Author Archives: David Vance

ETHIOPIAN BRITISH

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I see that the BBC is giving great prominence to the “Binyam Mohamad is innocent” story, this time focusing on the Miliband/US angle. The bit that I find interesting is the line “Binyam Mohamed, an Ethiopian who lived in the UK, believes US papers detailing his treatment support his claims.” But hang on, that is not quite the full picture, is it? Mr Mohamed IS an Ethiopian, and he is one who illegally entered this country in 1994. The way in which this law-breaker is being presented as some sort of dyed-in-the-wool Brit is staggering, just as his totally implausible stories as to how he ended up in Pakistan in AQ training camps are also being carefully sanitised. The BBC loves to run these stories, always carefully sympathising with the alleged terrorist. You can be sure this one will be on Question Time tonight. Maybe Binyam could be given an honorary knighthood?

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GOLLY GOSH!

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There is an excellent article by Melanie Phillips here on the way in which the BBC has handled the Carol Thatcher issue, well worth a read. As Melanie points out it is the totalitarian mindset of BBC1 Controller Jay Hunt which is so deeply disturbing, they just cannot see how arrogant and prejudicial they really are!

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Coming here tomorrow night – it’s “Question Time” again

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David Dimbleby, Geoff Hoon, Theresa May, Nigel Farage, Will Young and Shami Chakrabarti Coming here tomorrow night – it’s “Question Time” again, being blogged live and uncensored (Well, mostly uncensored) and YOU are invited to join in the fun and games. I attach an image of the panel and as you can see, UniveRsal Shami is back on again! Did she win some election I have somehow missed or is this an example of rampant BBC patronage for left wing shills? I’ll be here, with Geoff, tomorrow night prepared to do battle, make sure you can make it too!

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CRIMINAL IRRESPONSIBILITY

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It’s rare for a week to go past without the BBC running an item somewhere suggesting that Britain should top locking criminals up. It’s all part of the narrative and so it is no big surprise to hear an item on Today earlier this morning suggesting that we should follow the example of Finland and cease “incarcerating” young people (anyone under 21) in our prisons. The debate was between Professor Rod Morgan who supports the Finnish model, and Michael Howard who does not. An exchange of opinions – which is fair enough. But the bit that got me was the way in which BBC reporter Mark Easton set the whole item up in prejudicial language that was clearly very sympathetic to the line then taken by Morgan. In this way, Howard was basically outnumbered two to one, before on then throws in John Humphrys! Bias – it’s just a way of life for them.

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MORE NANNY

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Quite honestly ONLY the BBC would give prime time space to a loon who suggests that we need MORE Nanny State intervention! In this instance, Dr Alan Maryon-Davis suggests a ban on smoking in cars carrying children and a ban on massive price-cuts on alcohol would not be nannying but just responsible government. How about we are given the CHOICE as to what we buy and what we do? How about we are given a CHOICE as to whether we pay so much as one penny for for the BBC?

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THE MESSIAH SCREWS UP

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I see the BBC has been reporting that Obama, using that famous rhetorical flair that sets him head and shoulders over his predecessor, has admitted that he “screwed up” over his choice of some senior nominees. Daschle and Killefer have fallen from grace even before they could ascent to upon high. This follows on from the Bill Richardson fiasco and then there is the pesky ongoing problem with Geithner! In all cases, paying tax seems to be a problem for these senior Democrats. With Obama’s poll rating now lower than those Bush recorded at the same time in 2000, who does the BBC get on to discuss this fall from grace? Yes, a former Clinton speech-writer. What could be more balanced? Each time Bush made any error, it was accompanied by media sneers from his arch rivals. But when Obama can’t seem to select anyone who is not a tax dodger, all we get is a sympathetic hearing from a fellow Dem! I also note that the BBC has been portraying Obama’s condemnation of the “Buy American” clause inserted in to the Trillion dollar bail out as evidence of his sensitivity to international trading opinion. But this “Buy American” caveat was inserted by his own Party – doesn’t Obama even know what they are doing? Once again, a complete lack of critical questioning from the BBC! They want to lie back and close their eyes and pretend all is well in this era of Obama despite the evidence that their Messiah has all too evident feet of clay.

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DARKNESS IN THE DARK CONTINENT.

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In the BBC world-view, what could be more natural than bigging up Libyan thug Col Qaddafi – new chairman of the African Union as well as getting the wretched Mark Malloch Brown on to agree that co-operation with Mugabe “is worth a go.” It always amazes me how the BBC drones on and on about the problems that afflict Africa whilst appearing seemingly disinterested in the ambitions and consequencwa of indulging terrorist thugs like Qaddafi and Mugabe.

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BLURRING THE BORDER

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I know I have covered this issue before but I see once again that the LEAD story on the BBC Northern Ireland news portal features a picture of the Republic of Ireland Prime Minister (with attendant Irish tricolour, natch) and concerns the failure of the southern Irish Government to cut a deal with the Unions. Now, I fully accept this is an important story but it has damn all to do with Northern Ireland. I believe this is all part of certain people in the BBC’s local office wilfully reporting on an all-Ireland basis when it comes to affairs Northern Irish. The term I have for this is hibernianisation and I suggest it belies a political agenda.

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BLACK AND WHITE

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I see that that the BBC have managed to take an alleged private comment from Carol Thatcher and use it as one more assault on the Thatcher brand. As you may know, Carol Thatcher is supposed to have used the word “golliwog” in reference to some Tennis player. However the point is that IF she did say this she did so off-air in the green room and so it is a private matter that the BBC have ruthlessly turned into a public affair. I’ve been in BBC green Roomsrmore than a few times and I could raise eye-brows about some comments made in my presence if I so chose. But why would I break confidence in this way? Even if I was diametrically opposed to another person’s point of view, what they say off-air has to be private. Clearly Carol Thatcher should be much more circumspect in what she says, but for me the greater crime here lies in the BBC’s blatant breach of confidence. Ultimately, the BBC hate anything that has the Thatcher imprimatur, a fact Carol should have been more aware. Your thoughts?

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General BBC-related comment thread!

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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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