Well, the celebrations following Obama’s historic election as US President continued unabated on the BBC today. What’s that you say? He hasn’t been elected yet? Mmm..hard to tell when it comes to the Barack Broadcasting Corporation this morning! Two interviews ln less than 30 minutes this morning from the BBC with no pretence of balance – just pure Obamania.
At 7.13am we had an interview with the Democrat economics adviser Professor James Galbraith of Harvard University. Galbraith was allowed to waffle about the dire state of the US economy with nary a mention of the fact that the US economy has just enjoyed surging growth of 3.3% in the last quarter. (Wanna compare THAT with the Eurozone performance, Beeboids?) Galbraith spouted the usual half-baked left wing economics that Democrats always advocate, even being invited by the BBC interviewer to compare Obama’s protectionist plans to those of the “New Deal”. Any student of economics with any will understand just how profoundly flawed THAT was and yet the BBC was hailing it as economic success incarnate and the good Professor grabbed the rhetorical ball and happily ran with it.
Next up at 7.40am we had Justin Webb with his daily dose of pro-Obama propaganda followed by James Naughtie interviewing Sam Liebermam, chairman of the Democrat Party of Nevada. Naughtie concluded by wishing Lieberman “good luck”. We get the picture. Listen to the BBC – Vote Obama.
Radio 4 headline at 7pm – “BBC” mentioned that one of her sons is serving in Iraq.
Actually – he does not go there until 9September, I believe. But fair do’s.
Now – when do we get the mooseburgers ?
Take a look at the BBC’s US election issues guide. Take a read of the issue by issue comments but the real bias is at the top of the article, under the heading of issues. Here Barack Obama is described thus:
“The Illinois senator says he can “break partisan logjams” and unite the country.”
A couple of nice positive campaign slogans for Barack Obama.
Whereas John McCain is described thus:
“Arizona senator and Vietnam war hero would be oldest man to become president.”
No nice slogans and a dig at his age.
You almost have to admire the shamelessness of the BBC when it comes to political bias. Mind you if you think this is biased political coverage, just wait for the next UK General Election.
But surely the key point in Palin’s speech was about shattering the glass ceiling ? In 2 hours’ coverage on Radio 4, I have not heard it reported – or live.
Even listening to BBC Radio Two headline news this morning – a station which provides three minutes of key headlines every half an hour – the news editors cannot help themselves but use opinionated adjectives when referring to news on Obama.
For example, this morning his speech was reported with positively glowing adjectives; in whose opinion we were not told.
The only conclusion we can draw form those consciously selected praise-based adjectives is that the Beeb wants Obama in The White House.
Compare and contrast the use of adjectives when the Beeb report on McCain – the bias is obvious.
Russia sabre-rattling for 2 weeks now. The President of pakistan was ousted. Riots in Bangkok. Lots happening overseas.
Has John Simpson gone AWOL ?
SARAH PALIN’s speech is now on BBC:
“McCain picks female running mate”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7588435.stm
Of course, that BBC report throws this in:
“It seems an audacious, perhaps slightly desperate, effort to bring
youth and vigour to the Republican ticket, the BBC’s Justin Webb reports.”
Did Webb say about Democrats’ VP?:
‘It seems an audacious, perhaps slightly desperate, effort to bring age and lack of vigour to the Democratic ticket?’
The BBC needs to start concentrating spending its money on UK issues. The amount of and focus given to USA stories is pathetic.
Multichannel TV, including CNNi, has been avaliable in the UK for years now. If you want American output, you know where to look for it.
Justin Webb and the other beeboids will have to renew their visas soon (given how long they stay in the USA),
I dare say we’ll see another BBC magazine article on how ‘terrible’ the DHS treats foreigners.
[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world…cas/ 7588435.stm[/url]
And the BBC use that stock meaningless empty, yet loaded phrase, “Some commentators…” when referring to the “strange decision” [of Sarah Palin’s appointment] on the pretence of distancing themselves from that viewpoint.
Of course, the BBC would show antipathy to anyone with a desire of “fighting corruption” – she certainly wouldn’t stand a chance of working on ‘Blue Peter’ with her CV! 😉
She is a small-town fierce and blunt conservative, takes no prisoners apparently – and gathers immense support.
