My wife was almost in tears, watching the sensationalist news coverage of the young children, crying at the death of their father. He had gone to ask some youths to be quiet and was viciously stabbed and left for dead. Just a quick point – we know he had children, we can safely assume they would be upset – was there any need to show them on television? Not really.

The main point is that people who live close by, know these youths and their drug-fuelled intimadatory behaviour. How can this be allowed? Anti-social behaviour drags down the lives of the people exposed to it – and yet you hear of it happening all over the country. If these youths are caught and convicted – at massive cost to the taxpayer – what will they get? Kudos for doing time, to play some snooker, muck around and meet more of their kin, before coming out and resuming their careers.

I heard David Cameron’s speech and phrase stolen from Tony Blair that says he wants to be tough on crime and the cause of crime. Unless he means something drastic, it’ll all be much of the same, spun a different way, with some stats that prove it’s working – ignoring the stats that show it is not. Normally, being “tough” on something would mean that he intends to throw lots of resource and money at it. It’s not enough.

The causes of crime tend to be education, or lack of it – and this is normally handed down by parent to child, and so the vicious circle is established. How do you stop that? It’s not money – the behaviour is ingrained from an early age by their experience – and then it’s too late – at least for the vast majority. On various television programmes, the youngsters and their (normally absent) parents are usually well dressed, in the latest trainers, standing in front of expensive plasma television screens. Most agree it is education – but in some areas and in some schools and with the quality of parenting, how can they possibly turn out any differently? How do you stop the circle? The school may improve, but the home life and environment will not.

More police? More “Bobbies on the beat”? Does that work, or does that just create confrontation? It could be a start, but some areas are no-go areas for the police already, and this may just increase the amount of ghetto areas where those inside are even more scared and isolated. What about areas where people are well behaved? I do mean young children who hang around together with groups of peers – which I completely understand is part of growing up. Is it fair to them to have police coming up to them and asking them what they’re doing and where they are going, just because they’re wearing hoodies and laughing and joking in groups of 10 or more? Sometimes they’re not vicious gangs, sometimes they’re just teenagers growing up.

Perhaps we only have the option of ramping up the punishment? Perhaps people who are caught assaulting people, intimidating honest citizens, selling drugs and the like should be a lot more frightened of being caught? When I was young, the fear of my mother’s temper kept me in check. I was worried about teachers shouting at me – nowadays, the pupil – or worse, their parent(s) – would give the teacher a good hiding. When people tell me they’re a teacher, I automatically think a screw MUST be loose. The pupils, and later young errant adults truly believe that there is no accountability for their actions. At that age, probably being a bit over conscious of their own self, I think they can only be focused by a genuine concern for “what happens if I get caught doing this?”.

So what are the options? What are the options that we have available where the bureaucrats in Brussels would not work themselves into a frenzy, accusing the Government of human rights abuses? Where are they when a man gets stabbed, trying to quieten down a ruly mob of youngsters? In a big house, out in the countryside somewhere, drinking red wine and telling people what a splendid job he/she is doing – that’s where.

I think it’s time we chose between passive tolerance (accepting that the consequences are people have no accountability and nothing to lose) or an agressive intolerance to those actions which are clearly unacceptable.

There is crime and there will always be crime in any walk of life – this much IS life. Sometimes you are unlucky and you are a victim. That’s a fact. We need to work against that as much as possible by standing up and using a firm hand on those that wish to exploit society. Jail terms should last for their entire duration – not this crazy situation where you are out in under half the time. Jail time should be tough (but fair) – you should never come out of there thinking that it wasn’t so bad. I don’t mean that inmates should be allowed to intimidate one another, but that they should work, work for society – and do it for no recompense. Any misbehaviour should result in extension to their time, maybe solitary confinement, and in more extreme cases – corporal punishment. No personal possesions, no comfort at all, no television, nothing should be allowed in prison. If you don’t like it – don’t do the crime. People who commit crime should have reduced human rights – why should they keep them? The victims lose their rights, during and often after the crime. That needs to be reversed.

