My Blog Search
All parcels are
forakin at gmail dot com
Comment notice:
You are free to leave comments on my blogs as long as they are polite, reasoned and within the context of what I have written.
I will NOT entertain insults, abuse or expletives; your strength of emotion should be expressed without resorting to uncouth expression.
Since, it is my blog, I reserve the right to accept, review, edit without losing the context or delete the comment - if it does not meet standards of decent and polite discourse.
Finally, your comments cannot be anonymous, please give a name when leaving a comment.
Thanks for reading my blog and leaving a comment.
My Routine
My Interests
My News Junkie Staple
My Popular Tags
My Mini Search
My Latest Blogs
My BlogScope
My Flickr Badge
My Months Past
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- December 2005
- November 2005
- October 2005
- September 2005
- August 2005
- June 2005
- March 2005
- February 2005
- January 2005
- December 2004
- November 2004
- October 2004
- September 2004
- July 2004
- June 2004
- May 2004
- April 2004
- February 2004
- January 2004
- December 2003
News: Chasing the thrill
posted Thursday, 2 August 2007
News or views?
As I write there are live reports from the collapse of a bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis (Twin Cities) in the United States.
Sometimes I wonder how much more analysis I want from a simple news story - tell me what happened, probably how many people are affected, who to contact for information and where to go for information - like a website, then offer an update at intervals.
It begins to sound like a broken record as the rolling news coverage moves from news to eye witness accounts that so vividly paint the picture that one is almost at risk of reliving the tragic incident from the comfort and safety of one's armchair at home.
This whole idea of throwing journalists into the thick of it is going to the extreme; embedded journalists in war zones, news correspondents waist-deep in flood waters very much like the CNN sport news advert of Terry Baddoo fully dressed in a suit with a wired microphone in a swimming pool interfering with the swimmers.
Getting in the way
Interfering is the word - the iPod generation - people completely out of the circumstance developing an ambulance-chaser tendency to record a clip of the scene on their rotten mobile phone cameras for onward transmission to some gluttonous news channel with the insatiable lust for viewer ratings.
Nowhere has this "close to the event" madness become more evident than in police car chases which started with the O.J. Simpson , the viewing of Michael Jackson on the way to his acquittal or the return of Paris Hilton to the courthouse.
The O.J. Simpson chase
Last week, they became the tragedy, two helicopters from rival new agencies covering a police car chase on Phoenix, Arizona collided midair with the loss of 4 lives, methinks the excitement of the moment most of gotten the better of reporters and the pilot - such unhealthy rivalry leaves one both sorrowful and entirely unimpressed with an unnecessary pursuit of a non-news matter which had become a reality thriller event.
The helicopter crash
I really am not cut out for edge-of-my-seat news and commentary like a tense football match; it should not be like I am watching a penalty shootout.
As my sympathies go out to the families of the dead, what would be too absurd for expression would be to attribute the death of these journalists to the criminal being chased by the police and bring charges to that effect; his business was with the law and his attempt to escape its long arm, as for the news helicopters chasing after him, they really had no business being there.
References
2 Who Died in Phoenix News Crash Mourned
tags: news phoenix arizona twin cities police car chases journalistic interference bridge collapse minneapolis cnn o j simpson helicopter crash
links: digg this del.icio.us technorati reddit
Dear Reader, Whilst welcome to leave comments I might use in other blogs, some rights are reserved. (1)
1. Boso left...
Thursday, 2 August 2007 11:31 pm :: http://boso.me.uk
You know some networks in America have a premium service, they SMS you
whenever they are showing a live car chase ?? That's just crazy !! the
truth is that if it wasn't selling, they wouldn't do it.
Tag Related Posts
A relocation from the cacophony
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
From noise to more amenable people, the results confirm what would be an aggressive course of treatment, it is Day 9 at the hospital.
