The terror threat
feel free to comment here.
Archives for June 2007
The Glass Box for Friday..
speak freely about the content of tonight's programme here.
In Saturday PM
Hugh in the place I'm not allowed to refer to on air as Honkers.
He says:
"Hugh in Hong Kong is dodging heavy rain, and electric storms - but breathing cleaner air! Strict no smoking laws arrived in Hong Kong at the beginning of the year - banning smoke from almost everywhere indoors, and many places out of doors as well. You can still smoke in a bar, or in a 'massage establishment' - but only for the next two years. So....
Take a walk around Morrison Hill, and you won't get a face-full of passive smoke. 
Signs on every table in friendly Younker Restaurant. No smokers at the next table to spoil your meal any more.
Signs in English too. 
Oh, and that $27 for a 'meal deal' bowl of won ton noodle soup, a plate of vegetables and a cup of tea is...Hong Kong dollars, fifteen to the pound. £1.80 for lunch - not bad. A lot less than....a packet of fags.
Another smoke-free outdoor zone - Chater Park. So far this week, I have seen only three people smoking. "
A phrase you'll hear
quite a bit today - uttered by some very important people - is that it's "too early to speculate".
Exactly when is the precise time to speculate?
Smoking
will be a big thing in England this weekend - campaigners for the right to smoke have launched a High Court challenge over the Government's smoking ban in enclosed public places. Tomorrow, from the place I'm not allowed to refer to on air as Honkers, Hugh will report on the smoking rules there. I'll post some photos in good time for Saturday PM.
Just had a police news conference on the car bomb in central London. Information was sparse.
The Beach
What is the Beach?
It’s a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you’re the only one around, but you can leave your ‘footprints’ for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.
If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.
The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
The Glass Box for Thursday
where you can comment on tonight's programme.
A visual aid
for an item on the programme tonight. The photograph shows reporter Matt Cole with some bread. Matt's on the right.
Harry Potter Fever. In Japan.
Tonight on the programme another Chris Hogg spectacular.
"The red carpet was rolled out, the champagne on ice and the smoke machines billowing at full blast tonight in Tokyo for the premiere of what is likely to be the summers big blockbuster. Japanese fans who'd won tickets were among the first to see the film anywhere in the world. For PM Chris Hogg attempted to get a closer look."
Chris has sent us these photos and words:
"A group of fans who dressed up last night twenty four hours before the premiere to queue up to make sure they got the best seats. They call each other by their character names. Saori 'Harry' Sato who is 27 dressed up as Harry Potter when she came to Britain last year on her honeymoon. She showed me a great photo of her trying to push a luggage trolley through the wall at St Pancras. (PS I noted the complaint last week about my standard issue blue shirt khaki trousers Foreign Correspondent combo and tried shocking pink instead).
Hmm Lion on her head. Luna Lovegood? Well she carries it off well ...
All smiles outside the coffee shop where they stocked up ready for their all-nighter .. sadly the next morning there were tears as all but Hermione (in the blond wig) secured tickets for the red carpet.
Two more super-fans I met Toshiko Matsumara who is 28 and Mayumi Narita who is 43. They collect Potter stuff. Loads of it.
Kumiko Terashima, author and web-mistress of the Pottermania website. Her claim to fame is that she writes the encyclopedia Japanese readers use to help them understand those difficult words or concepts which crop up in the books like Christmas pudding, muggles or gob-stoppers.
Sadly I'm banned from the red carpet itself tonight - not because of any previous misdemeanours I have to point out. Warner Brothers are trying to manage the media coverage - they are worried if we get to close to Daniel tonight there will be less interest when he pitches up in Leicester Square next week. But we will get as close as we can for you .. "
Prime Minister Brown and the end of the Blair era.
What do YOU think?
The Glass Box for Wednesday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
On the programme tonight...
