Say what you want to about our brand of highly marketed politics, it has been a virtual stranger in other parts of the world. Television as a tool for "getting the message across" was something avoided in Britain up until the advent of Margaret Thatcher. Prior to that it was the occasional odd televised Press conference and holiday message. But mostly it was ignored and viewed much the same way as one would view bacteria.

In retrospect, it was really only during the time of the 1960 election that TV became a medium of great potential in U.S. politics, and people like JFK who saw that potential ran with it. It has never been the same since.

Here is a radio documentary first aired by the BBC World Service on December 31, 2000 which traces the evolution of TV and Politics in Britain from the post-World War 2 period all the way up to Tony Blair - at the time of this broadcast there still were no televised debates as those didn't happen until 2010.

It's a fascinating comparison in just how the message is put across and how image has shaped our politics in a much more all-encompassing way than in other countries.

It could probably explain why there's been a recent trend in Britain to have all politicians looking somewhat the same, just as we do.

Heaven help the world from the invasion of the clueless and ruthless Pretty People. But alas, I'm afraid it may be too late . . . .

For all the insanity going on in our particular neck of the woods, the rest of the world was having their set of circumstances. Mysterious Iranian scientists, terrorist Bombings in Kampala, Gay Marriage in Argentina and the continuing saga of the Dollar versus the Yuan.

And god gave us Tums.

(Shahram Amiri - In perfect Iranian fashion - a myriad of conflicting stories)

In a story that has more questions than answers, the saga of Shahram Airi, the Iranian scientist who disappeared for a year and suddenly resurfaced in Arizona gave the media a certain amount of pause this week. In this case it was the BBC World Service program Newshour from July 13 who gave us the story.

(Bomb scene in Kampala - watching the World Cup has never been so deadly)

The Sunday bombing of several establishments around the Ugandan capital of Kampala served the illustrate just how random and senseless these acts of violence are. Innocent people, caught up in watching the World Cup on TV's at various restaurants and bars around town were caught in a wave of mass murder as a series of explosions ripped through the Capitol leaving some 74 dead and hundreds injured. By the time of this newscast (Africa Today from the 13th) there were groups taking credit for the bombings and arrests had begun. The senseless acts continue.

(I guess you could say "Two Juans Make It Right"?)

Given Argentina's rather repressive past (military Junta's, overthrows, dictatorships) and a strong influence from the Catholic Church, you'd think the last country in the world to approve gay marriage en masse would be Argentina. But no. On Thursday, Argentina voted to allow Gay marriage to be a legal and binding in that South American country. BBC World Service Global News does a piece - there is also a longer piece featuring an interview (in Spanish) with Maria Rachid from the Federacion LGBT in Bueos Aires at the bottom of the page. The world is loaded with surprises.

(Mao is looking more like Ben Franklin every day)

Yes, there is something of a currency war going on between the U.S. and China - it probably doesn't get that much coverage via our MSM, but it's there and it's going on and BBC Business Daily did a piece on it Thursday.

(Torture allegations - the gift that keeps on giving)

It is highly likely we will never hear the end of allegations of torture by our military and the military of our allies over the next generation or so. So deep and entrenched and secret have these violations of human rights been that each time another set of allegations comes to the forefront it almost makes you wonder how it's all going to end. On this Saturday segment of the BBC Radio Four program The Today Program (no relation at ALL to the one over here), the allegations continue from former detainees at Guantanamo.

(Maria Rachid - pleased and relieved)

And finally, for our Spanish speaking friends (or if you just want to brush up) I am offering an interview done via Radio Nacional in Buenos Aires (a very cool website with a LOT of really useful news) this past Thursday featuring the President of Federacion LGBT Argentina Maria Rachid and her reaction to the passage of Gay Marriage legislation in Argentina.

Until next week . . .

(the slow task of picking up the pieces)

On this day, July 8, 1945 Europe was two months into peace. Although there was still a war going on in the Pacific, Europe was slowly starting the process of putting the pieces back together from a continent ravaged by war since 1939. As part of a weekly broadcast to American listeners, the BBC World Service ran a program called London Column dealing with events surrounding European recovery, the slow adjustment to life without war and how it was taking shape.