It will cost money – extra jails, staff. I think it’s worth paying. To tackle the cause of crime would be nice, but we don’t have the time. Let’s tackle the criminals first, and then the cause of crime. It might be a smaller task. It’s too easy to engage in criminal behaviour – let’s turn it into a more risk dominated activity.

This is all quite common sense – but politicians and liberals are blinded by their own desire to be politicians and liberals. I’m sure that if they were to live on some council estates and some of the streets in Britain today, they may soon change their minds.

I’ve been following the “bung” “sensation” in football, after the Panorama programme on BBC recently and the whole thing stinks of the media trying to pick a fight to get viewers and sell newspapers.

Football is business – big business. In any big business, people offer and give sweetners all the time. That’s a fact. Corporate entertainment, seminars in exotic locations, cash, gifts, whatever.

Football agents: for goodness sake – the clue is in the bloomin’ title! Agent – commission – sales. Come on. What do you expect? Some football players get £100k per week these days – plus commercial endorsement deals etc. It attracts seedy little agents who are trying to cream off the top and are willing to pay to seal a deal. It’s natural – not nice – but natural market forces. It’s like being aghast that prostitutes exist – of course they do! They’ve got something and people are willing to pay for it. It’d be nice if everything was fair … but it’s not, so get used to it!

I’d also like to say that that particular programme didn’t really show much evidence – it was all hearsay and bravado. The Chelsea and Liverpool “tapping up” was ridiculous. An agent says to Chelsea’s Frank Arnesen: “here’s a very good young player, and he wants to leave Middlesbrough – would you like him?”. Frank says he would like him … and? Where’s the scandal?! Agent asks Harry Redknapp if he would like Andy Todd from Blackburn – Harry says he would. So what? 100% of managers would like Ronaldinho – lock ‘em up! He didn’t make or ask for any offers. There was no money anywhere.

If someone is caught handing over a bag of money to a manager, and a deal is subsequently done … then prosecute them both. They know the risks. Otherwise, leave it!! They’re trouble making.

As we approach the fifth anniversary of the terrible attacks on the US, I’m wondering what has happened since? Those events, almost five years ago seem recent in some respects and ancient history in others. Have we learned any lessons?

No. The “war” appears to be gathering pace. Since 2001, we’ve had bombings in Spain, London and Bali to name but a few. Countless other attacks have been thwarted – so we’re told by the media. Israel, Lebanon and Hizbollah is a big topic in its own right. It’s also easy to forget the daily attrocities in Iraq and Afghanistan, if you don’t get to page 20 in the newspapers. People are dying every day. How has the “liberation” helped them? It is inevitable that there will be more attacks on the UK and the US too. Tomorrow, it could be you.

I don’t know what the fundamentalists are fighting for, or what they really think they can achieve … do you? I hear contradictory stuff criticising Western society from British Muslims who wouldn’t dream of living anywhere else but in the West – their Nike tee-shirts betray them. I see Islamic clerics calling for Jihad in Finsbury Park, then taking benefit money from the government and tax payers they purport to hate. Hate them, hate their money. I hear inflammatory remarks from fundamentalists who want the blood of any non-Muslims – leaving no place for compromise or any space for victory on either side. What do they want? It is utterly ridiculous to expect the Western world to stop and declare themselves as Islamic. It’s like asking the Sun to turn blue. It just won’t – why would it?

I see the West denying nuclear technology to Muslim states, keeping nuclear stockpiles themselves but allowing Israel to have these weapons too. I see the self-appointed World Police making mistake after mistake, placing themselves on a pedestal, worshipping themselves and acting in the name of “God”. This is led by a man who had previously never set foot outside his own country – probably his own state. How does he understand other people’s cultures? Does Condaleeza Rice tell him? I hope not. It’s a rule of fear – fear of sanctions, fear of attack and fear of losing support that would be catastrophic to their countries – support being military and trade. Imagine the UK without American support – this would cause severe problems, even for one of the leading players in Western Society. “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

I am overwhelmed by the sheer number of Muslims who would die and kill for their belief. There must be something in it. The media says they are brainwashed. I find it difficult to believe so many people could be brainwashed – that is science fiction – their commitment comes from sheer belief. I respect such an underlying faith, but surely the direction is misplaced? They don’t need to maim and kill (including themselves) – surely they should attempt to educate through example? Looking around the western society with all its failings – they really wouldn’t have much to fear from an intellectual argument with the people that run the world in a debating chamber, would they? Whilst they continue down the “lose-lose” path, no one will listen. The World is too frightened. Dropping the guns and bombs and starting to talk would be the start of a very, very long journey, and would require much faith, compromise and forgiveness (on both sides) – but it’s the only path where everyone will not lose.

