Update

The pro-hunting lobby won the Today law repeal competition. And what are people saying? They're saying it isn't fair but because the hunters were organised. Well, good for them. It's a pity the anti-EU brigade, myself included, didn't get our act together. We could have 'sent a message' to the government, couldn't we?

Has anyone else noticed that politicians and other spokesmen are always asking what kind of message a proposed course of action will send. No-one seems bothered about whether anything is right or wrong, just how it will be perceived.

It reminds me of all that fuss about those cartoons of Muhammad. By the way, why do Muslims always add something like 'Blessings upon him', when they mention the prophet's name, while God' is just 'God'. What kind of message does that send?

Anyway, when the storm broke, all the liberals came scurrying out of the woodwork to condemn the cartoons. Now normally liberals are very keen on free speech, but they're not too keen on challenges to their pet hobby horses, like feminism, race, rape, smoking, abortion, animal rights and, most of all, the need to keep their heads attached to their bodies.

So what was the justification offered by these champions of democracy for censorship in this case? The cartoons, they said, were not funny.

Well, that raises a few questions, doesn't it? By the way, note that I said 'raises', not 'begs'. (See http://begthequestion.info/ )

Such as, how do you judge funniness? I like to think I have a reasonable sense of humour and I laughed at at least one of them. Supposing they were hilarious. Do they the qualify for front-page publication in The Guardian? And what kind of message does it send? (Sorry). Is Jimmy Tarbuck to be interned in the Tower of London? Is Escort to be banned because it's not erotic enough?

How did I get here? Oh yes, the Today Repeal. I notice that the anti-EU vote was second-highest. I have yet to meet an ordinary person, as opposed to establishment figures, who is in favour of the EU. I was chatting to three of 'the blonde ladies', the ones for whom I wrote that sonnet, and their opposition came out quite naturally in conversation. If you're reading this, by the way, 'Good morning'.

One of the other short-listed 'bad laws' was the Human Rights Act. The Chief Constable of Derbyshire used it yesterday to support his decision not to publish photographs of two escaped murderers, lest it infringe their rights. He was soon slapped down by the Attorney-General, but nonetheless it shows the paranoia this law produces in otherwise intelligent people.

Apparently anorexia is considered a 'life-style choice' by some. Has the world gone crazy or is it just me?

Idiot of the day: The head of the prison service who says the Prison Service (sic) has no procedure for keeping count of escaped and recaptured prisoners. I suggest a piece of paper and a calculator.

Today's cliches (first heard at 4.45 am): Today it's the magic and the romance of the FA cup, which is a great leveller, and may produce a few giant-killers and even kick-start the season for some clubs. There are abound to be a few upsets, not to mention shocks. I advise the minnows to play their normal game and just enjoy the day. As for the big boys, they've a lot to lose and little to gain, although for some, if they avoid banana skins, it might be their only chance to salvage their season and lift some silverware.

Before I forget I want to return to my list of books for teenage boys and add Nick Hornby, Fever Pitch (if they like football and girls) or High Fidelity (if they like rock music and girls).