Bit like Maggie was ? – no wonder the “BBC” is already disparaging her selection.
was listening to bbc radio 2 news on the drive home from work.
mentioned McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin, and i quote, “who is seen as a conservative”
how come i never hear anything about how conservatives in the US see Obama – that he is “seen as a socialist”…
Gordon BrownStuff: Yes the BBC favourite of “some commentators” (as used by wankers like Niki Campbell) is just an excuse to voice their own opinion. They should always quote the source of a comment. If not, they shouldn’t use it.
Anyone see Channel4 news? That dopey Samirer woman was all sneering about Sarah Palin to some Repub woman. “She’s got no experience” sneered the dopey C4 woman.
“Nice to see the British media is so unbiased!” was the reply.
At least the Republicans can see that the British media is in the tank for Obama as well.
But here’s the point. Obama has NO foreign affairs experience, no experience of running any sort of economy or budget and knows jack shit about energy needs.
So how come he’s “qualified” to be President but Sarah Palin isn’t for VP?
I mean even Hillary Clinton and Obama’s own VP admit he’s not up for it!!
I think if the media just go after her a lot of women in the USA will get pissed off. She’s got a family and she’s a good Governor. She should be judged on what she’s achived so far. Which is a lot more than Obama. A lot of women will just think the media is sexist, especially after the way they hammered Hillary but licked Obama’s piles clean.
by the way folks – watch out for the Bill Ayers – Obama stuff.
that’s only JUST coming out .. and my guess is that McCain is holding it back for October. and it is INCENDARY…
did you know that Obama ran a $100 million fund , which Bill Ayers headed… and the money funded the most left-wing groups imaginable in Illinois.
the other bombshell is the Obama’s voting record in Illinois – particularly when he voted against partial birth abortions.
watch out for the McCain October surprises..
George R: What gets me is why the BBC think it’s desperate? He’s not exactly been doing badly in the polls has he?
In fact it’s Obama that’s been going backwards.
We all know Obama picked Biden as a cover for the fact that Obama has little or no foreign policy experience and anyway the VP doesn’t need that. McCain will appoint his own Secretary of State (hopefully Condi Rice or Colin Powell)
But Frei or Webb don’t bother to make the point that Obama picked someone to cover his lack of experience, but they do attack McCain for picking someone who has executive office experience AND has a track record for cleaning up corruption, something McCain has made VERY clear is a target of his.
Oh and I though Obama’s comment in his speech about McCain NOT wanting to follow Bin Laden into his cave was a cheap shot.
McCain has been all over Bush about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Hmm. I wonder if Obama will ever let his kids join the army to go and fight their enemy? I suspect not.
archduke: Do you not remember the Clintons saying a while back they had some real dirt on Obama?
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/13633.html
Clinton is actually quite friendly with McCain. She wants the party back. She and Bill won’t do anything publically to finish off Obama, but you can bet if they’ve got dirt McCain will get it.
exactly martin.
in order to understand this (to viewers of this blog) – think of obama as “militant labour”, and hilary being more centrist “blairite”
in other words – “militant” has taken over the Dems completely. something that they were NOT able to do over here.
and thats friggin scarey.
for those of you who dont know who bill ayers is , here’s a few links to educate you
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weatherman_(organization)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_ayers
and barack obama’s FIRST fundraiser? in bill ayers house.
Idly looking through this week’s Radio Times today (ending today) and happened to see details of the BBC Parliament channel, which I never watch. Have a look – 4 days, 24 hours, that’s 96 hours continuous, of the Democratic shindig! Is there anyone that interested?
Palin’s acceptance speech :
http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2008/08/sarah-palins-acceptance-speechand-shes.html
Personally, I found 10 minutes of palin far more entertaining than 10 minutes of Pbama’s moonshine.
Let alone Biden.
This gal could be a debating asset.
Plus – she hunts grizzly bears for fun.
JohnA: She’s kind of sexy as well. That school mistress thing. I think it’s the glasses that do it!
I was reminded that Fox News contributor Bill Krystol had tipped Palin a while back.
Unlike the Obama pile lickers called Webb and Frei who claimed no one had ever heard of her. Well those two dickheads wouldn’t hear anything when they have their heads up Obama’s arse most of the time.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/04/opinion/04kristol.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
BBC favorite becomes Chavez advisor
Why I’m helping Hugo
Despite what the media say, Chávez is a leader who listens to his people. I’m happy to take up a new job as his urban adviser
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/29/venezuela.livingstone
communism snot dead!
