23/04/12, 24/04/12 and 25/04/12

I've been busy over the last couple of days so I have missed my daily updates. However, I'm off to the dentist (only a check-up) soon so find myself with an opportunity to do my thing. Let's start with Monday...

1) MARINE LE PEN - The biggest surprise of the French elections is that one in five voted for the national front candidate Marine Le Pen. What accounts for the rise of the far right in France? : It is well-known that the BBC finds any political view other than left of centre to be totally abhorent. Like London, I view France as a place to get through as quickly as possible on my way to somewhere much nicer. And my interest ends there. Next...

2) BLINDNESS IN ONE EYE - A diplomat loses an eye in a vicious attack. Are you someone who has had to cope with just one eye? : How awful, but I have not been that unfortunate. Next...

3) CARE WORKER - A family secretly film their mother being slapped by a care home worker. How can this happen in a care home that’s been rated ‘excellent’? : I've no idea, but I note that "All five main care workers filmed by Jane Worroll were sacked" so hopefully it will not happen again. But then this was all just a promotion for Monday's edition of Panorama, wasn't it? Next...

4) I LOVE WHERE I LIVE - All this week Radio 2 wants to hear why you love where you live. We will be hearing your 1 minute love letters about your town, village or city : Yeah, whatever.

So that was Monday. Sounds dire. Was Tuesday any better?

1) POSHNESS - Conservative MP Nadine Dorries says that Cameron and Osborne are “arrogant posh boys” who “don’t know the price of milk”. Does poshness matter anyway? : Ah yes, a good old-fashioned Jeremy Vine Show Character Assassination. It's been a while since you did one of those. I take it that this was as one-sided as all of the others? Aside from that, is a bit of name-calling really "news", especially when bearing in mind the current legal matters entangling Peter Hain (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17822347) and Jack Straw (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17746561 and http://order-order.com/2012/04/24/secretary-of-state-spook-connection/). Next...

2) MEAT THEFT - There’s been a rise in the theft of meat both from supermarkets and from the ‘back of lorries’. Is this something you’ve witnessed? Find out more from the Financial Times: No. And the link you provided is hidden behind a "pay wall". You may wish to waste my TV licence tax money on a subscription, but I do not. Next...

3) CLAIRE SQUIRES - Claire Squires ran the marathon to raise money for the Samaritans in memory of her brother. She collapsed and died near the end. Since then, thousands of people have donated money in her memory : Tragic. Did you discuss banning marathons? If not, why not? Next...

4) LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE - Radio 2’s homage to every nook and cranny and of the UK continues. Today, ‘I Love Where I Live’ moves to Wales and Northern Ireland. There’s still time to write your one minute love letter, to where you live : Is there really. Great.

And while I'm at it, I may as well dismiss today's show as well...

1) RUSSELL BRAND - Did you see Russell Brand give evidence on drug abuse to MPs yesterday? He called for people to have more compassion for drug addicts, but were you somebody who said what right did he have to be there in the first place? : Who? Oh, him. My answers are no, and no. This is a former Radio 2 colleague you are talking about here, have you no respect? Me neither. Next...

2) BUS LANES & CYCLISTS - The man that runs one of Britain’s biggest cab firms says that minicabs should be allowed in bus lanes and cyclists should be made to pay road tax : I have no idea where my nearest bus lane is, in England probably, but your Twitter feed is full of references to your endeavours with a bicycle around London, so I fail to see how you could possibly conduct an unbiased discussion on this topic today. Your BBC colleague Stuart Hughes launched a Twitter attack on the minicab company concerned and this has been fully documented elsewhere (http://biased-bbc.com/2012/04/20/taxi-2/ and http://biased-bbc.com/2012/04/24/taxi-update/) and this, if nothing else, illustrates perfectly the kind of bias that permeates through the BBC when somebody there uses their position to further their own views. As for me, one day many years ago I was stopped at traffic lights on the Euston Road in London and a cyclist rammed in to the back of my car. I got out and the cyclist picked himself up off the road and said "Sorry mate, I didn't see you". What he meant was he wasn't actually looking where he was going. The rear bumper and boot lid on my car were both dented, but the cyclist's bike appeared to be undamaged. I know that because he then rode off at high speed and left me with the repair bill. I'll leave you to guess what my view of cyclists is ... can you manage that? I'll listen to this on the iPlayer later as I hope that the chap from the minicab company gives you some grief. Next...

3) MURDOCH - Rupert Murdoch gives evidence at the Leveson Inquiry today as his son leaves cabinet minister Jeremy Hunt’s career hanging by a thread : Murdoch appears at Leveson, and you are all over it like. Yet back in January (25th) you chose to ignore the evidence given by the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror and our beloved BBC. Bias, bias, bias! Any news reporter worthy of his trade would give equal coverage to ALL of the news organisations involved, but you only choose to report on Murdoch. Your choice, or a directive from On High? Next...

 

4) LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE - ‘I Love Where I Live’ heads to the middle of England today. We hear your one minute love letters to the place you love : WTF?

 

And at 12:08 the Off switch does its job.

 

It was interesting to hear Chris Evans's comments this morning on the forthcoming repeat of 2DAY. "We loved it, you loved it", he said. That is not my recollection of last year's disasterous day when hordes of R2 listeners found that other radio stations are available. And your beloved newspapers slated it too. But the BBC always know best, don't they?

The Jeremy Vine show - telling you the news that WE want you to hear

Today's show 23/01/12

Hi Paddy,

Today's issue that affects me: In a recent email from the BBC Complaints Programme referring to your programme I was told that "not every viewer" feels that you get your story selection right every time and that "We try to provide a wide range of programmes across our television output that will be of interest to every section of our audience". Viewer? Television? Is JV on TV?

I know that Mondays are always difficult to fill with news that is in the national interest, has just come in and needs immediate coverage or is unusual so allow me to help you out today...

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/norwich_men_s_clothing_shop_philip_browne_on_guildhall_hill_causes_a_stir_with_mannequin_s_toilet_humour_1_1182777

Norwich men’s clothing shop ... causes a stir with mannequin’s toilet humour

The Philip Browne menswear shop, in Guildhall Hill, Norwich, features a wooden mannequin posed as a man urinating on a wall and spelling out the word ‘sale’.

No? OK, here's another one...

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/lowestoft_landlady_pleads_guilty_to_letting_people_smoke_in_pub_1_1182424

Lowestoft landlady pleads guilty to letting people smoke in pub

A Lowestoft landlady has been fined after health and safety officers caught a person smoking inside her pub.

Does this mean that if I go and smoke in a BT phone box (which is against the law) the CEO of British Telecom could be prosecuted? Now there's an idea....

How about this one local to me?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9025816/Welsh-motorists-in-parking-ticket-language-protest.html

Welsh motorists in parking ticket language protest

Two Welsh motorists are refusing to pay parking fines because the tickets issued by a private contractor were written only in English.

Feel free to use any of those with my blessing. Or just hang on to them for 6 months or more and report them as "news" later this year. You know, just like Jeremy did with the cyclist story last week...!

So, what have we got today...

1) BENEFIT CAP - The government wants to restrict the amount which people on benefits can claim. Employment minister Chris Grayling says if poor people are living in affluent areas, they need to “move to part of town they can afford.” : Unfortunately, I do not qualify for any state-funded benefits. I only wish I did, so how about discussing how people like me can join the benefits system? I'd listen to that. Next...

