General BBC-related comment thread!

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.

PINTER

.

Along with the rest of the UK media, the BBC has lavished praise on the Israel-bashing US hating Harold Pinter. I suppose that expecting any criticism of the great Harold was naive but a little sense of perspective on the man would have helped. I recall his comments on 9/11…

The 911 atrocity in New York was predictable and inevitable. It was an act of retaliation against constant and systematic manifestations of state terrorism on the part of the United States over many years, in all parts of the world…” Pinter described America as “a country run by a bunch of criminal lunatics” You can see why the BBC loved him.

THE GUEST EDITORS.

I see that Today have announced that five programmes next week will have guest editors in the shape of author Zadie Smith; Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the head of the Catholic church in England and Wales; musician Jarvis Cocker; Sir Win Bischoff, the chairman of Citigroup and architect Zaha Hadid. In one way this is a good thing since we recognise that ALL these people come with a clear set of prejudices and will mold the daily news agenda on Today to reflect such. But what about those who edit this programme for the other hundreds of days each year – what are THEIR prejudices, their biases? The BBC should come clean, just admit it is riddled with bias, and then that is then fine by me. Of course, as a biased broadcaster, it should then be forced to fund itself and stop thieving from us. There is nothing wrong in admitting bias, but there is everything wrong in denying it when it is manifest for all to see, and hear

While shepherds washed their socks by night

All watching ITV

The angel of the Lord came down

And switched to BBC.

Anyone else remember that? I’m pretty sure that in the playgrounds of my youth it was that way round, though Google gives about 50-50 the angel switching to ITV. I draw no particular conclusions. The only real purpose of this post is to wish everyone a merry Christmas.

THE QUEEN’S SPEECH

I see the BBC has been trailing tomorrow’s Queen’s speech. It appears she makes reference to the worries that “extremist violence” bring around the world. Mmm..“extremist violence” — as in Bombay for example, as in Afghanistan…oh, now I get, they meant to say Islamic violence. Peace on earth, goodwill to Jihadists, right? I wish the BBC did not read from the same supine lexicon as this dhimmified Government but of course the BBC is really just a part OF government so we can expect to see further Islamic violence in 2009 sanitised from any connection with Islam.

TUTU IN A SPIN

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu is one of those to whom the BBC always shows great respect. That makes me suspicious of him and so it is this morning, Christmas Eve, that the BBC has been trailing Tutu claiming that South Africa had lost “moral leadership” by not taking a stand against Mugabe. Tutu goes on to claim that the use of force should be considered to remove this tyrant from power since he is persecuting his own people. Two points here; 1. Where has Tutu been for the past few decades on this issue? Zimbabwe, the bread-basket of Africa, has been systematically turned into a basket-case by the Marxist Mugabe and I can’t recall too many protest by Tutu. 2. Interesting that the BBC echoes the request by Tutu for the “international coimmunity”to consider force to topple the tyrant in power I seem to recall Tutu joining in the chorus for the “international community” NOT to use force to topple another tyrant from power. Presumably Desmond reckons the life of an Iraqi is worth less than that of African. It strikes me that Tutu is himself a moral hypocrite but the BBC will never ask any hard questions of him. The BBC have their little favourites and this elite are truly blessed at this, and indeed every other season, insofar as they can say what they want without fear of any contradiction.

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Well folks, this is my first Christmas here on B-BBC and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your support over 2008. It’s very much appreciated and I hope I have been able to provide you with at least some good material over the past twelve months. I’d also like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. I will be blogging over the holidays so please keep dropping by for more fun and games as we dissect Auntie.

INCLUSIVITY

At this festive season, I am touched to read on the BBC that sales of Halal Turkeys are booming “as they enable Muslims in Yorkshire to join in the festive season.” Turkey – the true meaning of Christmas, right? Thank god (Allah) that the BBC have the resources to bring us this kind of insight, well worth the license-tax.

ALL INNOCENT

Have to laugh at the content of the BBC item “Scandal probe clears Obama team.” Phew, what a relief that is knowing that The One’s team had “no inappropriate discussions” with Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. That’s the review conducted by Greg Craig, one of Obama’s trusted legal advisers. Not even a trace of a conflict of interests there then, right? Naturally all this Obama sanitisation is swallowed by the BBC’s intrepid journalists.