I’ve always seen secularism as a way to protect people from religious persecution or from attaining a second-class status for their religious beliefs. I don’t think secularism gives more power to atheists, which I believe has all the traits of religion, including faith.

Oh, and wrinkly, green, pointy ears? I don’t think so, Picklers.

I’m reminded about my own position on the monarchy. I used to be an ardent republican, but nowadays I couldn’t give a toss (I think I’m safe in saying that that’s the majority view). I accept that the Queen etc is a symbol of the nation and a figurative head of state. There is no danger of a democratically elected Parliament’s — or more accurately, the government’s — sovereignty being usurped by the monarchy. There are also advantages to being born into the position rather than lying your way to it. In what way exactly would a politician President be significantly better than a jug-eared King? It’s not a compelling argument.
But then — and this is the key bit — I still feel I (and people like me) have more in common with republicans than with monarchists. I might tell republicans that I’m not really that bothered about it anymore and anyway, it is part of our history and culture, so why change it? But I don’t even mix socially with flag-waving toby jug-collecting Daily Mail-reading monarchists.

Na’at’a mean soops? Ya get me?

It was a Golden Age, damn your eyes.

I will happily loan out my copy if your interested.

Regarding Shilpa Shetty — for the benefit of those unfamiliar with her — she used to be a fairly lightweight “cute” type in her on-screen persona, until she decided to revamp it a couple of years ago and became very glamorous indeed, turning herself into the long-haired svelte leggy supermodel type that you saw when she first made her entrance to the new BB house. Apparently she pursues a fairly punishing exercise routine these days too, so she’s known for being one of the physically fittest actresses in Bollywood.

But arguably not as wrong and bad as this