Wednesday, 11th March, 2009
Here's Gavin with details of tonight's Newsnight:
Quote for the Day
"He went into the school with a weapon and carried out a bloodbath. I've never seen anything like this in my life"
German police chief, Erwin Hetger, following a deadly school shooting in which 15 pupils died.
We'll have the and be discussing why this kind of killing has happened again in Germany.
We have a report from Northern Ireland where Richard Watson had an interesting encounter at one of the , and we'll be talking about the economy.
Today's the day when QE starts, the .
Today is also the day when Barack Obama suggested next month's G20 summit in London .
We will also have a live interview from the man in charge of one of the touchstones of the economy, the department store chain John Lewis and the supermarket Waitrose. How are things on the high street now? What is the psychology behind consumer spending now?
Plus we'll have a film on how .
And finally... my thanks to Nick Webb for this Joke Fit For an Eleven Year Old:
The Shep Association have just announced the discovery of the World's Worst Zoo in a remote mountainous region in the south west of China. Apparently the zoo only has one animal, a dog. When asked what type of dog, a spokesman confirmed, "it's a Shih Tzu".
Newsnight 10.30pm on 91Èȱ¬ 2.
Gavin
Note: Due to technical problems the Newsnight email newsletter could not be sent out this evening. Sorry about that.
Comment number 1.
At 11th Mar 2009, JadedJean wrote:WHAT DO WE LEARN?
"He went into the school with a weapon and carried out a bloodbath. I've never seen anything like this in my life" German police chief, Erwin Hetger, following a deadly school shooting in which 15 pupils died.
Maybe not in Germany, but in the USA, and more recently, Finland. And whilst the populations of all these countries keep saying that matters are slowly getting out of hand, just how seriously is it taken?
Just what is economic recovery going to amount to? Will it be the re-establishment of predatory lending? Massive debt? Spin/deception everywhere? Is that recovery?
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Comment number 2.
At 11th Mar 2009, bookhimdano wrote:shh don't mention luton.
as the JL guy if he thinks their model of ownership might be extended to other sectors?
we know gavin likes the company of the younger generation but must we have their jokes as well? ;)
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Comment number 3.
At 11th Mar 2009, thegangofone wrote:On the shootings previous ones have often had a "Nazi" fantasy element - I will be interested to see if that is the case here but I think they would have identified that already if so.
The vast majority of Germans are really friendly well balanced people by the way in vase it sounds as though I am being churlsih in tier hour of pain.
On Obama who "will have to discuss ways of preventing a repeat of the current crisis" its going to be wonderful to see Gordon spin his worsening position as he was not as advertised the Iron Chancellor or the Great Regulator.
On China I assume the warship clashes in the South China Sea are just signals? No internal divisions opening up?
Every body wants to see the Chinese economy stay strong.
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Comment number 4.
At 11th Mar 2009, dennisjunior1 wrote:Sarah (Gavin)
We'll have the latest on that shooting and be discussing why this kind of killing has happened again in Germany.
It is a very horrible day for the people in Germany, following the problems in Southwest Germany on Wednesday....
Northern Ireland
I hope that this encounter went off OK....Also, will there be a link for the video....
And we'll be talking about the economy.
I think it is important to talk about the economy....
-Dennis Junior
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Comment number 5.
At 11th Mar 2009, dennisjunior1 wrote:Sarah (Gavin)
Bank of England
I am glad, that the Bank of England is putting money into the system...
JOKE
It was a wonderful joke....
NEWSNIGHT NEWSLETTER
No Problems....
~Dennis Junior~
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Comment number 6.
At 12th Mar 2009, Mrs Effingham wrote:Good here innit?
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Comment number 7.
At 12th Mar 2009, Sid wrote:Morning, Mrs E. There's no getting away from you, is there?
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Comment number 8.
At 12th Mar 2009, U12196018 wrote:Is there room here for a SeriousSoundBiter? We want to organise a holiday for him.
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Comment number 9.
At 12th Mar 2009, thegangofone wrote:Thought the piece on the German massacre was very interesting and cut right to the core of the issues.
Then again the American didn't seem able to accept the notion that a hell of a lot more people die in the US from accidental use of guns than are protected by them.
But his point about not giving sensationalist publicity was a very valid point and one that some British association of news people could well take heed on and give advice.
In retrospect thought the psychological analysis - even though it was a lay audience of course - was way too high level. They are angry about something. Really?
Also the point that if they didn't have guns they would use fertiliser bombs etc may not be valid as why go for the guns at all when the bomb would kill more and may enable escape (not sought often and guns give the "exit strategy"). The bomb takes more planning and preparation and identifies the killer as a terrorist - so maybe the self image is not right? They want to achieve an effect on those that view the horror so that their "plight" is registered.
Does this suggest also that they go for the quick and easy option because there is a shelf life for the idea that may pass. They want to strike at society, have the means and opportunity and a target. But perhaps if some improvement or random event occurs in their lives they are distracted and do not return to the idea.
Do non-attention seeking people ever confess to having considered a similar outrage?
My notion that the expression of their alienation through Nazi identification could be important (I think with Finland and Columbine though I am hazy in my recollection) seems wide of the mark in this case.
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Comment number 10.
At 12th Mar 2009, thegangofone wrote:On Madoff I assume the fact 'he has pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering' relates to his financial activities?
There seem to be rumours about Stanford and the Mexican Gulf Cartel.
If Buffet said the tide going out exposes fraud then now must be the time to go hunting organised crime.
Obama is switched on and so he must see the cost/benefit side of a major initiative.
Meanwhile "Regulator Brown" tries to discreetly slide home the bolt on the barn door as the horses seek pastures new.
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