The AM Glass Box.
Welcome to the AM Glass Box - your chance to help shape tonight's PM.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
Just as the PM Glass Box emulates the meeting we have AFTER the show, the AM Glass Box will be like the real meeting we have every day at 11.00, in that all ideas are welcome.
Just like the real meeting, most ideas that are suggested will not make it on air. But we would like to try this to see how it works. It's best that you make your suggestion before 10am.
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Comments
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You should check exactly what is meant by the 30 million doses of tamiflu that are stockpiled by the UK authorities, since while Ministers and all are saying that is plenty for the UK, dose the word 'dose' mean in political speak enough for 30 million people which is certainly the impression given or does it mean enough for one million people if the required dosage is 30 tablets per person!?
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A course of Tamiflu consists of ten doses (tablets or suspension)taken twice a day over five days. As such medicines come pre-packed I would assume that we are being told the stockpile is sufficient to treat half the British population once.
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How can General Sir Richard Dannatt possibly have the nerve to say better equipment is needed to protect troops from roadside bombs in Afghanistan and that he would be compiling a shopping list of what was required?
When we have been assured by the PM and Ministers of the Crown that our boys have all they need!
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The Today programme doesn't have a blog does it? I was laughing at Joe Ashton and Quentin Letts going at each other on the programme today, Eddie.
Banning - or possibly banning Parliamentary sketch writers? hear hear!
Mr Letts bless him is a remarkable man.
His first defence against what seemed to the unbiased me as an open and shut case that he should be banned from the Palace of Westminster environs was to - straight out of the gate as the horse racing people would have it - suggest Mr Ashton was no better than he ought to be and how dare he criticise the saintly Dail Mail man? It was priceless.
I always think we are all human and have things that we are not proud of (I know you do, Eddie lol) but imagine you starting an interview by bringing up a piece of scandal about the interviewee. Think of high profile names, still in powerful jobs and reported and uncontested past events in their lives. I will be tact and say no names.
But as an interviewer youself Eddie, you would know - though the past would be a gold mine to get the interviewee off the front foot - it would also be a very short interview.
Low blow - allegedly Quentin. Oddly enough I agreed with both Ashton and Letts - partially but I still want a go at the latter. No matter what he starts our set to with.
"Remember that girl you snogged behind the bike shed, Steelie Boy? So don't come at me on your HIGH HORSE!"
How did he know? lol
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Dy_Wyman (3)
Are you playing devils advocate?
Surely the issue is not which one is right but, who would you trust to tell the truth?
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3, 5: I wouldn't entirely trust either, because neither is impartial. General Dannatt has his agenda, the Government have theirs. GD can only base his remarks/research on what others tell him - and the same is true for the Government. The British Army operate on a far tighter budget than the US troops. The UK has less money to 'invest' in defence. British soldiers, however, are fighting alongside US troops and are bound to envy the additional resources.
Looking over the Pond, and at the welfare issues that coexist alongside the affluence there, I personally prefer the way we prioritise things here. I'm sure there are many Americans who envy our healthcare system, even if we don't all have perfect teeth.
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how about a comment on the side effects of tamiflu?
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Iran's Election Transparency
A detailed report on Iran's election was published yesterday by the Guardian Council, which includes full details of the complaints they received, copies of the correspondence, how the complaints were dealt with, and copies of the replies. And they've put the complete report on their website.
The BBC covered the election day after day, and posed many rhetorical questions laden with innuendo. BBC continue to report minor news, for example today, they're reporting the former candidate Mousavi is going to Friday prayers. Will this post-election report be covered by BBC with equal vigour and analysis as the election, or will it just be mentioned in some obscure dead-of-night news summary?
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A suggestion for PM: A few days ago the Beeb reported that two-thirds of those applying for the ESA are being rejected. Could PM consider a piece on this? Why is it happening and the effects, not on the economy, but on the lives of those rejected? I also note that similar Radio 4 efforts along these lines appear to select the stories of the middle-classes that fall on hard times. I can see that this approach defuses the 'Daily Mail' brigade, but something covering a wider socio-economic spread would be welcome.