Nigeria: Why Candidates Fail Our Examinations - WAEC
Saturday, 18 April 2009
WAEC lists why candidates fail their examinations, I think they are unto something very true.
Thought Picnic: Our Truth
Friday, 2 January 2009
The happenings in Gaza with the media grab by both Israel and Gaza is summed up in one sentence by the Israelis - We are showing the world our truth.
Is anyone entitled to their own truth - this is the first of my Thought Picnics.
Nigeria: Ribadu and kids get bundled out of NIPSS graduation
Sunday, 23 November 2008
The erstwhile EFCC chairman gets bundled out of the NIPSS graduation cermony after the government fails by all other means to stop his graduation. His wife, 6 children and his guests all get pulled out of the event too.
A moment of madness
Saturday, 14 June 2008
In just a sudden moment of madness a reputation is destroyed in the quest for some pleasure in prohibited places, with illicit paraphernalia and using illegal substance abuse.
Do we need more control of our lives?
Nigeria: Another two oil cremations
Sunday, 13 January 2008
News of Nigerians caught in the flames of oil burning amongst them hits the wires - two days in a row.
No safer than a bridge of rotten planks
Saturday, 4 August 2007
Following the collapse of a bridge in Minneapolis, it appears quite a number of bridges in America might not have a safety rating better than a crossing made of rotten wooden planks. Danger looms until something is done pretty damn quickly.
News: Chasing the thrill
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Are these news chases really about getting us the news?
A class struggle disguised as news
Monday, 4 June 2007
Class still counts for much in England even though it is not made too obvious to notice. The Daily Telegraph dabbles in these murky waters for an ulterior motive and one is not impressed.
Obama vs. Stupid is as stupid does
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
The name Obama has been juxtaposed with Osama sadly, however, when people then base their views on that unfortunate juxtaposition, well, they have got it coming, with no mercy. I just would not condone it.
CNN Exclusive: The creaks (sic) of Niger Delta
Sunday, 11 February 2007
A CNN Exclusive files last week appears to be a directorial debut of the correspondent rather than facts as they really are, this does a disservice to the people affected in the Niger Delta and it is a shame.
The Cult of the Burnt Fornicator II - Judgment Day
Thursday, 11 January 2007
The leader of the Christian Praying Assembly where sex sinners get doused with petrol and set alight in Nigeria is to hang. Would this be a lesson to those charlatans who seek to deceive?
O'Bama - Osama - Oh Bummer - Obama
Friday, 5 January 2007
CNN had to apologise for a typographic error that substituted Obama for Osama, one thinks there is an unsavoury effort to denigrate the good standing of Senator Obama.
Somehow, strange sexualities excite Africans
Friday, 8 September 2006
They publish names, accuse people in high places, revile those caught in the act and the elders on the village might just ignore all this because it is just none of their business.
An admission in remission
Friday, 8 September 2006
Admitting the CIA secret prisons did exist leaves one wondering how many more admissions would completely destroy the last ounce of respect America can show.
The Day of the Toothpicks
Thursday, 7 September 2006
7 inconsequential ministers resign from Mr. Blair's government in order to force his hand to tell us when he is leaving the job of Prime Minister, it is possible they have been put up to it by the Chancellor of the Executor - who knows?
The raid on Peking, London
Saturday, 2 September 2006
The raid on a Chinese restaurant in London shows how this war on terror is impacting seriously on our way of life.
Ahmedinejad-Bush coming to your television
Tuesday, 29 August 2006
The Iranian doctor of engineering invites a one-time failed oil businessman to a debate about world issues. I want a front row seat, who is selling the tickets? bin Laden might also already be dead so what fuels the war on terror?
My contribution to the war on terror - suspicion
Monday, 28 August 2006
This war on terror is turning me into a vulnerable, suspicious, jittery bigot ready to view any seemingly unacceptable observation as anti-social and hence having terrorist tendencies. Are we all getting programmed that way?