I read this morning that obese women should not be given IVF treatment. Single women, lesbians and couples with children from a previous relationship should be eligible. This will make well-built women everywhere feel really good and head straight to the newsagents for comfort!

It’s not in the article, but I would guess sexual deviants and people with ginger hair are still below fatties – but they must be coming close.

Does this mean that fat couples should be sterilised for their own good? It’ll protect the health of the mother and the little fat baby, surely? Send fatties to the back of the bus – that’s what I say! Are there any people in Madagascar yet? There must be a final solution to this.

The key word is choice. Obese people should be warned about the dangers of being obese and this should be re-enforced with messages about the increased danger of being obese during pregnancy. There is nothing that will make an obese woman turn to comfort food more – the chance of having children removed by big brother.

I used to read newspapers and the internet news regularly, but I’ve found myself lately completely and utterly turned off by it all.

Politics used to be fairly interesting, and I use that word “interesting” with extreme caution and with many caveats that I won’t specify here. Now, all the politicians seem the same – same ideas, same dull grey-suited dullards with hidden perversions. Maybe they always were and I finally opened my eyes … I don’t know. If a car bomb goes off in the Middle East now, I can’t be bothered to go past a couple of paragraphs because it’s like groundhog day where you’ve seen it all before … many, many times.

A young girl gets snatched, or murdered and it all seems so … normal.

The only thing quite different in the world news today that is different from the norm is the Michael Jackon case. I don’t think anyone can actually offer a valid opinion on that at the moment – as we simply don’t know. The one thing I do know is that case and all that surrounds it, is so out of the ordinary that it takes the “everything is so repetitive” argument and moves it too far – such that it’s simply not believable. Just the guy’s freakish face gives me the shivers.

Is it the after effects of the 9/11 attacks? Perhaps the world-changing event was so shocking that we’re now immune to “normal” carnage and evil.

So what’s going on? Is the world changing or am I just getting old(er). Answers on a postcard (in big letters please) to InvisibleVoices retirement home in Miami.

Watching some music channel today, and they were showing “Do they know it’s Christmas” by Band Aid. My son, 7, says ‘why are they showing all that?’. He’s pointing at the clips of starving people in Africa. I explained why. He asks a few more questions. Then he says, ‘why don’t they just get them all out in helicopters?’ – I said, ‘who?’ – he said, ‘those poor people.’ (Note: they’re not “Black” or “Africans”) – I said, ‘but where are you going to put them?’ – ‘the army could do it,’ he says – ‘but where are you going to put them?’ I say again – ‘bring them all to England,’ he says, looking at me like I’m stupid.

When you grow up, the phrase ‘it’s someone else’s problem,’ is used a lot, isn’t it?

(To lighten the mood, he then tells me, ‘my school think it’s so serious, they’ve put a poster on the wall about it.’)

Coming back from New York (again) recently, I noticed many people telling me to have a safe trip.

That’s nice, but … why?

Air travel is not my favourite form of travel – not by a long chalk. In fact – I’d rather surf on the back on an alligator. I hate it. My sensitive ears make me think the plane is plummeting at the slightest drop, or climbing like a rocket when it hits a tiny air pocket. 3 trips to New York this year so far, and I still think I’m an Al Qaeda target (I visualise them hiding in by those lakes by heathrow with surface to air missile launchers), or the plane’s wings haven’t been screwed on right, or the pilot is busy having it away with the stewardess and too blind drunk to see the mountain ahead, or the auto pilot computer is being re-programmed by my iPod to try and reach the moon …

Anyway – digressing: the “have a safe trip” comments:

Are they implying that on the safest form of transport (unless you live in Russia), that I WON’T have a safe trip? Is this some sort of coded terrorist threat, or do they know something I don’t? Do these giant metal birds crash all the time and no one tells us? Is the safety of the trip really in question? Crossing the road is much more dangerous – but does yer mum say, ‘have a safe trip, son,’ every time you go to the shop for her? The hell she does.

