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Bureau of Investigative Journalism. John Cusack's Argument Weakens Further.

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The Angry Man. 

Board Member of Freedom of The Press Foundation

Censors me :)

Everyone will recall my short skirmish with Hollywood Actor - John Cusack. Past write-ups of this disagreement can be read here, here and here . Cusack continues to block me on Twitter for having the temerity to criticise the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Cusack is on the board of the organisation - Freedom of the Press Foundation. While Cusack's anger is now stratospheric with no meditation in sight, his case to support the Bureau appears to be falling flat on its face. Not only do numerous people support my position but another case unearthed itself recently where the Bureau's reporting was unreliable. 

Recently, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism's problems deepened as the BBC upheld a complaint. The entire tale can be read on the BBC website here. 

"The internal investigation into the report by former Bureau of Investigative Journalism chief reporter Angus Stickler found that there was no evidence to back Newsnight's claim about Help for Heroes. 

In the apology, the BBC will say: "Following an investigation by its Editorial Complaints Unit, the BBC now accepts that its coverage was misleading and unfair to Help for Heroes. 

"The BBC gave the impression that Help for Heroes was responsible for shortcomings in the provision of support to wounded veterans. The editorial complaints unit found no evidence to support this suggestion. 

"The Newsnight report was a complete shock to us, but an even bigger shock to the men and women we're helping to recover.” 

"Although it was legitimate to report the concerns of veterans, the BBC portrayed criticisms about overall support by a number of agencies as specific criticisms of Help for Heroes. This unfair impression was reinforced by our coverage of the story in other outlets. 

"In addition, the Newsnight report contained interviews with two contributors which were edited in a way which misrepresented their views."

The Press Freedom Foundation continues to support the Bureau of Investigative Journalism without question.  Note very carefully that they have changed the language of donations :). This screen grab was taken sometime ago while John and I argued over this very point.  Of course, the more cynical of us will look at this startling redesign with interest. My concern really is this - if all these numerous reports by the Bureau are unreliable, can we rely on other "stories" produced by the Bureau?

 Website Before the Argument With John Cusack 

Website After Argument With John Cusack.

Richard Burton Interview "A sense of wonder. If one loses that, one loses everything"

I love Richard Burton. There is no doubt about it. He has the most beautiful Welsh voice.
Anyway, here is a fantastic interview with him. It is a shame men aren't made like him anymore.

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I can see clearly now.

I remember this song from the 1990s. My father was around then and we used to go the movie theatre together. There was an advert on just before the film, it had this song. My dad who had become disabled at the time, loved this song. Anyway, I thought I would keep it here as it reminds me so much of him and the simpler outlook he had on life in general. 

Love

James and Lauretta Burke were married 64 years. They met when James returned home from serving as an army officer in World War II. When a neighbour introduced him to Lauretta, he said he knew immediately that he wanted to make her his wife.

But she wasn’t ready yet. Lauretta insisted on finishing school at Mt. Mary College before getting married. So the Saturday after her graduation, they exchanged vows. They went on to have five children, twenty-three grandchildren, and a very happy life.

A few years ago, at the age of 87, Lauretta was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Shortly after, James had to have surgery to implant a pacemaker, which kept him in and out of the hospital for months.

“He was basically living for her,” the couple’s granddaughter said. “They were like the same person after being together for so long, and he didn’t want to give up because she knew that he needed him there.”

James used his last moments to amend his will so that his wife would have the best possible treatment for her Alzheimer’s when he passed on. On November 13, 2012, he passed away and left a legacy of love in his wake.

Sunrise

Truth Minority

I have always been an admirer of Gandhi. This quote particularly struck me as relevant. It appears that we all have to pay a price for citing the truth. The most recent experience I have had was on John Cusack's Twitter account.   

Rumi

I was introduced to the poet Rumi by a young man whom I called the Prince of Kashmir. He was a 13th Century Persian poet who wrote the most beautiful poetry. Wikipaedia has more about him. A collection of Rumi's poetry can be downloaded here. There is a website dedicated to him here.

Parrot love.

This is a video of a rare parrot. Stephen Fry is narrating the rather unusual events that took place. Its quite hilarious. 

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Sacrilege

Interesting music video. The song is pretty good as well.

Albert Einstein. How I see the world?

