English Lawns

I hope DB doesn’t mind, but his comments on the latest Mark Easton drivel bear putting up here. I know that not a few other comments could be similarly worthy. Pot luck really, but as I steer clear of reading Easton for the very smug, ignorant, conformist liberalism which DB notes, it seems fair’s fair to highlight it. With US First Lady Michelle Obama ploughing the White House lawn to … Continue reading

Credibility Gap

The BBC and the Government are constantly on the look out for good news about the economy, while bad news is given the heave ho. For the BBC, this is big news, this, not so much. Then you have fatuous features like this one. My point is that it doesn’t do any good to demean journalism for political purposes. Gordon Brown doesn’t do himself any good pretending that his actions … Continue reading

JUSTINIT FOR THE SYCOPHANCY

Did you read this latest love-in between Justin Webb and his good friends in the Obama regime? The contrast between the studied belligerence that typified BBC coverage of the Bush years and the slobbering sycophancy that now characterised Obama’s reign could not be greater nor the bias more rampant. This is not balanced and objective reporting but rather sustained PR spin. Click through to read and contribute comments on this … Continue reading

EU HAVE TO BE KIDDING!

You should have a read of this BBC item concerning the news that the UK’s Conservative MEPs have formed a new “anti-federalist” European Parliament bloc. The new European Conservatives and Reformists Group includes 55 MEPs from across eight member states. Leader David Cameron had vowed to take his MEPs out the centre-right European People’s Party, saying its federalist views were against Tory policy. What interests me is the structure of … Continue reading

CRACKERJACK!

Wonder what you make of the news that one of BBC Radio 2’s most popular religious presenters has launched a stinging attack on the BBC suggesting the broadcaster is biased against Christianity. Don Maclean, 66, who hosted Good Morning Sunday for 16 years, said the broadcaster was ‘keen’ on programmes that attack the Christian church. He said programming chiefs were keen to take a ‘negative angle at every opportunity’ in … Continue reading

EVERYBODY LOVES MARGARET?

I was reading the BBC’s coverage of the race to become Speaker here. It seems that Margaret Beckett is now the hot favourite (one of the very few times you will see the words “hot” and “Margaret Beckett” in the same sentence!). The BBC seems to approve of her since the only Conservative they take comment from, Richard Bacon, is content to see the foul Beckett in the chair. Click … Continue reading

ST VINCE AND THE CURIOUS

I was reading here that economic “guru” Vince Cable was too disorganised to pay his own bills on time, his expenses claims have revealed. The Lib Dem deputy leader, who lectured the Government on economic prudence, received 19 reminders and warnings from utility firms and office equipment suppliers during 2005-6. His electricity and gas suppliers both threatened to cut off his constituency office over non-payment of bills Anyone got a link to the … Continue reading

All about Gordon

I do recommend the BBC’s reporting on Gordon Brown’s statement of angst. It’s a merciful sight shorter than the Guardian’s version. Quite why we need to be subjected to Gordon’s musings on his public persona I don’t understand. There seems to be some suggestion that Gordon deserves a right of reply against his critics. It’s as if the BBC thinks that all the British public has been viewing is the … Continue reading