Death and... er...

From a posting..

HOW THE TAX SYSTEM WORKS

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to £100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay £1.
The sixth would pay £3.
The seventh would pay £7.
The eighth would pay £12.
The ninth would pay £18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay £59.

So, that's what they decided to do.

The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by £20.' Drinks for the ten now cost just £80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the £20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'

They realized that £20 divided by six is £3.33. But if they subtracted that from everyone's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid £2 instead of £3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay £5 instead of £7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid £9 instead of £12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid £14 instead of £18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid £49 instead of £59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the bar, the men began to compare their savings.

'I only got a pound out of the £20,' declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, 'but he got £10!'

'Yes, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a pound, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I did'

'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get £10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks'

'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor'

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill.
Tax the high earners too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

Joe vs. the Volcano

As in ordinary Joe, and a bubbling mass of molten spin machine.

It was already an odd thread.

Addressing the chair

But then it got steered off in another direction.

I replied. And the rest, as they say, is a mystery tour...

Oo, eck, I stand rebuked. Possibly. Anyhoo, duly noted.

Heck of an interpretation of what I wrote there, but, taking that and turning it into an allusion about the Today programme, and projecting it onto the entire BBC, with a pretty narrow conclusion as to specific intentions and a political stance was awesome. All without me writing one word that says any of that. But, as the saying goes...'if the cap fits':)

Way to go. It's almost like those events getting interpreted all the time, just like wot Jon Humphrys was on about.

And of course these seem to be further getting shaped - apparently - by hordes of rebuttal units, funded by political parties, or from the public purse, who are out there to stir or spin to order. All a bit devious for me. Maybe I am just being played as a mere individual, as the two 'supportive' posts here seem, well, gifts. But let's work on the basis that they're just from others who have a different view. Which is cool.

And why I tend to go with the facts, and as these are hard to acquire in 'unenhanced' forms these days. I usually go for a spread, from 'disreputable' sites like Guido and Biased BBC who do have posters nevertheless posting silly things like links as 'evidence', to bastions of reporting probity such as Labourlist, the Guardian and some parts of the BBC. All of whom who would never dream of letting reporting what happened get in the way of presuming to tell people how to think. Makes you indeed wonder how the former are succeeding. This phenomenon to some does seem important and of concern, but then these of late do seem to be the same gilded ones who don't think the public is voting the correct way any more, and are appearing quite defensive as a consequence.

I merely noted the views of a possibly genuine listener, and how they were shaped by the 'interview' with Mr. Miser ( latest balanced insight: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8019114.stm ) Cameron. All in a thread from a colleague about chairs. Go figure.

And as it was raised, I merely wondered if adding 'sighs of frustration' was really where objective interviewers should be going with their interpretation of events to help enhance the narratives to get to emerging truths. Next you'll have folk in charge of the mic calling others fascists and what not, and having to apologise rather than resign. Just think if they'd used an un-PC word in earshot of others, if off-broadcast. The BBC does have indeed have many standards of who should be within its walls to help influence the nation.

As it happens, if I have formed any clear 'anybody but' notions at all, as a priority they would be more directed at our current 'fit to be' PM and his GOATs.

I'd be interested in how such as Ms. Montague would handle a Q&A session with or Nokia -testing steady had in troubled times, based on her current record of studied objectivity, and whether the audience would be treated to a collection of sound effects in complement to make points that inadequate words are inadequate for. With tongue in cheek, I am suspecting sighs might still be the order of the day.

From paid public interviewers to blogs of any hue, I don't respond well to being steered by folk that see the future of this country, and my kids within it, in terms of how things can be spun to how they can be made 'better' to suit their narrow group agenda. Especially in the MSM. And that applies even more, with cherries and cream on top, to the national broadcaster I am currently required to co-fund.

Give me just the facts. Hew close to the line, and let the chips fall where they may.

Trolls - guys with big sticks who threaten you, right?

Ask a few who have not stumped up the telly tax on time.

I have had an issue with what the new Newsnight editor has written, in his first sally forth since not doing a great job helping one of his staff a few months' back...

What spending would you cut?

'I realise this will prompt a lot of trolls to argue the first on the list should be the BBC. '

Just the bits that don't do their jobs cost-effectively, if indeed anywhere close to meeting the terms of the Charter. For instance, case-wise, I am unsure if I am getting value for money ushering the DG and DDG to and from the railway station is quite the best use of funds. Or flying reporters to stand on some white stuff to say the rest of us flying places is causing it to melt.

Usually it's arranged for a supportive non-troll to get the first weak interception tackle in, so maybe the cuts have already resulted in the authors trying to do so themselves.

But I am not sure that creating such a Bushist 'If you are not with us you're a troll' challenge from the outset, by a senior public servant does much more than prove a lot of points.

ps: Any more to add on 'interpreting the events of the President of the United States' first major speech in the edit suite.... to 'enhance the narrative'?

I am canceling my licence fee DD now.

I will be interested in the BBC making a good case for my restarting it. Or will you just send Capita round?

ps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet) - oddly, it lopped off the bit at the end and changed the URL to another page. Not sure it hurt, mind.

I must have missed the bit where it also includes just having other views to those being promoted, or seeking to hold professional standards to account.

For those who like living in group think comfort zones, I'd suggest one doesn't take part in, much less instigate controversial blogs.

Especially ones funded by an audience that may include some that one is so unhappy having to deal with that it overcomes the temptation not to pronounce from positions of public sector entrenchment that recent days have indeed shown to be shaky pedestals.

And, for good measure, as he has run two similar, but slightly different blogs in series (until the mods and clean up crews sort it all out, as per usual, with no hint it ever happened...

What would you cut?*

I'd also cut out duplicate threads.

*Now, there is a thing... 'It is possible that the page you were looking for may have been moved, updated or deleted.' Or just cut. Ironic, no?

Hunt the ... er.. Queen of Spades

Another police fiasco to divert attention from the last one

At school we used to play a card game called 'Black Maria' (apt, considering).

The objective was not to get landed with penalty cards. But if you did, then there was a chance at redemption by getting them all, plus the Queen of Spades, winning by being totally awful as opposed to totally 'good' (I won't say skilled, as flipping to the dark side does take some... considerably).