2) DOG ATTACKS - A 6 year old girl in Essex was attacked by a Staffordshire terrier. What should you do if a vicious dog attacks you? : Horrible. Prosecute the owner? Listen to The Jeremy Vine Show? Or grab its top lip, as you suggested on Ken's show? At least two of those sound unpleasant. Next...

3) GENDER NEUTRALITY - A couple from Cambridgeshire are bringing up their 5 year old child Sasha to be gender-neutral. They say it’s better for him to decide when he’s grown up what gender he wants to be. Find out more in this article from the Telegraph : It is still a free country, I am told, and I am sure that this couple will have strong views about you dragging their private business on to your programme for judgement by you and your listeners. I have no opinion, or interest. Next...

4) RUBBISH TIP - We discuss the street in Brierley Hill which is dominated by a rubbish tip. Do you live near a dump? : My nearest council-run Refuse and Recycling Centre (I am sure that that is the title that Gwynedd Council would prefer, rather than "dump") is a small operation about 5 miles away, so my answer to your question is "No".

Oh well, you tried.

The Jeremy Vine Show - restricted benefits, every day

UPDATE: Concerning the gender neutral item, my wife tells me that this couple have been appeared all over the media, and Will has mentioned in a comment that one of the parents spoke to O'Connell on air today. Perhaps they've got a book out too.

Today's show 14/12/11

Hmmm... no web page update for the second day running. What are they playing at? Perhaps it is deliberate.

I heard him to talk to Ken and it was Domestic Violence, Diabetes, something about weak lofts (!) and something else...

Classic exchange when talking to Ken:

Ken: "I have type 2 diabetes ... and there are hereditary reasons for type 2 diabetes"

JV: "Are there?"

As well researched as ever.

Back later!

Today's issue that affects me: Where can I buy a Tunis Cake?

Well done! We only had to wait until 12:45 today for your web page to be updated. I had to wait until 9am this morning to find out about yesterday's! I've lodged a complaint, and now I know the correct procedure this one is going to go all the way.

 

Let's see what I have missed, and what I am about to ignore...

 

1) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Domestic violence is not just physical violence. Were you married to someone who psychologically controlled you? : Was I? No. Am I? No. Have I already missed this? Yes. Next...

 

2) DIABETES - A new report says that thousands of people are dying unnecessarily due to diabetes. Are you furious that diabetes doesn’t get the attention that other illnesses get? : I can't remember the last time I was furious about anything. 1990 maybe? Anyway, the only thing that I am concerned about with relevance to diabetes is your chat with Ken earlier, which went something like this:
Ken: "I have type 2 diabetes ... there are hereditary reasons for type 2 diabetes"
You: "Are there?"

Research? Who needs it? Well, not somebody about to broadcast a news-based radio show on this very topic, apparently. Next...

3) JOHNSON BEHARRY - Johnson Beharry won the Victoria Cross for gallantry and valour. He’s now advertising vitamin tablets. Is there anything wrong with that? : Thank you for bringing this to my attention and for allowing me the opportunity to be furious and offended. However, I would have needed to buy a newspaper to have got the full effect. I didn't do that and I am not willing to change a habit of 30 years standing. I am sure the company that he is working for will be very grateful for your promotion of their products. Next...

4) COLLAPSING LOFTS - We discuss the danger of overloading your loft. A man from Essex was trapped for 11 hours when 7000 yachting magazines buried him alive : You could fill many, many hours of prime Radio 2 air time with hundreds of stories that basically go along the lines of: Stupid dickhead nearly kills himself, but fails. Meanwhile, another 10 or so people WILL be killed on Britain's roads today, and still they don't qualify for discussion on your programme as you can't take the piss out of them. You are a disgrace to "journalism" and Radio 2, but that is how you like it to be, apparently.

 

The Jeremy Vine Show - re-defining "news", every day

Today's show 01/12/11

The first item on today's show comes as no surprise at all. Your show is renowned for taking the "easy" story but missing the "real" story that sits behind it...

 

1) INCITING HATRED - Should it be unlawful to incite hatred against public sector workers?: Interesting that you chose to use this terminology with a picture of Jeremy Clarkson, but make no reference to him in your text and you made no mention on Ken's show that he will be in the studio to defend himself. And interesting too that it is the BBC that has apologised for his remarks, rather than Clarkson himself. In honesty I hope he doesn't apologise as it would just be another nail in the coffin of free speech that you and many others at the BBC would like to see firmly closed and buried. I may not be supportive of what Clarkson says but I do like the fact that he says what he thinks and is not afraid to do so. Your regular guest George Galloway is exactly the same, so what is the difference between him and Clarkson? Not much, I would suggest, but you for some unfathomable reason think that Galloway makes a valuable contribution. Oh, how wrong you are. Clarkson has no hidden agenda, no innuendo, no attempt at suggestion - he says it as he sees it with conviction and with, I believe, an "if you don't like what I say then tough" attitude and we, the listeners and viewers, can vote with the Off switch if we choose. You, of course, do have a hidden agenda (or complete disinterest) in the topics you discuss. Your voice inflections and control of what your contributors say don't do much to hide it, and I vote with my Off switch every day. So how would this "unlawful" thing work then? I do not believe that you are seriously suggesting that legislation is introduced to protect public sector workers (only) from "hatred", however you define that, so this is really just a veiled and undefended character assassination on Clarkson, isn't it? I have said it many times before, but I will say it again now: Jeremy Clarkson would make a GREAT stand-in presenter on your programme, and I would DEFINITELY listen. Perhaps it should be unlawful to incite hatred of crappy radio broadcasters who tell the UK population what to think every lunch time, in which case I'm guilty as charged, M'Lud. Lock me up in chains, won't you. Next...

2) BEREAVEMENT - How much paid bereavement leave should you be entitled to after the death of a close family member? : As a self-employed sole-trader I can take as much leave as I like but I am not and never will be paid for doing so, whatever the circumstances. Next...

3) DISCOUNT WEBSITES - Are websites like Groupon doing wonders for your business, or hurting it? Find out more in this article from the Daily Mail : All Hail the Daily Mail! This topic was last discussed on your programme on 11th March this year. Funny, isn't it, how these "anything but actual real news" stories come round again, and again, and again... My business has no association with Groupon or any other vouchers, and is doing just fine, thank you. Next...

4) HOME-MADE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS - Do you feel under pressure to home-bake and hand-make presents this Christmas? Find out more in this article from the Manchester Evening News : No, never.

 

The Jeremy Vine Show - featuring nonsense from two Jeremys today

Today's show 20/10/11

I've just been looking at your Twitter feed and I am pleased and reassured to see that it is not just me that gives you some stick on there. I was particularly amused by one from @cbandyxxx who said:

Have you blocked him from following you too?

I'm busy today, so moving on quickly to today's tosh then...

1) DALE FARM - As the evictions from the traveller camp at Dale Farm continue today, did you look at the TV pictures and feel sorry for the police? : Did I look at the TV pictures? No, I did not. Do I feel sorry for the police? They are doing a difficult job against some genuine law breakers, but I do not feel sorry for them. Do I need to listen to you banging on about this yet again? Definitely not. Another contributor to your Twitter feed is the aptly named @theJeremyVile (who follows me @JVineBlogMan, I am pleased to say) and he posted this earlier today, which I will re-post here without comment:

Is he another Twitter user that you have blocked from following you? Next...

