High Profile Victim of The Parasites of Fleet Street

There's nothing the public seems to love more than watching a high profile talent implode in public. Recent reports suggest that Amy Winehouse is in a suicidal state and threateneing to end it all. Anyone who believes that this girl is not a major talent need only listen to her recorded output. Anyone who believes that she is not seriously disturbed need only watch one of her recent live performances. The contrast tells its own story.

What her handlers think they are doing shoving her on stage in the state she's been in on her last few outings is anybody's guess but they're certainly not looking after her welfare. This is a huge shame and I can only hope she has finally reached a tipping point from whence the only way is up. We can't afford to loose talent like this through carelessness.

Gadd Fly Not

The forlorn sight of Gary Glitter meandering round international airports in the Far East with his carrier bag, was a sad sight. It was all so unnecessary too if Jacqui Smith had resisted the temptation to shoot her mouth off to appease the press with a suitable soundbite. I don't blame Me Gadd for not wanting to set foot in a country whose Home Secretary has publicly announced that he would be effectively imprisoned again if and when he returned to the UK. Her statement that he wouldn't be allowed to leave the country if he returned was yet one more example of her pandering to the media. There are others, like the re-re-classification of cannabis, which seem to be designed more to appease the media than the electorate or the teams of experts she has to advise her.

Both statesmanship and humanity seem sadly lacking in New Labours new Britain.