Christianity exists as a powerful brand, God washes souls whiter than white.

A 2000 year old Multinational with a reputation as notorious as Nike or Coca-Cola and a marque as instantly recognizable as the swastika or Mickey mouse's ears.

Do we look to someone to explain the answers, to make sense of the world, to imbue us with "class consciousness" or "race consciousness" or "Christ-consciousness" or any of the other world views available in the marketplace of ideas?

Who can deliver us from this basic uncertainty we feel in the face of the world, from our personal insecurities? Who can give us something to live for and believe in?   more »

It's complicated. A lot of pop groups aren't actually pop. Westlife haven't released one pop record - lots of saccharine ballads that hark back to the pre-rock era of pop, yes, but still not pop.

Take That had one moment of pop greatness - Back For Good - and the rest was bland sub-dance muzak. Bros were the last 'pop' pop group.

Christina Aguilera isn't really pop because she went for the authentic vote (and funny how only pop people can be known by just their Christian name - Donny, Britney, Kylie - while rock people are known by their "tougher" surname: Jagger, Dylan, Hendrix).

Pop doesn't give a fig for authenticity or adherence to notions of muscularity or rootsy maturity.   more »

Justice is a French D.J. duo heading

a new wave of electronica far removed from

the genteel soundtracks one commonly hears

in W Hotel lobbies and design-conscious restaurants

The music is harder and hookier,

emerging from the influence of Daft Punk

   more »

Keywords: clubbing, electronic, dance, culture

Romney, 60, the son of

a former governor of Michigan,

looks like he should be in the White House

He has the coiffed hair and the starched

blindingly white shirt of a movie president

The guy's just too clean-cut

Can't he dirty up his act?

   more »

Keywords: mormon, romney, 2008, president

The mythologizing of war is a frightening form of indoctrination through propaganda.

It is hidden within a tangle of political deceit and manipulation, where patriotism is intensified, becoming jingoism.

Where war is glorified, warriors are national heroes, and the mass media celebrate violence in a 'just' cause.

Defending 'freedom', bringing 'democracy', demonizing the enemy, are all tactics used to 'persuade' us that going to war is necessary.   more »

"Faith is what propels me to do

what I do and when I am down it's what lifts me up

It's what keeps me grounded

It's what keeps my eyes set

on the greatest of heights

God is with us and he wants us

to do the right thing" [pass the vomit bag]

   more »

Keywords: sanctimonious, god, 2008, president, obama