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 http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/05/09/arrogant-youth-should-pay-for-crippling-cerys-97319-20885867/ Thu, 08 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/05/09/arrogant-youth-should-pay-for-crippling-cerys-97319-20885867/ THE High Court has awarded an interim £800,000 to the family of little Cerys Edwards, who suffered catastrophic injuries in a car crash. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/05/09/it-can-happen-here-and-it-does-97319-20885878/ Thu, 08 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/05/09/it-can-happen-here-and-it-does-97319-20885878/ IF YOU had cupped a hand behind your ear in Britain this last week, you will have heard a nation congratulating itself that the horrors of the Austrian cellar weren't uncovered on our island. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/05/08/let-ed-get-back-to-the-dirty-work-97319-20878850/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/05/08/let-ed-get-back-to-the-dirty-work-97319-20878850/ ED DOOLAN is one of the reasons I wanted to become a broadcaster. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/05/08/party-ban-is-an-own-goal-97319-20878852/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/05/08/party-ban-is-an-own-goal-97319-20878852/ PARTY pooping Baggies bosses have done their best to give the club a bad name in the wake of winning the Championship. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/05/07/challenge-for-steve-97319-20873150/ Tue, 06 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/05/07/challenge-for-steve-97319-20873150/ BIRMINGHAM MP Steve McCabe has a challenge on his hands as he manages Labour's campaign in the Crewe by-election. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/05/07/right-decision-in-road-charges-row-97319-20873160/ Tue, 06 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/05/07/right-decision-in-road-charges-row-97319-20873160/ WEST Midlands councils came in for some stick when they turned down the opportunity to pilot a road pricing scheme in the region. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/karren-brady-birmingham-city/2008/05/06/where-is-the-respect-for-the-elderly-97319-20867725/ Mon, 05 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/karren-brady-birmingham-city/2008/05/06/where-is-the-respect-for-the-elderly-97319-20867725/ IT IS quite possible that just around the corner from you an old person is being abused, or worse. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/05/02/a-year-on-we-still-can-t-quite-forgive-the-mccanns-97319-20853030/ Thu, 01 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/05/02/a-year-on-we-still-can-t-quite-forgive-the-mccanns-97319-20853030/ THAT beautiful little face, a perfect oval, has stared at us for a year now. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/05/01/be-prepared-for-results-row-97319-20847602/ Thu, 01 May 2008 10:09:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/05/01/be-prepared-for-results-row-97319-20847602/ IS IT true that international observers have been sent to monitor the elections in Birmingham today? http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/05/01/track-and-trace-callous-owners-97319-20847490/ Thu, 01 May 2008 10:04:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/05/01/track-and-trace-callous-owners-97319-20847490/ SHOCKING new figures from Birmingham Dogs' Home show that more pooches are being abandoned in the city than ever before. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/04/30/a-burden-for-blair-97319-20841376/ Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/04/30/a-burden-for-blair-97319-20841376/ THERE may be a feeling of déjà vu for Richard Burden MP when he quizzes Tony Blair next week. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/04/30/no-relief-for-lord-jones-back-in-brum-97319-20841386/ Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/04/30/no-relief-for-lord-jones-back-in-brum-97319-20841386/ DIGBY Jones escaped the plotting and backstabbing of Westminster to take part in a debate on immigration in Birmingham last week. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/karren-brady-birmingham-city/2008/04/29/a-hard-life-for-staff-not-inmates-97319-20835424/ Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/karren-brady-birmingham-city/2008/04/29/a-hard-life-for-staff-not-inmates-97319-20835424/ LIFE in some prisons is so cushy, inmates are ignoring chances to escape. Or so says a prison officers' leader. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/david-bell/2008/04/28/political-put-down-is-a-real-let-down-97319-20830102/ Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/david-bell/2008/04/28/political-put-down-is-a-real-let-down-97319-20830102/ AS an insult, it lacked a lot in snappiness, spite and spleen. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/faiths-in-our-city/2008/04/26/sign-love-will-overcome-evil-97319-20831517/ Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/faiths-in-our-city/2008/04/26/sign-love-will-overcome-evil-97319-20831517/ THIS week, on Wednesday, we marked the Feast of St George, the traditional patron saint of England. