In a brave but almost certainly doomed attempt to appeal to America's evangelical Christian voters, Barack Obama has taken part in a televised debate at a "megachurch" in California. Although he sensibly scattered biblical references throughout his replies, the senator's...
Read moreNot so long ago we were warned that, as a nation, Britain was sitting on a fat bomb. Unless something was done about the annual inflation in obesity rates, the fat bomb would explode. There would be a terrible mess....
Read moreHow will your community be marking the imminent handover of Olympic flags from China to Britain, an event recently described by Tessa Jowell as "a truly historic moment, not just for London but for the UK"? In my part of...
Read moreIt has been something of a shock to be reminded that ITV is still a public service broadcaster. For some reason, the idea that the channel responsible for The Jeremy Kyle Show, Golden Balls and Bingo Night Live is providing...
Read moreAt this time of the year it can be useful to have some great, global problem to worry about. Staring moodily out to sea, or dozing over a Jeffrey Archer novel, many holiday-makers can find thoughts of a distant crisis...
Read moreThe man in the camping shop is in a bit of a state. He is dressed for the holidays – shorts, flip-flops, a T-shirt with the message "A bad day on the water is better than a good day at...
Read moreThere will be more grumpiness than usual this week in doctors' surgeries across the country. GPs, already wearied by the demands of anxious, needy members of the public, have another reason for discontent. They are not, as a profession, trusted...
Read moreThe great alcohol debate has become appropriately confused, muzzy and pie-eyed. It is as if those discussing the problems of what is described as "binge Britain" have themselves been bingeing for so long on statistics and press releases that they...
Read moreIt can be the strangest things which make one miss lost friends. Over the past few days, I have found myself thinking of the writer Willie Donaldson, who died just over three years ago, every time I read reports from...
Read moreIn a near-perfect piece of political casting, Hazel Blears has introduced a White Paper on local government, hilariously entitled Communities in Control. Like the smilingly officious primary schoolteacher she occasionally resembles, Ms Blears has patted the electorate on the head...
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