Michael Jackson Media Circus

What a joke! Watching TV last night we had nothing but wall-to-wall journalists boring everyone (including themselves) stupid trying to fill long chunks of time with guff in between the announcement that the verdict on the Jackson trial had been reached, and the point where it was acutally made known to the world. we were treated to long tedious shots of the Jackson convoy as it made it's way from his home to the courtroom; endless bollox diatribes on the case and the people involved and the speculation on the impact of the verdict and impact of the trial on Michael's career (to say nothing of his mental state) and the decroations around the gates to his ranch and the media frenzy itself etc etc. All a huge waste of time and energy and of incredibly low news value.
With so many 24 hour news channels avialable to us, they are scrabbling for content, at all times steering well clear of any real in-depth analysis of any of it. And they ownder why the Internet is powering a huge boom in citizen journalism and community ownership and control of news.

Southampton relegated - as expected

It's only been a matter of time. The day that Gordon Strachan left the club was the day that Southampton's fate was sealed. The process of succession was totally bungled by the senior management of the club. Steve Wigley made an honourable fist of a job that he was clearly not up to, the supposed high flyer Paul Sturrock lasted for only a handful of games before he left as a result of player power (from what I understood at the time). Finally Harry Rednapp comes into the job (wasn't he available at the point of Strachan's departure?), but clearly it was a case of too little too late at that point Too many changes over a short period of time, too many player changes, and the whole project was fatally wounded. Who to blame? Clearly Rupert, his aides, and fellow board members have to look at themselves and ask whether they could have avoided the shambles that took a smooth running Strachan-run side that was semi-seriously gunning for a European slot and turned it into a side that looks like it will struggle for survival in its new lower division home.
Ever since I've been following the Saints they have never been a great side, but have always shown promise. Until these last months, that is, when they have appeared lacklustre, directionless, and doomed. Thanks Rupert, for nothing. I hope that at least you take this blow as the necessary wake up call you clearly need, and learn the lesson that what happens on the pitch in future needs to to take priority over all else. Without exception.
Looking to next season, I have my doubts about Saints' ability to go straight back up. Very unlikely unless Rupert is prepared to spend (which I doubt), and we are able to retain the majority of the playing staff, and build on that.