Just caught a bit of Palin talking about energy on CNBC. Boy she seemed to know her stuff.
Just watched your link JohnA. 25 minutes well spent. Great. I bet we will not be seeing much of it on the BBC for obvious reasons.
If you have not seen it do so.
BBC 10pm headlines. McBean has fucked up the economy.
Small town bint is a heartbeat away from Presidency.
Oh so we know that the BBC has put the knife in then?
How about 3 years ago Obama was a small time Illinois Senator?
10 o’clock news snearing about Palin. Justin Webb turning his nose up as he said “she’s only be governor for two years”. What, like the number of years Obama has been a senator? And then the voiceover said “the first time the Republicans have put a woman on the ticket”. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this the first time either party has had a woman on the ticket?
David,
Saw it. Webb was there to push Obama, as ever.
Oh dear. Justin Webb talking about Obama’s speech. Notice how Webb has dropped his voice to speak over the top of Obama.
“His foreign policy comments were majesterial” gushed Webb.
I swear I could hear Justin Webb knocking one out as he did the voice over
And less that 4 years ago Obama was no one.
Yes, Palin sounds real feisty. Here is the link again :
http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2008/08/sarah-palins-acceptance-speechand-shes.html
NB – she is speaking without notes, withput a teleprompter. That is SO different from Obama.
Evidently she is a qualified pilot too.
I had seen quite a few mentions of her over the months. I was aware she was a name in the background.
In 2006 the Repubs did really badly in the m,id-term elections. Palin’s vistory in Alaska was one bright spot.
A couple of months ago I had dinner with a businessman from Anchorage who was here for a golf holiday. He wasn’t keen on her – he disagreed about her policy on something that concerned him directly. But he said she was a real tough cookie.
She certainly sounds it.
I think she will attract a lot of male Hillary supporters as well as the women.
I think we know what BBC Newsnight will be like.
Obama. Oh my god, he is Jesus Christ reborn!!
Sarah Palin. She’s got no foreign policy experience.
Well, that was certainly the script for BBC 1’s ten o’clock news.
JohnA: Yep. Webb is a wanker. For him to say no one saw this coming is total crap.
Her name was mentioned here by several people a long while back.
But like I said Webb & Frei are only interested in the state of Obama’s piles to ever do any research on the Republicans.
In a couple of weeks everyone will have forgotten about Obama’s speech. I think most Americans will be interested in his terrorist links.
The race boils down to 2 mavericks with clean hands, against 2 lawyers who have never done anything really except politicking and who practice pork-barrel politics.
A bit like a Western ? Cowboys against crooked town politicos ?
Anyone think the beeboids will be rushing to the bookies to put their money on their man tomorrow. I feel sure his odds will have lengthened somewhat!
Hey I got it spot on First thing Maitlis said about Palin “she’s got no foreign affairs experience”
Oh and Newsnight are STILL focussing on Osama.
Fuck off BBC twats.
Newsnight is plumbing ever greater depths with its coverage tonight. I’m going to register a complaint and I urge all B-BBCers to do the same.
Lurker – way off beam – forget Livingstone he is an arsehole and history.
Watched Palin’s acceptance speech.
Superb – Could it be an all women USA Presidential election in 4 years time with Hillary and Sarah???
GCooper: Spot on. I’m making on right now. The BBC have gone too far. Can’t they give Osama a fucking rest for gods sake?
and if they want to bring up tihs Palin trooper thing why haven’t they once mentioned Osama’s links to terrorist scum like Ayres?
Complaint done.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this the first time either party has had a woman on the ticket?
David | 29.08.08 – 10:16 pm | #
OK — You’re wrong! That would be Geraldine Ferraro in 1984.
Sarah Palin would be the first woman on a ticket with a shot at winning.
Jack, I had since looked it up. But point made 😉
David — no probs.
As the WSJ Best of the Web so elegantly put it: the Mondale/Ferraro ticket garnered 13 Electoral College vote — a mere 257 shy of victory.
