MaryMary

I think I get your drift. But I also think Radio 1 is merely reflecting the same values (or lack of them) of its audience. And its not just Radio 1 either - when you consider that I have never watched an episode of Big Brother, not ever, but during every series I could tell you who is in the house, what they are like, who people like, who people hate, whats going on - and I'm not getting that just from Radio 1 (where it is to be expected, given the demographic of its audience) - I'm getting that from BBC News 24, from Sky News, from The Independant newspaper (other quality broadsheets are available) etc. I don't think Radio 1 has become media obsessed, I think their audience has, and Radio 1 is responding. The viewing/listening audience gets what it deserves you know - if we put up withe crap, and actually eat it up with relish, thats what they'll feed us. We only have ourselves to blame.

Bridge Over Troubled Water is one of the best songs ever written - but it is definitely a song which should only ever be sung by Art Garfunkel. Anyone else makes it sound like a tortured cat. What a terrible choice for your choir, Grace!

He has strange hair.

I take all those points - don't necessarily agree with all of them, but they are pretty much opinion based, so that doesn't matter. I still don't understand what you meant by "media obsessed". It IS the media, isn't it? Or a significant part of it.....?

Please note - this is in NO WAY meant sarcastically I think the Scott Mills show should buy you a computer, as a recognition of the support you have given to the show over the time you have been running this site.

In what way is Radio 1 "media obsessed"? I'm not sure I know what you're getting at with that.

Really? I'm surprised, Serin. Can someone please tell me what Points of View is, and when I was on it?!

Pssst.....Jono, what are you talking about?!

No!!!!!!! Well, not with him. And - actually, no! You may have difficulty believing this, but I am actually quite shy......!:oops:

Really?! Very undignified behaviour for a Mary, in my opinion......! :shock:

I assumed you hadn't paid an invoice, Jono.....! ;-)

I loved Sewn.............*ducks*

I promise it isn't deliberate! And if I disagree - even if I disagree strongly - with any individual, my arguments are NEVER personal or directed at the person rather than the issue, that would be daft because you are all decent, lovely people. I just have opinions.....! And Norah Jones being dull is one of them - although I recognise her intrinsic skill as a musician. I will admit to deliberately picking arguments with Jono though - but this is just because I know he enjoys it. Think of it as a service.

Hang on - I will now conclusively demonstrate that I am as far from the Unofficialmills "inner circle" as you can get by asking - Laura's sister Mary is going out with Scott's flatmate Fraser? Eh?! :?:

Interesting (and thanks) - makes the "poor" figures slightly more significant perhaps.

Dreary, overrated.

I reckon he'll give it up as soon as he gets offered a larger shedload of cash to do something else. Which might not be long. I know he says he is doing the only job he has ever wanted, but thats the point - he's done it now. He'll move on, possibly very soon.

I think they should have to wear badges.

I think Scott would be perfect on Radio 2. Just not quite yet.

If those figures include the Christmas period, its not surprising there was a slump. Next lot should be more interesting.

Don't be silly Jono, sooner or later all conversations involving a woman will reach the subject of Mars Bars. Its one of the fundamental laws of the universe.

Hmm. Bad day. Well, normal day really, but it was supposed to be a good day, and wasn't so it became a bad day. Yesterday was supposed to be the day I was given a projected date for the surgery I have been waiting for (for two and a half years...!) - but there has been a hiccup, so its not yet on the table. And I'm trying hard not to get to unhappy about it. It will happen eventually, and it needs to be right when it does, so its probably for the best.....*sighs*.......

I remember the good old days when nurses had to be qualified - well, I don't actually, but I heard about them....!

An opinion shared.

Hostage taking and execution has been happening in Iraq since for ever. Its hard to tell, because like I said, a lot of it goes unreported, but I don't think there has been any great increase in it - maybe the profile of some of the cases has been higher. Kidnap and execution is a culturally accepted tool for bargaining, not just in Iraq but across much of the Middle East. If anything, the presence of the occupying troops might make it less of an option, because now there is a possibility that rescue might be attempted - an option which is not normally factored in to such activities. The plot to carry out such a kidnapping in the UK was predictable in many ways, but never likely to succeed. The reason it is such an effective tool in Iraq is that as I said, it is a culturally "accepted" form of barter, so there is no real security in place to stop it happening, and no policy or process to deal with it when it happens. That is not the case here, as has been efficiently and swiftly demonstrated. This time. Anyway, it is impossible to ascertain all the things which would have happened if "we" had not invaded Iraq, but it is possible to say some of the things - such as 1. Saddam Hussein's regime would have continued - and anyone who has witnessed or experienced that will tell you that would be a tragedy. 2. Kidnap and execution of hostages would have been an everyday part of life in Iraq, as it was before. 3. International terrorism, perpetrated by a variety of groups for a variety of (stated) reasons would be increasing. Of course, what is impossible to say is whether it would be increasing more or less than it currently is. I suspect - more, actually, although maybe not for the obvious reasons. I have deep reservations about the motivations of the US particularly in relation to the situation in Iraq - the deposition of Saddam was one thing, what surrounds it and the motivation for what is happening now is much more murky. The UKs involvement has been beneficial to the situation on the ground in Iraq (on the whole, the British troops are respected and valued, as their attitude to the people is less abrasive than the Americans - the British led sections tend to be a lot more successful), but I am not convinced that there is a demonstrable foreign policy line which could justify them still being there in such numbers. But to think it is a case of yes or no, in or out, is naive and simplistic.