BBC TV News Review - Friday 12th October

Fi Fi Bruce was again anchoring the 10 o clock BBC News; we were straight in as she announced that Al Gore had won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to highlight the problem of global warming via his film, An Inconvenient Truth. It seems that humanity is due to face the most dangerous problems it has ever faced in respect of mass migration and potential world wars if the situation continues to deteriorate and that Mr Gore is in fact a global hero.

It was a couple of minutes into the faux worship before another inconvenient truth was revealed, namely that Al had in fact shared the award with he United Nations Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change,We then heard of previous Nobel winners; Mandela and David Trimble were two I managed to scribble down before we were quickly on to talk of Darfur, a drought resulting in "a savage struggle over water", "food shortages" and "conflict over scarce resources", the latter two on a global basis it was suggested. A short clip with a critic of some description was aired, before we closed with more images of the inimitable Mr. Gore.

On the same subject it was time to catch up with chief scientific reporter, David Shukman, the chap from earlier in the week who is travelling through the North West Atlantic Passage in a boat, to highlight the glacial shifting. Tonight we saw him, apparently travelling through the Victoria Straights; to be honest, all you can see is him surrounded by water. He didnt say much about his incredible journey, but rather spoke of the Nobel Prize, and how Gore had received his half of the award basically for highlighting and publicising the problem, however it seems that some scientists feel that there is some "danger" in his theories.

Postal strike next, the high court has decreed that the further planned strikes are illegal. Talks to resolve the situation continue, we saw a brazier burning and heard that chairman Adam Crozier was "feeling the heat". To close we saw some strikers and heard that the dispute may in fact be over.

Nightclub bouncer in South London who stalked victims, images shown.

Richard Branson, fund raiser for the McCanns and general white knight has once again shown his charitable status, this time offering to purchase the, according to RB, "British Institution", the Northern Rock Bank which recently had to borrow 15 billion from the Bank of England to stay afloat. Images of the Virgin boss abseiling the day before were broadcase and then we saw him interviewed by economic editor, Robert Peston, he told how he was British and basically implied he was doing us, as in a collective people, a big favour. Furthermore, he talked of rivalling the "big four" other banks. We were reminded of the Virgin brands, planes, trains, space travel and mobile telephones ebfore Robert reminded us that Richard was representing himself as a "rescuer" however, in reality, was simply seeking to make further wealth. Here is the link for those interested
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3681938.stm

BBC Reporter Richard Bilton, who has been hanging rounf the Algrave all summer it appears, covering the McCann story and possibly playing golf. Anyway, he had secured an interview with initial suspect, Robert Murat, who told how he could not tell much but was skint. Mention was made of a new police chief on the case before Madeleine's image was displayed. We heard of a "new wave of allegations" against Gerry McCann, namely that he was not actually the biological father, Clarence Mitchell appeared and angrily denied these.

Coming up - Hollywood war on terror.

First though, a new War Memorial was finally opened yesterday, commemorating the deaths of 16,000 military personnel since the end of the 2nd World War. It has been constructed in Staffordshire, at a place of "solitude and beauty". We saw the Queen and some of "her family" and heard of "doing their duty" in respect of the dead. The cost of the project was 7 million pounds, a sizeable chunk was paid for by the millenium commission.

The ongoing Judge Chubb inquest has reached a verdict, we are "no further forward" in ascertaining the truth of his death, blown up in his lawnmower shed.

David Cameron is visting Los Angeles to see how they deal with their problems of "guns and gang crime". We saw a neon sign, LA welcomes Mr. Dave Cameron and then Dave chatted with some "criminals" and strolled with some LAPD. It seems that this is the "crime capital of the world" with a horrendous amount of gang related deaths, it seems though that "Britain has the same symptoms" although Dave says it is "not as bad, but getting worse" and "needs to be dealt with".We heard mention of Billy Cox and Reece Jones to close.

England rugby fans are arriving en masse in Paris for the final, "flooding in" to be precise, we heard of a "sacrifice (of) body and soul" before images of face painted fans were displayed.

