THE TV THE SNP; CUBA AND THE NEXT DECADE.

Having access to a computer is stopping me from going mad; I read lots of newspapers and magazines and watch the tele. I watch the tele. less and less that’s why I appreciate the computer; the internet and U Tube are my saviours. TV is now dominated by drivel; there was always a fair amount of it on the box but the growth of shows like the Big Brother House; X Factor and We’ve got Talent has almost destroyed the medium; destroyed it for me that is because there is no denying the popularity of these shows; the “Big Brother” show even has the cheek to plagiarise Orwell to get it’s title adding insult to injury.

There is of course a theme which runs through them; the humiliation of contestants and those who take part; its car crash TV and the mob loves it; “the mob” is of course a reference to ancient Rome and they liked nothing better in Rome than watching people being executed in public; just like some countries today. Some countries chop off heads while America for example shows it’s more morally superior side by offering no less than 5 methods of doing the deed; hanging; shooting; chemical injection; gas chamber and the electric chair, some of the more devout among the Christian Right Bible Thumpers still get misty eyed about making it 6 by bringing back Lynching for black people; at the McCain election rallies the mention of Obama's name provoked shouts of "kill the nigger" heard on TV oh yes they were! we are lucky indeed to have a “special relationship with such friends. I predict that America will show executions on prime time TV with highly priced advertising slots in the not to distant future; the numbers of people allowed to be present at such events has grown steadily over the years; in America that means there is a market for it which in turn means it will happen; its “The American Way”

Television once showed plays; films and news and current affairs; they still do of course but the ‘junk’ is taking over why commission a play hire directors producers actors etc. rehearse it and stage it when you can get more of an audience by encouraging the public to volunteer to humiliate themselves; throw in a couple of 3 Rd. rate washed up celebrities and Joe Public is hooked; its all rather sad. Simon Cowell beats Harold Pinter and Davina thingmy beats Judi Dench.

This rather eccentric post will no doubt have some people wondering what has happened to the usual political content; “has he gone doo lally” I hear you ask; well not yet actually. What has happened is that I received a Christmas present which hammered home to me the difference between what TV is capable of and what it is becoming. The latter is cheap nasty and exploitative with no values and one aim; profit; and the former is the full series on DVD of “The West Wing” a gift from my daughters who on this occasion are a gift from God. Since I often criticise America its only fair that I offer praise where it’s due and the West Wing fits the bill, the standard of writing and acting would be difficult to improve on, it is top quality entertainment and sizzling drama. Try if you will to sit through a full episode of Simon Cowell’s show and follow it with an episode of TWW and see what I mean.

Meanwhile as we slide toward another decade we have the consolation of watching the SNP self destruct as the cybernats are exposed for the filth that they are; they have been hidden long enough. Nationalism is a deeply ugly business and this mob proves it; that’s why the leadership have been willing to tolerate them as long as they kept their official distance. The anti English racism displayed by these people should have been gutted out years ago and they turned a blind eye to it and now it has popped up to bite them; people are peering behind the tartan veil and it’s not a pretty sight. Exposed are the many blue faced knuckle dragging anti English bigots who are an embarrassment to Scotland.

I would also like to offer best wishes for another decade to the Cuban revolution and it’s leaders including El Commandante himself Fidel Castro 94 years would be a good innings for one of history’s true giants; will Obama be the man to see the light and get round the table? Let’s hope so; to put Cuba into perspective perhaps Obama should consider the fact that America kills more illegal immigrants from Capitalist Mexico in a year than died during the existence of the Berlin Wall and also consider why America celebrates people defecting from Communist Cuba while still shooting dead those Capitalist Mexican illegal’s; it’s the American Way ‘YURP’ and it’s a strange world. I predict that the Mike Russell blogging scandal will prove to be the tip of the iceberg in 2010; if you don't believe me talk to some of them; see and hear for yourself but; be warned it won't be pleasant and could get really ugly if you let slip the word Engurland!