±«Óătv

So were the pharma companies too over-enthusiastic in flogging their wares to the government? Or were the government too over-enthusiastic in paying for them?

Given I can clearly recall the front pages of many newspapers, seemingly for days and weeks on end, shouting headlines about "how many people in the UK will die" (based on alarmist, worst-case scenarios which often weren't backed up by demonstrable science), I would prefer to see questions asked on the role played by the media in forcing the hand of pharma companies and government alike.

I hope Newsnight can again be selfless and objective enough to address this at some point (even if it doesn't find a place in the angle of tonight's report).

Of course we over reacted to the potential of the swine flu outbreak, but as with everything Brown's government embarks upon, any convenient excuse for a false economic growth investment scam. Its mainly the fault of the media, perhaps especially the ±«Óătv and " News24 " ramming it down the throats of the ten bob fat cats that they are all going to die unless we spend lots of money.

The thing is that it has emerged that Tamiflu is not that effective as first claimed yet I suspect that the NHS keeps stockpiling it. Perhaps fair enough to try it in the first instance, had big stocks on the back of other baseless health scares and it was likely to go out of date anyway. Its all part of Brown's Corporate Nazi welfare state for the stock market parasites, the biggest potential investment scam is climate change but perhaps the evidence over the next few years can save everybody scarce time and money.

I am eligible for the swine flu jab as a priority, but I have not bothered to get it yet even though I have had the seasonal flu jab. It can wait until I see my GP on my annual appointment later this month, might just as well have it if its available.

So, the oik elected to reveal the policy by stroke to the media is ..... Drum Roll ....

Mr Denham .... Ta da!

So HMG bows to the will of the people. Or is this another pre-election pledge along the lines of the smoking ban?

Come on! ... You remember ....

Pre election Nu Labour had the proposal to introduce a ban for the benefit of us all, then the suited socialist back-room anthropophagi realised that that idea was going to lose them votes so, with enough time before the election for the idea to sink in, they modified the manifesto so that the policy would lead to segregated smoking areas.

Hey! .... it made the proletariate happy, it won votes, it gave them power .....

.... to change it when they got in!

No whipping, do as you wish ... Forget what we said ... We needed the votes!

And, strangely, Mr Denham now - in veiled language - announces a review ....

..... and it’s not even a commitment!

Oh well .... Here’s betting that the BNP are trembling in their boots .... Not!

Questions ....

Many Pubs closed as a result of the Smoking Ban, what will change as a result of this new attempted pacification of the GBP’s woes?

If a Caucasian job applicant enters into a waiting room and sees a B or EM candidate going for the same job will the caucasian not now think that they still best turn on their heals and leave? (One wonders what the new Equality Bill has to say about that)

Whom will be eligible for any new job created as a result of the 2012 economy booster stroke buster?

Whom will be eligible to replace Trevor Phillips at the EHRC? (No one hopefully, he’s doing a pretty good job!)

Will almost every TV interview, report or ‘piece’ nor almost every TV advert now not start with a BEM at point?

Does this approach, which in the latter example came about as a result of some advertising lobby group complaint on under-representation in advertising, actually do any good? Does it sell more units of the promoted product? Has it lead to better community cohesion? Does the GBP, whatever their ethnicity, actually care? And what will the PC and Equality Brigade do by way of alternate career paths? Suggestions on a postcard to ....

And, most importantly, will the ages old principal behind the British Bus Queue - i.e. you get on the bus in the same order as you arrived to wait for said bus - now be fully reinstated?

Other questions on a postcard to ......

So ... onward ....

France is pushing ahead with it’s proposed ban on the burqa. Not surprisingly, IMO, there doesn’t appear to be much of an outcry about it although you never can tell as such issues are never really discussed in the British media for fear of being called racist. One report even stated that the younger female generation found the potential of the ban liberating having experience the pleasure of not wearing the headscarf!. But then that view won’t count if the men have their say stroke way. Or, if full EU citizens, perhaps advocates of overtly oppressive symbolism will just pick up and move to another country where such behaviour is tolerated in the belief that it endorses equality sic?

And ... On ....

