Open thread – for comments of general Biased BBC interest:


Please use this thread for off-topic, but preferably BBC related, comments. Please keep comments on other threads to the topic at hand. N.B. this is not an invitation for general off-topic comments – our aim is to maintain order and clarity on the topic-specific threads. This post will remain at or near the top of the blog. Please scroll down to find new topic-specific posts.

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935 Responses to Open thread – for comments of general Biased BBC interest:

  1. archduke says:

    “Will it also consider re-joining the Commonwealth like South Africa did?
    IngSoc Is Doublethink. | 27.03.07 – 1:09 pm”

    some of the Atlanticists in the Fine Gael party are actually starting to think along those lines again, but they are in a very small minority. Ireland is very much wedded to the Euro project at the moment.

    but of course, things could change radically if the UK were to ever secede from the EU and re-engage with the Anglosphere.

       0 likes

  2. BaggieJonathan says:

    The world is increasingly agitated at Iran’s attemots to become a nuclear power.

    American and French task forces off Iran commencing attack simulations.

    Behind the scenes Britain is outraged by the seizure of the 15 and hawks near to Tony Blair are calling for ‘dramatic action in the language that Tehran will understand’.
    This morning Blair uses the diplomatic euphemism about the affair entering a new phase.

    Al Beeb continues to insist (as witnessed by the tv news) that the only effort that will be made is diplomatic.

    I fear this may be disproven very soon.

       0 likes

  3. Oscar says:

    If anyone was in any doubt that Alan Johnston is a friend to the Palestinians just take a look at all the comments on the HYS site. What’s particularly striking is the sheer absence of posts from all those Israeli contacts he’s supposed to have in order to deliver his impartial and fair reports. I counted one.

       0 likes

  4. archduke says:

    found your blair quote Baggie

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article1574513.ece

    lots of sabre rattling alright.

       0 likes

  5. Anonanon says:

    Quality output from the BBC.

    The BBC has defended itself after it emerged that it has repeated an episode of Two Pints Of Lager almost 60 times in four years.
    An episode called Dump, that first aired on April 20, 2003 has been aired a total of 57 times since it was first broadcast in April 2003…
    Episodes of Little Britain top even that tally, having been repeated more than 60 times since their 2003 BBC Three debut.

    http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2007/03/27/5178/114_pints_of_lager

       0 likes

  6. archduke says:

    10 Pallywooders die – drowned in their own sh**.

    no, i’m not kidding

    http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1173879186125&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

       0 likes

  7. Biodegradable says:

    archduke | 27.03.07 – 1:51 pm

    of course they’re trying to blame it on the Jews, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t some tunneling going on nearby that has some bearing…

       0 likes

  8. GCooper says:

    Baggie Jonathan writes:

    “Al Beeb continues to insist (as witnessed by the tv news) that the only effort that will be made is diplomatic.”

    It is ‘diplomacy’ that has got us into this mess – though it really should be called moral cowardice.

    Sooner or later we (that is ‘the West’ – that is Britain and the USA) are going to have to take firm action against the theocratic fascist regime in Iran.

    The BBC is already waging its own, all too familiar, campaign against that action.

    Standby by for the usual tsunami of moral relativism, appeasement and sophomoric ‘give peace a chance’ drivel from the sages of White City.

       0 likes

  9. IngSoc Is Doublethink. says:

    Baggie:

    Even Minitruth moonbats couldn’t moderate that.LOL

    I feel a little like making mischief today so let’s throw the “Tory front bench” a bone.

    Tell us which “future leader” is proposing these ‘radical’ idea’s…..

    “First, at the EU level we need a proper Emissions Trading Scheme. The current scheme is not working: the EU 15 promised to cut emissions by eight per cent on 1990 levels by 2012, but so far, we have only managed a one per cent cut.”

    So much for the “Eurosceptism”-

    “With a Conservative Government, independent experts, not partisan government ministers, would set Britain’s targets for the rate of carbon reduction monitor whether they have been met take account of specific circumstances – such as an unusually cold winter causing higher energy use and advise the Government on the steps it should take to make sure the rate of carbon reduction is consistently maintained”.

    Oh so Dave’s new friends at Friends of the Earth or Zak Goldsmith with provide the “non partisan” experts.

    “We must align the ETS with the 20% emissions reduction target and agree the carbon caps that will deliver the target.And in Britain, we should convert the Climate Change Levy into a proper carbon tax, as the Conservative Party has proposed”.

