Now I’m back in Europe, I’m reminded that American political life looks even weirder at a distance than it does close up. I’m inspired by the gall of the Republican party almost daily, but today has been most impressive.
1) Republicans veto a bill that is an attempt to start cleaning up the mess their economic [...]

It looks like M&S is working to reduce its carbon footprint, which is a good thing. However, their marketing surrounding the introduction of sustainable technologies exaggerates the effect it will have.

The chain’s first wind turbine, in Aberdeenshire, will provide renewable energy to the branches, which bosses say will lead to a drop of 55% in [...]

Here’s why my missus ain’t got no stone - check out this De Beers parody.

My friend Dr. Ellis Jones has just published a new book, The Better World Shopping Guide. He’s launching it at the Varsity on Saturday 18th November. There’s also a new website, Better World Shopper. It’s a very handy reference if you’d rather avoid buying products from companies whose practices are unethical, like Nestlé. You can [...]

There has just been a tenfold increase in the fine federal government levies against broadcasters who violate “decency standards.” It used to be $32,500, now it’s $325,000, with a maximum of $3m for repeated violations.

The rules do not apply to satellite TV or radio, or to cable TV (such as HBO, which makes the Sopranos). [...]

Today I saw a CNN Showbiz Tonight interview with Neil Young about his new album, Living With War. Neil gave a very good account of himself, despite the ridiculous tone of the questioning, which was politically hostile and inept by turns. At one point the interviewer asked:
You’ve written a song called Let’s Impeach the President. [...]

[...]the US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld accused Iran of dispatching elements of its Revolutionary Guard to stir trouble inside Iraq. Mr Rumsfeld said: “They are currently putting people into Iraq to do things that are harmful to the future of Iraq and we know it. And it is something that they, I think, will look [...]

The other day a customer at the coffee shop asked “Did you see that?”
“What?” I asked.
“Someone just came up to one of the tables outside, changed their baby on it, and left without wiping up.”
And bugger me, it was disgustingly true.

Flicking through the daily papers in the coffee shop yesterday, I came across what has to be the most tasteless headline I’ve seen in a while. Thankfully it was in the “Datebook” section of the S.F. Chronicle, and not on the front page proper, but even so you have to ask yourself just what kind [...]

Hands up, who remembers Owen Paul? No, neither do I. But I do remember his 1986 smash hit, My Favourite Waste of Time. Well, the chorus at least. Here’s the BBC flickbook to listen to as you read the conclusion of my green card quest.