have a video out on YouTube – Can America Trust the BBC?
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- Zephir Nov 24, 23:41
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I read the link, and it mentions “Trumpian” in a negative tone and “the risk” of far right” and “immigration… - Guest Who Nov 24, 23:32
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Or, better yet, how they try not to. - vlad Nov 24, 23:12
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It will be interesting to see how the BBC handle this one. - Doughboy Nov 24, 22:57
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Gonna be 2 million by the morning, squeaky bum time at the BBC - vlad Nov 24, 22:47
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Link to Petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700143 Live updates: https://youtu.be/XxheBkXnsWw - tomo Nov 24, 22:46
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They were put on a ferry = an old wheeze, first tested in the modern era with a selection of… - tomo Nov 24, 22:40
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I rather hope a vendor of ginger nuts does a maliciously viral advert… - tomo Nov 24, 22:39
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I think the climate thing can be added to the list https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_panic_cases
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agw anti-American anti-conservative anti-Israel anti Israel. pro Palestinian Antisemitism BBC - sickeningly biased at all times. BBC agenda BBC bias bbc bias and balance. bbc bias by omission BBC censorship BBC Question Time BBC selectivity bias Biased BBC climate change dhimmis general thread immigration Islam israel Mark Mardell obama obama bias Obamalove open thread pro-labour pro-palestinian pro EU pro Hamas pro Islam pro Labour bias pro Obama PRO OBAMA AT ALL COSTS. pro Obama BBC agenda question time question time live Richard Black save gordon. USA politics US economy US News US politics US presidential elections
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6577095.stm
The poo poo has hit the fan.
Ultraviolence, in case you’re confused I should make clear – I meant I wanted an explanation that is more substantial than the speculative psychobabble you’ve already offered. If what you write was based on the video released by the murderer, then it’s all the more clear that it offers no answers, only bullshit rationalisations and excuses for that something that you still can’t explain and cannot even define.
And once again, I find myself wading into the middle of an argument that has nothing whatever to do with BBC bias… this whole thread is ridiculous, including me!
@knacker: I have to respecfully disagree with your opinion concerning the US trusting Britain because of the Irainian affair. Most Americans that I spoke to were very sympathetic to the unlawful detention of the British sailors and Royal Marines. A few US military members, who I know, were more angry at the British government for not providing specific guidelines for such an eventuality. Especially since the threat of capture was quite well known. Also, we in this country, have very little use for the UN and its weak reponse to this incident was for many of us another nail its coffin.
As to the behavior of the captured I view that as a British domestic matter and best not commented on by a foreigner.
Getting back to BBC America, I am hoping that it never finds a prominent voice here in the States as I do believe that would do much to quicken an already strained relationship into a complete breakdown. I was lurking at a British site where a British poster was telling others how every time he travels to the US he spends most of his time “assuring Americans that the British do not hate them.”
I found this particularly interesting because obviously the perception here is that you British hate us. Regardless of whether it is true or not, it is the prevailing perception. Hate generally begets hate, and adding BBC America to the mix preception will become an accepted reality to many Americans.
I am already aware of many US web sites where Americans are livid by the subtle joy that too many Europeans are expressing over the Virginia Tech shootings. Again, as on 911, barely concealed European celebrations are infuriating. To say that European and US relations are strained is an understatement, and again BBC America with its anti-American bias will destroy what little is left.
I don’t watch the BBC, either International or America, especially for news, but I do wonder about a world-wide anti-American media machine funded by British taxpayers trying to insert themselves into America and somehow thinking that Americans are desperate for that service. 😆
Just an American: said. ” am already aware of many US web sites where Americans are livid by the subtle joy that too many Europeans are expressing over the Virginia Tech shootings”
While I agree that there are probaly people in Europe who are expressing “subtle joy” – you are actually looking at things the way the BBC would, which I find suprising as you do not watch the BBc. Europe is not a single country but 25 different nations – there is not, nor will there ever be one voice for “Europeans”. I think you will find that most countries are not inherently anti-American (some may be more so than others). But while I understand your point please don’t get into the BBC mindset by implying that there is a country called Europe.