    Oh a tax based upon EU reports, how very “Tory”…..

    Oh wait there is more:

    “My vision of a greener future may start with the vital need to tackle climate change but it certainly doesn’t end there.”

    “We need to open up a second front in the green revolution”.

    “Over the past few years, the world has woken up to the threat of climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions to our atmosphere”.

    “Greener skies are firmly on the political agenda, and I’m proud of the part we have played in that process”.

    http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=135439

    http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=134865

    Click to access greenerskiesconsultation.pdf

    This is the short of sh*t I expect from Al Beeb.

    Or did Nick Robinson actually write this for them…..

       0 likes

  10. archduke says:

    according to BBC headline writers “militants” kind of just die all by themselves. maybe they had heart attacks, the poor things.

    “Militants die in West Bank battle”
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6498457.stm

    jpost.com headline writers are a bit more direct:

    “IDF kills two Al Aska men in Nablus”
    http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1173879183445&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

       0 likes

  11. Biodegradable says:

    After the ‘checkpoint socks’ story dominated the BBC’s news from Gaza last week, we now have EU snaps up Gaza croc woman.

    Nothing about ‘honour’ killings of Gazan women, children shot dead in the internecine crossfire and other such news story that might show the “Palestinians” in a bad light, nope, until Alan Johnston is freed let’s keep it lighthearted and jolly.

       0 likes

  12. Pete says:

    Debate? Ever tried debating with a bunch of asylum lunatics!?

    Archduke: Some subjects I dont know much about, but Northern Ireland politics is not one of them. Your description of why Dr Paisley is nicknamed ‘Dr No’ is so misleading as to be laughable to even those with an iota of knowledge of NI politics.

    I console myself with the knowledge that no one is listening to any of you. Keep pissing in the wind.

       0 likes

  13. Oscar says:

    One ambiguous comment on the Alan Johnston HYS tribute:

    Added: Monday, 26 March, 2007, 19:40 GMT 20:40 UK

    I believe in karma. Good luck to you!

    David Katz, Toronto
    RECOMMENDED
    Recommended by 5 people

       0 likes

  14. Biodegradable says:

    Pete?

    Jim?

    Joe?

    You all have the same ‘Homepage’ I see.

       0 likes

  15. archduke says:

    “Your description of why Dr Paisley is nicknamed ‘Dr No’ is so misleading as to be laughable to even those with an iota of knowledge of NI politics.”

    so you’ve never heard of the phrase “Home Rule = Rome Rule” so?

       0 likes

  16. IngSoc Is doublethink. says:

    B-BBC bloggers.

    I would like to share some of my resources and analysis on this rapidly developing situation in the Gulf, not only would it help our understanding of the events but it will help us monitoring Al Beeb output as well.

    Click to access 050413_memilbalgulf[1].pdf

    http://www.fas.org/main/content.jsp?formAction=297&contentId=161

    Click to access 000201newforms.pdf

    Click to access 070226_smith_commentary.pdf

    Click to access 070216_iran_proliferation.pdf

    Click to access 070220_iran_weakorheg.pdf

    Click to access 070326_iranoil_hormuz.pdf

    http://www.fas.org/main/content.jsp?formAction=297&contentId=547

    http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/index.html

    The resources come from two areas: the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and the Federation of America Scientists. Both are highly regarded in the world of Defence and Security and both use data from IISS and Jane’s.

    I’ve included latest the military balance on ME forces as well.

    Just one thing:

    Bear in mind that MIOS agents will be “trolling” to see if there are “tid-bits” to pass back to there masters, Be careful on what information we blog because although Al Beeb might not realize it but “DANGEROUS TALK COST LIVES”.

    Cheers

       0 likes

  17. archduke says:

    yeah ingsoc – i saw a similar warning on the army rumours forums. (to the extent that all talk on the hostage crisis has been effectively shut down on there)

    worth bearing in mind alright.

       0 likes

  18. Umbongo says:

    Ingsoc

    “From which ever part we come from on these great islands, be it English, Irish, Welsh or Scots, yesterday was a day for ALL of us to be proud, for at last we are so near to finally putting down our swords and uniting together to live in peace and friendship.”

    I assume you’re joking. This article in Today’s Telegraph from historian/commentator Ruth Dudley Edwards gets nearer to the truth of what happened yesterday. We should all be ashamed that these two bigots got together and divided up the spoils while shedding crocodile tears for the murdered dead of Northern Ireland.

