I'm getting really worked up about the way the BBC covers news items and presents them on televsion news programmes....
Yesterday Robert Peston said that he did not cause the run on Northern Rock – see the BBC news item on the BBC web site .
Now he is probably correct. He’s probably also correct when he denies that his scoops on the troubles at Bradford & Bingley, and then HBOS lead to their downfall.
And why should he say anything else? After all, he is only the reporter. It is the editorial responsibility of the BBC news editors to ensure that all news items are reported in a responsible manner, a manner that doesn’t cause undue concern.
But as we all know, the BBC has long since given up balanced reporting. The focus is on bad news. The emphasis is not on reporting. The emphasis is on sensationalism. The BBC is no longer a reliable news source, because a reliable news source supplies a balanced view point so that the viewer can form their own opinion based on having facts representing both sides of the story.
When reporting on political issues the media have to give all the main political parties equal coverage – so they all get their say. The result is an opportunity for the viewer to come to an informed opinion of their own.
But in everyday news reporting that balance doesn’t have to be there, so the BBC News team doesn’t provide it. As a result, we get sensationalism, scant facts presented with an overload of emotion, shouted at us by happy smiling studio based reporters revelling in entertaining us. They see themselves as part of the entertainment industry, so they entertain us.
The BBC is no more than an electronic version of The Sun, the Sport or News of The World news papers. It’s a “lads mag” on a par with Nuts, OK and FHM. All that’s different is the content which purports to be news.
So reluctantly I have to agree with Robert Peston. However, I believe that it was the way his news was told and presented that lead to the problems with the banks mentioned in the BBC news article. I saw part of the BBC news coverage given to this enquiry on last night’s late news. As one would expect, that too was not presented in a balanced manner, after all, they have to protect their place in the world and to do that they have to look after their own.
The BBC is uniquely funded (as they keep reminding us) so it's about time that we got a high quality, balanced NEWS service. We used to get a reporter talking to "an expert" on many news items, but, now we get one reporter talking to another reporter. Everything is hyped up! The problems with the banks. The economic problems in the USA. Then the economic problems in the UK. Now it's the weather. The amount of coverage given to one young student killed in a sledging accident is out of all proportion to it's importance, but IT IS BAD NEWS! They could, and did, sensationalise it without thought for the family, friends, neighbours and community in which she lived. The BBC gets through £3,250,000,000 every year. Surely for that money, that level of investment, we (the providers of those funds) should reasonably expect a NEWS SERVICE to be proud of and not one that is only just keeping itself out of the gutter.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Going snowwhere
Yesterday morning, like much of the country, I got up to find a blanket of snow outside, and very pretty it was too. And it was the real stuff, the right kind of snow, for snowballing, slip sliding and toboganning. Schools were closed. People couldn't get to work, but, I didn't have to because I don't start until next Monday.
Then Suzie asks if I'll take her to work because she isn't confident of driving in bad conditions. Of course I will (if only more people would recognise their driving abilities then there would be fewer accidents for us others to risk getting involved in). So I do (take her to work, that is). The problem is I can't get back home as the road off which "Our Close" is, well, it's like a skating rink (and covered in kids off school) and the Merc is fitted with traction control that doesn't, doesn't CONTROL! Instead it just cuts all power to the back wheels whenever they start to slip - and I CAN'T SWITCH IT OFF!!!! To make matters worse, when the forward motion stops the car slides back and the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) won't apply the brakes so I CAN'T STOP MY BACKWARDS PROGRESS EITHER!!!! Me & my car, we're going snowwhere.
Just to rub salt into the wounds, John at #10 has an old Fiat Punto ( a supposedly inferior car) and he has absolutely no troubles at all getting his car onto his drive, while mine is parked up by the shops a few hundred yards away on the side of the road, a road that is a bus route and is therefore gritted by the City Council.
My mind is made up. That damned car has got to go. I'm going to get me a simpler car, one without Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) or anything else of that nature. Even if I have to get a ten year old car! Me and my car, we're going snowwhere!
Then Suzie asks if I'll take her to work because she isn't confident of driving in bad conditions. Of course I will (if only more people would recognise their driving abilities then there would be fewer accidents for us others to risk getting involved in). So I do (take her to work, that is). The problem is I can't get back home as the road off which "Our Close" is, well, it's like a skating rink (and covered in kids off school) and the Merc is fitted with traction control that doesn't, doesn't CONTROL! Instead it just cuts all power to the back wheels whenever they start to slip - and I CAN'T SWITCH IT OFF!!!! To make matters worse, when the forward motion stops the car slides back and the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) won't apply the brakes so I CAN'T STOP MY BACKWARDS PROGRESS EITHER!!!! Me & my car, we're going snowwhere.