2) FRACKING - Britain looks for more sources for energy. Would you rather have a wind farm or a fracking plant in your back yard? What is fracking and why is it controversial? : You covered this on 24th May and gave an explanation of the process. Do you think your listeners have short memories? Other than the protestors on Blackpool Tower the other day, what has changed since then? And yes, I have seen the YouTube videos of people setting fire to water as it flows from a tap - allegedly - but I have also seen this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSWUEpayxZA that confirms my view of YouTube videos. There is huge scope for bias, misinformation and lies in this item today, so you'll be in your element and I won't be listening. Next...

3) FOREIGN AID - Is foreign aid the one big thing that attracts you to the Conservative Party or the one big thing that turns you off the Tories? : You said on Ken's show that you were interested in the views of the "middle ground of floating voters". Unfortunately I have never been a "floating voter". Next...

4) RICKY GERVAIS - The comedian has been criticised for using the term ‘mong’ in his comedy routine. Disabilities groups say it’s deeply offensive. Find out more from Newsbeat : Newsbeat? Sheesh! Is this the biggest storm in a teacup that you could find today? I find your programme offensive, so when are you going to discuss that?

The Jeremy Vine Show - including 30 minutes of fracking rubbish

Today's show 24/08/11

Another day, another JV show, another email ... will it ever end?

 

Today's issue that affects me: A lot of people suffer from cold feet in bed, but I experience the opposite - hot feet - and sometimes it can stop me sleeping. Are hot feet a good thing, or a bad thing?

 

So what can you tempt me with today then? It doesn't look good...

 

1) THE LOCKERBIE BOMBER - As Gadaffi's Libya starts to fall apart, does America now have the right to extradite the convicted Lockerbie bomber, Abdel Baset al- Megrahi? : Again, I was expecting you to say on Ken's show "... and on the phone to discuss his release we will have Alec Salmond and Gordon Brown ..." but it never came, as usual. As for your question, I think you'll find that America can do exactly what it likes within international law, and nothing discussed or decided today on your programme will have any influence on what they do. So, the point of this discussion is what, exactly? Next...

2) DOG ATTACK - A mother tells the harrowing story of how a bull mastiff ripped into her little King Charles spaniel in front of her young family's eyes in a park, and then tore into her arm. Find out more in this Daily Mail article : Absolutely tragic. I understand the mastiff has been destroyed, and I hope that the owner is prosecuted. It is all to do with taking responsibility for your actions, which seems to be sadly lacking in the UK at the moment. You said that you would spare us the details during your trail on Ken's show, but then went on to give them anyway. On the basis that there will presumably be more detail to come I'll choose not to listen to this. Next...

3) DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN - Charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn are dropped. Does he have the right to have the slate wiped clean? Or is it now impossible for victims of rape to find justice, unless they have a flawless character? : Blimey, do I have that much influence on what you discuss? It was only yesterday that I wrote that you lacked the follow-up story on this one. My point yesterday was regarding your general lack of follow-up information, and not this topic in particular. I have no interest at all in Mr Strauss-Khan's case and insufficient information to form an opinion on what is right or wrong. Anyway, Mark Radcliffe starts his show at 1pm, and he read out an email from me last week. Next...

4) CHEQUES - The cheque has been saved. Do you love them and can't live without them, or are they irrelevant in this modern age? : Most of my customers pay me by cheque, which arrive on my doormat courtesy of Royal Mail. I send them to my bank by post using the posting box about 80 feet from where I am typing this. The nature of my business tends to make most of my customers from an older generation. Some do not have internet access at all, and most choose not to use internet banking for money transfers. So, I love cheques, and I can't live without them. You made it quite clear what your personal view is on this topic (disagreeing with mine) on Ken's show so I predict that any discussion will be biased from the start. I think I'll give it a miss.

 

The Jeremy Vine Show - changing nothing, as usual

Today's show 23/08/11

You'll be pleased to know that my washing dried, and it didn't rain. Weather forecasts - pah!

I've struggled to think of an issue that affects me today, so I'll go with this one from a couple of weeks ago...

I recently had a problem with a credit card where the PIN number was not being recognised. The card supplier happily sent me a new PIN with a note telling me that I needed to validate it in an ATM at my nearest branch. I had no idea where that was, so I called them, gave them my postcode and was told "We don't have a branch anywhere near you". And that was all they could tell me. My own investigations subsequently revealed that my nearest branch is 40 miles away in a town that I very rarely visit. I called them back and gave them the choice: Validate my PIN over the phone, or close my account. Their choice was the latter. So...
Today's issue that affects me: Why do some companies forget that not all of their customers live in or near cities and towns?

OK, on to the issues that allegedly affect your listeners...

On 16th May you wasted 30 minutes of prime time radio broadcasting with this story: "IMF CHIEF ACCUSED OF RAPE - The French head of the IMF and socialist candidate for presidency is arrested in New York after allegedly trying to rape a chambermaid. Some in France are asking 'Was he set up?". Interesting that now it is looking extremely likely that the case will be dropped (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14619921) yet coverage of this has been minimal, and with none at all on your programme. In the minds of your listeners Mr Strauss-Khan will always be "that bloke who raped a chambermaid" and will remain uneducated on his actual status, whetever that turns out to be. Here again Jeremy is a reason why I choose not to listen to your programme. You do not follow up and correct old stories, so if I chose to believe what you tell me (heaven forfend) then my views would be tainted by a lack of the full facts. I would rather not have any opinion than have an incorrect one. What is your view?

So let's look at the half-stories and half-truths you will be discussing today:

1) LIBYA - Gaddafi goes into hiding. What makes a dictator fight it out to the last bullet? : I was waiting for you to say on Ken's show "... and on the phone we will have Colonel Gaddafi, Robert Mugabe, Omar Al-Bashir and Kim Jong-Il ..." but it never came. So, in answer to your question, I have absolutely no idea. So, who could you get to enlighten you? Somebody who has met a dictator or two, somebody who likes telling anybody who will listen what they should be doing and what to think, somebody who likes the sound of his own voice far too much. That'll be George Galloway then. If I were a betting man I would put £100 on him appearing on your show today, but this in itself is a good reason not to listen. Next...

2) MICROFINANCE - How a charity is helping small businesses help themselves in the developing world : Does Wales count as the developing world? Sometimes I think it should, but that is more than made up for the stunning scenery and fantastic way of life we have here. Anyway, good for them, but this is of no interest to me. Next...

3) LIGHTNING STRIKES! - After Richard Branson's mansion goes up in flames, have you suffered a catastrophic lightning strike? : I've been in a trans-Atlantic Jumbo Jet that was struck by lightning and dropped 200 feet like a stone, and I've also been on a train that was struck by lightning and had St Elmo's fire dancing around it. As I am still here to tell the tale I don't think that either occasion could be described as "catastrophic", so the answer to your question is "No". Blame it on global warming. Next...

4) DIFFICULT FRIENDSHIPS - Tell us about the friend you just can't get rid of. They don’t get the hint and they won't (take) no for an answer : The only friends I have are the ones that I have not told to F-Off And Die. What was the problem again?

The Jeremy Vine Show - follow-up stories, who needs them?

