MURDOCH - FREEDOM FROM THE GUTTER PRESS

Culture Media and Sports Select Committee       


            
House of Commons


In 1986 I had the opportunity of giving evidence to a House of Commons Select Committee, that was a great honour and at the time contributed a little to the saving of an important British Industry.  Quite why an Australian News magnate and citizen is equally allowed to give evidence to the British Parliament I am not sure.  As Margaret Thatchers favourite capitalist, Murdoch has been the most hated figure of our political left for the last 25 years, since the days of taking over the News of The World and moving the Sun printing operations to Wapping.


The media of course see this as probably the greatest story or scandal in the last 50 years, but to us, the general public if you like, the issues are more about celebrity culture than every day reality.  Personally I have never sent a voice mail or purchased the News of The World or Sun newspapers, these publications are aimed at the not so bright members of our society, impressed only by stories of celebrity and sleaze.


However the far more serious issues raised have been firstly the invasion of the privacy of the families of the victims of horrific crimes and terrorism.  The absolute and institutional corruption of the Metropolitan Police Force at every level it would seem.  The corruption and most threatening behaviour towards  politicians, that has clearly influenced recent general elections and policies.  


David Cameron has failed as the unelected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, to protect our government and civil authorities and his own office from outside influence infiltration and control by News International, a foreign controlled organisation.

MURDOCH WILL HAVE HIS BOOMERANG BACK !!

In the interests of our greater Democracy and freedom in the world, David Cameron would have been far wiser getting rid of the Australian Murdoch family from Britain than concerning himself with the Gaddafi's in their own country of Libya.

SIX MONTHS OF CHEMOTHERAPY-THE MEANING OF LIFE STAYED THE SAME

Vesuvius - because it was there!!

I have now completed six sessions of chemotherapy and swallowed a lot of drugs.  There were no promises or predictions, so I am pleased to find that that the tumours have reduced in size, not quite a miracle but some improvement at least. Unfortunateley in the last few weeks since giving up the steroid tablets I have been very ill.  I was quite shocked to be refused any assistance from my Cancer Unit and had to endure six hours in a casualty department, before being admitted to that same hospital.

There seems to be a shortage of advice or information for Cancer treatment.  I was quite amazed at the effect the drugs have on smell and taste, there are hardly any drinks cold or hot that I can now tolerate. The only food left now is soup or meat, mainly spicy.  Managing weight and bodily function whilst consuming so many contradictory drugs is a full time worry.  I am hoping in the next few weeks to improve my physical strength in order to walk and perhaps to do a few jobs in the garden.

I am still preparing for the end, never sure how soon that might be, for the present though, things seem a little better, at least I can once again stay awake long enough to use the computer, most of my thinking and alertness has now returned.

As for "the meaning of Life", well that does seem to be reproduction, however the best way to spend that time is never to become over-involved in issues, politics or religion.  Personally I found it more satisfying to take an interest in the surrounding environment than to live a selfish self-contained existence. Other people do matter and our attitudes can ensure the security of humanity.

We will always see governments take foolish action, I wonder if they do this just to intimidate the population sometimes (Greece is a good example of this). Two other perfect examples today are the Libya war (or Gaddafi hunt) and the huge increase in retirement age to 68 years, both of these will return to haunt any future administration and the British record for the protection of human rights.  Caring and speaking out about these matters is to me a very important part of the meaning of life in our modern society.