This is a excellent documentary about how Einstein saw the world. Gives a different perspective of how we should view the life around us. 

Donations. Press Freedom Foundation, Bureau of Investigative Journalism

Following my previous posts concerning my skirmish with John Cusack and the Press Freedom Foundation, I came across some interesting material written by a UK Member of Parliament. As everyone will recall, I asked John Cusack a question on the reliability of journalism originating from the Bureau and the fact that the US public should be made aware of the scandal in the UK. His response was to cite that I did not do my home work alleging that my question was invalid. Everyone can read his response here. I subsequently ceased to support the Press Freedom Foundation. 

Anyhow, having done my home work, I came across this link.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen has just tabled this Early Day Motion:

"That this House deplores the appalling quality of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s investigation into Lord McAlpine for Newsnight, notes that the former Managing Director of BBC Television, Will Wyatt, described it as ‘completely terrible journalism’, notes that the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has previously criticised Help for Heroes, believes the Bureau of Investigative Journalism is totally discredited as a serious producer of quality journalism, regrets that the investigation has taken attention away from other very serious allegations of child abuse, and calls on the following organisations to cut all ties and refuse to donate any more money to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism: City University, The David and Elaine Potter Foundation, Oxfam, The Green Park Foundation, Stamp Out Poverty, Save the Children and The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust."

The related debate is worth a read here and here. It is also interesting that the Daily Mail had this to say about the credibility of the Bureau of Investigative Journalists.

"Six months after launch, the BIJ was working with The Guardian and other news organisations in preparing the WikiLeaks release of classified American military documents. But in giving an interview to an American magazine, BIJ managing editor Iain Overton leaked 'major details' which, The Guardian said this weekend, 'put the entire project in jeopardy'.   

An investigation of the Help for Heroes charity was also described by its subject as 'misleading'.  

Earlier this year, one of the Bureau's staff confided that the original seed money had almost run out and the BIJ needed to secure new revenue sources. They have even turned to very unlikely benefactors such as Oxfam. But there was an ever greater need to find paid work at relatively wealthy channels such as the BBC"

Anyhow, my question therefore stands - should the public be donating to this organisation? The public can only make an informed decision. They can only do so with this information. Do the US public know about the scandal in the UK? Now, that is the real question isn't it?

Holi : India's Festival of Colours

India's Festival of Colours is truly beautiful. It happens to be due this week. If you wish to read about the origins of this Hindu festival, you can read it here. The most romantic aspect of Holi is this - a man who loves you will gently caress your face with the colours of holi. He essentially smears colour on your face.  It signifies love and the colour it brings to a girl's life. 

Winter Wonderland at Hillside

In the dead of winter, I was shopping at a local supermarket. I dragged myself outside laden with supermarket bags. I then tripped over a stand for Hillside. I spoke to a gentleman who was raising finances for them. While he spoke to me, I flicked through all their leaflets. Having done so, I poured all my change into his collection bucket. A few weeks later, Hillside were leading an investigation into UK's horse neglect. Anyway, I like the ethics of Hillside Animal Sanctuary. So far everyone I have helped has in turn donated to this charity. This charity is really worth donating to. I think England is becoming quite barbaric towards its animals really. I think something must be done to instil some kindness in this world. Anyway, as the snow is upon us again, I thought I would feature the Winter Wonderland Video - its my favourite. Hope everyone who reads this donates something small to the Sanctuary. Every little will indeed help.

Light of the Heart

This shot was done quite by accident. I took a series of pictures of the evolving sunrise. What I didn't realise was the heart shape created by the trees. Now that was an interesting aspect of this photo and it just about fits with the title of the poem I wrote some time ago. The poem is here.

You would have me walk with you.

Just loved this song today.

Of Winter Sunset And The last Sunbeam

A final beam, a winter's sight,

As one last ray, doth caress the earth,

With a gentle and most charming light;

Whereupon the sun, now doth call the night.

Where moon does rise and stars gleam bright,

Where trees do glitter with frost and snow,

And where path does glint, a billion diamonds show,

Like some old fashioned winter from long ago~

Sleep well my darling for the day is gone,

Yet tomorrow will spread her wings, anon!

Written by James Mee

Photography by Rita Pal

An Old Border Collie.

