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

  1. archduke says:

    10 years of blair – and the end result is that America views Britain as a security threat…

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=446611&in_page_id=1811
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/04/wterr04.xml

    Chertoff is quoted as saying:

    “Where you find some softness is in some elements of the media or in some elements of the intellectual class who convince themselves that this is our fault, or that there’s an easier way to avoid the problem if we can just figure what price we have to pay. That is a plea to the sensibility of exhaustion and history has shown that’s a very damaging and very destructive impulse.”

    some elements of the “media”? i just wonder who he might be referring to.

       0 likes

  2. IiD says:

    Jon.

    I’ve long taken the view the good doctor should be leading the Conservative Party.

    Shame they ended up with call me Dave….

       0 likes

  3. archduke says:

    interesting analysis here on our friends the Saudis and their funding of terrorists in Iraq

    http://islamthreat.blogspot.com/2007/04/saudis-promise-to-suffocate-us-in-iraq.html

    “You might wonder why the Saudis would want to weaken us by using cloak and dagger policies like that. The answer is simple. They are afraid of us and what we might or would do in the case of another Saudi lead terrorist attack against American interests.

    It is in Saudi interest that the US be weakened in Iraq and politically weakened by Iraq which would minimize to the least amount possible any American action against Saudi Arabia.”

    the embedded video shows a particularly target-rich environment that would have any Apache gunship pilot drooling for the trigger…

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  4. Alan says:

    An extract from a much longer piece here on Churchill and Islam:

    “The British leaders who have followed Churchill (with the exception, perhaps, of Margaret Thatcher) have shown little of his independence of spirit, or individualism. Five years ago, Churchill was voted the greatest Briton of all time in a BBC poll. Those who claim to support Churchill think mainly of his role as a statesman, and as a warrior against Hitler and fascism.

    “In today’s politically correct Britain few people are prepared to openly criticize Islamism. A collective cowardice afflicts the chattering classes. Too fearful of the stigma of being labeled ‘Islamophobe’, leaders and media figures would rather buy into the lies of Muslim victimization than objectively analyze the threat that global radical Islam poses to democracy. Few are aware of Churchill’s comments on Islam, and fewer still would dare repeat those words in public today.”
    (Adrian Morgan, 10 Apr.)

    http://westernresistance.com

       0 likes

  5. Jon says:

    This just goes to show how shallow the BBCs opinion of the voters in Britain are:

    “Will Arnie encourage you to vote Conservative? ”

    http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5984&edition=1&ttl=20070410165747

    and the “New shiny tories”.

    I think this one sums it up for me.

    “Added: Monday, 9 April, 2007, 12:02 GMT 13:02 UK

    No, I will only vote for a party that takes Britain out of the EU, stops immigration and tackles crime. Protecting the environment comes way down the list, but then politicians are completely out of touch with the electorate and would rather pursue their own agendas.

    Tommy Ruffe

    Recommended by 116 people”

       0 likes

  6. Anonymous says:

    archduke

    see you and archonix are having trouble getting a headline that fits the 31-33 character constraint.

    Also, I see you’ve resorted to the weird use of quote marks to try to flesh your candidates out…………..

    …..maybe that explains……???????

       0 likes

  7. John Reith says:

    Connell | 08.04.07 – 12:23 pm

    I think this is an example of a BBC reporter putting their view across..

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world…ope/ 6532951.stm

    You may think that, but it’s not. The piece is a model of impartial reporting.

    Your comment, however, isn’t.

    You pull out one quotation that sums-up the views of Sarko’s opponents but don’t mention several other passages where Sarko’s supporters put their case. Anyone not following the link would be left thinking the piece was mostly anti-Sarko – while, in fact, Sarko supporters get the lion’s share of the space – which is fine since the report is about Sarko’s campaign rally.

    Another false allegation of BBC bias.