Making an ass of a South African policeman
Saturday, 26 August 2006
The minister in charge of safety and security in South Africa suggests that the police should ride donkeys to crime scenes.
Made in America - just in your backyard
Friday, 25 August 2006
Unexploded cluster bombs supplied by the US to Israel are found in Lebanon - Let us see how Condi Rice tackles America's image from all perspectives.
Alas! Pluto. Thou hast been diminished amongst thy peers
Friday, 25 August 2006
Was Gustav Holst right when he wrote The Planets or are the Astronomers wrong in demoting Pluto?
The terminal decline of air travel
Friday, 25 August 2006
With all the scares and diversions, air travel is becoming too much of an inconvenience we might as well not bother travelling to save the earth.
Much terror out of a mobile phone and a plastic bag
Friday, 25 August 2006
A plane returns to Schiphol under escort because a few mobile phones and plastic bags give the appearance of an impending terrorist attack. Methinks we are getting better at terrifying ourselves than the real terrorists are.
Back to James Blake and Rosa Parks - 1955 to 2006
Friday, 25 August 2006
Black students are asked to give up their seats for white students 51 years after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. America, we've got a serious problem.
London police in an institutionally culpable homicide
Thursday, 24 August 2006
A 22-year old father gets shot by the 14-year old for standing up to their anti-social behaviour in a crime that could have been avoided had the police investigated and prosecuted the stabbing of the same father 7 months before.
The end to presidential voyeurism
Friday, 18 August 2006
A judge has declared the unwarranted surveillance of American citizens illegal. That is one big win for civil liberties all around the world, in my view.
Was that the Real Story?
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
The Real Story episode about second-hand computers and identity theft might have informed but failed to really educate on the need to protect ones privacy. Apart from witnessing the assault of an already pliant suspect.
The American-Israeli tinderbox that Hezbollah lit up
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
If America was already privy to Israeli plans to attack Lebanon long before the kidnap of the 2 soldiers in Israel on July the 12th, the whole truth of this matter does not augur well for the new world order at all.
A large body count with no ease as war ceases
Monday, 14 August 2006
The people who lost the most from the Israeli-Lebanon conflict are those who were sacrificed in the proxy war between American and Iran, neither Israel nor Lebanon have gained anything - rather they would have to talk to each other.
Not leaving on a jet plane soon
Sunday, 13 August 2006
The number of planned terror attacks have been foiled, we are told, with that comes greater paranoia from the United States than the terrorists themselves could have intended. It you as much as have any liq
A dead man dishonoured
Sunday, 13 August 2006
The burial of Funsho Williams was not without event from the sermons given to the way his supporters allowed their egos to get in the way of letting their leader lie in state.
The cult of the burnt fornicator - religious abuse
Thursday, 3 August 2006
A "church" in Nigeria sets fire to 7 people accused of fornication. Thankfully, the state has intervened to bring that church leader and his accomplices to book. It highlights the need to monitor cult activity that appears like religious service.
The doctor says good riddance
Thursday, 3 August 2006
I think it was clear that losing the leadership of the Economic Management Team was also going to lose us a Foreign Minister. She was no doubt humiliated by the manner of her removal - This minister is above the fray with her dignity intact.
Mind that language
Thursday, 3 August 2006
A study shows that the Dutch are not as proficient in other languages as we all assume them to be. In fact, other Europeans who speak other languages have a better grasp of the languages they speak than the Dutch. Could that be true?
A doctor without a patient
Wednesday, 2 August 2006
After the reshuffle of six weeks ago which moved the technocrat finance minister to the foreign affairs minister, she now loses the leadership of the Economic Management Team whilst negotiating in that position in London.
Scotland Yard in Nigerian murder backyard
Tuesday, 1 August 2006
The Scotland Yard has been invited to help the Nigerian Police in investigating and resolving the latest political murder - we do hope they get all the cooperation they require and something lasting comes of it.