Just to rub salt into the wounds, John at #10 has an old Fiat Punto ( a supposedly inferior car) and he has absolutely no troubles at all getting his car onto his drive, while mine is parked up by the shops a few hundred yards away on the side of the road, a road that is a bus route and is therefore gritted by the City Council.
My mind is made up. That damned car has got to go. I'm going to get me a simpler car, one without Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) or anything else of that nature. Even if I have to get a ten year old car! Me and my car, we're going snowwhere!
Advice for those made redundant
If you’ve been made redundant and want some advice on how to cope see this article on Money Supermarket . com .
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Plans exploded
Typically we plan our weekends, keeping some time free for unplanned events, and this weekend was no exception. On Thursday Dad's reclining chair started playing up and Andy & I made a temporary repair, planning to make a permanent one Saturday morning. Angie & John were planning on visiting Mum & Dad this weekend. I planned to go out on a ride-out with fellow Deauville owners on Sunday. And so on....
So what happened? John got a tummy bug and couldn't venture more than a few feet from a loo, so driving from Colchester to Derby was out of the question. Various events in Andy's schedule conspired so that the repair to Dad's chair didn't happen until late Saturday afternoon. And the weather changed to cold with blustery snow showers so the ride-out to the Ponderosa cafe was called off.
So Suzie did the supermarket shop at ASDA on Saturday while I stayed home and did the laundry. When she returned I washed and chammied off her car so that it again shines like new. This afternoon she visited her parents (with Mark) and showed them the photos from our Malaga trip. We've spent time in front of the TV with Suzie catching up on recorded programmes. Andy has gone down with what we think is Measles (Mark had them a couple of weeks ago at the start of his exams) but should be OK for work tomorrow.
So what are the plans for the coming week? Flexible, due to the forecast for more snow and inclement weather. Still, best make the most of the coming week, it's my last of having to find my own entertainment and keeping my own company through the day. Thank goodness for that.
So what happened? John got a tummy bug and couldn't venture more than a few feet from a loo, so driving from Colchester to Derby was out of the question. Various events in Andy's schedule conspired so that the repair to Dad's chair didn't happen until late Saturday afternoon. And the weather changed to cold with blustery snow showers so the ride-out to the Ponderosa cafe was called off.
So Suzie did the supermarket shop at ASDA on Saturday while I stayed home and did the laundry. When she returned I washed and chammied off her car so that it again shines like new. This afternoon she visited her parents (with Mark) and showed them the photos from our Malaga trip. We've spent time in front of the TV with Suzie catching up on recorded programmes. Andy has gone down with what we think is Measles (Mark had them a couple of weeks ago at the start of his exams) but should be OK for work tomorrow.
So what are the plans for the coming week? Flexible, due to the forecast for more snow and inclement weather. Still, best make the most of the coming week, it's my last of having to find my own entertainment and keeping my own company through the day. Thank goodness for that.
Friday, 30 January 2009
My Last Sign-on
Today I had my last sign-on at my Job Centre Plus office. It will be a week on monday when I start my new job and as that is less than 2 weeks away today was my last visit. Turns out that because I've been unemployed for more than 6 months they will pay me £100 for going back to work. Wow! Still, better than having to shell it out at the moment. The TIS monies that they owed me from 7th Jan was finally paid to me on the 26th. Speedy they are not. Apparently I also qualify for assistance with any special requirements that my new job might impose on me (i.e. industrial boots, clothing or tools) up to a maximum of £100, but, as I don't need anything I get nowt! Sod's law that is.
I'm absolutely bursting to get started, roll on Monday week.
I'm absolutely bursting to get started, roll on Monday week.
Malaga - full account
A full account of our trip is now on My Web Site along with some photos we took.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Malaga break
Andy dropped Suzie & I off at East Midlands Airport on Saturday afternoon ready for the evening flight with Easy Jet. It was a nice smooth flight with only a little turbulence near northern Spain.
Landing in Malaga we got the service bus stop #19 to the bus station in Malaga 12kms away for a €1.10 (each) fare. Arrival at the bus station presents us with our biggest problem – I can’t locate it on the maps I have and while I know where we need to get to without knowing where we are it’s impossible to know which way to head. Eventually we are on our way, and it’s a good 15-20 minute walk to the hotel. We check in, head up to our room, a quick change and head out for a wander and a bite to eat. We pick a Tapas Bar where Sue has shrimps and I have fish, both with bread and beer – local fayre eaten in the local manner (i.e. without using knife and fork). A wander round the immediate vicinity before heading back to the hotel and into bed.
Sunday morning, a hearty breakfast then we are off walking. Past the harbour, following a local landmarks map we head off up to the top of the castle/fortress. The day started cool and breezy but by the time we have walked up to the top (climbed is almost apt) it’s a much warmer day and we are overheating and in need of a drink. We pay the entrance fee and go for a walk around the place, stopping at the café for a beer. Then back down to the promenade and head for a walk along the northern beaches. On the way back we stop for a pizza meal and it starts to rain while we eat, oh well!