To many Sir Peter Blake is simply the man who produced the art work for the cover of The Beatles' Sgt Pepper Album. To others he's the original pop artist - a cultural icon. Now, you can decide for yourself. The Tate Liverpool is hosting a retrospective exhibition showcasing more than half a century's worth of work. Matt Cole is there for us and will report tonight - and he's sent this self portrait of Peter Blake.
and this features in Matt's report...
Dot Davies
is the star of our Wimbledon coverage, and for my money (a fiver I won on the Eurovision sweep) the star of the show full stop. New sentence The question is - what does she look like?
UPDATE: Here she is! On Henman Hill!
Hugh in what I'm not allowed to refer to on air as Honkers. His first report airs in the programme tonight. He writes:
Where's that Skiving Sykes? Where's that editor Rupert Allman?
They're in Hong Kong.
It's nearly ten years since the Brits had to hand their colony back to China. Help! Communism! The Red Flag will fly everywhere! The Peoples Liberation Army will overrun the place!
Er, no.
Not much has changed really. Hong Kong is still full of financial types making loads of dosh.
Weird angle for getting on a tram?
Well, we were a bit jet lagged after a 12 hour flight.
The man on the Happy Valley Omnibus. Happy Valley is the main HK racecourse. We hope to report from there later in the week.
Rupert Goes Mad. What IS he doing?
Clue: This is the Avenue of the Stars. Problem is, the stars' names are so small you can't make them obvious in the photo. See next photo for the ANSWER!
Correct. Hong Kong Phooey. Only joking. We may interview a Bruce Lee devotee who is heartbroken that his hero's memory isn't more celebrated. This is Rupert ingratiating himself to get the interview.
Hong Kong primary school flute player with dragon. She was part of the prize giving ceremony for the Dragon Boat races. Which we missed. But we were there for the prizes.
Hong Kong primary school xylophone player concentrating very hard.
Little boy with his Dad on the Happy Valley omnibus. Every time the tram clattered over the points, the little boy mimicked the sound. Hugh tried to record him without intruding - he failed.
News reaches me that in fact
Hugh's first report will run tonight. So stand by for some snaps.
Tomorrow I will bombard the Blog
with a series of pictures to go with Hugh's reports from what I'm not allowed to refer to on air as Honkers.
In the meantime, he's sent a snap from the noticeboard at the FCC - the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong.
The Glass box
You know what to do...
Happy picture
on the day our esteemed colleague Sarah tied the knot the other week. Ahhhh.
Helpful post offices..
an email arrives from Catherine Parker..."Just to add praise to stricken Post Offices - my local one in Mundford, Norfolk who provided umbrella cover from my car to the premises in a torrential downpour! Thank You & much appreciated. Part of the Hidden Charm & character of local post offices."
UPDATE...UPDATE...PARIS HILTON IS FREED FROM JAIL..
Minute by minute coverage on PM.
I was slightly
misinformed yesterday. Hugh's Honkers pics will not appear till later in the week - to coincide with his reports. And I was excited prematurely (a recurring problem) about the Blog being fixed. No sooner had I posted than the whole thing began to grind like the gears of Dame Shirley Bassey's helicopter. I've been in touch with the always helpful Nigel who tells me the techy people are looking at it. The fact I'm able to write this suggests things might be on the up. Let's see if it posts.
Just been recording an interview with a chap from Postwatch. We were talking about the suggestion that the Royal Mail might stop delivering on Saturdays. It could happen.
Two of these men are camp musical icons. The other edits PM.
It's Right Said Fred with Roger the Editor (you may have caught them on BH).
But which is which?
Hurrah
After a day of tiresome blockages during which I felt strangely disconnected, the Blog appears to be working OK. Stand by for various things - including snaps from Hugh in Honkers (as I'm not allowed to call it on air).
The Glass Box for Monday
Once again, the bloggy thing is cripplingly slow. Attempts to post today have been frustrated and getting this Box posted has been tricky.
Anyhoo. The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
Teeth crisis...update...update...