If this must be tempered with a look at financial impact, it occurs to me that no-one ever mentions the additional costs incurred by rejections like this. How many people will appeal? Many I suspect, and appeals cost money (and are often successful). How many cases end up in the lap of the claimants' MPs, with all that implies for MP workload and the cost of that? If that isn't enough, the impact on the sick may also have a further impact on society as a whole following pressure on families, breakup, counselling, and all such horrors.
Oh, one last thing: joined-up government. A huge increase in resources for NHS 'talking therapies' at the time that many using it are, apparently, not ill enough to receive a sickness benefit.
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The wootton Basett problem;
The today program tried to infer; the homecoming parade of the dead through this town as was an organic movement that has come up from the grass roots and that this is what people are just doing for them selves and no one should take control. First of all I want to make clear I have no vested interest one way or the other on this issue.
1)All well and good. However, the truth is, it is perpetuated by the government and armed forces. It was instigated when the armed forces decided to parade through the town when they have no obligation to do so. It is convenient for this to be seen as people power when in fact, It is probably coordinated more than we think. The very fact that it is being perpetuated as a grass roots movement brings that much more kudos to the cause of the conflict in many people's eyes.
2) the forces could easily ask relatives to receive their loved ones in private in a dignified manner in private at an appropriate place and time. There is no requirement for the parade.
3) Perhaps most importantly, these matters are always portrayed by governments and the media as being impartial. Impartiality in these situations is impossible to attain when the biggest benefit from such things is the amount of Kudos perpetuated by such things. It is reported that there is perhaps a majority in this country who are against the cause (wars) over there. However, we are told that such parades reflect the the gratitude of a whole nation. Its a bit like like the cenotaph march by where we are told the whole of a grateful nation is represented. Then where are the conscientious objectors and those who disagree with it all!?
It is not my intention to have caused any offence, I just feel some things need to be pointed out but, I don't know if I explained it well. However, hope you get the meaning behind the bungling.
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Would it be possible to get the gentlemen back from the Met office who was interviewed at the end of May who said we are in for the Mother of all hot summers?
Brrrrr
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Hypocrisy
Obama, Brown, Miliband, and the military analysts keep saying we'll have to be in Afghanistan a long time before its able to stand on its own and establish some sort of democracy: "forseeable future," "10 years," "a generation" depending who you speak to. They point out that a democracy is needed in this part of the world, and remind us the region has very few. Strange then, that they don't welcome and encourage Iran's emergence as a democratic nation - and its done it independently - standing on its own feet; self-determination; no 'western aid'. Yet 'the west' continues to besmear and frustrate, as Iran tries to bring Islam and democracy together. Why is this?
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Joe (10): You raise some interesting points. Can I just add a point or two of my understanding of the matter? I'd be grateful of any clarification that other bloggers, or Eddie, can offer.
Firstly, I understand that relatives are allowed private access to their loved ones at the airfield (see your point 2, joe. That's what I'd heard, though I may of course be wrong)
Secondly, I'd sort of understood that the bodies go through Wootton Bassett on their way to the Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, presumably for the post mortem, as these are usually held up there. Again, I am happy to be corrected because, like Joe, I'd like to know the truth of the matter.
I'm not sure, in this case, Joe, whether the Government coordinate this. Indeed, I seem to remember some bloggers earlier this week (or maybe it was last week) questioning why there was no Government representative at Wootton Bassett to attend what has become a parade.
I'm not trying to defend what is happening there, nor to argue with you, Joe. I agree entirely with you over the issue of impartiality, and have real problems with all military action, and military glorification. If I were in Wootton Bassett on such an occasion I would, however, observe the passing of these hearses because I find the loss of these young lives so desperately sad.
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After her appearance on the 'Daily Politics' it seems the 'Bring Back Arlene..' campaign is starting to gain ground..
