Today's show 05/12/11

My internet connection is not very good today as I think I have a damaged cable, so I think this will have to be quick before my connection dies again...

Today's issue that affects me: Why was the "new" Royal Mail online postage purchase web site launched with insufficient testing, and why is it now so difficult and complicated to use?

A quick scan of today's menu tells me that your Monday morning editorial meeting hit its usual problem of struggling to find something to talk about.

1) "WELL TO DO" PENSIONERS - A woman soldier says she was the first British female soldier to kill in battle. Why do some people feel uncomfortable about women killing? Find out more in this article from the Telegraph : Some mistake with your wording here, surely? See below. Anyway, I won't be a pensioner for over 10 years, and it will all have changed again by then, so I don't think this affects me. Next...

2) FEMALE SOLDIERS - A woman soldier says she was the first British female soldier to kill in battle. Why do some people feel uncomfortable about women killing? Find out more in this article from the Plymouth Herald : I have no idea as I am not one of the "some people" to which you refer. Sexism, alive and well on the Jeremy Vine Show. Next...

3) DEFIBRILLATOR - In our medical special today, Dr Sarah Jarvis joins us and asks: in an emergency, would you be able to use a defibrillator? We test drive one : No, and I am not sure that Defibrillation For Dummies on the radio is such a good idea. Next...

4) POSTAL WORKERS - Postal workers have been told that any tip of more than £30 could be interpreted as a bribe, and they could be prosecuted if they accept it : I'm not a postal worker. Our regular postman does a great job, but somehow I don't think I'll be giving him anywhere near £30 this year. Again, I don't think this is something I need to be concerned about.

There are no stories culled from the Daily Mail today, so to keep yourself amused during the records you could play with this: http://www.qwghlm.co.uk/toys/dailymail/

I'm sure some of those headlines have appeared as stories on your programme!

The Jeremy Vine Show - telling us why we don't like Mondays

Today's show 30/11/11

I do my best when writing to you and subsequently on my blog to deliberately not express an opinion either way on contentious issues and instead concentrate my ire on your programme, but every now and then I have to make an exception. Today is one of those days.

I'm busy today earning more money, so I can pay more tax, so I can buy a pension better than my own for somebody who I have never met and whose services I rarely, if ever, use. So quickly then...

1) PUBLIC SECTOR STRIKE - Up to two million public sector workers are taking part in a 24 hour strike over changes to their pensions. We speak to a striking teacher and a nurse who say you should support them. Unconvinced? They'll take your calls : Striking ... it is so last century. Wouldn't it be great if one week all of the wealth makers and decision takers decide to go on strike, just to see what happens. With all of those Diversity Coordinators sitting at home today watching Jeremy Kyle, how will the country possibly survive? A teacher I know wrote this on Facebook in support of the strike action: "If I don't turn up tomorrow at least 150 students will have their education harmed.". He is clearly far more important than I thought, and I can't help thinking he is not alone in thinking that holding the country's childrens' education to ransom is a good idea. There has already been criticism of the BBC about their coverage of today's strikes (of Evan Davies in particular) with our beloved state broadcaster's view being very much in favour of what is happening. Frankly, I could not care less which side of this particular argument you are going to take, but I'll take a guess that it does not coincide with mine. In the meantime, I found this amusing: http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/strikers-told-to-be-home-in-time-for-newsround-201111304607/. Next...

2) PUBLIC VS PRIVATE SECTOR - Are public sector workers really the 'haves' and private sector workers the ‘have-nots' in today's Britain? : Nothing to hear here, other than callers increasing their blood pressure. This will be nothing more than a good old-fashioned JV Show slanging match, with callers shouting over the top of each other while you sit back and pretend to have some control. Next...

3) PAUL MCMULLEN - Former News Of The World journalist, Paul McMullen, tells the Leveson Inquiry that phone hacking is "perfectly acceptable" and "privacy is for paedos." : Journalist scum. What do you expect? Next...

 

4) POTTERING IN SHEDS - New research suggests pottering in a shed can add years to a man's life. Has a shed been a tonic for your health? Find out more in this article from the Daily Mail : Excellent ... a nice sexist question from the Daily Mail. I don't have a shed, but my wife does. I'll ask her when she comes home from work.

 

The Jeremy Vine Show - normal service has been resumed

Today's show 07/11/11

Monday morning, so this shouldn't take long...