Today's show 15/08/11

Oh God...

You're back.

What on earth have your poor listeners done so wrong that they deserve to be inflicted with five days of your inane ramblings, eh?

And who is it who decides who should stand in for Jeremy when he is away? They need sacking for their inept poor choice.

Needless to say, I won't be listening. Not only because I cannot stand your broadcasting style, but because you have yet again failed to cover anything of interest to me. Allow me to explain...

1) DAVID STARKEY - The historian David Starkey has sparked controversy by claiming ''the whites have become black'' during a discussion on the riots : No surprise that you are discussing this topic, even though it is now three days old. I read an interesting article by James Delingpole yesterday (http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100100911/if-david-starkey-is-racist-then-so-is-everybody/) in which he makes some interesting comments and revelations. He starts his article like this (my emphasis):

Driving back from my holiday in Wales, yesterday, I realised what a lucky escape I’d had. As I exited the hills and finally got my mobile phone reception back, there was an old message from Friday inviting me to appear on that evening’s Newsnight to talk about the riots. So it could have been me that fell into the BBC’s “raaaacist” trap instead of poor old David Starkey. And make no mistake it was a trap. Starkey’s debating opponent was Owen Jones, the BBC’s new pet angry young socialist whose default position is perpetual umbrage and righteous rage on behalf of the poor, working class, oppressed and – since Friday, apparently – black people. It’s a cheap trick but one that goes down very well at the BBC, which is why they have Jones back so often.

And he ends it like this:

To pillory a man for pointing out such a glaringly obvious cultural fact just because he’s white and Right-wing would have been quite wrong even before the riots. Post riots it is positively obscene. Not just obscene, in fact, but dangerous. Of course, we expect the BBC not to get it. Like the Guardian – and the Labour party – the BBC created the culture that led to these riots, so it’s hardly surprising if it carries on playing the old PC game like the 80s and 90s never went away.

In between he makes some interesting comments, to which I may or may not subscribe, but it is the BBC's handling of this that interests me the most, and in particular the allegation of a trap. Having watched the interview I concur with his view of the BBC's treatment of Starkey, and it comes as no surprise to me that you are continuing to fan the dying embers of this one. Next...

2) UNEXPLODED SECOND WORLD WAR BOMBS - Has an unexploded bomb from the Second World War ever been unearthed in your neighbourhood? : Having just done a little research, I am pleased to tell you that North Wales survived virtually unscathed from WW2 bombing attacks. This means that the answer to your question is "No". Who comes up with this stuff? Hardly "target audience" material, is it? Next...

3) COUNCIL HOUSE EVICTIONS FOR RIOTERS - Should rioters be evicted from council houses? : Oooohhh, a vote. I shall text my answer (presumably "Yes" or "No") to 88291 immediately. Is the result binding on local authorities? Will your discussion change ANYTHING at all? Is it just a waste of time? Would I lose the will to live? Next...

4) GAMBLING TAX ON SEAFRONT ARCADES - And amusement arcades warn that they could go out of business as the result of a new tax. Find out more in this Southend Standard article : The Southend Standard ... a beating heart on the Essex coast, but it must have a miniscule circulation as I cannot find any figures for it at all. We had a story from the Harwich & Manningtree Standard last week, and now this one. Has one of your team moved to rural Essex? Interesting that you have made this specific to "seafront arcades" when, in fact, the new tax applies to all arcades regardless of their location, but then this programme is not usually troubled by facts so why should today be any different? I've never been to Southend but I do live only a few miles from the sea. I am not aware of any of the seaside towns around here having arcades anywhere near the seafront, so how can this story possibly have any relevance to me? Oh, and I've never met a poor arcade owner. Have you?

Now, get off my radio!

Today's show 12/08/11

Good to see that the hand that feeds your programme - The Daily Mail - has decided to give the BBC a well-deserved slap: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2024804/English-riots-BBC-wants-avoid-offending-Scots-Welsh-Northern-Irish.html. This was, of course, exactly the point that I made yesterday.

 

Anyway, another Friday is here, and you have another four stories that mean nothing to me at all...

1) US-STYLE POLICING - David Cameron's new adviser on gang crime is an American "supercop" who slashed crime in New York and Los Angeles. Would Britain benefit from US-style policing? : Odd that the BBC news page you link to makes no reference to "US-style policing", whatever that means. Harley-Davidsons to become standard issue, perhaps? Cameron is right to take advice from whoever has expertise in this area and who can make constructive suggestions on how to improve UK policing. However, that does not mean that "US-style policing" is even being considered, except by you. Next...

2) BLIND WOMAN DENIED CAFÉ SERVICE - A blind woman is told that her guide dog isn’t welcome in a café because it would deter other customers. Find out more in this Harwich And Manningtree Standard article : Aaahhh... The Harwich & Manningtree Standard... bless. With a weekly readership of around 6000 (http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=44209 - 2009 figues, probably less by now) it is hardly the beating heart of the news media, yet you have chosen to feature a story from it. I've never been to Manningtree, fortunately I am not blind, and I don't drink coffee, but should any of those situations change then I will do my best to remember this day. I promise. Next...

3) MEMORY - After 1, how to train your brain - a special on memory : Who are you? And why are you on Radio 2? Luckily, I manage to remember to write my I Hate The Jeremy Vine Show blog every day, and to tune away from Radio 2 at 12. Next...

4) RED DIESEL - And we report on the growing theft of red diesel : I don't have any red diesel to steal, but at your suggestion I might go and steal some this weekend. I take it that this item will be like Jeremy's coverage of thefts from oil-fired central heating systems, in that you will provide information on how to locate tanks and vehicles containing red diesel, what equipment is needed to steal it, when is the best time to commit the crime, and what to do with the red diesel once you have it. I might listen to this on iPlayer later, just so I can submit another complaint.

The Jeremy Vine Show - helping criminals nationwide

Oh God ... Feltz on Monday. I'm starting to feel sick already.

Today's show 01/08/11

Another week, and more lunchtime tedium looms, apparently...

1) SYRIA - Should we intervene in Syria following reports of a massacre in the city of Hama?: Oooohhhh, a vote. I've just texted my vote to 88291, is that right? I expect that David Cameron, William Hague et al will be hanging on your every word. Or not. Can I guess what your discussion will actually achieve today? How about A Big Fat Nothing, as usual? Next...

I know what the next three items are as I listened to your trail on Zoe's show but, and no suprises here, your web page hasn't been updated yet (11:50). I also notice that all four items appear on your Twitter feed. So who is more important to you: Your Twitter followers (my account JVineBlogMan is still blocked, by the way), or plain common-or-garden users of the old-fashioned internet? While you think about that, I'll go away and come back later...

<Goes away for 10 minutes>

12:00, you've done your introduction and the news is being read, and still no web page update. Oh, like magic, as I type this there it is...

2) DECENCY - Are you offended by adverts on bus stops and billboards featuring scantily clad women? Find out more in this Daily Mail article : Should I be surprised that this comes from the Daily Mail? No, I didn't think so either. Well, if we had a bus stop that displayed such material then I would be able to give you my honest and frank opinion, but we do not have such a bus stop. All of the ones around here are just a pole in the pavement, maybe with the most basic of shelters. Similarly, I cannot honestly think of ANY advertising billboard within 30 miles of here, and if there is it has obviously had so little effect on me as to be instantly forgettable. I think that means my answer to your question has to be "No". It is interesting that you described this item on Twitter in a much more sensationalist and imflammatory way: "Two Moslems convicted for spraying burkhas over bikini-clad billbard models - which is more oppressive, the burkha or bikini?" and asked "Are they spraying the paint for you and for me?". For you maybe, but not for me, thanks. Next...