Andrew Neal warrants a knighthood for the way he interviewed Mr Choudery today in the Daily Politics Programme. Sadly, (Sir) Andy was once again let down by ±«Óătv editorial policy. It doesn’t take half a brain to realise that ‘talking out the slot’ can allow you - the interviewee - to get away with never answering an important question. That said, one has to admire Mr Choudry for the eloquent way that he defended his beliefs .. perhaps he should be a lawyer, our jails would never be full again! Perhaps Mr Choudery, with such strong commitment to the Islamification of the UK should stand as a prospective MP at the forthcoming election? No ... wait ... Sharia Law doesn’t tolerate democracy does it? Or perhaps the necessary time spent canvassing would not allow him to do a full and proper job search - Oops ... my sincerest apologies here, Mr Choudery did point out at least twice that he is not in receipt of Jobseekers allowance which presumably negates the requirement to look for work? - and, of course, many couples would not be so happy with their marriage arrangements.

Incidentally Mr Dyke more than adequately demonstrated all the reasons as to how and why the Corporation has so effectively dumbed down!

And ... On ....

So many,many years in this country and the driving trainee has never learnt to read and write english? How on earth can she read road and street signs? Perhaps we’ll go the way of Wales to accommodate the issue? (Oops ... Nearly said “problem” ... Sorry!)

Question .... How many times did the convert pull down her face veil during the course of the programme? Is adequate vision no longer a requirement of safe driving?

Thirty thousand theory driving tests taken in Urdu?

Oops ... sorry ....

I forgot .....

Multiculturalism.

THERE WERE GIANTS IN THE LAND IN THOSE DAYS

Are we all registering the biblical terminology of Barack Obama? He has spake on the mountaintop that is called Whitehouse saying to Haiti: "You will not be FORSAKEN."

The last person to talk biblical was Saint Tony, and a fat lot of good he did the world. And verily I say unto you, Tony was an orator - like Barack; Tony spouted rhetoric that did not bear analysis - just like Barack. Woe unto just about anyone - (but Israel). For it is become apparent that Barack has feasted greatly on the America Fruit, that makes a man feel he is someth'n else. But self-belief is devouring Saint Tony, yea even as I process the word, and may well lead him spill his entrails on the rock called Chilcott. So, in the fullness of time, shall Obama self-combust, like a long dry twig, made flammable by his own hot air.

Amen.

#3 JAperson couldn't agree more with all of your post.

Just one small point, choudray is a solicitor, so you got the message ok. Now where have I heard of all those legal eagles before, oh that's it parliment.

Did we overreact to the swine flu threat - and how much did it cost us if we did?

No, we didn't over-react to the threat of swine flu...And, the price in regards of costs was a tad-bit severe....

-Dennis Junior-

#3
"Are ethnic minorities still disadvantaged?" ±«Óătv News online

“Launching a review of government policy on race on Thursday, Mr Denham said the UK was now so used to diversity that many of the historic problems with racial discrimination were fading, even if they had not yet died.” (I would say they have been killed off by pc and gagging)

So reports the ±«Óătv following the statement from the Communities Secretary on yet another nulabour (electioneering) initiative.

I was surprised to find that ±«Óătv had actually put the above question on its ‘Have Your Say’ page: an unusually controversial step. However, the two quotes that ±«Óătv chose (as typical responses?) bore no resemblance to the comments that received most 'recommended’ votes from the public.

The first 2 pages of 'most recommended comments' - receiving between 100 to over 400 ‘recommended’ hits from the public - all firmly stated that 'the white working class is the disadvantaged ethnic minority'

Yet ±«Óătv managed the following ‘random’ comments to head the page:

“Sophisticated racism is both rife and increasing. Racism has been forced underground where it is thriving” and “Working class people are disadvantaged – IF they choose to be – if they decide to work, they do just as well.” I couldn't locate either comment in the hundreds of responses by the public.

Another fine piece of selected discrimination by our public service broadcaster?

Swine Flu

The whole Swine Flu thing I didn't get. Seasonal Flu in the UK is as the name suggests is a winter thing. Swine Flu originated in Mexico. To me it seemed a weird hot weather/ climate adapted virus.

I have posted so many times on the NN blog about the correlation between recorded cases and temperature.

So now we have had a cold spell in the UK and it's almost been given up reporting the cases.

It was the inverse of the 2001 Foot and Mouth epidemic. FMD liked winter conditions, so a great part of it's disappearance in 2001 was the onset of summer. Swine Flu liked hot conditions ie Mexico. Winter comes, it goes.

