Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Woe is Jerusalem and how the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ are focusing on the sad deaths of these poor 8 dead. The tragedy of the 120 killed in Gaza is a mere trifling matter in comparison and the terrible occupation and subjugation is a norm.

What makes the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ care so little about Arab deaths, but weep so much about murdered Israelis?

I am but a white English bloke, so far be it for me to suggest to the esteemed Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ where it's focus should lie. As a licence fee payer though, it would be a small comfort to know that the state broadcaster might provide a factual representation of events in Israel/Palestine.

I abhor the deaths of innocents, but some dead people are more innocent or more important than others, according to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

Reading the website of the blighted drug company, Reckitt, I see that Gaviscon is an alginate.

Alginate is something to do with seaweed. Why couldn't some other enterprising entrepreneur come up with a seaweed-based indigestion remedy? It wouldn't be that expensive as there is an abundance of seaweed around our island shores. I wonder if the ancient native crofters and fishermen of these isles used to simply eat a piece of seaweed when they felt indigestion attack coming on? Something worth looking into?

I don't wish to make fun of people with indigestion as an elderly relative did have Gaviscon as a medication and was suffering from a variety of serious health issues. It wasn't just a case of too much curry and beer the night before. In fact the person didn't indulge in either of those. More like a serious stomach ulcer, circulation and heart problems, for which a variety of pills and potions had to be taken, Gaviscon being just one of those.

With regard to this evening’s piece on Gaviscon, may be the NHS should consider adopting the Canadian model whereby all medications that are available over the counter may be recommended but are not allowed to be prescribed by a doctors. By the UK adopting this policy change will result in a significant cost saving to the NHS and the taxpayers. This Canadian policy applies to all people including seniors and welfare recipients.With regard to this evening’s piece on Gaviscon, may be the NHS should consider adopting the Canadian model whereby all medications that are available over the counter may be recommended but are not allowed to be prescribed by a doctors. By the UK adopting this policy change will result in a significant cost saving to the NHS and the taxpayers. This Canadian policy applies to all people including seniors and welfare recipients.

GAVISCON

Interesting issue raised tonight.

I have been on a prostate drug called Flomax manufactured by Astellas Pharma Ltd. A year or so ago the name changed to Flomaxtra, ie the letters 'tra' added,from the same company. I was told it was really the same drug slightly changed to deal with patent issues.

Could this company be doing the same thing as the manufacturers of Gaviscon?

I am also a little concerned that 'out of patent' drugs manufactured by others are in fact not as good as the 'originals'.

Woe is Jerusalem and how the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ are focusing on the sad deaths of these poor 8 dead. The tragedy of the 120 killed in Gaza is a mere trifling matter in comparison and the terrible occupation and subjugation is a norm.

What makes the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ care so little about Arab deaths, but weep so much about murdered Israelis?

I am but a white English bloke, so far be it for me to suggest to the esteemed Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ where it's focus should lie. As a licence fee payer though, it would be a small comfort to know that the state broadcaster might provide a factual representation of events in Israel/Palestine.

I abhor the deaths of innocents, but some dead people are more innocent or more important than others, according to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

Gaza ghetto.

Sadly the beeb has not kept its audience up to date.An outstanding article by a British journo. published in a leading, respected US focussed magazine reveals that Rice and Eliot Abrams, representing the Quartet, tried to do deals in Gaza behind the backs of the world media and of course the elected Hamas. All the ghetto knows of this now following an attempt to provide Al Fatah strong man, Muhammed Dahlen with lethal weapons (incl. light machine guns) not directly US funded by truck via Egypt.

The bombshell article reveals that a deal brokered by Saudi for Abbas & Hamas leadership to share power was roundly rejected by the US. The piece is documented with the draft agreement authenticated and evidence of what kind of strong-man, Dahlen, of whom Bush said "he`s our kinda guy" really is.

(White megaphones anywhere?!)

Woe is Jerusalem and how the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ are focusing on the sad deaths of these poor 8 dead. The tragedy of the 120 killed in Gaza is a mere trifling matter in comparison and the terrible occupation and subjugation is a norm.

What makes the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ care so little about Arab deaths, but weep so much about murdered Israelis?

I am but a white English bloke, so far be it for me to suggest to the esteemed Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ where it's focus should lie. As a licence fee payer though, it would be a small comfort to know that the state broadcaster might provide a factual representation of events in Israel/Palestine.

I abhor the deaths of innocents, but some dead people are more innocent or more important than others, according to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

I seem to recall that the deaths of 120+ Palestinians in Gaza was excused by qassam rocket attacks by Mark Urban earlier this week; dead women and children murdered as a reaction to 'an escalation' in Palestinian resistance. This evening, the deaths of 8 Israelis have no such logic.

Is this racism, or is there perhaps a different explanation?

I am appalled by the general indifference shown by news organisations regarding the coverage of the Palestinian deaths last weekend, it's not just the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ but all other news media. They just do not seem to care about balance regarding this issue. Why? There is a definite bias towards Israel in the reporting of these catastrophic events. A middle east peace proposal will have to circumnavigate the news agencies of Europe and the \US before it gains any credibility.

I take the exact oppostie viewpoint as those given so far on this blog, Israel has been attacked and attacked again by Hamas and it's Terrorist colleagues.

Israel does not go around firing rockets into residential areas or hiding it's rockets and terrorists amongst the general public, Hamas does, and some of these posters should start trying to find some balance.

I note that none of these posters have mentioned that Egypt has also closed it's Gaza crossing, nor do any of these posters mention that not one Arab country wants Palastinians living in there country, I wonder why that is?, could it be that everytime the Palastinians are allowed into another country Hamas and Fatah also come along?, if you want further proof look at the impact the PLO had on Syria/Lebanon.

Finally, it was not 120 innocent civilians that the Israeli IDF killed it was according to Arab media 92 terrorists.

Dear Author

I notice that my contribution about Gaviscon at about 11.00pm Friday evening has been deleted. I would be very grateful for a quick email from you advising me what was wrong with it.

Thanks - David Webb

Dear Newsnight

re the issue of service personnel waering their uniforms in public, it really is a sad state of affairs in this country that this is even being debated.

I have written to the Prime Minister to suggest that he makes it a serious criminal offence to insult any service personnel in uniform or to harass them or their families in any way.

Bob Goodall

Gaviscon

There is at least one generic: Brunel Healthcare Heartburn and Indigestion Treatment, apparently exactly the same active composition, but 5ml recommended dose versus 10ml so it might go twice as far and half the price 99p/100ml versus about Β£2/100mls. I think we have to ask again why Newsnight gave all this publicity to Gaviscon when the real question is why the NHS apparently haven't recommended the generic to GPs and Pharmacists when the taxpayer is paying.

regards - David Webb

when are the news media and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ going to address the bias towards Israel in it's middle east coverage? The 120 deaths last weekend and the seven Israeli deaths are shocking enough but the saturation and codemnatory coverage of the Israeli outrage and the seemingly indifferent coverage makes you suspect that there is a game being played here. There will be no solution as long as this hysterical arab bad Israeli good mentality persists. It has to stop and Newsnight would be a good place to start.

Those who point the finger at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ for bias to-wards Israel need to get their equipment repaired!

Or their collective heads of of the sand bucket!

Its no wonder a huge sector of the Muslim community feel that they are not being represented and distrust the West. The bias in the media is sickening.

israel muders 120 Palestinians and its ok. But 8 Israeli deaths and its all over the news.

Well its no surprise. The bias in the media won't change until there is a clear balance of different creeds and ethnic backgrounds representing a more balanced view point.

Peace to all