Sometimes putting the pieces of a puzzle back are more fascinating than the puzzle itself, and Post War Europe was in the midst of sweeping change, sixty-five years ago today.

So what else went on in the world this week? Any ideas? Iran and Turkey got friendly with the concept of Uranium. The Euro has gone haywire. China is suddenly in love with Nigeria's oil. It's not a good idea to be gay in Malawi, unless its in a song and Spring hits Tehran.

(The Continuing adventures of Hu, Wen and Goodluck)

From the English Service of Radio France International (and also on the 15th of May making it a slight cheat), comes this report on the latest developments regarding China's heavy investment in Nigeria's Oil Production capabilities. Several readers have asked me to feature what's going on with China's current status on the continent of Africa. Yes, it's continuing and I'm sure getting more complex as the days wear on.

(Ahdmed in Istanbul - trying to get to the Nuclear Club through the backdoor)

From the BBC World Service on the 17th comes word that Iran and Turkey have set up an agreement to trade Uranium. Doubtless this is a little unsettling since Iran has been trying to skirt UN sanctions having to do with Nuclear capabilities. I think it might be time to start placing bets as to when the "surgical strike" taking out Iran's reactors will take place. Anyone for August?

(Portrait of Leopard In Search Of New Spots)

It's always interesting to hear how the rest of the world views our particular ritual of elections. In this case it's the much-celebrated Late Night Live program from ABC Radio National in Australia with American commentator Bruce Shapiro offering insights to the upcoming primaries from May 17th. It's a well-worth listening to hour (download if you can and play in your car).

(As The Euro Turns . . .)

BBC Radio 4's Today program ran a feature on Thursday regarding the continuing crisis with the Euro. Despite bailouts and shore-ups, this situation isn't going away any time soon. It speaks to a bigger question as to our current state of monetary chaos being worldwide rather than something happening only on our side of the globe.

(Being gay in Malawi is no picnic.)

I suppose it's cold comfort to know that homophobia and bigotry are just as alive and well in Africa as anywhere else in the world. So it is with Malawi, exercising an anti-gay stance by sentencing a couple to fourteen years hard labor for the simple act of being in love with each other as reported on this May 21st broadcast of The Current from CBC Radio 1. Further evidence intolerance is universal. Hate and prejudice, more so.

(Farsi for Speed Dating)

And finally, from the BBC World Service program From Our Own Correspondent on Saturday the 22nd, a report on the current state of dating in Iran, a nation where over half the population is under 25. How do you work out having a repressive, fundamentalist regime and a tidal wave of raging hormones? And it happens every Spring.

Until next week . . .

Things were heating up and transitioning in the world this week. The Philippine Elections got started on Friday. The Thai protests turned deadly. The British elections drew a collective question mark and further advanced the drama with the resignation of Gordon Brown. The Australian Economy was juggling and the Canadian Navy was facing huge cutbacks (which, by the end of the week, didn't happen despite the cliff hangers). All in all, your typical non-dull week.

(Gordon Brown - capping a weird week with an abrupt departure)

Starting off the week was news of the abrupt departure of Prime Minister Gordon Brown amid a somewhat baffling election. As this segment of the BBC World Service Newshour from May 10th illustrates. Politics is far from dull in the UK.

(Money, it would appear, is the root of all money)

From ABC Radio National in Australia on May 11th, news from PM of the economic situation in Australia and what the government was doing to try and make sense out of it. Also included is some lively discussion on the current state of Australian affairs.

(Contrary to jokes about a guy in a rowboat with a shotgun . . .)

There was serious cause for alarm earlier in the week that the Canadian Government would be forced to make drastic cuts in it Navy, including eliminating training programs. As the CBC's World At Six from the 13th explained, it could have been disastrous. Luckily though, rumors of the Canadian Navy's death were premature as the feared cuts didn't materialize.

(Five deaths after the first day)

And finally, from the English Service of Radio France International on May 15th. As the elections began in the Philippines fears rose about potential violence and voter fraud as the country geared up for the first election using electronic voting. After the first day a reported five deaths resulted from election violence and by last check-in it looks like there may be another Aquino in the Presidential Palace.