This seems to be the new scorched earth policy I am seeing, from our government (especially with money, but also ethics) to, as you suggest, its instruments, who seem to have learned the best way out of a mess is to make a bigger one. Worrying about end points is so next year, after the pension is index-linked or the career protected via 'no accountability' systems.

And, as with Black Maria, the only way to succeed is with the complicity of others not cooperating or pursuing minor selfish interests.

For shame the political system. For shame the MSM.

Be afraid, be very afraid

Just had to write to SKY...

I note from your news interview that Peter 'Call me Lord' M, says 'He's not going to have people...'

In light of the slide in democracy, freedom of speech and legal process he and his fellow GOATs have and still are overseeing, does he know something the rest of us don't... yet?

Addenda (as they seem to fit):

Guardian - While we suffer, the box-tickers will continue to prosper

Times - The toothbrush fairy: a £3,000 council non-job

Looks can kill cred

What did Jeremy Bowen do wrong?

Having by told of the terrible situation that resulted in one of Mr. Bowen's colleagues dying at the hands of the IDF, and in less than ideal circumstances for any of the protagonists, his views are quite understandable on a personal level.

However, professionally-speaking, when checking out CVs for objective suitability, I am pretty sure Aunty may opt for a near Somalian relative of a recently deceased Capt. Omar Sparrow to be hired to head up the editorial of the Washington bureau. Or the Guardian to get Damien Green on board for a balanced view of political blogging.

As 'Call me Lord' M has pointed out, looks can kill cred.

Spectator - The Facade Cracks

Questions, questions

Sifting the web wheat from the net chaff

How many cosy, well-paid MSM journalists sift through the huge amount of material from PRs, especially publicly-funded ones, and bother to check out what is even true and therefore worthy of publication... before rushing to air/print?

Hew close to the line, and even if the truth hurts, let the chips fall where they may.

This will form part of my next unenhanced narrative, but slightly events interpreting blog:) Race you to two comments (not counting duplicate blogs).

Evening Standard - Health warning: rumours in cyberspace may seriously damage your credibility

Context is all. Apparently.

Worthy of note that the Indy seems to think this front page stuff:

Bowen 'breached rules on impartiality'

However, I was intrigued by this subhead:

'..former director-general says top journalists should not be undermined'

...as in being picked up on being 'top' more at getting facts either wrong or changing them to suit their personal emerging truth, enhanced narrative or interpreted event and flying in the face of any definition of professional, objective reporting?

"Jeremy has got a very difficult job to do in very difficult circumstances and this does not make it any easier."

Making the life of a propagandist in the guise of a national broadcaster's senior editor is not really something I want encouraged, frankly.

'... if most of his journalism was put under that degree of scrutiny, then it wouldn't stand up. I think we all know that to be true."

Why wouldn't it 'stand up' if it was good journalism. Truth, well told, and all that? As with Smeargate, the MSM and its news 'stars' and apologists seem to be trying defend their version of truth against one most of us recognise, which are facts and balanced commentary supported by well-researched and unsubstantiated support materials.

Not what 'they' 'think' in a twisted personal version of 'context'.

For me it's sod all to do with Israel, pro or con, but simple judgement on what our national broadcaster views as a smart call on who represents their brand in a specific area of expertise.

A bit like getting a near Somalian relative of a recently deceased Capt'n Omar Sparrow to take over as the BBC's Washington correspondent.

QUOTE OF THE DAY - Looks can kill

Memo to Labour: please think about how it looks

"Please be mindful about how this looks."

Gould is 22. Her father is Philip Gould, the pollster who can count himself as one of New Labour's founders. Straight out of Oxford and currently a postgrad student at the LSE, her wafer-thin CV includes some work on Barack Obama's election campaign, and a part-time job at Tony Blair's Faith Foundation

Credit where due.

I feel I have witnessed some actual reporting going on after a long while of narratives being enhanced and events interpreted.

However, it still feels quaint that even as I write, the great a good of Labour are still saying 'What Gordon needs to do now...' as if yet another set of deckchairs will make any difference as he sets his moral compass on the next iceberg.

And I doubt having a pretty new thing singing along to the band form the creche is going to help too much, especially when any passengers not already a tad miffed find out she has no clue on anything and is merely there to grab a place on the lifeboats until the next boat comes along.

Sgt. Braun or Gordon Klink?

Row as Number 10 emails 'smear Tories'

Looking at a quote and taking it out of context while dropping stuff that does not and adding what does assist the narrative (I am learning from the mistress, Aunty), I am minded of a laughable character with a manic grin from the 60's US TV...

tvacres.com

'The Prime Minister knows nothing...' nothing!

So remind me, as the boss of a company, what are my responsibilities (as imposed by various empowered, fine-wielding quangos?) for 'juvenile and inappropriate emails exchanged by (senior) staff', who happen to be heading up the spin-machine, 'sent to a [Tory-unsympathetic] blog'. Dodgy or just daft? Either way, truly a nasty-nanny-state, Government Of All Talents-herd.

'Veeeery interesting... but stupid'.

metafilter.com

To be fair, even the BBC is weighing in quite heavily as I type. Lots of disclaimers, but WW1 mine's worth of mud flying about.

Much concern on the source, mind. Anyone but the ones who need to pop the pills left with loyalty in the bunker?

Order-Order - Note update about BBC version - The BBC have an anonymous Downing Street source claiming that no-one else in Downing Street besides Damian knew about all this - simply not true and contradicted by the evidence.

Iain Dale

Indy - No 10 apology over 'juvenile' emails

Daily Mail - Downing Street aide quits after writing 'smear' emails about top Tories' private lives
- mind you, what shotgun has ever had crosshairs?

Guardian - Damian McBride caught in a spin over smear campaign emails - Bring themselves to mention it... just. So far, so tucked away. 'It left many political journalists who saw it feeling uncomfortable.' Being whom, these delicate flowers?

Cripes... took a while, but I knew the Guardian would (have to) mention this latest indiscretion somewhere.

Interesting to bring up Ms. Thatcher, and to see who her ex-employer and remaining employees handle discussion around a private conversation between colleagues whilst at the workplace.

So many on the payroll; so many standards.

Darn it, another evening explaining Animal Farm to the kids.