The nation can relax. The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ dentist shaved down the jaggy bit without the numby thing. I will still have to get a proper thing done to fix it for good, but any dribbling and drooling in tonight's programme will be my own fault, and nothing to do with my gnashers.
Some bloggy
problems logging in this morning but they seem to have cleared. Unlike the rain.
I'd like you to pay special attention to what I say tonight. Or at least how I say it. I managed to break a filling while on holiday. This wasn't much of a problem at the time, but as the days have gone on, a jaggy remnant (stop me if this is getting technical) is digging in to the left side of my tongue, making me sound drunk. And I've hardly touched a drop this morning.
So it's off to the dentist at 1300 to see what we can do. If it can't be fixed quickly I will sound drunk on air. Even if it can, I'm a tad worried that recorded interviews during the afternoon will have to be conducted with half my mouth numb.
So apologies in advance for the endless dribbling.
Teeth
are proving a problem today. Lost a bit of a filling on holiday. No real harm done, but a jaggy bit - stop me if this is getting technical - has been digging into the left side of my tongue for days. It's making it harder and harder to speak without sounding drunk. This wouldn't matter much if I didn't sound drunk most of the time, but it's becoming a bit bad. So at 1300, instead of tuning in to Martha, I'll be in the dentist's chair. Let's hope the jab wears off before 1700 or I really will sound smashed.
The Furrowed Brow
The place to raise serious issues of concern to you. Read more about it in F A Q on the right.
I'm sorry to report that
despite bidding with the entirety of my Eurovision Song Contest office sweep winnings (still wisely unspent at five pounds) I've just learned that we have been unable to secure the first post jail interview with 
who has chosen instead to give the interview to Mr Larry King.
Below is how Mr King reacted when told he would be sitting across the table for Ms Hilton on Wednesday night.
Now how does this look to you?
This email arrived while I was away, from Harry Schilbach:
"Hi PM Team. Look what my girlfriend got me. Want one? Regards, Harry"
I'll reply to Harry next week. But I think the short answer is YES.
The Beach
Well, I thought SOMEONE had better refresh the Beach...
What is the Beach?
It’s a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you’re the only one around, but you can leave your ‘footprints’ for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.
If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.
The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
The Glassbox for Friday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
Carolyn, Caroline and Me
Eddie's in the sun, Caroline Wyatt's in the sun with a few barrels of French cognac, and even Carolyn Quinn's been allowed out in her wellies. Which leaves me, Carrie Gracie, in the bowels of a building where weather seems improbable, really just an opportunity to get it demonstrably wrong for listeners everywhere. But who needs cognac? Who needs wellies? When you can have Tony Blair throwing his toys out of the pram in Brussels for the last time and Gordon Brown grilled by the big beasts of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ jungle? I rest my case.
To rub it in Caroline Wyatt sent this snap from her report that will be on the programme tonight.
Sequin has arrived at Glastonbury
Carolyn has landed at Glastonbury. It is so wet she will be appearing on the programme tonight.
The Glass Box for Thursday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
Interesting how the Liberal Democrat story has unravelled further. We're going to be hearing more on the programme this evening. The only word that hasn't been used about Gordon Brown yet is "dastardly" - maybe someone will have uttered it before 5pm?
Why do you think politics in Britain is so tribal when we're told polls suggest that people would like more co-operation between the parties? Do you care?
sequin .
Hugh Sykes in the West Bank
Last week, Hugh Sykes reported from a checkpoint in the West Bank where Israeli soldiers check Palestinians going from one part of the West Bank to another. Hugh took these photos as he went through the Huwarra checkpoint himself:
Fifty people have permits to drive through, anyone else from Nablus (population 140,000) has to walk and take a
taxi from the other side:
Inside the checkpoint. On a good day, it's a 40 minute wait. It can take four hours. Israel says it necessary for security. Palestinians complain it severely restricts everyday life, and amounts to a collective punishment.
There's a separate lane for women, children and the elderly.
