Broadcasting house today 3.3.13

I heard it. I think Paddy O'Connell's recation was contrived.

I heard an article, I think it was "From Our Own Correspondent", a few days ago where the BBC reporter came across some sort of bomb crater and when he looked down several pairs of eyes looked back at him. It was a little group of young boys, brothers and cousins from one family. They spent every day in that crater, and they were waiting for the mother to return with food. As the reprter left one of the boys asked him, "When is our Mum coming back?"

That has stuck more in my mind longer than this love letter will.

I know we have to be grateful to reporters and photographers in war zones. It is a dangerous job, but they know what they are getting into. Those children had no choice.

All my sympathy goes to the mothers and children in the war torn parts of Syria, and in the the makeshift refugee camps with flimsy shelters between them and the harsh winter. None left over for anyone else.

I have just listened to it too and I disagree with j08. I think Paddy O'Connell was genuinely having difficulty getting his words out. Very moving, no other words for it.

Whether you agree about the presenter being moved or not is not really the main point of my post. In my opinion the presenter is unimportant.

Fair enough but I am entitled to my opinion aren't I? As you are to yours.

J08- It's nothing to do with the importance or otherwise of the presenter and how on earth could you conclude that his reaction was contrived? I listen to him every week and don't think for one minute that he would cheapen such an emotional item by a contrived reaction. Why such a mean spirited response to the OP which was saying that his reaction showed just how moving the item was?

I think Mr Tomasevik would prefer our concern to be directed towards the innocent dead of Syria.

I thought the item was slightly trashy.

There's room for both

Sorry. Can't see past the genocide.

I do find it quite upsetting when people feel the need to make judgemental comments and yet somehow deny others the right to comment upon it. Or rather unpleasantly raise the stakes by suddenly citing something as emotionally charged as genocide.To accuse someone of being less than honest in a highly emotive encounter, is really quite serious and should surely be open to discussion, otherwise why say it in the first place?
As some wise person once said its a bit like the old Hitler clause. As soon as someone calls that person in to bolster their case, they have lost the arguement.

Well, they have just repeated it on radio 2's Jeremy Vine programme. Daddy O'C said he "caught the eye of the other professionals behind the glass who were tearing up". Mass hysteria perhaps?

Listened to the love letter reading again. It still did n' t move me. Don't get me wrong, I'm very sorry for anyone finding themselves in such a situation. But sobs? Sorry. It just did n' t happen.

The fault probably lies with me.

My previous comment of "contrived" was perhaps a bit harsh.

Paddy! Not Daddy! Daft kindle fire/user

I was also moved by the plight of those boys in Syria..... waiting ina cave for their mum to return. I heard it on the radio. However when I saw the same story on the TV news it was very contrived, showing the boys from all angles ina very manipulated set up. It did seem like propaganda.

Never the less what a useless waste of life! I despair with the killing going on in the World and how it leaves room for extremists of all types to take advantage.

If it wasn't for the bravery of photographers, cameramen, war correspondents, journalists etc we wouldn't know of the plight of people affected by genocide so surely their deaths are to be mourned for as much as the people they report on? Especially as they know the risks they are taking to provide us with this information. Look at the reporter who lost most of his body in a bomb blast but, due to the fact he still has his right arm is going back to take more photographs as he feels it's 'unfinished business' and he owes it to the people in [ think] Afghanistan.

"I know we have to be grateful to reporters and photographers in war zones."

(From my previous post.)

I fully agree witgh you Tegan.

Wish I had never posted it now, such bile is really unnecessary ((

Bile?!!!! That's a bit strong! #don'tbesilly

Firstly I'm not being silly your comments are nasty and I don't want to read any more on here I'm off, won't be back, sayonara.

Best to post then come back later. Then you don't get upset when people have got up fron their nap on the chaise longue on the wrong side. You means you or anyone. Always slightly surprised if anyone takes any notice of anything I post.(too lazy to do an emoticon emoticon)

I don't take naps. I haven't got a chaise longue either. (Wish I had!)

I thought the idea on here was to have discussions.

I can't see anything nasty that I have posted. Apart from saying that I thought P.O'C's reaction might be contrived. Is that really so terrible?

I have a chaise longue but I recline do not nap. And was not referring to anyone as I said. Awful to lose a poster as the threads can become same old same old.

[shrug]

But why do people feel the need to flounce off if somebody disagrees with them?

What's wrong with agreeing to disagree? We all have a right to our opinions on here.

I too have a chaise, but have to share it with dear dog. However, I can't begrudge her as she looks far more elegant on it than I do. Its muted greens are a perfect foil for her chocolate hues, and she know it.