The humane decision was the hardest to bare. On a summer’s evening, he lay still on the green grass. His silky ears drooped elf-like as the flowers around him seemed to reflect the beauty of his personality. He did not bark anymore or bring his hoop to me begging me to play. The wind blew through his fur and on this day, he could not chase the wind and run down the garden. Today, the birds didn’t fly away and the squirrel didn’t mock him. They all sat on the garden fence wondering what had happened. These were his friends for many years. 

My tea and a half eaten croissant lay untouched. I remembered how he would take my croissant at teatime and run as fast as his paws could carry him. Robbie often looked back and laughed at me because he knew I could not run as fast as him. Time stood still.  The eerie nature of death spun around me affecting the trees, the wind, the flowers and the luscious grass. The sun was dead. The clouds had  returned. There was no sound of his jingling collar. The replay started in my head. 

Tears streamed down my eyes for my mind’s eye could only remember his wet nose nuzzling into my arm only a few hours ago. He did not know the importance of the decision I had to make. He came to me with his hoop and asked me to play with him as he had done every day for twenty two years. I had embraced him but I had to be strong. My eyes peered to the floor while the tears dropped uncontrollably. The floor was smeared with blood. The blood dropped from him yet he wished to play his last game of hide and seek or chase the birds down the garden. He waddled gradually down the garden obviously in pain. I knew today was the last day I would see my best friend. I had to make the decision to end his life. He had cancer and at twenty-two, his vet had stated that there was nothing to be done for my dog. 

Strength was the hardest thing to find as it is shrouded in the weakness of love. Human beings had always been prone to flaws and selfish traits but when the world had let me down; at home I knew Robbie had waited for me patiently. His barks would take the tears away and make me smile on the worst of my days. Today, though he was weak and didn’t bark to comfort me. Memories of how he had waited patiently for me outside school in the rain, refused to eat until I had dinner, woke me up when he saw someone in danger and pawed the emergency button to try and help my father, came running through my mind. 

This fateful day drove a sword through me. This pain crippled me.  He was only a dog but to me he had been my best friend for many years with his distinctive playful character. How could I kill the one I loved? Prayer was not my forte but today, I wanted to believe that through my decision, the one above would watch over my wonderful friend. Today, I needed to dial G for God and say “ Hey Mr God, take care of my best friend because it is time for you to look after him, make sure he has that same dog food and his hoop to play with”. I had no assurances. I simply had the powers of nature and my belief that Robbie would be safe, safe from the wickedness of age. 

My voice trembled as I asked and paid for two vets to terminate my dog in his own surroundings. Robbie had preferred flowers, his garden, his own furry quilt and I for one did not want him to be frightened. We laid our tired dog down for the last time. We stroked his black and white fur. The tip of his tail was white just like the first day he had been brought to me as a puppy. His tartar teeth showed as he panted playfully. His strength was leaving him and his whimpers indicated he was in pain. His coat of black and white silk grew cold. The injection had been given into his right paw, he  quivered then lay still. Gradually his pupils widened and our tears dripped upon his coat. 

Robbie was laid to rest at the bottom of our garden. We buried him with his hoop and toys. The gusts of wind were eerie and blew through me on that day. I sat by his grave for what seemed hours. Clouds came and went, the sky turned from white to black. The moon appeared, Robbie did not howl like he used to. The moon disappeared and the bright orange paint wiped the sky. It was a new day. 

Through the corner of my eye, I can still catch a glimpse of my best friend on a bright sunny day. Instinct tells me he is well taken care of; he plays in the gardens of heaven and visits me in my dreams. He yaps with his hoop insisting I play with him, shreds my newspapers, sits on the dining table and gobbles up all the food, chases the birds around the garden, talks to the rabbit  - afterall he still lives through the memories in my mind’s eye. 

The Beauty of the Rose

This is one of my photographs. It happens to have captured the rose in the right light. I knew a man once. That man was my father. He told me that in the complexities of the world we live in, it is the beauty of the rose that is the most flawless. Nature gives us so many wonders but each day we walk by them in favour of so many other aspects of life. Part of my world of photography is to capture nature. Even a thing of beauty will eventually die. This rose did. 

As roses go, I quite like this quote :-

“But he who dares not grasp the thorn 

Should never crave the rose.” 

― Anne Brontë