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5844671/Strictly-Come-Dancings-Arlene-Phillips-is-a-victim-of-ageism-says-Harriet-Harman.html
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Public Spending Cuts
Public spending will have to be cut by around 10% we've been told - only the NHS will be ring-fenced. Skilful questioning in the interviews with Sir Malcolm Rifknd (World Tonight) and Liam Fox (Today) revealed the large Afghanistan budget will have to be ring fenced as well, which means the savings required will fall on other government departments and be deeper than expected. Perhaps some views from the public: make the choice if you were Chancellor - reduced council budgets, schools, roads, refuse, town centres, and further general decline OR continue to throw scarce public money into a war with no clear aims, and see more coffins returning?
Which parties are advocating withdrawal from Afghanistan?
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Richard (15) Doesnt bombing innocent civilians up and forcing a county to adopt a form of democracy they neither want nor understand come under the overseas aid budget?
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Richard (15) and don't forget the impact, already being felt, of paying for the Olympics.
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Any chance of getting Mandelson on tonight? I've just seen him on News 24 and he is a funny man! Apparently MP's don't know anything and aren't in touch with real people, (referring to this Select Committee report out today) and also Tony Woodley isn't in touch with real people 'on the ground' of British Manufacturing!! It would be interesting to get a few MPs (from the ground) to see what they think about not being in touch with manufacturing in the way Mandelson is - After all - the years of hard hands on graft he must have had over the years - in the words of Private Eye - he must be "perfectly qualified to talk about the car industry" I suspect he might even own a car, but I doubt it. Yes, let's hear more words of wisdom from the man who let LDV die just because he was friends with the boss!
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fJd 10, I have a Bertie Bassett problem. I never seem to get any, not even one, in my packs of Allsorts. See if you can do anything about it.
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SM 7, You have the urge to keep playing the record of Debbie Reynolds singing Tammy.
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I just had a call from BT. Quite bizarre. The phone rang. A recorded voice told me "This is a call from BT. I'm sorry we're unable to talk to you at this time." Huh?
The world is definitely going mad.
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Big Sister (21) how wonderfully kafka-esque - I nearly fell of my chair laughing!
I wonder which performance matrix the number of successfully placed calls fulfills.
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for 'of' read 'off'
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Ref 16. Thunderbird,
I believe that's what they did with post-war Iraq - patching up the effect of their bombing, dressed up as 'aid.'
Malcolm Rifkind said on 'World Tonight,' an additional budget had been created for military action in Afghanistan, on top of the existing Ministry of Defence budget. He admitted to Robin Lustig this budget would have to be maintained for years to come by an incoming Conservative government, until such time Afghanistan is able to stand on its own feet. The interview drew out that public spending cuts would have to fall elsewhere, not the Afghanistan budget and not the NHS.
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Ref 21. Big Sister
That might be a sign of mischievous/criminal activity on your phone line, perhaps trying to change phone settings, access your account etc. Suggest you report it to BT - there's a dept that specifically deals with this.
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RSM 25, They will put her on hold.
I'll bet you are a real larf in real life.
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Richard_SM: I appreciate your points and would normally have been deeply suspicious. The fact of the matter is that BT have been trying to hold a conversation with me over the last week about changing to some sparkly new broadband deal. Whenever they've called, it's been at an inconvenient time. The last call was last night - again inconvenient as I was in the middle of cooking supper, and wouldn't have wanted that kind of conversation during the evening anyway. They asked me if they could call around 11 a.m. today - I said they could try. The call I referred to in my 21 was, presumably, their way of letting me know that they were too busy to fulfill that suggestion.
Frankly, I'd prefer it if they sent me a letter - I hate these hard sell conversations, but I will listen to their proposition if they manage to catch me when I'm not busy. For example, now ;o)
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Oh, and the mystery voice sounded awfully Ray Winstone :o)) - definitely a new approach from BT who are, I believe, closing some of their call centres in India.
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BS@21: That's nothing. The Wife received an unsolicited SIM card and an unsolicited Credit Card through the post today. The mobile network's 'help'-line was next to useless and a strongly-worded letter is on the way. Bet that has them worried.