       0 likes

  8. archduke says:

    Joshka Fisher has observed that Europe is increasingly becoming an irrelevance in the globalised economy
    http://euobserver.com/9/23803

    (interesting article…)

       0 likes

  9. amimissingsomething says:

    Biodegradable | 10.04.07 – 3:09 pm |

    i have a few, too:

    should non-muslims be allowed to visit mecca, or do you agree with the clerics/saudi government that they remain banned?

    should non-muslims be given equal access to all roads in saudi arabia, or do you agree with the clerics/saudi government that non-muslims remain banned from certain roads?

    should women adulterers and gays in iran no longer be hung from cranes until dead, or stoned, or do you agree wth the clerics that these punishments remain in effect?

       0 likes

  10. archduke says:

    watch out for acres of Beeboid coverage of this in the run up to July:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6540277.stm

    “The BBC has confirmed that it will be broadcasting the concerts on TV and radio in the UK. ”

    and interestingly:
    “All profits will go to organisations including the Alliance for Climate Protection, the Climate Group and Stop Climate Chaos.”

    the head of the “Alliance”? – why its none other than Al Gore. nice bit of “i scratch your back if you scratch mine” between Al Beeb and the Goracle…

    lets have a game of “spot the climate scientist” shall we:

    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/advisory_board/
    http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/about_us/10.asp
    http://www.allianceforclimateprotection.org/about/who-we-are

       0 likes

  11. Anonymous says:

    Al Gore has been a luaghable joke in the USA ever since the 80s when him and his dippy wife tried to create the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Centre)….where parents could go find out what music was “bad” for their children…..

    It soon won the rename of Pre Menstural Retarded C***s, and was laughed out of town…..

    What I want to know, is when is Madonnas next album out….if it so happenes to be around the time of the gig, say no more…..as she pulled the same trick with Children in Need……offered to do a free set on the show, and “amazingly” her new album went to number 1 that very same weekend….all profits to Madonna of course…..

    Just more multimillionaires who have their lot, and want to pull the ladder up on the rest of the world…..while still making millions for themselves.

    And is’nt the BBC soooooooooo predictable in wanting to promote these 80s has beens…Phil Collins? Madonna….old crusties more like…the kids will not be impressed….

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  12. archduke says:

    “This is the British Broadcasting Corporation FFS, and the year is 2007!
    Biodegradable | 10.04.07 – 3:09 pm | ”

    yeah , i agree with you. i worded my reply a bit clumsily i admit.
    “amimissingsomething | 10.04.07 – 6:39 pm ”

    i’ve a few more

    “Should Jews be allowed to visit Saudi Arabia, or do you agree with that states anti-semetic discrimination?”

    “Last week, a man convicted of murder was publicly beheaded in Riyadh with a sword according to Islamic Law. Do you think that sword beheadings should be introduced to the UK in order to combat violent crime? And is a sharp sword preferable to a blunt rusty one?”

    “The Iraqi Ayatollah Al Sistani has declared that non Muslims are as unclean as dog faeces. Should the Archbishop of Canterbury respond in kind by declaring all Muslims to be eliminated in a new Crusader war?”

       0 likes

  13. Jon says:

    “Protest is held at power station”

    “The Eastside Climate Action group said it was protesting against the facility in the face of climate change.”

    And if you want to join this small group of people the BBC give a web link to their site.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/6541105.stm

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  14. archduke says:

    ” Anonymous | 10.04.07 – 6:50 pm |”

    from Madonna’s wiki entry:

    “Madonna has started production on her next album, and is expected to be released by November 2007.A box set containing three CDs and two DVDs marking the 25th anniversary, is said to be released sometime in October 2007.”

    so yeah – expect a lead single from the new album out around July…

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  15. Biodegradable says:

    UK Live Earth.

    The concerts aim to set a “green example” for other music events by using measures such as eco-friendly electricity, sustainable lighting and carbon-neutral travel.

    Back to the Middle Ages then?

    Former US Vice-President Al Gore, who is one of those involved in organising the events, said he expected Live Earth to attract “an audience of billions”.

    At £55 per ticket that’s a nice little earner!

    “We hope Live Earth will launch a global campaign, giving a critical mass of people around the world the tools they need to help solve the climate crisis,” he said.

