428 Responses to Midweek Thread 14 October 2020

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  1. Doobster78 says:
    October 16, 2020 at 10:24 am

    You just gotta laugh sometimes at this crazy world !!

       11 likes

    • JimS says:
      October 16, 2020 at 10:46 am

      Did Disney create ‘princess’ Meghan?

      We have had decades of ‘fiesty’ American princesses from Disney now.

      The Americans don’t get it, a ‘proper’ Royal just raises an eyebrow and the loyal followers ‘do the dirty’ for them. What is the point of being royal if you have to do the work yourself?

         7 likes

  2. Guest Who says:
    October 16, 2020 at 10:39 am

    Seems someone in the cubicle gardens has a cousin who makes cakes.

    ***

    BBC News

    Professional baker Reshmi is fed up of influencers wanting free cake they can post about on Instagram, and has decided to take a stand.

    ***
    BS and KayB may not snag a Clothes horse in journalism award this year

       5 likes

  3. Up2snuff says:
    October 16, 2020 at 11:44 am

    TOADY Watch #2 – I couldn’t believe my ears – all over again.

    Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary, was the sacrificial lamb for the 8.10 a.m. prime interview slot and was given an easy time by the ladies. No knife held to his throat or stuck in his ribs or back. He was very robust and spoke well, obviously not taking any of the usual TOADY misbehaviour.

    Could it be the result of the fall-out from Keir Starmer’s opportunistic failed ‘clear blue water’ policy U-turn earlier this week?

    It has obviously had an effect. Even the BBC have twigged that Starmer is out of step with Labour Mayors, especially in northern parts of England. The BBC do like to keep the divisiveness going though. M&M and the newsreader kept making the point about Mayors ‘some of them Conservative’ or ‘both Labour and Conservative Mayors have criticised’.

       8 likes

  4. Up2snuff says:
    October 16, 2020 at 12:08 pm

    If I was doing a newspaper front page review, one thing I would highlight is that Keir Starmer may have another person after his job as leader of the Labour Party. Andy Burnham appears to be joining Mayor Sadiq Khan as a front-runner. Then there is Jess Philips as a contender along with BBC Question Time and Any Questions favourite, Thangan Debbonaire.

    It’s tough at the top.

       16 likes

    • StewGreen says:
      October 16, 2020 at 12:38 pm

      I guess that is lifted from the Daily Telegraph podcast
      Direct link to Sue Cook segment

      “Stopped listening to R4Today ..cos rude and unbalanced
      and gotcha journalism”
      She listed lockdown skeptics they don’t air.
      How the BBC frightens her 101 yo mother.

      “People stop me in the street and tell me they stopped listening to media”

      “I used to defend it to the hilt
      ..now I think its days are numbered”

         21 likes

      • Fedup2 says:
        October 16, 2020 at 12:57 pm

        Yes but I bet she still takes the BBC pension eh?

        Must be after a column on the Mail like the other retired BBC types ….

           9 likes

  6. Up2snuff says:
    October 16, 2020 at 12:18 pm

    Speaking of Any Questions on BBC R4 8 p.m., the line-up for tonight’s programme appears quite bearable as it includes 2015/16 Referendum hero Gisela Stuart, now a Baroness, Greg Hands (Minister for Trade Policy, Pascal Lamy and Dan Jarvis, a Labour MP and Mayor of Sheffield City region, who doesn’t always toe the Party line.

    I may just listen for the first time in weeks.

       7 likes

  7. StewGreen says:
    October 16, 2020 at 12:32 pm

    11:45am Talk Radio @AngelaLevin1 was interviewed bout her experiences with Jimmy Savile
    As a young journalist he found him vile
    but he had a grip over the establishment full show
    I guess they will put up the clip later

       7 likes

  8. Mustapha Sheikup al-Beebi says:
    October 16, 2020 at 12:33 pm

    From Melanie Phillips (article about anti-Israel bias but also comments on the BBC more generally):

    “… … …

    The BBC is regarded around the world as a byword for objectivity and accuracy. That’s why its departure from those ideals is so pernicious.

