General BBC-related comment thread

! Please use this thread for comments about the BBC’s current programming and activities. This post will remain at or near the top of the blog – scroll down for new topic-specific posts. N.B. This is not an invitation for general off-topic comments, rants or chit-chat. Thoughtful comments are encouraged. Comments may also be moderated. Any suggestions for stories that you might like covered would be appreciated! It’s your space, use it wisely!

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277 Responses to General BBC-related comment thread

  1. Biodegradable says:

    The photo accompanying this piece goes a long way to explain how the Israelis allegedly killed 2000 “civilians” in the last war in Lebanon.

    I can see at least 4 civilians there, not a proper military uniform in sight:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7394853.stm

    In case the BBC change the photo it’s this one:
    http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44646000/jpg/_44646313_hezb_ap_226_170b.jpg

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  2. Gibby Haynes says:

    Even the terrorists (huh, that wasn’t so hard) – who the BBC are propagandising for – hate the BBC

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  3. Nearly Oxfordian says:

    “How the BBC just gets everything wrong and the answer is to tip everything over to the commercial sector…” –

    Oh, Hillhunt baby, can you hear me on your planet Zog? Al Beeb has just confessed to stealing the little matter of a few thousand squid from charity.

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  4. max says:

    Save Harrison Ford (and billioner Khalid Bin Mahfouz)!
    http://expatyank.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/its-about-protecting-harrison-ford-reports-bbc/

    via No Pasarn.

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  5. An Observer says:

    The military prowess of these islamic militants who now turn on the BBC and reward them in the traditional middle eastern manner is in much doubt.

    They fire rockets at the BBC in Baghdad, but no one is hurt.

    Jeremy Bowen comes under fire, but he escapes unscathed.

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  6. pounce says:

    The BBC, how it defends the Taliban and half the story.

    Afghan prisoners given medicine
    Red Cross officials in Afghanistan say they have provided medication for 40 prisoners on hunger strike at Kandahar men’s prison. The men are among around 300 inmates who have been refusing food for a week, demanding the chance of a fair trial.
    They are also demanding that American forces stop what they say is the harassment of their families while they are locked away.
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7395396.stm

    The BBC promotes this image about how poor Afghan prisoners are having to go on a hunger strike in which to get a fair trial and that its all the fault of the Americans.

    Here is how the rest of the world are hearing this story;
    Pakistan
    Jailed Taliban suspects on hunger strike
    KANDAHAR: Afghan politicians say more than 200 Taliban suspects are on a hunger strike in the Kandahar prison.
    http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C05%5C12%5Cstory_12-5-2008_pg4_19

    Canada
    Taliban inmates go on hunger strike
    KANDAHAR — More than 200 Taliban suspects are on a hunger strike in the Kandahar prison to demand fair trials, officials said yesterday.
    http://www.torontosun.com/News/World/2008/05/12/5538271-sun.html

    Australia
    Afghanistan prisoners on hunger strike
    About 300 Taliban suspects have been on hunger strike in an Afghan prison for a week.It is believed the prisoners stopped eating in protest at the handling of their trials by local authorities.
    http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200805/s2241535.htm?tab=latest

    AFP
    Taliban suspects on hunger strike in Afghan jail
    KABUL (AFP) – About 300 Taliban suspects have been on a hunger strike in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar prison for a week demanding fair trials, rights groups and local lawmakers said Sunday
    http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080511/wl_sthasia_afp/afghanistanprisonjustice

    I wonder why the BBC refrains from informing the great unwashed just which group these protesting prisoners actually belong to?

    The BBC, how it defends the Taliban and half the story.

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  7. keith says:

    In the Jimmy Mizen murder case, neither the BBC nor a single newspaper or TV station has been able to report other than the suspect was a “male youth”. Yet today the BBC feel quite able to report that a “white middle-aged man” sought as a witness has come forward.

    What can be inferred by this selective reporting?