Somehow, Israel can do no wrong
Monday, 31 July 2006
The angel of death arrives in Qana, Lebanon a second time, on the wings of American supplied bombs, autographed by religious Jews and chaperoned by Israeli aircraft. This is utter madness.
Condi is not welcome in Lebanon
Sunday, 30 July 2006
Sometimes you just have to speak up and stop being run around by seemingly benevolent but insincere friends. Lebanon has reached that stage with America by saying the Secretary of State is not welcome. A snub as good as you can get.
A poker hand of unintended consequences
Sunday, 30 July 2006
The gamble US, Britain and Israel have taken in the Lebanon issue can see a better resolution than new occupations. Israel should relinquish occupied territories of Shebaa Farms and Golan Heights. That is the really hard but courageous decision.
Condi knows nothing about birth pangs
Saturday, 29 July 2006
Bombs and hostilities continue as birth pangs of a new Middle-East as the midwife returns to the woman in travail and extended labour to probably deliver the baby still-born. No new Middle-East can emerge with this belligerence.
The hills are alive with the sound of croaking
Friday, 28 July 2006
A new reality show looking for an ugly princess to play Maria von Tramp in the West End. Struth!
Nigerian electioneering usurped by uber-thugs
Friday, 28 July 2006
A second gubernatorial candidate has been murdered in Nigeria in just this month. It is unlikely the crime would be solved and it is likely that the violence would continue. When would we be free of thugs who want to rule Nigeria at all costs?
11-year old Nigerian boy abandoned in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Thursday, 27 July 2006
Please view the photograph and if the young boy is known, help in bringing him back in contact with his loved ones.
Explaining a stolen lunchbox
Thursday, 27 July 2006
A hapless stranger gets mobbed and killed because some other stranger believes that his manhood has been stolen. This a part of reality in some parts of Nigeria. Unbelievable but true.
Precision-guided resolutions that miss the target
Thursday, 27 July 2006
The question is how precision-guided weapons can accidentally hit a prominent target. Then I examine the UN SC Resolution 1559 and find that we might not have heard the whole truth of that matter of Israeli withdrawal. Syria it appears did more.
The Red Cross marks the missile target - Updated
Wednesday, 26 July 2006
Two ambulances get blown up with the missiles coming through the centre of the Red Cross on the roof and a clearly marked UN observers post is obliterated with surgical precision. This wild and reckless party is getting atrocious by the day.
Evidence of good medical research
Tuesday, 25 July 2006
That testtube baby is 28 today - that was research done in Europe for the benefit of all - hopefully, America and see through the emotion of stem cell research just as Europe did yesterday.
Pay up or get bombed up
Tuesday, 25 July 2006
In a suit filed in the US, it has come to light that one of the reasons there might still be Americans left to be evacuated from Lebanon is they were at one time required to agree to pay the costs of their evacuation. Get we get any lower?
Condolezza condoles with aid
Tuesday, 25 July 2006
Dr Rice's unannounced visit to Lebanon finished every semblance of genuine friendship between the Lebanese and America as they are being sacrificed on the altar of some new Middle-East order. Know your friends.
Verdonk back with new controversy
Monday, 24 July 2006
She made the last government fall, kept out of the public eye for a few weeks - she is now back to make it difficult for once illegal and consequently legal immigrants to gain re-entry to the Netherlands.
Condolezza brings condolences - maybe more
Sunday, 23 July 2006
Until America demands a cessation of violence by every forceful means possible, this Middle-East conflict would only continue. To now learn that Israel is asking for an arms order to be speeded up from the US, leaves much to be desired of the US.
The land of the matter - The Middle-East Cauldron
Saturday, 22 July 2006
I provide a framework of how the Balfour Declaration of 1917 promised one thing and offered another leading to the many conflicts that have plagued Israel throughout the last century till today.
Attempting to stem the tide of science with one veto
Thursday, 20 July 2006
The Presidential veto against federal funding of stem cell research shows how emotive subjects can be hijacked with political aplomp regardless of the scientific benefits. Thankfully, science would progress regardless.
