Quick catch-up

Some brief thoughts:

- On the Royal Mail strikes - totally ridiculous. It's like being back in 1979. What do they think they're doing? And there's something sadly inevitable about the accompaniment of nationwide strikes to the end of a Labour government. I usually have some sympathy for public sector workers in industrial disputes, but this is just suicidal.

- Afghanistan - everyone is now focussing on MacChrsytal's new strategy. And missing the point: this is classic counter-insurgency. The real problems are political, social and economic. Sort out the corruption, let farmers grow poppies and buy their crop, and divide the rural population from the Taliban. Oh yeah, and get India and Pakistan talking to reduce their differences and clear out the ISI. Simple.

- Expenses - any MP who squeaks about having to pay back money should be chucked out in shame. Just get rid of them. They're a disgrace to this country. For once I find myself agreeing with the noisome Kelvin MacKenzie. Perhaps I should take that back? No, he's right this time. Jacqui Smith. Oh Jacqui. What a ridiculous mess. And Legg should have covered flipping and mortgages as well. Of course he should.

- Health Reform - 5 bills marked up and reported out of committee, four of which contain some form of Public Option, which is a red herring anyway. Olympia Snowe might get her way over a trigger mechanism that kicks in if premiums and deductibles don't fall. That wold do for me. The Blue Dogs are showing signs of caving in. Obama's going to swing it, people. Fucking amazing.

- #Balloonboy - Twitter at its worst. A ridiculous hoax that grew out of all proportion. And the internet in microcosm. It can be brilliant, and it can also be totally frivolous and a complete waste of time. And that's what I like about it. It's comical and absurd and just occasionally absolutely blindingly useful and fantastic.

- The Thick of It - a new series of Armando Ianucci's brilliant satire is coming on tv next week. Can't wait for more of Malcolm Tucker's swear-tastic spinmeister: 'I'd love to stay and chat with you... but I'd rather have type-2 diabetes...', 'he's as useful as a marzipan dildo...' and other such pearls of wisdom.

Laters