I hear that you stood in for Andrew Marr on TV yesterday morning. I can only hope that you asked your guests if any of them wanted a park bench as a memorial, if they had ever been injured by an umbrella, if they had ever had a piss in a hedge, whether they had ever had an argument in a car, and whether they refused to have naked pictures taken by a partner. After all, these are the questions were posed to your poor Radio 2 listeners recently so they must be important, or is it one rule for "us" and one rule for "them"?

I was surprised to hear you say on Chris Evans' programme this morning (when the Mystery Guest feature was no more than a promotion for your programme) that you have a meeting at 08:10 to decide the four stories to be covered each day. Why, then, is your web page not updated until at least two and sometimes three hours later?

 

Today's issue that affects me: Shall I go to the post office now, or later this afternoon?

Right, as the lights dim in London's West End while the Sympathetic Voice Generator is slowly brought back in to operation, let's move on to this Monday's meandarings...

1) M5 PILE UP - The M5 pile up on Friday night was almost certainly the worst for a generation. How do you react in a motorway crash? : While I have every sympathy for those involved on Friday, fortunately I have never been involved in a motorway crash, so I have no idea. My only involvement up until now is to sit in the resulting traffic jam while the investigations are carried out and think to myself "It wasn't like this 30 years ago". Did you know that in some USA states it is illegal to leave your damaged vehicle on the carriageway after an accident, and it must be removed immediately? Of course you didn't. I think it odd that the litigation culture that we have allegedly acquired from the USA has mutated in to something more than they have. With nearly every crash site now branded a Crime Scene, perhaps the words Road Accident can be removed from our vocabulary as there is, apparently, no such thing as an accident any more. Next...

2) NUCLEAR WEAPONS - If it can be proved that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, should we support a pre-emptive strike by Israel? : I'd like to hear Galloway's opinion before forming my own. Any chance you could get him on today? I'll then text my answer to 88291 so that you can collate it with the other votes and send the results to David Cameron, who will no doubt be awaiting your decision. Next...

3) CINDERELLA'S UGLY SISTERS - The Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering is staging a production of Cinderella and they’ve called the ugly sisters Beatrice and Eugenie after the Duke of York’s daughters. Is this acceptable? Find out more in this article from the Telegraph : If the cap fits.... Or should that be: If the ridiculous hat fits? Meanwhile, add my name to your list of people who could not care less. I'm sure the Lighthouse Theatre will thank you for the blatant advertising of their show. Next...

4) THE SONGS MY SON LOVED - All this week at 1:30 on Radio 2, Jeremy Vine presents a documentary where mothers tell the story of their sons that died in conflict through the music they loved: ‘The Songs My Son Loved’. Find out more from the BBC Radio 2 episode page : No comment, other than to ask: Were no daughters killed then?

 

I'll be listening to 6 Music if you want me.

Today's show 28/09/11

It has just occurred to me that there has been a subtle change to your daily Radio 2 web page since my return last week. Not once since then has there been a link to a story from a newspaper and all of the "Read more here" links are to BBC web pages. Is this purely coincidental, or is it an attempt to make your stealing of stories from the Dead Tree Press just a little less obvious?

The newspapers will, of course, continue to provide a good background for your daily discussion topics and they, unlike you, actually do the investigative journalism needed to provide the real story behind your scant descriptions. For example, yesterday you discussed Rory Weal's speech at the Labour Conference and described it thus:
RORY WEAL - We spoke to the star of the Labour Conference, a 16 year old Labour activist, who says his family owes everything to the welfare state
Interesting then that today both the Daily Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2042623/Rory-Weal-Child-star-Labour-conference-truth-life-poverty.html) and the Daily Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/8792350/Labour-conference-star-Rory-Weal-is-former-private-school-pupil-whose-family-fell-on-hard-times.html) have run stories concerning Mr Weal in which they describe his extremely privileged upbringing, which he seems to have somehow forgotten. Suggestions have been made that he would make a good MP, even a Prime Minister. With that kind of background and his selective forgetfulness he should go far.

Today's issue that affects me: An ebay seller accidentally lost my payment due to a PayPal error and didn't send the goods. We went through the ebay dispute process, he found my payment and sent me the goods AND a full refund but over a month after I made my purchase. The goods arrived and are in full working order. Should I send my payment again?

On today's meaningless menu then...