    Perhaps the most chilling thing about it, though, is this. BBC executives are genuinely, painfully aware of the news outlet’s unique power and reach, and of their duty under its founding charter to uphold objectivity and fairness and hold the line for the middle ground.

    But they are simply unable to process the fact that they view Israel, among other issues, through a profoundly distorting ideological prism. And that’s because they believe implacably that the positions they hold are unarguably objective and fair, that they do represent the middle ground, and that therefore by definition those who claim the BBC is biased are themselves extremists and can be safely disregarded.

    In other words, BBC group-think is a hermetically-sealed thought system. Which is why, if whoever takes over at the top wants to restore the once iconic BBC to elementary standards of objectivity, fairness and decency, they will have their work cut out for them.”

       31 likes

    • Fedup2 says:
      October 16, 2020 at 1:48 pm

      Mustapha
      This site is founded on the hope that things will change . That’s why I think the two pronged attack on the BBC – criminal compulsory funding – and a coming new news source – is so welcome ….
      …………with a bit of luck 2022 – the centenary of the birth of the monster – will encourage more soul searching – an inquiry
      Into its future in the lead up to the charter and bigger changes –
      But it’s a long long time coming …

         12 likes

  9. The Sage says:
    October 16, 2020 at 12:48 pm

    Saw the BBC headline and I wondered where this might be:
    “Police break-up 100 guest wedding reception”
    Click, and all is revealed: Southall.
    However, the BBC and true to form fails to make mention of who might want to arrange such a wedding in Southall.
    Does anybody have any ideas? I’m at a loss.

       38 likes

    • StewGreen says:
      October 16, 2020 at 1:45 pm

      The Met police put out a blurred video.
      The people in it look similar to these people
      2 weeks ago when a Luton venue was fined.
      Photo appears to show the guests

         8 likes

      • BRISSLES says:
        October 16, 2020 at 5:10 pm

        Is it just me ? but why do most young females attending weddings in recent years insist on dressing like hookers ? and the blokes turn up in jeans as they would for a night at the snooker hall ? Glad I married when I did, at least there were plenty of suits turned up, and ladies in hats.

           13 likes

    • StewGreen says:
      October 16, 2020 at 2:08 pm

      Oh look the BBC have attached a generic Getty “white couple” photo to the link for their website story.
      No Twitter photos of Southall weddings have pictures of a white couple.

         33 likes

  10. BlackCountryWench says:
    October 16, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    Firstly, let me apologise for a angry post I made last month regarding the Birmingham stabbings.

    I had just finished a phone call with my brother, a serving WMP officer who had been drafted into the City Centre after the initial stabbing and had seen the aftermath and it wasn’t pleasant. Also he had been called back on duty that morning, despite it being a rest day for him. Sadly that is happening far too frequently and he is considering taking early retirement as he says it’s not the force he joined.

    Anyway, I really need to have a moan about the sheer stupidity at the moment, the media in general screamed for the lockdown and got it, then screamed about how we needed to come out of !ockdown, so we eased out gently, schools and unis were opened and the rate went back up.

    Then you got the moaning from teachers how tired they were, how dangerous it is being in school, students saying that they were not being fed adequately, sorry but I don’t understand why, in this day and age, they don’t club together and order their shopping online, why do they need their hands holding at 18/19? At 18, I’d left sixth form college and was working full time at the DHSS and in 1984 considered myself lucky to have a job when so many of my friends were signing on.

    I moved out at the age of 20 and was taking care of myself and working in a full time job. What did my generation do wrong to produce the current winging generation?

    The coverage of those spoiled brats in Liverpool earlier in the week was appalling, if one of them had been my son or daughter, I would’ve been ashamed of them.

    I watched local news on both itv and bbc last night, first time in ages as tbh, I’ve avoided news since the coronavirus stuff started and I got really worried by it. I wished afterwards I hadn’t bothered and just watched Netflix instead. Constant moaning and gloom and doom. The Chancellor has put unprecedented levels of help for businesses and get they still want more, where does it stop?