To close, as promised, we heard of the film Rendition, which includes "procedures used by the CIA to interrogate suspects". Clips of the movie were shown, as we head more about it all. It seems though that "some question Hollywoods legitimacy " in producing war films such as these, however we were assured that "the vietnam war took time to perculate". Mention was made of Tom Cruise and Robert Redford, it seems they are making an Afghanistan blockbuster and we were told that "celebs are ready for debate".

cheers.

BBC TV News Review - Thursday 11th October

Imminent retiree and Queen of Newscasters, Fiona Bruce,hosted the BBC News at 10 where our first report concerned the health service, in particular Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust where a "damning report" has been prepared in the light of 90 deaths due to filth loving superbug, Clostridium difficile. Images were shown of a "commode stained with faeces" as we heard of "patients left in excrement". We heard from relatives of some of the dead, or perhaps murdered would be a better description, they told of their bitterness. It appears that Chief executive Rose Gibb resigned from her position last Friday although the generous severence payment she received has been suspended; notwithstanding this she may face prosecution for criminal negligence.

Next up was a brief report on civilian deaths at the hands of US Forces in Iraq. Seemingly, an air strike was launched at al-Quaeda, and then another, resulting in a body count of 6 women and 9 children. It was revealed that "the terrorists placed them in danger" although details of this were not provided.

Our Armed Forces are to increase compensation levels for military employees if they are injured in duty. The sum has been raised to £285,000, we saw a wheelchair bound, crippled for life, former soldier together with his family who seemed most grateful about this.

The Princess Di and Dodi inquest followed. Nicholas Witchell, Royal correspondent, told again of the paparazzi involvement, including the photographing of the crash scene in the aftermath. Again, we saw images of the Ritz Hotel CCTV recordings and again specifc, almost hostile, reference was made to the numerous media presence which constantly followed Diana.

Education was next up as we heard the shock news that our primary school children and their parents face deep anxieties about life. Specific mention was made of gang culture, crime, and family breakdown. We travelled to a primary school to see youngsters, it seems that they in fact "seem safest and happiest at school" and are "worried about the world outside" because "life in increasingly dangerous". A teacher was shown, emptying a heap of agony aunt letters from an indoor box style letterbox, all composed by concerned kiddies we were assured. To close, we saw a gathering of children, non white skinned, filing in after their lunchbreak. It seems that a full review of our primary school educational system has not taken place since the sixties, the Plowden Review.* Old black and white images of mainly white schoolchildren in class,were used to illustrate the final part of this , frankly illuminating, report.

Coming up - housing market

First though, human migration was back, it seems that 515 people arrive at our shores each day, all seeking employment and a better standard of life. To this end we saw some engaged in legal employment, harvesting potatoes. We heard that locals avoid this type of labour before turning to rural backward Boston, in Lincolnshire, where 1 in 8 is a migrant. Talk was then of the need for new services and challenges faced, in, just like the proceeding two features, schools and health.

Postal Strike, talks are continuing to resolve this, we heard of wildcat strikes.

As promised, the housing market, it appears that some believe they are falling, given a recent survey of surveyors. We saw a man from Cardiff, he has been trying unsuccessfuly to sell his property since May. Talk was of the American and Irish market falls - we were then told a collapse was like "day turning to night, rather than a light switch being flicked". Symbolic perchance, given current monarchial manueoverings.

We moved on slightly to the stock market, it seems the footsie is on an upwards trend at present. Economic editor, Robert Peston, told how he feared ramifications from the previously discussed housing issue and that it may well fall. Mention was made of 11th September, it seems that the market had it's last significant reduction then.

A short feature on genocide, Armenia and Turkey.

To close, the Nobel prize was awarded to writer Doris Nettings, an older, perhaps slightly eccentric lady, who scoffed off the attribute. Mention was made of a Delta Royal Flush,We heard she had been writing for 25 years, was a "writer's writer" and "had shaped the way that women are treated". Again we flashed back to the early sixties and heard of more of her once considered feminist, now the norm, views.

cheers











Perceived Fear is our Piper ?

