Saturday, January 24, 2009

Has the world gone mad?

No - wait.... - it is just the BBC.

Or - no.... actually it is the BBC management. (Am I right??)

Read this BBC "news" story. And Hurrah for Tony Ben!

I am so angry at the BBC I find myself resorting to that great british form of anger - sarcasm. (This for non British readers who happily do not suffer from this rather unattactive trait.)

I am shocked that once again the management of the BBC are going to stifle "charity" in the name of "objectivity". It is quite clear to me that
BBC management understand the true meaning of neither of these words. (There I go again - sarcasm....)

This reminds me of the ridiculous coverage of Live8 - where in the name of balance they covered all of the music (where musicians had signed up to play in order to make a point) but cut the very sections (the videos between acts) that explained why. Again - in the name of "balance".

Now I have written and read broadcast news, I have even taught it. - So I am not totally ignorant about these things. (Just a bit)

The thing is this is not an issue of balance being made by professionals in the field - ie journalists and news editors - no this seems to be being made by managers!

BBC MANAGEMENT: "I'm so sorry that you appear to be dying, and I could help you with very little effort, but it is my principles you see"

My heart bleeds - or something does.

I'm off to write an email.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Rough - but Ironic

Kez got there first - and go read...

This Rough Sleepers thing has got to me too. (And I only did one evening) Sunday night I was chatting with the guys who came in from the cold - in Church - they having been the first to pray out loud when space was given (gobsmacking). One of them (boyfriend of the pregnant woman) asked if I had a spare bed.

Now I sort of do - and sort of dont - for one thing the house isn't mine. (I'm housed by the mission I work for). But for 2 pins....

Back home Flora agreed - it would be really daft - but.....

One of the ironies was Andy's sermon (and for once he didn't cry - got close though) - one of his passages was the parable of the banquet - inviting all of the rough sleepers in.

The big irony though was Christmas night - the shelter was open, and in our church we had a pregnant woman come in from sleeping rough.

Sometimes irony is really beautiful - but very sad.