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Owing to my fellow conspirator, Mr Games, I feel I ought to apologise for the recent drought of post.

Usual excuses apply - uni work, washing and occasionally dusting.

I will write more soon.

First for bullshit.

So, after an commons' motion criticising the BBC and Skys position, it is finally clear. Sky will also not run the DEC appeal. After spending the weekend lampooning the BBC they've decided to do... exactly the same as the BBC.

Now, I do not criticise Burley and Co for their journalistic reasoning for not running the appeal. It is one I have referred to as being immensely difficult but ultimate in the public duty not to air due to the broadcasters claims of impartiality being open to criticism.

What I do criticise is this. After a weekend of petty point scoring (making it their lead story for most of Sunday) they decide -- and were probably planning to all weekend -- to support the BBC's impartiality claim and do exactly the same.

Now that's what those protesters should be appalled by. You listening Tony?

BBC right to refuse DEC request

***Image: Beau Bo D'Or***

As Beau demonstrates, there has emerged an immense anti-BBC feeling towards the refusal to broadcast a D.E.C. appeal for aid to Gaza.

It is perhaps fair to comment that the aid-situation in Gaza, following the Israeli offensive, is in dire need. The likes of the UN's Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, have articulated this awful situation in recent days and weeks extremely well. Indeed, the efforts of the Disasters Emergency Committee is indeed commendable. This I do not challenge. Moreover, the advertising campaign recently run in national newspapers demonstrated the urgent need for humanitarian aid to Gaza.

However, it is worthy of comment that the BBC's position has now come under an immense amount of criticism, not least from the likes of Tony Benn and the 'Stop the War Coalition'. This is wrong.

Mark Thompson, BBC Director-General, recently commented:

Inevitably an appeal would use pictures which are the same or similar to those we would be using in our news programmes but would do so with the objective of encouraging public donations.

The danger for the BBC is that this could be interpreted as taking a political stance on an ongoing story."

This seems the most reasonable stance the BBC could possibly take - not least because the inevitable reporting of the BBC would be called into question if appeals of this nature are seen to run directly before news programs (as happen after the Asian Tsunami).

For this reason, it perhaps seems unfair (and lacking in understanding) for the likes of Dr. John Sentamu to openly criticise the BBC. Indeed, tonight the Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, has himself said the BBC is in an awkward position.

However, and perhaps most importantly, in this debate one crucial aspect must not be overlooked. The time for cries of retribution and unfairness are not at hand when thousands face the most pressing man-made humanitarian crisis at the moment.

Surely that should be the focus and not whether or not an impartial broadcaster should be forced to broadcast an intentionally biased campaign?

Mandy to the rescue but not quite.

Well, Mr Relations could help but laugh at the week Gordon's had. Whilst Obama has been sworn in (and sworn in again, for good measure) things have not been so good on this side of the pond.

Let's first start with some context. David Miliband decided it'd be a great week to visit India. Now, whilst he was out there he said a few things which, as Indian news agencies were quick to note, have caused offence.

David's comments on Kashmir came at a time of heightened tensions in India, an issue the Indian's themselves regard to be internal. It perhaps wasn't the wisest of things to do, especially considering the fact that, if reports are to be believed, the Indian PM is now ignoring British diplomatic moves.

So, in comes the Minister for Dark Arts, Peter Mandelson. He's believed to have been sorting out the 'work' of the boy-wonder and if reports from Guido et al are to be believed he isn't making much headway.

So, Pete's away for a week and what happens? The shit hits the fan, that's what. First - there's a monumental cock-up over MPs expenses. Initially it appeared, from Downing Street, that it'd be a whipped issue. Now, this appears to have changed over the course of PMQs to a free vote. Harriet Harman is being blamed for this balls up.

Incidentally, seeing Margaret Beckett attempt to explain this whole situation is well-worth a catch-up.

Then, remember those deputy leadership campaigns? Ahh, Mr Relations fondly remembers seeing Alan Johnston pipped to the post and that awfully arkward moment of Harriet and Gordon standing on the same platform.

