202 Responses to Open Thread Wednesday

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  1. Umbongo says:
    November 21, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    . . . and it’s still shilling for Labour. On BBC News 24 20 minutes ago the number 2 headline item was Miliband’s assertion that Cameron was “smearing Labour” in respect of the Co-op farrago. Funnily enough BBC News 24 also ignored this allegation broadcast by Sky News.

       9 likes

  2. The General says:
    November 21, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    3 women held as slaves in servitude in a London house for 30 years, were released after lengthy negotiations ???????
    Police needed to NEGOTIATE with the perpetrators ?
    Lets see how long it takes for this to be reported fully and will it be reported ACCURATELY.

       9 likes

  3. Guest Who says:
    November 21, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    As a slight break from the sex, drugs and black hole of the Coop, Labour and BBC’s sudden return to watertight oversight or near Campbell/McBride levels of proactive smearing of political opponents to them…er.. their PR clients… a small piece of BBC PC-tangling amused earlier today.
    On FaceBook they had a story about how batsh*t thick our edukashun system has rendered our youth now on subjects of actual use beyond SPaD, Minister or Market Rate Media Talent. Though to be fair it was phrased ‘many teenagers are struggling with science’.
    The story was of course illustrated, and I was interested that they had chosen a teacher and student who if President Obama had done sciencey stuff, all in class would have looked just like them.
    Given the rather critical words on the abilities of said teachers and their charges, I clicked on the link whilst wondering if perhaps an outrage industry or several were already priming their affront pumps.
    So it was novel to arrive at the linked story…
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25015393?ocid=socialflow_facebook_bbcnews
    … and find that while the words were the same, the picture had in fact morphed. Now we were treated to an English rose in full bloom of chemical curiosity.
    Got me to wondering if the BBC now has entire departments and algorithms dedicated to ensuring some odd ‘ism/diversity mix is created across all sexes and races and ages and faiths… for each story.
    And failing.
    Because if Diane Abbott is already mounting her reinforced horse at the visual impression created via the FaceBook story, Ms. Harperson cannot be far behind on the second, especially as the fairer sex is I believe doing a bit better on the box-ticky front at school.
    One presumes the more usual child stars one gets treated to for excellence in education imagery were being held in reserve by their cousins in the 8,000-strong flower plot.

       4 likes

  4. Guest Who says:
    November 21, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    It can be sad when family fall out.
    Or too typically entertaining.
    http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2013/nov/20/david-dimbleby-local-newspapers
    Rather liked the comments by ryeats & Gabriel55

       4 likes

  5. Guest Who says:
    November 21, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    The early evening cheer today just keeps coming in…
    http://order-order.com/2013/11/21/westminster-correspondents-dinner-bruises-lobby-egos/
    ‘seeing the massively over represented BBC staff incandescent that they have been given just six tickets to share between dozens’
    Oh, the humanity.
    Maybe the Graun can donate a few of their slots to ensure Ceebeebies political correspondent can get in once she’s returned from covering Obamacaregate?

       6 likes

  6. Guest Who says:
    November 21, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    Well, yes, when I think of truth, Chris Patten certainly leaps front of mind.
    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/peteroborne/100246954/lord-patten-must-find-out-the-truth-about-jimmy-savile-mark-thompson-and-the-pollard-review/
    Having hitched their lucrative wagon to Ed & crew, between Falkirk, the Coop and a few other spectaculars, the BBC seems well and truly headed off a cliff, on professional integrity at least.
    Lucky they haven’t needed to worry about that for a while.

       3 likes

  7. Guest Who says:
    November 21, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/local-world-newspapers-will-be-put-together-one-person-skimming-online-content-monty-outlines
    ‘one person in a “small number of sessions”… “skimming online content”’
    Rather sounds like BBC ‘news-gathering’ now.
    If they do appear to have 7,999 on staff to do it.