So that was the week that was. If you weren't wild about this one, there's another one coming up in a day or two.

This was a busy week in the world. Riots in Greece with the added dimension of innocent deaths, the passing of a President in Nigeria and the swearing in of a new one. The concept of The Hung Parliament to get used to in Britain, and the ever-present oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico.

(BP - trying to dig out of a hole, one fathom at a time)

From the CBC Radio One program The Current on May 5th, the ongoing disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and the PR campaign BP has been working on to get out from under a searing light. The promise of "we'll pay for everything" seems to be missing the point. But then, in the "never-never land" of big business, all things return to normal at the sign of a fat check, or so it would be hoped.

(A street in Athens this week - anger of Hellenic proportions, but then it turned pointless)

Via the BBC World Service Newshour for May 5th. The riots in Greece took an ugly turn with the deaths of three innocent bank employees, one a pregnant woman, when the bank they were working in was torched by rioters on this Wednesday. The anger turned to revulsion but the crisis continued.

(The late President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria - genuinely liked everywhere)

It had been eluded to for some time, but Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua had been stricken with Cancer for a while and had not been seen in public for months. When Nigerian Radio broke the news of his passing it sent a wave of sadness and resigned shock throughout Africa, as was reported on May 6th by this special edition of Africa Today from the BBC Africa Service.

(Newly sworn in Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan - even the name is optimistic)

Within hours of Yar'Adua's passing, Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as the new President of Nigeria, at least for the next six months before the official elections begin. BBC World Service Global News for May 6th reported on the swearing in and the future for Nigeria. Also in the broadcast are reports of new tunnel activity in the Gaza region. The Middle East is never too far away from new drama.

(Britain's answer to Joe The Plumber - A Pullet Surprise)

And finally, as the General election in Britain ended with a Hung Parliament, pundits and crystal ball gazers on both sides of the Atlantic are twisting like pretzels to figure out what it all means. As this BBC Five Live Story Of The Day from May 7th illustrates, the arduous task of coalition building and negotiation now takes place . . well, until the next election in six months time. And by then the world may have spun further off its axis.

And so went this week. Even though you may have slept through it there's still next week to consider. Or not.

(Lord of The Admiralty Winston Churchill - very dark days just ahead)

I've had a number of requests over the months to post some complete Winston Churchill addresses. Churchill is certainly a familiar voice to most people, but in the context of soundbites; short excerpts from famous speeches or radio addresses during the years of World War 2. Tonight I thought I would include a complete speech he gave in Manchester on February 1940, when the War in Europe was relatively new and the dark days of the Blitz were just ahead. Churchill had not become Prime Minister yet, but was still Lord of The Admiralty. That too would happen shortly after this address.

Winston Churchill: “Even if we look at numbers alone we have no need to feel that the task we have taken up is beyond our competence. I cannot pretend or venture to forecast what the course of this war will be, whether it will be long or short. Whether it will be dull and grinding or burst suddenly into furious flame. But I am quite sure that the British Empire and the French Republic and French Empire, once they have got on the move, and they are on the move, are far stronger together in physical energy and in psychic strength than Hitler’s Germany.”

It's also interesting to note that even Winston Churchill was not immune to heckles from the audience, as was evidenced by two shouting protests mid-way through his speech, briefly halting his address. A technical note: Because this is a shortwave broadcast, the sound goes from great to weird and distorted in places and back. In 1940 that was the best available technology at the time.

Some things, even in history, never change.

The earth stopped shaking in one place this week and erupted in another. Britain is coming to grips with the Parliamentary beauty contest and don't feel bad if you can't pronounce Eyjafjallajokull.

(The Earth doing what it does best)

We start off Monday, April 19 with a CBC The World At Six report on the Volcano in Iceland and the disruption of travel. Also reports of abuses in Canadian Health Care (welcome to our country), the potential for a Canadian Mortgage crisis (just like us) and a look at the Gun Rally in Alexandria Virginia.

(What one version of tense looks like)

To the BBC World Service Global News for April 21. Signs of progress as the ban for air travel throughout Europe is lifted in the wake of the Volcano in Iceland. Also the continuing Thai protests and threatened crackdowns.