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  8. mjg says:

    In its coverage of the crisis in Lebanon the BBC seems to have difficulty referring to the government of that unfortunate country other than as “the Western-backed government.
    The implication is that this is not a real government but a western stooge so that the insurrection of Hebollah and the failure to carry out the government’s orders are made legitimate.
    The BBC even reports approvingly
    “one proposal being discussed is the idea that the current Western-backed government should resign and had over to a military council.”
    So a military junta is better than a legal government when that government is “Western-backed.”

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  9. David says:

    Did anyone see Headcases on ITV last night? I’m going to try to find out the employment history of the writers on that, because I cannot believe it’s not written by (ex-)Beeboids.

    We had four sketches about the Tories, and one tiny little one about Brown.

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  10. Pickwick says:

    Thank you Arthur Dent and G.Cooper for your reassurance ! I thought this play was such blatant propaganda that it must have had some hidden depths which only the British could fathom.
    I did now phone the BBC about it and might try Feedback.
    Thanks folks.

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  11. 1327 says:

    Did anyone else see the terrible coverage of the Jimmy Mizen murder story on Breakfast Time this morning ? There was an interview with the chaps poor parents and then straight over for an interview with the awful Camila Batmanghelidjh in the studio. Sadly this woman pushes all the right buttons for the Beeb. So for the next ten minutes there was no mention of law and order or punishment just more failed 60’s claptrap about how their are troubled children out there needing “help”. All of these views were met with nodding heads from the interviewers.

    Sadly whenever I see her the only thought in my mind is why a half Belgian Iranian is dressed like that.

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  12. pounce says:

    The BBC, its promotion of Islam’s hatred of Israel and half the story.

    Islamists in Mauritanian cabinet
    Mauritania’s Islamist opposition is in the government for the first time.
    The moderate Islamist National Rally for Reform and Development (RNRD) has joined the cabinet of new prime minister, Yahya Ould Ahmed Waghf.
    Mr Waghf said severing diplomatic ties with Israel was not on the agenda. Mauritania recognised Israel in 1999
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7395685.stm

    So from the above do you get the impression that the march of Islamists governments has taken Mauritania? That the only thing on their mind is severing ties with nasty old Israel?

    Here is what the BBC isn’t telling you.
    The Islamists are the opposition, they are not in power.
    Here is how the rest of the world are getting informed of this story;
    Reuters
    Mauritania names old hands, Islamists in new cabinet
    NOUAKCHOTT (Reuters) – Mauritania’s new prime minister named a cabinet late on Sunday, handing powerful posts to figures who served the authoritarian administration ousted in a 2005 coup and bringing in Islamist opposition politicians.
    The broad-based government is the latest step by President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi to consolidate his political and parliamentary power base as the arid Saharan country faces twin threats from al Qaeda attacks and soaring food prices.
    http://africa.reuters.com/country/SN/news/usnBAN241699.html

    Associated press
    Mauritania’s new prime minister names opposition leaders to top posts
    NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania: Mauritania’s recently appointed prime minister has named five opposition leaders among 30 ministers making up his new government.
    This is a first because previously there has not been anyone from the opposition heading ministries in this northwest African nation.The opposition figures’ posts include the health and employment ministries.
    http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/11/africa/AF-POL-Mauritania-Ministers.php

    Funny enough only the BBC asks the Israeli question. I wonder why?

    The BBC, its promotion of Islam’s hatred of Israel and half the story.

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  13. George R says:

    While the BBC is flaunting the vested interest, Stephen Fry, to propagandise the BBC’s case on licence-fee, he makes no mention of his support for the BBC’s ‘multiculturalist, political correct’ programming:-

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/thefuture/

    Nor does he mention the corollary – his hatred of the ‘Daily Mail’s politics:-

    “Stephen Fry attacks the Daily Mail. Then he does it again. And again. And again.”

    http://debunkingmediocrity.blogspot.com/2007/12/stephen-fry-attacks-daily-mail.html

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  14. Biodegradable says:

    The BBC, its promotion of Islam’s hatred of Israel and half the story.
    pounce | 12.05.08 – 1:13 pm

    Indeed, here’s another story that demonstrates the BBC’s willing assistance in Islam’s demonisation of Israel:
    http://www.haloscan.com/comments/patrickcrozier/838933411045121772/#398161

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  15. nrg says:

    A couple of recent headlines above stories on BBC web based on Labour rebuttals.
    • Brown ally attacks rebel MP Field
    • Downing St brushes off criticism
    And how much attention was given to Mr. Fields attack on the Beeb’s beloved Mr. Brown?