Just an American: just to put it into perspective – would you class Brazilians or Bolivians as American -they live on a continent called America.
There should be no excuse for mass murder – anyone who says “He did it because..”, just takes away the utter cruelty of his actions and makes him into a victim. This can only give more people the green light. This is again the BBC mindset – look for an excuse for a criminal and the criminal becomes the victim.
Please could commenters moderate their language.
IiD — Hard to say, since it’s anecdotal and I balk at the thought of speaking for 300 million Americans, unlike Frei and the bottomless pit of BBC pundits.
But you ask…
The Dutch are still remembered for their disgraceful behavior in Srebrenica and for years of snotty anti-American sneering. On the other hand, I have a couple of Dutch friends who are showing signs of panic, even contrition, in the face of reality.
Australians are widely liked just about everywhere. Poles, too, generally, along with sympathy for their geographical plight. IMO it’s inconceivable that Poland would ever be dumped by the US in the way many would say they were dumped by Britain in 1939 — but it is now not inconceivable that Britain will be left to dangle on its own.
Yes, generalizing wildly here and plainly talking only about the folks who can find these places on the map, but I think it’s about right.
Why? The reservoir of support for the UK is nearly drained dry — there’s a widespread, and widening, perception you all whine a lot, like American teenagers and our loony left, but don’t do much. And if you can’t be bothered to help yourselves, why should we? We especially hate schadenfreude (Frei again).
NATO is little more than a polite fiction, like the UN, and only a fool would rely on it. In practice, Europeans ignore NATO obligations at will. Apparently you think we are too dumb to notice.
Just an American: I stood on The Hoe in Plymouth about six weeks ago and looked out of to sea, near the spot where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail and across the sound where the Royal Navy once anchored and protected a great nation. No warships now, just a scruffy car ferry bound for France or Spain, and on land a shuttered museum, dreary municipal threats about litter, ignored save for graffitti, and fading signs by the ill-tended war memorials. Let’s just say this isn’t the happy face of an energetic nation proud of its past and confident about the future, and that the Royal Marines in the frightened fifteen did what they do best. No surprise, either.
Here’s a good example of BBC bias towards America:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6572615.stm
‘millions and millions of Latin Americans benefit every day from the powerhouse US economy.’
A pack of lies. I hope, along with the rest of the commentors here, that America sees through the inherent anti-capitalism and anti-Americanism at the BBC.
knacker – you seem to have a very low opinion of Britain. Where I live there are many historical monuments of Britains achievments and let me tell you they are not neglected but cherished. You cannot sum up a country by the places you visit – maybe your going to the wrong places.
Do you think that critism from US citizens about Britain is going to help Anglo-US relations – you cant have it both ways.
“it’s inconceivable that Poland would ever be dumped by the US in the way many would say they were dumped by Britain in 1939 ” – So the US entered the war in 1939 to defend the Poles? I think that you will find that when Poland was invaded in 1939 Britain actually declared war on Germany, or are you reading different history books .
“Britain and France had sworn to defend Poland. Honoring these obligations, the two countries sent ultimatums to Hitler demanding his withdrawal from Poland. Hitler declined to respond. On September 3, Prime Minister Chamberlain went to the airwaves to announce to the British people that a state of war existed between their country and Germany. World War II had begun.”
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/vocham.htm
Maybe Britain was slow to respond but that was through an act of apeasment by the then Government.
“The reservoir of support for the UK is nearly drained dry — there’s a widespread, and widening, perception you all whine a lot, like American teenagers and our loony left, but don’t do much.”
I’m sorry you feel like that, but if that is your attitude to the British people then we could probably do without your “friendship”.
Can posters please not be rude to others? I read these posts nearly every day because of the high level of intellectuality, the careful use of argument and the general absence of spite and childish abuse. Let’s not allow the tone to be lowered.
