Pacific Quay Musings?

[26th of foot 6,084]

Pacific Quay Priorities.

 

As stated a few posts past, yesterday was the day for BBC Scotland's weekly Media Review. An allocated 40 minutes is a short time to cover a week's events. It is hosted by John Beattie(former rugby internationalist), co-presenter Anne Marie Watson lobs the odd question to the main protagonists, Stuart Cosgrove and Eammon O'Neill.  Three topics were up for discussion(review) yesterday lunchtime. The resignation of Scottish Finance Minister for sending 270 text messages to a 15/16 year old schoolboy was first, selection of journalists attending Prime Ministerial Briefings was second, and third was Michael Stewart's rant reference James Traynor.

 

Derek MacKay's resignation was allocated 7 minutes discussion, DrStu' wants a timeline on the story. The News, travel, weather, and sports news intervened for nine minutes, PM briefings lasted ten minutes, and Michael Stewart's vanity was awarded a scripted 14 minutes. H-u-n bashing was worth double the amount of time a Scot's Minister's resignation amid creepy circumstances. We should remember this, it is an indicator of PQ priorities.

 

DrStu' attended Hull UNiversity, his degree was in Drama. In his 68th year, he proved he still has the skills to script and choreograph a fifteen minute four-hander. John Beattie introduced the topic and spent a couple of minutes setting the scene. Already, both DrStu' and O'Neill were guffawing. There existed a real crackling of excited anticipation, Anne Marie yelped too, and Beattie inquired if he was accurately setting the scene? DrStu' assured him, he was doing very well. More laughing interfered before DrStu' embarked on a several minute soliloquy; Michael Stewart is fealess, both Stewart and Thompson are the best commentators on Scottish football ever, far better than the likes of MacPherson and Montford, and Stewart was highlighting the 'dark hand' claiming ra Sellik are racist. He legitimised these assertions by stating, "both Michael and Steven have opinions that matter because both have played the game at a substantial level"?

 

More guffawing ensued and I am thinking, Michael Stewart's 15 year career barely includes 150 first team appearances, is that substantial? Beattie mockingly scolds DrStu' for his long rant and apologises to O'Neill for not having the time to extrapolate. No problem, Eammon is not interested in football and begins with, "I've never heard of nor met James Traynor and wouldn't know him if I bumped into him". It didn't stop him delivering his scripted lines about Rangers being part of the story. Whataboutery was raised by DrStu', informed us the word emanated from the Slugger O'Toole website. He explained you are not allowed to morally condemn a lorry bomb by reminding those participating of the time the UDA planted a bomb. Do you see what DrStu' did there? References a general principle, but specifically highlights the UDA.

 

Jim Traynor is a former colleague of three of the four talking and O'Neill's opening statement sees DrStu' anxious to supply the necessary information. Traynor operates Level Five, Anne Marie wants to knoe more? "It's a PR firm operating out of Airdrie" shouts DrStu'. More laughing and then DrStu' introduces a bit of whataboutery, "Apparently he told us all in his Daily Record column that Rangers had died". A big theatrical laugh followed, then DrStu' introduced, the concept of, 'there's a squirrel'. ie Traynor had deliberately ran interference on a SKY interview conducted by a Formula 1 journo. Again, he explained the meaning of there's a squirrel but did not tell us the derivation. We await Phil McFournames for that one.

 

I hope all four receive their much deserved Equity Cards, a bravo performance?

 

 

 

A wee aside to Dr Eammon O'Neill.

 

Having listened to you for several years, I know you place great emphasis on the principles of accuracy and objectivity in Journalism. Your go to area of expertise is the American political system, particularly the post-war era; when referencing a contravention of those dearly held principles. Many years ago, I was required to attend a lecture on 'the Expansion of the Vietnam War'. One Knight of Camelot is held responsible, he was an ever present for seven/eight years, Robert McNamara. Many recognised McNamara's determination to sacrifice a country's principles to ensure a personal victory. 

 

McNamara searched for and found an Air Force General that would promote Carpet Bombing of North Vietnam. Paul Harkins strong suit went before him, "he willed himself to believe what he wished to believe and reject what he wished to reject". This became a tenet of what became known as, 'the McNamara Monarchy'. Setting a squirrel running would conclude with McNamara telling lies to the President to achieve a preferred prejudice.

 

The Cosgrove Monarchy has survived for 25 years at PQ. Your participation in yesterday's scripted four-hander(remember, you have never met and would not know James Traynor) compromised your dearly held journalistic principles. Playing the straight man for DrStu' to deliver lines of mis and disinformation will be remembered too. You have sold yourself, paid the asking price to take your place in the court of the Cosgrove Monarchy. You can ask Jum Spence if it's worth it? Oh, I loved your contribution to Cosgrove's 25 year celebration of broadcasting on BBC Scotland, "Stuart is an intellectual colossus". You were easy to identify, please continue to practice your off stage guffawing.

