ORDER of appearance in post:
1. BBC article/video.
2. Background research on survey provider, including trail of companies.
3. Poster's analysis & commentary regarding video presentation linked to BBC story.
4. Poster's comments.
5. Poster's conclusion.
WARNING: it is quite a lengthy post. But worth checking out. LOL.
---------------------------------------------------
BBC ARTICLE INFOTAINMENT PROPAGANDA
2 hours ago [UNDATED]
Russia's global image is increasingly negative, according to a nsurvey from the Pew Research Center.
[wikipedia]
---------------------------------------------------
Energy Transfer Partners
Energy Transfer Equity was founded in 1995 and is currently headquartered in Dallas, Texas. They currently employ 5,000 individuals including the founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Kelcy Warren.
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. ... owning and operating one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States.
Type ............... Public
Traded as ........ NYSE: ETP
Industry ........... Energy
Founded ......... 1995
Headquarters ..... Dallas, Texas
Products ......... natural gas, propane
Employees ......... 5000+
Subsidiaries ....... Southern Union Company
.......................... Sunoco
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
2012 merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of ETP (with Sunoco)
ETP .. acquired ...interests, 100% of the incentive distribution rights, and a 32.4% ...interest in Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.
SUNCO - operates a geographically diverse portfolio of crude oil and refined products pipelines, terminalling and crude oil acquisition and marketing assets.
ETP also holds a 70% interest in Lone Star NGL, a joint venture that owns and operates natural gas liquids storage...[u]fractionation and transportation assets[/u] in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
ETP holds controlling interest in a corporation (ETP Holdco Corporation) (that owns Southern Union Company)
Sunoco, Inc. ETP’s general partner is owned by ETE.
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. ...owns the general partner and 100% of the incentive distribution rights (IDRs) of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. ...owns approximately 50.2 million ETP limited partner units; and owns the general partner and 100% of the IDRs of Regency Energy Partners LP and approximately 26.3 million RGP limited partner units.
ETE also owns a non-controlling interest in a corporation (ETP Holdco Corporation) that owns Southern Union Company and Sunoco, Inc.
The ETE family of companies owns approximately 69,000 miles of natural gas, natural gas liquids, refined products, and crude pipelines...
[wikipedia]
---------------------------------------------------
Back to - source of Survey:
Pew Research Centre (funded by Pew Charitable Trusts)
Between 1957 and 1979, six other trusts were created, representing the personal and complementary philanthropic interests of the four siblings. The Trusts remains based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with an office in Washington, D.C.
Although today the Pew Charitable Trusts is non-partisan and non-ideological, Joseph Pew and his heirs were themselves politically conservative. The mission of the J. Howard Pew Freedom Trust, one of the seven funds, was to:
"acquaint the American people with the evils of bureaucracy and the values of a free market and to inform our people of the struggle, persecution, hardship, sacrifice and death by which freedom of the individual was won". Joseph N. Pew, Jr. called Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal "a gigantic scheme to raze U.S. businesses to a dead level and debase the citizenry into a mass of ballot-casting serfs".
Early priorities of the Pew Memorial Trust included cancer research, the American Red Cross, and a pioneering project to assist historically black colleges. Later beneficiaries included conservative organizations such as the John Birch Society, the American Liberty League, and the American Enterprise Institute, as well as environmental organizations such as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Oceana, and mainstream think tanks like the Brookings Institution. ...
In 2004, the Pew Trusts applied to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to change its status from private foundation to nonprofit organization. Since the Pew's change to a charitable foundation, it can now raise funds freely and devote up to 5% of its budget to lobbying the public sector.
According to the Pew's 2009 Annual Report, five of the twelve Directors serving on the Board are named Pew. Two of the five are physicians.
Pew's environmental portfolio is designed to help meet what they view as one of the seminal challenges of our time: saving the natural environment and protecting the rich array of life it supports. [LOL - is this aim compatible with energy resources sector activities?]
The aim is to strengthen environmental policies and practices in ways that produce significant and measurable protection for terrestrial and marine systems worldwide. In doing so, Pew works to advance scientific understanding of the causes and consequences of environmental problems, design innovative policy solutions to these problems and mobilize public support for their implementation. [Oh, sure. I'd love a look at what they're involved in on that front.]
Efforts are focused on reducing the scope and severity of three major global environmental problems:
Destruction of the world's oceans, with a particular emphasis on marine fisheries.
The loss of large wilderness ecosystems that contain a great part of the world's remaining biodiversity.
Changes to the Earth's physical and biological systems linked to the build-up of greenhouse gases that are altering the world's climate.
The Trusts also funds the Pew Research Center, the third-largest think tank in Washington DC, after the Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress.