Guardian - Our diverse blog nation - Bless! And now it looks like the blog posts on the one above have been pulled:)

As has this one.

Else I'd have opined that while diversity,passion and belief are always nice, they ain't what get me to the popular blogs. Oddly, these also tend not to be 'funded' in some way by others than the guys running 'em. Oh, and having slightly more sense of humour than a po-faced Siberian Commissar down to his/her last bottle of vodka might be a plus.

BBC - No 10 official quits over e-mails - 'It's a high price to pay isn't it for sending a silly e-mail to a mate, to lose your job.'
BBC - No 10 'smear' messages published -
BBC - McBride's resignation statement in full -
BBC - Do political blogs have any sway? - Bears, woods. Pope, Catholic. 'Truth', enhanced narrative.

Order-order - McPoison’s Going is Good for Political Standards
Order-order - APRIL 12TH, 2009
NoTW - Vicious and vile - but worth a few ratings!

Order-order - 'Stephen Pound says Guido is laughing all the way to the bank - actually Guido gave the story to the News of the World and the Sunday Times for pleasure not profit. '

Has this man been held to account, especially by the news persons interviewing him? I would expect nothing less from a professional news broadcaster... paid for, or 'uniquely funded'.

Telegraph - McBride-Draper: All the Prime Minister's Men

Mirror - Spare Us the Hypocrisy - Everyone's favourite talking head... apparently.

Quick, Mr. Maguire, get your people to call the BBC's people to get you on to 'comment' in the next 'news' slot in the safety zone. I think you are need of some support, paid for by the taxpayer.

So far, all I am reading - and not just in the blogs that so scare you pandered Westminster Village Useful Idiots - suggest the blogosphere is where you get information (if not always objective, but if the cap fits) and verifiable facts, whereas you and your ilk are bashing out as much innuendo on irrelevancies by way of sad 'counters' as you can be fed by some political machine that's spinning out of control.

'Spare Us the Hypocrisy'. Indeed... indeed.

Hope the next job is appropriate to your qualifications.

Telegraph - Damian McBride scandal: Fatal flaws of the PM's pitbull

Telegraph - Damian McBride and Derek Draper: I suspect I was one of their targets -

'Derek Draper, after all, was the man wheeled out to trash my speech on the BBC and on Channel 4'

The choice of 'uniquely funded' media being, in themselves, 'very interesting... '

As for Mr. Maguire, Everyone's favourite talking head... apparently.

Not doing so well on his own blog at the 'mo. Best he gets his people to call the BBC's people to get him on to 'comment' in the next 'news' slot in the safety zone. I think he may be in need of some support, paid for by the taxpayer, natch.

So far, all I am reading - and not just in the blogs that so scare the pandered Westminster Village Useful Idiots - suggest the blogosphere is where you get information (if not always objective, but if the cap fits) and verifiable facts, whereas the MSM are bashing out as much innuendo on irrelevancies by way of sad 'counters' as can be fed by some political machine that's clearly spinning out of control.

As Mr. Maguire ironically headlines: 'Spare Us the Hypocrisy'. Indeed... indeed.

Why the likes of the BBC are using my money to give voice to such folk and their baseless tittle tattle (it's not just gossip, it's specially briefed gossip) as opposed to verifiable facts is beyond me.

Telegraph - New Labour dies horribly on Maguire's Mirror blog - As for our Kevin, it's efficient I guess. A resignation/suicide note from his current...er... 'job, combo'd with the best box-ticking application one could craft to get the HR guys at Aunty fast-tracking him to 'Kevin's Kiddies' on CBBC, when he helps our youth think the 'right' way.

YouTube - Downfall - Brilliant!

Guardian - The Labour rottweiler who attacked the wrong target - Oldwrinkly 12 Apr 09, 3:51pm I see that the Guardian quietly removed all comments posted on this subject in yesterdays edition.Has the No. 10 hotline been ringing?

Phew, I thought I just imagined writing stuff to complement hundreds of others, only see it all vanish.

Interesting, but stupid.

Along with the actions of some other last, loyal Rottweilers in the bunker (the latest 'Downfall' is ace, BTW).

Quick, Messrs. Maguire, White (sorry, make that Sir. Michael.. what was that for services to again?), get your people to call the BBC's people to get you on to 'comment' in the next 'news' slot in the safety zone. I think you are need of some support, paid for by the taxpayer.

So far, all I am reading - and not just in the blogs that so scare you pandered Westminster Village Useful Idiots - suggest the blogosphere is where you get information (if not always objective, but if the cap fits) and verifiable facts, whereas you and your ilk are bashing out as much innuendo on irrelevancies by way of sad 'counters' as you can be fed by some political machine that's spinning out of control.

And in defence of Sgt. 'He knows nothing, nothing...' Brown of Nu Labour's Heroes. At least he has some experience in not seeing holes being dug all around him.

Telegraph - Why we all love and cherish Dolly Draper -

Whilst all delicious, I am concerned how I am having to fill my hard drive up with entire post/page grabs before they get deleted, closed or plain vanish.

Don't the MSM realise the power of censorship revealed in all its self-interested shame?

Telegraph - Telegraph Has Behaved Terribly Over Smeargate -

Telegraph - Yes, Derek Draper did get it wrong! -

Guardian - Gordon Brown's vicious side is now clear to the whole country - Hmnn. I (and I am sure many others) had missed that up 'til now. Ta for sharing. I feel cleansed by the belated apology as I did the previous association. Not.

Indy - A scandal that lifts the lid on the seamier side of spin - UK, pee hell, see

Times - A Labour plan to derail the Tories that went spinning out of control - Anyone seen the film based on Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness?

Times - Roll of Dishonour

Just watching SKY, with lesser-loathed Labour pol Mr. Alan Johnson on. The gap between him saying 'Damien...' (Omen 2?) and his surname was palpable. Any chance he hasn't used the latter in the last several years and had to recall it up quick?

Meanwhile, letters have been sent (hand written, in black felt tip! Woooo!), no doubt saying that lessons have been learned. This lot make what's happening in Thailand look almost a beacon of good governance.

I advise the prompt purchase of Nokia shares. There is going to be a shortage I suspect as our funds are used to cover those embedded like stucco in the walls of No. 10.