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  16. PacificRising says:

    In the Jimmy Mizen murder case, neither the BBC nor a single newspaper or TV station has been able to report other than the suspect was a “male youth”. Yet today the BBC feel quite able to report that a “white middle-aged man” sought as a witness has come forward.

    What can be inferred by this selective reporting?
    keith | 12.05.08 – 11:26 am |

    It’s special BBC language. If they don’t specify ethnicity you can assume that it’s non-white.
    This avoids having to keep mentioning the word “black” which might give the unhelpful impression that most violent crime is commited by non-whites.

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  17. Martin says:

    1327: The likes of the BBC are not interested in punishment. That’s a bit “Tory” for them. Much nicer to sit around drinking a Skinny Latte with a copy of the Guardian and blame it all on Thatcher.

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  18. deegee says:

    I’m wondering if any of the ‘Israelis’ are going to the Jacob’s Ladder (Sulam Yakov) festival over the weekend. If so I’d like to meet you.

    The festival has been conducted every year since 1978 and as far as I can tell has never been even refered to by the BBC. Why would they? A peaceful gathering, for a largely English speaking, all age, audience (Anglo-Saxonim in Israeli terms) to enjoy British/American music is clearly irrelevant to the BBC ‘everything revolves around the Palestinians’ narrative.

    David, is there a recognised means of making private contact with commenters on the Biased-BBC blog? I’d rather not give my real email over the Internet but I could create a temporary one just for the initial contact.

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  19. Fabio P.Barbieri says:

    Slightly OT: BBC-ism outside the BBC.

    Today: news include catastrophes in China and Burma, murder in central London, civil war in Lebanon, the human fertilization bill, worldwide food price hikes, possible recession, and certain political crisis. And what did the ITN morning “news” period lead with?

    A Politically Correct nonsense about some know-nothing MPs insisting that our poor wee children are being over-tested by those evil government ogres imposing SATs. Featuring a sixteen-year-old saying that she felt stressed.

    I had to check that I was not watching the BBC by mistake.

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  20. Nearly Oxfordian says:

    And you are an expert, Fabio? How many years have you spent in education?
    The whole testing system is stupid: it’s vastly over-engineering, poorly designed and dreadfully implemented.

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  21. Fabio P.Barbieri says:

    As a matter of fact, Nearly Oxfordian, I am. Now stop being silly, if you can. My point was not even about the testing system, though I disagree with you about it, but about the bizarre choice of priorities on what is supposed to be a news spot. It is not news at all that the educational establishment in this country dislikes testing. There are dozens of more or less authoritative reports. To treat it as more important than, say, the Lebanon crisis, is at least weird.

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  22. pounce says:

    Ref the murder of Jimmy Mizen, it now transpires the Police are after a young Turkishman who they think has legged it to North Cyprus
    Here is how ITN report this story;
    Teen murder suspect may have fled UK
    http://itn.co.uk/news/cad07187a0a80ce96898498cd4defe18.html

    I won’t even bother with the excuse the BBC panders as news.

    But here’s a thought about the religion of peace. How can a 19 year old man simply just pack his bags and bugger off to Cyprus without his family asking questions?
    Questions that would have been answered by anybody who had a bought a paper, listened to the radio, watched the TV or just listened to the street gossip.

    Just think if the Police and Media had reported to the public what this thug looked like (or even named him) we may have this evil man locked up.