[JohnMc 2,754]

Great stuff 26th. 

[ian1964 10,724]

 

[26th of foot 6,084]

The Theatre of Hector.

 

Kenny MacIntyre is a staffer at BBC Scotland. Mostly, he is known for hosting midweek Sportsound. I think he is the last Rangers supporting Staffer in the football department of PQ? Kenny MacIntyre is married, has three children of school age, has a mortgage, and other responsibilities. Whilst hosting Sportsound last week, Michael Stewart deliberately went off on a rant reference James Traynor. Kenny MacIntyre warned Stewart, then began to distance BBC Scotland from his views. Stewart continued with allegations about Craig Whyte editing Traynor's Daily Record columns(obviously, this comes from Whyte's book being released this coming Friday; and just as obviously, a few copies of the book were freely available around the Gang Hut before publication) and, 'not being a fan of the way Rangers do things as a club', he criticised Rangers conduct in making application for a Fanzone. Once again, MacIntyre distances BBC Scotland from Stewart's preferred political prejudice. Kenny MacIntyre was protecting and doing his job.

 

Most of the usual suspects in the Gang Hut are Freelancers; DrStu', Big Dick, Tam Cowan, Michael Stewart, Jum Spence,.................... etc all enjoy a freedom of spouting an opinion without responsibility. eg Tam Cowan's school fees for his daughter's private schooling are not dependent upon cawing canny on Auntie Beeb and DrStu' doesn't need the comparative  peppercorn fees to support his impressive property portfolio. Thus, it was most surprising on Saturday to hear Off the Ball begin with scripted opening lines in Spanish from DrStu', replied to by Cowan. A eulogising of 'Peter' by both for protecting Alfredo Morelos, and then came the, 'let's throw Kenny MacIntyre under a bus' for doing his job :

 

DrStu' : well Thomas, today's show is indeed a landmark. This is the first time we have offered simultaneous translation to all our listeners. So, I have to say, Hola Escosia.

Tam : Si Senor.what's that(theatrical sniff)? Have you trod on something by the way?

DrStu' : No, I don't think so.

Tam : Is this the studio where Kenny MacIntyre did Sportsound? Oof, dearie me. I thought you had let one rip? It's an absolute shocker, what a week it's been.

 

DrStu' goes on to express concern for license fee payers!!!!! He defines Lost in Translation', tells us Jum Spence's favourite joke concerning Lost in Translation, lionises 'Peter' again, and wonders aloud, what is Spanish for muddle? DrStu' was specific in that ra Sellik should not be accused of racism. This thread has been running for over two years and Kenny MacIntyre's name is mentioned at regular intervals. The spectrum of accusation runs from shittin' himself to being untrustworthy, but more than anything else, his biggest demerit is being a fcuking H-u-n. I think MacIntyre had a Producer shouting in his ear during Stewart's diatribe, but both Cowan and DrStu' have decided to pile all the ridicule upon the Presenter.

 

Being a Staffer, you would imagine BBC Scotland senior management would intervene? Being a Staffer, MacIntyre must have access to his Trade Union official, bullying, particularly constant bullying should be taken seriously?

 

An excited DrStu' finished off by saying ra Sellik's complaint to OffCom was good because there will now be a published report naming all the names, "we can look forward to that"

 

 

 

"What a week it's been"? 

 

Last Friday, Chris McLaughlin appeared on BBC Scotland's lunchtime TV news, his item was concerning Craig Whyte's book. As stated, advance copies have obviously been available in the Gang Hut for some time. Chris lost his professionalism when rhyming off some quotes. He got through, "the DUP offered Craig Whyte a photo opportunity to ease him through a local difficulty", similarly with, "Craig Whyte claims he edited James Traynor's columns", but lost it into an open laugh when commenting on Whyte's thoughts reference the Rangers Board before taking control, "they were all Pompous buffoons". He reappeared on the Scottish Nine and did the very same thing. It's a comfort that BBC Scotland had to promote Chris twice to remove him from the need for such bias on a daily bias. 

 

It is amazing that a clown such as Whyte is now considered the voice of reason. I am positive that McLaughlin spent years informing us license fee payers that Craig Whyte was a stranger to the truth? It would appear truth is a movable feast within the Gang Hut.

 

 

 

Looking forward to that.

 

DrStu's claim that ra Sellik should not be accused of racism is worthy of some consideration. On the 29th December at Sellik Park, Rangers visit resulted in a victory 1-2, and many knew there would be a price to pay. Now, the St Johnstone fan is no strager to NOT flagging up Sellik racism. He took on the job of updating BBC Scotland's landmark documentary, 'Only an Excuse' first aired in 1986. His sidekick Tam Cowan congratulated DrStu' on this feat covering thirty years by saying, "ah hope yer tongue has been retreaded twice"? DrStu' failed to mention Mark Walters debut at Sellik Park on the 2nd January'88. Despite testimony from the likes of now Solicitor, Gerry Britton; DrStu' thinks such events as the match being held up for a total of 12 minutes to remove the carpet of bananas in front of the Jungle, as awkward and inconvenient in  modern Scotland.