The Israelis say these checks are all necessary - to prevent suicide bombers. When this bus burned in Jerusalem a few days ago, people thought at first it was a suicide attack. It wasn't - just an engine fire, but a grim image reminding people of the danger they believe they still face:
Glasto news...
Hello Big Sis - sorry to have to correct you but I AM officially going to Glastonbury for the Today programme. We're not co-presenting from there, but will be doing little inserts and packages from there on Friday and Saturday morning. John H will be in London, unless he's going off-duty!
But of course if PM need me, as Michael Jackson sang ......"I''ll be there...".
sequin
The Glassbox for Wednesday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
Off the record
We've been trying to find out more about the story that Gordon Brown and Sir Menzies Campbell have held private talks about a plan for one or two senior Lib Dems to join Mr Brown's first cabinet. I've been talking to my "contacts" within the party, people I've talked to for years, ever since I spent the 1997 election campaign travelling around with Paddy Ashdown on his big yellow bus.
The frustrating thing is that so many of them have fascinating information and insights, but feel reluctant to talk publicly about what is going on - of course there's a sense of brinkmanship going on here. They don't want to give the impression that they are gagging for what Ashdown called " a bum in a ministerial Rover" but nor do they want to seem unco-operative when it comes to talking about future talks on the constitution for example. Some insiders can't stand the idea of linking up with Labour - if other parties need us, they say, then those parties should come to us. It's at moments like this that I envy my colleagues in the newspapers who can write up comments without naming the contributor.
As I write though we've just booked the Lib Dems' Home Affairs spokesman Nick Clegg for an interview. Not that he said any of the above privately to me, I have to stress.
Speak later
sequin
The Glass Box for Tuesday
The Glass Box Tuesday
Sequin 18 Jun 07, 05:28 PM
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
Mud wrestling
Your Glastonbury tips are fab, but I'm slightly concerned that many of you suggested the best thing was not to go at all! Yes, I know the forecast is rubbish....but a nice technical man has given me a waterproof jacket, Amanda Lewis has lent me a sleeping bag and someone is going to put a tent up for me. I suspect I will still end up looking like Charles Haughtrey in Carry on Camping - but what the heck.
And forget about any glamour, media centres, etc. We shall be broadcasting from the Today Camper Van .
Anyway.... back to today. Lots of people have commented about the Salman Rushdie story and the fact that Lord Ahmed called on PM yesterday for the withdrawal of his knighthood. Peter Rippon, the Editor and I have discussed the editorial stance of that interview on the Glass Box. But we thought you might like to get a sense of what we couldn't broadcast. I recorded this interview with the Minister for Parliamentary affairs in the Pakistan parliament Sher Afgan Khan Niazi. Dr Niazi had branded Salman Rushdie a blasphemer. But I think you'll understand why we couldn't run it.
The Glass Box for Monday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond. But as it's Friday they may just go home..... Only joking.
Summerlove Sensation
I'm getting ready to go to Glastonbury on Thursday evening after PM. The Today programme - for the first time ever- is going to be broadcasting from there on Friday and Saturday mornings. I have dug out my wellies, bought wet wipes and dustbin liners ( I'm told they're essentials) and have just pre-recorded an interview with one of the performers. Eric Faulkner - does that name ring any bells with you??? Or a shang-a -lang?
I's very strange talking to someone who was your pop idol (briefly) in your youth. For a year or so in the early seventies I loved the Bay City Rollers . Eric was the one with black spiky hair. Actually, he wasn't my favourite, Alan Longmuir was. Still, here I am, thirty plus years later doing an interview with one of the Rollers. Sadly not face to face - Eric came into a ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ studio in Kent - he said it was like a broom cupboard. He's going to be singing protest songs at Glastonbury as an introduction to Tony Benn. It should be broadcast on Today later this week.
Any Glastonbury survival tips?
The Beach
What is the Beach? It’s a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you’re the only one around, but you can leave your ‘footprints’ for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.