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  23. George R says:

    Shock news: BBC Trust opposes licence fee sharing:-
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1950179/Sir-Michael-Lyons-BBC-licence-fee-not-for-sharing.html

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  24. Cockney says:

    Anyone see Have I Got News For You last night?

    They had a good laugh at some ridiculous Daily Express phone poll – something like “do you agree that this disgraceful government never ceases to rip us off and shockingly wastes all our cash (calls cost 25p a minute)”

    Hislop then asked pointedly when they were going to take the piss out of the Guardian. There was a moment of awkward silence then a really clunky cut into the next section. Somebody made the effort to include this in the show?? bizarre….

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  25. Allan@Oslo says:

    Cockney – any links to that on say YouTube? I’d like to see it if possible.

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  26. George R says:

    The BBC reports the Queen’s visit to Turkey.

    This visit can be seen as being orchestrated by the Labour government, Brown-Miliband-Murphy in particular, as important in getting Turkey into their megalomaniac European Union, as soon as possible. (The fact that most people in the EU, including the UK, do NOT want Turkey in, is irrelevant to the non-listening powers that be.)

    The BBC report includes the debate-precluding soundbite:

    (Turkey) “is seen as a key ally in the fight against terrorism.”
    http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/020446.php

    Seen by whom? On historical evidence, it is more realistic to see Turks as supporters of Islamic jihad:

    “Thousands of Turks chant ‘Death to Israel’, praise jihad”

    http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/020446.php

    “The Sudeten Turks?”

    http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2008/02/sudeten-turks.html

    Yes, carry on with your priorities, Brown and Miliband, get the 80 million Muslim Turks in the EU, so that as many of them, in numbers uncontrollable by any UK government, come to the UK as possible. And the consequences will be good for Turks and Islam, and bad for British people and Christianity. But don’t forget, Labour and BBC: ‘DIVERSITY’ is all.

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  27. Cockney says:

    Allan – I don’t think it’s up yet, but keep an eye out.

    George

    “Seen by whom?” – the US, UK and most European secular Turks who see parallels between their fight against separatists on the South East and the “war on terror”.

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  28. Jack Bauer says:

    I’ve just read an interesting piece in the American Spectator about the natural born citizen of the United States, who is also qualified to run for President. That would be one BORIS JOHNSON.

    Has this been on the BBC?

    The Current Crisis
    London’s American Mayor
    By R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.
    Published 5/8/2008 12:08:37 AM
    WASHINGTON — The most momentous political story of the hour is not what you might think…whatever you might think. It has to do with an American politician now living in London and his aspiration to become president of the United States. His name is Boris Johnson. He, an exemplary conservative, has just beaten one of the most rebarbative left-wing reactionaries in the United Kingdom, to become mayor of London. Johnson ran a very fine campaign, an amalgam of high intelligence, sound principle, rollicking good humor, and energy that could be branded New Tory. Mind you, New Toryism will arrive on these shores in due course.

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  29. George R says:

    Cockney:

    Re- Turkey and Islam:-

    “Turkey and Straw”

    http://www.newenglishreview.org/blog_direct_link.cfm/blog_id/11477

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  30. Diogenes says:

    Great car crash telly on the Daily Politics.

    Andrew Neill to Clair Ward MP(Labour whip):- “When is the baby due?”

    Response:- “The BABY is 3 months old!”

    I object to paying the licence fee just for Mr Neill but he gave me some value today.

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  31. Ryan says:

    Apparently the BBC think that the rescue effort in China is “Chaotic, but organised”. Hmmm, interesting grasp of semantics there.

    BBC. Not such much biased as bewildered.

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  32. Biodegradable says:

    It’s interesting to compare the BBC’s reporting of Israel’s war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, when the BBC talked about 2,000 killed, “mostly civilians”, with the recent fighting in Lebanon where it seems only “people” are being killed:

    Clashes resume in north Lebanon
    More than 60 people have been killed in Lebanon since the fighting started last week in the capital, Beirut.

