red face day

Yesterday the BBC admitted further cases of fake phone-ins involving high profile programming such as Children in Need, Sports Relief and Comic Relief. Today the written press had a field day.

BBC Shame… Charities caught up in BBC phone scandal… Bear faced cheek…

As I do everyday I visited Young’s Stationers and Newsagent on Ballymoney Main Street. As I do everyday I read each and every paper’s front page to see which I want to pay good money for. As I do everyday I selected The Independent. I couldn’t get over the force of the anger directed at the BBC. Even the Daily Express decided against putting their usual Princess Diana story on the front page in favour of a story about Muslims not being terribly grateful for all the help they receive from the British Police… oh, and PHONE-IN SCANDAL AT THE BBC. The only paper without a front page comment on the controversy was The Independent (well, and The Star which had its obligatory Big Brother story.) Is it any wonder I’m a liberal?

I must admit that I am disappointed in the way programme bosses feel the quality of output overrides any sense of honesty in programme making. I despair that an organisation which places the word “trust” so high in its list of priorities has shown up so many flaws. But in all honesty I can’t say I’m overly surprised. In a media-savvy world where we are sold “sexed-up” stories on a daily basis, where presentation is a greater part of professionalism than content, where cynicism is a prerequisite for an evenings viewing; in a world like this it is hardly surprising that someone took the decision to create a fake contestant rather than admit that technical difficulties had ruined the competition. We live in a world where it is better to cover yourself and get away with something than it is to acknowledge weakness. The only problem occurs where we get found out; and that’s only a problem if enough people actually care. Unfortunately for the BBC, no matter what they do, millions of people care.

And so we find Auntie Beeb’s woes splashed over the front pages, and given ten minute slots in ITN’s news coverage (and possibly Sky’s – I don’t know, I don’t have Sky) Even the BBC themselves seem to be glorying in their own misfortune. FiveLive phone-ins have been dominated by the story, Newsnight had a special report and I can’t wait to see what Nolan has to say about it all. Meanwhile other, more important, stories are slipping through on pages eight and nine. Other media stories that I, personally, find more worrying.

There is no doubt that it has been a bad, BAD week for the BBC but did you notice, for instance, that reports have been disclosed (under the Freedom of Information Act) showing the close relationship between a certain Mr Murdoch and a Mr Blair during the run up to the Iraq War? Requests for this information had been blocked for four years until, as The Independent puts it, “the Government backed down in a surprise change of heart the day after Mr Blair resigned last month.” It’s hard not to imagine the paper’s Political Editor smiling as he typed that line.

Anyway I found the correlation between the Murdoch/Blair phone conversations and the content of The Sun’s comment page fascinating and a lot more shocking than people being defrauded out of their 10,000-1 chance of winning a flat screen TV by spending twenty minutes on a premium rate phone line after watching Richard and Judy – call me harsh but sometimes I think people deserve to lose. It worries me that Mr Murdoch (once described as the 24th member of the Blair cabinet) had such an apparent influence on our elected leader during the most controversial period of his premiership. When you read comments like this:

No big decision could ever be made in No10 without taking account of three men, Gordon Brown, John Prescott and Rupert Murdoch. On the really big decisions, anybody else could safely be ignored.Alastair Campbell’s Diaries

It makes you wonder if maybe, just maybe, Murdoch’s babies, The Times and The Sun, might possibly be publishing their attacks on the BBC with as much genuine relief as genuine outrage.

Shock of 2007

I could have fallen off my chair. Who’d have thought it? Apparently… prepare yourselves for this now… rumour has it that… are you sitting down?... it seems that this year the A-level results were the best they’ve ever been. EVER been!

OK, perhaps the magnitude of this news has been tempered by the fact that we hear this every year. Every year for twenty five years to be precise. I’d love to know what the class of ’81 did wrong that they didn’t beat the previous best. I’m thinking they spent too much time recording the top ten off the radio onto cassette for their walkmans (walkmen?)

Every year it is the same old story, and every year we hear the same arguments – the exams aren’t getting easier, just different – A-levels are more skills based than knowledge based – Standards of teaching and learning are improving year on year – blah blah blah blah blah.

It’s not that I disagree with any of the above statements. I just think that the inevitability of announcements of ‘the best ever results’ each year devalues the achievements of the pupils. I honestly believe we need to year or two where the results plateau for us to take them seriously again. Having said that I would feel terrible for whatever group of pupils it is who break the trend – they will be shunned by society no doubt.

Of more concern to me, however, is the fact that much of this year’s improvement was overwhelmingly down to private and selective schools. Now before proponents of private and selective education start rejoicing and dancing in the aisles I don’t think this is particularly good news (no, DPW, I still haven’t taken your arguments for private education on board.)