3) NIGHT TERRORS - Do you - or your child - suffer from night terrors? : What child is that then? You described this as when "dreams become reality". Sounds horrible, and fortunately I have never had that happen to me. The scariest dream I have had recently was when I stayed on a London Underground Northern Line train at Morden (the southern end of the line) and I ended up in Sorrento, Italy and was told that my One-Day Zone 1 Travel Card was not valid for the return journey. That is as bad as it gets for me, so I'm not sure that I could learn anything from Dr Jarvis today. Perhaps one day I'll dream that your programme might (a) discuss something of interest to me, and (b) actually make a difference rather than just broadcasting waffle. Now that would be scary! Next...

4) SMOKING AFTER THROAT CANCER - Have you refused to give up smoking after suffering lung or throat cancer? Find out more in this article from The Sun : Good to see that the Murdoch Empire is being welcomed back in to the ever-hungry news bosom of the BBC. After all, why would you want to find your own stories when your main rival can do it for you? Again, you described this item differently on Twitter: "Michael Douglas has throat cancer surgery - but has now been photographed apparently smoking again. Incredible?". Looking at the photos on The Sun's news page (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/3725044/Michael-Douglas-sneaks-a-cigarette-while-on-holiday.html), I cannot see a cigarette. In the top picture I see Mr Douglas holding his hand to his mouth with his fingers folded in such a way that he has formed a hole through which we can see the white background of the boat's superstructure. He looks to be biting his fingernails. In the bottom picture he appears to be examining his fingernails. Thanks for telling me what to think - again - but it raises this question in my mind: Who should I believe? Should I believe what journalist scum from The Sun tell me is the truth? Should I believe you? (As if that is ever going to happen!) Or should I believe my own eyes? I think you can probably guess the answer to that one. Not that I could care less what Mr Douglas does, of course. Going back to your question. I've never smoked any tobacco product, I've never had lung cancer and I've never had throat cancer. I guess that makes the answer "No". Oh well, you tried, and I guess that is the best that I can hope you will do.

I see your bruvver journalists are on strike again today. I doubt that I'll notice any difference, but why don't you support them?

Today's show 20/07/11

(Late today due to JV web page not being updated until 12:20)

I guess that there is a price to pay for your new-found enthusiasm for Twitter, in that today's topics were posted there at about 09:30 this morning, yet here we are at 11:40 and your web page has not been updated with the same information. As updating both seems to be a bit too much for you, here is a serious offer of help: Send me the details of what you are planning to discuss and I will write your web page text for you. I promise to be objective, realistic and write without any sensationalism or hyperbole. Give me access to your web page and I'll even upload and publish it for you. I would make no charge for this service. You know where I am. What could possibly go wrong?

Anyway, at 09:35 the topics according to Twitter were: "Today's programme in four words: Murdoch. Libya. Euro. Famine.", but your web page readers are being kept in suspense. I'll come back in a bit...

<Goes away for 15 minutes>

11:55 and still no update. Is this what we pay our TV Licence Tax for?

<Goes away for 10 minutes>

12:05, still nothing.

<Goes away again>

Finally, at 12:20, we have four good reasons not to listen today....

1) SYMPATHY FOR MURDOCH? - Were you convinced by Rupert Murdoch's performance? He is, after all eighty. Did you feel sorry for him, or was it just one big act? We speak to Age UK : Age UK are one of the UK's leading charities and do all sorts of fantastic work, yet on Ken's show you said "Help The Aged, or whatever they are called these days". Do you consider it acceptable that a leading broadcast journalist cannot remember the name of a major UK charity? Do you still go in to your local sweet shop and ask for a Marathon bar? As for Murdoch, well it is plainly obvious that the BBC will not be happy until both Murdochs have stakes thrust through their hearts, are shot with a dozen silver bullets and then crucified before being hung, drawn and quartered. And I bet your heart sank when Mr Marbles attempted to thrust the flan in his face, as in an instant Murdoch Senior changed from being a Billionaire Media Tycoon in to a fragile old man who was the victim of an unprovoked assault. He will have gained a lot of sympathy for that. Next...

2) MEDIA COVERAGE: MURDOCH OR FAMINE? - As the famine in Somalia becomes official, are you angry that the foam in Murdoch's face is getting more coverage than thousands of people starving to death? : A good question, with a simple answer: Because stories about famines do not sell newspapers or boost listener and viewer figures, and the demise of Murdoch is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING that has ever happened in the history of the world, apparently. Once again, you are distancing yourself from your beloved Media, even though you are part of it. How can you do that? Hypocrisy is alive and well on the JV Show! So, what are you going to do about the famine then? Can we look forward to seeing the launch of The Jeremy Vine Appeal for Famine Relief? I'll send you £20 if you do. Next...

3) EUROPEAN ECONOMICS - As the Euro teeters on the brink, we take you on a journey round Europe's capitals. If the Euro economies collapse, does Britain fall with it? Find out more in this Economist article : You described this on Ken's show as "The Euro, again another story that is not being reported because of a custard pie". Excuse me, but it was YOUR PROGRAMME that has also jumped on the Murdoch Media Band Wagon and chose not to report this story until now. Please just get off your "holier than thou" high horse. In answer to your question, I have no idea, no time to find out and insufficient influence to do anything about it. Do you? Next... (The link given on the JV web page was a duplicate of the BBC famine story and did not link to The Economist)

4) TRIBUTE FM - We speak to the man that runs the rebel radio station in Libya. How do you broadcast when you're under attack? Find out more in this Guardian article : Again, you described this on Ken's show as "... the equivalent of my show in Libya ...". Those poor people. Not only do they have to endure bombs, bullets, civil unrest and an over-bearing dictator but they also have to endure somebody on their radio talking about wheelie bins, poor parking, handbags, polytunnels and nicking stories from the Libyan equivalent of the Daily Mail. No wonder Libya is in such a mess.

I've just noticed that I am no longer following @theJeremyVine and seem to be prevented from doing so. I wonder if this is a technical fault (although I seem to be able to follow anybody else that I wish to) or whether it is just a case of you not liking what I say. I hope it is not the latter as that would surely be suppression of my free speech as a member of the public (i.e. me) to a public figure (i.e. you) who is forever encouraging me to "tell me what you think" and who then tries to tell me what I should be thinking. Criticism is a stock-in-trade of your show, and it is such a shame that you want to be immune from it. My blog soared through 5000 page views yesterday, so my criticism will continue. See you on Twitter, even if the conversation is now one-sided.

And finally, today's programme in four words:

Murdoch. Bias. Continues. Unabated.

Nothing. Of. Interest. Today.

I. Won't. Be. Listening.

Get. Off. My. Radio.

6. Music. Much. Better.

Today's show 05/07/11

Why is it that whenever your fellow Radio 2 jocks give a run down of what is on today they seem to be unwilling to promote your programme? A typical run-down would be:

Ken is on at 9:30 with Pop Master and Attila The Hun giving us the tracks of his years, Jeremy is at 12, Steve Wright is back at 2 with the Big Show and his guests include Vlad The Impaler, Genghis Khan and Stalin, and at 5 Simon Mayo returns with Drive Time including another confession.