    Quite a list of “tools”:

    Red Hot Chili Peppers
    Madonna
    Snow Patrol
    James Blunt
    Genesis

    The Police
    Bon Jovi
    Roger Waters
    Kanye West
    Kelly Clarkson

    Wot, no Lord Bono?

    The vote isn’t going the Beeb’s way either:

    Will Live Earth make you think about climate change?
    Yes
    18.74%
    No
    81.26%
    7827 Votes Cast

       0 likes

  16. archduke says:

    ” Jon | 10.04.07 – 6:57 pm ”

    funny how a bunch of lunatics protesting outside a power station gets a full page report, but the three days of riots in Utrecht pass unnoticed.

    lets face it – they arent reporting the news.

       0 likes

  17. archduke says:

    “Biodegradable | 10.04.07 – 7:02 pm | ”

    The Chilli Peppers “Stadium Arcadium” hasnt sold as well as their previous albums, so they need a boost to sell more copies of that one…

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_discography

    Genesis agreed to reform in Nov 2006, and their “Turn It On Again” tour is kicking off this summer…

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_%28band%29#Turn_It_On_Again:_2006.E2.80.93

    Also, in July 2007, Genesis are re-releasing 4 albums in SACD/DVD format (scroll down)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_discography

    strange coincidence, eh?

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  18. Biodegradable says:

    Profits from UK Live Earth will go to, among others, these people:

    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/

    Not one of them seems to have ever had a ‘proper job’.

    These and other organisations like them are registered charities yet all of those people are paid handsomely.

    Of course there is a ‘Climate Change Industry’ eager to keep the gravy train on the rails. They all have a vested interest in maintaining the myth.

       0 likes

  19. Anonymous says:

    Well go figure…..

    All the acts, have good reason to do “chariddy” work around that time then…..

    All have albums and tours that will need promoting…

    Jesus wept, the people at the BBC are just soooooooooooooooooo f***ing gullable….lol.

    Morons…do they think we don’t notice these things?

    This is all about money and power….and sweet FA to do with the environment……

    I hope the backlash is huge…and so far, it looks like it will be……..another blunder buy the crumbling BBC….lol.

       0 likes

  20. archduke says:

    kanye west has a new album out around sept 2007 – so expect a few lead singles for it around july/august time…

       0 likes

  21. Biodegradable says:

    These and other organisations like them are registered charities…

    Before Reith or some [deleted] like him jumps on me, I admit that The Cilmate Group is not exactly a registered charity. But it’s as good as.

       0 likes

  22. archduke says:

    “Biodegradable | 10.04.07 – 7:16 pm ”

    i’ve been reading through those bios, and its scarey stuff. not a single scientist who is currently working in the field of climate science. its packed full of the usual policy wonks

    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/callum_grieve/

    by contrast, the “nuclear winter” theory in the 1980s was lead, promoted and backed by proper scientists…

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_winter

       0 likes

  23. Jon says:

    Will Live Earth make you think about climate change?
    Yes
    18.74%
    No
    81.26%
    7827 Votes Cast
    Biodegradable | 10.04.07 – 7:02 pm | #

    I like it!!

       0 likes

  24. pounce says:

    Bio wrote;
    “The dhimmification of the BBC continues apace.Does Pakistan fatwa promote intolerance?”

    I noticed in both BBC articles on that story that they omit the fact that the Mullahs not only want her sacked but they also want her punished.
    I wonder why the BBC left that out?

       0 likes

  25. Jon says:

    “i’ve been reading through those bios, and its scarey stuff. not a single scientist who is currently working in the field of climate science. its packed full of the usual policy wonks”

    That is not surprising:

    “Where was the proof?
    Imagine my amazement when, using the golden access key which a Reuters correspondent has, I couldn’t find any scientists who would say there was proof of any kind that the link between human activity and the climate was established. I talked to the world’s top climate scientists on both coasts of America, Britain and Germany. The closest any scientist came to saying there was a link came from Professor Stephen Schneider of Stanford University in California and then he was much more equivocal than he is now. Even today, when scientists from the warming side of the argument appear on TV debates, they still refrain from answering directly questions about the strength of the science. Nobody ever accused me of being anything but unbiased and balanced in my reporting that the link between humans and climate was precarious, to say the least.