The Credit Card? Apparently, The Wife had a loan account some time ago which has not been used in 3 years, so they sent her a Credit Card out of the blue.
Record levels of personal debt, anyone?
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26
He's funny here too, be (GB) shoe-ur, DMcN. Catch his deciding to stay at home for his holidays 'cos George Bush said he was hunting down 'tourists everywhere'
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TR 30, I think I replied to that somewhere by saying that I thought tourists were Australian cricket players.
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Re: Afghanistan
Sheer military might is not enough to win a war when the other side uses guerilla tactics - a classic example being Israel / Palestine.
The war over there is almost unwinnable, especially as the other side takes full advantage of an international border beyond which our side cannot cross.
However, to pull our forces out would suggest defeat, so wouldn't be very good PR for either the government or the MOD. So our troops are stuck there for the forseeable future.
It is perhaps worth noting that when we were deployed elsewhere in Afghanistan, there were apparently only 6 deaths during the entire period 2001 - 2006. It's only since we were relocated to Helmand Province that the body count started growing significantly.
Since we're part of a NATO force involving other countries, perhaps it's time someone was switched on enough to review capacity across the entire country - and perhaps redeploy any excess troops in quieter parts to Helmand. Their respective governments probably wouldn't be too happy, but surely if their troops are representing an international coalition of troops, everyone's duties should be shared out equally so everyone gets a turn to be in the more dangerous areas as well as the quieter areas?
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'Hey, hey LBJ...'
'Fixing to die Rag'
etc
PM item: Does 60s anti war protest translate wholesale into the 21st Century, with the Israeli wars in Lebannon and Gaza, the US and UK in Iraq and Nato in Afghanistan?
Adrian Mitchell read his 'Tell me lies..' poem, suitably updated at the Feb 03 anti Iraq war demo.
What else carries over?
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Anybody have a list of NATO forces in Afghanistan provided by all the countries? And the equipment provided by each?
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Sorry to be so late with the detail but Alexi Sayle was brilliant last night.
Something for everyone from the Chretiens (Ephesians 6, v. 12) to the Godless athiests - the moral crisis here is not on the estates, but in the lives lead by our ruling class and their henchmen.
That Thatcher whilst creating 5 million unemploed promoted two industries, one to kill people, one to steal from them - arms and finance.
First time I've ever liked him.
Please get him on!!
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Big Sis
Re Wootton Bassett,
I don't think the coordination would have come from the government. They understand the sensitive political nature of these things. They understand and are aware of the possibility of accusations and charges of gaining political support for their war decisions through the kudos of official sanctioning of such activities as the homecoming parading of the fallen. This could have been one reason for the absence of a minister or government rep. Or it could have been that a close member of the royal family was involved in the process and there might be some kind of protocol (that they obviously feel we don't need to know about or understand) due to this.
I am concerned about the militaristic nature that seems to be taking over this country. They recently changed 'Veterans Day' to 'Armed Forces Day' A completely different concept in my book. This smells of one of those seemingly insignificant name changes they continually do in the eroding the meaning and purpose of a dept, a service, a benefit etc. the name changes invariably happen to fall in line with short government political aspirations. however, the changes have long-term impact and are very rarely changed by any new incumbent government due to these changes having the usual effect of disowning government responsibility and striping power and rights from the individual, especially those with least voice to begin with in my opinion. The back room boys know all about the power of words and how to play them.
As regards passing through the town, yes they may have to do this,but there is no laid down parading protocol. I would have thought the coordination would have come more from the forces than the government there being no protocol. Apparently there is no protocol for this because in the past, the fallen were not brought home. they were buried in the country they had fallen. We then erected war memorials in their stead.
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Why on earth has a legitimate link to information about NATO troops been referred to the moderators?
I shall resubmit the link in my next post.