If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.
The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. (Sorry it wasn't last friday. Lord and Master was away. Sequin in the chair.......so apologies for late response) This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
The Glass Box for Friday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond. But as it's Friday they may just go home..... Only joking.
Wild thing
The printer I mean. Gone crazy again.....making strange gurgling noises. Now an entire encyclopedia that's been apparently printed up by someone on Newsnight has come through. And Shelagh Fogarty from Five Live - if you want your copy on Gaza, I've got it here.
The printer has printed everything except what I wanted to print.
It's Friday, it's 5 to 5 and it's Crackerjack
One of the above is correct. I'm just a little over-excited being back in Eddie's chair once again - though the goody cupboard was disappointingly empty this morning. Am consoling myself with aniseed balls having run out of liquorice whirls.
We've been pondering this great headline in the Telegraph: " Fans accuse ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ of watering down their Porridge". Some eagle -eyed fans of the seventies sitcom have accused the beeb of removing a line of dialogue that could be offensive to homosexuals. We're trying to find out from the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ press office whether the accusation is true, but in the meantime Julia has booked Christopher Biggins , who played the camp chef in the series , to talk to us live. Just made us wonder if there are some people who sit watching old programmes like this with scripts in their laps, or have they watched them so many times they think they know every line of dialogue.
Much concern in the office this morning........one of our producers, Sarah , is getting married tomorrow (Altogether now, AH). In the Lake District. Will the road and rail disruption caused by today's floods abate, and allow the invitees to travel up there? We need to know.
Anyway, nice to be back with you ...... speak again later,
sequin
Heathrow Airport and related matters
We're debating them on the programme tonight: what's YOUR experience and viewpoint?
The Glass Box for Thursday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
Printer problems.
In the modern office, printers, like photocopiers and computers unfairly bear the brunt of our anger, which should properly be directed at the weather, the cost of living or the hopeless morons who serve in shops but have never heard of the words please or thank you. Or soap.
But the printer we use has been playing up for days now. We first noticed it when pages printed by people in other parts of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ started turning up. If I went to print a script for a trail, for example, I would have to wait while running orders for the TV 6 o'clock news whirred out, or someone's travel itinerary for Kenya phutted onto the growing pile. It was pretty constant and meant that 500 pages would print every half hour.
We realised this was pretty wasteful and we turned the thing off and called a printer expert. After several days we were finally able to use it again. It was a joyous moment. People actually remarked on what a pleasure it was to have a printer. What the bloody hell is wrong with us?
Anyway this morning it is screwed again so we've switched it off. But as I know this Blog is read by people across the Corporation, as a public service I have been over to the printer and removed about 300 pages and will now list some of the documents in my posession. I'm in room G601 if you want them. If you don't I'll pop them in the recycle bin. We've turned the printer off. I mean - why would we need one that works???
Guy Stock - I have your ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 4 running order. Tim McCoy I have your risk assessment form. Tim Awford - all your questions for guests including Andrew North are here. David Loyn your itinerary details are here. If you printed out a map of Monmouth Street in Bath - it's here. As is a print-off of the national newspaper front pages. There's a lot of five live stuff. Rhod Sharp, if you were wondering why you had to read off screen overnight - your intro is here: "One o'clock. On AM and FM around the UK, on digital and online, I'm Rhod Sharp". Shelagh Fogarty, your Gaza briefing documents are here. I also have the salary advice of someone with a staff number ending 3B, and a rota for an unidentified department. There is a huge printout too of what to do in the event of a royal death, a fire at Bush House, or the reporting of accidents.
The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳. It's what we do.
And now here is the solution to that baffling puzzle from yesterday.
Please don't ask me to explain it. I am, as they say, merely following orders.
You can't please everyone. Or perhaps anyone.
From the listener log for yesterday. At least no-one was mesmerised.
"I was annoyed that contentious comments made by Baroness Thatcher were
broadcast. This is the last time I will listen to the show. There was five minutes of
nonsense from her broadcast on the programme. I was deeply offended."