You know the kind of thing. Your programme is only mentioned in a sort of half breath way. So, is there a reason, or is it just because you don't know what you are talking about?
Very, very, very busy today, so this is going to be brief...

1) BOMBARDIER - The train manufacturer Bombardier axes more than 1,400 jobs in Derby after losing a contract to build carriages for a route in southern England to the German firm Siemens : A prediction: Christian "what's the fee?" Wolmar will be your talking head for this item. He used to a "Rail Expert", but now he is described as a "Railway Commentator", which sounds like a demotion to me. I think my opinion of him is clear. Next...

2) PHONE HACKING - Police are meeting the News of the World to discuss allegations that a private investigator working for the paper hacked into the mobile phone of the murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler : Liars and cheats the lot of them. This is entirely in keeping what a lot of people would expect journalist scum to do. Lock them all up and throw away the key. Next...

3) ANDY KERSHAW - After 1, we're joined by broadcasters Andy and Liz Kershaw who will tell us how their strong relationship as brother and sister got them through tough times. Find out more in this Yorkshire Post article : Not news, and I really don't care, so why is this on your programme? Next...

4) FRIDGE FREEZER FIRES - And up to half a million Beko fridge freezers could be a serious fire risk in homes across the country, firefighters warn : We don't have a Beco fridge freezer, so I don't need to listen to this. So, which will you do? Will you slag off the company for making an allegedly dangerous product? Or will you praise them for bringing this rare failing to the public's attention? Now let me think which would make better cheap sensationalist radio....

UPDATE: Andy Kershaw has a new book out. More blatant advertising on the JV Show!

Today's show 30/06/11

Lying journalistic scum Johann Hari continues to make the news today (http://blogs.forbes.com/jeffbercovici/2011/06/29/accused-of-plagiarism-johann-hari-responds-with-lies/) and his world seems to be rightfully unravelling as the scale of the lies and deceit that he spread to an eager-for-news public becomes apparent. I have suggested before that you should do an item on journalism and news reporting in 2011, and what - if anything - can be done to restore its credibility. Perhaps it is just such an impossible task that it is not worthy of discussion, eh?

We have to feel sorry for Ed Miliband again today. Poor bloke. The Independent commissioned a Comres poll using pictures of some of the Labour big names and simply asked people to identify them. The results can be seen here: http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00618/Graphic-lab_618861a.jpg. You have to wonder what Ed Miliband has to do to make an impression on the UK public, especially when 23% of those polled thought he was David Miliband. Similarly, the picture of David Miliband was identified as being Ed Miliband by 26% of those that took part. At least nobody managed to get Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper confused. So, perhaps you should be asking today: "Brothers in Government - Is it all just too confusing?".

And in the background the Awkward Miliband Moments web site (http://awkwardedmilibandmoments.tumblr.com/) continues to ridicule Poor Ed. Something should be done, and I can't think of anybody better than your goodself to give Poor Ed the level of credibility and respect that he deserves.

But not today apparently. Instead we have this...

1) STRIKES - As up to 750,000 teachers and civil servants go on strike over their pensions. We talk to a teacher who tells us why "she's worth it" : How about talking to her Head Teacher, or her Board of Governors to see if they think "she's worth it". After all, she is hardly likely to say "No, you're right, I'm a rubbish teacher, so don't give me the money", is she? As for the civil servants (members of PCSU) I sincerely hope that you have their leader Mark Serwotka on your programme today. Perhaps you should ask how he justifies his £112,634 salary (http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/tradeunionrichlist0611.pdf) and how the strikes will affect him. We don't have children, and I'm not aware that I will be using any facilities provided by the civil service today, so this item is of no interest to me. Next...

2) SNAKES - A snake breeder was killed by the snake he loved. Does your partner keep snakes and have you persuaded them to get rid of them? : The answers to your questions, as you can probably guess, are "No" and "No", and I would imagine that 99.9% of your listeners are in the same situation. This is real target audience stuff! Next...

3) BAIL COURT RULING - Following the High Court ruling that the police can't hold suspects on bail for more than four days, the government is considering emergency legislation. But civil liberty groups are saying if the police don't have the evidence, what right have they got to lock people up? : And this discussion will achieve what, exactly? Great and clever minds are hard at work trying to conjure up a solution, but I have this strange feeling that not one of them will say "I know, let's listen to the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2, he'll tell us what to do". Next...

4) EMAIL - Finally, the future mother-in-law who sent the future daughter-in- law an email on how to behave in her house. Find out more in this Sun article : Oooohhh... second day running for a story from The Sun. Is this news? I feel that a new blog label is needed. Is The Sun the new Daily Mail, I wonder? My final question yesterday was : Can your programme get any worse than this? Predictably, it just did.

The Jeremy Vine Show - getting worse, every day

Today's show 08/06/11

How are you getting in with producing that new trail for your show? I'm sure that Galloway will jump at the chance to be involved as it involves his two favourite subjects: Talking rubbish, and being paid to talk rubbish.

 

Anyway, let's take a look at four good reasons to tune away from Radio 2 at 12:

 

1) PRISON SENTENCING REFORM SHELVED - Justice Secretary Ken Clarke is told by the Prime Minister that he's not going to get his policy of having sentencing reduced for people who plead guilty early : So, what is your angle on this? Is it the change of policy? Is it your perception of a government that cannot make up its mind? Or is it your fabrication of a rift between Cameron and Clark? I would guess probably all three, with the important first one taking the least precedence. I have no plans to go to prison so this cannot be of any interest to me today. Next...

 

2) BIRDWATCHING - Birdwatchers flock to Hartlepool to see a rare robin. What on earth is the attraction of birdwatching? : You know, the English language is a wonderful thing. It is full of nuances and short phrases that are so innocuous when looked at on their own, but that can change the whole meaning of a sentence when included, or excluded. You have included such a phrase today: "on earth". Had you asked the question as "What is the attraction of birdwatching?" then I would have expected you to have a serious discussion (Ha! - that'll be the day) about a hobby that provides hours of interest and satisfaction for many thousands of people. You could have heard all sorts of tales from birdwatchers as to why they do what they do, the travelling they do to see a particular species and the inevitable cost of it all, and in the process educated those of us who are not birdwatchers about a hobby that we may never have considered. But, that wasn't good enough, was it? You added the words "on earth" to change the meaning in to a question of incredulity. It now means "Why the hell would some idiot want to waste their time and money standing in a field to watch some bird half a mile away?". Congratulations! With two words you have summed up EXACTLY why I consider your broadcasts to be utterly worthless. This will turn your discussion in to "taking the piss out of birdwatchers" and I hope that they respond robustly to that. Unfortunately, you control the microphone fader so their chances of making their point will be minimal. On a personal level I could ask you this question: What on earth is the attraction of watching football? Twenty-odd blokes kicking a ball around, what possible interest could that have? Beats me! However, the question that WILL ALWAYS go unanswered is, of course: What on earth is the attraction of the Jeremy Vine show? Next...