Sun - 'Mad Dog' was trained to maul

Just saw a Conservative MP on the BBC. Novel.

And after Hazel Blears perkily reading out from the excu.. crib sheet (bloggers are only corrosive if and when what they share is true, m'dear. And the job you lot have been getting on with is patently not one we the electorate are keen on being conned into funding), what a breath of fresh air Nadine Dorries was.

Even the order was interesting, as Ms. Dorries was allowed to demolish not only the logic of Mr. Brown's latest attempted 'get out of poo free' wheeze, but also one of the apologists sent out to polish it.

Fascinating how the MSM seems not to have noticed, or chosen to ignore that the raft of new 'measures' are pointless as what exists is and was fine.

They were just not used as they should have been. That, at least, should come as no surprise, at least to those of us outside the bubble. Odd thing about bubbles is... they can be seen through easily.

Note to BBC producers, editors, reporters and talking heads: sticks and stones may indeed hurt your bones, but in politics words only hurt when they are the truth.

Telegraph - Gordon Brown apologises - another blogging milestone

Telegraph - Gordon Brown draft apology: blog crisis is global

Times - The Brown cabal motto: smears, not ideas - 'We...'?

Evening Standard - Brown is besieged by Labour big guns - 'et tu, Frank?'

Daily Mail - Brown's 'apology' letter wasn't heartfelt, says Tory MP caught up in email scandal - What's thick, white and impossible to comprehend?

BBBC - But expect to see normal service resumed by the weekend with the return of Marr, Robinson, Crick and so on.

Indeed. Their blogs will be 'interesting', as their loooong, school hols absence has been noted, even by cheerleaders. Not that they even proof read what they write, much less reply to be called out on what they do pen in barely credible thin, black 12-point.

Must catch the Newsnight.

Mixing farmyard metaphors, I saw a round-up last night with startled rabbit in headlights which I think was one of our country's cabinet GOATs being nailed for being dumb enough to trot out, a previously tried, now totally untrusted and discredited line from Mandy's Book of Best Dismissals, namely 'We think it's time to draw a line under this trivial affair, and get back to the job of...'

The response was something like 'Well, we've had a succession of Labour's great and good (or is that greed and gutless?) trotted out saying the same damn thing this evening, and our audience doesn't seem to think it's that trivial and whatever job it is you think you are doing, many would rather you stopped'

They may be rats, but it seems someone has superglued their tails to the Captain's coat-tails as he looks for the next iceberg to ram.

Newsnight - 'The government wants to draw a line...'

Would this be a thick, felt-tip line?

Support for our knows-nothing PM is quaintly loyal to the 'Gordon they know' (um, 'very well'... so that's OK then) and they love, but one wonders who superglued these GOAT's tails to the coat-tails of Dear Leader as he looks for another iceberg to ram with, sadly, the ship in a state that the British electorate are currently reluctant passengers upon.

Love the VO following Frank Field's thoughts. 'Gordon Brown's critics, however...'

However? If what he said was supportive, I'd hate to hear anything not helpful.

Mind you, the notion that all this will be resolved by Gordon Brown 'bringing in' team B, with him still at the head of it, is risible. This moral compass he has seems to only point at the next iceberg! Are we doomed to follow him to oblivion? Is our system of governance so rigid that nothing can be done to spare us from the paranoid Madness of PM G?

And any notion that the spinning genies released from these various odious bottles can be corked, much less unhired, is as daft as pretending nukes can be un-invented.

And will political leaders stop telling me what I think or want. They have no blooming clue what... no... let's just leave it at 'they have no blooming clue'.

Indy - Former Labour ministers blame Brown for email smear fiasco - yet current ones see him as the best man for the job of steering them clear?

Indy - Frank Field: A necessary government information machine, corrupted by spin -

BBC - Slur MP condemns No 10 'cesspit' -

Spectator - A Blogger's Notebook

Just the facts, man

I am intrigued as to how (the why is obvious) the MSM is allowed (well, that's pretty obvious too) to get away with the odd notion that what 'they' deal in is objective truth, whilst anything from the blogosphere is gossip, tittle-tattle, etc.

Especially, and quite clearly, when it's completely the other way around.

At almost any turn, what I see from the MSM is agenda dressed up as fact, from blatant spin to the selection of deniable interviewees such as Stephen Pound who can spout whatever they feel like unchallenged.

And such as the Guardian seem to have stuck it as far back in the online section as they can, with some blogs 'closed' early when things seem to be less to their tastes. I am not betting on a BBC HYS any time soon.

One thing seemingly ignored by all these 'reporters' and 'commentators' is to what extent most, if not any of these bits of information from such as Guido are in way inaccurate which, surely, is fairly key, if in the process of being willfully obscured.

The truth hurts. Thank heavens.

Telegraph - Blogs have changed politics forever: good news for libertarians, bad news for Lefties

It's A view, certainly

SIR – The resignation of Bob Quick as Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police is another example of the growing trend for public figures to be forced to fall on their sword to meet the media demand for a scalp.
All too often, successful individuals at the top of their field are unfairly pressurised to quit.
The directors of Terminal 5, a superb airport, lost their jobs because the media lost their suitcases. The highly talented director of BBC Radio 2 lost her job for no other reason than that there was a media-created frenzy over Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross.
Surely, when mistakes are made, the smart thing to do is keep these people in post as they are better qualified to put things right in the future, rather than individuals being hounded out of office when in many cases they have done little or nothing wrong.
Mark Oaten MP (Lib Dem)
Winchester, Hampshire

Yes, Captain Smith.

Brownite

Inspired by a blog, I came up with a definition:

Brownite is similar to Kryptonite.

Seemingly green on the outside, but deepest in the red within, it is in fact made from the shards of a previously destroyed civilisation, and when brought near anyone of competence or anything of promise sucks the very life out of it, leaving a powerless husk.


Telegraph - McBride-Draper: All the Prime Minister's Men

If they keep learning lessons, how come they keep scr**ing up?

On SKY I saw `Dear Leader' ramble on for a while about the various student visa'd tinkers roaming our countryside, and he actually managed to trot out 'lessons have been learned' for the ninety-nth time, again.