"I would like to congratulate the producer for broadcasting the speech by Baroness Thatcher on the Falklands War. It was inspirational."
Home coursework
what do you think?
The Glass Box for Wednesday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
Like Sudoku?
Chris Hogg, our top man in Tokyo, has a piece for you tonight. Not only can we bring you pictures of some of the people who're in it - but a BRAND NEW type of puzzle for you to try. This chap is
the self-styled father of Sudoku, Maki Kaji (it's written on his business card so it must be true). He found the puzzle in the USA and published it in his quarterly puzzle book. He sells 50,000 copies of each edition.
This is the vice president of Japan's Mathematical Association Tsuneharu Okabe. The square thing is a puzzle one of his students has invented. You are supposed to be able to turn it inside out so that there is only one colour showing. Chris writes: "As you can see
he tried to show me how to solve it - but of course I was rubbish. I failed Maths A-level and it showed."
"This is computer programmer Nobuyuki Sakamoto posing proudly with one of the puzzles he has submitted to Kaji-san's magazine and had published. Trust me in the world of Japanese puzzle making that is about as good as it gets …"
Now: here is a puzzle from the Japanese publishers who made Sudoku famous.
It is called Masyu.
These are the rules:
Make a single loop with lines passing through the centers of cells, horizontally or vertically. The loop never crosses itself, branches off, or goes through the same cell twice.
Lines must pass through all cells with black and white circles.
Lines passing through white circles must pass straight through its cell, and make a right-angled turn in the cell next to the white circle (left or right).
Lines passing through black circles must make a right-angled turn in its cell, then it must go straight through the next cell (till the middle of the second cell) on both sides.
Mr Blair and his ideas on the media
and for that matter our guests Simon Kelner. Michael Howard and Lance Price...what do you think?
The Glass Box for Tuesday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond. Unless it's Roger Sawyer editing. He's completely hopeless. Please feel free to post your thoughts. There is a link to previous Glass Boxes on the right.
Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it.
How did it get to three o'clock already?
As mentioned in the newsletter we've done an unusually high number of recorded interviews. Some of them may fall by the wayside as events in Gaza unfold. Wondering too how Mihir Bose can fit in all the outlets he's due to appear on in regard to Bob Woolmer.
And the person we wanted to talk to about Princess Anne says it was all pretty much invented by the papers but he won't come on to tell us that.
Just been talking to the delightful Jackie Monkhouse
about a new ad that shows her late husband Bob walking round a graveyard, looking at his own grave.
It's all in a .
And we're back. Now. Has anything happy happened to you?
A call to the listener log after last night's programme spoke not of being mesmerised, but, if anything, a little bit depressed.
""The first three items on the programme were about people who were killed. I know these stories merit reporting but there is no need to go into such detail. I am sure there is some happy news the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ could give us."
Well of course we'd be delighted to pass on some happy news. So if something super has happened to you or someone you know, please let us know here.
The Glass Box for Monday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond. Unless it's Roger Sawyer editing. He's completely hopeless. Please feel free to post your thoughts. There is a link to previous Glass Boxes on the right.
Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it.
First the bad news -
Michael's report is being held over till tomorrow. The good news is he's sent three more photos.
Michael says: "We'll be reporting from Long Beach
where I saw these hatching turtles...
...They can grow to up to 1.5 m in length and weigh up to 300kg."
Michael Buchanan
reports from Ascension Island tonight and tomorrow, to celebrate the birthdays today of Molly, Jason Good, and Big Sis.
To help us all along, Michael's sent some pictures:
"Ok, first things first. Its not cold and there are no penguins. Apparently these are the 2 questions people on Ascension Island get asked most by outsiders."
"Its just a few degrees south of the equator, and as they enter the winter, its an acceptable 27 degrees Celsius as I write this, sipping an incredibly cheap beer (think less than a quid!) 