BYT

I am not sure myself about this split between the plan and more detail. A bit divide and conquer for me.

Though I do fully agree with a morning post asking what are the important stories developing.

PUT BLOKES IN A SCANNER (#7)

Then check their 'tolerance'. We are priming our own bomb.

Nice post IDG2.

Matthew Price...±«Óătv reporter in Haiti -> Outstanding!

All UK bank bonuses should be donated to Haiti.

Re: 5. At 7:23pm on 14 Jan 2010, ecolizzy wrote:

Oops!

Thanks for the correction, sadly I didn't do my own checking, just using the same choice of terminology as (Sir) Andrew, but then he was on a mission. I was just being a bit careless!

Re: 7. At 9:05pm on 14 Jan 2010, indignantindegene wrote:

And yet despite you and others pointing this out this subtle sic editing stroke manipulation continues!

Just whom is so afraid of what?

iraq inquiry

Lord Turnbull
Role: Cabinet Secretary, 2002 – 2005

masterclass in using words as torpedoes.

he highlighted at the end that few know about the american agent who de briefed saddam for 5 months.

#7 This was the one that caught my eye Indi...

Depends who you mean by the 'ethnic minority'. Watching the ±«Óătv I'd tend to think white people are the ethnic minority.

And this was recommended to third place.

#8 Roger do you think this prolonged cold snap may dampen down Bluetongue virus disease, with the killing off (hopefully) of midges?

Newsnight was annoying in places tonight.

The media did inflate the threat of people dropping
dead because of swine flu.

You are partly to blame, if your case ofÌę
companies cashing in is proved.

Haiti

it it very easy for a journalist with one bag and aÌęcameraman with a light camera to travel.
All they had to do was pack a bag and board a fllight.

As they dashed past the duty free I wonder if either of them thought to buy anything from
a chemist to pass onto the injured inÌę
Haiti.

Slightly more time is required to get the 70
firefighters and two dogs travelling from the UK into Haiti.

Journalists. First in and first to leave.

:o( I only managed to watch a bit of Newsnight tonight
Absolutely LOVED Paul's report on Osbourne's adoption of the Swedish economic model of cutting public services by up to 12% across the board. Paul's end line was the killer - the Swedish government who had implemented so many cuts - were booted out. Priceless!

So far this week I've heard of over 1300 jobs going to the eastern block, this is the biggest

200 from the southeast section of BOC to Czech Rep.

And 250 from the northest to Poland and China Twinnings Tea.

Just what work are we going to do?

Will the eastern blockers go home, or remain and collect benefits?

THE SAINTLY OBAMA SWINGS INTO ACTION AS WORLD SAVIOUR BUT . . .

Jaded Jean was referred to as 'odious' in a recent post. Whilst I grant she was not warm and cuddly, I am wondering about all that money Obama found to fund his campaign, and if he can still know nothing of the real 9/11.
I suspect, if JJ were still among us, I would not have had to fall over the site below (if allowed) by chance. Obama said 'There is Evil in the world' - but maybe he did not mean JJ? Odour might be relative.

I thought the piece on the Guantanamo base being closed down between the ex-CIA (thankfully) Bin Laden unit guy and Stafford Smith was misguided as despite the eminence of the guests it was a freak show for spy's.

The CIA guy kept citing that 80% of Muslims were against US foreign policy and prisoners of war was how it was going to be but did not really stress that many Islamic states are our allies against extremists. Most Muslims are not extremists. There are significant theological issues between the various Islamic sects.

The Nigerian father of the would-be Xmas day bomber contacted the US embassy for instance.

He also managed to sneer about the "European left" and just needed to add that they were communists just like Joe Biden appointed by the inexperienced president. No apparent understanding of the coalition was demonstrated or that we are losing quite a lot of people in Afghanistan ourselves. I don't see the Europeans calling the New York trials "show trials" as we also have lost people to terrorist outrages.

Nobody took up the fact that many people picked were neither criminals or terrorists and were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The West needs intelligence from people who aren't ideologically and emotionally frenzied and it is very worrying that somebody who was so senior demonstrates such poor analysis. I am sure that many people in the CIA are very brave and that those who died recently in Afghanistan at the hands of the suicide bomber who was actually an al Qaeda triple agent were of that number. But the simple fact is they were emotionally motivated by the chance of getting a high ranking leader and failed to be cautious and get "their guy" searched according to media reports.