Maybe that is the theory, as those words, and the other tripe he came out with, blaming everyone but the sorry system he has presided over for over a decade (how the heck can you figure it's up to a geographically vast, leaky bordered 3rd world shambles to police who decides to leave their shores, versus what our happy campers in immigration decide to stick out the welcome mat to????) simply showed him up for the human loss of plot that he is.

QUOTE OF THE DAY - Will be looked into?

Maybe someone else needs to 'retire' early on full pay for gross incompetence?

Just watching a piece from Basra by SKY that I imagine would not fit with the BBC 'GB:bad, BO:good' enhanced narrative.

My favourite quote was from a local copper: 'I was just talking to a British officer and he says we're safer here now than in Manchester'.

Amazing what a decade of Labour rule, with GOAT's such as Jacquie Smith in charge under BBC-endorsed 'leaders' such as Mr. Brown, can achieve, eh?

Look Mum, no brains!

Politics Today

Another O/T, but I think it has been established that there are a diminishing number of places left on our £3.4B, multi-10's of thousand-strong national, news media cutting-edge broadcaster to comment on matters of daily significance for large chunks of the year...

But post Caroline Flint, with the latest Quick revelations, might we need to again reassess the oft trotted out phrases 'Lessons have been learned'?

Or perhaps encourage more vastly expensive awaydays for senior pols and other public servants who clearly don't, in this GOAT (Gov Of All Talents) herd we're all funding.

This time to get across, paraphrasing John Travolta's character in Broken Arrow, that they should 'please avoid showing the the world's press the Top Secret documents you have been reading when you get out of the car'.

I can only hope that this is, in fact, a clever con.

Otherwise, the label 'laughing stock' seems inadequate in the face of a life of tax-payer-funded ease as a reward thereafter.

SKY - Not so quick - and reading the comments, that might apply to some in the media, too.

All the news that's... well, not worth mentioning

Improving Brown's domestic political prospects?

199. At 08:44am on 09 Apr 2009, Dorset_wurzel : Can someone tell me why is it that the BBC cannot maintain a political blog over the Easter recess?

Well, not anyone in a senior position at Aunty, as I am sure ALL are off on school hols for a few weeks.

I wonder how many of us in the country are 'off' for Easter recess for much more than this Friday to Monday?

And, more specifically, in the more commercially concerned MSM where they get paid for news discussed over this period.

Maybe the BBC is just hoping that nothing 'newsworthy' will take place to be discussed, or if it does it can be blustered away as such if held to account.

Bottom Dollar

Just watched a BBC piece about a Panorama expose on care homes.

With another 'not acceptable'/'times are tight'/'Look into it' LGA spokesperson.

Sorry, but any senior public servant can't see the connection with always going for the lowest bid and a consequent potential for disaster needs firing.

It begs the question as to what any bidding process is for, and what it consumes in resources almost without point.

I believe that somewhere there is the golden-indexed person whose career and pension blossomed on the cost savings of considering ships such as HMS Sheffield didn't need fire-breaks in ducting.

Pay peanuts get monkeys? In the UK we seem to be paying through the nose for an entire troupe of shaved fat cats.

The only hope is one day they end up in the very facilities they have caused to flourish.

BBC - Britain's Homecare Scandal

No of which is spoken

Newsnight

'..emotionally stunted, inarticulate hedonists, with the attention span of a gnat. '

Looking at most of today's political 'elite', and the chatterati remoras in their company, I was surprised to read on and find this was actually about our kids.

Sorry 'yet another over-titled person', and those who see ratings and profit on getting on aboard the latest sweeping cause du jour espoused, but my two are just fine.

So enough of the 'we'. But you lot have much to answer for, for sure.

Addendum: Note the blog reply pointing out that her media claimed qualifications may in fact not be as articulated. An all too common event, one presumes to aid agendas.

Telegraph - Our society is indeed broken - but at the top, not the bottom

Babadababa... that's all... folks!

I applaud that it was raised for discussion at all, but have to say that, too often, when the bouffant or frock or whoever say, all important-like, 'that's all we have time for' to cut off a decent thread, I often end up asking of the one-eyed monster, Emperor's New Clothes-stylee: 'Why? Who made it a rule? Why is the system more important than developing a decent story to a conclusion?'
Frankly it comes across more as a simple, crass method of control.

Time waits for no man...

But we asked him one question too many. And his answer was a lot longer than we anticipated.

Might the solution be a sensible time allotment at the end of the show for trivia that may simply be dropped?

It's not like a breaking event doesn't find things are made way for.

I'm sorry, but too often I have found a good piece of news and or interviewing cut by the dread phrase 'that's all we have time for', which is basically rubbish. It's the end of a slot that has been assessed as part of a mixture of pieces deemed to make up the character of the programme, with egos and balances and pre-scheduled rigidity, and it takes a lot of effort and sulks to change.

All the more so when the time is subsequently dedicated to a skateboarding turtle. Or ads for a select cabal of on tap execs and their brands, no matter how much the 'scoop' of getting them. A free national audience is worth a lot, which the BBC would do well to remember as much as these guys' producer-on-speed dial PR agencies do.

But kudos for at least raising the issue. Shame only two so far have seen it, or at least seen fit to engage. Usually it gets lost on Newswatch before anyone wakes up at the weekend.

QUOTE OF THE DAY - Details, details...

Jacquie Smith, Home Secretary, referring on BBC Breakfast to her mistakes and expense claims: '... for some reason, some folk keep focusing on the details..'

Heaven forfend the legal system she is a major part of should ever focus on the details!

Telegraph - Jacqui Smith admits 'serious mistake' over expenses

Telegraph - Eric Pickles has never partaken of the John Lewis list

'Over both sets of limitish, orificer?. Speeding and drunk? Now what limits would they be? Just...details!

Guardian - Parliament at 25% off?

Nice to see Dear Leader still has his hand firmly around the tiller of his ship of foo...GOATS.

QUOTE OF THE DAY - Out of the mouthes of ba..

'Terrorist suspects are claiming 'job seekers' allowance'

If proven of course, but knowing any false info on experience and qualifications is illegal and hence really frowned on (Like with North Korea, a stern finger wave may follow), I'd be interested in seeing the evidence of job applications made.

QUOTE OF THE DAY - Busy doing nothing...

...nothing the whole day through...