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/04/25/but-you-are-a-clown-ian-97319-20819408/ Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/04/25/but-you-are-a-clown-ian-97319-20819408/ AS A sporting mercenary, footballer Ian Wright did well. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/04/25/our-immigrants-problem-is-not-race-but-culture-97319-20819412/ Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/04/25/our-immigrants-problem-is-not-race-but-culture-97319-20819412/ IT MATTERS not a jot in the great scheme of things that council leaders in Bradford axed a children's march to celebrate St George's Day. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/04/25/spare-us-the-sob-stories-97319-20819419/ Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/04/25/spare-us-the-sob-stories-97319-20819419/ BRING out the tissues. Start up the waterworks. Another batch of wannabes is running a nice little line in emotional blackmail. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/04/24/don-t-let-the-sun-catch-you-crying-97319-20812987/ Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/04/24/don-t-let-the-sun-catch-you-crying-97319-20812987/ FOR years Scousers have boycotted Britain's best-selling tabloid The Sun after its shameful lies about Liverpool fans in the wake of the Hillsborough tragedy. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/04/24/party-posters-ban-benefits-no-one-97319-20813130/ Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/04/24/party-posters-ban-benefits-no-one-97319-20813130/ ANYONE noticed that the local elections are just over a week away? Thought not. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/04/23/concentrating-on-the-enemy-97319-20806049/ Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/04/23/concentrating-on-the-enemy-97319-20806049/ ALONG with Ed Balls and Tom Watson, the Labour MP for West Bromwich East, Mr Brown's best political friends include Ian Austin, the MP for Dudley North. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/04/23/enoch-speech-gained-in-translation-97319-20806207/ Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/jon-walker/2008/04/23/enoch-speech-gained-in-translation-97319-20806207/ THE anniversary of Enoch Powell's "rivers of blood" speech has been and gone, prompting discussion of the issues he raised. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/karren-brady-birmingham-city/2008/04/22/puppy-love-beats-good-intentions-97319-20799718/ Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/karren-brady-birmingham-city/2008/04/22/puppy-love-beats-good-intentions-97319-20799718/ BAD news for our King Charles Cavalier spaniel Buddy: he isn't going to be allowed to sleep on my daughter's bed any longer. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/david-bell/2008/04/21/britain-needs-a-bill-of-rights-now-97319-20794475/ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/david-bell/2008/04/21/britain-needs-a-bill-of-rights-now-97319-20794475/ NEARLY 200 heroin addicts have won a £10,000 a head payout because the authorities stopped them taking drugs in prison. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/david-bell/2008/04/21/relative-burgled-by-addict-97319-20794485/ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/david-bell/2008/04/21/relative-burgled-by-addict-97319-20794485/ A HEROIN addict who burgled his grandmother's home has been spared further time behind bars. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/faiths-in-our-city/2008/04/19/jews-see-right-to-vote-as-a-privilege-97319-20795843/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/faiths-in-our-city/2008/04/19/jews-see-right-to-vote-as-a-privilege-97319-20795843/ THERE is a general principle in support of majorities within Judaism. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/04/18/clyde-s-a-sight-for-sore-eyes-97319-20784012/ Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/04/18/clyde-s-a-sight-for-sore-eyes-97319-20784012/ THE happier story this week has been that of Clyde, the young Welsh cob, whose sight has been saved by a Birmingham Mail reader after she learned Clyde's owner couldn't afford a £2,500 eye operation. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/04/18/these-were-no-hapless-victims-97319-20784026/ Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/maureen-messent/2008/04/18/these-were-no-hapless-victims-97319-20784026/ SEE our blame-free nation has advanced a few paces this week with the body of Midlands-born children's TV presenter, Mark Speight, found near Paddington Station. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/04/17/exams-saga-goes-on-97319-20777816/ Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/04/17/exams-saga-goes-on-97319-20777816/ THE West Midlands language school exposed in this column for falsely claiming to have accreditation from a number of exam awarding bodies is in bother again. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/04/17/property-cloud-has-a-silver-lining-for-starters-97319-20777823/ Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/04/17/property-cloud-has-a-silver-lining-for-starters-97319-20777823/ THERE'S going to be a house price crash. Get over it.