What 2,000 People Look Like 154


almosrnobody

Various unionist nutters have tried to claim that the outrageous BBC/MOD propaganda lie of 35,000 people at Armed Forces Day in Stirling is true. This picture was taken at 1.30pm when the crowd was largest.

There is a lot to give scale in this photo. Look at the vehicles. Look at the marquees.

Look at the marquee closest to the top on the left. There is a van parked right in front of it. From that van, we can measure that it is a sixty foot by forty foot marquee.

Using simple measurement techniques, it is easy to see that the entire crowd could fit into three – or at most four – of those marquees. Perspective is on the side of crowd overestimate as the marquee is further away from the camera than any of the crowd.

If you observe rationally, and look at the clues as to scale, it is not difficult to work it out. That the MOD can claim 35,000 people is a lie by a factor of about twenty times. That the BBC repeats this state propaganda is worse than anything I have seen recently on Russia Today or Chinese state CCTV.

And here is the crowd by the climax – the Red Arrows fly past at 5pm. I have seen more people at a garden fete.

rain


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154 thoughts on “What 2,000 People Look Like

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  • OldMark

    ‘As an ex soldier i am angry that the servicemen were used as a poltical tool for the NO vote. I heard they were also handing out BT leaflets to the crowd.’

    If that’s verified, R Duncan, it is contemptible.

    The relocation of AFD from Edinburgh to Stirling this year, the blatant over estimates of the numbers attending (confirmed by the photos here), and the Beeb’s treatment of the event yesterday, certainly smells like state sponsored stage management in support of the No campaign.

    If the promised in/out referendum on the EU is actually held in 2017, I’ve no doubt the PWB will use the same tactics again in support of a vote for the status quo.

  • Peacewisher

    The propaganda machine seems to be in the hole, Kempe. Yes, they do need to change their approach to news management. The BBC have obviously got their own internal subversives (see “most popular”) and even without Tony Benn some of their number do have some sense of balanced reporting (and they also pay a license fee…)

  • fred

    “The relocation of AFD from Edinburgh to Stirling this year, the blatant over estimates of the numbers attending (confirmed by the photos here), and the Beeb’s treatment of the event yesterday, certainly smells like state sponsored stage management in support of the No campaign.”

    First of all there was no relocation of AFD from Edinburgh to Stirling. The main parade is held in a different town every year. There are events in both Edinburgh and Stirling every year.

    Second, the photos confirm nothing except Craig’s desperation and fanaticism. The authoritative sources, who were there and are in a position to know, are saying the event was a great success.

    “I think Stirling has put on an absolutely brilliant show. The crowds are much bigger than expected.” David Cameron

    “It’s fantastic that so many people came out to recognise those who serve.” Alex Salmond.

    “I am delighted that Armed Forces Day has been such a success ” Angus Robertson

  • Herbie

    Lying about numbers at marches, events etc is standard practice for the BBC. They’ve been at that for as long as I can remember, but there’s always room for doubt. It’s subjective, not an exact science blah blah. We’re well used to their antics.

    What you need to do is catch them out in blatant lying, rewriting, inventing and so on. Then you’ll really know them for what they are.

    Craig has caught them out before:

    http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2013/10/fake-bbc-video/

    Here’s RT’s documentary account:

    http://rt.com/shows/the-truthseeker/media-staged-chem-attack-645/

    When someone lies to you repeatedly it’s best to assume they’re a liar. You don’t continually give them the benefit of the doubt.

    You treat their every utterance with the disregard and contempt it deserves.

  • Fedup

    Peacewisher

    they do need to change their approach to news management

    Never mind “news management” the owners ought to change their approach to governance. Discounting those brainless morons whom support the current status quo along with the lickspittles (shills; paid or idealogical) blighting the debate on this board and elsewhere, whom collectively will not have so much as a pot to piss in. The rest of us are awakening, and are asking; we bought the dream, we bought the ticket, we paid the price, but where are our promised goodies? (Ponzi scheme victims calling in their claim)

    The fact is the asymmetrical welfare benefits of rich take all and become super rich while the rest of us are told; you can suck our thumbs, will not do. The only method of control of the great unwashed, has been for years; you too can be rich; someday, somewhere and do what you wish, as the hopes of the great riches have been dashed and there is nothing but thumbs left to suck on there is no control. Hence the infantile last resort to lies and deceit to keep the gravy train rolling just for a while longer, but the writing is on the wall!

  • Peacewisher

    @Fedup: They can get rich. There’s X-factor, The Voice, and the National Lottery.

    On a serious note… they still don’t get it. There’ll be water cannon in every town and they’ll still not get it. They are rich. They are superior. They are the 1%.

