Under the radar

It's one of the strange ironies of this modern world, that some of the most interesting reporting comes from Popbitch. Two stories from today's issue, for example:

>> Dirty Lies <<
Radiation bombs are a government fantasy

Last week's BBC drama about a dirty bomb in London has helped keep everyone terrified about terrorism.

But a forthcoming documentary shows that dirty bombs are actually a fantasy. The Americans should know: the CIA tried for years to make one, before realising that blowing up radioactive material won't hurt anyone. Radioactive dust disperses so quickly you'd need to be exposed to it for about a year before any real damage occurred.

The documentary, The Power Of Nightmares, shows how politicians are using fake stories like the dirty bomb to keep people scared, and themselves in power. It also demonstrates that the claim that Al-Qaeda is a global, hidden, terror network is also a myth.

So what channel is this BBC-debunking documentary showing on? Er, BBC2.

The Power Of Nightmares. BBC2, 20th October, 9pm.

And then this:

One of the major "terrorists" arrested and proudly displayed by the British Government as an Al Qaeda
training operative was a north London fitness instructor. The only reason for his arrest: he called his martial arts class Ultimate Jihad Challenge.

Though if you want to refer to a more acceptable source for your information, Jason Burke's Al Qaeda is rather good.