       0 likes

  19. IngSoc Is doublethink. says:

    Pete:

    Ever heard the saying “Foxtrot Oscar”……

    Perhaps you and your beeboid staff would be better in your group hug sessions in the car park.

    Or are you waiting from those nice chaps in the IDF to rescue him?

    Because if the PIJ (Palestinian Islamic Jihad) and there Iranian friends have him then AJ is going to star in a movie.

    The remake of Daniel Pearl……

    Now phuq off and report some news, and don’t swallow too many crayons.

       0 likes

  20. BaggieJonathan says:

    Pete/Joe/Jim/Mike Yarwood/Dead Ringers/Whoever

    You remind me of Keith/Edwardo/etc from the BBC scrum V blog (as was).

    Let the reader understand…

       0 likes

  21. BaggieJonathan says:

    BBC inadvertently attacks itself.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6498495.stm

    Are they slipping up?

       0 likes

  22. sean says:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6498495.stm

    bbc version.
    He said EastEnders took itself too seriously
    ………………………………..
    what he actually said is, its up its own arse,which it is.

       0 likes

  23. IngSoc Is doublethink. says:

    Umbongo

    Nice post-and a good debate

    What Dudley Edwards fails to point out is that these two “bigots” are the two “bigots” that lead there respected communities. As for the “crocodile tears” seeing as both men have witnessed (and instigated) carnage on both sides then I can only assume that the “tears” are real and the regret deep.

    I say that as somebody who witness the P-IRA “struggle” at first hand when a pipe bomb exploded outside Harrods in 1992 killing one and injured 11 others (I was 100 yds away), and as a little boy visiting my Granny in Co Longford while Bobby Sands was on hunger strike when the “boys” struck up a chorus of “Boys of Kilmicheal”,”Come out Yer Black and Tans” and “Go home British Soldiers”.

    How do you think I felt being both from an Irish background and a proud Englishman?

    I never ever want to have to live in a time when Irishmen fight Irishmen or Irishmen fighting British.

    We have a greater enemy now, and we have too much in common to be divided.

    It is the people of N.I that have forced the “bigots” to the table…..that is why I am a proud “Anglo-Irishman” like so many thousands of people upon these islands.

       0 likes

  24. chocolateaddict says:

    The BBC has a DHYS about ‘converts’ to/ from Islam (although I bet they will publish more about converts to Islam). They are completely obsessed. Never seen any DHYS about converts to Christianity/Hinduism/Buddhism etc. They really are just an Islamic mouthpiece. Shame we are forced against our will to pay their jizya ‘licence fee’ tax.

       0 likes

  25. archduke says:

    “Umbongo | 27.03.07 – 3:02 pm ”

    good post Umbongo, and i would agree with your point if both men did NOT have a democratic mandate. trouble is , both of them indeed do have rather large mandates from both of their communities.

    either way. the war is over. we’ve got far bigger common enemies to be worrying about.

       0 likes

  26. Alan says:

    “The BBC v Steven Sugar: the Balen Report” (27 Mar.)
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/opensecrets/

    “An interesting case about freedom of information and the BBC begins in the High Court today.

    “The case centres on what has become known as the ‘Balen Report’, an internal report written in 2004 about the BBC’s coverage of the Middle East. Numerous people have requested a copy of the report, but the BBC has refused to disclose it. The requesters included Steven Sugar, who is now fighting the case against the BBC.”

       0 likes

  27. IngSoc Is Doublethink. says:

    I expect that if Mr Glenister every feels like having a rant then he is very welcome on these pages…..

    Expect “Life on Mars” to be dropped next season….

       0 likes

  28. BaggieJonathan says:

    Pete/Joe/Jim/Tom Cobbleigh/All

    I have an A-Z of Manchester would you like to borrow it, or will you be one of those being asked to seek alternative employment.

       0 likes

  29. Anonanon says:

    From the Alan Johnston Have Your Say:

    Dear Alan,
    Having met you several times in Gaza over the years, both John and I have come to appreciate you as a great journalist and a wonderful, warm person.
    Our thoughts are with you and your family.
    John and Ietje Dugard – Barbas
    The Hague
    Ietje Barbas, The Hague

    John Dugard is the Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories for the UN Human Rights Council. I’m sure most people who visit this blog have already seen the video of UN Watch director Hillel Neuer’s appearance in front of the UNHRC. The write-up accompanying the clip on YouTube says this:

    UN Watch exposes the monumental hypocrisies, terrible lies and moral inversions of the new and supposedly reformed UN Human Rights Council. Millions of victims and 191 countries ignored. Darfur atrocities outright denied. Self-proclaimed defenders of Palestinian rights — Assad, Ahamadinejad, Khaddafi and UN expert John Dugard — care only about scapegoating Israel.

