SELECTIVE NEWS GATHERING BY THE BBC.

We, in Britain, in the last week, have witnessed some of the most disgraceful news reporting in the history of British television, regarding pop singer, Sir Cliff Richard, currently on holiday at his vineyard in Portugal. During his absence, the South Yorkshire Police decided to follow up an historical child abuse claim involving Sir Cliff. The author has no opinion regarding the claim, not having any information on the situation, but neither has the BBC. This, however, did not stop them sending a camera team to the latter's English residence to await the arrival of, not only more police personnel, but more police vehicles than I have seen proper police, coppers on the beat, for the whole of the year. So who tipped them off? Here we have a situation whereby a person will be tried by the media. Had one of the popular newspapers acted in this manner, the BBC would have referred to it for days.

By comparison, the story of a Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood, Shabana Mahmood, who was involved in a protest over the weekend against supermarkets selling Israeli goods, evidently using YouTube to that effect. This can only mean that she is opposed to things Jewish, which is against international law. Miss Mahmood, who happens to be a front bench spokesperson in the opposition ranks, Labour; a party led by Ed 'Thoroughly Modern' Miliband, a Jew. Not a word from the Beeb, the broadcasting arm of the party.

The tragedy of all this confusion in the Middle East, which some might say has been going on for 2000 years, is that groups such as Hamas were jumping up and down with excitement at the news of 'nine/eleven'. Although they are different from the new threat in Iraq, the Islamic State, who appear determined to eradicate anyone who isn't Sunni Muslim.

CAN ANYONE SEE AN END IN SIGHT?

THE EYE CANDY SHUFFLE.

No! This has nothing to do with 'Strictly Come Dancing' and won't replace the waltz, foxtrot, quickstep or even the American smooth. This week David Cameron injected considerable pulchritude into his cabinet, and we had a display of ankles entering 10 Downing Street, far more than we would see on the dance floor during the Charleston.

Naturally, it is too early to judge these new ministers, and the author is aware that some of the outgoing occupants had run their course. Quotas are, nevertheless, not what Conservatives should be doing, copying the left; the left has never had a woman leader, they just talk about it.

What this intake has to do is hit the ground floor running; there will be little time for any apprenticeship, with the next election less than a year away. The new education secretary, Nicky Morgan, has a particularly difficult brief following Michael Gove, who, to some, had set the bar too high. Unfortunately, the English education system has become bogged down with left wing dogma, this is designed to produce good little socialists, whereas Gove thinks that schooling is about the three 'Rs' plus history etc., This 'off the wall' logic is alien to the teachers' unions, particularly the Marxist National Union Of Teachers (NUT) who want to strike at the drop of a hat. One can only hope that the new incumbent will not forsake this drive for excellence.

WE SHALL SEE IN DUE COURSE.

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE NHS.

The political football that is the British National Health Service in its present form will continue as such. Promises are made, particularly as elections approach, but unfortunately, this leviathan of an organisation is bound to have a downside, this is human nature. In addition, the workforce is generally in the grip of the unions, which means that any future Labour administration would have to tow the Union line.

Three stories have been noted by the author this week: The first is the success of a small hospital in Huntingdon, Hinchinbrooke, which, following catastrophic results in recent years, has been taken over by a private company, with what appears to be excellent results. The management is comprised of mainly medical professionals, and the staff has been rejuvenated.

Unfortunately, the second tale is one of total disgust: A grandmother seen crawling across a hospital floor out of desperation to get a drink or in an endeavour to get to the bathroom, evidently watched, and maybe mocked by the nursing staff, who incidentally would all be health service union members.

The third story is one of personal experience: My wife had a CT scan this week at our main hospital, in the adjacent Treatment Centre at the Queens Medical Centre (Nottingham University Teaching Hospital). We arrived for the scan, as advised, in plenty of time. The procedure was carried out slightly ahead of the scheduled time, with all the professionalism one hopes to enjoy on these occasions. The Treatment Centre, incidentally, is run by the same private company as Hinchinbrooke Hospital, Circle.
This story is double barrelled: Before going to the hospital, I had been for a six month maintenance check on my hearing aids, a private supplier. Unfortunately, a plastic globe from one of the aids was wedged firmly inside the ear. The suggestion was to report to Accident and Emergency, which was a non-starter, so I thought of casually going over to the Ear, Nose and Throat Dept. in the main hospital during the time my wife had her CT scan. On entering E.N.T, it was obvious that not much was happening, and I was informed that there was no clinic on Friday pm. The receptionist did enquire why I had called, and I explained my plight. She went and had a quick word with the one nurse who was still in the department, the nurse came out and said that he would have a look, and within no more than half a minute, the foreign body was removed.

