Last time I remarked that Paul Reynolds was ‘wordy’ but ‘slanted’ in his journalism as he rode to the rescue of St. Koffi. There’s no doubt he’s a champion arse-coverer.
One of the notable things about the BBC’s website coverage is how individual articles are biased internally, while the general context of journalism (which few people appreciate) can be used to excuse a particular bias. For instance, Reynold’s latest offering presents Sen. Norm Coleman as simply ‘Republican’, and then places him firmly in a context of ‘neo-conservative’ criticism of St. Koffi. In another article Reynolds cleverly quotes Robert Novak (already presented as influential rightist) describing Coleman as ‘a born and bred liberal Democrat from Brooklyn before the claustrophobic liberalism of Minnesota’s Democratic Farmer Labor Party compelled him to become a Republican in 1996…’.
Reynolds never personally affirms Coleman’s liberal credentials, always associates him with neo-cons, ensures (by judicious quotation) that the affinity of tone between them is noticed, yet can say that he has properly recognised Coleman’s background in reporting him. Yet if Coleman’s background is genuine, and relevant to a politically charged atmosphere, BBC journalists should have no problem affirming it themselves, and repeating as is relevant.
What we can say unequivocally though is that in both articles Reynolds champions the position of the ‘high level panel’ invested (infested?) with Koffi’s blessing and gives leading action roles to members of that panel like David Hannay. Hannay’s pathetic and awesomely insensitive suggestion that critics of Koffi represent a US’ lynch mob tradition, with the implication of a US Government appointed body in that description, is awful. Worse still is that the BBC trumpet that perspective and fail to criticise it.
[Finally, after a moment’s pause, I think I should register my disgust that, unprompted by anything resembling a democratic impulse that might, to borrow David Hannay’s words, be described as ‘due process’, the BBC has managed to some degree to elevate Koffi’s self-selected defenders to a status which gives them equality if not seniority to a body representing the world’s foremost democracy and underwriter of the UN itself- the US Congress.]
“Red ken can only see evil in the US and the UN can do no wrong.”
Why would I be attempting rational debate (sometimes) with you folks if that were true?
That was me btw.
redken
I don’t want to flog this to death but France is a real problem. Italy was mentioned previously as a comparison with France and is probably equally corrupt, but Italian corruption is self-contained whereas France’s contaminates everything of which it is part – UN (oil-for-food)and EU (Edith Cresson etc). Cleaning out France’s contamination of the EU is beyond Hercules, never mind Neil Kinnock. I believe that there will be serious evidence of French corruption uncovered by the Senate’s investigations and France will make a patriotic issue of it i.e. it was patriotic to take an oil-for-food bribe so as to undermine those nasty Americans.
…Why would I be attempting rational debate (sometimes) with you folks…
Oh, I dunno, but off the top of my head: masochism, narcissism, messianic socialism, Leninist cynicism and, possibly, loneliness — all wrapped up in a stew of pathologies and poses that include denial, dissimulation and, in the case of the peceived defiling of your ragged-but-sacred red flag, damage control.
The treatment? Well, reason doesn’t work in the face of zealotry of the kind that constitutes religious faith — ergo, you remain in the missionary position, primed to receive.
In the real world, the UN is past redemption. Slowly and painfully, that message is on it’s way to the dinosaur’s arse, i.e,, the anti-American-Islamofascist-loving-profoundly-precious-and-angst-ridden-yet-uncuriously-dim-bulb-and-lightweight-with-gracenotes-of-purest-crap Euroleft that you call home.
Are you preparing to punch yourself wally thumper? I’m sure your stream of bile strewn consciousness means something to you but to me it reads like the ranting of an Alzheimer’s riddled Ronald Reagan on crack.
redken
As the ‘alzheimer’s riddled Ronald Reagan’ once observed:
“There you go again.”
Andrew P: “But the body that knew exactly where things were going wrong, without need for significant investigation, was the UN Oil for Food Administration as it was them who ran the program in the first place.”
I thought I’d do a bit of net snooping before I answered this one. As far as I can tell nothing appeared in relation to the scandal until the UN announced their own investigation (the Senate committee announced its investigation shortly after) although if you can find anything to the contrary I’ll be happy to retract this. In essence I’m not sure if it could be conclusively said that UN had a known about the alleged fraud for some time. And from what I understand from the ‘kickback’ aspect of the fraud it would have been pretty hard for the UN detect, the contracts weren’t brokered by a third party (probably unwisely) and as such the contractors had the opportunity to ‘overvalue’.