Rich & Mark’s Monday Morning View

8 - (unconfirmed as yet) 'Our illustrious PM - in his role as Global Finance Minister and Saviour of the World has let it be known to the media that he is far too involved working for “hard-pressed British families” - to get involved in such minor matters as this !!!'

It’s a bit hard to do all the big stuff he so loves to wallow in when he has no moral authority or mandate from his electorate to do so, and especially when all those he is dealing with know it and are having trouble not peeing their pants laughing when he gets up there and starts waffling about ‘I…’ and ‘how he’s saved the world’. I am amazed he doesn’t come off the podium with a sign taped to his back.

That’s the thing about leadership… you need to do it by example. When the example you and you GOAT’s set is 180 degrees to what is demanded of your peons, and gets shown up daily as such… you’ve lost it. Make that them…: the plot, credibility, etc, etc. And, er, votes. The Labour Party is writing every poster the Conservatives (whoever, and wherever they are - is Daniel Hannan the only one who goes out to highlight these Titanic idiots? Speaking of which, I just got a hilarious email from John Prescott via the presciently-titled ‘Go Fourth’, rallying the troop to see if they can hit the 2M barrier by playing the man and another argument in the hope that something brown and smelly might stick)) require… using simply their own words.
It worked out OK at Nuremberg for a few vons, mind: ‘Don’t bother me with a few silly folk and their issues with forced labour… I have a V2 to build’

An unlikley source of sense?

Crowe's frank assessment of the press

Worth a listen.

Mr. Marr not too keen to look at the role of broadcast media, and maybe those in state versions married to print 'journalists' who as couples enjoy cosy relationships with those upon whom they are supposed to report... um.... objectively.

MAD

Just listening to President Obama talking in Prague.

Heart may well be in the right place, but on nukes he seems to have neglected the fact that some genies are out of bottles.

Also, he seems not to have heard of the concept of mutually assured destruction.

Admittedly that worked only with leaders in states that wished to survive and thrive, which with some in the Middle East and North Korea might not be the case, but I can't really say I agree that having 'em means using 'em, at least in the terms he tried to suggest.

But he certainly has the kiddies in the square in his pocket. Who knows? Maybe it will work. I just hope they get the right feeds, and messages, in Islamabad and Pyongyang. Mind you, even if 'they' do, I'm not so sure their people, who are often not an electorate, will.

I'm sure Neville Chamberlain meant well, too. And for a while enjoyed basking in the glow of being everyone's favourite pacifist. Especially Hitler.

Ironic that he's making this speech in Prague. Or maybe deliberate? Or just tempting fate.

Telegraph - North Korea claims 'victory' over rocket launch as UN deadlock continues

Telegraph - Barack Obama can't make rogues like North Korea play by his rules - what goes down (like a lead balloon), might go up... sadly

Gaurdian - With a rocket, Obama's hope is shot back down to earth - By way of payback, who reads this far? Balances out. Hold that thought.

I guess some just HOPED others would CHANGE.

Meanwhile, the nuke genie gets uninvented and pops back in the bottle.

Me, I just think the whole thing is MAD:)

Addendum:

Telegraph - Japan 'should develop nuclear weapons' to counter North Korea threat - Oooooo....k.

Hoon!

Not his fault. The name I mean.

As to the rest...

Order Order - Sunday Sleaze Hoon Special - subtle
Daily Mail - Three homes Hoon: Iraq war Minister claimed expenses on one home, rented out second ... and lived in third for free
Indy - Geoff Hoon's three homes: Total cost, next to nothing - I wonder if it ever flitted though his mind to wonder, as he signed off on all this, how such amounts equated to, oh, I don't know... body armour, or perhaps damp-proofing for service family homes?

BBC on footy at the mo, so I decided to catch SKY as I work on the PIP, until Andrew Marr has on some chums to tell us what is newsworthy or not mentioned (unless with a sneer).

Just watched Henry Kelly demolish Jaquie Smith's 'defence' of herself in one paper (Times I think (actually Telegraph) - she changes tune so often she could be a tea-dance jukebox - hope she has a good lawyer... oops probably above the law) and take us through the 'House she built' in the Express(?)... and others.... many others... many, many others......many, many, many others.

All the talents indeed. Just not those I really favour for those tasked with leading, especially by example.

However, I imagine we will be treated to more 'acceptable' programming by the national disgr... er.. broadcaster.

Telegraph - Jacqui Smith talks frankly about those adult films

Proxy Servers

The report on the Brand/Ross/Sachs 'affair' raised a question on a blog:

But how many other BBC shows are set up this way? It would be interesting to find out.
04.04.09 - 8:50 pm |

Indeed. The proxy procedure is an 'interesting', if worrying one throughout the politico-media establishment, from quangos that offer hands-off control to government, to ringers brought in by the media to 'assist' with the agenda.

This one was just, if you'll forgive the term, a cock-up, if based on a flawed system created and run by market rate talents with the mindset of toddlers with the keys to the sweetie store.

However, every time a single, sympathetic 'journalist' is 'invited' on to 'comment' (did we ever learn more about the 'Tory mole conspiracy' regarding the Cabinet 'high on the hog' expense claims CDRs, as raised by a single source and then 'interpreted' on air to little challenge by an MSM commentator?) these days, I fear the age of objectivity is long gone.

Ah, I love the smell of naked tribalism in the evening

The BBC is all that stands between us and the nympho dwarves
If the anti-BBC brigade want a taste of a world without the licence fee, they should try TV in the US

Is 'anti-BBC brigade' one of those nifty catch-alls like 'climate deniers', which cobble together any and all into a conveniently pejorative group that keeps the group-think groupies happy, but actually just lazy or, in the case of 'professional' 'journalism', so vague and sloppy as to be meaningless.

It puts those who use it in good company, mind. Last time I heard 'if you are not with us you're against us', it was from a certain President who was not so in favour.

There is much to commend in the BBC's output, which reflects well on the staff who care enough to do a good job producing it.

But there is also much, waaaaay too much, that I personally believe crosses all sorts of lines, from taste that is not 'edgy', to 'enhanced narratives' that blow objectivity clean out of the water.

