It is now an archive for my newspaper and magazine pieces. My blog can now be read at: www.spectator.co.uk/stephenpollard
Politics, economics and culture from the master. Unmissable.
Melanie Phillips home page
Melanie Phillips' peerless blog. Read, and learn.
Daniel Finkelstein's Times Comment Central
A daily must-read.
Tim Worstall
Lots of interesting nibbles - and a ruthless swatter of economic gibberish.
Harry's Place
Must-read left of centre blog from writers who understand the threat to the West.
Clive Davis
Always interesting selection of culture and politics, from an Anglo-American bent.
Samizdata
Libertarian blog, packed every day.
Norm's blog
The thoroughly sensible thoughts of renowned left-wing academic Norman Geras, Professor of Government at Manchester. And cricket, too.
Public Interest
Peter Briffa's inimitable take on The Yazzmonster and other assorted demons.
Reform
The public sector reform group; their website is an invaluable source of data and ideas.
Centre for the New Europe
The leading European public policy think tank.
Developed by:
| January | 17 |
| 2007 |
I'm back from a week in the US. And what a week to be there. The week when, of course, David Beckham signed for LA Galaxy.
You think I'm joking? I was astonished by the level of coverage in a country where 'soccer' is a minority pursuit. Not only was it splashed across the front page of the New York Times, it was high up on the network TV bulletins, the local TV stations (this in New York!) and the breakfast shows.
There could be no further proof that Beckham is no longer a footballer, but is a free-standing brand.
MessageSpace
I'm just amazed the Galaxy paid that much for someone, albeit a famous someone, who on the downslope of his skills as a player.
Then again, they are one of the worst teams in the league for a reason.
The most succint description of David Beckham which I've heard in the last week was by an American showbusiness reporter for a radio station over here- "He's got the face of Tarzan, but the voice of Jane".
Spare us, please.
Am I the only one who sees this as the crass commercialization (by Europe) of a nice, unspoiled form of exercise that is very popular among American schoolchidren? Why should America sink to Europe's level? If the tables were turned, the European elites would be up in arms at how America is "forcing" its empty, commercialized dreck on defenseless Europeans. An obsession with football is no better, no healthier than an obsession with the Oscards or extravagent Christmas lighting displays. This is just further proof that Europeans consider European junk culture to be superior to any other form of junk culture.