199 replies to this topic

[garjones]

This is a local story that has implications that go further:

The global news broadcaster CNBC has axed its flagship business show World Business, following an exclusive expose earlier this week by Sarawak Report.[see previous story]

We revealed how BN politicians, including the Prime Minister Najib Razak, Abdullah Badawi and Taib Mahmud have been paying the production company, the UK-based FBC Media, millions of ringgit of taxpayers’ money to buy them positive publicity on the show.

Allowing slots to be purchased in this way, deceiving millions of viewers who thought they were watching impartial programming, is a serious breach of broadcasting laws, for which broadcasters such as CNBC’s parent company, the American broadcasting giant NBC, would be held ultimately responsible.

Last night the company’s acting chief executive, Charlotte Westgate, made this statement to Sarawak Report confirming the decision to withdraw the show:

“In light of serious questions raised last week, CNBC immediately initiated an examination of FBC and its business practices and has withdrawn the programme ‘World Business’ indefinitely.”

The BBC, who also carry programmes by FBC Media have yet to respond to our enquiries, however it is believed they too have launched an immediate enquiry into the activities of FBC Media. CNN has also carried a number of suspect shows made by FBC, including a number of interviews with Najib by the company’s President John Defterios.

http://www.sarawakreport.org/2011/08/cnbc-dumps-fbc-media-exclusive/

So far it only seems to be on that regional newspaper so I'm reserving a little scepticism but if it's true our media boys have been naughty again.

[Robert B]

Thoughts on this? Some of my Canadian friends are pretty bummed, even if it doesn't sound like a major surprise.

Opposition Leader Jack Layton dead at 61
Jane Taber
Ottawa— Globe and Mail Update

Jack Layton lost his biggest battle early Monday morning, succumbing to cancer. He was 61.

Surrounded by his wife, NDP MP Olivia Chow, other family members and friends, Mr. Layton died “peacefully at his home,” according to a statement issued by his wife and children Monday.

Mr. Layton looked gaunt, his voice very weak, when he held a news conference last month in Toronto to announce he was suffering from a second cancer. He vowed, then, that he would be back to work when the House of Commons resumed on Sept. 19.

He did not reveal what that cancer was. It is still not known.

At that time, he asked his caucus to accept a rookie MP, Nycole Turmel, as interim leader. It is not clear now whether she will continue in that role or how a formal leadership transition will work.

A popular politician – nicknamed Smiling Jack, for his charm and enthusiasm with life and politics – Mr. Layton orchestrated his party going from third place to Official Opposition status in the May 2 election.

Although he had been fighting a prostate cancer diagnosis and a fractured hip, he appeared healthy during the campaign. In fact, the cane he used to support himself became a lightning rod as the party’s support grew and grew.

The NDP victory in the election was based primarily on a huge breakthrough in Quebec and the collapse of the Bloc Québécois

In an lengthy interview with The Globe and Mail the day before the government fell last March, Mr. Layton said that he was fine, did not know why his hip had fractured but said the cancer had not spread.

He had led the NDP since 2003, and had just turned 61 on July 18.

In a statement Monday, Governor-General David Johnston said of Mr. Layton: "He dedicated his life to serving his fellow citizens. He did this with so much grace. He will be missed."

[Kalman Shemtov L]

I can't beleive nobody's discussing the Palastinain State bid.US prepared to veto

[Christian U]

What do you think of it, Shemtov?

[Arjan Dirkse]

Italy's credit rating downgraded. Oh merda...

The people who claim to understand the economy say that the Greek crisis has spread like an infection to Italy. Is that really true or is it just a nonsense metaphor?

[Arjan Dirkse]

I can't beleive nobody's discussing the Palastinain State bid.US prepared to veto

I am not sure there is anything left to say. All the major political players are dug in their trenches and using the people as bargaining chips. The whole thing is so sad.

I hope the Arab Spring will change something in Israel/Palestine. The people, not the politicians, simply need to get together, seek out what they have in common, and find a workable solution instead of cutting their own little fenced off territories and fortresses out of the land.

[Ogul]

The people who claim to understand the economy say that the Greek crisis has spread like an infection to Italy. Is that really true or is it just a nonsense metaphor?

Well, all economies are connected, European ones more than others. If one country's doing bad, but not terrible, but then has financial ties to another country that is doing terrible, then that lowers the security of the first country, which makes them less stable too. It wasn't that Italy was doing great before Greece collapsed, but they would have been fine entirely on their own. But once Greece fell, they were the next weakest in line. Last I'd heard, Ireland and Spain were also in the air, although things might have changed.

[garjones]

Italy's credit rating downgraded. Oh merda...

The people who claim to understand the economy say that the Greek crisis has spread like an infection to Italy. Is that really true or is it just a nonsense metaphor?

Mostly a nonsense metaphor with a grain of truth. What is harming Italy is the same issue as everywhere else from the US to most of Western Europe, the crash of 2008 exposing too much borrowing, the resulting unemployment meaning reducing revenue and higher welfare costs causing a downward spiral.

Greece struggling doesn't help but they aren't significant enough to take down a much bigger economy like Italy.

[David Meadows]

I hope the Arab Spring will change something in Israel/Palestine. The people, not the politicians, simply need to get together, seek out what they have in common, and find a workable solution instead of cutting their own little fenced off territories and fortresses out of the land.

When people rose up in armed conflict against the Libyan government, the world was right behind them and bombing the Libyan army for them.

If people (i.e. Palestinians) rise up in armed conflict against the Israeli government, do you think we will do the same?

