Long Live King Hector

As some of you may know, an event is going to happen in 2012 that will bring global attention to Britain, our culture and way of life, and highlight British talent. I speak of course of the Olympics, and by extension the Paralympics. On the other hand, the same year will see an event that will highlight the anachronistic nature of our political system and attract global bemusement and head scratching: the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

While I was pondering this over dinner*, it occurred to me that I was in the presence of a potential monarch: our hamster, Hector.

Protesters aren't domestic extremists, they're extremely bored

Police state latest: turn up at a few demonstrations (say, against nuclear waste being dumped in your wheelie bin*) and your mugshot could turn up... on an "Eye-Spy" style police 'spotter' card.