Is it any wonder that we struggle to compete at times, in this country, with the best in the world ? And, even when we find someone that does, we cannot wait to knock them.
Take Lewis Hamilton, for example. Last year, he was the greatest thing since sliced bread – a wonderful start to his racing career and clearly a great prospect. This year, after only 3 races (the first of which was still a win !) the media are beginning to question his credentials. Quite staggering; and I am pleased to see that he began to answer some of those critics with his 3rd place at the weekend.
I have written in this column before about how negative we are about the 2012 Olympics. Why is it so difficult to see what a massive positive boost that event can bring to this country on numerous fronts ? Yes, there is a cost but, nothing is for free in this world.
The other issue is that of employing overseas players in team sports, at the expense of home-grown talent. This issue has been well-documented with regards to the footballers in the Premier League, with something like only 30% of players being English.
However, I think we have plunged to new depths today in English County Cricket. Whereas, I was pleased to note, Yorkshire took the field last week with 8 players who had progressed through their own Academy; Leicestershire have taken the field today in Birmingham with 6 players born in South Africa and 1 born in Australia.
Now, even putting aside the Kolpak ruling and players wishing to re-nationalise themselves and qualify for England - as did Kevin Pietersen let’s not forget - I still think Leicestershire’s team today is a sad indictment of the state of sport in this country.

In my mind, there is absolutely no justification for acts of terrorism, especially those that end in the loss of life for innocent people. Some interesting comments, though, coming out of the trial of eight men, in London, on terrorism charges. Comments which resonate chillingly, don’t you think ? They are alleged to have suggested that people in this country care more about animals, Eastenders, the World Cup and alcohol than they do about world politics.
What is worrying is that that they are so right. The ignorance of the general public is almost breathtaking at times. Consider this.
Many young people think nothing of spending in the region of, say, £60/night drinking, in and out of clubs/bars, rides in taxis etc. They maybe do that twice a week. So, in an average month they spend nearly £500 on such activities. Yet, some of those same people will complain bitterly about paying just £100/month in Council Tax – money that goes towards ensuring that the clubs and bars that they drink in are safe and hygienic; towards regulating the taxis that ferry them around; towards freeing the streets of the litter (and vomit) that they leave behind; towards funding the police force, on which they will call, if there is any trouble. And that is not to mention all the other services provided by their local authorities, such as Education, Libraries, Fire Service etc. I think we may have got things slightly out of proportion somewhere along the way !
I have for many years, now, argued that we are not educating our young people sufficiently well in how important local government is and, particularly, how important it is that local taxes, i.e. Council Tax and Business Rates, are paid promptly by all. Whilst the modern trend is to look to blame someone else, I urge local government itself to grasp the nettle and start to be more proactive; after all, it is itself responsible for delivering education ! Whilst it does not sit easily with me that I find myself agreeing with an accused terrorist, should we not be heeding such a valuable lesson ?