It seems to come around at least once every year - an 'academic' clergyman makes an utterance that sparks the tabloids into a frenzy of 'Bonkers Bishop!' headlines. In the past, our very own Richard Holloway was a prime candidate but this time round it's none other than his Eminence (or is that His Grace?)the Archbishop of Canterbury - and it's not just the red-tops that are furious.
The good Archbishop seemingly thought it would be a great idea to share his thoughts on introducing some aspects of Sharia law into the British justice system, to initiate debate apparently. Now the Archbishop clearly spends too much time in the cloistered wee world of Lambeth Palace, in the company of other 'intellectuals' and senior churchmen who have climbed the spiritual ladder (the political equivalent is the 'greasy pole'). It's a pity that none of them found themselves able to advise the Archbishop that airing his views on this issue may not be the best course of action. And so it came to pass that the eminent churchman got an absolute kicking in the media and there have even been calls for his resignation from senior Church figures - the Archbishop, meanwhile, is said to be stunned by the reaction. And the sad thing is - he probably is.
So we've had the Bonkers Bishop story this week, next week it will probably be the first appearance this year of either The Abominable Snowman or Loch Ness Monster! Or maybe another WW2 Japanese soldier will be discovered in some inaccessible jungle, still unaware that the war is over ...
Wendygate
'My honesty and my integrity have been confirmed by this judgement'. So said Wendy last week in a defiant address, her performance described by chief cheerleader Jackie Baillie as 'fabulous, f****ing fabulous' (although we weren't supposed to hear that bit).
As has become wearily consistent, Wendy isn't quite telling the whole truth. She was not 'cleared' as she claimed in her carefully prepared speech. In fact, the much-derided Electoral Commission decided in their wisdom that there was insufficient evidence to refer the case to the Procurator Fiscal, and that it wasn't in the public interest! As leaders of Wendy's 'campaign' had already put their hands up to breaking the law that was some judgement, that asks major questions over both the competence - and perhaps even the impartiality - of the EC.
So Wendy's 'honesty and integrity' have been confirmed - but, when you hear public opinion on the issue, certainly not in the manner that she would have liked. According to Wendy, the whole episode has been a distraction to the 'real issues that people really care about' - nursery places for two year olds, central heating for pensioners and of course modern apprenticeships. Actually Wendy, your lack of candour, your team's deliberate attempts to bend the rules and subsequent attempts to cover up wrongdoing ARE real issues that people really care about - and not just anti-Labour voters. And isn't it strange that these 'very very important' issues were not given quite the same prominence when Wendy was in government - this seems more like a desperate attempt to 'draw a line under this and move on'.
Despite her towering intellect (!) her performance since assuming leadership has been lamentable. Labour's shambolic performance on the SNP budget is the latest example of a party that is badly led, in turmoil and seemingly incapable of providing robust opposition to the SNP. Wendy may have escaped culpability for the dodgy donors, but she's got to accept responsibility for the damage that is being done to the Labour Party's reputation, or what's left of it. If Wendy Alexander really has any honesty or integrity left she should go now - she should have gone weeks ago. It's the greatest service she could do for the Labour Party and politics in general.
Sport
Another miserable display by Scotland, this time against Wales. Time after time, Coach Frank Hadden always seems to be able to analyse and pinpoint where it all went wrong. Call me naive, but isn't it your job to fix that, Frank? Basic lessons on how to pass and catch the ball would be a welcome start! Watching the performance of the Italians, narrowly beaten in their two games, I fear that the dreaded Wooden Spoon is a distinct possibility. Grim.
The old Hibs gained an ill-deserved point at Tannadice on Saturday and may even have stolen a victory in the dying minutes. Now Dundee United are a better than average SPL team so a draw is no disgrace, especially while Hibs are still not yet firing on all cylinders. So there is still hope, but I don't believe that we'll make the top six, though.
Champions
Photographed two 'celebrities' with widely contrasting talents last week. Olympic champion Sally Gunnell was in town to promote a nursery kids' healthy eating and fitness initiative, while Big Brother winner John Loughton was back in Pilton to address kids at Forthview School and then a youth group in the evening. Physically they couldn't be more different - Sally is much smaller and slighter than she appears on TV, while John is very much as you see him - a genial, gentle ginger giant of a bloke! However they share a ready sense of fun, were more than willing to chat away to both their 'audiences' and to me and were also very patient when countless people wanted to get their photographs.
Two decent folk - both real stars in their own way - and a breath of fresh air after the nasty smell of Wendygate and the Curious Case of the Bonkers Bishop!
See you next week.
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