WELL DONE THE NHS.

STATINS: DOCTORS CLOSE RANKS.

Following our last posting in March, when the mayhem being inflicted on an unwary public in the way of the medication statins was pointed out. Well there is plenty more to report.

Firstly, however, let us consider the response of doctors who have panicked at the thought of losing some extra income, should the public feel unsure about this disastrous chemical that is blighting many (mainly senior citizens) lives. Just to remind readers that a high proportion of people have experienced considerable side effects, the author being just one. The majority of colleagues of my ilk, won't consider this disabling so-called medication further.

My tale over the last few months is briefly as follows: Having been prescribed statins at my GP's behest for a number of years, the first brand was soon to be abandoned, due to aching muscles in the upper arms and thighs; we then switched to a more mild variety. It is difficult to report on this, although nothing detrimental occurred. My GP switched me onto a stronger brand fairly soon afterwards, probably around four years ago. During the ensuing period, although any aches and pains were generally mild, I assumed that these were 'age related', joking about such things with my doctor. However, following virtual muscle seizure by mid-February of this year, thinking, initially, that it was the flu, I began to realise that I had been here before, albeit previously, the inconvenience was less painful. By this time I could hardly shave myself, bend down to put on my socks, or even reach to put drops into my eyes. On visiting my GP's surgery, she couldn't believe that I found it impossible to remove my coat; my arms refusing to operate laterally. I pointed out that I was aware of the causes, and although she did not disagree with my prognosis, it was soon declared that I was suffering from polymyalgia.This evidently is something usually prevalent in women. We can only hope that this won't lead to an urge for a sex change, or indeed the occasional cross dressing. My medication is one of high doses of prednisolone, a fierce steroid. Frighteningly, after only one day I could at least find a little more comfort in bed, although I was perspiring profusely. At that stage I was on eight per day. So began the process of this medication totally changing my metabolism. My first setback was that I felt as though I had two heads, neither being mine; followed by a mild memory loss, forgetting where in the car park had I left the car. On another occasion, I got as far as the checkout at the supermarket before realising that I had come out without the wherewithal to pay; none of these things, hitherto, have ever been a problem to me.

The denouement: Having an inquisitive mind, I started by doing a little research, the most interesting being volunteered to me by a relative in Wales, whose cousin had a severe statins problem, and guess what! He has been found to be suffering from polymyalgia. Can this be coincidence? We doubt it. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical companies carry on marketing their products by bribing the medical profession.

REMEMBER THAT PFIZER FOR EXAMPLE HAS BILLIONS IN A SLUSH FUND.

STATINS: MEDICATION OR CHEMICAL WARFARE?

We have not been active of late, due to medical procedures regarding my wife, plus the fact that I have begun to suffer seriously from statins; believe me, they are dangerous. Although it took a few years to become the nightmare that is currently overwhelming my system; destroying the use of both arms and legs, making it impossible to get sufficient rest in bed.

For those who are unaware of the aim of statins in the medical world; their function is to control cholesterol, therefore preventing heart problems. There may be evidence for this notion, unfortunately however, all it has done for the author, is to reduce me to a physical shambles; keeping my fingers crossed that I come out of this unscathed. Even my head is out of kilter.

The British press, for some years now, has been singing the praises of this wonder drug. However, in more recent times, voices within the the medical profession are now registering their doubts. Four years ago, in preparation for a carcinoma removal, the head of department went through the usual questions: "Are you on any medication?" When I mentioned statins, his flippant response was to point out that my GP would have been on a bonus for that. Apparently, now, vast swathes of the population is being encouraged to take them. This, from my point of view, is scandalous.