       5 likes

  8. flexdream says:
    November 21, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    How to spin a story, from back in the summer.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23181672

    “Girls who take certain skills-based science and technology qualifications outperform boys in the UK, suggest figures from an awarding body.”
    “Despite this success, girls are vastly outnumbered by boys on these courses.”

    Er, might it be because only a small number of girls study the subject they do better on average, because they are more selective? You might think that, but the BBC pushes the narrative that more girls should study science subjects and that it is only sexist discrimination which means more boys study it than girls. Girls are actually better at it don’t you know?

       5 likes

  9. chrisH says:
    November 21, 2013 at 5:54 pm

    Yet more on bloody JFK on PM.
    Along with all the “heating or eating” crap…the Dr Who and Monty Python-I just wonder if the BBC have given up on news gathering?…and simply fill time until U2s next CD to sponsor North Face merchandise?
    There`s just no news-mere tittle tattle and shite.
    Still-as a wag says in the Daily Mail..what`s the betting that the BBC will put it down to global warming or Obama not getting his gun control legislation through back at the time.

       6 likes

  10. chrisH says:
    November 21, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    Ah…Monty Python are the new Led Zeppelin then!
    Their O2 reunion next year will obviously be the comedy event of the decade…iconic I tellsya.
    Wonder if the BBC have any money in all this-and is it at the Doctor Who…North Face…or U2 level of “passionate commitment” to getting a bit of cash from it?
    Or where is it on the scale from Balen to Savile anyhow?
    But-trust the PM programme to get the only living member we don`t know-Carol Cleveland- to spout off about it all….those funny women MADE Python as I recall.
    Let the debate rage now-WAS Carol Cleveland the leading Python funny lady( anybody even know what sketch she was in, apart from the Lumberjack song at the end?)…or was it Eleanor Bron or Connie Booth(actually wasn`t SHE the Lumberjack lady?) .
    Womans Hour lines will be open now until next summer

       5 likes

  11. Thoughtful says:
    November 21, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    Hmmmmmmmmmmm 3 women held in servitude for up to 30 years. One Malaysian and two ‘British’. Two arrested are said to be husband & wife.

    Anyone want to take any bets that the ‘religion of peace is involved’?

       11 likes

    • Roland Deschain says:
      November 21, 2013 at 6:40 pm

      If they’ve been held here for 30 years, doesn’t that make them British?

      Given that one apparently need only stop over at Heathrow to qualify as far as the BBC is concerned.

         8 likes

  12. Guest Who says:
    November 21, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    Things like this may explain why the BBC defends its FOI exclusions to the death if they can, because when they don’t…
    http://tradingaswdr.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/no-job-like-it.html
    Post various jaw-dropping, astoundingly curious, always unforgettable inquiries on what actually passes for rationality around the funny farm that is the BBC top floor, we learn that no one knows what he does to justify his eye-watering salary (ies).
    The word ‘unique’ is used. Not perhaps in the best of ways, all other things considered.

       5 likes

  13. DICK R says:
    November 21, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    The breaking news about the women held captive in South London for 30 years was made even more remarkable by the verbal gymnastics of the BBC newsreader trying to avoid any mention of the ethnicity of those involved.
    Priceless !

       12 likes

    • Pounce says:
      November 21, 2013 at 9:43 pm

      Dick wrote|:
      “The breaking news about the women held captive in South London for 30 years was made even more remarkable by the verbal gymnastics of the BBC newsreader trying to avoid any mention of the ethnicity of those involved.”

      I was thinking the same thing, however the bBC faced with the issue that the guilty party may just be ,Muslims have softened up the population by reporting:
      The police said the two people arrested are not British nationals.
      And
      The charity founder said the two people arrested were considered the “heads of the family”.

      Heads of the family? Now which demographic has…Heads of family?