[Ogul]

When people rose up in armed conflict against the Libyan government, the world was right behind them and bombing the Libyan army for them.

If people (i.e. Palestinians) rise up in armed conflict against the Israeli government, do you think we will do the same?

No, because Israel has too much unquestioning support from certain quarters. If politics weren't a factor, Palestine would be a country tomorrow, but the politics are too much of a third rail and the pro-Palestine barely matters either way. Palestine has NO hope if they look to the outside wold for change. Their ONLY hope is to bring the Israeli citizen over to their side in numbers sufficient to elect a pro-reconciliation regime in the Israeli government, that would allow change to happen internally. They can't bully Israel into surrendering anything, they can't get the rest of the world interested enough to take their side against Israel (at least nobody that has the capability to do so). They have to convince the Israeli people of the merits of their case, and every act of terrorism that goes unchecked by Palestinian security is another nail in the coffin of that ever happening.

Edited by Ogul, 20 September 2011 - 10:21 AM.

[Arjan Dirkse]

When people rose up in armed conflict against the Libyan government, the world was right behind them and bombing the Libyan army for them.

If people (i.e. Palestinians) rise up in armed conflict against the Israeli government, do you think we will do the same?

I don't hope so, and I hope you don't think that that was what I was implying.

By people I mean the Jews and the Muslims of Israel/Palestine. Jews who live in Israel and Jews who live in the Palestinian territories and Muslims who live in Israel and Muslims who live in the Palestinian territories. Rather than listening to the hyped up rhetoric of their leaders they all need to look at he perspective of the other side. I dunno, visit each pther and chat about stuff. Just to see how much they have in common. It's much more difficult to bomb someone's house when you just had tea with their family.

[Kalman Shemtov L]

No, because Israel has too much unquestioning support from certain quarters. If politics weren't a factor, Palestine would be a country tomorrow, but the politics are too much of a third rail and the pro-Palestine barely matters either way. Palestine has NO hope if they look to the outside wold for change. Their ONLY hope is to bring the Israeli citizen over to their side in numbers sufficient to elect a pro-reconciliation regime in the Israeli government, that would allow change to happen internally. They can't bully Israel into surrendering anything, they can't get the rest of the world interested enough to take their side against Israel (at least nobody that has the capability to do so). They have to convince the Israeli people of the merits of their case, and every act of terrorism that goes unchecked by Palestinian security is another nail in the coffin of that ever happening.

Which won't happen as long as they insist that a Palestinian state should be free of Jews

[Ogul]

Which won't happen as long as they insist that a Palestinian state should be free of Jews

There was a clarification to that story that he was talking about Israelis as a nationality, not Jews as a religious group, which I think is a reasonable expectation for them to have. When they have defined borders it is within their rights to expel those that still hold foreign citizenship.

Edited by Ogul, 20 September 2011 - 06:59 PM.

[Arjan Dirkse]

We had our yearly speech by the Queen today outlining the government's plans for the coming year. I'm watching the post-speech debates now, and it's dire, it's not about actual stuff anymore, it's just a schoolyaqrd tiff.

"You're so dumb!"
"No man that's bullshit!"
"Go to your corner and sob, you silly person!"

[Christian U]

Which won't happen as long as they insist that a Palestinian state should be free of Jews

The question is, is there any way Israel will allow for a real two state solution?

[Arjan Dirkse]

Well obviously compromises need to come from both sides if the two state solution is going to work. If the Palestinians want a two state solution yet aren't willing to formally recognize one of those two states, then there's something wrong there as well. And obviously, if the thing Shemtov mentioned about not wanting any Jews in a Palestinian state is true, then that is completely wrong as well. Also, from the Israeli side of things, I can understand their hesitance in giving Palestinians full autonomy given the Palestinians inability or unwillingness to stop individuals engaging in terrorism.

If there is to be a solution to the conflict, there needs to be a common understanding that terrorism or any act of unprovoked violence is out of the question and anyone involved needs to be prosecuted. That is one point where the Palestinians have a long way to go. However it's also obvious that Israel needs to make the leap of faith and give Palestinians full control over their borders, airspace and security.

[Ogul]

And obviously, if the thing Shemtov mentioned about not wanting any Jews in a Palestinian state is true, then that is completely wrong as well.

It wasn't "any Jews," that was misreported, it was "any Israelis," which is a perfectly reasonable demand of a sovereign nation, to not have foreign nationals within their borders without their permission. Basically, they cannot allow Israeli settlers within their borders, particularly if those settlers would assert rights not granted to them by the Palestinian state, and which would then have those rights defended by the Israeli government, which we all know would be the outcome if their presence were to be allowed. Any Jews that fall within the borders of the Palestinian state will have to choose, either leave the area, return to Israel or go to some other country, or renounce their Israeli citizenship and become citizens of Palestine, owed no protections from the state of Israel.

[Kalman Shemtov L]

The question is, is there any way Israel will allow for a real two state solution?

If the Palestinians agree to allow Israel to put measures in place to make sure Radical Government won't Take over the Palestinian state.

[Christian U]

If the Palestinians agree to allow Israel to put measures in place to make sure Radical Government won't Take over the Palestinian state.

That's an interesting suggestion, but I find it hard to imagine how would go about it. What kind of measures would it entail?

[David Meadows]

How about (I'm not saying this is a good idea, just throwing it out for discussion) if the UN said, "We will recognise a Palestinian state but only a demilitarized one -- no army, no militia, no weapons other than what are reasonably needed by an internal police force. If you need military aid, the UN will provide it. If you build an army, we will come down on you like the wrath of Allah."