Ultraviolence, your remark to Roxana was obnoxious and unnecessary, and adds nothing to any point you may be wishing to make, and nor does the use of words like ‘shit’. I happen to think that her post was good and interesting. If you don’t, by all means explain why not, but don’t abuse the person that posted it. I happen to think that almost all Foucault’s opinions are, ultimately, worthless; but I wouldn’t abuse or vilify you for quoting them.
“A century ago, a 12-story column with an eternal flame on top was erected in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn to remember American troops who died aboard British prison ships in the East River during the Revolutionary War. More than 11,000 died — several times the number of American battle deaths. But today the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument is vandalized and, like those it honors, forgotten.”
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-05-21-memorial-cover_x.htm
Apr 15, 2007 — A park visitor recently found damage to a Gettysburg National Military Park monument, and two others vandalized last year are still waiting for repairs.
The most recent damage discovered was to the 155th Pennsylvania monument on Little Round Top, which had already been repaired once, according to park officials.
http://www.ydr.com/history/ci_5671206
knacker – please do not genralise – it happens everywhere.
Jon: you seem very touchy about the comments of the American poster. In my experience (I’m English, but my brother, with whom I am in frequent contact, lives in the USA, so I have some knowledge of both the politics and the general zeitgeist on both sides of the Atlantic), his remarks are pretty accurate. Most of the people who have got to the top of politics in this country have been, to some degree or other, anti-American, and the BBC (among other institutions – the Foreign Office, for example) is irredeemably so, for all sorts of peculiar reasons – snobbery, envy and so on. This leads to the situation where the population of this country is subject to a non-stop barrage of anti-American propaganda (you can’t call it anything less than that), and has been throughout my lifetime (and I go back a long way). This in turn leads to the situation where, fed lies and half-truths all the time, people who know nothing but what they are told by the BBC and similar media, and who are too stupid or lazy to find anything out for themselves, do whine and complain about the US at every opportunity. Given the all-embracing propaganda, this is not surprising, but I find it very embarrassing, and deeply disheartening. Sometimes I wish I could send a message to all Americans, saying ‘Ignore the British media, ignore the remarks of our pin-headed politicians; the mass of Britons do know really what America has done for them, and do understand the very great number of beliefs, tastes and interests that we share. One day we shall get rid of the BBC, and then those that think it is wonderful, and think the Guardian is wonderful, will have no more influence over British politics and general beliefs than their numbers merit (which is not much)’
anti-capitalist? Gavin Esler on Ronald Reagan:
“above all, Ronald Wilson Reagan embodied the best of the American spirit – the optimistic belief that problems can and will be solved, that tomorrow will be better than today, and that our children will be wealthier and happier than we are.” (Esler, ‘The Great Communicator’, Daily Mail, June 7, 2004)
Deckchair of Despair: said “you seem very touchy about the comments of the American poster.” I am and have always been very pro-American. But I am also a proud Englishman who cannot stand by and let someone generalise about the British e.g. “.. and that the Royal Marines in the frightened fifteen did what they do best. No surprise, either.” and “there’s a widespread, and widening, perception you all whine a lot, like American teenagers and our loony left, but don’t do much. And if you can’t be bothered to help yourselves, why should we? ”
Yes he did point out that he did not want to generalise – and then went on to do it. “Yes, generalizing wildly here and plainly talking only about the folks who can find these places on the map, but I think it’s about right.”
– I also do not like to be patronised and given History lessons especially when it is wrong. On this blog we talk about among other things how the BBC are ant-US – It is easy to see by reading the posts that the people on this blog are not anti-American and a lot, including me, are British. My argument however was not against the US but just one person.
Jon, I honestly don’t know how to approach Europeans or Brits anymore. I have visited a French site and been attack for being a stupid American. My crime? I called a Frenchman a Frenchman and not a European. Of all the American gall! I have been corrected for calling a British lady British and told in no uncertain terms that she was Scottish. Stupid American for not knowing the “new” rules. I read British newspapers and have seen nicer things said about Americans in old Soviet papers. Americans are very confused, Jon, as to where we stand with you. Are you friend or foe? We’re thinking foe. We don’t know you any longer, and many of us feel we never did. You said to knacker “Do you think that criticism from US citizens about Britain is going to help Anglo-US relations-you can’t have it both ways.” No, but neither will British/European criticism of the US-you can’t have both ways either.