    Anyway, sorry it’s all a bit jumbled, but it’s so nice to get it off my chest as I recover from a head cold and wait to see if my football team make one more signing.

       46 likes

    • JamesArthur says:
      October 16, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      Blackcountry

      Re generation. I agree but I have realised since I stopped listening to and watching much of the media – it is they who are creating much of this issue. The BBC and their likes seem to sniff out the dumbest and most whinging people they can..it is all to push their narrative of the Tories not caring, being incompetent etc..

      But I do think the constant’ aren’t you great’ that is fed to children from the day they are born has made many of them (not all) useless.

      I only listen and watch MSM for a heart jolt and to get blood pressure up…

         24 likes

      • Doublethinker says:
        October 16, 2020 at 2:04 pm

        Agree and because the MSM give these moaners plenty of the oxygen of publicity many other start moaning to get on tele or radio or in the paper and then it suddenly becomes fashionable to moan and millions more join. Eventually some of them actually think that they have every justification to moan.
        One thing though if we had a Labour Government the MSM wouldn’t be so keen to spread doom and gloom, particularly the BBC.

           16 likes

  11. Fedup2 says:
    October 16, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    Wench
    Absence of propaganda news is – in my opinion – perfectly doable . As a life long anorak I have – up until recently – absorbed news – events -as part of daily life .

    Yet the BBC has cured me of this habit – and the habit of live TV and radio completely . I can easily avoid the BBC – but I can see why so many rely on it but are slowly waking up to the evil propaganda machine it has become .

    I just wish more people are in a position not to pay the TV Licence .

    As for the kidults – I think their version of reality is so coloured by the internet that they are no longer ‘sane ‘ . Part of being young is to think you’ll live for ever and nothing bad will ever happen – so take risks ….

    … add to that the ‘blame someone else ‘ culture and ignorance of the danger of an incurable virus becomes obvious . By the way – I know I am generalising .

    I’ve written here before about the habit of being in the moment- and not trying to figure out how long this state of affairs is going to go on. Is it the whole of 2021? Longer ?

    At the moment it feels as though we are living in a totalitarian state – and how quickly liberty has been surrendered .

    Also – longer term social changes being caused by what people are going through …..

       27 likes

    • JamesArthur says:
      October 16, 2020 at 1:59 pm

      Fedup

      Couldn’t have said it better..

      R4 Behind the Buzzwords – yet another piece of bias…about data.

      Allowed an interviewee to say online data has been used to get Brexit, in the election of Donald Trump…and went on about Cambridge Analytica
      So the only examples she could come up with was Brexit and DT..funny that
      Didn’t mention that the Cambridge Analytica allegations have all been shown to be crap..

      Talked about data modelling for covid but failed to mention how shit3 it has been.

      Yet another potentially interesting programme spoilt by a pre-determined narrative

         23 likes

    • Darcy3 says:
      October 16, 2020 at 5:16 pm

      I recall reading somewhere that the brain is not fully developed until at least 25 years old, especially the part that manages risk taking thus so many road accidents for that generation, it goes some way to explaining why they act so stupidly regarding congregating but does not explain their disregard for others