         10 likes

      • chrisH says:
        November 21, 2013 at 9:58 pm

        I heard Irish, I heard Malaysian and then some classic subterfuge of …er British nationality/citizen etc.
        Suppose it really matters at the BBC.
        Yet no assumptions about who the pimp who kept these pensioners/aged women or thirty year olds…wonder why not? ITMA again?
        The charity poppet was as vague and as tearful as classic do-gooders on the States semi-detached payroll inevitably are.
        She`ll head up some Constabulary before too long…maybe even the Co-Op Bank?
        Facts…f*** that!…feelins is wot its all abaht!

           6 likes

      • Lobster says:
        November 21, 2013 at 10:19 pm

        I wonder if we’ll have any comments from “community leaders”?

           3 likes

    • David Kay says:
      November 21, 2013 at 10:09 pm

      more on this from yahoo news, this bit is interesting

      “Last month, the first Global Slavery Index revealed there were nearly 30 million people living as slaves in 162 countries and that Britain was not immune to the problem.

      Although ranked 160th on the list, there were still estimated to be more than 4,000 slaves in Britain, an estimate that the index judged to be conservative.”

      http://uk.news.yahoo.com/police-rescue-three-women-held-30-years-london-152335469.html

         2 likes

  14. David Kay says:
    November 21, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    no one must be interested on the trial of the century, due the the media black out. oh right people are saying this could prejudice their trial. if thats the case, why are they reporting on squaddies killing terrorists in ulster. surely this will prevent them soldiers getting a fair trial. How about these women who have been kept as slaves for 30 years. surely the media shouldnt be reporting on that until anyone has been convicted.

    but just in case you are interested

    Further delays to Lee Rigby Woolwich murder trial

    “The trial of two men accused of murdering Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich has been delayed further, the Old Bailey has heard.

    The trial had been due to start on Monday (November 21), and was then delayed until today.

    It is not yet known when it will now start, although there will be a mention hearing tomorrow morning.

    Michael Adebolajo, aged 28, and Michael Adebowale, aged 22, are charged with killing the Fusilier as he walked back to Woolwich Barracks on May 22.

    They are also each accused of attempting to murder a police officer on the same day, and conspiracy to murder a police officer on or before that day.

    Father-of-one Fusilier Rigby, 25, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, died of multiple cut and stab wounds when he was attacked as he returned to the barracks after spending the day at the Tower of London.

    Adebolajo, from Romford in Essex, has asked to be known as Mujaahid Abu Hamza in court, while Adebowale, of Thames Street, Greenwich, has asked to be called Ismail Ibn Abdullah. ”

    http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10825832.Further_delays_to_Lee_Rigby_Woolwich_murder_trial/

       5 likes

    • A Journalist says:
      November 21, 2013 at 9:18 pm

      I thought this might be arousing interest here. At the moment the case is going through legal arguments. Most media including the BBC wouldn’t report this sort of stuff. We haven’t even got to jury selection yet. There are reporting restrictions put in place by the judge about some aspects of the case. Nothing sinister, pretty standard. Since a reporter standing outside court and saying “They’re still having legal arguments we can’t tell you about” for four days would be a bit pointless I’m not clear what you expect the BBC or anyone else to report?
      And no, no edict from the PM on secrecy. No request to keep a lid on anything. It’s all standard so far.

         4 likes

      • LLB(hons) says:
        November 21, 2013 at 9:40 pm

        what nonsense. im not even going to bother wasting my time with you

           3 likes

        • Stewart says:
          November 21, 2013 at 9:52 pm

          Strange how the mighty news shopper isn’t cowed by the law
          No, but yeah, but no ,but yeah

             2 likes

      • chrisH says:
        November 21, 2013 at 9:53 pm

        Tell me what there is to “argue about”.
        The video surely tells you all that we need…and his Koranic quotes of the Tawba give you (and all of us) proof of their guilt.
        Only lawyers seem intent on making a fortune out of it…and only liberal hacks could possibly get column inches out of arguing the toss.
        No doubt these new names of theirs are codes for Al Queda or Strasbourg…let`s call them Chelsea, and be done with it.
        Woolwich Dockyard as the Chop Chop square after Sunday prayers?…what the hell are we arguing about with these two black butchers?