    Despite this, the world’s media, led by the egregious BBC, still reported human induced global warming as an established fact, without balancing stories with the truth that there were a substantial group of top scientists who disagreed. ”

    http://www.wintonsworld.com/news/opinionconstructs/opinionframeset.html

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  26. archduke says:

    C.O.O.
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/jim_walker/
    “Prior to his environmental career Jim was a professional athlete,”

    Development Manager
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/jo_randell/
    “Jo graduated with honours from Colgate University with a Bachelors degree in Art and Art History”

    Carbon Finance Project Manager
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/josh_harris/
    “Prior to joining The Climate Group, Josh worked for the Australian Federal Government’s Greenhouse Office.”

    Policy Director
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/mark_kenber/
    “Mark is an economist who has worked on environmental issues for over a decade”

    Head of Membership
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/michael_mcguire/
    “Michael worked for four years in business development roles for the Guardian newspaper in the UK and at The Age newspaper in Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Manchester Metropolitan University.”

    U.S. Director
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/nancy_skinner/
    policy wonk – “Nancy has a long history of developing urban energy and environmental policy with governmental and non profit agencies.”

    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/rob_moore/
    “Rob has spent his career to date working in the communications industry, specifically for advertising agencies Abbott Mead Vickers and Lunar.”

    Director Australia
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/rupert_posner/
    policy wonk – “Rupert Posner has almost 15 years experience in industry, government and the environment movement developing environmental policies and working in communications.”

    Project Manager
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/sophy_bristow/
    “Before working for The Climate Group Sophy worked for 5 years in broadcasting and communications as an Assistant Producer and Director of specialist documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4 (UK)”

    Programme Director
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/stephanie_pfeifer/
    policy wonk – “Previously Stephanie worked for Morgan Grenfell and Deutsche Bank for 7 years as a senior economist in the Global Markets Research group, focusing on European countries”

    CEO
    http://theclimategroup.org/index.php/about_us/our_people/staff/steve_howard/
    policy wonk. no career in climate science…

    “He is also a founding member of HSBC’s Carbon Management Task Force.
    Prior to his role with The Climate Group, Steve was a Partner in ERM where he led the work on Corporate Social Responsibility for clients as diverse as Kingfisher and ABN Amro and on climate change related projects”

       0 likes

  27. Biodegradable says:

    For those like me who were unable to watch the interview with Leading Seaperson Topsy Turney, it’s here:

    http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=25077_Video-_Interview_with_Former_Hostage_Turney&only

    I have to say I found her pathetic, and asked myself what somebody like her was doing in what was once known as the “Senior Service”.

       0 likes

  28. Biodegradable says:

    archduke | 10.04.07 – 7:39 pm

    Basically, if any of them actually had to work for a living they’d starve.

       0 likes

  29. archduke says:

    jon – > staggering article – thanks – and from a guy who was “on the inside” in Reuters…

    http://www.wintonsworld.com/news/opinionconstructs/opinionframeset.html

       0 likes

  30. archduke says:

    the “live earth ” poll is on here…
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6540277.stm

       0 likes

  31. archduke says:

    live earth poll:
    no 80.98% yes : 19.02 %

    8853 votes cast.

    (is the tide turning? are people waking up to the charade?)

       0 likes

  32. archduke says:

    interesting interview from 18 Dougty street

    http://doughty.gdbtv.com/player.php?h=f41bca59556f1a03e265e2b98e44b9ef#

    Iain Dale interviews Richard Sambrook, director of the BBC World Service and Global News.

       0 likes

  33. GCooper says:

    Amusing to hear, on BBC R4’s PM this evening, the programme’s editor listing the areas in which, he believes, the programme is felt by some listeners to show bias.

    Excluded from his list were partiality on behalf of the Left, social liberalism and ‘Green’ politics.