Well, as I write more news is emerging but, in essense, both Jack Straw and Peter Hain have been found to be corrupt (for want of a better word) in their dealings, nominally not declaring donations which should have been.

Oops.

So, all in all, it's not been a good week. Chin up.

Obama's inauguration

Tomorrow will make history. That is a simply and uneqifical fact. Obama, undoutedly, faces a mountain to climb in the coming days, weeks and months but before the work of the new president can begin he faces his signing on and Mr Relations, for one, is extremely looking forward to that moment.

BBC Radio 4 have been running an excellent series by David Reynolds. Well worth a catch-up for a broader perspective on presidents and America in general.

Back to tomorrow though news hounds, coverage starts from 4pm on the BBC. See you there.

+++ Conservative reshuffle +++ Spelman demoted +++

Well, we're a little late of the presses (blame Mrs Relations and her trip to town) but news has come through of a reshuffle of the Tories front-bench today.

So, here are the main points.

Making an appearance:

Ken Clarke. Now heads up Shadow Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Secretary

Mark Francois. Shadow Minister for Europe.

Making a move:

Alan Duncan. Shadow Leader of the House of Commons

Chris Grayling. Shadow Home Secretary

Dominic Grieve. Shadow Secretary of State for Justice

Nick Herbert. Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Theresa May. Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Shadow Minister for Women

Eric Pickles. Chairman of the Conservative Party

And finally,

Guttingly, Caroline Spelman is set to return to her old position in Local Government.

Charity begins at home. Umm, let's think about that one...

I feel I have to start this by admitting (yes, it is a crime) that I have just written an essay on a similar subject. So, right here and right now I shall apologise if any of this article begins to sound remotely like an academic essay. Turgid language and all...

That aside Mr Relations’ favourite MP, Caroline Spelman made The Guardian’s diary the other week (I know, I know... our wires aren’t quite up to Sky News quality yet). She’s decided, being the moral and political torchbearer, to brand Conservatism in quite a new light – ‘Conservative Socialism’.

(Just quickly, how many e do you reckon were taken to form that idea? Answers on a postcard please)

Quite aside from whether Conservative Central Office considers this a blunder is interesting. So is the notion recently put forward by the leader in waiting, Master Cameron, that charity is an answer to Britain’s welfare services deficit? Chris Graylin, Gray by name, grey by nature, recently concluded:

“Potential of our voluntary sector to tackle the difficult social problems in our most deprived areas is huge”.

Huh?

Reviewing these figures brings some interesting results.

1. Charitable donations, during the coming recession, are predicted to slump by 52%

2. Voluntary sector successes are largely driven by massive investment from the Government of the day.

3. What charity provides is 'minute' compared with the state- and what would happen to the poor when donors peg back as in a recession?

So, the idea of charity simply being able to pick up the slack and save the rate-payers pocket is, to be frank, utter shit. It smacks of being driven by economic doctrine more prevalent to the 70s and 80s – monetarism.

And as Grand Old Bird Toynbee concludes, of course there is a role for charity. To stifle the endeavours of social entrepreneurs is pointless but it does underline the need for government to ‘give a toss’.

It does lead to this question though, if the new ‘Caring’ Conservatism of Dave is really embedded in helping social mobility and aiding the breakdown of educational and class challenges why does he still see the government as playing as little role as possible?

Continuing Israeli / Gaza Crisis

Given news this afternoon that the United Nation's Gaza HQ has been shelled and the Hamas Foreign Minister has been killed in an air strike I thought it interesting (and perhaps a worthwhile exercise) to look again at a short extract from the BBC's Hardtalk programme. Whilst obviously Sackur's interview focuses upon Israeli settlers the programme also touches upon the challenges faced by many Israelis on a daily basis.

Interesting stuff.

And now for some music...

I feel an apology is in the offing. Sorry for the relative drought of comment on here recently. The organ grinder himself has been busy at work - uni work that is.

So, until Captain Cook and the anthropological debate are solved I'm afraid I shall have to leave you with 'ole Gordo.

Normal service shall resume, sometime...

The Week in Numbers.