Over lunch we decide to hire a car for Monday so we start back to the old quarter where the hotel is to enquire with reception, who point us at the railway station (next door to the bus station). But the prices are too steep (like €65 for a day) so we head back to the hotel to use the web and get a car for €38.65, but we have to pick it up from the airport which means an early start. We close the day out with a fabulous meal at a Chinese restaurant then some beers in a local bar before heading back.
Monday we are up early and down for breakfast at 7:30. That done we are off to the bus station, get the #19 to the airport, get collected by a shuttle bus and pick up a Ford Ka for the day. We head down to Marbella, where we pick up the A376 to Rhonda – 30 miles of fabulous tarmac and views. Parking in Rhonda is underground and Rhonda is lovely, picturesque and buzzing. We wander around for ages before finding a bar for lunch, then back to the car and we head off through El Burgo, Yunquera, Alozaina and Coin to Mijas, which is so pretty it deserves far longer than the ½ - ¾ hour we spend wandering around. Back on the road we head down to Benalmádena, Torremolinos and back to Malaga Airport to return the car. We’ve done 150 miles in the Ka with loads of stops for photos. Bus back to town and a beer in the bar we found last night.
Phil & Suzie in Rhonda, Andalusia
Tuesday morning, breakfast and pack. Dump the case in the Left Luggage with the hotel and we head of for the cathedral (which is closed) and the Picasso Museum (which isn’t) followed by some more promenading on the beach before some serious window shopping to keep Suzie happy. At 4pm after picking up the case we start the return journey for home.
The return journey is uneventful and Andy collects us from EMA. We’ve had a fabulous time, escaping the English Winter Blues we have walked miles (sore legs and feet will mend) and have returned with cash in our pocket, hundreds of photographs and loads of memories and stories to tell. Brilliant!
Landing in Malaga we got the service bus stop #19 to the bus station in Malaga 12kms away for a €1.10 (each) fare. Arrival at the bus station presents us with our biggest problem – I can’t locate it on the maps I have and while I know where we need to get to without knowing where we are it’s impossible to know which way to head. Eventually we are on our way, and it’s a good 15-20 minute walk to the hotel. We check in, head up to our room, a quick change and head out for a wander and a bite to eat. We pick a Tapas Bar where Sue has shrimps and I have fish, both with bread and beer – local fayre eaten in the local manner (i.e. without using knife and fork). A wander round the immediate vicinity before heading back to the hotel and into bed.
Sunday morning, a hearty breakfast then we are off walking. Past the harbour, following a local landmarks map we head off up to the top of the castle/fortress. The day started cool and breezy but by the time we have walked up to the top (climbed is almost apt) it’s a much warmer day and we are overheating and in need of a drink. We pay the entrance fee and go for a walk around the place, stopping at the café for a beer. Then back down to the promenade and head for a walk along the northern beaches. On the way back we stop for a pizza meal and it starts to rain while we eat, oh well!
Over lunch we decide to hire a car for Monday so we start back to the old quarter where the hotel is to enquire with reception, who point us at the railway station (next door to the bus station). But the prices are too steep (like €65 for a day) so we head back to the hotel to use the web and get a car for €38.65, but we have to pick it up from the airport which means an early start. We close the day out with a fabulous meal at a Chinese restaurant then some beers in a local bar before heading back.
Monday we are up early and down for breakfast at 7:30. That done we are off to the bus station, get the #19 to the airport, get collected by a shuttle bus and pick up a Ford Ka for the day. We head down to Marbella, where we pick up the A376 to Rhonda – 30 miles of fabulous tarmac and views. Parking in Rhonda is underground and Rhonda is lovely, picturesque and buzzing. We wander around for ages before finding a bar for lunch, then back to the car and we head off through El Burgo, Yunquera, Alozaina and Coin to Mijas, which is so pretty it deserves far longer than the ½ - ¾ hour we spend wandering around. Back on the road we head down to Benalmádena, Torremolinos and back to Malaga Airport to return the car. We’ve done 150 miles in the Ka with loads of stops for photos. Bus back to town and a beer in the bar we found last night.
Phil & Suzie in Rhonda, Andalusia
Tuesday morning, breakfast and pack. Dump the case in the Left Luggage with the hotel and we head of for the cathedral (which is closed) and the Picasso Museum (which isn’t) followed by some more promenading on the beach before some serious window shopping to keep Suzie happy. At 4pm after picking up the case we start the return journey for home.
