Layer 487 . . . Private Eye, 50th Anniversary, Politics on TV, Outrageous Pay Rises and Bay of Rage

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Private Eye

A special issue of Private Eye - marking its 50th anniversary - is now on sale. I've been reading the Eye on and off since I was a teenager - it was an essential read back in the satirical sixties. Thinking about the several boxes of back issues in my cellar, I came across a cartoon in the current issue that shows a bloke fuming at his wife, saying, "You've thrown out the only copy of issue number one because it had gone YELLOW?!"

Best bits this week -

Dave Snooty and his New Pals - Dave's in a panic, saying, "Everyone says I've got a problem with women! What am I going to do about it!?!"
To which several Tory women MPs reply, "Calm down dear!"

An excellent newsletter from The New Coalition Academy

From The Message Boards - on Wootten Bassett's royal title

50th Anniversary Gnomemart

This news story -

England Rioters 'Poor And Young'


Comprehensive statistics on the England riots show those charged with offences were poorer, younger and of lower educational achievement than average. 
On Other Pages:
* Pope 'More Catholic than other people who aren't Catholic'
* Bear 'Still shitting in woods'

This Poem -

 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macavity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Possum's_Book_of_Practical_Cats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWUmqtDq6F0

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Politics on TV

I think I've completely had it with watching political talking heads. Newsnight's not what it used to be, Question Time's become predictable and boring, and the Politics Show is just about unwatchable - thanks to Andrew Neil, and his various guests such as Alan Johnson and Jackie Smith. (Michael Portillo is still OK - an intelligent and straightforward progressive Tory who speaks his honest opinion - a very rare creature. His recent programmes on "capitalism on trial" on Radio 4 were very good, and he concluded that the way we do capitalism must change significantly.    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0150p5l)

How can politics be boring, given the age we're living in? How can these flagship BBC programmes remain so formulaic and dry?

Why can't we have a Question Time whose panellists consist of 6 of the protestors from the St Paul's camp? It ought to be possible to find a couple who voted Tory and Libdem at the last election. Why can't the appalling Andrew Neil have a protestor sitting on the sofa next to Portillo?

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Pay Rises Soar By 49% For UK's Top Bosses
Britain's top company directors have enjoyed a pay rise of almost 50% in the past year - taking their average earnings to almost £2.7m.

A study of FTSE 100 companies by Incomes Data Services (IDS) showed the 49% increase, which covers salary, benefits and bonuses, was higher than the 43% seen by chief executives.


Average bonus payments for directors increased by 23% from £737,000 in 2010 to £906,000 this year, the report said.


Steve Tatton of IDS said: "Britain's economy may be struggling to return to pre-recession levels of output, but the same cannot be said of FTSE 100 directors' remuneration.


"The generous remuneration packages that FTSE 100 directors now receive indicates a marked improvement in boardroom fortunes.


"But, with closer scrutiny of boardroom pay expected in the future, remuneration committees will have to make sure that they are able to provide full and thorough justifications for the bonuses awarded.


"This means that they will have to be much more transparent about how total benefits packages are structured and how performance is measured."


- Sky News


http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16097985

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Bay of Rage

http://www.bayofrage.com

Lots happening in Oakland, etc.

After the 4:30am brutal police eviction of Oscar Grant Plaza on Tuesday morning and massive clashes in downtown the following evening, thousands returned to the plaza tonight. Police completely withdrew from the area and the plaza was retaken. Over 1500 people participated in Wednesday’s Occupy Oakland General Assembly. A proposed General Strike & Mass Day of Action on Wednesday, November 2 was overwhelmingly agreed upon with 1484 votes in favor and 46 votes against. Get ready y’all. Liberate Oakland! Shut Down the 1%!

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October 2011

http://october2011.org/

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Delaware Online

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20111023/NEWS/110230335
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