         5 likes

      • Darcy3 says:
        October 16, 2020 at 5:17 pm

        https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621648/

        Abstract
        Adolescence is the developmental epoch during which children become adults – intellectually, physically, hormonally, and socially. Adolescence is a tumultuous time, full of changes and transformations. The pubertal transition to adulthood involves both gonadal and behavioral maturation. Magnetic resonance imaging studies have discovered that myelinogenesis, required for proper insulation and efficient neurocybernetics, continues from childhood and the brain’s region-specific neurocircuitry remains structurally and functionally vulnerable to impulsive sex, food, and sleep habits. The maturation of the adolescent brain is also influenced by heredity, environment, and sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone), which play a crucial role in myelination. Furthermore, glutamatergic neurotransmission predominates, whereas gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmission remains under construction, and this might be responsible for immature and impulsive behavior and neurobehavioral excitement during adolescent life. The adolescent population is highly vulnerable to driving under the influence of alcohol and social maladjustments due to an immature limbic system and prefrontal cortex. Synaptic plasticity and the release of neurotransmitters may also be influenced by environmental neurotoxins and drugs of abuse including cigarettes, caffeine, and alcohol during adolescence. Adolescents may become involved with offensive crimes, irresponsible behavior, unprotected sex, juvenile courts, or even prison. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the major cause of death among the teenage population is due to injury and violence related to sex and substance abuse. Prenatal neglect, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption may also significantly impact maturation of the adolescent brain. Pharmacological interventions to regulate adolescent behavior have been attempted with limited success. Since several factors, including age, sex, disease, nutritional status, and substance abuse have a significant impact on the maturation of the adolescent brain, we have highlighted the influence of these clinically significant and socially important aspects in this report.

           3 likes

  12. StewGreen says:
    October 16, 2020 at 2:39 pm

    Editor of the New York post
    tweeted yesterday about Twitter censoring his news stories.

       17 likes

  13. StewGreen says:
    October 16, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    New Zealand : It’ certainly got Covid under control as far as we know
    but it’s not zero cases
    It claims most are rooted in imported cases.

       6 likes

    • Old Goat says:
      October 16, 2020 at 3:48 pm

      The problem there, is the fact that they won’t let anyone in. That’ll have to change at some point. They will not have had the opportunity to develop herd immunity, so eventually it’ll kick off again, and more people will be vulnerable, later.

         13 likes

  14. tarien says:
    October 16, 2020 at 3:21 pm

    Food for thought for this week-end- The reasoning behind the decisions that took the UK, most of Europe, the US and many other countries into complete lockdown has been widely challenged. Equally, it’s also been widely supported and there have been generally high levels of compliance. There is perhaps a growing divide between these camps and much of that’s got to do with how much we trust our leaders and their advisors.
    We’re being conditioned to accept a ‘new normal’ – but it’s not yet clear how this might look. As we unearth where much of the thinking comes from, we become ever more concerned about a future that is decided by a relatively small, seemingly incestuous group who don’t necessarily have the public’s best interests at heart.
    We must stop being passive recipients of the diktats of our governments and we start to think critically about what this all means, how our fundamental freedoms are affected, what other options should be available to us, where the sources of data on which decisions are made originate, and so much more. If we’re not concerned, it could be suggested we’re probably asleep on the job.
    In my life time never has it been more important, for us all to assert our democratic, natural and fundamental rights. And to do this we must first better understand what is going on, and read between the lines of the propaganda we’re being fed daily through the newswires of all kinds.
    We’re being told over and over that all decisions being made by governments that are driving lockdowns, social distancing and the development of drugs and vaccines for Covid-19 are being driven by science. But it depends on how you define science – and how you define bias or corruption in the scientific process.
    During this Covid pandemic – we’re seeing many examples of decisions being made ostensibly on the basis of science that don’t appear to be in the public interest and that, also don’t appear either objective or independent of vested interests. Have a good week-end and don’t forget your mask !!

       20 likes

    • Old Goat says:
      October 16, 2020 at 3:51 pm

      I think that the root reasoning behind the notion that it’s a good idea to keep people in their homes, and under control, is less to do with a simple ‘flu-like virus, and more to do with some other, more sinister reason.

         15 likes

  15. Doobster78 says:
    October 16, 2020 at 3:44 pm

       31 likes

    • theisland says:
      October 16, 2020 at 4:20 pm

      Now we must repeal the WA/NI protocol.
      As soon as you like Boris (if you are serious).
      The globalists and their mindless acolytes will whine and whine.