 

3) MEN WORKING IN NURSERIES - Following the conviction of the twenty year old nursery worker Paul Anthony Wilson, we talk to someone who's uncomfortable with men working in nurseries : Tragic though this is, have you forgotten the case of the female nursery worker in Plymouth who was convicted of similar crimes? See http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6471327.ece if it has slipped your mind. Perhaps the mysterious "someone" would like to see all adults banned from working in nurseries. The Jeremy Vine show: all you ever need to know about paedophiles. Next...

4) HAIR TRANSPLANTS - Finally, Wayne Rooney has been very open about his hair transplant. Are you somebody who went bald in your twenties? How did you explain your hair transplant when you walked into the office? : Finally, some more of the serious non-news for which your programme is so well known. OK, in answer to you questions: Wayne who? Yes, and I started going bald at 18. What hair transplant? I don't remember having one. And what office? Why on earth do you assume that anybody who has had a hair transplant must work in an office? Does Rooney work in an office? No. Who on earth writes these questions? Why on earth do you employ them? Why on earth can't they write an unbiased question? Why on earth are you on Radio 2 every day? Why on earth is your programme completely pointless? Why on earth do you refute or ignore criticism of what you do? Why on earth do you rely on the Daily Mail so much? Why on earth do you refuse to get involved instead of just talking? Where on earth is Howard Schultz when your listeners need him so much?

 

Why on earth will I be listening to 6 Music from 12? Because why on earth would I want to listen to you?.

Today's show 11/05/11 - Part 2

Readership of my blog went ballistic today, thanks to your Starbucks item. Most of the readers had found it due to doing a Google search for "Jeremy Vine Starbucks", which at 14:45 this afternoon showed my blog TWICE above your own web page. See attached screenshot if you don't believe me.

One of the searches shown in my blog's traffic analysis was "jeremy vine gets owned by starbucks man". Now this made me curious, and so I've just had a quick listen on iPlayer. "Owned by Starbucks man" is indeed an accurate description! You were hopeless, and a million miles away from the "A broadcaster at the top of his trade, with intimate knowledge of his subject" accolade used by the Sony Radio Academy.

There were many instances of sub-standard interviewing but the best one was when Howard Schultz explained that Starbucks IS a global brand and does not attempt to hide that fact. You obviously did not hear this as you then immediately accused him of saying the exact opposite! He accused you, rightly, that "You are putting words in my mouth".

I just *LOVE* it when somebody stands up to you!

And good for him for refusing to do your stupid and contrived Taste Test. I do a Radio Test each lunchtime, and I can easily spot the crap that eminates from Radio 2 between 12 and 2, as compared with 6 Music for example. What's my point? There isn't one. And there was no point in your Taste Test either.

You said, "Our listeners are allowed to have a point of view". Are they Jeremy? Are they really? Or are they only allowed to have a point of view that coincides exactly with your own personal agenda?

I don't drink coffee but I will now always remember that Starbucks is my favourite coffee chain - because they gave you a good hiding today!

Jeremy Vine : 0, Starbucks : 1

And you wonder why I won't appear on your programme ... keesh!

I've got a proper job. Have you?

Today's show 15/03/11

Did you see Panorama last night? I don't normally watch it but made an exception as it was all about the illegal acquisition of personal information by so-called professional journalists. I was very pleased to hear that your favourite newspaper the Daily Mail was included in the report, so reinforcing my opinion of that particular member of The Dead Tree Press Preservation Society. However, at the end of the programme I was left wondering who I should believe. Should it be the accused journalists, or should I believe the less-than-perfect "holier than thou" BBC reporter? I came to the conclusion that they were all as bad as each other and, frankly, I couldn't care less.

Journalists : Scum, the lot of them. Good job you're only a talk-show host these days and well out of what they do, eh?

Eyes down for today's twaddle then...

1) FUKUSHIMA RADIATION FEARS - There's been a third explosion at the Japanese nuclear plant which was damaged in Friday's earthquake. We speak to a nuclear expert about the risks : Oooohhh, finally a "nuclear expert". Was he busy yesterday, or couldn't you be bothered to call him in? I suggest you listen to what he says but get him to start with something easy, like oil-fired central heating, and work your way up from there. Next...

2) MIDSOMER MURDERS - One of the creators of Midsomer Murders says it "wouldn't work" if the TV drama portrayed racial diversity in village life : He is entitled to his opinion. Interesting that on Ken's show you refered only to "English villages". As an Englishman living in a Welsh village I am part of a (racial?) minority, but that doesn't matter because it is not England, is it? You would do well to remember that you have listeners who are not in England. Next...

3) WAITING FOR BENEFITS - Are you waiting for benefit? Okehampton in Devon has recorded a large rise in demand for emergency food parcels : In answer to your question: No, I am not. Other than allow them to vent their anger, what are you going to do to help those people who are waiting? Next...

4) LOST KEYS - And should you put your contact details on your keys in case you lose them? : From radiation leaks to lost keys in one programme - fantastic. By the way, this isn't news.

"The Jeremy Vine Show - for all of the latest utter bollocks"

UPDATE 1:

I've just read this on one of my favourite web sites (http://biased-bbc.blogspot.com/2011/03/its-chernobyl-all-over-again.html):

IT'S CHERNOBYL ALL OVER AGAIN!
>> TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2011
The BBC have gone nuclear over...erm, the nuclear problems at Fukushima. Today has been busy constructing  an agenda that the Japanese Government "lies" (according to Roger Harradin) and is "blase" (according to James Naughtie) about nuclear problems. Undoubtedly the crisis at Fukushima has gotten worse and that is fair comment but the BBC seems determined to extend this into some sort of general attack on nuclear energy. I have to say that one's natural sympathy with the Japanese victims of the tsunami is now being eclipsed by anger about the BBC's overt manipulation of the Nuclear power plant issue. Not reporting - editorialising and always following a clear agenda.

So Jeremy, are you going to be following the corporate line and continue with this today?


UPDATE 2:

You just said, "Somebody got upset yesterday when I said the reactor contained plutonium"

That sentence seems innocuous enough, but it tells me:

 - You did not research the topic.

 - You have no interest in broadcasting correct and accurate facts.

 - You have an utter contempt for anybody that dares criticise or correct what you say.

Had you have said "Somebody corrected me yesterday when I said the reactor contained plutonium" then I would not have sent this email. Use of the words "got upset" tells me that you couldn't care less, but then I knew that already.

Complaint lodged on BBC web site:

During a discussion about the Japanese nuclear energy problems Mr Vine said, "Somebody got upset yesterday when I said the reactor contained plutonium". Use of the words "got upset" suggests to me that Mr Vine has an utter contempt for anybody that dares criticise or correct what he says, and that he has little or no interest in broadcasting correct and accurate facts.

My complaint is that Mr Vine has been disrespectful of "somebody" (presumably a listener) who has attempted to correct his error and has dismissed that correction as something that does not matter.

Had Mr Vine have said "Somebody corrected me yesterday when I said the reactor contained plutonium", or similar, then I would not have sent this complaint.

Today's show 11/03/11

Can nobody be bothered to create a proper web page for you today? No "Read more here" links? Oh well...

1) Earthquake in Japan - Tragic, and probably worthy of discussion as long as you stick to facts and avoid conjecture and speculation. I might just listen to this! Next...

