MW4HH

Michael White is a big fan of Harriet Harman.
"Harman continues to demonstrate reformist zeal for the causes of her life: discrimination and unfairness towards not just women but ethnic minorities, the disabled, sexual minorities, religious minorities, the elderly and those involved in gender reassignment. They are all addressed in the equality bill she is pushing through parliament in the face of strong opposition in the last session of the parliament."

At the risk of agreeing with Michael White, I agree with Michael White.
Such activities reinforce the loyalty of her supporters and the enmity of critics such as the Daily Mail
Exactly, and we probably need more of that in the future

ICC rankings

whether or not you really believe the rankings, it's hard to argue that the players at the top are bad.
I was thinking to myself the other day that there was a lack of England players in either list. Now we have the 3rd and 7th best bowlers in the world up there. Nice.

I always knew Cook would come good. He played far more fluently for Essex at the end of last season than he does for England, but there is a big difference between the 2nd division of the County Championship and Australia and South Africa. But great to see him get his 100.
Well done to Bell also. While he doesn't bowl, his fielding his very useful in our current XI. He just needs to score when the chips are down. I said he was lacking confidence after the Harris dismissal, and 140 is just what he needs to get that back.

Quick goals

Anthony Stokes scores after 12.4 seconds for Hibs, and apparently that's quick.
Feddy Eastwood scored on his debut after 7.7 seconds.

Alastair Cook

It shows the strength of England that Cook has been under pressure despite excellent results this year.
In 2009 Cook has got 960 runs at 45, can't argue with that.

Role of select committees

I'm sitting here watching John Bercow talking about possible parliamentary reforms.
He's goiong on about how Select Committees should have a greater role, and i would certainly agree with that. I'm not sure of the exact details, but i would really like to see them have a far greater role in actually making laws rather than the government just running rough shod over opposition and doing what they like

US healthcare bill thingy

"US senators have passed the final Senate version of a historic healthcare reform bill."
Good news

Morne Morkel

What has Morkel done to be considered untouchable?
De Wet bowled really well in the first Test and should stay in the team. Ntini has nearly 400 wickets in 100 Tests. I personally don't like quotas and all that as i think the best should play, end of. However, i'm not South African and I wasn't there, or even close. So for political reasons, maybe Ntini should play. I don't like it, but there you go. I'm a fan of Ntini, so for me i'd drop Morkel if Steyn is fit

Top tache

Brilliant

Shane Bond

Shame to see him have to retire from Tests. Test cricket is, of course, the highest and best form of the (any?) game so the game will miss him.
if his body had been up to it, he could have had a cracking career.
I think the way cricket, especially Test cricket, is scheduled is too harsh on the players.
He should come and open the bowling for Essex when Kaneria can't play

"Christmas is like a puppy, but worse coz you can't put christmas in a sack and drown it."
The grumpy guide to christmas, glad i'm not the only one who hates it