I think subconsciously, people just know that these incredibly heavy things full of people just shouldn’t be flying – it just doesn’t convince the brain properly. We need some evolution time to adjust.

So, Sir Bob is being linked to Real Madrid? Crikey – Sir Alf Ramsey will be back in charge of the England team next… and he’s dead. Maybe they mean p*ss head Bryan Robson? Or Robson Greene?

Well, I’m back from the Big Apple. It was all far too much hard work and long hours. I had to move room 4 times – which included one hotel change because of having to extend my stay. Both times the room was like trying to sleep on a runway. Funny thing? You complain – and I did have good reason – and they instantly move you to a better room. I said, “you might want to get someone up here to listen,” to which the front desk said, “no, we’ll just move you.” Well, cool banana, I say. The first time I moved, they moved me into a suite for a week and a half! Customer service in the US is legendary, but a friend pointed out, and I totally agree, that it’s either brilliant or total rubbish. They either want to make you feel like a movie star, or an annoyance. I went to the Apple store in Soho to buy a mini-iPod – and they’re great! – it’s a posh shop, very nicely done, but I wanted help in choosing the right bits for it. I queued up and the guy refused to help – “I’m ringing,” he said. I said, “you’re saying you can’t walk around the counter and pick up what you suggested?” … “I’m ringing,” he said. I noticed he walked around the counter when a lady customer asked the question. The all-American dickhead in full effect. I went to Bloomingdales and Macy’s. I heartily recommend both to no one. I do absolutely hate shopping however – so listen at yer peril. I went into KFC – may fav junk food place – and ordered a meal deal thingy. I opened the box … and no chips! Just some hot bread thing. And they roast their chicken … eh? World’s gone mad. I walked all through Central Park to the top, and then walked all the way back to the bottom … that’s 100 blocks in total. An amazing place that – right in the middle of a big city. It’s perfect land to build skyscrapers – because of the rock in the ground – but they resist… so they got that right. Lastly, the people I dealt with have no memories – these are people in an investment bank. By the time they walk from the room in which you just had a meeting – they’ve forgotten what you said. This is most people all of the time. From my experiences in the US this year – been there over a month so far this year alone – I wonder how they are the world’s only superpower. It’s probably just a lack of global competition and the 5% of people who are very sharp folks indeed. I’m half American … and I can’t remember what I just said.

How long can this go on? What on earth has he done to get such loyalty from Sven? He’s an absolute liability – and he always has been! No positional sense, prone to crazy errors, totally unreliable – the defenders must secretly hate the fact he’s in the team, and that must affect their game. Nigel Martyn is getting on, but he’s a much safer bet than this clown. David James is not even good – he’s a first division keeper at best. We lost the Euros because the defence is forced to defend so deeply because of the fact James is in net.

Come on Sven – stop being a loyal dog and pick the best team! James is not the best English goalkeeper – not by a long way.

The death count from the siege has reached 320 and will no doubt become much worse. That’s more dead people than was even thought to be in the school before it all kicked off. And who’s the winner? No one. Who could have won? No one.

I cannot comprehend the motivation behind the people (used loosely) who committed this crime. How can people dream up and execute such plans?

Whatever the grievances of the Chechens, their cause has taken huge steps backwards. The Russian Bear will retaliate, probably removing more than a few innocents from the world in their justifiable rage. The retaliation will be a real reaction to something quite abhorent, but will also be motivated by political reasons. The politicians are already reacting to evade criticism and the like – it’s the same as immediately after 9/11. I was working for an American company and the staff were screaming with horror – but within 2 hours were analysing the effect on certain markets to maximise their trading capability. The world gasps, but then moves on. I don’t see the children who survived or their parents being given that luxury.

Never short of a word or two to say, I’ve decided to write a blog. (Is that bee log, or blog – like slog?). So … here it is.