(Stranded for days - to some it seemed like the camping trip from hell)

BBC 5Live Story of The Day - April 21. As the ban on air travel is lifted completely, the airlines struggle with getting back to normal and the inevitable game of finger pointing starts. Act of God it seems, ain't good enough anymore - it has to be a bureaucrat.

(oh . . .him again)

ABC Radio National in Australia's AM Program from April 22 features the ongoing saga of sex abuse in the Catholic Church with Pope Benedict somewhere in the middle. Also news on the Australian Health Care Reform story (yes, them too), and an inquiry into the prison death of a notorious Australian crime figure.

(Wounded British soldiers are getting treated about the same as U.S. wounded soldiers - and they don't like it either)

From the BBC Radio 4 Today Program on April 22, the matter of treating wounded soldiers in Britain and how they, like our own wounded troops, are getting ignored by the government.

(Honor killings in India - seemingly the last word you'd use to describe it)

From The BBC World Service program Outlook on April 22, a report on the rise in "honor killings" in India, also a report and interview with New York Times Reporter Elizabeth Rubin, who went to Iraq and Afghanistan to cover the war while pregnant.

(By Round 2 the novelty is starting to wear off)

BBC World Service Newshour devoted almost the entire broadcast of Friday April 23 to the second of three debates being held in Britain for the office of Prime Minister. The novelty is starting to wear off but it still gets punditry rolling. Also a report on the Wall Street reform talks and President Obama's address and comments by Clay Lowery, former member of The Treasury.

("Isn't that cute, they have their own little language"- U.S. reporter

And finally, for our friends in Iceland (or those of you ex-pat's who miss the Mother Tongue), from RAS2 in Reykjavik, a sampling of the days news and an observation on the difficulties the outside Press were having pronouncing the name Eyjafjallajokull to baffled listeners around the world (starting at about 7:35 into it).

What a week - and there's always another one starting up shortly.

(Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames - In 1964 riding the epitome of cool)

(The Rolling Stones - in 1964 - not fooling anybody with the squeaky clean act)

If I haven't already screamed the praises of BBC 6 Music on an almost daily basis, forgive me. Without them a lot of incredible and incredibly rare material would probably never see the light of day. Because of that, you really need to bookmark their site and refer to it every few hours or so and prepare to be amazed.

This weeks installment of the Backstage Weekend takes us back to 1964 and a recently discovered program that hasn't been heard since it first aired on the BBC World Service March 18, 1964. Called The Mike Raven Rhythm & Blues Show it featured, at the time, many of the up-and-comers from the British Invasion period. As far as I can gather, Mike Raven is actually a pseudonym for Alexis Korner who sings one song with the Blue Flames. The half hour show is pretty evenly split between Georgie Fame and The Rolling Stones. Georgie Fame is probably not as well known now as the co-billed band, but in 1964 he had a top ten hit in the U.S. (Yeah-Yeah) and a pretty good following in Europe. The Rolling Stones were slowly evolving. Still very much in the Chicago Blues mold and featuring co-founder Brian Jones on guitar, they played mostly covers of other songs and hadn't really hit yet in the U.S. (It's All Over Now, they're first big hit really didn't until around August, if I remember). So this is an interesting, and very historic glimpse of a band on the way up and what the scene was generally like in the U.K. on a typical March day in 1964.

And it's in stereo.

(Within minutes almost the entire Polish government was wiped out)

Breaking news this morning - As reported by BBC World Service:

President Lech Kaczynski and scores of other senior Polish figures have been killed in a plane crash in Russia.

Polish and Russian officials said no-one survived after the plane apparently hit trees as it approached Smolensk airport in thick fog.

Russian media reports said the pilots ignored advice from air traffic control to divert to another airport.

Poland's army chief, central bank governor, MPs and leading historians were among more than 80 passengers.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the crash was the most tragic event of the country's post-World War II history.

The Polish delegation was flying in from Warsaw to mark the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre of thousands of Poles by Soviet forces during WWII.

(Stunned Silence)

And news of the tragedy as it was heard over Polski Radio 1 (in Polish) earlier this morning.