As you can see from this picture, the Island is a barren volcanic rock that's used as a communications hotspot by various companies and organisations including the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ World Service, Cable and Wireless and GCHQ. So sitting on the top of many of these ash pits, you'll see masts, transmitters and golf balls, 
intercepting all kinds of communications, possibly including this email (Morning chaps)."
Ascension came to prominence during the Falklands war, which we'll be talking about tonight on PM, as a crucial logistical and re-fuelling stop for British troops on the way to fighting the Argentineans. As you'll hear, the conflicted necessitated the whole island getting beside the military, which they apparently did with gusto. Ascension will be holding it own official Falkland commemoration on Sunday, when the newly refurbished flag-pole will be put to use for the first time. Hundreds are expected.
In lieu of failing to show you any penguins, have a look at this land crab
which was taking its time to cross the road the other day. They travel 6 miles down to the Atlantic to hatch, leave their eggs and then travel back to this hills. Once the young are born, they too head for the hills. How they know where to go, nobody can tell me. I have my own theory. With all these communication satellites dotted over the island, they simply use sat nav."
The Furrowed Brow
THE place to raise serious topics you want ventilated.
The Glass Box for Sunday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Unfortunately there is no programme on a Sunday. So instead, why not review the hour you spent between 5 and 6 pm today - whatever you did? Then a PM editor will comment on it later, and possibly criticise what you did.
Please be ready to justify all your activity.
Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it.
The Glass Box for Friday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond. Unless it's Roger Sawyer editing. He's completely hopeless. Please feel free to post your thoughts. There is a link to previous Glass Boxes on the right.
Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it.
Where in the world
was THIS photo taken? (Note to Roberto in Miami, you're not allowed to enter.)
The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ weather map
this morning suggested the only cloud in the land is outside our window, so perhaps your desire for blue sky is not as strong as mine. But as it happens, this lovely photo has arrived:
"Herewith a picture of Bergen, taken last Monday while on holiday with my 91 year-old mother. Wonderful weather, fascinating country, would love to go back and explore further.
kind regards,
Anne P.
The Beach
What is the Beach?
It’s a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you’re the only one around, but you can leave your ‘footprints’ for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.
If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.
The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
The N Word
What do you think?
By the way - if you want to know more about the blog - check our new FAQ link on the right...
The Glass Box for Thursday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond. Unless it's Roger Sawyer editing. He's completely hopeless. Please feel free to post your thoughts. There is a link to previous Glass Boxes on the right.
Also on the right, you'll find lots of other links you might like. The Furrowed Brow for example is the venue where you can start talking about anything serious of your choice: The Beach is a fun place, and there are links to Blog entries with photos, audio and links. And if you want to see us drone on about awards, you can do that too.
URGENT UPDATE:
Paris Hilton "freed". It's our new lead story.
Torture.
I've just recorded an interview with Tony Lagouranis, who says he tortured Iraqis for the United States. I think you'll find it interesting.
The Glass Box for Wednesday. Or whatever day it is. Oh the ringing.
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond. Unless it's Roger Sawyer editing. He's completely hopeless. Please feel free to post your thoughts. There is a link to previous Glass Boxes on the right.
Also on the right, you'll find lots of other links you might like. The Furrowed Brow for example is the venue where you can start talking about anything serious of your choice: The Beach is a fun place, and there are links to Blog entries with photos, audio and links. And if you want to see us drone on about awards, you can do that too.
It's stopped.
Maria tried to hang a coat on the bell bit it kept falling off.
Gosh it was loud.
It would be less distressing to be on fire.
A fire drill
from which we are exempt, means a loud loud loud bell has been ringing for most of PMQs and still rings.
HELLO?
HELLO???
OK. I don't know who was responsible for the only call to the listener log yesterday. But thank you, whoever you are.
PM
TX Date: 05/06/07
"I was mesmerised by the programme. Excellent work."