It appears to me that the achievements divide between the Private and Selective sector and the Comprehensives is growing ever more rapidly; apparently it is at its widest for more than a decade. Some commentators predict that this, already large chasm, will become an impassable canyon with the introduction of an A* grade in a few years. Despite this being wonderful news for the upper to mid middle classes living within spitting distance of a decent grammar school, it is terrible for rest of the country. This is one of the reasons I’m not a big fan of the A-level. One of many.

But this is not the time to be having a rant about the injustices of the education system. Now is the time to be congratulating those who did well in their exams this year and wishing them all the very best in whatever it is they do next.

Portrush Summer Theatre

Performing as 'Jamie' in Eric Chapells 'Haywire' at Portrush Summer Theatre with Ballymoney Literary and Debating Society. Normal service will be resumed shortly.

Word of the day (Part 1 of a 73 part series)

Every so often I come across a word that makes me smile. Sometimes I don't even know why. It could be because it sounds funny, it could be because it means something totally unexpected, it could be because it reminds me of something... it could be anything.

Well because I have nothing better to write I just thought I'd share with you the joy I had when reading Jasper Fforde's "The Big Over Easy." Five pages in I read the word 'Epiphantic' and it made me so happy I had to stop reading for a few minutes to devote my full attention to appreciating the gorgeous sound of the word. I've always loved the sound of 'Epiphany', it's a nice word - but it can't hold a torch to it's adjectival relative. I even looked up the dictionary when I got home to see if any other derivations could complete - they couldn't. Even epiphenomenalism comes up short - although it must be a close second.And now you are beginning to worry about my sanity I must stop. But not before I officially declare Epiphantic my favourite word... for the time being.

I've travelled each and every corridor; and more, much more than this...

So, this is it. I feel like breaking into a rendition of "My Way" but Frank Sinatra I ain't. Today I made my speech (lasted all of 25 seconds) picked up my wine and sauntered out the door.

Then I came in again to pack up my stuff. Many thanks to all of you... sorry, both of you, who came up with suggestions for a new name. Between you I had quite a selection to choose from. Some too rude to print, some downright nasty, some a tad unsympathetic ("The Thoughts of an Unemployed Special Needs Teacher" - thanks for that one Mr Mulligan) and some just plain odd. I was discussing the issue with a colleague a few days ago.

Oh, the Special Needs bit refers to your role in the school? I just assumed it was a comment on you personally. I thought you were just trying to be funny by describing yourself as special needs. If I were you I'd leave it - It describes you perfectly.

And so I'm leaving it. Not because of her, frankly soul destroying, advice; nor because most of the suggestions you offered were, frankly, pitiful; but because I am too darn lazy to even think about doing a redesign at the moment. Keep thinking up suggestions - maybe someday you'll offer one that makes me go - hmmm.

Deed Poll

In something like a week's time I will no longer be able to, in all honesty, call this the thoughts of a special needs teacher. I will no longer be a special needs teacher. So I will have to think of a new name for this blog. Any ideas out there?

vote mr c in 2008

I did a quick internet test to see who I should vote for in the 2008 American Presidential elections... Well who I should vote for if I was actually elligible to vote in the American Presidential Elections... If I was actually even American. Anyway, I thought it would be interesting.

Your Results:

1. Barack Obama (79%)
2. Dennis Kucinich (72%)
3. Christopher Dodd (71%)
4. Al Gore (67%)
5. Alan Augustson (66%)
6. Wesley Clark (65%)
7. John Edwards (65%)
8. Joseph Biden (64%)
9. Hillary Clinton (62%)
10.Bill Richardson (52%)
11.Mike Gravel (52%)
12.Ron Paul (45%)
13.Elaine Brown (36%)
14.Mike Huckabee (35%)
15.Rudolph Giuliani (33%)
16.John McCain (32%)
17.Kent McManigal (32%)
18.Tommy Thompson (30%)
19.Chuck Hagel (27%)
20.Mitt Romney (26%)
21.Fred Thompson (25%)
22.Newt Gingrich (24%)
23.Jim Gilmore (22%)
24.Sam Brownback (21%)
25.Duncan Hunter (21%)
26.Tom Tancredo (18%)

I'm actually surprised. Honestly. I would have believed that Obama would have been a bit on the popular side for me. I'm also shocked that 9 of my top 10 are Democrats (the other 5th placed candidate being a member of the Green Party. I may consider myself liberal but I would have thought there'd be at least one republican out there who shared some of my views.
And does the fact that Duncan Hunter and Barak Obama combined represent 100% mean that a Obama/Hunter team would be my perfect choice for President/Vice President. I suppose it only works if what constitutes Hunter's 21% is different from that of Obama's 79% - which is actually quite likely. Imagine having a Presidential team that is 100% in line with your opinions. It would be like being President myself. Vote Mr C!

Anyway, just to let you know I'll be making up a Barack Obama float to drive through the streets of Ballymoney in the run up to the election. All help would be appreciated and if anyone has a contact address for a marching band...

You can try the test for yourselves by clicking here if you want.