1) ED MILIBAND - In his speech to the Labour Party Conference, Ed Miliband has attacked the ‘something for nothing’ culture in Britain. He made a distinction between good companies and bad companies. Do you work for a business that is a predator or a producer? : Oooohhh, I hope I'm a predator! You must be a predator too as you don't produce anything. So, according to Ed, it will up to the State to decide which companies are "good" and which companies are "bad". That should be fun. I wonder how he is going to do that. Did you notice, as I did, that he seems to have had some speech reading coaching? He now. Talks in. Very short. Sentences. Instead of listening to your discussion I'll keep myself amused by taking another look at http://awkwardedmilibandmoments.tumblr.com/. Next...

2) RIHANNA - A half naked Rihanna is told by a God-fearing farmer to stop filming her video on his land. A local journalist says he’s made Northern Ireland a laughing stock : Good to see a story that does not have its roots in London and the South East, even if it is a day old. And good to see that a local journalist (presumably the BBC "entertainment correspondent" featured in the film clip) continues to fight for a grip on anything to do with the Real World. I'm sure she'll get over it, it really isn't important. As for being half naked... I've told you a million times: Don't exaggerate! I was amused by a comment on your Twitter feed where one of your lucky followers (not me, of course, as I am still BLOCKED) who wrote "I assumed this must be midwestern US - now I read & see it's Wales!!!". No wonder your programme is lost on me. Next...

3) AFFAIRS - Lib Dem MP John Hemming says his wife was aware of his affairs. Are you a wife who’s turned a blind eye to your husband’s infidelity? : Am I a wife? No. Are you? Good to see sexism alive and well on the JV show. How about a husband who turns a blind eye to his wife's infidelity, or don't they make good radio? Next...

4) GREECE BAILOUT - The Greek Prime Minister says his country is suffering as it does everything the EU is asking of it to cut its deficit. But do you think the Greek people are suffering enough? : Good question! Yes..., errr..., I mean No. Oh, I don't know. Unfortunately I'm a bit busy today, otherwise I would have booked a flight for my first trip to Greece and asked them. It would be the least I could do and only then would I be able to form an opinion and answer your question. In the meantime, can I tick the "Don't Know" box?

The Jeremy Vine Show - last with yesterday's news, again


UPDATE:


Just seen JV's script on Twitter ... interesting use of commas and apostrophes:

Today's show 29/06/11

Oooohhh... I'm late today, as I was busy dealing with a valued customer. So, let's get on with it...

Following The Guardian's revelations about BBC expenses at Wimbledon, your favourite news rag has also found a story concerning BBC expenses: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1394675/BBC-spends-6-400-day-luxury-travel-despite-pledging-expenses-cut.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Again, allow me to quote:
BBC spends £6,400 a day on luxury travel despite pledging expenses cut
The BBC bill for first and business class travel soared by 60 per cent in the last financial year despite the corporation's pledges to cut expenses.
Matthew Sinclair of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: 'The management at the BBC seem to be completely out of touch.
'While everyone else is cutting back they are still expecting first class treatment at licence fee payers' expense.
'It is also very disappointing that they are still resisting proper transparency.
'Taxpayers should be able to see how their money is spent.'

Good to see that Mr Sinclair refers to us, the Licence Fee payers, as "taxpayers" - a view with which I concur.

Also, did you hear about so-called journalist Johann Hari? He, like many of his brethern, decided that if he didn't like what somebody said in an interview then he would substitute different words. Details are here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/johann-hari-denies-he-plagiarized-during-interviewsbyhari/2011/06/28/AGGk0ApH_blog.html.

You see, I keep saying that journalists make this stuff up. Scum, the lot of them.

Right, moving on to today's irrelevancies then...

1) HIGH STREET - Nearly ten thousand jobs are likely to go on the high street and up to fourteen percent of shops are now empty. But given we have out-of-town shopping and the internet, should we stop feeling sentimental about the high street? In the 21st Century, is it time to let the high street go? Jeremy talks to Jeremy Baker; Affiliate Professor at ESCP Europe Business School and Chris Wade; Chief Executive of Action for Market Towns. Find out more in this Guardian article : This may be true of where you live, but it certainly is not the case around here. We try not go to our nearest town between 10am and 4pm during the summer months as it is heaving, and use other outlets instead. We don't have any out-of-town shopping anywhere near here, and even the nearest DIY and electrical retailer "sheds" are in a town, albeit 25 miles away. Next...