BBC TV News Review - Wednesday 10th October

We commenced with Huw Edwards as host on the BBC News at 10, first report regarded the High Court decision on the nationwide distribution of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth to ourlchildren via their educational resource centre, or school, as it used to be known . Judge Justice Burton heavily criticised the film, describing it as alarmist, and provided nine points, which the movie claims as facts, but which are either not so, or have not been proved so. Guidance notes will now be given to all schools and we are dependent on teachers reading these to pupils once they have viewed the film. We heard that this will be an embarrasment for Gore, he takes his work seriously apparently and furthermore, may affect his running in the annual Nobel peace prize competition.

Reporter Gavin Hewitt followed with a special report on obtaining property insurance in areas flood damaged by the storms in July. He flew by helicopter over Tukesbury again, "the town that became an island" before landing and speaking to a couple of locals. First was Mr Socker, (perhaps Sucker) who has had the misfortune to purchase a property in a known flood area. It seems that he will be struggling to obtain insurance cover. Second was Mr Clemence (show some clemency), who had also been flooded but claimed it was not really fair about changes in insurance underwriting, as he had not made a claim for 40 years. We saw many images of the past flooding to illustrate this feature.

Politics was next - images of Gordon Brown and David Cameron having a heated debate or argument were shown as we heard yet again that "the past makes way for the future" and of a "changing balance of power at Westminster".

The trial has begun of five Muslims accused of organising terrorist training camps in the UK. Images of turban coloured individuals partaking in paintballing were displayed, it appears that this was in fact part of their education, we saw them clambering over logs etc. with their paint loaded assault rifles before moving on to their street preaching and links with the 7/7 bombers. One apparently boasted that the 52 dead in the 7/7 bombings "would not do him for breakfast".

Judge Chubb, the man blown up his shed whilst his wife gathered the washing, followed, as today his bird on the side, or mistress, Kerry Sparrow, gave evidence at the inquest into his death. She claimed that there is no way he would have committed suicide however at one point stormed out of the courthouse during questioning.

Posties strike, we saw covert pictures of cages full of mail, the backlog we were assured. Talk was of "Spanish practices" and to this end we saw a post office informant, his face obscured and voice disguised, he told he works three hours and gets paid for eight. To close we saw the strikers, gathered round the ubiquitous fire-in-the-oil-drum, a right gang of ner-do-wells and bad eggs, or we so are led to believe.

Another school shootinhg in America, 2 adults and two children shot before a suicide, the culprit is said to have had a "history of violent and erratic behaviour.

Our health service is improving, 3000 psychotherapists are to be recruited to help with the growing problem of anxiety and depression. We heard that these are the most common mental illnesses and that the majority of counselling will be carried out via the telephone, which I find astounding. It seems that sufferers are "locked into negative ways of thinking" (some might say logical, although they would be depressed - catch 22), and that cognitive behaviour therapy may be of assistance, indeed "transform the lives of millions." Yesterday was in fact "a significant day in the history of psychotherapy".

To close, another report on progression, this one pop art including Warhol c1967 - particularly Marilyn Munroe. We heard details of an exhibition of works at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Particular reference was made to Munroe, in particular we heard of a "secular chapel devoted to her", and that she was an "icon", made from "a kind of magic" and of "art of the ordinary person". Almost a people's princess, remind you of anyone ? Make up your own mind, the link is here. It's all in a similar vein.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7030000/newsid_7038700/7038777.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&nol_storyid=7038777&news=1#

cheers

Terrorists at training camp ?

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Angelic Upstarts - Loneliness Of The Long distance Runner

More Foxes

BBC TV News Review - Tuesday 9th October

I started watching the BBC evening news last night and then it all seemed to go wrong. We began with politics and went straight into our Chancellor's pre budget report, changes to inheritance tax, changes to non domiciled tax status and a new green flight tax. We heard the usual opposition party rhetoric, although it seems that perhaps on this occasion they had a right to seem slightly aggrieved given that their voter attracting strategies of last week have simply been pinched by the Labour Party. We saw Gordon Brown, grinning like a cheshire cat.

And then we seemed to move into Wonderland. Somehow, Nick Robinson, the BBC political reporter, and to my mind a nefarious character indeed, decided that to metaphorically represent the political shennanigans, he would utilise the term "shot foxes" and illustrate such with images of a fox, running through a field, the crosslines of a telescopic rifle sight superimposed upon the creature . Nick was quick to point out that no actual foxes were shot for the purposes of this report.