And as I am forced to co-fund all this, and see it getting more egregious, at the very least I would like the right to comment, and even look at alternatives to influencing poor service delivery standards that seem currently locked in Arthur Dent's Council's filing cabinet. I can change my MP, the guy that helps keep my country running, much more easily, and at more regular intervals, which tends to keep him... responsive (just had the latest 'Sod off, we're right, you're wrong, and what can you do about it? But we'll raise it at the next sensitivity training' reply from Aunty's ever-farcical complaints bot).

In the real world, the one where income generators only get paid if folk voluntarily fork out money for what they do (not including funded and/or subsidised luvvy commercial 'businesses' ), the argument that things shouldn't be criticised or, heaven forfend, fail, for not delivering to customer expectations, especially on the basis that others, elsewhere, are 'worse', is a pretty shaky one to kick off with.

And having watched BBC... ahem... 'news' this morning, I'd have to say that amongst the skateboarding turtle levels of 'events interpretation' I was treated to, a nymphomaniac dwarf might have elevated the standard considerably.

Only, human. Barely.

Aussie PM Rude Bully of Air Hostess

Needs preserving. I doubt it will make most media, especially some with a highly selective notion of what is and isn't newsworthy when it concerns their mates, though it should.

It also adds another new weasel to the lexicon: 'I'm only human'. Odd, being arude bully to this extent would get most a rather more robust reaction I'd hazard.

I get really political

I know what I like.

I also know what I don't.

I have no clue who I will... can vote for (they are all a shambles), but all I know is that there is one lot that has to not only lose, but lose in a way that their efforts at control over the last decade are shown up by those at the wrong end of them in the only way a democracy can.

Closed for comments - the new censorship?

Why do they bother?

I went back several to see where one can wish him well... all now closed.

Au revoir

You gotta feel for the guy. I think the other day he and Paul Mason had to get up at 5am!!!! And then they had trouble getting to work!!!!

Sadly, as my kids are on hols for a few weeks I will be working pretty much the whole time, but Good Friday will be nice.

It would appear the entire BBC news operation is now off not expending carbon, so a good few weeks to bury bad news or let un-newsworthy things pass by.

Oddly, comments closed before they started:

There have been no comments made here yet.

This entry is now closed for comments

Bless.

Telegraph - Lefties feel threatened by the internet

On the QC...

The BBC...uh, whose money is it ? Voters can stop it, no ?
Chris long April 03, 2009 11:52 PM GMT

You'd think... hope. But I have much more chance of serving notice for dire performance on my elected representative every few years than I have have had, do or will have with the state prop... broadcaster. At least I can pull my enforced funding from one via the ballot to express... concern.

For the rest... there's The Trust. You should read their latest publication, which is pretty satisfied with the way the licence fee is 'collected'.

The blogosphere must never let down its guard, as it is rapidly becoming the only source of material from which you can hope to acquire a decently informed, balanced view.

The next few weeks on Aunty will be a good time to bury or ignore news, as all their 'reporters' seem to be off on carbon-free (I'm sure) school hols.

Mr. Nick Robinson has been kind enough to share this on his blog, and doubtless needs a rest having had to get up early these last few days, and getting inconvenienced getting to work by all those beastly common folk who run events that can't tell hoi poloi from media legends.

Speaking of tools, it is interesting that one used more and more by some keen on comment being free, but some freer than others, is the 'now closed' button.

From CiF to HYS, it seems to be unleashed erratically, but often when things are not going quite according to narrative. Or even to pre-empt matters.

Mr.Robinson's latest, rather ironically, has 'closed for comment' before any can be made.

Says it all really. Or, rather, when it suits, doesn't.

BBC - Bloggers enter the lion's den -

Saturday - BBC Breakfast 'News' - A review

I have PIP on my PC and watch the 'news' as I work in the morning (two licence fees?). If I forget the night before to reset the satellite it seems to default to BBC.

Just watched Click, and very useful it was, too. Also looking forward to the Newswatch Mea Never Culpa with Uncle Ray and sulky guy in a blue shirt and brown blazer. If only to see whether they don't mention my complaint again.

However, the rest was... is, so far a trial.

Action Man - some lady from some funded 'charity' saying our kids will grow up psychos 'cos the MoD is letting Mattel trot out an upgraded soldier doll. Charlie State (who I actually think can ask some nifty questions at times) says 'he wasn't allowed one'. Probably on his CV and why he sailed through the job app. I had four. Spent all day in the garden digging trenches and making combat vehicles out of Meccano. But I wonder if Click will mention Call of Duty 4, where my kids now blow guys up on TV as opposed to with dolls. Much better now, I'm sure. At least I drew the line at Grand Theft Auto.

Michelle Obama - at some school with a mic reading a piece of paper to a carefully selected audience. Tears in her eyes. Mine too.

Jade - I think the coverage so far today should get some kind of an award, and the 'reporter' a pay rise for keeping a straight face.

Starvation - another charity has another bit of research, where people with 60" HD TVs can't afford healthy food for their kids, doubtless to deliver through the railings as schools force the little loves to eat lard-flavoured crisps.

Obama - he. is. the Big 'O"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw his speech yesterday, and can't deny the skill of the stage-managed oratory. But where are the legitimate questions on substance? This is not E! It's meant to be political news.

As comedy, with a hint of tragedy, it is almost worth it. Almost.

At least some can still laugh

I, of course, include myself.

Order Order - Friday Caption Comp

Spend, spend, spend!*

*Yours. Not ours.

Junkk.com - Two E's and a Big 'O'

Meanwhile, back at the £-fairy's money mine

BBC fined £150,000 over Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross phone prank scandal

The 'let's now put it all behind us' brigade in full cry.

A few, oddly, myself included, not so sure.

It's been said (well, by those who do seem to have the wit to wonder where money goes these days), but just what, in the great quango-funding, mutual pocket-p*ssing scheme of things does a 'fine' that the licence fee payers fund achieve?

Next we'll be fining hospitals that kill patients because they don't have enough money for actual medicine 'cos they've blown it all on compliance managers... oh.

But no, we should not talk about such things, I am sure.

BBBC - Not keen either. With a few links to follow

Telegraph - The BBC is fined some small change over Russell Brand

Telegraph - Fine Jonathan Ross, not the BBC

Indy - And so we pay again for Ross and Brand

'Old news'. 'Draw a line' and 'Move on'. All we need next is 'not newsworthy' and there's the latest set.

