THOSE MURDEROUS MEN AND THEIR FLYING MACHINES.

Along with other eagle-eyed Biased BBC readers, I noted the BBC lead story at the moment which is entitled “Men planned explosions”. Mmm.. all sounds a bit vague, doesn’t it? I wonder why? Here’s a clue – the prosecutor said the men planned to inflict heavy casualties, “all in the name of Islam”.

TEA WITH THE TALIBAN?

Wonder if you managed to wade through Frank Gardner’s latest paean to the wonders of Arab diplomacy here? Yes, US and UK armed forces risk life and limb in the dangerous parts of Afghanistan fighting the Taliban but like all good leftists Frank believes that “winning hearts and minds” is the name of the game and this is where troops from the United Arab Emirates score, delivering humanitarian aid to their fellow Muslims and, on occasion, even fighting their way out of Taliban ambushes. Frank manages to get us some Afghan comment..

“People are not afraid that Emiratis will harm their religion, or disrespect the mosque or burn the mosque, things of this nature,” Governor Patan says. “People are very friendly with them. Everybody will drag them in for lunch or for dinner.” These are hearts-and-minds operations at their most effective – drinking tea with Afghans, discussing what help can be provided, Frank gushes.

The problem is that drinking tea is not going to do anything to stop the Taliban, much as the BBC might wish otherwise. This is a war. I also reject the implied slur concerning the behaviour of US/UK troops in the quote he provides. This is subtle character assassination of our own military and how they behave. Now I applaued all efforts made to combat Islamic extremism and in that regard the efforts of the UAE soldiers are to be welcomed but the likes of Frank Gardner is VERY selective who he lavishes praise upon – and the US and UK armed forces do not fall into this elite camp. Maybe if we sent in a battalion of aromatherapists and stress councillors Frank might take notice of the gallantry of OUR soldiers?

What do they think they’re doing?

Well, hello, hello, hello. Simply incredible the certainty with which the BBC report the findings of one group of UK scientists on the sun-spots – warming link alleged link. Keep in mind the following is just the link descriptor, which is the first thing a viewer reads before clicking to read the article itself:


“The idea that the Earth’s climate is determined by cosmic rays and the Sun’s activity is discredited by UK scientists.”

Note the subtle avoidance of saying “disproved” by using something perhaps stronger- the great argument of all man-centred warmists, ridicule. Damn, those crazy sun-spotters are so past-tense they’re already finished- discredited no less.

But anyway, to proceed to the article, which begins in highly suggestive terms:


“Scientists have produced further compelling evidence showing that modern-day climate change is not caused by changes in the Sun’s activity.”

Well I always thought that outside of opinion pieces a journalist was supposed to source subjective judgements like “compelling”, but maybe that’s a quibble.

But then, I’d quibble with the following statement too:

“This is the latest piece of evidence which at the very least puts the cosmic ray theory, developed by Danish scientist Henrik Svensmark at the Danish National Space Center (DNSC), under very heavy pressure.”

At the very least under very heavy pressure. Heavy stuff indeed. Yet which is it that was pressurizing the cosmic ray theory (hardly rocket science anyway)? Is it the implied series of pieces of evidence which preceded “the latest”, or is it “the latest”? It’s not clear to me, and do you know, I don’t think it’s supposed to be.

Bottom line (literally): …”we had better carry on trying to cut carbon emissions”.

So not a bit politicised at the BBC, is it?

THE SUN HAS GOT HIS HAT ON.

Have to love the BBC’s latest advocacy on behalf of the global warming alarmists Here’s the catchy entirely non-biased and accurate headline summary ” The idea that the Earth’s climate is determined by cosmic rays and the Sun’s activity is discredited by UK scientists.” Really? I don’t think so! What would have been honest and accurate would have been for the BBC to report that a small group of Lancaster University scientists have released research which leads them to believe that solar rays do not have a significant impact of Earth’s climate. The headline implies something definitive, so echoing the Al Gore “The debate is over” mantra. The BBC seems oddly reluctant to report other research which concludes that solar activity IS a primary driver of climate change but then again that does not fit in with the narrative which the BBC seeks to impose upon the general public. The way I see it there is much to debate on this hop topic which is why this kind of one-sided reporting is so repellent.

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!