The news continued, an economic and financial squeeze seems likely, we heard debate and scaremongering over this, changes to capital gains tax etc. etc. Our next feature was the Post Office strike, we saw a fish factory in Somerset who face problems over this and then turned to the workers themselves, who told how they feel that their employment conditions are deteriorating in front of them, however comment was made that their employers wish them to work all the hours they are paid for, thus implying that at present this does not happen. Lachlan started crying then, and it was difficult to hear the last three main features properly, or to take notes. They were however, Law and Order, the new European Treaty which seems imminent and music distribution.

I started thinking a bit more - we had the foxes, once persecuted by mainly the upperclasses, and indeed our monarchy. Then the Post Office, the solitary threadbare reminder of our once exquisitely robed national companies where it was once commonplace for a postie to run round his route, and as such be allowed the privilege of an early finish - not nowadays, heaven forbid. Law and Order, we heard of greater powers to be given to the relevant authorities, all under the guise of terrorism. Then the European Treaty, bringing us all together in line, one big family under the one umbrella. Finishing with music, Radiohead releasing a new album, pay what you wish via internet. Reference was made to another band, who are distributing their next single free, I missed the group. Then we saw Madonna, queen of pop, singing Like a Virgin on Top of the Pops, twenty five years ago no less.

Lachlan was still crying, so I juggled him up and down for a while, and as I did so, all these seemingly unconnected stories began to form a picture. The picture is change, but more importantly, change for the better. The foxes are no longer in fear of huntsmen; the post office, lazy workshy bastards, now there's another change that seems better; law and order, well it's terrorists we are talking about here - anything to protect us; the European Treaty, being sold by our Government as a benefit and then, finally, music. Once we had to go to the record shops, now we can simply download it at home - so much easier - and pay what you think, what could be better.

From Radiohead to Reynard, and virgins to queens, welcome to Wonderland

cheers

BBC TV News Review - Monday 8th October

Iraq, politics and the election were all rolled into one for the first feature on the BBC News at 10 last night. Studio anchorman, Huw Edwards, told us how Gordon Brown had again announced a reduction in our armed force in Iraq, down to 2,500 by next spring, the previous announcement being last week when the PM visited the country, this one made in the House of Commons. We then heard more obligatory derision over the non election by the opposition parties, and closed by hearing Nick Robinson, the chief political editor of the BBC, tell of his depth of feeling over this, - "not if you care like I do".

Then, over to Burma for an update on the social situation by undercover reporter Feargal Keane who told how here, in "the Golden Land", where the military authority consider themselves "lords, not only of earth but of heaven too" - "there are eyes and informers everywhere". A night-time curfew has been imposed, during which the military operation consists of "pulling people from their beds and disappearing them into detention". This did not stop our intrepid reporter though, he interviewed one non English speaking and unidentifiable "activist" during the daytime and then met with two equally covert Buddhist monks at a steakhouse at five in the morning. They told how they believed some collegues may have had their robes taken from them and been sent to labour camp. It all seemed rather strange to me, something fishy about the venue, given the Buddhist diet.

Princess Di and Dodi al Fayed followed, or the inquest into their death anyway. The jury have been shipped, en masse, to Paris where yesterday they inspected the tunnel of doom whilst followed by a large entourage of media. Royal Correspondent Nicholas Witchell was there to see this amazing sight as we saw the procession march into the tunnel and inspect the graffitti encrusted thirteenth pillar. Particular attention was proffered by Nicholas as he asked us to consider the rise, fall and most importantly, "thin-ness" or width of the road, the inference being it was particularly tretcherous. The saga continues.

Coming up - A special report on the once frozen Artic North West Passage as a BBC reporter travels through it. Cue image of BBC man attired in full Artic survival kit.

First though, we heard of Judge Chubb, famous for presiding over the Rose West murder trial, who was killed when his garden shed, with him inside, exploded; some six years ago. It seems though that he had told his long standing wife that he wished a divorce only two hours prior to the detonation. The Judge's mistress, Kerry Sparrow, has pushed this matter to a court inquiry as to his death; we heard from a gardener working nearby who told, when he heard the "boom" and rushed over, Mrs Chubb simply continued to remove washing from the line. Furthermore, another witness told how Mrs C, who is now resident in Australia, showed "little emotion at the funeral".