         18 likes

  16. taffman says:
    October 16, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    “Brexit: Trade talks with the EU are ‘over’, says No 10”
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54566897
    Are we on our way to a Great Britain once more?
    If we are, I congratulate Boris ! I’ll get my fishing rod out …………
    HYS ‘Remainers’ are furious

       22 likes

  17. Foscari says:
    October 16, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    Would somebody tell me . As a man am I allowed to
    watch the continuous programming on BBC TV of women
    presenting the news , reporting on politics ? The BBC at times
    appears to be one continual women’s hour . for hour after
    hour.

       24 likes

  18. Dobyns says:
    October 16, 2020 at 5:12 pm

    Not al beeb but germane to biased Big Tech

       8 likes

  19. Guest Who says:
    October 16, 2020 at 5:27 pm

    Bit of sowing.

    Bit of reaping.

       14 likes

  20. StewGreen says:
    October 16, 2020 at 5:28 pm

    “today @BBCNews
    have removed social media sharing buttons from new articles. “

       6 likes

  21. Guest Who says:
    October 16, 2020 at 5:36 pm

    Oh…. joy.

       3 likes

  22. Guest Who says:
    October 16, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    The BBC and ‘progress’ together?

    Nope.

       11 likes

  23. Guest Who says:
    October 16, 2020 at 5:46 pm

    Seeing more and more of these.

    Some not risking the tvl failing to cover stuff like it used to?

       6 likes

  24. Guest Who says:
    October 16, 2020 at 5:52 pm

       7 likes

  25. Guest Who says:
    October 16, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    RIP.

    Katya Adler brushing up on her Norwegian psychiatry?

       17 likes

  26. Guest Who says:
    October 16, 2020 at 5:57 pm

    Context is all.

    No wonder BBC American BS steered clear.

       8 likes

  27. StewGreen says:
    October 16, 2020 at 6:16 pm

    ITV local news main item : Exclusive interview with Sicker Nutter
    … funny cos that is what BBC local had yesterday
    KS “Covid is out of control”
    reporter ” but in our area some regions in our area have a very low incidence like 6 a day”
    etc.
    It wasn’t a long interview .. Nutter was just hyping doom

    The item was framed by an introduction that in our region test and trace had failed to contact 15,000 people.
    The context is that there 5.5 million people.
    The second thing is that the way T&T works is that they have to phone every one in your house individually.
    So the reason why some of those 15,000 didn’t answer their phone is cos they already know and are already isolating with the people in their house.

       6 likes

  28. theisland says:
    October 16, 2020 at 6:35 pm

       14 likes

  29. harry142857 says:
    October 16, 2020 at 6:36 pm

    Someone on Monday mentioned Richard Osmans House of Games (BBC2 weekdays), a week long quiz, and their obsession with minorities.
    A double box ticker this week, who obviously got his job at the BBBC on tokenism, not merit.
    Monday, last of four.
    Tuesday, last.
    Wednesday, last.
    Thursday, last.
    Today, last.

       10 likes

  30. StewGreen says:
    October 16, 2020 at 6:40 pm

    BBC local news “white people ARE more privileged than black people, those are the words, of a school child in Barton Upon Humber”
    Teacher “Although Floyd happened in America it’s very important to know about BLM in the UK”

    … is he on drugs ?
    If there any black people in that 7,000 person town, they’d fit in a Mini, cos I’ve never ever seen any there.

    Item included vox pop with 6 brainwashed kids
    ..then it was all over, the prog had ticked the box and moved on.

       8 likes

  31. Guest Who says:
    October 16, 2020 at 6:49 pm

    BBC editorial integrity summarised:

       22 likes

  32. Darcy3 says:
    October 16, 2020 at 7:00 pm

    2 BAMES in supermarket today the only two NOT wearing masks, BAMES marching in protests around the country including thousands of muslims in Oxford street recently

    playing cricket in public during lockdown, BAME mayor of Luton in garden party etc etc

    go figure

       22 likes

  33. Northern Voter says:
    October 16, 2020 at 7:42 pm

    Not the bbbc I know, but the National Trust has had it’s begging bowl out on the telly, (Iv’e been watching the Giro on Welsh Channel 4), I wonder whether all the bames will be digging deep and donating. However they won’t be able to see much as the NT will have ditched all the interesting stuff and tried to fill their properties with bame history. As we know, from the bbbc, their history is only a month long!