2) CRAIG THOMSON - Scottish footballer Craig Thomson has been suspended from Hearts Football Club, after being placed on the sex offenders register for sending indecent images to underage girls. Some say he should never play again. However, Marlon King was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman and punching her in the face and went to jail, but he's now back playing football for Birmingham City. Jeremy talks to Josie Appleton; Manifesto Club and Anne Houston; Chief executive of the Children1st charity : Who? Oh, he's a sports person. I have no idea why you are singling out footballers today, and this really is of no interest to me. Next...

3) CHRISTINE LAGARDE - Former French finance minister Christine Lagarde has been appointed new head of the IMF. She once suggested that if women had been running the economy and the banks, we'd have never had the financial crash. We imagine a world in which the crash never happened, because women were in charge : "We imagine a world" ... you make it sound as though you are doing something different. Every day you imagine a world in which you think people are actually worried about handbags, polytunnels, fried chicken shops, sharing toothbrushes, church organists, wart treatment by shotgun and exploding glass tables. Things are actually very different for those of us who live in The Real World. Is the news menu on offer today really so bad that we have to start imagining "what would happen if...?". Next...

4) DISABLED TOILETS - And finally, should able-bodied people be allowed to use disabled toilets? Jeremy talks to actress and disability rights campaigner Julie Fernandez. Find out more in this Sun article : And the Jeremy Vine Show finally reaches rock bottom with a story culled from that doyen of The Dead Tree Press - The Sun. And it is a story about somebody called Wayne Rooney, who I think might be another footballer. Seriously, am I meant to care? Can your programme get any worse than this? Sadly, the answer to that question is probably "Yes".

The Jeremy Vine Show - talking toilets, as usual.

Today's show 16/03/11

Right, let's look at the "issues that affect me" today, ref. your recent Radio 2 jingle...

1) PICKING DAFFODILS - A family are enjoying a trip to a park in Poole. The children are picking daffodils. The police are called, and arrive in a squad car to watch them and then intervene! : Oooohhhh... an exclamation mark. That one character tells us poor listeners exactly what you think of this. Your colleague Jonathan Dunlop in the BBC complaints department wrote to me (Reference CAS-634712) recently and said: "BBC journalists are well aware of our commitment to impartial reporting. They are expected to put their own views to one side when carrying out their work for the BBC.". So what happened to that policy then? Ah yes, I know... He gets out on a technicality BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT A JOURNALIST any more! This country would be a much better place without our airwaves being polluted with insignificant stories such as this. Next...

2) BRITISH RESCUE TEAM DENIED ACCESS TO JAPAN - A row has broken out after a British rescue team were turned back from Japan because the British Embassy won't give them the credentials they need to work in the disaster zone : What are you going to about it then? Shout, scream, stamp your foot, or just nothing?

3) JAPAN IMAGES - Is there something horrible about the way images of the destruction of Japan play out across our screens almost as if they’re entertainment? Is your bloke excited in a way that makes you uncomfortable? : Errr... I don't have a bloke. Is watching this stuff like your show? You know, News Entertainment? And there is nothing like a bit of lunchtime sexism is there Jeremy? My congratulations for maintaining your pathetically low standard. Next...

4) HEALTH SPECIAL: ANDREW LANSLEY MP - We put the government’s changes to the NHS under the microscope — how will it affect you, putting so much power back into the hands of doctors? Is the change worth the upheaval? Are you annoyed this huge policy wasn’t mentioned before the election? The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley will join us : My answers in order: It probably won't, don't know, no. I'm pretty sure that this only affects England too.

Now, which of today's issues affects me? Oh yes, none of them, as usual.


UPDATES:


Against my better judgement I listened to part of JV's show today. As part of the British Rescue Team story he interviewed Foreign Office minister Jeremy Browne MP. Mr Browne earnt my life-long respect my starting with the sentence "Let's bring some perspective on to this programme". Good man! He then went on to explain in clear and easily understood language the situation regarding this particular rescue team. Vine was having none of it though and accused the minister of not answering the question several times (which, in my view, he had) and went on to exert his self-appointed authority over the minister. Mr Browne was having none of it, and gave as good as he got.


I sent the following emails:

To: The JV Show

Are you deaf?

Jeremy Brown MP has explained the situation perfectly and is a complete star. Why cannot you just accept what he says?

But no, you have to show him who is boss and ask your stupid questions after he has explained EXACTLY what has happened and after he has already answered them.

