Al – I sense your resentment has more to do with your dislike of the manner and style of the participants than the sport itself. But please correct me if I am wrong.

And in answer to another post I wonder who has seen the infamous footage of killer whales tossing penguins around for sport. I doubt that humans are alone in killing for sport and personally, I have no strong feelings about hunting and killing for sport. I hasten to add that I have never hunted nor do I own a rifle.

BB – her attitude is quite understandable. Give her a couple of years. though!

Much depends on which “whistle” is being “blown”. I certainly would not blow just because I thought something was wrong. I would take the matter to whomever my superiors were and resign. I have resigned twice over matters of principle, with which I did not approve. That was between me and my employers, and no one else.

Today’s world demands that everything is in the public domain, whereas I am of the view that my moral viewpoint on particular problems is a matter for me and my conscience to resolve.

It will not be the first time that politicians have been out of step with their electorate.

And to your second point the current conflict in Afghanistan I don’t believe there is a large opposition to it amongst the political elite. And probably fewer politicians wanting to make political mischief out of it.

It depends entirely what the aim is. If it is to make a 2011 version of the 1968 film then you wouldn’t be able to make it for anything like the money you have mentioned. If, on the other hand, the aim is to make a workmanlike TV film of 90 minutes, leaving a lot to the imagination, or so with no star names and a 2/3 month shooting schedule, then, I agree your figures are realistic.

When the argument turns back to the morals then no one can argue the case as it it so subjective, as has been discussed earlier.

Yes, of course, whistle-blowing is not unique to journalism although journalism or the wider media is usually the recipient of the story and so becomes a willing partner. And once that happens I wonder if the best interests of the parties are necessarily served, as in your example.

In response to your last point – I don’t know, but it is an interesting question. I am sure someone will enlighten us.

I perceive a clear distinction between a journalist who has a remit to “seek out the truth” and a civil servant who has sworn to respect an oath of secrecy.

That doesn’t mean to say that I agree with whistle-blowing per se, but the distinction is important. I would have thought that journalists who expose “foul play” so long as law abiding individuals and the security of their country are not compromised, would be applauded. It would be interesting to hear your daughter’s reasons for her strongly felt comment.

Neither.:(

Now, that’s just boasting…;)

I thought this was an interesting article of great relevance to this thread, and some of the specific posts.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/8086451/Is-the-judicious-use-of-force-really-torture.html