The current situation has revealed a number of rather disturbing views being expressed as well as some rather unfortunate decisions. This is, of course, my own perception of things that I have seen and heard over the BBC. Some may think this is already a tainted source from which to evaluate information; however, I choose to think it is a still a reasonably reliable conduit from which to obtain news. It does sometimes veer away from objectivity towards opinion but then most media outlets do the same. Some have an outright agenda and have completely turned to propaganda. In any event, much of what we get is so called analysis and comment, theoretically expressing all points of view from left to right on the socio-political spectrum.
Last night on Newsnight during an interview of John Bolton (former Trump advisor) a short publicity film was shown, to him and to the audience, which was put out as an official White House ‘promotional’ film. I presume it was made to publicise the might and ‘right’ of the United States by promoting ‘truth and justice and the American way’. The film consisted of a compilation of very short clips from movies, such as Brave Heart, Top Gun, Robot animation from I know not where, Superman and other comic book heroes, interspersed with clips of bomb burst in Iran. All very hung ho with superman saying “I’m here for truth justice and the American way. Mr Bolton sort of sneered at it and said ‘I wouldn’t have put it out’. He described it as infantile and probably symptomatic of the current White House, but wasn’t Superman for truth, justice and the American way? He also, when asked to comment on the bombing of a school in Iran, possibly by the United States, commented that America would never contemplate such a thing and the matter would be investigated and if necessary compensation made. He also added that, given the situation, Iran should not build schools next to military installations.
The Newsnight guest panellists of pundits were horrified, as was the presenter, but one had to remember that, although Mr Bolton was deeply at odds with Mr Trump, he is a man on the right of American politics and very much in favour of the attack on Iran. He was also instrumental in breaking off the agreement the United States had previously made with the Iranian Government.
What surprised me more was the lack of comment or analysis of the White House propaganda piece. The film and its message is a stark reminder of the insanity and psychotic nature of the Trump presidency and occupation of the White House. What could possibly have possessed any serious minded individual to put together such an insane film? To intersperse macho cartoon character and villains with the bombing of Iranian cities and citizens as if they were real upholders of justice and the American way is clearly insane. It is turning reality on its head. Trump and is cohorts clearly see the world as one giant television screen on which they play video games. It is AI gone completely mad. The film is actually on YouTube.
Which leads me on to an interview on the Today Program broadcast today Saturday 7th March 2026 at 7:22 am The interview was with Professor Shahram Kordasti. You can listen to it on BBC Sounds. Professor Kordasti has number of friends and family in Iran with whom he has some communication. He expressed overall hat there is still some hope that the situation might lead to a new democratic Government somewhere down the line. He points out the difficulties but gives the impression that there are many who may welcome the action being taken. Having tried for so long to change the regime in Iran, and constantly being rebuffed and brutally put down, this my be the last resort and only way of bringing about that change. According to Prof Kordasti they have tried everything else, so what is there to loose, or words to that effect.
This interview followed on, although not directly, from another discussion about the American B1 Bomber being allowed to land in the UK for defensive purposes. It was quite clear from the discussion that even though landing and take off permission was approved by the UK Government, whether the use of the aircraft would be entirely defensive in nature was open to question. One had to be realistic about such matters.
So I ask myself, is this some sort of surreptitious propaganda by the BBC in support of the Government in promoting the ‘defensive but realistic position’ as a corollary to the number of Iranian citizens who ‘welcome’ this intervention as a hope for the future? Perhaps I am being too Machiavellian in my thinking. Nonetheless it is cause for concern.
What is the major concern is that we have a world descending into complete chaos with an insane group of people playing Nintendo war games behind screens in the White House and the Pentagon. In the meantime, whilst the comic fantasy addicts play on, Putin and Netanyahu are loving it and feel free to run roughshod over the rest of us,. It really should be time for the adults in the room to pull the plug.
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