THIS IS NOT IMPERIALISM

THE PEOPLE OF LIBYA MUST BE PROTECTED

From the lips of Barack Obama.

It is important to hear a simple, definitive focus after so much disagreement over method.

WE SHOULD NOT ARRIVE TOO LATE

It is with a heavy heart that I concede to the necessity of military intervention in Libya. My only hope is that by acting early enough, order and the will of the Libyan people can be achieved without too much bloodshed.

On the topic of blood: enough already has been spilt.

I would love to adopt the unilateralist rhetoric of the German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle: "Considering alternatives to military engagement is not the same as doing nothing."

But what else will dislodge the madman?

THIS ACCIDENT COULD PROVE NOTHING, BUT SIGNIFY EVERYTHING

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU LOVE HIM OR CAPITAL H-I-M

Reason and diplomacy delivered provocatively (Courtesy Miss Gaga).

Source: Born This Way

A SNUB TO HISTORY? CERTAINLY. AN AFFRONT TO JOURNALISM? MOST DEFINITELY!

I’m amazed that it takes the resignation of one of its journalists to bring the sly antics of one of Britian’s red top rags to the fore. Writing in his letter to its owner, Richard Peppiatt is entirely correct when he invokes the effect of Daily Star reportage as inciting hatred: I am definitely overcome with hatred and rage whenever I see its front page glaring at me from newsstands.

My anger is mainly directed toward the people who would peddle and masquerade such filth, but not exclusively. As the written testimony of one of its journalists suggest, there is no smoke without fire. The fact that people buy the newspaper in their droves points towards a wider set of concerns.

I think it is a shame that Mr Peppiatt’s resignation letter should solely grace the pages of other news outlets and be omitted from the very one which it references. I therefore advise anyone who shares this same concern to print copies of Peppiatt's resignation letter and slip them inside the pages of as many copies of The Daily Star as you should see as benefiting.

Incidentally, the passage that I have extracted was made in reference to the front page headlines on the day that Egyptians took to the street to demand an end to Mubarak's rule. I do not entertain a desire for reductionism nor do I demand that we all follow a single historical narrative. I am even happy in the knowledge that we all entertain varying levels of interest in certain topical affairs. What I do find hard to swallow is that a widely consumed news outlet would snub such a significant international development in favour of the latest installment in the soap opera life of Katie Price.

"FOR GOD'S SAKE" IS USED TO EXPRESS URGENCY AND NOT TO INVOKE A DEITY

From The Guardian: Humanist census posters banned from railway stations.

You can join the British Humanist Association's Census Campaign here.

GOVERNMENT ISN'T SOME HAMPSTEAD DEBATING SOCIETY: YOU NEED TO MAKE CONTEMPORARY JUDGEMENTS

He was once in a similar position...

I guess what Sir John Major really means is "sometimes plans change". What use would our leaders be to us and the country if they could not respond to unforeseen events as they happen? What mandate do they have for violent action if they have not previously been pressed on the issue?

The Falklands.

Afghanistan.

Iraq.

Libya?