    At least six people were wounded in Tripoli as Sunni fighters loyal to the government based in the Bab Tebbaneh district exchanged fire with Shia opposition supporters in nearby Jebel Mohsen, officials said.

    Earlier, troops were deployed in the Chouf mountains after an overnight offensive by Hezbollah on the forces of the pro-government Druze leader, Walid Jumblatt, left at least 13 people dead.

    Security officials have told the Reuters news agency that at least 36 people, including 14 Hezbollah fighters, were killed during Sunday.

    Eleven people were killed in the town of Chouweifat, officials said.

    Rest assured if Israel had been responsible we’d be told clearly if the dead were civilians, women or children.

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  33. George R says:

    Biodegradable:

    Yes, we have to turn away from Al Beeb to get more reliable accounts on Hamas and Hezbollah:

    “It’s 3 am. In Beirut”

    http://blog.americancongressfortruth.com/

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  34. Reimer says:

    Anyone able to hazard a guess as to why ‘restorative justice’ programs are of such interest to the Beeb again, apropos of nothing I can make out?

    We had Will Riley of Islington and Peter Wolf, who burgled Will’s home, assaulting Will in the process, taking up a big chunk of ‘Today’ on Tuesday. Mr Wolf and his very big eyes had supposedly renounced crime as a result of meeting his victim but still sounded sufficiently addled to lift anything convertible into drug money without thought of the consequences.

    Now the same dramatis personae turn up in the first half of the R2 Vine show today.

    It could be nothing but I don’t trust these conniving bastards

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  35. Martin says:

    BBC News 24 praising St Gordon for the Tax changes.

    Sky call it a massive U-turn based on more borrowing (so we pay for it in the long run).

    I noticed that when Vince Cable asked Glove Puppet about how many of the 5 million people would be compensated, the BBC cut away.

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  36. Martin says:

    Interesting that the BBC haven’t spotted the obvious (although when you’re licking McBeans piles clean I guess you wouldn’t)

    I got a nice little wedge (cheers Gordon) when the 10p tax was abolished and the 2p tax cut was brought in.

    However, I now gain again for this year with the personal allowance change.

    However, all that McBean and his glove puppet have done is give back some money to those who lost out, but they will not be better off at all (that’s if they even get back what they lost)

    Yet the dumb arseholes in Parliament (the Labour lot) were all cheering. How shocked are they going to be again when the find out that McBean is even MORe unpopular?

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  37. TPO says:

    Martin | 13.05.08 – 4:15 pm |

    Never have I seen the BBC website rush anything out as quickly as they have here and give it so much prominence.

    Basic rate taxpayers to get £120

    http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7397705.stm

    As you rightly point out: ‘The BBC cutting away when the truth is about to be revealed’

    The BBC biased. Not a bit of it we are always impartial.

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  38. TPO says:

    I see they are even headlining:

    Tax rebel Field apologises to PM

    http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7398980.stm

    I really do need independent verification on all aspects of what Frank Field said.
    You just cannot trust the BBC when it comes to reporting on Labour.

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  39. Martin says:

    TPO: But those who lost out will see people gainig twice.

    How many of the 5 million that lost out will now be better off? At best they will be back to where they were and I suspect most will still be worse off. Yet people like me who earn good salary have gained twice!!! And I don’t vote Labour

    You think the BBC would have learned by now not to fall for the Labour spin.

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  40. TPO says:

    On the top of the BBC’s webpage they run a ticker tape of the latest news stories.
    Just so no one misses it, Labour’s placemen in the BBC are running Frank Field’s ‘apology’ every fifth headline.
    The importance of this ‘apology’, and you cannot trust the BBC on such things, is lost on me, but clearly 10 Downing Street and the BBC think that it must not escape anyone’s notice.

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  41. Martin says:

    If McBean thinks that people will be happy he’s got a thing or two to learn.

    if you’re are on a low salary would you be happy that you get extra on your allowance, but so does everyone else!!!!!!