Had "their guy" turned any of the CIA agents one wonders?

All Stafford Smith had to do was try not to laugh and just make factually based points.

Is there no other US intelligence expert that the ±«Óătv can get hold of?

Now that Palin is a Fox "news" person will she be asked to expand on her doctrine with regard to the Israeli expansion of settlements that she approved some weeks ago saying "the Jews needed more space to expand"? Is this the end of the UN 1967 border resolutions and perhaps the end of the UN? Can any crowded nation plough over the borders and snaffle some land?

More seriously is she a Republican candidate or could she become an independent plaything of big business that would probably see somebody even more pliable than Bush. With oil money, probably banks (assuming Obama does dutifully try to rein them in) and of course health insurance companies and a high media profile that would be something that McCain would struggle to oppose.

How do senior Republicans view her now?

People sometimes mention the odious BNP on this page.

Who cares what the BNP do as policy wise its not clear what they are?

Everybody knows that they are National Socialists but they are so frit that they can never declare what they are other than to say they are "modern and progressive".

Most people who voted for them at the Euro elections had no idea what they stood for.

Frightened people who flit from one lie to another to justify their own emotional imbalances.

On the swine flu one issue I am still concerned about is the location of vaccine production.

Would it not behove all nations to have some local capacity that could be scaled up, or down, alongside the licensed commercial producers in a crisis? It might save us pots of money.

Then again I suppose that if you think of the foot and mouth leakage some time back you would not want that to happen with some plague or Lassa fever etc. so if the money was not there to produce a fail safe system then its a no-no.

The World health organisation and the Pharmas are linked just like the International monetary fund is linked to financial state terrorism.




Great! now there are two nutters om the bus.

Welcome back Go1, we've missed you buddy, we've really missed you! And especially for you, I would just like to say....The BNP.


thecookieducker

#16

"........Haiti

it it very easy for a journalist with one bag and a cameraman with a light camera to travel. All they had to do was pack a bag and board a fllight.

As they dashed past the duty free I wonder if either of them thought to buy anything from a chemist to pass onto the injured in Haiti."

A good observation Ron

BUT what so frequently worries me in disaster reporting is just how many of these one plus one reporting teams are on the ground in a disaster zone, getting in the way of the relief efforts, ustilising resources such as accomodation, transport, CLEAN WATER, food, electricity, telephone/satellite links.......

Just looking over our three main terrestrial channels there are probably 12 - 15 of such 'teams' - now multiply that by all of the main nations of the world and we are into HUNDREDS of pointless people wandering around spouting forth the same, often NO NEWS, and getting in the way.

Perhaps someone out there in MediaWorld can refute that this is the case.

#16 Ron and 25 BYT Very good points, I've often thought are they in the way. But the thing that annoys me the most, there is never an actual explanation of what's going on. We see tragic film of these poor people, and are told not to look if it upsets us by the the newsreader. But isn't it questionable that they should even film these people in such dire circumstances. Can you imagine your own child or parent or partner being filmed when half buried in rubble. Is it just a form of exploitation for the comfortable viewer at home.

And then two weeks later, or sometimes sooner, it vanishes from the media eye, and I'm left wondering what happened, how are they getting on, did they get the sevices they needed. Have they started to rebuild their infrastructure, is it earthquake proof, but no we never go back to it. It's boring when there's not some major disaster going on! Wouldn't it be nice to go back say 3mths later and then 6 and then a year, to show if all the aid helped anyone. And if their lives have managed to get a little on track again.

#19 So Barrie is this site actually saying the Jews made the towers collapse happen? I do find this a bit suspect. Conspiracy theories can be concluded in any situation. I'm not sure what to believe, but at least you have put another angle to it all. What were you saying some time ago about explosives or something in the towers? I never read the link, oops.

I CHOSE TO EARN MY LIVING HIDDEN AWAY SEEKING PROFITABLE REALITIES (#27)

Hi Lizzy. Whilst I admit to being a maverick, with a sideband of bitterness, I have never been in sales, politics, advertising or any of the 'interfering professions'. I am, by nature an observe-ponder-deduce-apply person. Further, I have a good knowledge of human psychology (that's another story).

From that perspective, I have read and watched many hours of informative material (some from JJ!) - from every angle - and drawn up a HYPOTHESIS. As I discover more data, the hypothesis strengthens.

