Muslims are far more aware than we are of our self-deceit, of the "spiritual" price we pay for our freedom. They can see that the beautiful ideas we are peddling - democracy, free speech, individualism - bring considerable negatives with them.

If the west is trying to sell these excellent ideas they are also, like a sleazy salesman, failing to mention their obverse - what it is, as it were, that you see when you turn the pretty picture round.

If the body of the suicide bomber has become the symbol of the Islamist's defiance, determination and an almost inexplicable commitment to religious ideals, the way we in the west characterise our bodies is equally telling.

Our media and our lives are full of stories of obesity and anorexia, of models, mingers and the dietary habits of children. We either consume too much or too little. We can never get it right; we feel out of control.   more »

It's stunning to watch this video

of numerous past presidents using identical lines

to promote equally fraudulent wars,

and how the media give the propaganda

the same basic spin for each new war

The callous cruelty and deception remain the same

   more »

Keywords: war, media, spin, propaganda

Whether Bono and Saint Bob should also be held culpable for pinning Africa's future on their own charisma is another matter.

Some campaigners will tell you that the pair, unquestionably sincere, are as much part of the problem as they are crusading figureheads for the solution.

When you win your "instant access" to Tony Blair, who really benefits?

When you take your designer shades to the White House do you really believe that George W Bush has forgotten the meaning of "photo opportunity"?   more »

The spewing of emissions from these cars that get less than 20 miles a gallon will likely force the region over its acceptable limits for air pollution. If the region goes over the limit, it cannot initiate new road and bridge projects.

Just as the size of the American house has grown even as the size of the American family has shrunk, the size of our cars has mushroomed without an excusable rationale.

American men are going to grow fatter and women even more tiny as our cars grow from tanks into aircraft carriers.

Americans seem incapable of looking themselves in the mirror and declaring how ugly they are.   more »

US and Albanian flags line the route from the airport to Tirana centre along with huge banners - rather ambitiously - declaring "President Bush in Albania, Making History", and "Proud To Be Partners".

I'd be happy if he just made a bit of news. They've even renamed the road in front of the parliament "George Bush Street" and the post office has issued new stamps in his honour.

How on earth can this tiny country consider themselves "European"? Don't they know they're meant to be protesting not handing out bouquets?

President Bush has just received Albania's highest award "The Order of the National Flag". To Albania's Prime Minister I give the "Order of the Toady".   more »