    Either the man is a liar, or, if he genuinely believes what he said, he isn’t even aware how the Corporation’s news and analysis is perceived by so many.

    Clearly, he is not a reader of this blog…

       0 likes

  34. Jon says:

    Biodegradable:
    “For those like me who were unable to watch the interview with Leading Seaperson Topsy Turney, it’s here:”

    Bio thanks – but no thanks.

       0 likes

  35. Connell says:

    Connell | 08.04.07 – 12:23 pm

    I think this is an example of a BBC reporter putting their view across..

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world…ope/ 6532951.stm

    You may think that, but it’s not. The piece is a model of impartial reporting.

    Your comment, however, isn’t.

    You pull out one quotation that sums-up the views of Sarko’s opponents but don’t mention several other passages where Sarko’s supporters put their case. Anyone not following the link would be left thinking the piece was mostly anti-Sarko – while, in fact, Sarko supporters get the lion’s share of the space – which is fine since the report is about Sarko’s campaign rally.

    Another false allegation of BBC bias.
    John Reith | 10.04.07 – 5:41 pm | #

    It would not be bias, if a BBC reporter had a similar quotation
    when dealing with Ségolène Royal’s election campaign eg..
    Many on the right feel …etc..etc…

    But I know thats not likely to happen…

       0 likes

  36. pounce says:

    I’ve been reading a number of news outlets (As well as a few blogs) these last few days ref the captured Royal Navy Sailors. Almost all to a tee are dismissive about how the sailors reacted. I just wish to put my pennies worth in.
    1) The Sailors were kidnapped in open water by Iranian gunboats in under the guns of a combined naval flotilla.
    2) The people who were captured would have been informed beforehand by the brass (Who would have been informed by the politicians) not to fire the first round in any entanglement with the Iranians. (In otherwords you have to be shot at first before you can fire back)
    3) All of the sailors (and I include booties in that) would have heard about how Muslims have a penchant for lopping off heads for no reason what-so-ever.
    With the above in mind how do you think those sailors felt at getting kidnapped under the cover of the guns of their ship as well as the guns of their allies.
    Of course what has happened here is that the story has moved away from how the sailors were taken (What are the rules of engagement, what rules are the Navy playing to) Nobody (and I include the BBC here) seems to be asking the questions why those Iranian gunboats had a TV camera on board, how they knew to move in when the Lynx moved back to the ship and how the 15 sailors instead of languishing in some crummy dockyard on the Iranian side were despatched ASAP to Tehran before even the Admirals at Northwood even knew they had been nicked.
    Lets be honest here the bigger picture isn’t about whether 15 sailors should get paid for telling their story. But about how the United Nations and EU are prostrating themselves in which to appease Iran. (Shades of the League of Nations and Neville Chamberlain seem to spring to mind)
    As for getting paid, tell me is there anybody here who wouldn’t refuse £80000?
    Talking about they shouldn’t get paid, she shouldn’t be in the navy and the Royal Navy is a joke,kind of deflects attention away from the real question about how this government has not only downgraded our armed forces but tied them up with political dogma in which to limit their effectiveness.
    Half the idiots who bitch our brave servicemen, have no problem doing so from the comfort of the LCD screen and wireless keyboard. Spend a minute in their shoes. Try thinking brave thoughts as you are told by your prison wardens that your country has sold you out. (Hell half the British army think that way anyway) I think you will find the Iranians had been planning this for a long time. We are not the only people to employ physiologists. Note how all the sailors were separated. How they very quickly did as they were wanted to. (Anybody watch the Norman Bigley video?)
    The first rule of warfare.
    “Never underestimate your enemy”
    Now you may wish to continue.

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  37. GCooper says:

    archduke writes:

    “jon – > staggering article – thanks – and from a guy who was “on the inside” in Reuters…

    http://www.wintonsworld.com/ news…onframeset.html”

    That is a very interesting link, archduke – thank you.

    A nicely designed blog (for once!) and yet another cogent voice raised against the Left’s media hegemony.

