Matey, can you spare me our taxpayers' next 20p (x 10,000)

Newsnight

I have been trying to grasp the function of debt working successfully in capitalist/banking driven systems.

Seems it can, though I have always personally operated on a 'don't spend it if you cannot afford it' model.

But it seems this mysterious mechanism is mirrored in many ways with our media... at least some of it.

So much I hear is what I 'will' be told, derived from the gossip of 'reputable' sources, interpreted by 'serious' commentators who may or may not know the 'right' folk and/or be able to assess what they are saying is trustworthy.

Hence we seem to be in an era of news futures.

What if the PM did not end up saying what I was informed he 'would'?

Is it not more sensible to have news that goes out based on what 'is' as opposed to what, at best 'might be'?

Are the pols and some media so inter-twined that meeting a broadcast deadline seems to require making things up to avoid dead air: pre-PR PR?

In my business there is a saying: 'better to get it right than in a hurry'.

Though, so far, I am seeing neither promptness or accuracy from the politico-media establishment.

With the only victims being those whose pay and pensions are not under slightly different, and more secure systems.

I have also just had to write to the BBC Breakfast News to make a small but, to me at least, important point following an empathetic statement from Sian Williams:

That's '...how much MORE money the taxpayer is stumping up'.

I seem to recall we have already had our pockets dipped into already.

And Mr. Brown would be well advised to remember that they are not bottomless.

Addendum:

Just a thought (as I learn that 'we' are guaranteeing savings in Icelandic banks as their government isn't - can I get compo for my investing in a Zimbawean veteran's collective a few years back as they were offering 1000%?)...

If a major plank from our major planks is the principle that you don't give bonusses out as a matter of course to senior executives for overseeing p*ss-poor performances, might one wonder if that applies across the board?

Quangos, Local Authorities... a certain competition-free, yet commercially-active, publicly-funded, national broadcaster...?

I guess they couldn't really make a bigger hash than the gilded experts in the City, but I have to say I am not that encouraged that something cobbled together by some civil servant pen-pushers and a few pols of job-experience training is going to be that much better.

Gaurdian - Government to spend £50bn to part-nationalise UK's banks

Telegraph - Financial crisis: we need ministers who understand the City

Newsnight 2 - OK Prime Minister - what about the long term?

How to lose media folk and alienate voters even more...

'I asked them: "As you are the ultimate stewards of the financial system don't you owe the British people an apology for the fear, financial panic and silent bank run of the last 48 hours"

Gordon Brown told me that once I understood the long term aspect, the restructuring of the banking system involved here, I would "rethink the question".

I am none the wiser what all the rest meant, much less what our government is up to and how it will affect my family's future, but that little exchange is deffo joining a now sadly long and growing list I have (including gems such as pure conjecture being deemed 'emerging truths' and downright porkies being 'mis-speaking') of utter tripe ladled with obfuscation that I have ever heard.

As George Washington's Pop surveys the carnage in the garden and asks what the heck has happened, the wee moppet looks back and up, doe-eyed (or is that with a steely glint? Depends on your biographer, I guess) and, 'Poos... in Boots'-style, says: 'Let's just take a moment here, and once it has passed... and you have understood (you simple soul)... I am sure you will rethink the question'.

Don't know about 'sure', but the country is surely in some some slippery sets of hands.. oh... whoops!

Telegraph - Bank bail-out: Gordon Brown exposes the Tories at PMQs

Telegraph - Parliament fails again. So who will get answers for taxpayers?

BBC - Brown makes light of bank worries - It's good to laugh... for some, I guess

Aunty's sticky fingers

Rivals want limits set on Worldwide arm of BBC

I've kind of lost track of what about the BBC is public and what is commercial, but it does strike me that I am being forced to pay for an entity that uses my money to compete unfairly (using an unaccountable, bottomless pit of money) with me and my business interests, and employs folk (one R. Brand as a latest example) who seem able to push a political agenda - with the background of a major national news medium association - which may not best represent my views and/or wishes, and help my interests.

At least with the latter this will probably backfire as did the last attempt to impose UK media elite visions of what is 'right' by being from a total numptie. More pernicious is the drip, drip from reporting and editorial that long since gave up on accuracy or objectivity.

