David Hicks' Daily Doings

Watching footage of Ronald Regan's funeral procession on the BBC the other day, a couple of things struck me. First, the fact that he still has Special Branch chaps in full Men In Black uniform (dark suit, dark glasses, humourless expression) preceeding his cavalcade, checking out the crowd for potential assains. Even though he's dead. I just imagine a Special Branch chap getting half way through a bullet-blocking jump - "NOOOOOO - hang on, what am I doing? Sod it, fire away...".

And then there's the BBC commentator: "There doesn't seem to be much sorrow eveident in the crowd.. In fact, everyone seems to be quite cheerfull... Happy, you might say...".

I've been having a bit of trouble sleeping recently. Partly it's the hot weather, but I think the police helicoptor doing what look suspiciously like arial do-nuts right overhead in the middle of the night might have something to do with it.

I mean, how long does it take to catch criminals these days, dammit? You see TV footage and you get the impression that the helicopter gets its man (or woman, as this is the twenty first centrury and women are allowed to be criminals too) every time. I'm starting to think that in reality things aren't quite as simple as that, though.

Hopefully, we'll soon get to a Minority-Report-style situation - as soon as you nick a car, the police helicopter will be on to you, therefore soon no-one will nick cars. Also, I'm still holding out for one of those natty suits with rocket boosters on the sides...