You have better things to do with your life so, as a short cut, I suggest you do your best to assess my sanity and competence from what you already know of me, and ponder what comes your way next, in that light.

The scales fell from my eyes decades back when Israel STOLE (state theft)the plans to a French fighter aircraft (Mystere/Mirage?) - all my biblical illusions were shattered. At 9/11 THREE towers came down with a precision that spoke (highest probability) of APPLIED HIGH TECH EXPLOSIVES. To me that suggests advanced science - militancy - ruthlessness. . .

scientists do things for money? surely not?

i'm sure the sainted heroes are also immune to the multi billions in the climate change game.

seems unlikely china would sell themselves for iraq over 6 refugees.

no matter how bad people think the usa is as the superpower china will be exponentially worse. one day people will look back as these as the free days.

on the gitmo prisoners- spain tried to live with islam for 300 years which gave rise to the inquisition whose job was to prove muslims were loyal to the state [after numerous insurrections]. In the end they gave up and expelled them. that is the religious model of dealing with people that the usa seems to follow.

a rand report said the way to deal with this is through the normal criminal courts.

from some people's point of view anyone whose breaks the law might be called 'a terrorist'? so its just name calling rather than being accurate.

#25

Brightyangthing

With respect to your thing about a journalist accompanied by one cameraman, I don't think there is anything wrong with this, especially that direct testimony of a tragedy does seem to help mobilise not only compassion but also practical help in the form of either financial donations or giving clothes, for example, to charities, etc.

Ideally, while they are there they would also offer help to this or that victim if they are confronted by them or, in fact, take specific steps for the basic necessities to be organised by appropriate institutions.

With each such team not only reporting but helping in this or that way utilising the companies that send them, they would already make a valuable contribution, be it indeed with water or the other things that you mention.

mim

#29

jauntycyclist

Are you then involved in a scientific project without expecting any rewards whatsoever? That's very benevolent of you. Can you give us any specifics? It would be interesting to discuss the details.

there seems to be quite a bit of talk about high exploxives and terrorism today

i wonder why

it seems to me a bit indulgent

@25 et 26

What is worse is that aid agencies working in such areas tend to follow the press because they want to be seen in shot.

There is a very good book by William Shawcross, 'Deliver Us From Evil'
Bloomsbury, UK Simon & Schuster, UK 1999 on the lack of co-ordination of the aid agencies during to Bosnia conflict. He said the 4 x 4s would follow the film crews. So, you would get everyone in the same place.

News organisations and follow up stories.

This has been debated on quite a few occasions.
ITN did try it for a few months but gave up.
It will never happen.
They prefer to move on and find the next disaster.

You could try the New York Times multimedia site and the Washington Post media site. Both of those organisations are making their own mini documentaries and not just following the news agenda. Excellent film making and high production values.

No company is doing that in the UK.

Much as I like the ±«Óătv they could do more.
All video content here is only regurgitating what has been in the news.

__________

Food for thought anyone?



Will they all vote labour? As I've said before when do we stop being English?

Off-Thread, but law so Warped it makes one Weep



"Under the Treasury's rules, social security payments cannot be made available 'directly or indirectly, to, or for the benefit of' anyone who is on the UN terrorism sanctions list. This has been applied to the wives of as many as ten terror suspects, who have been hit with licences restricting their access to state funds."

Is that considered to be adequate punishment for plotting against the state and innocent lives? What crime would it take to get deportated?

"In the case due before the EU court, the three women claim this amounts to a violation of their human right to a family life."

Surely the family has abrogated any rights to remain in our midst? Instead they will probably be given new identities and rehoused to avoid
any harassment from a justifiably enraged public.

"Their first appeal was rejected. But in a second appeal to the House of Lords, Britain's highest court, judges had concerns about how the law was being applied. In April 2008, they asked the European Court of Justice to provide a ruling. Any decision by the European court, which is expected to issue a final judgment in three to six months, will be binding on the House of Lords and on courts throughout the EU."

So our highest(paid?) judges, the pusillanimous ermined noble lords, were unable to pass a judgement? I hope their concerns about the application of the law are now no longer a burden to them.