But when they don't need to operate to any rules or standards (even their own), and can flaunt anything they feel like without fear of censure or penalty in what is in theory their actual area of business, is it any wonder they are untroubled by any consequences of throwing their bottomless pot of public-provided dough around without any of the concerns others in the real commercial world have to bear in mind.

BBC - Review of TV licence fee tactics - Maybe they could call it a 'non-refundable, non-paying investment levy'?

Gaurdian - NEW - Should the BBC be curbed?

All the 'news' that's unfit

Personally I think they are as bad as each other, with different national traits adding only further unsavoury local twists, but here's an interesting transatlantic discussion of our media options:

Look across the pond for a lesson in listening to the people

To be sure, it resonates with its description of a political and media elite here who seem to think they know better than the people. Not being supported greatly by recent elections, I mght add.

Double speak

I just watched a Breakfast news 'report' on the Cabinet's jaunt to Birmingham.

How, in the name of all that is only gimmicky and lacking in substance, can this be described straight-faced by the political correspondent person as an attempt to show 'they are listening to the people'?

A bunch of pols and their entourages and media hangers-on and all the admin. and logistical and security screens take a time consuming and expensive trip between two different venues in the course of meeting each other and that's 'listening to the people'?

Of all the nonsense to learn from the EU, such a vast waste of almost everything in the name of silly gestures is the last thing we need, and a truly ridiculous example to set.

And should be highlighted as such , not PR'd.

BBC - Brown seeking to rally ministers

Newsnight

Whoopsie. Too late for today's meeting (does that mean what we get late evening) is locked down 12hrs previous? I think my local paper can better that).

Just a thought, but maybe something about the 'Caravan of all the talents' on its regional tour Brumwards to show the people (quote BBC news) 'that it is listening'.

I do wonder what a mobile bunker of ministers, staff, security and hangers on will actually hear, let alone pay attention to, but there you are.

Still a great example in these parlous financial and environmentally aware times, and as an exhortation to those that actually earn their pay to cut back and be more efficient it's waaay up there with our masters in the EU decamping betwixt two cities in their 4x4s or private trains just because some in the contingent need to let the chat out or leave a note to the homme du lait.

Times - NEW - Gordon Brown's gang goes back to school - Worked a treat, then:)

Don't cross Aunty

This provoked this response from a poster on a site I frequent. I thought it was a well-writtem, if personal critique.

Shame it didn't go down well.

I would be interested to find out how this comment was even deemed necessary for such moderation attention in the first place and, if it 'fails', why.

Methinks we do not protest enough

I am on a few 'activist' lists for enviro info.

More often than not this means I get emails drumming up support for all manner of protests which, frankly, are usually not for me.

However this one struck a chord:

Tom and Rita Glenister, Isitfair supporters, will be appearing before Hendon Magistrates Courts at 10am on Monday 15th September 2008
They have decided that the levy placed on the London council tax payers for the Olympic Games in 2012 is grossly unfair and that they will not pay. They are quite prepared to pay the rest of their council tax demand.

Tom tells me that they would be quite willing to pay this Olympic tax if it was collected across the country. The Government is very keen to call the London Games, 'The Nations Games', in which case the Nation should help to pay for them.

When:- Monday 15th September at 10.00am
Where:- Hendon Magistrates Courts, 19 The Hyde, Hendon, London
NW9 6LE

Leader of Barnet Council:- Mike Freer e mail cllr.m.freer@barnet.gov.uk

Mayor of London:- Boris Johnson e mail mayor@london.gov.uk

You know what to do. Please support Tom and Rita. Please no abusive e mails. If you can spare the time and live close by, please attend the court. Posters for downloading are on the website if you should want them

Not sure I will be hitting the streets, but I was gobsmacked to learn just how my old stomping ground has been lumbered with costs* they did not agree to in a less than fair manner by a bunch of pols and others who are not really going to have to personally deal with the consequences. Like too many things these days.

*If thrilled that I have been, so far, spared. So if the 'solution' is to make it fairer I might have a few things to say on that, too. Hey, the authorities can't win.

I'm guessing the grown-ups are still on hols

'Pit bull' joke not an ad-lib

This has lurked up here a few days so I think this example of sharpest writing deserves something to keep it company by way of lively debate.

But the others who have steered clear to now were making a good point, and that is this media brand really is becoming a slight parody of itself, especially with those they employ and/or give screenspace to.