[wikipedia]
---------------------------------------------------
COMMENT
RE: BBC MAGAZINE ARTICLE & VIDEO
Found my first piece of obviously perverse political propaganda, courtesy of the BBC.
It seems an innocuous little entertainment piece in the 'BBC Magazine' section of the site.
On linking to the 'Negative views of Russia and Putin on the rise globally' article at BBC, a little 1:54 minute video with girly narrator automatically launches itself.
[Grim looking static image of Putin 'staring' at us.]
[Russian sounding string instrument music.]
It tells us that Putin's 'global image has taken a turn for the worst in the past year'.
It launches into what Russians allegedly thought would be the outcome of Putin's alleged involvement 'this spring' in the Ukraine would accomplish for the impression of Russia (ie that it would 'lead to a more favourable opinion of Russia around the world, but ...').
Russia's involvement in the Ukraine?
As far as I am aware, there is plenty of US involvement in the Ukraine and Russia is within its own borders. LOL.
Did the US 'charity' survey the Russian populance and if so, how?
Of course they bleeding didn't.
Girly narrator states: "the opposite seems to be true."
Hey, did they do a Russian survey or didn't they? LOL.
Oooh, a "new survey from the 'nusurvey' from the Pew Institute Centre found that Russia is increasing unpopular in many countries, especially in Europe and the United States.
[Cut to Obama (in Poland ... (Polish flag & coat of arms is on display)]
Obama is shown forcefully announcing:
"We will not accept Russia's occupation of Crimea or its violation of Ukraine sovereignty",
while Obama gestures with a pointed-finger for emphasis, at the podium.
[Cut to US flag]
"Disapproval has surged the most in the US ..."
[quote alleged US disapproval figures, which mean jack]
Narrator claims that unfavourable views have increased this year in all of the European countries surveyed (except Greece)
[but who cares about that ...LOL]
"Violence in Ukraine continues..." the narrator states. But what is not stated is that this is US backed and supported violence against eastern Ukrainians, perpetrated by a Ukraine puppet government that gained ascension through violent insurrection of ultra-nationalist extremist groups, with the blessings of the US (who seek to further their selfish corporate and strategic interests in the region).
"As violence in Ukraine continues, it's neighbour Poland, once part of the Soviet Union, is growing much more wary of the former cold war power." the narrator states.
[Bear in mind, the violence the narrator refers to is Ukraine puppet government violence against eastern Ukrainians. Bear in mind also, Poland is now a US puppet.]
[CUT to masked paramilitary guy and Russian hat wearing guy]
"After Russia annexed Crimea .... "
[quote dubious figures]
"Ukrainians have a negative view of the country
[ie Russia]
"When asked about President Putin specifically 73% of Ukrainians expressed disappointment in his handling of foreign affairs", the narrator states.
[Did they interview all Ukrainians, or was it just some? LOL]
[What is implied here is that a majority of Ukrainians disapprove of Putin and of Russia.
We are not in a position to evaluate survey methodology (or information regarding the population SAMPLES allegedly surveyed in Ukraine or anywhere else in the world), so this 'information' from such-and-such organisation is really useless.]
[CUT to drawing of Ukraine split down the middle with
89% disapproval on the Western side &
66% disapproval on the Eastern side of Ukraine.]
[Once again, where are these figures coming from -- who surveyed the entire country?]
"But that's complicated by geography...", the narrator states before...
[CUT to drawing of Crimea]
"...only 5%in Crimea said the same"...
[So when was the whole of Crimea surveyed?]
[CUT to pretty globe turning...]
"And when
other countries were asked about Putin, majorities in only a handful said they had confidence in him -- ALL IN AFRICA & ASIA."
[OK, now it's absolutely clear that his 'survey' is a complete load of manure.]
Note the other countries. What they're doing is holding out that right across the globe, Russia and Putin are disapproved of (except in a 'handful of countries') [LOL]. But they are conveying this dubious 'survey' information with absolutely no leg to stand on: the 'survey' authority is laughable and worthless.
[CUT to pretty two-globe graphic (on the reference to 'only a handful') -- and display the words:
KENYA
TANZANIA
VIETNAM
CHINA
BANGLADESH
on pretty double-globe graphic as the words:
"all in Africa and Asia" are stated by the female narrator.
Bear in mind, this alleged global survey is tied to Putin & Russia's 'ACTION' in Ukraine -- where there HAS BEEN NO ACTION TO DATE.
"But as the rest of the world seems to be turning on Russia, the Russians themselves are feeling more patriotic than ever. Pride in their country is up almost ...".
[Sorry, American oil-trust funded NGO turned 'charity', I don't buy your survey in relation to Russia or the 'world'.]
"Ashley Sadler, BBC News" says a twangy female narrator, who is either "Ashleigh" or "Ashley", presumably.
