tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36841665.post1911668905553365494..comments2023-12-31T13:47:05.758+00:00Comments on Fat Man on a Keyboard: A tale of two BriansThe Plumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244528534476387323noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36841665.post-51084537507735476672013-07-04T12:08:04.835+01:002013-07-04T12:08:04.835+01:00'As for your remark about the guests on Questi...'As for your remark about the guests on Question Time not knowing anything about the topics being discussed, the programme primarily addresses political questions - that's why the guests are primarily politicians. And in general they do know something about the topics being discussed because they're politicians, you know?'<br /><br />Do you honestly, really, think that there is some discipline called 'politics' that is separate from any other aspect of life? Or are you saying that by virtue of their position any MP or MEP is somehow able to pontificate about any subject at the drop of a hat?<br /><br />You ask why we need scientists of QT. What happens when subjects such as climate change, or fracking, get discussed on the programme? Do you get the impression that the talking heads concerned have the faintest grounding in the subjects they discuss as they spout off? Or are you going to get a combination of pseudo-science plus received wisdom? Do you not think that it might, perhaps, possibly, be useful to have someone with a professional grounding in a scientific field to comment authoritatively in such matters?<br /><br />Furthermore, if QT is for 'politicians' addressing 'political issues', explain the repeated presence of comedians, journalists, media celebrities and all-round rentagobs such as Owen Jones.sackcloth and ashesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36841665.post-73766790800485728782013-06-24T18:56:50.311+01:002013-06-24T18:56:50.311+01:00I really don't know what you're talking ab...I really don't know what you're talking about and, with respect, neither do you.<br /><br />You say that BBC documentaries are "content light". Do you have any evidence for that assertion or are you just making it up? <br /><br />Of the dozens of hours of documentaries transmitted by the BBC during (say) the last seven days, perhaps you could list those you consider "content-light" and which ones you consider "content-heavy"? <br /><br />As for your remark about the guests on Question Time not knowing anything about the topics being discussed, the programme primarily addresses political questions - that's why the guests are primarily politicians. And in general they do know something about the topics being discussed because they're politicians, you know?<br /><br />Complaining that the panel doesn't often include scientists is rather like complaining that rock bands weren't regular guests on The Sky At Night.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36841665.post-22034308344561619442013-06-22T07:18:54.592+01:002013-06-22T07:18:54.592+01:00Being an American and always mindful of my interne...Being an American and always mindful of my internet usage (so I didn't do the video), I can't really speak intelligently to your blog. I will say that our "news" is a travesty. I'm sure it didn't begin with smoking but that's when I noticed it. News story after story on channel after channel explained the price of cigarettes was being raised to treat sick smokers. That was many years ago and to date, as far as I know not one penny has ever been spent on a sick smoker. To the news organizations credit they did eventually drop that story. Actually, maybe it is not to their credit, they came up with flashier headlines such as "Second Hand Smoke More Deadly Than Smoking?"<br /><br />The smoking thing though is only an example. The news is manipulated depending on what the political thinking of the news organization is and what agenda they currently want to forward. I heard recently (not on the news) that drug overdose is now the number 1 killer in the U.S. Most of these deaths are the result of prescription drugs. Whenever I go to the doctor which is rarely, they look at me like I'm lying when I say I don't take any prescription meds. I never see a news story about this. Nor do I ever see a news story about what appears to be a huge increase in the number of functioning alcoholics.<br /><br />Actually that is just fine with me. I don't want to see any stories or any about how many fat people there are or any of the other things that is not considered a healthy lifestyle. It is nobody's business!<br /><br />Really, hasn't this idea of creating a society of only perfect human specimens been tried before? If I recall correctly, it has and with devastating results.<br /><br />Thank you for what you are doing!David Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04260130060172457192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36841665.post-18612901157885172872013-06-21T00:29:09.839+01:002013-06-21T00:29:09.839+01:00I enjoyed that but I thought what shone through wa...I enjoyed that but I thought what shone through was Motty's great integrity. <br /><br />Clough was a showman, and loved to say something controversial - his public expected it of him - but to say that he demolished or destroyed Motty there is a travesty of what is on the tape.<br /><br />What I saw was a pretty good discussion, with Motty letting Clough be Clough, both sides agreeing with the other's better points and the implication that Bob Wilson is/was really boring left hanging there beautifully. Strategistnoreply@blogger.com