"In advance of this decision, Mr Mengozzi issued a 26-page written opinion in which he argued the phrase 'directly or indirectly, to, or for the benefit of' suspected terrorists was very widely drawn. He acknowledged that the payments made to the wives could benefit their husbands, but disputed whether those benefits could easily be converted into funds to finance terrorism. Mr Mengozzi advised the European Court of Justice to rule that the extra restrictions were unjustified and violated the right to respect for family life."

Well, that's successfully passed the buck then. By the way, who the hell is Mengozzi? Did we vote for him? Did anyone vote for him? Is this what we will continue to get if we drop the '12-good-men-and-true' jury system in favour of 'learned judges'?

"Earlier this week, the European Court of Human Rights dealt a separate blow to UK anti-terror policy when it ruled the stopping and searching of suspects without grounds for suspicion was unlawful. The searches had been a key plank of policing for over a decade."

So we can expect more cranks like the Nigerian with the exploding underwear to have a go then as discrimination is now a dirty word?

It's enough to make some vote for a fringe party like BNP or UKIP, just to establish some anti-pc, anti-EU, anti-lawyer goads in amongst the next bunch of MPs governing us. All I want for an election promise is for the candidate to consider options that provide the best solutions for the good of the majority, not growth or focus on the legal draftsman's small print.

Over to you Go1, and try not to mention Hitler.

@ #35 - Ecolizzy - I doubt they will all vote Labour! Don't forget it is the current government who started the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, not the other parties. Remember the last election where Galloway won a traditionally Labour seat in the East End because he was against the wars?

@ #36 - Indignant - According to

The Centre for Social Cohesion issued a report called "Islamist Terrorism Worldwide: The British Connections" where Anjem Choudary's "Muslim terror network was exposed." I haven't seen him losing his reported ÂŁ25,000 of benefits from the UK.

#36 Indignantindegene

Found this quoted from one of your sources to be VERY interesting.

' "but disputed whether those benefits could easily be converted into funds to finance terrorism."

It begs the question, in my mind at least (and I AM NOT a learned anything)


IT DOESN'T MATTER what any such family connections use any such funds for. They choose to have scant regard for our society, our lives, our culture, therefore our society owes them NO FINANCIAL obligation for a comfortable family life, save perhaps a one way ticket to an Archeapalago of our choosing.

There are some crimes, even by association, which SHOULD be clearly seen to carry a 'Persona Non Grata' strap line.

#36 The law is an ass, isn't it Indi. I find it strange how all these people know of our benefits system and what they can get. I suppose as the Poles have found out there is an entire industry built up around scrounging benefits from Britain.

Hhhhmm what happens when we get a new government that implements all the cuts that are needed. As Emily tried to find out last night 10percent I think it will be more like 20percent the debt and mess we're in. But I dare say all those benefits going to foreign people will be ring fenced so that they don't suffer hardship.

Mistress that link of yours makes very unhappy reading, isn't it funny how western values are forgotten, and only honour ones seem to be accepted these days.

#35 "When do we stop being English? your link:-

"Professor Muhammad Anwar of the University of Warwick voiced concern that ethnic minorities - who make up 10% of Britain’s population - remain “massively undervalued and under-represented” at Westminster. “If seats reflected the make-up of the population as a whole, there would be more than 60 ethnic minority MPs and 70 peers, rather than the present 15 in the Commons and around 30 in the Lords”

He predicted that ethnic minority turn-out may rise in 2010, particularly among Muslims “ Since, in recent years, Muslims in Britain and elsewhere have become a focus of attention for politicians and the media, Muslims themselves have become more conscious of their rights and responsibilities as British citizens, including participation in the electoral process."

Might become a little confusing if (like the most common boy’s name in UK last year) most MP’s have the name Muhammad! On a more serious note, one accepts the premise that Muslims ‘have become the focus of attention... and more conscious of their rights’ but one might challenge ‘have become more conscious of their responsibilities as British citizens’ taking into account integration, adoption of English language, our laws and customs.

”The effective representation of ethnic minorities in politics is crucial to the achievement of equality of opportunity across our society,” he added. “There has been some progress but Britain has a long way to go in providing equality for ethnic minorities in the decision-making process.”

There seems to be a case for considering length of residence and contribution to society; and the Community Secretary has just pronounced that ethnic minorities have now achieved equality of opportunity and (like the GBP plead in ±«Óătv’s ‘Have Your Say’) it is the new ‘white ethnic minority’ to which the government is now about to give more attention.(too little, too late, but timely election-wise).