I loved his line "Let's get some perspective on to this programme". That will never happen.

Why do you hate it so much when somebody criticises you? You should get professional help!

To : Jeremy Browne MP, cc : The JV Show

Dear Mr Browne,

I've just been listening to you on Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show where you gave a concise and perfectly understandable explanation as to why the International Rescue people had been denied access to Japan.

I can only come to the conclusion that Mr Vine chose deliberately to ignore your explanation and instead attempted to impose his biased viewpoint on you and us unfortunate listeners.

My sincere congratulations, and thanks, go to you for being the first person for a long while to put him back in the gutter where he belongs.

To : The JV Show

You just said that you had a call from the rescue team and " ... they did have permission from the Japanese, and they have that in writing ...".

This just goes to prove that you are not a journalist.

A journalist would have asked the rescue team people about this BEFORE tackling the Minister. Even I would have to agree that it would have made your exchange with him more relevant.

But instead you couldn't be bothered to ask the question or do the research and instead attempted to "wing it", failing miserably in the process.

You are a disgrace to Radio 2.

Complaint lodged on BBC web site:

Mr Vine interviewed Foreign Office minister Mr Browne As part of a discussion concerning a British rescue team and their efforts to work in Japan.

Mr Vine asked the minister a direct and plain question, which the minister then answered in clear and understandable language. His reply, in my opinion, answered Mr Vine's question perfectly and exactly. Mr Vine did not accept the minister's response and then attempted to stifle his further contributions by simply repeating the same question over and over again, despite the fact that I and presumably many other listeners already had heard the answer.

After the interview had ended Mr Vine said that he had just had a call from the rescue team and " ... they did have permission from the Japanese, and they have that in writing ...". I take the view that this information would have been more relevant had it been obtained BEFORE Mr Vine spoke to the minister, and would certainly have made the interview more meaningful.

My complaint is that Mr Vine (a) chose not to listen to or accept the minister's explanation of events, (b) failed to research the topic before conducting the interview, and (c) so failed to put this extremely relevant piece of information to the minister during the interview.

Today's show 25/02/11

The irrelevance continues and gets worse...

1) Colonel Gaddafi - Does Britain have any of Colonel Gaddafi's billions and, if so, what should we do with them? : So, which bank do you think is going to call your pathetic programme and say, "Yes, Mr Gaddafi has an account with us, which currently contains £x million". Dream on! As for what to do with it, I'd suggest giving it to the BBC so that they have sufficient financial resources to provide me (a licence payer) with some decent lunchtime radio entertainment. Pigs preparing for take-off...! Next...

2) Tesco Express - Another blow to the community? - I missed your trail, and there is no link on your web page, so I have no idea what this about. For your information, my nearest shop of any kind is 4 miles away. A Tesco Express in the village would be of use, but I'm not sure it would make any money. Whatever this is about, my prediction is that it is irrelvant to me. Next...

3) Car Insurance - Should your gender affect your premium? : I knew you wouldn't let me down! This is a Daily Mail story! YAY! Let's all celebrate. Anybody who doesn't change their car insurance company *every* year is spending more money than they need to. And I'm not a woman. Next...

4) Dying Relatives - Do you remember their last words? : A nice cheery story to end the week, sending us all off in a good frame of mind for the weekend. Oh, I'm being sarcastic in case you hadn't noticed. What happened to Terry Walton? I miss him.

Now, and I never thought I would say this, but I'm looking forward to JV's return next week. At least his topic bias is more bearable than we have seen this week.

Ms Feltz : The choice of discussion topics this week has sunk to levels of irrelevance that I thought were impossible, and I can only assume that you have had some influence on this. Now, please go back to your normal programme and don't come back. And please, please, please, take the JV Show's format with you. Let's banish it to the middle of the night where it belongs.

One word to sum up this week's programmes : DIRE

Now, go away.

Today's show 27/01/11

Good to see that somebody is doing their job at last... Your web site was updated with today's topics by 11:15, and Paddy O'Connell has finally been despatched from whence he came.