    The BBC has not reported the news that the UNHRC is censoring criticism (imagine the coverage if a US government committee did the same to Human Rights Watch). A case of not wishing to paint one’s friends in a bad light, perhaps?

    (Like most people I hope Johnston is freed soon. It’s a shame that the journalists calling for his release don’t make similar declarations on behalf of the Israeli and British troops suffering under similar circumstances.)

       0 likes

  30. Umbongo says:

    Ingsoc/archduke

    My sadness is specifically that both have mandates from their respective communities and – as Ruth D-E writes – that the moderates have been squeezed out. Although I cannot overestimate – I can hardly imagine – the suffering of NI over the last 40 years, my fear is that peace at this price might be too expensive. A related fear is that the contagion of bigotry and extremism will affect mainland politics too.

    We have seen in the last two or three years a lunatic fringe in Britain, basing its appeal on real or imagined grievances (such grievances exacerbated by, for instance, the BBC), attempting to start a terrorist war on the mainland. A reaction to this by extremist parties of other political complexions is not unimaginable. Two bigots (with a “democratic” mandate) sitting together in London in 2050 divying up the spoils of a possible mainland war is not something I want my children and grandchildren to experience or, worse, celebrate.

       0 likes

  31. Apopleptic says:

    More UK children live in poverty

    well, not really – the BBC/ ZaNuLabour will only be happy when we all draw the same wage (through the good offices of the State , of course). This is relative poverty. If a child goes hungry in this country it is because their parents have pissed the Child Benefit up the wall.

    Protester disrupts Abbey service

    You can read all about the protestor
    HERE

    A professional grievance and shakedown merchant.

    Ingrate.

    Makes you wonder why good old William Wilberforce bothered.

       0 likes

  32. Anonanon says:

    From the BBC report about the protester: “Ligali, an African-British human rights organisation“. Yeah, sure it is.

    I hope he gets some community service – on a sugar plantation.

       0 likes

  33. IngSoc is Doublethink. says:

    Umbongo.

    While I share your sentiments regarding the moderates being “squeezed out”, we have to face reality that this is what the people of N.I have chosen as there spoke people.

    But if we are ever going to lance the boil you have to include the ‘bigots’ because they are the ones after all who are driving the conflict.

    But here is the clever part.

    The more they sup at the table of power, they more they like it, but it also makes them ACCOUNTABLE as well.

    You see if the N.I economy went tit’s up, or if they fail to produce the goods then there mandate has gone.

    No longer can the DUP or SF hide behind the British or Irish Governments, or there rhetoric of the last eighty odd years, they are now entering the world of big boys politics now.

    And by god the N.I electorate would punish both like UDP and SDLP.

    With regards to extremism here-I think you can thank our dhimmi friends at AL BEEB for that.

       0 likes

  34. Anonymous says:

    Hilarious, the BBC have sucked up to those Palestinian Terrorists for years and this how those Terrorists repay them..

    “The director general of the BBC, Mark Thompson, has appealed for the release of Alan Johnston, the corporation’s correspondent in Gaza, who has now been held longer than any other hostage in two years of kidnappings in the Strip.

    The BBC set up a satellite link between its headquarters in London and Gaza, where rallies were being held to demand Mr Johnston’s release and journalists staged another one-day protest strike.

    Mr Johnston was seized from his car as he drove home from his office in Gaza City a fortnight ago”.
    More
    http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article2396028.ece

       0 likes

  35. archduke says:

    i cant help wondering – if we had
    “concealed carry” weapons laws, like in the USA, would this murder ever have occurred?

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6483491.stm

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concealed_carry_%28USA%29

       0 likes

  36. Umbongo says:

    Ingsoc

    “And by god the N.I electorate would punish both like UDP and SDLP.”

    I hope so – but fear not. For instance – how can the electorate “punish” the present one mind/three faces set-up in Westminster?

    “With regards to extremism here-I think you can thank our dhimmi friends at AL BEEB for that”

    Not completely, but they’ve done their bit.

       0 likes

  37. Oscar says:

    chocolateaddict:
    The BBC has a DHYS about ‘converts’ to/ from Islam (although I bet they will publish more about converts to Islam).