       0 likes

  38. archduke says:

    “pounce | 10.04.07 – 8:52 pm”

    good post pounce. as an ex-forces person you have more of a handle on this than the rest of us. when you think about it the “selling stories” woo -hah is indeed a smokescreen for covering higher up asses….

       0 likes

  39. pounce says:

    Thanks archduke for that. As a grunt during the 80s I had to endure many an idiot who presumed that because I was in the army I was actually a war monger. Wrong the last person who ever wants to go to war is the soldier.
    Why?
    Because he knows he can die.
    Oh he will go, but more out of loyalty to his buddy, his squad, his troop, his squadron than to loyalty to his country. (Note I am talking about post WW2 here, where no physical threat to the UK has existed) He doesn’t want to die, he wants to live. So when I see the BBC bring out politicians from every shade of the spectrum in which to cry about how these sailors should die for their country before getting paid kind of gets me asking the question;
    “Err Ming old fellow, I didn’t see you or your mates (who have just signed up to another £10,000 pay rise) catching the first flight out to Tehran. I mean these idiots had no problem in flying out to talk to Saddam, So why is Iran different.”
    So on that note can any of the BBC clones here name me one politician who while berating the Brits for selling their story who not only actually refused that 10 grand pay rise the other week , but who flew out to Tehran to solicit our sailors release. Nah I don’t think they can.

       0 likes

  40. pounce says:

    Just wondering how the BBC will write up the Scum match on ITV.

    Man U scrape through lucky win.

    The BBC hater of the British.

    And I’m a Leeds fan at that.

       0 likes

  41. archduke says:

    however, pounce, you have to admit that the term “fighting fit” has gone a bit, err, flabby, since the 80s

    http://haddock-somethingfishy.blogspot.com/2007/04/fighting-fit.html

    or maybe thats a navy thing. i dunno…

       0 likes

  42. archduke says:

    anyways , i’m erring on the “sun tzu – all war is deception” school of thought. covering asses and befuddling the iranians in one go…..

       0 likes

  43. archonix says:

    Anonymous | 10.04.07 – 5:21 pm | #

    “Western allies criticise Iran” 29 characters
    “US, EU, UN criticise Iran” 25 characters
    “Iran faces Western ire” 22 characters
    “US and allies ‘condemn’ Iran” 28 characters
    “Europe, US show Iran anger” 26 characters
    “EU, UN call for Iran ‘showdown'” 32 characters

    Are you saying that this 31 to 33 character limit is a minimum limit? I have seen very short headlines on the BBC website. I confess I’ve never spent the time to count them, but I would hazard that at least some were below 30 characters.

    As for the “weird quotes”, well, I was simply demonstrating that it’s possible to put any spin you like on a headline.

    I know, lets take a random sample!

    DNA reveals Smith baby’s father
    Fans clash with police at Man Utd
    Ukraine judges ‘facing threats’
    Sainsbury’s suitors ‘pulling out’
    Websites urged to act on bullies

    Ok, perhaps there’s something to it after all…

    Oh look, they’re “padding” with ‘quotes’ too. Funny that.

    I have to confess I wasn’t aware of this 31 – 33 character limit when I did my little exercise, but that doesn’t make a difference. Headlines can be written in many different ways, even with a strict character limit. There’s one in my list above that fits the limit very nicely, gets the story across and yet manages to put a completely different angle on the whole thing.

    Ok, lets try again then, bearing the limit in mind.

    Western Powers Critical of Iran = 31
    United Nations ‘to condemn’ Iran = 32
    US and Allies Raise Iranian Ire = 31
    Islamic Republic Given Ultimatum = 32
    Europe, US show anger toward Iran = 33
    Ahmedinejad claims ‘unrepentent’ = 31

    That was entertaining… see the differences?

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  44. archduke says:

    feargal “cry me a river” keane is currently doing a sob piece about the Inuiit eskimos in the Arctic on Newsnight.

    the end of the ice age in the arctic is presented as something terrible.

    hello? not having minus 60 degree temperatures and instead having something a bit warmer is somehow AWFUL???