The return journey is uneventful and Andy collects us from EMA. We’ve had a fabulous time, escaping the English Winter Blues we have walked miles (sore legs and feet will mend) and have returned with cash in our pocket, hundreds of photographs and loads of memories and stories to tell. Brilliant!
Friday, 23 January 2009
The past week
While the world around me inaugurates a new president, celebrates 1.92m unemployed in England and finally get the statistics they need to prove the UK is in recession, I’ve been quietly busy doing what I can to help mum, the in-laws, and trying to get things sorted at home in time for Susie & I having a few days away starting tomorrow afternoon – Malaga here we come.
So what’s been cracking off? Walk the dog for mum on a couple of evenings when she’s wanted to stay with dad, who’s been up and down all week. Diagnose a flat battery on the in-laws’ car due to the rear hatch door being left ajar and the courtesy light being on for 4-5 days, putting a charger on it and making sure that all was OK after 24 hours charging. Then mum couldn’t turn the key in the ignition of her car -- don’t know what the problem was but it turned for me. Mark’s scooter was booked for an MoT, but I had to take it in for him as he was doing exams, only it wouldn’t start. With the help of a friend who also owns a 400 Burgman we diagnose a loose carburettor, loose connection on the auto choke. It duly passed the rescheduled MoT the next day (Thursday) and I spent that afternoon giving it a good washing down and polishing so it should be good for a while now.
Today has been spent getting cameras charged, SD cards cleared, digital photographs filed, tagged, sorted and backed up. Then researching things to do in Malaga and getting ready for tomorrow. Laundry has been brought up to date. Just got the packing to do now.
So what’s been cracking off? Walk the dog for mum on a couple of evenings when she’s wanted to stay with dad, who’s been up and down all week. Diagnose a flat battery on the in-laws’ car due to the rear hatch door being left ajar and the courtesy light being on for 4-5 days, putting a charger on it and making sure that all was OK after 24 hours charging. Then mum couldn’t turn the key in the ignition of her car -- don’t know what the problem was but it turned for me. Mark’s scooter was booked for an MoT, but I had to take it in for him as he was doing exams, only it wouldn’t start. With the help of a friend who also owns a 400 Burgman we diagnose a loose carburettor, loose connection on the auto choke. It duly passed the rescheduled MoT the next day (Thursday) and I spent that afternoon giving it a good washing down and polishing so it should be good for a while now.
Today has been spent getting cameras charged, SD cards cleared, digital photographs filed, tagged, sorted and backed up. Then researching things to do in Malaga and getting ready for tomorrow. Laundry has been brought up to date. Just got the packing to do now.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Britain on the edge of bankruptcy
Iain Martin says the Prime Minister hasn't 'saved the world' and now faces disgrace in the history books, read it here in… The Telegraph and here in This Is Money
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Time to relax
After the trauma of the last few months and the pressure of trying to secure a job in order to protect our way of life and standard of living, Suzie and I have decided to take a City Break. So on the 24th we will be off to spend a few days in Malaga, leaving the house in the hands of the two boys and the cat.
Basically this is my way of saying “thank you” to Suzie for seeing us through the last 7 months and having faith in my ability to find another job. I’m an advocate of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) but sometimes it has proved just a bit too much to stay positive, and Suzie has seen us through those times.
Now all I have to do is work out how we can celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary later in the year because having just started an new job, I can’t see my new employer being too chuffed with me wanting time off just weeks after starting with them. This is going to be a tough one.
Basically this is my way of saying “thank you” to Suzie for seeing us through the last 7 months and having faith in my ability to find another job. I’m an advocate of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) but sometimes it has proved just a bit too much to stay positive, and Suzie has seen us through those times.
Now all I have to do is work out how we can celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary later in the year because having just started an new job, I can’t see my new employer being too chuffed with me wanting time off just weeks after starting with them. This is going to be a tough one.
Exam time
Yesterday Mark had his first exam that counts towards his final degree. Seem slike the paper was a stinker and towards the end his tutor came in and stated that there was an error in the first question. Mark subsequently found an error in Q2, but, came out of the exam rather dejected.
So how the hell are students supposed to get a top grade pass if the examining board can’t be bothered to proof read the question paper before printing it?
So how the hell are students supposed to get a top grade pass if the examining board can’t be bothered to proof read the question paper before printing it?
Dad is home
I popped in to see mum yesterday afternoon on my way back from a trip to the dentist, and got there to find an ambulance on the drive and the paramedics in the process of moving dad off the stretcher onto his usual reclining chair.
Mum is over the moon that dad is now back home, but, I quite concerned that his chest is still rattling and that he’ll soon tire her out. No denying that the rest has done her good though.
Mum is over the moon that dad is now back home, but, I quite concerned that his chest is still rattling and that he’ll soon tire her out. No denying that the rest has done her good though.
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