    Yeah – especially as leaving Islam is somewhat harder than joining it. Apostates are seen as worse enemies than infidels. I don’t think you’d really want to advertise the fact too much.

       0 likes

  38. Ralph says:

    Anon: ‘Hilarious, the BBC have sucked up to those Palestinian Terrorists for years and this how those Terrorists repay them..’

    The terrorists know that whatever they do the BBC will given them good press. Now if the IDF had arrested him imagine the BBC ranting.

       0 likes

  39. BaggieJonathan says:

    Archduke,

    That sad tale is yet another example where the majority, that is democrcacy after all, would favour capital punishment.

    Unfortunately on this topic politicians of all parties seem to believe democracy can go hang (no pun intended).

    As usual if all the major political parties agree on something you can be sure al beebzera will, what the people actually want is immaterial to them.

       0 likes

  40. Anonanon says:

    “Relative poverty” – the rallying call of the 21st century Marxist. 6pm news – Radio 4 led with the report from Barnardo’s and BBC1 had it as the second item. Oh how they love this sort of crap at the BBC.

       0 likes

  41. Anonymous says:

    Radical Islam murder thousands http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/ which the BBC ignores while today BBC news features Britain apologising for the slave trade that was abolished two centuries ago.. What a Pathetic Socialist Utopia britain has become.

       0 likes

  42. Fred says:

    Good news of the day:

    “US rappers Snoop Dogg and P Diddy have been forced to cancel a joint UK tour after Snoop Dogg was denied a visa”.
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6498155.stm
    The visa decision follows a string of run-ins with the law.

       0 likes

  43. Ultraviolence says:

    “beyond the “nuke Iran” and “we are all Hezbollah” posts, i have no idea why something like this was censored:

    “The level of ignorance on this thread is spectacular. As a former Naval Officer, I know that there is absolutely no way the boarding could have been taking place in Iranian waters. I’ve worked in the Gulf and any waters which are disputed (unsurprisingly the Iranians dispute many areas of territorial waters, which are otherwise internationally recognised) are given a wide berth by the RN in order to avoid such disputes. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this was planned long in advance.”

    This censorship is getting serious. That has GOT TO BE CRIMINAL.

    Where do I complain?

       0 likes

  44. Biodegradable says:

    John Dugard is the Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories for the UN Human Rights Council.
    Anonanon | 27.03.07 – 4:24 pm

    More on Alan Johnston’s pal Dugard here:
    http://backspin.typepad.com/backspin/2007/03/mr_sensitivity.html

    http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/45884734/critiques/UN_Mans_Apartheid_Charge.asp

    His brief from the now-defunct U.N. Human Rights Commission was strikingly similar to Johnston’s, ie: only report on Israeli breaches of Human Rights, don’t criticise the “Palestinians”.

       0 likes

  45. Biodegradable says:

    Where do I complain?
    Ultraviolence | 27.03.07 – 7:01 pm

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/make_complaint_step1n.shtml

    But don’t hold your breath; two complaints I’ve made in the last fortnight have not even been acknowledged.

       0 likes

  46. Biodegradable says:

    IngSoc Is doublethink. | 27.03.07 – 2:50 pm

    Interesting tid-bit here about the Shehab-3 missile:

    http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=3966

       0 likes

  47. max says:

    More from the Alan Johnston Have Your Say:

    Alan
    You have always been a tireless advocate of the Palestinian cause. I hope your captors realize that the money they hope to gain is not worth shutting down such a valuable spokesperson and release you soon.

    Paul Ware

    Recommended by 4 people

    Is he taking the piss? It’s hard to know these days.

       0 likes

  48. Biodegradable says:

    # 8 Aid agencies had reportedly long warned that sewage at the treatment reservoir was reaching dangerous levels.

    They’d also received funding to solve the problem, but used the money to kill Jews instead.

    Like I always say, “Lie down with pigs and you wake up covered in shit.”

       0 likes

  49. Oscar says:

    the Alan Johnston site is providing some very useful amunition to PROVE BBC bias – an effective case could be mounted with this evidence.

       0 likes

  50. disillusioned_german says:

    Re: Teenager guilty of man’s murder
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6483491.stm

    “Tucker said he only meant to scare Mr Woodhams”

    You what? That moron Tucker shot Woodham three times and thought he’d only be scared? If this guy gets out before 2060 I’d be shocked.

       0 likes