       0 likes

  45. archduke says:

    sorry – that wasnt newsnight. that was the ten o clock news.

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  46. archduke says:

    incredible scare quotes here
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/default.stm

    four “bombers” dead in casblanca

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6540369.stm

    hello? three of them blew themselves up!!!

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  47. pounce says:

    however, pounce, you have to admit that the term “fighting fit” has gone a bit, err, flabby, since the 80s

    You make a valid observation and a very valid point. As I’m not a Matlow I’m afraid I can’t speak for her or her service. However I will say one thing in her defence as large, fat or whatever people deem her to be. She was doing her job, which as everybody reads in the paper on a daily basis. (But not the BBC) servicemen and women aren’t having an easy time out in the Gulf. Maybe Haddock (the writer of that article) may wish to inform his readers of what service he has done to his country. As I mentioned before the armchair warriors know all the answers. Never for them the hot bunk. Never for them the fear of action stations, no for them when they die, they simply press the continue button on their Sony Play Stations when they die.
    In other words I’d rather have a FUB next to me in a hot zone than an armchair general back in blighty telling me where I got it wrong.

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  48. Bryan says:

    Hmmmm, an atypical BBC moment with Claire Bolderson on Newshour this afternoon. She was talking to John Williams, former director of communications at the Foreign Office, and asked him what he thought European governments would make of some frank, anti-Iranian comments by John Bolton.

    Wiliams: I find them dismaying….utterly dismaying to hear an influential American voice talking about regime change all over again. The….alarming thing that’s happening is since the incident with the British service personnel held in Iran we have had two people who are both extremists dominating the airwaves across the world on this – president Ahmedinejad from Teheran and John Bolton from Washington and we really urgently need some serious, sensible, restrained voices explaining that there is another way of doing this….

    Bolderson: ….you say “extremists’. I find it a bit harsh about Mr. Bolton. He does have quite a hard line point of view but the fact is that there are differences of approach, aren’t there. In Washington there have been other people talking about the possibility even of military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities – not something favoured here.

    Williams: I don’t think extremist is too strong a word. He said this morning on BBC radio that we should be decisively increasing the pressure ultimately leading to regimne change. Does he mean war or not? He wasn’t asked that, sadly, but I think he should be asked if he means war.

    Would be nice if Mr. Williams addressed that last question to Ahmedinejad. But he probably wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing. Interesting debate also about the “extremists”. Problem is, “extremist” is one of the BBC’s substitute words for “terrorist” so what Claire Bolderson is probably really saying to Williams is that it’s a bit unfair to call John Bolton a terrorist. Still, it’s good to see the BBC departing from the usual compliant agreement with the standard predictable shock and horror coming from Williams at the mere idea of a tough stand against Iran.

    Bolderson, incidentally, is apparently no friend of Israel, according to this 2001 article:

    http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=4&x_outlet=12&x_article=335

    But it could be she’s learned a couple of things since then.

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  49. Jon says:

    archduke says:
    ” ..hello? not having minus 60 degree temperatures and instead having something a bit warmer is somehow AWFUL???”
    archduke | 10.04.07 – 10:30 pm | #
    You may like to know ( and I’m sure the BBC does) that the temeratures in the Artic were much higher between 1935 – 1945 then they are today. That is why “Climate Scientists and the Beeb” tend to look at temperatures after 1960 – which shows an increase. Like every other “measurement” it depends where you put your reference point.

    Other details of Artic temeratures and how the sun does not actually warm the Artic is here.
    http://www.warwickhughes.com/cool/cool13.htm

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  50. archduke says:

    “we have had two people who are both extremists dominating the airwaves across the world on this – president Ahmedinejad from Teheran and John Bolton from Washington”

    whats so “extremist” about being against Islamofascism, suicide bombing terrorism, hanging gays and raped women from a crane and stoning “apostates” to death – and wanting to topple a regime that endorses all of that?

    so therefore, by the same logic, Churchill was an “extremist” because he wanted to topple Nazism?

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