Does anyone care about this Russian Spy death?

Question

The blanket news coverage is a bit much. It's only one man that's dead. I'm sure they're only covering the story SOO much because it's like the plot line of a crappy crime novel.

Poor bloke and his poor family, but it means very little to my own or any other Londoners lives other than for voyeuristic titilation. That's not what the news is for and I wish they would give me some proper news.

Of course we need to be informed but I was saying it has gone beyond that now. And I don't mind the news being all doom and gloom, such is life, but this particular story isn't being reported properly in my opinion.

Jesus! I'm not saying I don't care what's going on in the world! Quite the oposite! I was talking about the WAY it has blanket coverage and other important news is being neglected.

Forget it.

Answer 1

Dear Sandy,

I well understand why you feel that way, and I think that there is some definite amount of journalistic overdramatisation involved. As you say, the story is too naturally juicy for the media to resist milking for all it's worth - especially the British media, who (let's face it) are not globally known for their sense of self-restraint.

However, this does not make it any less important an event in itself. I for one care quite a lot about it, and I am sure many people would too. First of all because in the process of poisoning that poor chap, his murderers seem to have left a pretty long and nasty radiation trail - every day we hear of a new contamination, and it has even affected BA aeroplanes. If I lived in London, I would be very interested in knowing just how wide this radiation has reached. The fate of Russian spies and Italian diplomats might not directly affect me, true enough - but air transport certainly does (as well as every other public place which may have been contaminated).

And secondly, if the police in the UK were to definitively trace the murder to agents of the Russian government, this would have major consequences for diplomatic relations between the two countries (as well as the European Union at large). HMG would not take kindly to a foreign power blithely assassinating political opponents on British soil, especially when the killing method is so messy as to endanger the general public. And two great world powers pissed off at each other is no small matter, particularly in this era of scarce oil and fragile international security.

It is true that the media in this age have ludicrously inflated trivialities into major controversies purely for profit. But occasionally, the catalyst issue is actually worthy of attention. This is the case here.

Hope this helped,

Answer 2

Yes, it's a very interesting story. It's important that people are well informed about the evils that governments still carry out to this day. Even more so, I think it serves as a reminder of the lack of security and controls regarding Russian stocks of radioactive materials.

I would think Londoners would be very interested in a story such as this. I would want to know if irradiated objects or persons were able to slip into my country and immediate area.

Answer 3

Yes, I care very much! This isn't a "reality" show produced by Mike Burrnett - it's real life and it's happening in our world!

I think what happens in our world should be of concern to all of us. It's this "it's not my problem" attitude that has gotten our society in the bad state that it's in. Maybe if we all cared a little more, things would start to change for the better.

People who say "let them kill each other" are just plain ignorant! He was a human being, who had the courage to stand up against bad people, and now he's dead because of that. We should all have so much courage!

Answer 4

Yes it matters... why? Well lets just suppose for one minute you were writing something about Russia and Pres. Putin that was not liked over there... maybe a blog or just having your say... Okay accepted they may consider your comment ill advised and do nothing... or of course you may get a visit from on of their henchmen who kindly decides to poison you and let you die in a lot of pain.

Now, don't you think that it is the governments and the polices job to a) find your killer and b) ensure that some foreign power doesn't just waltz into the UK and start bumping off its citizens just because they criticise their government and leader.

Could you imagine... the USA would have a field day... they would be bumping off Brits, left right & centre if this was allowed to happen...

So, yes it matters

Answer 5

The real point of this whole story is the use of radioactive material to commit murder. When you think about it, this particular incident holds some pretty nasty implications for public safety in the not-too-distant future. True, the unfortunate assassination of some foreign former spy doesn't affect either you or me very much, but the manner of his death sure could. The really intriguing part of this whole story will be the trail the radioactive material left from point of origin to victim. The news will detail it all eventually.

Answer 6

its SAD .
I understand your point, its
Extremely Sad
Frankly.

Does it the `news..` frustrate you?
What story would you cover, given impending issues? ...... Decleration prehaps of 100,000 jobs the British government will provide for us to turn Britian around, towards a greener future. In the same week, BT announced, it created 6,000 new jobs, in India.

We have privilages in Britian such as use of public library`s, the right to have religious belief & an opinion. See European Human Rights Law , 1998.
Perhaps, You might cover issues, such as, the release of peadiofiles, of fraudsters, or ASBO orders .....
Or ........................... ?
Do you think that you can do better? than as u put it , `Covering`, "..this Russian spy death."
Listern, the news .
HE WAS ASSINATED.
Our government, British, gave him Bretish Citizenship.
He left his origins, his home. As he says in his last statement.. "... beloved Russia."
Who knows for sure if what he said was true? Leaving the KGB .. ? its rumoured, is a thing that just will not happen.
Its interesting & it is also of importance cause of loads of reasons.
What we call `Human Rights,`
`Economics,` what else??
Handling disagreement, Fear.
If a life is taken, is it true that there will be an explanation to the question `Why ?`

Answer 7

they are only covering this story because of the cause of death there is another reported case of radiation poisoning in some one who ate with him in the sushi bar there are traces of radiation in buildings hes visited and traces aboard the B A planes between London and Moscow surely the public have a right to be informed

Answer 8

I care. I'd like to find out what happened, one way or another. Ive been hard pressed to find anyone else who cares, though, apart from the (hysterical) media.

The Russian media has said that the UK is hit by 'panic' over this affair. I'm not sure about that.

Answer 9

I care to the point that it is a life that was ended by another man's hand.
But it happens everyday, do I care enough to stop the world for him, no.
I will pray for his soul, and his family, but you are right. They need to lighten the news up more, All we see is death and war, how can anyone stay optomistic.

Answer 10

Geez. Am I the only one who finds it fascinating?

The guy was (probably) poisoned by a government he dared to criticize! Um....this is serious stuff!

And the poison was one that is so rare and so hard to detect, the fact that the docs were even able to find it is also pretty amazing.

Frankly, that so many people DON'T seem to care is a bit worrisome.

This is news.

Paris Hilton barfing on stage is not.

Hope you can tell the difference.