Race to the White House

AMERICA will go to the polls next Tuesday (November 4) for the 56th United States presidential election.

Standing for the Republican Party will be John McCain and for the Democratic Party is Barack Obama.

It proves to be an historic result whoever wins. If Obama triumphs, then he will become the first black US president and if John McCain succeeds, his vice president, Sarah Palin, will be the first woman to achieve that office.

Barack Obama, who is favourite to win, has been accusing John McCain of negative campaigning.

It is said that McCain’s strategy of attacking his opponent has had an adverse effect and has turned voters off him.

A key issue is the race to the White House state of the economy, with another being Iraq. Obama opposes the war in Iraq and, if he takes office, wants to see all US troops out of the country within 16 months.

McCain had wanted US troops to remain in Iraq, but now says if he becomes president US troops would be withdrawn by 2013.

Last week Obama took two days out to look after his dying grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, and John McCain has being trying to fight back. While Sarah Palin has been attempting to shake off bad publicity about her wardrobe. It had been said she has spent over £100,000 on new clothes, as a way of improving her style.

Millions will vote on Tuesday and a result will be expected within 12 hours.

The new president won’t be in office until January 20 next year though.

No more ketchup

I COULDN’T believe that tomato ketchup had been banned from school canteens.

It has been banned because of its “high level of salt.”

But it seems to me to be another example of the nanny state.

A primary in Wales is among the schools to not allow their children to eat ketchup on their premises. Apparently they are following guidelines set out by the Welsh Assembly Government.

If they ban ketchup because of its salt content, then surely crisps should be next, and then chocolate and coke could follow, because of their potential health risks.

Ketchup may have too much salt in it, but a little of it with a meal often helps to improve the taste of the food.

Meanwhile Tess of the D’Urbervilles reached its gloomy conclusion last week.

I knew the ending, but still watched on regardless and was just as annoyed at the ending.

I enjoyed the drama, although why did we have to be put through it on a Sunday night.

It was such a sad story to end the week with and there was no upbeat programme to follow.

The next classic drama to be serialised will be Little Dorrit. Look forward to more misery on a Sunday night.

Isn’t there a classic drama they can serialise that is more upbeat? No more Hardy or Dickens for now please!

007 returns

James Bond is back later this month.

The publicity machine has already started rolling for the latest film Quantum of Solace, which will be out on October 31.

It will be Daniel Craig's second time playing Bond and his first outing as the secret agent in Casino Royale, was the most successful Bond movie of all.

Quantum of Solace is a sequel to Casino Royale. This time 007 is seeking revenge for the death of his lover Vesper Lynd in the last film.

The makers have copied a scene from Goldfinger in the new movie where Goldfinger's accomplice is killed by being covered in gold paint, after sleeping with James Bond. In the new movie the scene is similar but this time Gemma Arterton, who has been appearing in Tess of The D’Urbervilles, drowns in crude oil.

Quantum of Solace promises to have all the ingredients of a James Bond film: beautiful girls, plenty of action, fast cars and exotic locations.

What I didn’t like about the last film though was the lack of humour, it seemed to be too dark. In earlier Bond films the jokes provided some lighter moments. Roger Moore was the best at comedy.

In my opinion the stories are not as strong as they used to be either. The best Bond movies were those taken from Ian Fleming books such as: Goldfinger and Dr No.

But the latest release is something to look forward to as the nights draw in.

Fantastic flight

ONE story lifted the spirits last week.

It was the tale of Yves Rossy, aka Fusionman, who became the first human jet to fly the channel.

Fusionman took ten minutes to fly from Calais to Dover with the jet-propelled wing on his back.

The Swiss adventurer had very few instruments to help him and had no flight controls, just his body. To move the wing Mr Rossy had to move his head and limbs slightly.

The wing was built by Rossy in his garage.

It took me by surprise watching his flight across the channel on the TV last week.

Will his jet wing catch-on? It would be useful in a traffic jam.

Meanwhile two weeks ago America got their hands on the Ryder Cup for the first time this century.

Nick Faldo should shoulder the majority of the blame.

It looked like he was unable to generate the team spirit, which had played a major factor in Europe’s last three wins.

He also should have spread his best players out in the final singles. America gained momentum on the final day and this was to be crucial in their win.

Despite Faldo’s failings America were the better side and deserved to win the trophy.