       18 likes

  34. Foscari says:
    October 16, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    I am surprised that the BBC are covering the story of a teacher
    in Paris being beheaded by an Islamist terrorist. BUT
    there is a good reason for it so far as the BBC is concerned.
    Apparently he had shown some of his students a cartoon of
    Muhammed .You better read the story quickly on the BBC
    website because it will “disappear ” by tomorrow.

       16 likes

  35. Concrete sea says:
    October 16, 2020 at 8:52 pm

    Gordon Brown backs Marcus Rashford’s school meals plea, says another piece of Beeb ‘news’ today.
    I’m fairly certain that the general standard of living in the UK is better than it was 50+ years ago when I were a lad and sometimes getting free school meals, although I’m sure we had to pay ‘dinner money’ at a later stage, so they weren’t actually ‘free’.
    Gordon who these days appears to do a lot of unpaid charity work has said ‘ I thought we had finally got over the worst of child poverty’. I guess based on that observation we are going backwards. He told BBC Breakfast the cost of providing the 1.5 million worst-off children with free meals at half-term and Christmas would be around £20m a week.
    This was a “relatively small sum of money”, he argued, adding that it would be “unfair” if those who usually relied on free school meals were to go hungry at a time when household budgets are being stretched because of the pandemic.
    “This is about social conscience,” Gordon said. “This is about compassion and it’s about care.” Knowing his views on poverty I’m sure he was carefully chosen by the Beeb.
    So it’s nothing to do with parents who shouldn’t be called parents as they lack any of those basic skills to ensure they provide for the children they brought into the world, which in most people’s book would be near the top of any priority list (if they had one).
    Once again we are back to the something for nothing brigade and perhaps that mere £20 million could be spent on hammering home to those fake parents (as Trump would probably call them) that food for your child lies above mobile phones, fags, drink and takeaways.

       18 likes

  36. Fedup2 says:
    October 16, 2020 at 8:57 pm

    The telegraph reports that George Osborne is being lined up for the chairman of the BBC … how depressing does the world have to get ?

    I’m so upset I’m going to put up the weekend thread ….

       14 likes

  37. Guest Who says:
    October 16, 2020 at 9:06 pm

    They’re checking facts.

       8 likes

  38. fakenewswatcher says:
    October 17, 2020 at 6:00 am

    i woke up at 4 (verb, not adjective or noun) and refelected on ‘Americast’, which R4 foisted on us last night with Soapy Sopel, Vapid Maitless and Zurch.
    Minimal information about the US election. It was all about anecdotes and feelings. And repeated assurances that Sleepy Joe
    was light years ahead in the polls.
    The attempt to define a ‘swing state’ was really poor. And, of course, they were all in favour of Biden.
    Did anyone else subject themselves to this garbage?c

       1 likes

  39. fakenewswatcher says:
    October 17, 2020 at 6:02 am

    i woke up at 4 a.m. (verb, not adjective or noun) and reflected on ‘Americast’, which R4 foisted on us last night with giggly Soapy Sopel, Vapid Maitless and Zurch.
    Minimal information about the US election. It was all about anecdotes and feelings. And repeated assurances that Sleepy Joe was light years ahead in the polls.
    The attempt to define a ‘swing state’ was really poor. And, of course, they ( the swing states) were all in favour of Biden. And even Texas could go for Biden. Not to mention the Senate and House going Democrat.
    Did anyone else subject themselves to this garbage?
    They seriously think we’re going to bbc ‘Sounds’ to find out ore!

       0 likes

  40. fakenewswatcher says:
    October 17, 2020 at 6:09 am

    Paris.
    Very diverse.
    But the ‘West’ has learnt nothing in the last thirty years. Absolutely nothing.

       2 likes

  41. StewGreen says:
    October 17, 2020 at 6:48 am

    FNW … there’s already a Weekend thread now.

       0 likes

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