Where do I keep hearing those terms?

Oh yes, from the nu-politico-media establishment and various cheerleaders, when caught with hands in till, knickers round ankles, etc, usually when some they feed off don't feel that doing nothing or, in this case, letting further injury to insult pass without comment, is unwarranted.

It's our money, and it's still (just) a free country, so if someone wishes to write about it and others feel like agreeing, then I'd say those who are lobbing toys out of prams might try wondering who are the true libertarians.

Unlike the BBC, you can opt not to buy the Indy, and this blog is actually free. So to serve back, as a pretty cold dish, the argument trotted out by some logic dodgers at the time, you can always choose not to engage and decline to tune in. But then, telling others how to think all the time seems an irresistible urge in some quarters.

Guardian - Ofcom's Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross fine serves the BBC right -

1,000,000,000,000

I think.

However, all is well...

Chancellor of the World

A meeting held on our soil and some very rich, very out of touch guys agree to agree for once. And the host gets some nice thank you notes from those who attended. And some plaudits that seem... excessively partisan from a few quarters.

I am always a little intrigued as to where these vast sums of money are coming from... and going to. And while the global financial industry is probably a critical part of my way of life, some salaried, index-linked pol handing telephone directories to some salaried, indexed-linked banker looking after the odd dodgy dictator we flog arms to is not quite getting me as damp around the nethers as some 'journalists' and headline-writing sub-editors around the MSM. Maybe you had to be there. Which most of us in the real world were not.

Just whose pensions pot is this amount 'Gordon' is 'giving' on our behalves coming from? You can't sell what you don't own, and in this regard the credibility of the self-serving politco-media establishment is pretty much shot in this household at least. I can still vote one lot out every few years, at least. Not too sure how I deal with the rest.... yet.

The Trillion Dollar Man?

Update 14:23: He's done it.
Gordon Brown has got his trillion.

Just wanted to see what it looked like all on its own.
I'm pretty sure the other 32 awaiting moderation might have noted it to.

Now I am of to find out what the real news, in actual context, is. And how it affects the pockets of those not enjoying state salaries and pensions.

Daily Mail (I know, but... call it the other bookend) - Hubris, hoopla and claims that were false, cynical and very, very dangerous - The true story is that Gordon Brown seems to have corralled fellow leaders into perpetrating a gigantic collective fraud on world public opinion.

A BBC jounalist is inconvenienced...

... and turns to print. (I have spellchecked for him)

My Great British Summit Cock-up Hell

This three hour wait of course, and this level of hassle, rudeness and incomprehension by those in authority, is exactly what the poorest of the world have to put up with just to get into work, or get to a water source, every single day.

With the possible exception of the water source, I hate to break it to you (still inside the London 'bubble', see), but welcome to 'our' world!

...it imagined what Britain would look like if it became a bureaucratic collectivist dictatorship.

IF......!!!!!!!?

So, as somewhat redeemed by it, you can keep the last line.

Yours, one of (iv).

ps: And as we're into artistic warnings of the near future, you might want to hark back to what that V might stand for. Tony's kid can help.

ADDENDUM -

I am shocked... shocked I tell you, that some of our finest hacks had to get up early to get to work... and it was just an awful, frustrating time.

Now, who I wonder was in charge of this fine example of organisational skill.

Would Dear Leader have felt able to leave it, with fullest confidence, in the hands of his loyal Home Secretary? Or maybe all the GOATS nannied in.

Still, at least the glow from O left all who were bathed in awe and the better for it.

Not just Aunty. I had to point out to SKY's acolytes that lobbing up whenever you feel like it to a highly complex, orchestrated security-rich arrival scene was not 'casual' and 'laid-back' and 'cool', and maybe President Bush was not so much 'obsessive' as they alluded, but just polite and professional to the guys on the ground when he required things were run punctually. Not too hard, and no excuse not to, when the entire route is cordoned off.

The appeal of anarchy

Mutual Admiration Society

Speaking of gushing admiration....

Just finished watching the coverage, and discussion of 'the arrival'.

Including, his 'coolness', 'No drama Obama'. Your words.

I was interested about the lack of interest in protocol mentioned. Just breeze in and turn up. Very man of the people. And I can see how that has an appeal. Certainly playing well with some media.

Which rather leads one to suspect that we will soon have the interesting spectacle of spin doctors trying to 'arrange' a 'casual' approach in future.

Reminds me of the poster I saw in Singapore ('Spontaneity seminar: please make sure you book in advance').

Also one feels for the logistical planners for such as the motorcades when the whole sorry lot are in future vying to turn up when the feel like it rather than to schedule.

Casual... or just more chaos?

Reporting the news. Making the news. Creating the news.

G20: Exclusive snap! Idiot breaks bank window!!

Not April 1 is it? Links always help us poor bloggers retain their faith in the 'official' media.

Assuming it's for real, was there any 'interpreting of events' from our beloved national broadcaster, or were they still busy trying to post the marshaling points for all protesters unable to find their personal Warholian MSM biographer? One man's incitement is another's public service, I guess. What's the betting they set our 'hero' up to be championed by ex-DPM Prescott for his obvious initiative and embracing the nu values of this glorious country?

I am minded of a less than special part of our honeymoon on 'Safari', gadding about the Masai Mara in a jeep when the call came in... 'Lions!'

When we got there it turned out to be a leonine version of a Patpong live show, and about as interesting.

Did whip out the old SLR though, if only to take pictures of the 50-odd other jeeps full of tourists surrounding this sad affair.

I wonder if the shutterbug in this case was capturing the show, and just accidentally included his fellow audience?

Anyway, ta for the share. A picture can be worth 1,000 words. As can a cartoon. Try Brittania weeping as the 99th journo asks her 'How did you feel when... the public has a right to ratings-driven drivel!'

Greenbang - G20 wishes and Python dreams

Speaking of Airy Replies

Just had to write to the BBC:

There's a certain irony that, as Pres. Obama and some other guys do some stuff that will slot in climate change, which will doubtless get full support and coverage of the national news broadcaster, I have been watching an empty car parked outside a building for a long while now, filmed from various positions, including a helicopter. Why?