Just for the record if Brazil and Bolivia had chosen to incorporate America in their names I would call them Americans. 🙂
“Are you friend or foe?” I would say friend – the reason why things are confusing over here is the mad governments we have. In the last 10 years we have seen our country being sold to an undemocratic elite who rule from Brussels – The French are in the main very pro-EU whilst the British (if you look at any opinion poll) are mainly anti-EU. Unfortunately there is no political party in Britain that takes this stance (except the UK Independance Party – but they are only small). Voter apathy has swept Britain because whoever you vote for now you get the same politics. About 80% of our laws are passed by the undemocratic EU (or as some people call them the EUSSR)- so what is the option – violent revolution? not the British thing to do. Maybe the British are downhearted and isolated but is it any wonder – once we could stand on our own 2 feet in the world but the people have been sold down the river by career politicians. Maybe my frustration shows in my posts, but I asure you that I admire the US for its democracy as we have lost ours. Maybe thats why people seem anti-American its probably jealousy.
You will find that since the Labour Government broke up Britain – the Scottish are Scottish, the Welsh are Welsh and the English are British. English does not count as a nationality on the census forms. And our Deputy Prime Minister has told us this in no uncertain terms.
“The 2001 Census allowed people to state they were either Scottish, Welsh or British.
This is because, according the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, “there is no such nationality as English”
http://englishdemocrats.org.uk/news.php?archive=1170862148&subaction=list-archive&do=archives
My argument has always been that we should have alliances of equals (meaning outlook, not a socialist type), and the most natural alliances are in the Angloshpere, we all share the same history so what could be more natural. I do apologise if my remarks have offended you and others but I assure you they were made without any ill feeling towards Americans.
Just an American Vist http://www.18doughtystreet.com/on_demand/165 – it may put your mind at rest.
You have brought tears to my eyes, Jon. I had no idea what political upheavals Britain is facing. The English are British without being English first? A pox on the Labour Government for that. How awful. I can’t even imagine how the English, with your rich history and traditions, are coping with this new identity. I am so sorry. You and every other Englishman and Englishwoman have every reason to be angry and frustrated
As for the EU, I have looked at this thing up one side and down the other and see nothing but a disaster in the making. Please do all that you can to help get England out of this European nightmare. Please know that this American, and millions more like me, wish you and yours the very best.
ON THE USA
Having relatives who live in the USA, I do from time to time visit. They live in “The Sticks” of Tennessee, and it is true that all my relatives carry a gun in their car. However, as I have travelled widely around the S.Eastern states, Tennessee,Alabama, North & South Carolina ,Florida etc. I have found Americans to be nothing but friendly (being called sir is an annoyance; not being a knight of the realm or a serving officer in the forces), I certainly would feel safer in the states I have mentioned, than in areas of Leeds or London that I could mention.
To tar an entire country, by the acts of one obviously disturbed youth is simplistic in the extreme.
Jon — Shooting the messenger doesn’t do a lot of good. I was asked to generalize — not by you, which you seem to take personally — and I did. Of course generalization has its place, but you surely know that. If it makes you pout, tough.
I am well aware of the endless arguments about British perfidy in Poland (or not) and don’t need any instruction on hasty induction and special pleading.
You evidently have a tin ear. Reread what I said.
The UK has just suffered a massive propaganda defeat at the hands of Iran, and denial won’t fix a thing. Question is, what are you going to do about it?
One big harrumph, it seems — which sounds like just another day in the life of a big girl’s blouse.
Korova,
Have you actually seen, heard, or read any other report or broadcast from the BBC other than the half-baked piece on anti-Americanism in Venezuela? It’s one little brown shrub amongst a vast forest of evergreens, and not even a very good one. You link to this as if to say it contradicts everything posters here have been saying about anti-American bias on the BBC, yet did you even read it very carefully?
