No, just a party political flyer that someone has the nerve to charge money for. Nothing to do with journalism or newspapers.

That’s a good argument that unfortunately doesn’t stand up but, full marks anyway. One way of determining if such and such an action is acceptable is by asking the question: Is it for the greater good ? In respect to our debate the answer is quite clearly, no.

It is no, because of numbers. Numbers that are out of control. Numbers that cannot adequately and respectably be housed, educated and obtain satisfactory healthcare; numbers so excessive, that they cannot be reconciled to welfare opportunites never mind employment.

The Office for National Statistics has just revealed that net migration to this country in 2014 was 318,000. That is over 100,000 more than the previous year. To the most diehard supporter of uncontrolled or controlled immigration, those numbers are unsustainable.

It is further estimated that there up to 600,000 illegal immigrants living in Britain.

So the state should take action to restrict individual ‘freedom to aspire’ in the name of a greater good?

In what way does my argument not stand up?

John.. yeah, a stroppy idealist, you got me there.

The immigration debate is interesting from a political viewpoint, in that closing borders and ending economic migrancy is an act of state control on behalf of the collective that takes away the right of individual self-determination, the chance to make good and do well in the Thatcherite mould – albeit from ‘foreigners’. In that respect it is far from the free-market neo-liberalism espoused by the nu-right, and closer to the state-interventionist controlled market politics of the old left!

Beermat,

It is an intentional drive to impose a leftist influence in news and current affairs and in some comedy programs. The BBC have become very successful left wing propagandists. I have heard thru’ contacts that they favour left wing writers of dramas. Do you remember the recent furore over the content of Midsomer Murders ? Pathetic !

Yes, but WHY the ‘drive’? Do you believe there is some kind of conspiracy going on? I have had dealings with the BBC, and everyone in reality seemed much too busy making TV to think about how to make people socialist!

..also, which comedy programs? Really?

Unless an actual motive can be found sufficient to so materially affect the output of such an institution in the name of an ‘ism’ I feel it may be closer to the truth that:

Writing tends to attract people who value freedom of thought
Journalism (when working for a public body not an autocrat) tends to attract people who want know what is going on
Teaching tends to attract people who care about the future
Further Education tends to attract people who both care about the future and value knowledge

The opposites are blinkered thought, ignorance, short-termism and philistinism. None of which are traditional values of the British Right, and I am not claiming that they are. However, those ARE the values of those who close libraries, Sure Start centres, Citizens Advice etc. If opposing that mindset, and supporting the former set of values makes one ‘socialist’ to the neo-liberal ‘conservative’ mind, then so be it.

Beermat,

It is an intentional drive to impose a leftist influence in news and current affairs and in some comedy programs. The BBC have become very successful left wing propagandists. I have heard thru’ contacts that they favour left wing writers of dramas. Do you remember the recent furore over the content of Midsomer Murders ? Pathetic !

Yes, but WHY the ‘drive’? Do you believe there is some kind of conspiracy going on? I have had dealings with the BBC, and everyone in reality seemed much to busy making TV to think about how to make people socialist!

..also, which comedy programs? Really?

Unless an actual motive can be found sufficient to so materially affect the output of such an institution in the name of an ‘ism’ I feel it may be closer to the truth that:

Writing tends to attract people who value freedom of thought
Journalism (when working for a public body not an autocrat) tends to attract people who want know what is going on
Teaching tends to attract people who care about the future
Further Education tends to attract people who both care about the future and value knowledge

The opposites are blinkered thought, ignorance, short-termism and philistinism. None of which are traditional values of the British Right, and I am not claiming that they are. However, those ARE the values of those who close libraries, Sure Start centres, Citizens Advice etc. If opposing that mindset, and supporting the former set of values makes one ‘socialist’ to the neo-liberal ‘conservative’ mind, then so be it.

Just to add that the practice of putting whatever name suited the recipients of the image on the nearest aircraft was rife. Large numbers of 263 squadron Whirlwinds became ‘Bellows’ for Pathe News in 1943, long after their manufacture – causing much confusion among those later trying to trace individual aircraft histories. The fact is the public were not party to aircraft movements or serials in wartime, so the powers that be got away with all kinds of deceptions. Simpler times, when there seemed no general understanding that aircraft were ordered in large batches regardless of sponsorship, and not individually commissioned and paid for like warships!

Have just come back to this thread.. and I have a question.

Why WOULD the BBC have a left-wing bias? Serious question. Over the decades the right have thrown this at the beeb every time they highlight something nasty in the Tory wood-shed, but nobody has ever explained any motive as to why such an institution would be ‘institutionally socialist’, to coin a phrase. Anyone? John?

Hi.. if you get this in time.. the rear fuse skin plank full size unfolded drawings will be with you Tuesdayish, probably. Hope there’s still stuff to do in the meantime without them. Did you see my email about R-67544?

Great work!

Matt