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This is the link:
http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/epub/pdf/placemat.pdf
It comes from the Nato International Website
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And just in case somebody else thinks that inappropriate for a current affairs blog, the route to the link is via the www nato int(ernational) website. ;o)
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(37) Thanks, Joe.
As to the changing of the name of Veterans Day, I suppose it is a cheap way of making the Armed Forces feel valued. That sounds very cynical, I suppose, and it reflects my view of military interventions. However, I recognise that the Army is made up of individuals, and that they have felt undervalued, so I personally have no problem with the renaming of the day to Armed Forces Day. It doesn't change my views about war.
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Big Sis,Yes,
I was going to mention that you had been reffered. I suppose someone thought you might be giving away military secrets.
As regards the change from Veterans to armed forces day, There was at least one brigade of ambulance driving/medical Quakers who refused to bare arms because of faith convictions. Nevertheless, wished to serve in some way. I am of the understanding this stance was allowed and indeed they were in the thick of it but 'unarmed' as are the padres. yet both sets are veterans. during WW2 I think? Not sure. However, I think I need to do more research unless anyone can throw enlightenment on this?
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Big sis,
Regarding strange phone calls.
I got one yesterday from my bank. It was a 'digital' voice asking for someone with a very foreign sounding name that obviously didn't live with me. Then, Mrs Digital proceeded to ask me to press 1 If this was Mrs foreigner. If Mrs foreigner couldn't get to the phone, press 2. if Mrs foreigner did live here but is not available, press 3. if Mrs digital should phone back later, press 4. And finally if Mrs foreigner would never be a available at any time, press 5.
The mind bogglerooniates!
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I saw a thing the other day that deals with your phone calls for you and after it "learns" which ones you want to hear from can tell all the others to, well, whatever you want to tell them. "True Call" it was called or something. Worth a Google.
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PT (44)
This product was on the latest edition of Dragon's den. The guy who invented it got them all tripping over themselves to invest I think.
Looks a really good answer to problem phones calls,but a bit pricey I thought for the ordinary bloke.
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TrueCall is the device you mean - costs around eighty pounds. Does sounds very good, though.
Joe: That was a strange call! I did eventually speak to BT, btw. Oh, and an update on another matter, this was the reason my post was referred and finally declared unfit for the Blog:
... because it contains a broken link, a link to an unsuitable external website, or a link that initiates a download.
Now, the only bit that I could imagine fits this bill is that it is a PDF file, but, well, hardly a download. I know for a fact that it wasn't broken, and I'd be very surprised if it could be called unsuitable, oh, and the replacement I put up afterwards is (shhh, don't say it too loudly) still there.
:o)
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Big Sis,
I did phone my bank and was put onto the fraud dept. I was asked various questions about weather I'd applied for a loan recently,or had a credit frisk or the like. I obviously felt like I was being interrogated (in fact I was). When I'd satisfied the fraud dept, I kind of got the impression it might have been something to do with identity fraud.It could have been someone was trying to use some of my details to gain something fraudulently. I was told my account had not had a block placed on it so I was satisfied. However, the bank employee tried to sell me added security (which consisted of receiving a phone call if they suspected any dodgy transactions on my account) for a monthly amount. I became assertive at this point and pointed out that we pay taxes for agencies to undertake policing and prevention of crime I don't see why I should have to pay a monthly fee to be told I might be a victim of a crime. He had to agree with me. I should think so too!
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fJd @ 47, yes, but the police don't deal with credit card fraud any more: the banks are expected to do that.
This explains one of the "crime figures drop" headlines: if it isn't called a crime any more, then obviously it isn't in the figures. Duh! Why did it take them so long to think of that?
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Thanks Chris (48)
I never knew that. Short chaged again then!
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fJd 42, I went to a Quaker church and we were allowed to bare arms. In fact, for all they cared, we could run around entirely naked. Didn't like carrying guns, however.
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BS 39, Thank you for that. I hope the one soldier from Georgia is well equipped. Now, about helicopters, airplanes, etc.
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sp 4, Simon Carr of The Independent is a very good, and funny, Parliamentary sketch writer.
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