Keeping moral convictions out of the US Constitution
Wednesday, 19 July 2006
Yesterday, the Senate voted to allow stem cell research with human embryos and the House voted to reject a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Karl Rove must be in overdrive on how to rescue this situation for the November 2006 Election.
Peace eludes our time with appeasement
Monday, 17 July 2006
Evacuating foreign citizens of influential countries from Lebanon is the best tacit appeasement that would help the troubles escalate beyond manageable proportions. I fear for when those Israeli rockets land inadvertently in Iran and Syria.
A crusading psychopath is in a war near you
Sunday, 16 July 2006
The shortage of army manpower in America lead to relaxing the rules of recruitment, Steven Green benefited and now has a rap sheet of rape and murder committed in Iraq. They created a monster of a pussy-cat criminal and dumped back in society.
Forked-tongues fuelling the Middle-Eastern fires
Saturday, 15 July 2006
Where would we find a seriously honest broker to look at the facts of the Middle-East Conflict and get the protagonists to face their responsibilities to global peace squarely and act accordingly? America is not in the frame for honest brokerage.
Spooky Brother Act as Spook goes to Court
Friday, 14 July 2006
Polish twin brothers as heads of government depending on who you are looking at and the spy throws a pie in the face of the White House - when you uncover a spy - well ...
Dummies guide to removing thorns
Friday, 14 July 2006
The way Israel is going about removing the Palestinian thorn in their sides would hurt Israel more than it would hurt Palestine eventually. This belligerence is patently not the solution to the Middle East Conflict.
Needing aid for those in charge against AIDS
Thursday, 13 July 2006
It appears the man in charge of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria does not understand his demographic or the context of homosexuality and has garbled a useful message on issues that would kill the message of safer sex.
Scalding snouts out of the Nigeria Civil Service trough
Monday, 10 July 2006
The new deal to sack 20% of the Nigerian Civil service with a generous severance pay and a consequent increase in civil service salaries is inflationary at best - worse could happen.
Marie Fatayi-Williams - A mother for peace
Friday, 7 July 2006
One solemn voice that encompasses the emotion and magnitude of the day - a mother indeed.
London - this day
Friday, 7 July 2006
One year on after the terrorist attack that killed 52 and 4 terrorists in London, we should also be tough on the causes of terrorism and that is more difficult than the simple war on terror.
Clambering from the ruins of World Cup 2006
Thursday, 6 July 2006
The seedings are awry, the referees are the news and then we have one more controversial referee for the final - FIFA is doing so much to make us hate the beautiful game.
6th of July - 1942, 1946 & 2006
Thursday, 6 July 2006
On this day, Anne Frank's family sought refuge from the Nazi's in the Secret Annex and 4 years later this day George W. Bush arrived in the first tranche of baby-boomers - Does history have much to teach us?
Justice! Delayed, denied and deceased
Wednesday, 5 July 2006
Kenneth Lay is dead and the Enron case is unfinished - where is the justice in unfinished matters like this?
30 years after the Raid on Entebbe
Wednesday, 5 July 2006
I am beginning to wonder if Israel has not already discounted the hostage corporal as dead and are just waiting for that opportunity to unleash unspeakable and unrelenting terror on the occupied Palestinians.
No to Balkenende III
Tuesday, 4 July 2006
There is no reason to allow a second reincarnation of the lack-lustre Dutch government. Their inability to accept responsibility and consequence shows they are both unfit for government or electoral success.
Hocus Pocus Zim Bab We Arghhh!
Monday, 3 July 2006
Zimbabwe legalises witchcraft in the light of the president not being able to muster Christian support. The only hope of the people from the crises that has befallen them is the mortality of Mr Mugabe. Could the witches have some good spells?