#41 Indi ~ There seems to be a case for considering length of residence and contribution to society

Yes I only realised fairly recently that you don't have to live here long to be able to vote. As long as you have a residence and are on the electoral roll, I think, you can vote. I don't think you necessarily have to be a british citizen.

I would rather someone had to be born here, or had lived here at least 10 years before they had voting rights, but I suppose that's not very PC of me. And it wouldn't help the labour party much with all their bought in from other countries voting people.

It does seem ridiculous to me that someone from a village in say India or Africa, can walk in here and be able to vote in our very complicated, and complex and mixed society. How can they have any understanding of how we are or what makes our norms. I suppose they just don't worry and vote for who they're told to by some relative or religous person.

#38M76uk from further down on your link:-

"The man she married is French, her four children were born in France and she speaks French with only a trace of her native Arabic tongue. Faiza Silmi contends her clothes — a head-to-toe robe and filmy tissue covering her face — are the reason France has denied her citizenship in her adopted land.

The 32-year-old Moroccan may soon be facing an even fiercer blow. A top French lawmaker submitted a draft law this week that would ban such Islamic dress anywhere in public, a measure that would set a European precedent and trap thousands of women between their religious convictions and the law of the land."

If the French can pass such laws, how is it that UK always gets over-ridden by the EU Human Rights interpretation - that we are denying family rights? I previously pondered whether Appeal Courts reverse lower court decisions, and in turn Supreme Court reverse Appeal Courts - in order to stamp the authority of heirarchy. Our political parties are desparately looking for budget cuts, so perhaps they should break the inevitable and discriminatory EU step by cutting out Legal Aid above Appeal Court?

7. At 9:05pm on 14 Jan 2010, indignantindegene wrote:
#3
"Are ethnic minorities still disadvantaged?" ±«Óătv News online

Another fine piece of selected discrimination by our public service broadcaster?



‘A senior ±«Óătv source* said: “We’re desperate for anyone that isn’t white and male.’

Guessing competence and qualifications alone won't cut it, then.

Some may, or may not be surprised, Hatty & Trevor thrilled, while those who ponder the ironic realities of discriminatory policies may simply shake their heads.

Unique, in so many ways.

*Unverified, of course, but watertight oversight troubles few in the print and broadcast MSM... unless it suits. So I figure fair do's.

#43 Yes Indi I have noticed the change in France over the past 40 years, you never saw a covered woman, but in the last 10 that has happened more and more. Why is it happening, is it because these women are new to France and frightened of western norms, or is it because they are more militant, and doing a two finger jobey at the indigenous people.

But don't worry I seem to have come across a lot of comments by the covered women, they all say they are moving to England, as they can do as they please here, there's no restriction or cohesion.

Speaking of veils, 45 years ago I travelled around Turkey, the only place I saw as much as a head covering were in out the way villages, and even then they were working in the fields, and not too worried. Good old Ataturk he moved them into the 20th century, but even there I believe it's going backwards, the prime ministers wife wears a scarf! He must be spinning in his grave, or rather mausoleum

#44 JunnkkMale

‘A senior ±«Óătv source* said: “We’re desperate for anyone that isn’t white and male.’

I've got a suggestion for them, how about Moira Stewart, who they sacked for being too old!

Of course the ±«Óătv source is in no way being racist is it?! Just what is so wrong with us whiteys? Have we all but disappeared from britain.

#41 II

I was just musing on the topic of 'human responsibilities' and wonder which organisation may exist or be set up to draft a set of EU/world widely accepted adopted into legal process set of 'expectations', the failure to comply with may result in the EQUAL loss of rights, including all benefits, voting and more.

I think the 'being English (British) is a far more complex issue. I also sadly think that we have allowed and colluded with erosions of our core values and 'national identity' for so long that. The arcvhitects of our own demise.

It is sometimes no wonder that our values (or lack of) has allowed an alternative culture to thrive in our midst.

Is tehre a party out there prepared to say 'Back to Basics' and really mean it by example?

Did anyone listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 this morning?

Did I hear right that the US government regards Britain as the most at risk from terrorist attack, or hold most potential bombers? We apparently hold more bombers and risky people than any other country in the world. Did I imagine it or did someone else hear that?

I knew I heard it, just found the story...