I assume that you didn’t notice that bit at the end where, after admitting that the government and people of Venezuela might possibly be at least partially responsible for their own political and economic situation, the author gives it away:
if American behaviour changes now, or if free trade turns out to make everyone wealthier, will Latin Americans change their minds about the modern US?
Since it’s a given that you view Free Trade policies as US theft/extortion/imperialism, we’ll just take it as read that it will never make the people of Latin America wealthier and go straight to the heart of the matter:
Even in a purportedly pro-American article (part of a series we’re all very eager to follow, naturally), it seems that the behavior of the US is the real reason Why They Hate US™. If – and only if – American behavior changes should people in other countries begin to look inward to solve their problems? Utter nonsense.
And by the way, that quote you posted about Reagan was actually a comment on the can-do spirit of optimism that used to be appreciated as a good American character trait. Nothing whatsoever to do with the dreaded Capitalism.
Please go back to your unreconstructed junior anarchist sandbox and educate yourself.
“The UK has just suffered a massive propaganda defeat at the hands of Iran, and denial won’t fix a thing. Question is, what are you going to do about it?”
I quite agree – do you have any suggestions of how the ordinary voter can make a difference?.
That is why the internet is so important, some views expressed here can never be said in public, without being branded, xenophobic or worse. I notice that you take the BBC and the media at face value – as you know power lies with the government and the media, both were guilty of the Iranian “propganda coup”, the British people were not.
“My God what a serious intellect you are Roxana.”
Why thank you UV 🙂 I pride myself on my lack of intellecutal pretension and middle brow tastes.
If Cho had been thrown out of college he just would have gone postal in some other enviroment.
Are you suggesting that Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Paranoia and other psychoses *ARENT* biologically based? How very quaint and old fashioned!
Ultraviolence:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/ 6577095.stm
The poo poo has hit the fan.
*Shrug* No more than I’d expect. Of course Cho’s going to become a hero to the nihilistic counter-culture deritus. Just as they lionized the Unabomber. Their free floating hatred of western culture causes them to embrace anything desctructive of it including mass murderers and terrorists.
I remember reading somewhere that Australia is the only foreign country where Americans can feel at home. I believe it and attribute the fact to our common British roots and frontier experience – dispite the fact we Americans can barely understand one word in ten of Aussie speak! 🙂
Just an American:
Thanks for your kind words
“..dispite the fact we Americans can barely understand one word in ten of Aussie speak”
Roaxana – have a look at the “English” that is spoken near where I live – you won’t understand 1 word in 2.
http://www.geordie.org.uk/translate.htm
Oh dear! You’re right, one word in
two – if I’m lucky! 🙂
@Jon, You’re welcome. I am struck by how very similar our problems are. Please know that white Anglos are under assault in this country too, and very often we feel very isolated and lonely. We are a majority with no voice, and far too many who are apathetic to the dangers around them. Where it will all end? I don’t know, there are times when I refuse to look too far into future for fear of what I will see there.
Roxana, sometimes when talking to my Southern neighbors I wish I would have brought along an interpreter, and when this Yankee girl opens her mouth I know they are wishing it too. 😆
I do not blame the American posters in this thread for being offended by the anti-americanism in the BBC reporting (or reporting of any other European state-funded media for that matter).
However, writers in this blog are simply the wrong target for abuse, because most of us are aware of the anti-American bias.
Anti-Americanism is not exclusive to BBC. For example, if you want to read about anti-Americanism in German media take a look at
http://medienkritik.typepad.com/
There has always been anti-Americanism in many parts of Europe, mainly from the left – but since the idea of a constitution for the EU, this ant-Americanism has been fed to people via the media and especially the BBC. It is an attempt to forge a “European” identity. You hear such things said like “What would you rather be part of Europe or America?” It is a stupid question; my answer is always “why must we part of either?” I must stress that this statement is neither anti-American nor Anti-European. Britain has the 5th largest economy in the world. Why can’t we stand on our own? The answer is that we can but the political elites want what they have always wanted throughout history and that is a United Europe – from Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire to Hitler and the third Reich, the dream is always a single European Empire. All attempts at making this “dream” a reality have always been undemocratic. It is no different now. What has this got to do with Anti-Americanism? It is really quite simple Europe sees America as a rival power.