1) Phone Hacking - The police are going to spend millions of pounds investigating phone hacking. Is this a good use of police time and money? : I have no idea, but the evidence suggests that something has been going on. If prosecutions result then it will just go to show the type of scum that work for news organisations in the name of journalism. These are the very same people that feed us - their poor readers, viewers and listeners - a diet of misinformed, inaccurate and fear-inducing drivel that, unfortunately, far too many people believe to be The Truth. This whole issue, yet again, erodes their credibility in my mind and is, hopefully, yet another nail in the coffin of the Dead Tree Press. Did you see Charlie Brooker's "How TV Ruined Your Life" this week? Utterly brilliant! Next...

2) Nimrod or World Service? - Which would you save? : Jeremy Vine meets the X-Factor. Does the one with the most votes get saved? Thought not. Next...

3) Andy Gray - Is there one in your workplace? : Ooohhh... good question. I need to check.... hang on... OK, I've looked around the room and there is nobody else here, so I guess the answer to your question is "No". Unless you mean me? Next...

4) Banning Phones or iPods - While crossing the road : So the actual headline is "New Yorkers 'to be fined for using mobile phones when crossing roads" as in New York, USA. The word "or" does make me wonder why they would want to ban one and not the other though. I wonder how they will decide which one has to go. Anyway, this has nothing to do with the UK, so why do you consider it to be worthy of national debate? But let's look on the bright side... it has taken you until 27th January to feature a story that involves banning. Good effort!

Today's show 26/01/11

Aaahhhh... a sunny day here in North Wales, your third day back in the Hot Seat and still your web site says "Paddy O'Connell sits in for Jeremy all this week". Go on, take a look, it is there, right below the three pre-fab pictures, and with Paddy's photo below that. Oh well...

1) Mervyn King - Mervyn King says we’ll all have to take a big pay cut if the economy is to recover. Are we all in it together? : This forms an interesting juxta-position with yesterday's discussion about economic growth. As a sole trader I would deliberately have to turn business away in order to earn less, so stifling economic growth apparently and not doing myself any favours. On that basis I'm sorry but this topic is of no interest to me.  Next...

2) Fiddled Expenses - Let down black community? : Racism at lunchtime? Well, I guess it makes a change from paedophilia. Until I read this I had not managed to make any connection between Lord Taylor's crime and the colour of his skin. I really hope that somebody has the guts to take you to task for this, but unfortunately I won't be listening. The Daily Mail will be proud of you. Next...

3) Sexism Row - Should The Sun get rid of Page 3? : Errrr... sorry, I don't understand. The linked page is from The Sun and describes the sacking of somebody called Andy Gray from Sky Sports (sport, who cares?) and makes no reference to Page 3. Now, let me think.... The Sun is owned by Rupert Murdoch, and the BBC don't like the Murdoch Empire, do they? So this discussion acts as a Double Whammy against two branches of the Murdoch Empire: SkyTV and The Sun. Yes, I think that must be it. Anyway, we don't receive Sky Sports and I have never bought a copy of The Sun. Next...

4) Proposal - Left on the wrong answer phone : Sweet, but it is not news, is it? Go on, be honest. The Jeremy Vine show: Great music, the latest news, and any other old twaddle we can find on the BBC's web site.

Today's show 25/01/11

My timing is a bit better today...

Your second day back and your web page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/jeremy-vine/) still says "Paddy O'Connell sits in for Jeremy all this week" below the pictures of the pre-fabs, which are soooo old news now. I'll leave you to kick the backside or fire whoever is supposed to take responsibility for this. In the meantime, I shall take smug satisfaction that a so-called news programme cannot even get the facts right about its own show. What hope is there for any real news story, eh? Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy, and typical.

1) Economic Growth - Economic growth has unexpectedly declined by 0.5%, but we speak to someone who says their factory is booming : Sorry, I have far too much work in my own business to find time to listen to this. Next...

2) Dementia - When did you realise you couldn't cope? : I am fortunate that I don't have dementia, so this is of no interest to me. Next...

3) Lineswomen Row - 2 commentators suspended : You never miss an opportunity to "have a go" at another broadcaster, do you? Anyway, it is only sport so who cares? I don't! As it was in the Daily Mail you will have seen Peter Sissons' comments concerning his time at the BBC (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1349506/Left-wing-bias-Its-written-BBCs-DNA-says-Peter-Sissons.html). Should I be surprised that you are conveniently ignoring his accusations of BBC bias? I thought not, as it is not as much fun as mud-slinging at another broadcaster, is it? Next...

4) Swimming Pool - Could be heated by crematorium : Is this news? It is due to be debated on 7th February, so hasn't even got past the initial approval needed. Zzzzzz....