 

Despite knowing both sectarian and racist abuse was recorded on the 29th December at Sellik Park, despite knowing the Police were actively investigating the accusations, and despite knowing both sectarian and racist abuse allegations were included in the Match Delegate's report; DrStu' chose to say ra Sellik should not be accused of racist abuse. Still, 'Peter' will be happy with his efforts. 

 

 

 

Edited February 10, 2020 by 26th of foot

[Doc 280]

Chapeau 26th!

 

Penetrating and hilarious insight into the ongoing farce that is BBC Scotland. Keep up the good work.

[JohnMc 2,754]

It's worth remembering that Off The Ball has a producer too, that person is ultimately responsible for the content broadcast by its presenters. They must have given the start and the overall tone the green light, if not suggested it in the first place. That strongly suggests the prevailing view in BBC Scotland. 

 

[ranger_syntax 4,329]

42 minutes ago, JohnMc said:

It's worth remembering that Off The Ball has a producer too, that person is ultimately responsible for the content broadcast by its presenters. They must have given the start and the overall tone the green light, if not suggested it in the first place. That strongly suggests the prevailing view in BBC Scotland. 

 

Not sure that the hosts will be steered by the producer in this case.

[Frankie 8,570]

11 minutes ago, ranger_syntax said:

Not sure that the hosts will be steered by the producer in this case.

The problem is the host is defacto one of the highest heid yins in British media...

 

He will decide the content, no-one else.

[JohnMc 2,754]

Sorry, I disagree @Frankie and @ranger_syntax the producer will have the final say. Now, a programme like Off The Ball, with two experienced and long serving presenters will see them have a considerable amount of input into the show, but ultimately it's the producer who calls the shots, agrees what topics they can discuss and the tone and direction it will take. That's not to say Cosgrove and Cowan aren't expressing their own views, I suspect they are, simply that those views are shared by the people behind the show and are probably shared by those in the sport and comedy departments at BBC Scotland. 

 

 

[26th of foot 6,084]

Communication - say what you mean, mean what you say?

 

I note the BBC headline this morning, 'Four men arrested in Lyra McKee murder'. In April last year, journalist Lyra McKee, 29, was shot while observing rioting in Derry's Creggan estate. The IRA admitted carrying out the murder, four men aged 20, 27, 29, and 52 were arrested this morning under the Terrorism Act. We can flesh this out, a line of Police containg the riot were being pelted with stones and bottles. Over the duration of several hours, in excess of 50 petrol bombs were hurled at the PSNI. A gap opened in the rioters and a balaclava clad gunmen stepped forward, kneeled, and fired seven rounds from a handgun. Lyra McKee was standing to the side of the police line, partially protected by an armoured landrover, she was hit in the eye by one of the last rounds fired.

 

Again, this thread has several mentions of Lyra McKee's murder because several of the usual suspects within PQ found the events awkward and inconvenient. Angela Haggerty was adamant that Soldier F should be prosecuted, when Lyra McKee's murder was raised, she replied the IRA are defunct and were protected by the Good Friday agreement. Her co-founder of 'Call it Out', Jeanette Findlay held the same view. Ironically, Jeanette in her designation as a Senior Lecturer at Glasgow University had been the target of an IRA postal bomb three months previously. McKee's murder was running interference on the PQ preferred line of prosecution of soldiers. 

 

As alluded to in earlier posts, DrStu' is the Grand Doyen and he has a habit of coming up with something to say. He would be better just admitting he does not have the answer, perhaps he likes the sound of his own voice? BBC Radio Scotland is his snowy linen canvas and he paints the picture. During the Media Review in late May, he settled the issue with, "Lyra McKee died in crossfire". The definition of Crossfire is fire emanating from two or more directions, passing through the same area. As the only shots came from the lone IRA gunman, then it appears DrStu' lied because it was most convenient.

 

On the same show, DR Eammon O'Neill added, "Lyra McKee was not targeted" and Shona Craven of the National was at pains for McKee's death not to be classified as murder, "we need a new classification". At Lyra's funeral, the Priest, Father Magill conducting began by asking, "why has it taken the murder of a 29 year old girl ..... "? Today's arrests prove how important language is in defining terms. How can one be charged with murder if we deny it occurred?

 

This Thursday, the media review will be defined by Sinn Fein's electoral gains in the Republic of Ireland. Both DrStu' and O'Neill will use specific language, urging Scotland to be on the right side of history. Denying a section of ra Sellik supporters indulged in racism despite two arrests, denying Lyra McKee's murder despite four arrests, means we have to examine DrStu's language. His communication skills are beginning to appear most similar to Phil McFournames.

Edited February 11, 2020 by 26th of foot