Post Office industrial action continues - images of picket lines were shown, talks are "no further forward", more 48 hour strikes are planned.

Houshold budgets were our next topic as Huw entered into a chit chat type of discussion with economic expert Evan Davies. It seems that we are all rather "stretched" at present, and consideration fell upon whether "people are getting poorer". It seems that perhaps we are or perhaps we are not, it depends really, that seemed to be the result of this in depth verbal and statistical analytical study. No mention was made of a collective spiritual poverty.

Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian who was shot on the London Tube after being mistaken for a terrorist -we heard the trial continues - "images of the dead man were shown to the jury today".

Some more photographic wizardry next as Interpol have managed to unscramble the images of a paedophile who posts his photographs on the internet with his identity disguised. We heard of a " this goes further - global" onslaught against this type of crime and heard some basic details into how the unscrambling technique worked. It seems that pixels are un-spiralled in some manner, and this allows restructuring . Images of this spiral effect were shown on a number of occasions to illustrate this feature.

To close, and as promised, the special report on the Artic passage. Our hardy reporter told how the seas are thawing and this has created a passageway of water, a veritable mariners "Holy Grail" between the glaciers. Satellite pictures were shown of the area before we heard territorial claims over who it actually belongs to. It seems the Canadians are claiming it as their's, we saw a top Canadian before cutting to a lady wearing an fur coat, who stood in front of a great expanse of water, the inference being that vast seas are being created through polar meltdown. This feature will continue throughout the week I believe.

cheers

Judge for yourself

No bones about it.

BBC TV News Review - Sunday 7th October

Aagin, not too much fresh news yesterday evening and very little time for what there was, given the weekend sport. The furore over the non existent election is still evident, we heard Tory leader David Cameron claim again that PM Gordon Brown is "treating people like fools" and that the main reason for the no show is that he thought he would lose. Menzies Campbell of the Liberal Democrats and Alex Salmond were both also highly critical of his decision; again all three leaders were immaculately dressed, in particular our Scottish leader has definately added to his wardrobe recently, it is rare to see him in the same outfit twice nowadays.To close the feature, we saw six demonstrators of some description, also in fancy dress, these characters appeared in the form of Newcastle Brown Ale bottles, wearing Gordon Brown cardboard cut out masks, and singing of 6 brown bottles - the inference being that our current leader has lost his bottle.

Some breaking news though - just in the last 5 minutes - reports of a multiple shooting in Wisconsin in America. Few details as yet.

The next feature was slightly disturbing, or should I say more disturbing than the norm, and concerns a fifteen year old girl called Katie, who suffers from cerebal palsy. Her mother wishes her to have a hysterectomy in order to avoid "the pain and distress caused by periods (menstral)." We saw the poor girl, in a wheelchair, obviously terribly disabled, watching go cart motor racing as her mother told of her rationale behind the decision. Reference was made to a girl from America, Ashley X, who's parents have already had this medical procedure, plus others, carried out in order to keep their child from growing into a woman. It seems that this case is likely to start a "debate over sexuality and disability" and we saw a man speaking of the rights of children - fearing where all this may lead to, presumably.

The weather in South East Asia followed, details of mass evacuation in China were supplied along with images of the storm conditions, we saw an Oriental reporter standing Endurance style, as howling wind and rain battered into her.

28 people killed in Cuba after a train accident at a level crossing

An oil rig platform has collapsed off the Welsh coast, investigations are being carried out, images of the collapsed platform were shown.

Sub prime mortgages, repossessions, America and the credit crunch followed - not much was said but we were reminded of the uncertain times we live in.

A painting by Claude Monet, the Le Pont d'Argenteuil has been vandalised by intruders in a museum in Paris.

Sport to close, a "bad day" for motor racing driver Lewis Hamilton, who committed a schoolboy error at the Chinese Grand Prix, after leaving the track and basically digging a hole for himself and his vehicle. Football followed.


For those interested, here is Lewis on Blue Peter, many years ago when it was, and I quote from yesterdays news "all set up for him".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_6740000/newsid_6746200/6746213.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&news=1

cheers