matter.

"It didn't happen. If it did it wasn't acceptable and we'll look into it. And when we find nothing we'll do no more than last time. So, what are you going to do about it... take your custom elsewhere?"

If this person's idea of great guest selection does not include John Culshaw but doubtless endorses Dizzee 'you're hip, hop over here' Rascal he is truly worth the market rate talent fee... for comedy.

The coverage was OB-session and, like the perfume line, the line lay between love and madness. Hardly suitable for a national news broadcaster.

ps: I'd prefer the reporters I co-fund to report objectively, not 'share' their personal views, as approved by corporate agenda, having 'enjoyed himself a little bit'. Just a thought.

Indy - BBC rues lack of black 'Obama night' reporters

Rue-Paul for Prime Minister! Just think of the boxes that would tick! Go on Aunty, you know you want to.

"...we could have done with one or two more African American faces".

Presumably, talent and what they may or may not have to say is...secondary. Nifty statement from one who has '...a special responsibility for diversity issues within BBC News'

And the BBC throws 'institutional racism' accusation around like confetti.

Indy - Yasmin Alibhai-Brown: You can't force patriotism on a people

Gaurdian - Star-spangled banner headlines - Nothing like a bit of post-event academic introspection.

Pajamasmedia - Forget the Beatles: Obamamania Hits Britain -

The US election was/is of huge significance and hence I was content to be provided with extensive coverage.

What I was not prepared for was our entire media establishment becoming obsessed, and not in a good way. (As an international brand, most will be familiar with the perfume, OBsession, whose strapline, here at least, is 'between love and madness'. Apt).

When a Scottish teenager can trot out Dizzee Rascal's thoughts on the US election contenders but struggle to answer what local election might be taking place I decided the plot was well lost, especially by our in theory objective, professional national broadcaster. I actually wrote to the Newsnight blog on the day of the Glenrothes by-election, which fell the day after the US result was known, to ask if we might address politics closer to home... and it was moderated out. Seems there is a 'rule' that 'we' can't discuss elections here on voting day.

A choice bit of Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy-esque dissembling, inasmuch as they hadn't mentioned it... due to the US coverage... before either. Oddly, when the Government/Prime Minister actually 'won' to everyone's surprise, it became wall to wall here.

There is another interesting piece here about the professionalism and competencies of the media estate these days. Not great, IMHO. Especially when lacking any hint of one major aspect that I still value in my reporting, but see little of these days.

As we're going OverBoard with the prefixes, let me try this one out too: OBjectivity.

Gaurdian - Is Obama really president or am I just watching a fantasy? It's almost too good to be true

Register - BBC has newsgasm over Obama's dog