Total number of contacts for the programme: 1
The Glass Box for Tuesday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond. Unless it's Roger Sawyer editing. He's completely hopeless. Please feel free to post your thoughts. There is a link to previous Glass Boxes on the right.
Also on the right, you'll find lots of other links you might like. The Furrowed Brow for example is the venue where you can start talking about anything serious of your choice: The Beach is a fun place, and there are links to Blog entries with photos, audio and links. And if you want to see us drone on about awards, you can do that too.
Tea
has arrived, as it often does this time of day. Jeremy's got a round in, as he so often does this time of day.
We used to have a kettle, but health and safety took it away.
9818783
What does it all mean?
We're tossing around a few ideas for tonight's programme, including a follow up on the London 2012 logo. One suggestion we're working on is getting one of those head doctors who examines the ink spots, to tell us how he interprets comments on the Blog. For example - those contributors who suggested (ahem) that the logo shows a couple having sex - what's going on in THEIR heads?
London's 2012 Olympic logo
is on the programme tonight.
What do you think?
15.08 update: Rupert thinks it looks like two people having sex.
The Glass Box for Monday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond. Unless it's Roger Sawyer editing. He's completely hopeless. Please feel free to post your thoughts. There is a link to previous Glass Boxes on the right.
Also on the right, you'll find lots of other links you might like. The Furrowed Brow for example is the venue where you can start talking about anything serious of your choice: The Beach is a fun place, and there are links to Blog entries with photos, audio and links. And if you want to see us drone on about awards, you can do that too.
Photos of yesterday
are thanks to Jason.
And Big Sis sends a snap of an all too common scene.
Jason sends: "Pics of the Froggers meet plus a video of the Froggers Skyping with Jonnie wirelessly... How many Gold Sony's will that win?". The video we can't (yet) post, but look:
Jonnie says "Fifi has just mms'd this to me from her phone. BigSis and Val P having a drink and the 2nd is Eric joining in the party"..
The Furrowed Brow
The place where you can talk seriously about serious issues that are on your mind. Just click on comment to start the ball rolling.
What a lovely way to spend a Sunday
talking to froggers and the late Lissa!
(this will mean nothing to anyone else...but who cares?!)
Is "Handicapped" offensive?
We've had lots of emails including this:
There's nothing derogatory about using the word "handicapped". It's a descriptive word and was correctly used.
If he'd said 'cripple' I'd have been shocked, but would have cheered him for exercising his right to use the language as he sees fit.
Pete
Feel free to add your comment.
The Glass Box for Friday
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond. Unless it's Roger Sawyer editing. He's completely hopeless. Please feel free to post your thoughts. There is a link to previous Glass Boxes on the right.
Also on the right, you'll find lots of other links you might like. The Furrowed Brow for example is the venue where you can start talking about anything serious of your choice: The Beach is a fun place, and there are links to Blog entries with photos, audio and links. And if you want to see us drone on about awards, you can do that too.
This just in:
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said today: "The circumstances surrounding Tul Bahadur Pun's case are clearly exceptional, and in the light of this the Home Secretary, John Reid, and I have reviewed the case and made the decision to grant Mr Pun a settlement visa immediately.
"This decision was not taken lightly and reflects the extraordinary nature of this case, in particular Mr Pun's heroic record in service of Britain which saw him awarded the Victoria Cross. It is entirely right that this record should not only be recognised but honoured.
"There has always been scope to grant settlement in the UK to ex-Gurkhas who have retired before July 1997, and who do not meet the requirements in the immigration rules. As on this occasion, discretion may be exercised on a case by case basis. We have also taken into consideration his current medical condition."
You may already have seen
.
10.11 update. ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Statement: "We are studying the video very carefully. We have been working very closely with Alan's family for the past 81 days. This is a highly distressing time for them and for his friends and his colleagues. We repeat our call for his immediate release."
The Beach
What is the Beach?
It’s a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you’re the only one around, but you can leave your ‘footprints’ for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness. If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.
The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
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