http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/ Read our Birmingham blogs and columnists' views. Interesting opinions on the latest news, sport, lifestyle and events in Birmingham, the Midlands and beyond. en-gb Birmingham Mail no Read our Birmingham blogs and columnists' views. Interesting opinions on the latest news, sport, lifestyle and events in Birmingham, the Midlands and beyond. Birmingham blogs http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2009/07/03/a-lesson-for-the-wags-97319-24066996/ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:21:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2009/07/03/a-lesson-for-the-wags-97319-24066996/ ANDY Murray (could getting his adenoids taken out help him close his mouth?) has been cheered this week by his lovely English Rose girlfriend, Kim Sears. Maureen Messent http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2009/07/03/wake-up-call-overdue-97319-24066982/ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:20:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2009/07/03/wake-up-call-overdue-97319-24066982/ A GHASTLY child, Sonny Grainger, aged 12, has stolen cars, started fires, terrorised neighbours and been expelled from three schools. Maureen Messent http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2009/07/03/enough-of-the-self-pity-97319-24066960/ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:18:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2009/07/03/enough-of-the-self-pity-97319-24066960/ MOST hilarious sight of the week was boozy ex-actor Bruce Jones (sacked from the role of Les Battersby in Coronation Street) in Famous, Rich and Homeless on BBC1. Maureen Messent http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2009/07/02/mourners-for-jackson-have-deeper-troubles-97319-24059651/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:12:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2009/07/02/mourners-for-jackson-have-deeper-troubles-97319-24059651/ I’D NEVER knowingly heard Michael Jackson sing until after his death and, because I find the pop scene depressing and sometimes frightening in its power to influence the young, I knew little of him. Maureen Messent http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2009/07/02/gordon-revisits-the-80s-for-solutions-97319-24056540/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:05:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2009/07/02/gordon-revisits-the-80s-for-solutions-97319-24056540/ I NEVER had Gordon Brown marked down as a New Romantic, but I reckon the Prime Minister will be breaking open the eyeliner and donning a frilly shirt any day now. The Stirrer http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2009/07/01/angry-cameron-i-predict-a-riot-97319-24040937/ Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:50:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2009/07/01/angry-cameron-i-predict-a-riot-97319-24040937/ CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron didn’t pull any punches when he claimed a Labour general election victory could lead to “riots in the streets”. Jon Walker http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2009/07/01/still-no-sign-of-rover-report-97319-24040914/ Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:48:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2009/07/01/still-no-sign-of-rover-report-97319-24040914/ MP Richard Burden (Lab, Northfield), pictured, has been urging the Government to publish a report into the collapse of MG Rover. Jon Walker http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/karren-brady-birmingham-city/2009/06/30/tipping-s-becoming-just-gratuitous-97319-24022262/ Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:45:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/karren-brady-birmingham-city/2009/06/30/tipping-s-becoming-just-gratuitous-97319-24022262/ THE Aussies don’t do it. The Americans do it in spades. The English? We cough and splutter and wonder what percentage of the bill should be passed over as a tip. Karren Brady http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/david-bell/2009/06/29/if-you-think-this-year-is-bad-just-wait-for-2010-97319-24011096/ Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:34:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/david-bell/2009/06/29/if-you-think-this-year-is-bad-just-wait-for-2010-97319-24011096/ THIS is a red letter day for the average West Midlands taxpayer. It is the beginning of the first week in which he starts working for himself and his family. David Bell