The US does not help however, as the US sees Europe as a power. As John O’Sullivan puts it
“As Henry Kissinger knows all too well from his study of European history, rising powers tend to develop a view of their own interests that makes them the rivals of other powers even when there is relatively little of substance that separates them. If that is not so, then the First World War never happened. A united Europe would be such a power.”
“Conscious hostility to America as a false social ideal has been a constant theme — sometimes dominant, sometimes secondary — in European politics for almost two hundred years. The Cold War subdued this form of anti-Americanism. But it is now almost the sole remaining ideology of the European Left. It has some adherents on the European Old Right that is emerging again after decades in the shadows. And it would be bound to increase in a united Europe that saw the U.S. as rival more than ally.”
http://www.inthenationalinterest.com/Articles/Vol3Issue13/Vol3Issue13OSullivan.html
European Politicians want power and power to rival that of the US. I have often heard it said that it is dangerous to have only one superpower – Europe wants to fill the gap left by the USSR. (Its politics IMHO opinion is similar to the Soviet system)
And what is the role of the BBC in this?
“—— is that by bashing the US, the BBC is slowly trying to brainwash the British population into believing that the EU Super State is an alternative and viable worldview, along the same line as Chirac’s often stated vision of a new bipolar world order.
In its simplest form, the BBC’s game is to convince British citizens that America is bad, which consequently implies that the EU is, by contrast, good. If one bashes the US enough, then people naturally will look to the alternative, and the only one on offer in the UK is to become part of the EU Super State. From my perspective, it seems a perfectly logical strategy.”
http://www.americanthinker.com/2004/04/the_bbc_proeu_and_antiamerica.html”
“There no disguising the reality that Europe is building an anti-American structure. Yet the CFR argues that the U.S. should continue its long post-war policy of assisting and encouraging that construction.”
http://www.inthenationalinterest.com/Articles/Vol3Issue13/Vol3Issue13OSullivan.html
I agree with Jon in the fact that since EU cannot define itself in positive terms (There is no such thing as European nation), it has to define itself in negative terms. Europe is not the United States.
UK is a big enough country to drop out of the project when it seems fit. However, there are a lot of hangaround members in the EU that are only there because of the economic benefits. And it is not the economic benefits as such but the competitive disadvantage that there would be if a country decided to stay out. Only countries like Switzerland and Norway have been financially strong enough to remain as non-members.
Politically EU is weak, since there is no common political will that is necessary for effective policy. Instead, all EU decisions tend to be watered down compromises. This does not make EU as an effective competitor to United States in World leadership.
Just found this piece on why it is safe to say anything about the US but you cannot critisise Iran in Germmany.
“Not a day passes in Germany when someone isn’t making the wildest claims, hurling the vilest insults or spreading the most outlandish conspiracy theories about the United States. But there’s no risk involved and it all serves mainly to boost the German feeling of self-righteousness.
Iran is a different story. The last time someone made a joke on German TV about an Iranian leader, the outcome was not pleasant. Exactly 20 years ago, Dutch entertainer Rudi Carell produced a short TV sketch portraying Ayatollah Khomeini dressed in women’s underwear. Carell received death threats. The piece, which lasted all of a few seconds, led to flights being cancelled and German diplomats being expelled from Tehran. Carell apologized. Jokes about fat Americans are just safer.”
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,474636,00.html
Its the same with the BBC – say what you like about America – as there is no threat, but try saying the same things about a country in the Middle East and !!!!.
This also happens closer to home – you cannot criticise the Scots, Welsh, Irish or “Ethnic Minorities” but the English you can say what you like.
Does anyone notice the difference in treatment the BBC gives to a preponderance of gun massacres being committed in the States and the prepoderance of street muggings being committed by black youths in Britain? The first is a good excuse to whip up bigotry, the latter a pretext to ‘unperson’ anyone as “racist” who seeks to constructively address the issue.