    I never used to like Russell Brand, but I have to admire his current boldness.

  • Mary

    What happened with the lies yesterday is the direct opposite of what the Met do in London. At many protests I have attended, they have always halved the numbers attending cf what the organisers have reported.

    They have a special department to do it. Add 1, subtract 2, add 1 subtract 3….

  • Mary

    There is either more than one Anon here on Anon has changed avatar/e-mail address/IP address.

    Jemand’s has changed here too since writing today on the Stinking Hypocrisy thread.

    Q. Are these people being cloned?

  • A Node

    Has anyone considered the average weight of the attendees? A crowd of fat people may appear more numerous than it actually is.
    Also, people carrying their hat instead of wearing it may be counted twice in an aerial photos.

  • Peacewisher

    Quote from BBC Scotland re the protest:

    “Our coverage of the referendum story is fair and impartial in line with the editorial guidelines.”

  • craig Post author

    A Node

    Indeed. Re that Robben penalty shout, I think his track record as a known diver cost Holland there.

  • Mary

    Scottish independence: Hundreds protest over ‘BBC bias’
    Posted by The Medialens Editors on June 29, 2014, 5:59 pm

    About as brief a report as you can get, but there’s always enough room for the usual robotic line from the BBC:

    “Our coverage of the referendum story is fair and impartial in line with the editorial guidelines.”

    No mention of Prof Robertson’s careful study blowing that out of the water, of course.

    http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/2014/759-scotlandshire-bbc-scotland-coverage-of-the-independence-referendum.html

    DC

  • DoNNyDarKo

    Fred: Is that your personal opinion as a resident of Sutherland ? Extensive knowledge of goings on in Edinburgh and Stirling ? Do you know where both cities are ? Are they close to Waverlie ? That is never 35,000 people ! Craig isn’t desperate, he is correct.And he was right about you too.

  • j coleman

    “The authoritative sources, who were there and are in a position to know, are saying the event was a great success.”

    Ah Fred you are a perfect example of a model citizen. We in the Governing classes salute you. You can have an extra egg one day next week.

    Big Brother.

  • kurtan

    It should be very worrisome for the Government if the Ministry in charge of Defence cannot count.This probably means we have over estimated the strength of the Taliban for years.

  • Mary

    Second on the Scotland page.

    Scottish independence: Clash over borrowing claims
    The Treasury claims that Scottish government plans to increase borrowing under independence would be incompatible with retaining the pound
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28072175

    The first is about a MAA critical report on the lack of collision warning systems on Tornado jets which caused two to collide and the loss of three lives and the severe injury to a fourth airman. The MoD has been holding the report back. The collision occurred in July 2012. What about the relatives Mr Hammond? Have a care.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28071240

  • Mary

    Just for the record here and further to the Medialens editors’ previous comment, John Hilley on the protest about BBC Scotland’s reporting.

    Re: Scottish independence: Hundreds protest over ‘BBC bias’
    Posted by John Hilley on June 29, 2014, 7:50 pm, in reply to “Scottish independence: Hundreds protest over ‘BBC bias'”

    A really great turnout at the BBC protest, with, I’d say, 1500 at least, contrary to their spurious headline.

    Professor Robertson gave a fine speech, not a word of it covered by the BBC. He made a particular point about the constant repetition of fear-laden stories/quotes, the deference shown to No business bodies like the Weir Group (who sold the weapon pipe sections to Saddam) and offered many interesting thoughts about the insidious connections between senior BBC Scotland figures and the No political cast.

    He also specifically criticised all those notable media researchers/academics who have failed to come and help defend his work.

    All in all, a great, colourful and positive protest, signifying the widening disaffection of Yes voters towards the BBC. While recognising the visual support being shown by some staff from behind the BBC windows, much talk today of a necessary purging of this propagandist organisation if indy comes about.

    John

  • fred

    “Fred: Is that your personal opinion as a resident of Sutherland ? Extensive knowledge of goings on in Edinburgh and Stirling ? Do you know where both cities are ? Are they close to Waverlie ? That is never 35,000 people ! Craig isn’t desperate, he is correct.And he was right about you too.”

    I have never pretended knowledge of anything. The only people in any position to be able to have a reasonable estimate of the numbers are the organisers. I merely posted links to what those with the data said. Craig however gave an authoritative “1,600” figure, not about 1,500, not between one and two thousand, 1,600. He hasn’t however stated how he knows this.

    Same with the Bannockburn event. I have no way of knowing how many people were there, I must just rely on reports of what the organisers said, 10,000, not the 20,000 stated by Craig.

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