2) Bin lorries blocking roads - Is this news, or just an excuse for a few callers to have a good old-fashioned rant? It is not something that I can ever remember affecting me, but if it has it was obviously so insignificant to be easily forgettable. Anyway, you mentioned in the trail on Ken's programme that this arises from an incident in Camden, north London - about 250 miles from here. You also mentioned something about hire bikes and fobs, and we don't have those around here. More radio for London and the South East I think. Next...

3) Discount vouchers - I don't know of any restaurants around here that take these, and the nearest fast food outlets are over 20 miles away. I entered "Wales" in to the TopTable web site and it told me that there are two restaurants in Llandudno that accept their vouchers, but they are 50 miles from here. Next...

4) Terry Walton - More pointless sound effects, and definitely not news.

So, one news story, and three that are definitely only News Entertainment.


UPDATE 1:

Interesting...

"We have a major discrepancy about the (tsunami) timing". Your contributor said "... at about 3am their time" and you said "I have 13:07". As I type this the time is 12:19GMT here, and according to http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ it is 02:19 in Honolulu, Hawaii. So, that means that 13:07 here will be 03:07, or "about 3am their time" in Hawaii. Do you still think that that is a discrepancy, or did you not listen to what your contributor said?

Anyway, we had about six minutes of useful information and then we had to hear from somebody who was in Phuket on Boxing Day 2004, who seemed more interested in telling us about changing his hire car than anything else.

Needless to say, I was not disappointed or surprised by your coverage of this event.


UPDATE 2:

Hey... this is fun! I've carried on listening, the first time for a long, long time that I have done this.

 

My prediction of a good old-fashioned rant wasn't wrong, was it?

 

That "broadcaster and writer" woman didn't disappoint, but then she is only a broadcaster so why should I care what she thinks?

 

I am sure that fire fighters, trawlermen or motorway maintenance crews would take issue with that idiot from the GMB about bin men having the most dangerous job in Britain. Why did you choose to speak to the GMB rather than a council or company that actually operates bin lorries? Just for a more balanced view, you understand.

 

Your description of the Manchester woman "snarling like a dog" is interesting too, especially as you named her. Were you there? If not, how do you know she did this? Or are you just relying on hearsay for this information? And why isn't she on the show to defend herself? This sounds like a character assassination to me.

 

Now... should I stay tuned for the next hour?

UPDATE 3:

Still listenng!

 

I've already told you about TopTable and their nearest location is 50 miles away from me.

 

Now looking at GroupOn and their web site refuses to even acknowledge that North Wales exists. The nearest cities to me, it says, are Liverpool and Cardiff. Geography is obviously not their strong point as Bangor is my nearest city, and 25 miles away.

 

Exactly the same restrictions apply to LivingSocial ... nothing around here.

 

I loved your comment about Pizza Hut: "We're on a journalistic search for the truth" ... There obviously is a first time for everything!

 

This whole discussion is completely irrelevant to me. No change there then.

 

Sorry, but I really can't be bothered to listen to Terry.

Today's show 07/03/11

Good morning!

So how is your Pet Obesity campaign going? Where do I sign-up? Oh... what's that you say? You couldn't be bothered? I knew my £1000 would be safe.

Anyway, and moving on, let's see if I can find four good reasons not to listen to your programme today. How about these...

1) Prince Andrew - Prince Andrew is under a final warning. Is he an embarrassment to Britain? : Listening to the 8am news today I just knew that you would not be able to resist this one, but somehow I don't think you will be saying "... and our studio guest today is Prince Andrew". I don't have the time - or the interest - to find out exactly what is going on but I would not be surprised if you broadcast the usual daily dose of conjecture and speculation followed by a good old-fashioned undefended character assassination. I bet you'll use the word "paedophile" too. Next...

2) SAS - What on earth were the SAS doing in Libya? : Errr... have you watched the BBC news bulletin on your linked page? It seems to be fully explained there. Forgive me if I have got this wrong, but I have always been under the impression that the SAS's activities were secret. You know, secret, just like "Who is the target audience for the JV show?". So, what is there to discuss? Next...

3) Premature Babies - At 1, we’re joined by Dr Sarah Jarvis. A leading health advisor says at 23 weeks premature babies should be left to die : I'm glad that this story has been stolen from the Daily Mail as it saves me having to explain any further why this is of absolutely no interest to me. Next...

4) Banks - A Lib Dem MP has said shares in the rescued banks should be given to the public for free : You seem to be missing several points here:
 - Unless something has changed over the weekend, the Lib Dems are not in control of the Government so they are not in a position that allows them to do this.
 - As quoted on your linked page: It is not official Liberal Democrat policy.
 - As quoted on your linked page: "No decision has been taken about how or when this issue is going to be dealt with."
So, what is there to discuss? How about Nothing?

That looks like four pretty good reasons not to listen today. Any idea when you might discuss something that would be of interest to me? It has been six months now and I feel that I am being discriminated against. What are you going to do about that?

Today's show 08/02/11

Here we go with another two hours of listening to paint dry....

1) Banks - As the Chancellor announces another levy on banks, is it time to stop blaming the banks, or have they not suffered enough yet? : I'm not sure how much blame and suffering affects a company as I have always considered those emotions are entirely human traits. Next...

2) Small Print - Do you read it? : Yes, if only to see the look of anguish on a salesman's face as my pen hovers over the Customer's Signature space on an order form while I peruse what I am actually signing for. Next...

3) Traumatic Food Poisoning - Dr Sarah Jarvis joins us : Sounds horrible, and not the kind of thing I want to be listening to while I eat my corned beef sandwich today. Next...

4) National Anthem - Do you know ours? : Enough to get by, thank you. As for Ms Aguilera's performance at the Super Bowl and your "Can she be forgiven?" question it is best to remember that nobody died and the person who never made a mistake never made anything. Have you managed to find Blitheroe on a map yet?

Today's show 10/01/11

Aaahhh... the stand-in is back.

1) Bankers' bonuses - Prime Minister David Cameron attacks bankers’ bonuses. We talk to someone who says they’re a good thing. : I'm sure that you can find people who think your show is a good thing too. Pay me enough, and I'd agree. So what? Next...

2) Arizona Killings - Direct result of political rhetoric? : Only 10 days in to the New Year and rent-a-gob George Galloway is back on Radio 2. What the hell has he got to do with anything? Have you not noticed that he is no longer an MP? Does he have embarrassing photos of Jeremy? Why do you waste my licence fee on him? At least he does manage to maintain the depressingly low credibility of your show, so I suppose that is a benefit to you if not to us poor listeners who have to endure his inane tirades. Moving on, I loved your comment on Ken's show when you said "... some people think it would be a good thing to have a biased news channel ...". Let me educate you Matthew. Some people ALREADY THINK WE HAVE ONE, including myself. It is called the BBC. Take a look at http://biased-bbc.blogspot.com/ if you don't believe me. I can cite many, many examples of BBC bias, particularly its unwillingness to criticise itself. Next...

3) Swine Flu - Alternative  remedies or NHS best? : I last had flu in March 1978, and I have never knowingly eaten garlic. Do you think there is a link? Next...

4) Undercover policeman now backing those he investigated : I sense a character assassination coming up, either by you or from a contributor. Such a shame that I won't be listening.

And why are you being sooooo slooooooow at updating your web page? How am I supposed to write this stuff without you providing the ammunition? I gave up waiting at 12:05 as I did not wish to be reminded of what you wasted our time with last Friday....!