tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post2321271482306756096..comments2024-03-20T12:03:26.126+00:00Comments on Thin Pinstriped Line: A most interesting interjection indeed...Sir Humphreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08704774192275240783noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-13236889920587865502012-11-21T20:54:03.971+00:002012-11-21T20:54:03.971+00:00Hi there. Sorry for the delay in responding, I'...Hi there. Sorry for the delay in responding, I've been very busy.<br />Its hard to get a picture on what really went on, primarily because it is easier to put sensationalist pieces out there, rather than rely on more grounded factual pieces.<br />I've deliberately not commented on the ASTUTE story because I don't know enugh about it to comment accurately. My instinct though is that had there been any real safety issues, then she would not have been at sea in the first place. The RN takes nuclear reactor (and wider submarine) safety VERY seriously indeed. Sir Humphreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08704774192275240783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-8071631718650787902012-11-19T23:02:19.674+00:002012-11-19T23:02:19.674+00:00Astute is not in any danger! The media are very v...Astute is not in any danger! The media are very very far from the truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-81880552161121784432012-11-18T18:38:59.321+00:002012-11-18T18:38:59.321+00:00On a completely different matter, just how much tr...On a completely different matter, just how much trouble is the Astute programme in? Most of the press are running hyper stories at the moment about the first batch of submarines being unfit for purpose (e.g. rusting, leaks, lack of speed) and a flawed design. Are there some really serious issues here or is this just the usual media exaggeration?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-36137208092045859262012-11-18T18:18:45.216+00:002012-11-18T18:18:45.216+00:00From recent experience of something my work has be...From recent experience of something my work has been involved in the media are not interested in checking facts before going to print, or broadcasting a story. Indeed they will even refuse to publish the other side.<br /> I think we all have to remember the old saying about not letting the facts get in the way of a good story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-82975737071941431332012-11-16T17:59:32.993+00:002012-11-16T17:59:32.993+00:00Sir Humphrey,
General Sir David Richards is of co...Sir Humphrey,<br /><br />General Sir David Richards is of course right in essence about lack of resources preventing the Armed Services from meeting all the commitments expected by Government.<br /><br />However, I cannot but suspect a certain "jockeying for position" here in anticipation of the next SDSR in 2015 and, posibly too, in anticipation of the ending of the Foreign Aid given to India (and perhaps other countries) by the same year. Such cuts will involve huge amounts of money and maybe there is a feeling within certain parts of the defence community that such money could be better spent on the defence budget instead.<br /><br />What is needed of course is a rise of at least 1% in the Defence Budget. That would solve many, if not all, of our problems.<br /><br />Sir Humphrey, I forgot to thank you for a comment on another site, in reply to a comment I had made on Marchwwod Military Port. Very informative. Thanks. MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-1425092740318490182012-11-16T09:21:34.401+00:002012-11-16T09:21:34.401+00:00My observation of DT articles is that they are oft...My observation of DT articles is that they are often very poorly written.<br /><br />I was affronted by an article criticising Margaret Hodge in the following headline "Margaret Hodge's family company pays just 0.01pc tax on £2.1bn of business generated in the UK".<br /><br />The line of argument is utter tosh, tax is paid on profits (with allowances and allowable and disallowed expenses). The article is all about revenue.<br /><br />Opinion3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-68813874622077568202012-11-15T21:57:21.394+00:002012-11-15T21:57:21.394+00:00I was one of the early commentators on the DT arti...I was one of the early commentators on the DT article and I was able to counter the piece with facts learned on Sir Humph's blog. So why didn't said Defence Editor bother to confirm facts before going to print. Either he has another agenda or Sir Humph is lying through his teeth! The misleading repetition of senior officer numbers was a prime example and one easily confirmed by the MoD Media staff. The article did conclude that Sir David was supportive of the Government and had obviously cautioned Ministers not to be too ambitious with heir military.<br />The answer must point to spin, that malicious euphemism for lies. But, to what purpose?<br />However, what I said must have affronted the DT for they withdrew the comment on later editions.<br />If they can't take the heat, they must get out of the kitchens.Derek McBridehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01124252642511948619noreply@blogger.com