We have mentioned previously in these columns, the work of biologist William Donald Hamilton. His theory on medicine is that, by endeavouring to keep ourselves alive through medical treatment, we are in actual fact destroying the human race. Now that is truly an interesting theory. From what I recall, he suggested that only genes would survive, but that is where he lost me.

ONE WONDERS IF ANYBODY ELSE IS CONCERNING THEMSELVES  ABOUT THIS SCAM.

TOO MUCH MEDIA, NOT ENOUGH (PROPER) NEWS.

Let the author first explain what is meant when we use the the word 'proper'. Britain currently operates under the guidance of simple little boys and girls in Westminster, the seat of which should be democratic government. They love laying down the law, keeping us informed of how we should live our lives. For example: The media appears to think that we should all embrace 'Ladies Football' (soccer). Well! as a one time enthusiast of the sport, I can assure you, that there aren't too many men that I would lift an eyelid to watch these days. You see, I recall proper football, proper beer and also proper music, which I play on my radio programme every Wednesday night at 10.00pm UK time on www.103theeye.co.uk

The British news media is so banal (possibly due to the fact that so much space is given over to TV news broadcasts), that they have to find 'padding', which generally comes from what is considered to be, non- politically correct. Good examples occurred this week regarding the United Kingdom Independence Party; Leader Nigel Farage suggested in a speech in the 'City of London', that women in business can be a problem. He was presumably referring to the fact that they have offspring. Well! literally, he is correct. We can say, however, that we have had a Queen on the throne for over 60 years, without hardly missing a beat. Margaret Thatcher was also very successful, and Farage left the Conservative Party when the 'suits', or do I mean cowards, deposed her. We also have a daughter-in-law who is a vice president of one of the world's largest brewers. The thing is, however, in a vibrant democracy, I find it good for people to voice their opinions.

Farage did, nevertheless, blot his own 'copy book'. He criticised, and banned one of his party, David Silvester, an Henley town councillor, who had the temerity to suggest that we are suffering country wide floods due to Parliament's decision to introduce 'same sex marriage'. Personally I like it. The world's biggest selling book is full of such stories. My mother would often refer to the fact, that immediately after WWI, there where few young men around, but by the late 1920's, the balance was restored. So who was pulling those strings?

LET US REPEAT THE MAXIM: IF YOU TAKE ON NATURE, DON'T EXPECT TO WIN.

FIRST YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T.

Miliband the magnificent magician has been at it again. 'Thoroughly Modern' has, over recent months, been bombarding us with what a Labour Government would do to improve our lot. Not a mention, of course, that  they were the architects of this abysmal situation. He really can make money disappear.

During the conference season, he was informing the dim, that he would have a freeze on fuel prices, heaven knows what will happen should the basic costs go up during that period of 20 months. Notwithstanding the fact that he created the green taxes which add to these excessive charges. That policy sent shudders through the markets, knocking vast amounts from the value of the suppliers stock, favourite investments for pension funds. His next pronouncement came with a promise to make life easier for the 'middle classes'. Now this would be a first. Socialism always attacks this source, for taxes paid to the feckless, who happen to be excellent voting fodder. Thirdly, he would limit the size of the big banks; probably breaking the 'high street' from the 'venture capital division'. On the face of it, bearing in mind the performance of these banks over the last decade, most people have lost their trust in these institutions, but the last Government, under 'Incapability Brown', backed the failing outfits, with billions of taxpayer GB's money, or promises which would incur deferred taxes. Miliband included in this package, two further banks, which he calls 'challengers'. He is however so dozy, or hoping that his followers are equally dozy not to have noticed that the current Government have already made some of these plans, who, nevertheless, are wary of breaking down the big banks, we are sure, because they would be picked off by some of the large international financial institutions. That is something that the author is particularly concerned about.

Unfortunately, what the commentators never question is Miliband's ulterior motive? The two banks propped up by the taxpayer, which were being lined up to be sold off, following the 'neophyte's' suggested policy, have lost millions in reduced shareholding, because of his naive approach. Could the long game be to satisfy his 'kitchen table marxism', making sure that these fuel suppliers and banks go bust, following which, he will nationalise them?

HERE'S A CLOWN THAT YOU WOULDN'T EMPLOY TO MASH THE TEA.