Well, isn't Ashley Sadler quite the authority there at BBC news. LOL.
[EDIT * the name of video narrator is: Ashley Semler, as per article above. Apologies, I was going by audio. ]
---------------------------------------------------
CONCLUSION
It is extremely dangerous to passively accept information conveyed, even from seemingly respectable and reliable news and information sources.
The morality of seeking to influence a passive public in this way is highly questionable; as is having a state run media group (BBC) that is clearly NOT INDEPENDENT from the State.
Very disappointed in the BBC.
How many readers and viewers of this type of propaganda are going to take the trouble to check all facts and all sources associated with the subject, and dig up facts associated with the ultimate
source of the information the news entity relies upon?
Basically, nobody is going to go into fine tooth comb fact checking.
The beauty of this little production piece is that it teaches many things about power, corporations, government, NGOs, charities, hijacking of causes, corporate expansionism and imperialism, propaganda and so on:
The piece is a perfect example of propaganda. Short and sweet. And full of shit.
The Obama cut-to gave Obama/US a 'soundbite', which is an example of how powerful this type of communication (and adamant finger-pointing visual) is as a tool.
The survey itself is dubious.
Come on people, how did this 'nsurvey' mob interview the populace of the entire planet?
The 'survey' (if it ever actually happened) and the 'figures' are irrelevant because these people do not have access to the populations of an entire planet (or even entire countries) - and however much funding they receive, their survey (if any) is a sample, conducted to represent what is in line with their aims (LOL).
The imagery of Obama was positive and supposedly concerned for 'sovereignty' -- where US itself violates sovereignty
worldwide and, really, has no business in Europe.
That argument aside, where was the concern for the elected government of the Ukraine -- and its sovereignty and laws - when groups of US enabled thugs drove the government from its elected position?
Obama is portrayed as commanding, effectual, adamant about Russia's occupation of Crimea and defender, adamant about the importance of protecting the sovereingty of the Ukraine.
The stark, unpalatable, stomach sickening reality is that it is corporate American interests that are annexing the Ukraine, and Obama is their spokesperson and figurehead.
Congress is funding Obama's push into the Ukraine -- and we're talking big dollars, people.
Who controls US politics? It's corporations. The government is there to do the bidding of corporate interests.
Colossal US political machinery and cash funding have now pretty much usurped the sovereignty of Ukraine, as the US puppet government in the Ukraine seems to have sold their country to corporate America.
The Russian imagery is negative:
- unpleasing image of Putin.
- scarey looking paramilitary figure in fatigues and black blaclava and what appears to be a rabble of guys, one of whom is wearing a Russian fluffy hat.
But, of course. That's part and parcel of such a piece.
Note the presence of NGO turned 'charity' and the presence of 'think tank'.
BEWARE: NGO, charity & think tank. In fact, don't take candy from strangers. LOL.
BEWARE: organisations that are survey or polling organisations.
The accusations that Obama (and his vast corporate-government machine) level at Russia, are the very things Obama and corporate America are guilty of. So, people, beware the preacher man.
What this has also shown me is that there is no 'US government'; it's just one large corporate-run machine that serves corporate interests first and foremost.
The people' of this colossal 'democracy' are not represented; they're fooled.
The lofty US ideals we've all been fed on in made-in-America TV and in movies (right around the world), are about as real as God, Santa Clause or the Tooth Fairy.
It has taken me all my life to rub the sleep from my eyes and to finally come to this realisation.
We are all nothing but pawn-slaves to Corporate Pharaohs of this world.
------------------
NOTE WELL:
In 2004, the
Pew Trusts applied to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to change its status from private foundation to nonprofit organization. Since the Pew's change to a charitable foundation, it can now raise funds freely and devote up to 5% of its budget to lobbying the public sector.
According to the
Pew's 2009 Annual Report,
five of the twelve Directors serving on the Board are named Pew.
**** can now raise funds freely and devote up to 5% of its budget to lobbying the public sector.
So government has now allowed the trust to raise
colossal corporate (& billionaire patron) funding to
interfere with government.
Five percent of my budget is fuck all. But 5% of a budget that is virtually unlimited in corporate America, amounts to a great deal of public sector lobbbying influence.
On top of that, five out of 12 Directors of the Trusts are named Pew. Hello, people? The guess is they've not been disinherited. Can anyone say
oil corporate interests?
Oh and how about the nerve of the benefactor who established the trusts:
ie the 'evils of bureaucracy' (ie that means GOVERNMENT for the people) and singing the praises of a FREE MARKET (a free for all for corporate America, more like it)?
That was the mission of the trusts that were founded by Pew.
End comment.
[All research sourced at: wikipedia]