(cont.)Also, a UN resolution (couldn’t find the exact reference number, but I’ll have a more detailed look if you like) states that any member state has the ability to freeze bank accounts containing Iraqi money. This would perhaps lead me to conclude that if US did know about the subversion of funds whilst the fraud was taking place it would have had the ability to stop it.
redken
“And from what I understand from the ‘kickback’ aspect of the fraud it would have been pretty hard for the UN detect …”
You seem unable to understand simple concepts. Go to
http://belmontclub.blogspot.com/2004/12/some-are-more-equal-than-others-james.html
where Wretchard puts simply the issue.
Now then ladies and gentlemen, an announcement:
Today is UN Anti-Corruption Day!!!
Do excuse me, I’m off to laugh till I can laugh no more.
redken
You see3m to be suggesting that the UN decided of its own volition to mount the first enquiry.
That is utter tosh.
Claudia Rosetti was exposing the UN scam in detailed articles in the Wall Street Journal long before the Paul Volcker enquiry was set up.
If you are going to “”research” the issue – do some real digging, not all your superficial and knee-jerk defence of the corrupt UN.
John: I though you might say that, unfortunately as you have to sign to the WSJ to look at their archives I couldn’t say for sure. The earliest Rosette article that I could find outside the WSJ site which makes any specific allegations is dated 26th October, which is after the Volcker enquiry was set up. That wasn’t what I was getting at anyway; I was suggesting that, contrary to Andrew P’s statement the US can’t have know about the fraud or if they did they are as culpable as any other party for not doing anything about it!
Pete: The article you linked to is very tiresome to read and I can’t seem to find an explanation of kick-back scheme within it. Can you point me to a specific quote/paragraph?
redken
Apologies for that. I didn’t realise you find reading simple English tiresome. Anyway, here’s an entire blog devoted to the fraud:
http://acepilots.com/unscam/
There’s an averview of the fraud in the top right hand corner, categories, archives, the lot. Read away to your heart’s content.
Pete: Thanks. BTW when Arsenal lose on Sunday I’m going to think you and laugh very hard.
redken
I first read a Claudia Rosetti article on the UN scam about a year ago.
I see you are still trying to pin blame on US or UK officials. When the muck really hits the fan, it won’t be them in the firing line – or in the dock.
redken
Here is a list of Claudia Rosetti’s articles for the NRO – going back to march. She was clearly well up to speed by then – been on their tails for over a year I believe.
http://www.nationalreview.com/rosett/rosett-archive.asp
Always pleased to be of help. You are never past redemption
I see you are still trying to pin blame on US or UK officials.” No John, I’m just trying look at the situation from a different angle. If every allegation is proven to be true, I will hold my hands up and say “bollocks to the UN”. But until that time I’m keeping an open mind.
redken
OK, noted. We will await your moment of truth on the UN, your epiphany !
redken
When Arsenal give those poseurs from the King’s Road a good, old fashioned thrashing I’ll be sitting in a bar 2000 metres up a mountain in the Italian Alps, beer in hand with snow outside. My serenity right now is indestructable.
redken
Oh – you are a Chelsea fan ? That helps explain things.
Pete
Last time I watched a game on TV was in Nepal, just after going up to 18,000 feet trekking 250 miles around the Annapurna Circuit. Arsenal beat Man 2-0, but their margin may be bigger against Chelsea.
“Oh – you are a Chelsea fan ?”. Nope, just for Sunday only.
“Arsenal beat Man 2-0, but their margin may be bigger against Chelsea.”
No chance, it’ll be a draw at best (for Arsenal). Chelsea are good enough defensively to stop Arsenal from scoring, but Arsenal will struggle to keep a clean sheet. Name a title-winning Prem team with a dodgy keeper? Doesn’t happen. Best ’keeper in the Prem? Petr Cech.
Incidentally, Arsenal shirts are de rigeur among young Nepali lads in Kathmandu. Man U shirts going out of fashion. I asked why no Chelsea – was told they are regarded as thugs, the Nepalis expect politeness from the |Brits and don’t want to dress up looking like hooligans LOL
I think the Nepalese will start getting bored of Arsenal now that Chelsea will be winning the league every year.