Saturday, January 31, 2009
More testcard
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.
Monday, January 26, 2009
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?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
BBC right to refuse DEC request
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?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
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.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Obama's inauguration
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 +++
So, here are the main points.
Making an appearance:
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.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
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?
Friday, January 16, 2009
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.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
And now for some music...
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...
Sunday, January 11, 2009
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?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
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?
Friday, January 09, 2009
** MANDY TO THE RESCUE **
More to follow.
Hamas may have lost the battle...
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.