Just an American / Jon, one observation I will make of British life as a 42 year old is the following:
When I was growing up I would often hear politicians (usually Tory) use the phrase “The Great British Public”. Now you never do. The straightforward reason is our common sense and moral fibre have gone out of the window. I find it standard that people think the Iraq War changed the law of physics: It was no longer possible to put things on planes and load things on lorries to shift WMD’s elsewhere. I am a very proud Englishman, but due to our past, not our present. The England of today makes me want to cringe. Still, at least Blair, despite all we can moan about, stayed true to British history when it counted. And as Dave T pointed out, Michael Yon provided a great antidote to the shame of the ‘Hapless 15’ and their bags of goodies from their Iranian kidnappers. I praise the Lord that I remember a better England.
hippiepooter – I am a bit older than 42 – but when I was at school, the Labour Government launched the “I’m backing Britain” campaign – I had no idea at the time what it was all about but it did make you proud to be British. Imagine if anyone did that now!!!
“During the early 1960s the most prevalent image in London was of the Union Jack, which found its way onto every kind of accessory, from mugs to badges to shopping bags.
In 1968, a few weeks after devaluation, Harold Wilson produced the “I’m Backing Britain” campaign. The campaign was made that much easier because the pound now bought less overseas.
People were encouraged to sport T-shirts and badges emblazoned with “I’m backing Britain” over a union jack. A group of Surbiton secretaries worked an extra half an hour a day for free and many thousands followed their lead in the face of great opposition from trade unions. The Duke of Edinburgh even lent his support.
http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/pop/backingbritain.htm
What do we get now?
“I’m backing Brown”
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2472337.ece
Jon, one of the things that truly appalled me in the midst of our servicemen’s illegal captivity was all that our Foreign Secretary could rattle a sabre about was on behalf of Brown, threatening Milliband with ‘human sacrifice’ if he stood against him. Do we hear the Tory Party raising an outcry over this? No. Just cynical exploitation of the servicemen being allowed to sell their stories when the most important issue was ‘why no RN Board of Inquiry into the incident?’
Although this is off topic hippiepooter – Stephen Pollard summed up the “foreign secretary” perfectly here:
“Has there been a more embarrassing, depressing and, indeed, shaming spectacle in recent memory than the sight of Margaret Beckett representing our nation in response to the abduction by Iran of 15 British sailors?
There will not be many people who seriously challenge the claim that Mrs Beckett is the most hopeless Foreign Secretary of the modern political era. Not only is she incompetent, but she is almost entirely unprincipled. And it is that combination which makes her the ultimate, shameless symbol of politics today.
Indeed, the only principle that Mrs Beckett has unswervingly championed in her 30-year career in frontline politics has been her own desire for high office.”
http://www.stephenpollard.net/003207.html
Read the rest.
By the way – Happy St. Georges Day to all.
“Are you suggesting that Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Paranoia and other psychoses *ARENT* biologically based? ”
And I have danced with the devil.
They are not biologically based.
I also think Roxana is a very beautiful name, especially considering it has an X in the name. There are not many nice sounding words that include the letter X.
Xebra
Xylophone (tom foolery)
Xerox.
Your new name is XEROXANA!
I have moved the stars themselves into a new and beautiful constellation, it will be named XEROXANA.
John Lennons will is indeed ineffable.
@ Jon, hippiepooter and Englishmen/women everywhere,
Happy St. Georges Day to all!
This article in the Wall Street Journal should explain a few things about Americans and madness:
http://opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009977
BTW UV, perhaps you would like to produce the evidence for your view that psychosis is not biologically based?
Just an American: if your still around – this piece sums up the EU to a tee – written by Vladimir Bukovsky a former Soviet Dissident.
http://www.free-europe.org/blog/?itemid=17
@Jon, this is a very powerful and rather amazing indictment of the EU. It has many of us on this side of the Atlantic wondering what was the Cold War all about when what the old Soviet Union couldn’t accomplish Brussels will? We don’t understand how an Englishman, a Frenchman, an Italian, a German, etc., can give up their identity with no fight whatsoever. Are there so many who believe that this will and can be a good thing?