Blasting the hostage out of Gaza
Friday, 30 June 2006
I am not sure that the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure in Gaza would lead to the kind of resolution we all desire, the release of the young soldier-conscript. Does Israel have any tool beyond might in this conflict?
The Dutch government collapses around Mrs Verdonk
Thursday, 29 June 2006
Just as any inevitable situation, Mrs Verdonk also known as Lady Oddjob on this blog and the Minister of Integration and Immigration has brought down the government over an immigration affair centred around her selfish actions. Resignation tomorrow!
Recording the bad history of football - II
Thursday, 29 June 2006
In part two of what I never intended to be a series, I highlight one aspect of racism on football - monkey chants from fans and coach with despicable views - Don't weep for Spain.
Verdonk force fed humble pie
Wednesday, 28 June 2006
Ayaan Hirsi Ali retains Dutch citizenship and we are also out of the World Cup - all thanks to Mrs Verdonk.
Recording the bad history of football
Monday, 26 June 2006
Officiating in World Cup football reached a new low in the Holland - Portugal game - 16 yellow cards, 4 red cards - a match end with 9 a side. Who cards the referees?
They hate our freedoms
Saturday, 24 June 2006
Now we hear that the US Government is livid about the revelation that they have been trawling through international banking transactions since 2001 - looks like this government hates our freedom to know what they have been up to.
The new ball order - Football meritocracy
Friday, 23 June 2006
The World Cup levels the playing field of political powers and undue influence - little countries make minced meat of behemoths and if you cannot play you get beaten and go home. The Olympics has nothing on the World Cup.
A Shuffle unworthy of a black jack table
Thursday, 22 June 2006
The recent cabinet reshuffle in Nigeria leaves one wonder about its significance for the elections in 2007.
Making an ass of the law
Wednesday, 21 June 2006
Having to contend with the notion that the law is an ass is one thing, but when people who should know better deliberately advocate making an ass of the law for some sort of gain, one really should be concerned, very concerned.
Looking for football miracles
Sunday, 18 June 2006
The World Cup as at the Second Sunday shows that the game is still wide open for a number of groups, I expect, excitement, upset and entertainment. It is not over till it is really over.
Arise! Sir easy
Saturday, 17 June 2006
The Chairman of easyGroup of companies is knighted in the Queen's birthday honours list- I suppose a new business can come out of this accolade - easyHonours?
Insemination Tax Credit
Tuesday, 6 June 2006
If the President of the United States is really serious about strong marriages, he should stop going after gay marriage and rather strengthen marriage through Insemination Tax Credits.
Old-age Rum's field day
Friday, 5 May 2006
A hapless septuagenarian was heckled during an important speech to his supporters, then accused of lying. How rotten! This is in empathetic concern and commiseration. Why badger a poor old man?
Same Sex Marriage gets read the Riot Act in Nigeria
Friday, 14 April 2006
As Nigerian legislators get into their finest debating aplomb at the first reading of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act it is hopeless to expect that any other bill will receive as much attention and interesting in the entire legilative calendar.
The Barbarian Ruling Class
Friday, 14 April 2006
Politicians and leaders in the military seem to be missing an essential component in their education; an appreciation of history, culture, heritage and values. Babylon is plundered and the Colonel in charge fails to grasp the error.
Lady Oddjob - From Irrevelance to Assimilation
Thursday, 13 April 2006
An Amsterdam Alderman has suggested the Ministry of Integration and Immigration be assimilated by other ministry that might really address those issues. Come think of it, I agree!
Eureka! is Farsi for Enrichment
Wednesday, 12 April 2006
Iran is enriched with the ability to enrich uranium, have we forgotten they just tested a supercavitation missile last week? Oil, gold, war, markets - what else is being knocked out of stability?
How in God's name, did this happen?
Wednesday, 4 January 2006
The media feeding frenzy around the West Virginia mine disaster just shows how rumour, speculation and incomplete information plays around with people's emotions.
Web logs by Akin Akintayo is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Netherlands License.