Editor's Blog May 25th 2012
CM Media Circus
If you lie down with dogs, you wake up with fleas. This is my view every time I see my Chief Minister present himself on Spanish third-rate television. The panels mainly comprise of uncouth, bottom of the barrel, dregs of the Spanish media that no self-respecting news outlet would employ.
Why does Mr Picardo insist of accepting these invitations? They don’t call it a media circus for nothing. In times of political tension any Politician worth his weight should be using reputable news outlets to put his points across.
Eloquent as he is, Mr Picardo will almost always present a clear and concise argument, that ultimately falls on deaf ears as the viewers of these programmes already have their own opinions on who is the aggressor.
Spanish media, especially the written press, is riddled with inaccuracies that are stoking Spanish national pride into an obscene fervour; with many calling for walls to be built and others, more disturbingly, requesting armed intervention by the Spanish military.
An article in Europa sur SA is a prime example of how the Spanish media distorts the truth when The Guardia Civil Marine component requested Spanish naval assistance, to deal with a 70 meter long British warship that have been hampering their efforts to protect their fishermen.
Now I know I am getting old and my eyesight is not as sharp as it used to be, but for the last week when I have looked across into the bay the largest boat I have seen at least on this side is little old Sabre. Further distortions reported in the article are that the Guardia civil fear the fact that the British Navy boat is armed with a cannon.
Having served on these little vessels manning one of the weapons on these coastal patrol boats, I can tell you that the biggest weapon is a couple of general purpose Machine Guns chambered to 7.62mm. A fearsome weapon indeed, but of the same calibre as the CETME Assault Rifle which is the weapon that Spanish Guardia Civil are packing.
This scaremongering by the central headquarters of the Guardia Civil is as irresponsible as the news agencies and Spanish Government that is putting its people and security forces at risk.
In times of tension it will take only one bullet to start something that could have far reaching consequences.
Look at history and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, it is purported to have been the reason for the outbreak of World War 1.
When the time is right, as it is now with Spain in socio-economic turmoil, where Spain appears to want to start a pissing contest. I urge for calm and restraint and the collection of evidence, which will serve to strengthen our case in the European courts.
Ed.