I know that the US has always been supportive of the EU, I also know why. First and foremost we would be accused of standing in the way of a very dynamic new Europe. And second, we are a very competitive people, and the US needs the competiton. Which was fine when we thought that the EU was strictly an economic union. Believe it or not, ask the average American what they think of the EU, most will say it’s a wonderful idea. Of course, most will say this without having the slightest idea of how the EU operates or how very undemocratic it is. I hope the EU dies a very quick death. How soon can you get that crowd together and scare the intellectuals right out of Brussels? My hope is for each European nation to be a souvereign and prosperous one. That is where the real competition should be, and where it would be good for everyone.
I guess this is why patriotism and nationalism are frowned on by Europe. It is so much easier to impose a new European nationality on those who have no deep seated national identity. I know we are thought to be over the top with our flag waving and patriotism, but it is something that we are born with, and it is promoted as a part of life here, but even so, there are far too many in this country who would sell us down the river if they could.
Just an American – The problem is totalitarianism is very hard to defeat from the inside. The BBC is very pro-europe (they even get funds from the EU to promote the “European Ideal”)
“Recent correspondence between the BBC’s management in Brussels and the MEP has revealed a prima facie case for investigation, Mr Mote claims. The documents show that the BBC’s senior management has, over many years, accepted money from the EU and its institutions in exchange for which they have enforced an editorial policy of positive support of the EU, contrary to both the spirit and the letter of the charter.”
http://www.ashleymote.co.uk/news.php?sec=article&art_id=112
Remember Pravda the voice of the Soviet Union?
How did the Soviet Union keep the “empire” together
“To qualify for recognition, a party would need to secure representation in at least one quarter of the member states. It would have to fight elections on a common and binding manifesto across Europe (bye-bye UKIP). It would need to accept the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights (bye-bye Tories). And – most sinister of all – it would have to satisfy the other parties. If a majority of MEPs were to decide that a party was not abiding by their definition of human rights and democratic values, it would be debarred.”
“This is exactly what our communists did,” said a Polish MP as he read the text. “They did not ban elections: we had elections all the time. They did not even ban opposition movements, at least not by the late Seventies. All they did was to ban the dissidents from contesting the elections.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/06/01/weu101.xml
This is what is happening in Britain, they use Political Correctness to stifle debate and any dissent from thier “ideals”.
If you are seen as not political correct enough you get sent on “Diversity Training”.
“Nine firemen have been disciplined after refusing to hand out leaflets at a “gay pride” march, and will be forced to undergo intensive “diversity training”.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/09/01/npride01.xml
I have been on this “training” and it is in effect brainwashing.
The Break up of the EU will not happen from Britain – but I believe from the Estern European countries who have known this totalitarianism and can see it a mile off.
The Czech president Vaclav Klaus is a good example.
“President Klaus spoke last Monday, warning for the new “substitute ideologies of socialism” such as “Europeanism” and “NGOism.” These “isms” are currently threatening Europe. “In the first decade of the 21st century we should not concentrate exclusively on socialism,” he said.”
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/206
“Nine firemen…” This is appalling. I think the old Soviet Union had more freedoms than the current EU. I can’t believe this is happening in 2007. Have we learned nothing from the history of failed socialist/communist regimes? Good grief!
There was a time when I liked Tony Blair, admittedly for selfish reasons. But the more I lurk and read conservative British sites the more I dislike him. I have always thought that any elected leader should do the best he can for his nation and people. PM Blair has not done well by your country, nor has the Labour Party. I don’t see the Tories doing much better and I am sorry for that. Bush’s poll numbers are in the basement because he has betrayed his base. Blair’s numbers should be in the basement for betraying his country. Shame on him. 🙁
One more thought on TB. Did he send your troops into harms way to focus the debate on Iraq and away from the EU?
“I think the old Soviet Union had more freedoms than the current EU.”
Congrats, that is the single most stupid statement I’ve read for a while.