Major problems at the BBC

This is an extremely troubling story. Not because of the general issues troubling the BBC - those are well known. The organization has long been a bloated and inefficient institution. But rather, because of the complete lack of scrutiny to which the BBC is subjected. As a public broadcaster and the annual recipient of billions of dollars in public money, the BBC requires robust and incisive scrutiny. However, where (as the report illustrates) UK law is used as a defense against effective scrutiny, the BBC is able to continue its work unchallenged. This is total absurdity. Consider a situation in which government officials took public money, behaved incompetently and then refused to allow the media to report on their activities. That's basically what is happening here. But it isn't only the BBC that must be blamed, it's also the pathetic defamation law of the United Kingdom. Law that rewards the rich and punishes those who wish to pursue the truth.

Caveat- I've met many BBC journalists and they've nearly always been intelligent, fair minded individuals. But their organization faces major problems. Those issues must be addressed.

Daily Politics Appearance

Finally managed to get a link for my Daily Politics appearance last week on BBC. Here it is.

A Republican Perspective on the Welfare State

This example from the BBC News illustrates the realities of a welfare state. It also illustrates perfectly why I am a Republican.

In this case we have a guy who has been unemployed for over ten years. He says that


 'there's a total lack of work in my area of expertise' 


Why doesn't he train in another area? 

Some other beautiful quotes (with the BBC cost figures) on why he needs taxpayers to pay for the following.

£15/Week - Sky (Cable TV) Package =

'We get the Sky Movies package because we're stuck in the house all week - otherwise we wouldn't have any entertainment.' 

£20/Week - Night Out =

'I go out once a week, on a Friday night. I meet up with my mates in the pub and have three or four pints.'

£32/Week - Cell Phones =

'My wife and I have mobile phones, and so do all of the teenage children. You try telling teenagers they're going to have to do without their mobiles and there'll be hell to pay.'

£240/Week - Shopping =


'Which includes 24 cans of lager, 200 cigarettes and a large pouch of tobacco'




Fundamentally misplaced understandings of equality or fairness have created a society in which personal responsibility has evaporated (see summer riots). People like this guy need a kick in the ass (not literally - they just need their benefits cut).