    So I’m better off, but they are only back to square 1. And the media have fallen for it again.

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  42. DB says:

    Diogenes | 13.05.08 – 12:36 pm

    Priceless!

    10 mins 30 secs in for those who missed it:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/the_daily_politics/

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  43. TPO says:

    This is the real big story.

    Housing crisis: Caroline Flint gaffe lets slip Government’s price fears

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1952417/Housing-crisis-Caroline-Flint-gaffe-lets-slip-Government%27s-price-fears.html

    Follow the story onto this link

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1952226/Housing-crisis-Caroline-Flint%27s-Cabinet-meeting-notes-deciphered.html

    Of course the BBC have buried this on the back of Darling’s sleight of hand.
    Before Darling’s announcement the BBC had a different spin on this story when it was more prominent. It was written in a damage limitation, ‘nothing to see here’ manner.

    And of course don’t forget that the fiddled inflation figures are soon going to hit 4% (The reality being that they’ll go into double digits)
    Much the same as the fiddled unemployment figures.

    Forget the tax allowance increase, the big crash is coming.
    The BBC will doubtless play it all down.

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  44. TPO says:

    This how the BBC should have reported the tax change by Labour and not by indulging in propagandising for this failed bunch of corrupt and venal people:

    10p tax victims get £120 compensation

    Gordon Brown has gambled by borrowing £2.7 billion to buy off Labour tax rebels, in a move which he hopes will get his faltering premiership back on track.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1952560/10p-tax-victims-compensated-andpound120-by-rattled-Gordon-Brown.html

    So if Frank Field ‘apologised’ then this is the price.

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  45. DB says:

    Re today’s Daily Politics – I also enjoyed this exchange between Andrew Neil and Tony Juniper from Friends of the Earth:

    Juniper: Global average temperatures are increasing.
    Neil: Well they haven’t increased since 1998.
    Juniper: But you can draw a line between any two…
    Neil: Correct? They haven’t increased since 1998?
    Juniper: You can draw a line between any two points on a graph and make any point you want. (You said it, Tony.)
    Neil: What I’m saying is they haven’t increased for ten years.
    Juniper: That is statistically the case. (As opposed to what – the pseudo-religious case?)

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  46. Martin says:

    DB: Yes that prat Juniper made a complete knob of himself. Did you also hear what he said when James Whale asked about cutting the worlds population?

    That tit Juniper said that the number of people didn’t matter is was how they used Carbon that counted!! Unbelievable.

    Lok at the deforestation around the world, the cost of basic food products like Rice and does Juniper really think the 1.3 billion people in China or the 1 billion in India don’t want to own a car or fly on holiday?

    What Juniper really meant was, the left like lots of young people as they tend to vote leftie.

    Juniper is a prat of the first degree.

    How does Juniper think this Country can cut Carbon emissions if we keep growing the population?

    That comment from Andrew Neil was spot on. It just shows what an easy time these wankers get off the BBC normally.

    One good thing about James Whale when he was on the radio was he gave scientists who oppose the view that Carbon levels are directly linked to climate change.

    Many think that was the real reason Whale was booted off the air.

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  47. Martin says:

    Anyone see the latest Al Bore recruitment film by David Shuckman on the 6pm news.

    Now I though that the left were telling us that “climate change” was going to give us warmer and wetter Winters and summers? (so they can explain away the flooding of last year as part of climate change)

    Yet we see that prat Shuckman doing a report from Spain where they’ve got half empty reservoirs. Well blow me down, why didn’t he do the report here in the UK? Er could it be because our reservoirs are overflowing with water and that wouldn’t look good to do some wank climate change story about water would it?

    The left never fail to amaze me. THey will go to any part of the planet to find climate conditions that fit their twisted view of climate change.

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  48. TPO says:

    DB | 13.05.08 – 6:03 pm |

    Who actually pays Juniper?
    Or does he make his dosh by getting the £250 appearance fee + taxis + lunch and pocketing the canapes every time he sets foot in a BBC studio..

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