           6 likes

        • thoughtful says:
          November 22, 2013 at 12:24 am

          One of the names is ‘the noble lion of jihad’ begging the question what idiot judge allowed terms glorifying Jihad to be used in a court room

             8 likes

  15. noggin says:
    November 21, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    http://www.jihadwatch.org/2013/11/raymond-ibrahim-bbc-minimizes-christian-persecution.html

    re – new report by the BBC titled “Are there really 100,000 new Christian martyrs every year?”
    Ruth Alexander,
    Of all the questions and aspects of Christian persecution that objective researchers and reporters can explore and expose, why did the BBC pick the very one that
    1) cannot be answered and
    2) is ultimately irrelevant—
    at best academic, at worst cold and callous?…

       5 likes

  16. kev says:
    November 21, 2013 at 9:26 pm

       5 likes

  17. Oldbob says:
    November 21, 2013 at 11:58 pm

    A piece on the news at ten about the reasons for the expected pressure this winter on Barnsley’s A&E.

    Queue shots of lots of older people in cubicles and on trolleys and staff running around treating them. But guess what….they were all white with strong Barnsley accents !

    Conclusion: No immigrants in Barnsley and old indigenous whitey is the cause of A&E pressure…..move on nothing more to be seen here !

       9 likes

    • Buggy says:
      November 22, 2013 at 12:19 am

      Quite true. In fact, it’s criminal how these relics of the Empire keep on breathing (on purpose, too!) when they should be shuffling off to make lebensraum for more much needed diversity in this shining beacon of tolerant gratitude: our Everybody’s country.

         7 likes

    • Lobster says:
      November 22, 2013 at 1:09 am

      Strange that whenever a picture of a classroom full of diligent students is called for, all we see is a sea of hijabs.

         7 likes

    • Andy S. says:
      November 22, 2013 at 1:55 am

      If you’ve ever been to Barnsley, you will notice the lack of a vibrant, cultural enrichment. Those old colliers didn’t like anyone coming in from other South Yorkshire towns, never mind ex-patriates from the Indian sub-continent.

      All Labour voters and xenophobic to the core.

         5 likes

  18. John Anderson says:
    November 22, 2013 at 12:21 am

    This week’s Economist cover shows Obama sinking beneath the waves. He is in a far worse state than the BBC dares acknowledge. But they will stay cheerful within their bubble. I suppose they could get the BBC Symphony Orchestra to play Abide With Me.

    http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/11/obama-sinking.php

       8 likes

  19. thoughtful says:
    November 22, 2013 at 12:51 am

    What’s the chances of this being reported on the BBC do you all think?

    http://www.iea.org.uk/events/climate-change-are-we-building-bad-economic-policy-on-bad-science

    Institute of Economic Affairs 27 November 2013, 6.00pm

    A lecture by: Professor Michael Beenstock, Member of the Department of Economics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Visiting Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.

    This must press so many alarm bells for the BBC ! A Jewish climate change denier from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, I can just imagine how many clumps of hair there would be on the news room floor is they had to run this!

       7 likes

  20. Eddie Smith says:
    November 22, 2013 at 3:49 am

    John Pienaar on BBC 5Live ‘Question Time Extra Time’, following in the steps of Norman Smith, asked if the ‘political mud slinging’ between political parties (referring to the Crystal Methodist affair again) is damaging the image of politics.

    Why now John? After decades of political one-upmanship? And why bring attention to ‘political mud slinging’ in light of the crystal Methodist who has brought shame not only on the Co-op bank, but on the Methodist church too.

    The Labour connection to this story is very important and not just political, simply because the Labour party allegedly received funds at preferential rates whilst the bank’s high street customers were left with a bank which was being run to the ground and putting their interests at risk.

    One could argue that the Labour party had no idea what was going on at the bank, but as we all know, and are constantly reminded by left-wingers, ignorance is no excuse!

       10 likes

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