So, you've fed the meter but you've just remembered the gas bill is due on Tuesday. You've got 10 pound but you know a pint costs £4.40. This is, or rather that was, the week in numbers.

3. The number of weeks Israeli bombs have shelled parts of Gaza. It's also incidentally the number of weeks its taken for Barack to say anything. What. So. Ever.

2. Videos Britain's third in line probably wish didn't exist. The News of World published two videos of Prince Harry being a racist and a twat this week. Still, it's always funny to see a BBC royal correspondent called Peter Hunt.

80. Years since the last Winne the Pooh book, it's making a comeback - don't you know?

50. Pound a boy from Liverpool was paid to appear on a Panaroma programme with knives and guns. Merseyside Police are now investigating - really worth it now?

and priceless, seeing the Queen's face as footage of Harry's fake call to her is broadcast. How does one do it?

Don't post that.

Guido and Tory Bear first ran this story. In essense, 'Conservative Future' Area Chairman, Matt Smith, thought it'd be a right giggle to go to a bad taste party as Madeline McCann. I'm slipping my sides as I write this. Anyway, Caroline Spelman promptly saw to his current political ambitions and dispatched him back to his A Levels.

What is interesting though is this - whilst politics has been quick to exploit the web and these new fangled technologies of social networking - they've now also been shown (perhaps not for the first time) that the internet can also be a vechile for biting back.

I did also quite enjoy Guido's quirk here though:

"There is no place for this sort of person in the party.
There is however a place at the top of the party for someone who fiddles her
expenses to pay for childcare at the taxpayers expense".

Lesson for Ms Spelman here?

** MANDY TO THE RESCUE **

Bush has done it in the States, now it looks like Peter Mandelson is set to bail out the car industry.

More to follow.

Hamas may have lost the battle...

The old military adage of 'losing the battle but winning the war' has never been more relevant. Today, with news of a possible ceasefire in the offing, it seems pertinent to comment on not only the military but media campaign currently being waged not only on the streets of Gaza but in newsrooms and tv stations across the world.

With Hamas's limited budget, relatively primitive weaponry and handful of fighters it would hardly seem a match for the mighty Israeli forces. Few dispute that these rather primitive actions, dating back well over the years, have however provoked Israel's natural right to protection of its self - its not like its going to find much favour with its neighbours now...

Hamas has however called down upon itself quite an overwhelming response that it, must in part, be held accountable for. Indeed, the state of Gaza - if it is to be called that - has already seen the removal of Hamas's main political rival in Abbas but now this is threatened, as I would argue is Hamas's own political hegemony in the region now. There has been two main strategies at play here.

Firstly, it must be commented upon that Gaza has arguably been at war for a lot longer than Israel's current campaign can give credit for. The isolation and cutting off of humanitarian relief, utilities and other essential features has rendered the area already a Baron and desperate land - before any bombs hit Gaza city. Oxford Historian Avi Schliam touched on the radical issue truly at heart in this current conflict,

There remains an unresolved issue of settlers moving people out and then
cutting them of.

Secondly though, in this media war, it is obviously apparent the extent to which an image of injured Palestinian child has. It has more than a cultural resonance, and I would argue this is right. However, it is worth baring in mind that it is Hamas who continue to fire rockets deeper and deeper into Israel - aware of the likely reply of Israeli forces.

Israel, for its part, is of course guilty of a crime against humanity - just as an invading power is. But so to are those militants who continue to fire rockets into Israel. However, the continued shelling of the densely populated cities of Gaza raises numerous questions of the relative retaliation and need for such a heavy handed approach. This, of course, plays into the hands of those seeking to accuse Israel of being unwarranted in their actions but it does raise this crucial question, what is appropriate to bring a terrorist organisation (certainly to many Western countries) to the table? Does force only recognise force?

So tonight, as news continues to roll in of ceasefires, and then those ceasefires being ignored, it seems very apparent that this conflict is being fought on more than one front. Whilst Israel continues to have military superiority it remains to be seen how long it fend off the international community as indeed Israel does seem to be losing the PR battle hands down.