Ferraro had a grating personality. She just didn’t click with voters. Also, she was only a Congresswoman. She also totally blew the Vice Presidential debate with Bush 1, and that’s saying a hell of a lot. Came off as insecure and low-key. It was embarassing.
There’s more than a whiff of the Great Frontier about Palin. She’s from a state where it still takes a hell of a lot of stamina for a person just to get by. A great many Americans will like that. The effete, elitist Beeb, of course, would never understand that. The slick media invention Obama and Hairplugs Biden are more their style.
Al Beeb even compared him to Martin Luther King yesterday
It would seem the MSM on both sides of the Atlantic are having the same reaction. This election cycle has been a real hoot, even the pretense of objectivity has vanished. Sounds like you folks are rather used to it. It’s been happening a bit more gradually here in the states. It has culminated in what amounts to adulation at this point. Obama will get about the same percentage of the vote as Clinton. Clinton was 43% and 49%. Obama will come in at or near 46%. He’ll lose Ohio and Pennslyvania. The unions can throw money at candidates but they can’t deliver the votes. What pollsters are being told is not what people intend to do. The Dems are insane for nominating this left wing lightweight. Conservatives can’t stand McCain and normally wouldn’t turn out for him. However they are totally motivated to vote against this left wing rabble rouser or as the media refer to it a “community organizer”. If the Dems had nominated anybody close to the middle of the road they would win in a walk. Don’t kid yourselves Clinton and the top guns at the DNC know it. I wonder what the ratings are for BBC America? I’m sure they have toned it down over here, but their loathing of this country comes through loud and clear. They think America consists of New York and LA with 25o million idiots that can’t wipe their own ass in the middle. Good night all and good luck.
This could be the most exciting election in the last 50 years.
I for one eagerly await the skeletons coming out of the cupboard when the Dems find themselves still trailing in the polls and then attempt to go for the jugular, probably on Palin.
Howe | 30.08.08 – 7:35 am |
I wonder what the ratings are for BBC America? I’m sure they have toned it down over here, but their loathing of this country comes through loud and clear. They think America consists of New York and LA with 25o million idiots that can’t wipe their own ass in the middle. Good night all and good luck.
ROTFLMFAO!!
Matt Frei sneers at us every Monday thru Thursday evening (when he’s not on a month-long Tuscany vacation or moonlighting elsewhere). Twice an evening, actually, including the 10pm repeat. He and his cohorts couldn’t be more obvious about their partisan stances. They show it on Friday evening also, but Matt, bless his soul, works so hard during the rest of the week, doing this show, two or three interviews for the BBC at large, and writing his deeply profound and insightful (not) “Washington Diary” for the BBC website, that he gets the night off.
On Fridays, Katty Kay usually takes his place. She scowls after reports on things she doesn’t like. Instead of the 10pm repeat on Fridays, we get a sort of “Best of the Week” of Newsnight segments. They are generally about issues on which the BBC thinks we need to learn the correct position.
Frei openly encouraged – on air, while sitting in his presenter/host chair – a Hillary Presidency. He has also told various lies while doing on-location reports.
The first half hour of the broadcast is essentially a medley of video reports shown throughout the various tentacles of the BBC, including material produced both domestically (in the UK) and by the World Service. The lies and misrepresentation and bias are unexpurgated when broadcast again in the US.
The contempt for the US can be found in the very reason for BBC World News America’s existence: We foolish United Statesians are parochial and ignorant, and must learn the realities of the world. The BBC needs to show us an “international perspective” on issues. If only we had learned how the world views us earlier, perhaps we never would have elected that evil ChimpyMcBusHitler, or be as horrible as we are.
That’s the main reason this show exists in the first place. They imagine that we desperately need a BBC perspective on domestic US issues, and to learn the terrible affect we have on the rest of the world.
Oh, but Justin Webb likes us as individual people. Really, he does.
David
When I pass thru’ LA each year for a few days I flick the news channels. My impression last time was that the BBC news was plain boring, no zip, looked amateur, low budget. So I didm’t watch much, kept channel hopping. I did NOT want to watch Fox News all the time, wanted a different take.
Is Frei trying to promote himself as some kind of Wolf Blitzer with an toff accent ? He seems such a dilettante compared with some of the better US anchors.
Frei is yet another Socialist twat educated at a fee paying school in the UK.